Selling wife for fame? Kick out the scumbag and marry the new emperor to enjoy the harem of favors

Chapter 162 A Bright Future
"That's wonderful! Now that Your Highness has been promoted to the rank of Consort and entered Jingming Palace, they should think twice before trying to harm you again." Consort Liu was genuinely happy.

Of course she hoped Xie Jiu would get better, since she was now on Xie Jiu's side.

"There's no need for you to keep calling me 'Your Majesty' between us." Xie Jiu smiled. "I'm a few years older than you. If you'd like, you can call me 'elder sister' from now on."

With a smile in her eyes, Consort Liu nodded immediately, "Sister doesn't mind my dullness and helps me like this. I trust you the only one in the whole palace."

As the two walked toward Ninghua Palace, Consort Liu looked around and, seeing that there was no one around, lowered her voice and spoke again.

"Actually, after the palace banquet last night, I received news that the person my sister wanted had been captured alive and is now being transported to the capital. I also have to thank the recent investigation into the Ministry of Revenue and the falsification of household registrations. That person's fake household registration was discovered, and he had nowhere to escape."

"Where was it found?" Xie Jiu glanced at her sideways.

Liu Cairen sighed, "When he was captured in Jizhou, he still had nearly a hundred taels of silver on him. The steward of my sister's mansion was quite generous in giving his cousin money."

"How could you have run for so long without money?" Xie Jiu chuckled.

Liu Cairen smiled and said, "The net of justice is vast and its meshes are wide, yet nothing escapes it. No matter how fast one runs, he will eventually be caught. Sister, please wait a moment. With the horse moving at full speed, we can bring him back to the capital in about eight or nine days. He will surely give you an explanation."

"There's no rush. Your brother has worked hard this time," Xie Jiu said proactively. "I think your brother is doing a good job in the city defense camp. If you're willing, I can put in a good word for him with the Emperor to transfer him to the Imperial Guard. What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Consort Liu was immediately pleasantly surprised.

He immediately nodded, "That's wonderful. To be able to serve the Emperor is a blessing that many people can only dream of."

"But you might have to start as a fourth-rank guard, the lowest rank, which is a sixth-rank official position. You should also ask your elder brother if he's willing," Xie Jiu reminded him.

Consort Liu did not hesitate, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. My brother is currently in the city defense camp, but his official rank is only sixth grade. Being an imperial bodyguard would be much more promising than being in the city defense camp."

Since she had already said that, Xie Jiu naturally didn't ask any more questions.

The two quickly returned to Ninghua Palace.

Unexpectedly, they ran into Chang Xi, the head steward of the imperial kitchen, who came to deliver the account books.

Upon seeing Xie Jiu, Chang Xi's face lit up with a smile, and he hurriedly bowed and greeted her, "This servant greets Consort Jin and Lady Liu!"

"No need, why did Eunuch Chang come all the way here? These small matters can be handled by the subordinates." Xie Jiu was very amiable.

Seeing that she was in a good mood, Chang Xi became even more attentive.

"It should have been delivered by someone from below, but it's the end of the year, and there are even more things to report. I was afraid that the people below wouldn't understand and would waste Your Majesty's time, so I came in person."

"Furthermore, the palace banquet was held yesterday, and everyone in the Imperial Kitchen received a reward. This is all thanks to Her Majesty. If Her Majesty hadn't come up with the idea and led our kitchen to create something new, how could we have pleased the Emperor so much? It's quite remarkable that our kitchen was able to bring honor to our Great Jing Dynasty in front of foreign envoys, isn't it?"

No wonder he became the general manager; those words really put people at ease.

But it's not over yet.

Seeing that Changxi beckoned to the little eunuch following behind him, the latter quickly stepped forward and picked up the food box in his hands.

"Your Majesty's promotion is a great joy! We in the Imperial Kitchen are all happy for you. We really don't have anything good to offer as a congratulatory gift, but this 'Splendid Auspicious Soup' was specially made for you by the head chef. We wish Your Majesty a bright future and all your wishes fulfilled!" After he finished speaking, Consort Liu chuckled softly beside him.

"Steward Chang is really thoughtful. He not only came to report on the matter in person, but also prepared such a meaningful soup. He really put a lot of thought into it."

Upon hearing this, Xie Jiu smiled and said, "Eunuch Chang is indeed reliable. Although I came up with a new idea for this state banquet, without Eunuch Chang's cooperation and the concerted efforts of everyone in the kitchen, the task would not have been completed. Speaking of which, I was thinking of celebrating with everyone after my promotion. Now that you're here, Eunuch, take the kitchen's reward money back with you."

After speaking, he gave a wink to the person beside him. Chunrong and Qingfang understood and immediately went into the house and brought out two wooden boxes, which contained small pieces of silver that were divided into purses.

"You've worked hard, Father-in-law. This was specially prepared for you by the Empress."

When Chunrong handed over the items, she whispered something in Changxi's ear and slipped a small purse into his hand.

Chang Xi squinted and peeked through the seam of the pocket, and saw that it was filled with gold. He was overjoyed.

After a busy day, I had to give them another round of thanks.

After reporting the matter, he left Ninghua Palace with a smile still on his face.

"Master, Consort Jin is so generous and kind, unlike Consort Zhuang, who, though generous, has a terrible temper," the little eunuch muttered.

Changxi raised her hand and smacked him on the head. "You little brat, how dare you question the empresses? If you keep gossiping like this, I'll tear your mouth apart. Consort Zhuang was favored in the past, and she's the only one with a son. How could she not be arrogant? Consort Jin is a new favorite. She hasn't been in the palace long and hasn't established herself yet. She still needs to win people's hearts, so she's naturally gentle with her subordinates."

The young eunuch scratched his head, but still cautiously asked.

"Then, Master, shall we speak to Consort Jin?"

"I will do my best." Chang Xi narrowed his eyes. "This woman is intelligent, beautiful, and from a good family. Don't listen to what people say about her being a second wife and entering the palace. Sooner or later, the emperor will be annoyed by her. If the emperor cared, he wouldn't have tried to bring her into the palace in the first place. Maybe the emperor likes her. There's no one else like her in the whole palace."

The young eunuch seemed to understand, but didn't ask any more questions.

Meanwhile, inside Ninghua Palace, Xie Jiu paid no attention to what the servants below her were speculating about her; she was chatting with Consort Liu.

"How is Consort Wei doing lately? Ever since she made a mistake in her duties and was summoned to Fukang Palace by the Empress Dowager for questioning, she seems to have become quite depressed."

"She does seem to be in a bad mood lately, and she doesn't come out much. Yinmei Pavilion is so quiet it's like no one lives there." Consort Liu frowned. "I sent people to inquire, but I couldn't find out anything. Maybe she was frustrated and scolded by the Empress Dowager, so she's feeling down."

Xie Jiu lowered her eyes, "But the Empress Dowager did not strip her of her power to assist in managing the six palaces, which shows that she still intends to cultivate her."

Hearing her say that, Consort Liu thought for a moment, then asked in a low voice.

"Does my sister want the power she holds?"

“I want it, but others want it even more.” Xie Jiu chuckled. “The Empress has always wanted to take back power, but that won’t work with me. She’ll probably target Consort Wei. She might even try to win over or use Consort Wei to deal with me. Rather than give the Empress a chance, I’d rather the power remain in Consort Wei’s hands.”

As soon as she said that, Liu Cairen understood what she meant.

"Don't worry, sister. When I get back, I'll go to Yinmei Pavilion myself. If Consort Wei has any difficulties, I'll tell you myself."