He asked you to serve him in bed and become his concubine, how did you manage to win his heart and s

The Mu Xiaoci before him was still the new emperor, and he was not as mature and experienced as he had been in his previous life. He even still had some of the naivety of a young man.

He said "I'll come see you another day!" so loudly, it sounded like he was being difficult.

Yunxi was amused by his appearance, but when she caught a glimpse of someone coming from the corner of her eye, she immediately lowered her head.

It was Granny Gui who came in.

Despite being a servant, when the emperor wanted to be alone with his concubine, even Granny Gui had to be tactful and wait behind the screen.

Because Li Ruolan was not around, Granny Gui became Li Ruolan's eyes and ears.

She kept a close eye on Yunxi's every move, preventing her from doing anything she shouldn't.

Granny Gui couldn't possibly be unaware of everything that had just happened inside.

Especially the sight of the crumpled embroidered handkerchief by the bedside, and the lingering fragrance in the air, all point to one thing.

"You've got some nerve."

Granny Gui glanced around and couldn't help but let out a cold snort.

Yunxi, who was still on the bed, immediately slid down and knelt in front of Granny Gui.

"It was my fault, Granny Gui, please don't tell Her Highness..."

She approached Mu Xiaoci without permission, which crossed Li Ruolan's bottom line.

If she finds out, I'm afraid tonight won't be easy, and I won't have any peace.

Yunxi could guess what was going on. There might have been other options at the time, but she deliberately chose the most difficult one to resolve.

Looking at her obedient appearance with her eyes lowered, Granny Gui felt a surge of anger for some reason.

He had his hand raised; all he needed to do was slap her to teach that slut a lesson.

But I just can't bring myself to do it.

Granny Gui knew that as long as she confirmed Yunxi's crime, Li Ruolan would not let her go, and might even torture her severely, making her wish she were dead.

Disobedient servants would suffer terrible consequences; being severely beaten was the least of their worries.

Granny Gui did not punish him, mainly because she had other concerns.

Yunxi is already pregnant, and if she harbors resentment towards them at this time, it might affect the subsequent plans.

Li Ruolan is immature and can act recklessly and vent her temper, but Granny Gui cannot.

She was a spy planted by the Li family in the palace. She came to Li Ruolan's side specifically to seize power and bring things back on track after Li Ruolan made a mistake.

In a place like the palace, it's better to avoid trouble. Since it can be kept secret, there's no need to cause unnecessary trouble.

"You still remember the Empress? How could you have done such a vile thing inside just now!"

The hand didn't actually fall, but a scolding was inevitable.

Upon hearing this, Yunxi's lips curled into an unnatural smile, but when she looked up, her face showed only endless grievance and helplessness.

"Granny, I had no choice. His Majesty was holding my face and seemed to notice something... I could only cover my face and accidentally bumped into him. After that, everything that happened afterward was beyond my control..."

There was absolutely no way that Granny Gui would question Mu Xiaoci, so Yunxi simply blamed him for taking the initiative, making Granny Gui believe it.

Upon hearing this, Granny Gui was indeed stunned.

If it really was the Emperor forcing her, then Yunxi had no way to refuse.

After all, her current identity is Consort Lan, the Emperor's woman. How could she refuse when he has desires?

However, such claims are impossible to verify. Although they are possible, Granny Gui cannot fully believe them.

The scrutinizing eyes in front of him were fixed on Yunxi, trying to glean some clue from her expression.

Unexpectedly, Yunxi became even more aggrieved, raising her hand to reveal the reddened tiger's mouth and the wrist mark from Mu Xiaoci's forceful grip.

"Granny Gui, I really had no choice. The Emperor held my hand so tightly that it hurt terribly, but he wouldn't let go..."

God knows the actual situation is the opposite.

Yunxi seized Mu Xiaoci's weakness. He tried to break free, using force to hold Yunxi's wrist, wanting her to let go quickly.

But to everyone's surprise, Yunxi used her mouth, which allowed her to succeed.

Mu Xiaoci was angry about this point.

He considered himself a man of few desires, and it was impossible for him to indulge in lust in broad daylight, so why was he so eager to force himself on a woman who was pregnant with his child at this time?

At this moment, Yunxi directly described Mu Xiaoci as an unparalleled lecher, and even in broad daylight, she was so excited by this news that she forced herself to do it.

It's just a little hobby unique to the emperor; who would dare call it perverted?

This scene made Granny Gui blush, and although she opened her mouth, she swallowed her words.

"Fine, I'll keep this a secret for you for now. But if you dare to utter a single word, even I might not be able to protect you."

She deliberately exaggerated the matter, even trying to use it to threaten Yunxi and make her fear Li Ruolan's revenge.

If it were the naive Yunxi of the past, she would have been intimidated by these few simple words, but they are no longer enough to frighten the current Yunxi.

She remained obedient, responded to Granny Gui with a "hello," and silently moved to a corner, preparing to take off her clothes.

Now that Mu Xiaoci is gone, she should return to where she belongs.

That's what it means to have keen insight.

Granny Gui was initially furious, but seeing that Yunxi was no different from usual, she suppressed her doubts.

The most urgent thing is to find Li Ruolan and tell her the good news.

The imperial edict promoting him to the rank of concubine will be drafted after Mu Xiaoci returns; it's only a matter of time before it's sent. Now, it's better to prepare it in advance.

The rank of concubine means that she is the head of a palace, which means that she will soon be moving out of Yaoguang Palace to live elsewhere.

Without Consort Wan, the chances of the surrogacy being discovered are much lower.

Yunxi changed back into her original palace maid clothes, washed off the makeup from her face, and picked up the herbs again to apply to her face.

Li Ruolan is petty and narrow-minded. Even without makeup, she wouldn't dare risk showing her face to Li Ruolan.

Soon, Li Ruolan returned, dressed as a palace maid.

She was somewhat dissatisfied that she had been hiding in the side room for so long, but the thought that the Emperor was now keeping a close eye on her filled her with a sweet feeling, and she was able to patiently continue waiting.

Using a surrogate mother is like daring to cross a tiger's head. Yunxi and she do look very similar. As long as they are well hidden, they will never be discovered.

Even Li Ruolan would be nervous and afraid of such a serious matter as execution.

Only when Granny Gui arrives can she finally relax.

The makeup on Li Ruolan's face was exquisite, and even though she was dressed as a palace maid, her noble air could not be hidden.

Yunxi had returned to her usual drab appearance, and the contrast between the two standing together was even more striking.

Li Ruolan was in a good mood, and when she saw Yunxi, her eyes were fixed on Yunxi's belly, her eyebrows curving into a smile.

"My dear sister, I've heard some good news! It seems your premonition was right."

"It is this servant who wants to congratulate Consort Lan, who will soon be moving out of Yaoguang Palace and becoming the mistress of a palace."

Yunxi dared not boast in front of her, and instead praised Li Ruolan at this moment, letting her immerse herself in the current joy.

Sure enough, this flattery made Li Ruolan beam with joy.

"It's all thanks to my sister's abilities. Now that she has a child, the rest of the harem must be green with envy."

Li Ruolan felt relieved just thinking about Consort Su's angry face, and couldn't wait to go over and show off!

But she couldn't rush things. She was certain she would meet Consort Su, but before that, she had another place to go.

Yunxi didn't know who Li Ruolan would retaliate against first.

But she knew that anyone who had bullied Li Ruolan would be retaliated against.

Back then, she and her mother did nothing wrong. Just because her mother was beautiful, Li Zhengrong took a liking to her, and the First Madam tortured her mother to death.

She also used other people to transfer her resentment onto them.

The First Madam is Li Ruolan's mother; like mother, like daughter.

They are also vindictive and will never allow themselves to be wronged, much less be bullied for no reason.

Yunxi now feels that this temperament is quite good; at least no one will dare to bully her, and she will not let anyone else be bullied.

She has to learn.

Otherwise, how can we repay them in kind?

The Emperor's decree finally arrived. Richard even gave a brief instruction before reading it: "Consort Lan, His Majesty says that your health is important, so you may receive the decree standing up."

Upon hearing this, the jealousy in Consort Wan's eyes, who was spying from not far away, was almost overflowing.

She never expected that Li Ruolan, this lowly woman who had just entered the palace, could rise in rank so quickly!

The emperor was usually busy with state affairs and did not favor his concubines in the harem very often. Each of them tried their best to get pregnant.

Even Consort Su was determined to keep the Emperor here.

In the end, didn't it all end in failure?

What gives Li Ruolan the right to do so?

Consort Wan even remembered that after Li Ruolan served the emperor, Aunt Rong came with some things.

Everyone in the harem knew that Consort Su was jealous, especially the newly arrived concubines. They would always receive a reward for serving the emperor, and there was absolutely no chance of them getting pregnant.

The more she thought about it, the more something seemed wrong. Consort Wan was so angry that she didn't even realize that her nail guards were digging into her flesh and drawing blood.

"Let's go find Consort Su."

After much deliberation, she decided to go and find Consort Su.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend; this saying also applies to the imperial harem.

Li Ruolan's family background is indeed excellent; they are wealthy and powerful. Now that she has a child, it won't be long before Consort Su is the one who's anxious.

Who knows, that woman surnamed Li might become the second concubine in the harem, perhaps even surpassing Consort Su.

Some things are better nipped in the bud.

The seemingly peaceful harem is beginning to stir with this news, and a storm may break out soon.

After being promoted to the rank of Consort, she was allowed to have two palace maids serving her personally.

While Granny Gui was still selecting palace maids, Li Ruolan didn't care at all, looking at the fake pregnant belly that Granny Gui had made for her over and over again.

"A three-month pregnancy shouldn't be very noticeable, so let's leave it at that."

Li Ruolan put these things away, then unconsciously moved her wrists, a slight smile playing on her lips.

"I wonder if the Empress Dowager will still punish me by making me copy scriptures when I go to Shou Kang Palace tomorrow..."