Hustle Queen in the Harem: My Consort Won't Stop Grinding

Chapter 79: Chapter 64: Your Highness, May I Have a Word?

The system no longer believed the host’s nonsense.

It demanded that Jiang Xian provide a concrete example of palace intrigue to convince it.

In a moment of desperation, Jiang Xian recalled a text-based palace intrigue game her colleagues often played while slacking off at work. They often said, "The first step after entering the palace is to go chat with the Empress every day, curry favor with her, and get her to promote you." After giving this example, she continued, ’The Empress holds the Central Palace Scroll, which even the Emperor cannot easily overrule. Once I win the Empress’s favor, she will definitely support my rise to the top, to the pinnacle of my life.’

The Central Palace Scroll was a symbol of status, not something to be used lightly.

Let alone for something as trivial as promoting a concubine.

But at first listen, the logic seemed to hold up.

So, the system presented Jiang Xian with two Golden Fingers that suited her needs.

[Name]: Emperor, You Must Stand Up for Your Humble Concubine!

[Type]: Single-Use Consumable

[Function]: Provided the target has a favorable impression of you, speaking this line will greatly increase the probability that they will defend you.

[Note]: Inspired by Diao Chan from Three Kingdoms Kill. Those who know how to act cute have the best luck. (Usable by male concubines.)

The "usable by male concubines" part was a stroke of genius.

[Name]: Emperor, Might Your Humble Concubine Have a Word?

[Type]: Single-Use Consumable

[Function]: Provided the target has a favorable impression of you, speaking this line will greatly increase the probability that they will agree with your suggestion. The more delicate and affected your tone, the better the effect.

[Note]: The target’s mental fortitude and degree of affection for the host will also affect the skill’s efficacy.

The second one was better suited for her current situation.

"My Lady~"

Jiang Xian placed a hand on the Empress’s wrist.

That single cry of "My Lady" was filled with a thousand twists and turns, oozing with charm. The palace maids in Jianzhang Palace shivered and were filled with confusion.

’What is Noble Lady Gu doing?’

’Is she usually like this with the Emperor?’

’But this is the Empress! Why is she fawning over the Empress?’

"Might your humble concubine have a word? Come, exercise with me to build a strong body, and then you can gather all the palace authority back into your hands. I am thinking of you in all things, My Lady. My devotion to you is as clear as the sun and moon!"

Fu Jin’s skin crawled, goosebumps erupting all over.

And yet, to the Empress, who was under the skill’s effect, it sounded perfectly pleasant. Jiang Xian’s voice was sweet and soft. As she spoke, her fingertips traced little circles on the Empress’s wrist, making her heart tremble...

This skill was originally meant to move men.

But when used on a member of the same sex who bore no ill will, it actually worked!

It just goes to show that people don’t hate the "green tea," they hate that they aren’t the one the "green tea" is trying to please.

"Noble Lady Gu, you are most thoughtful."

The Empress was dazed for a moment, completely forgetting the pain of her earlier exercises. She began to yearn for the wonderful, energetic future Jiang Xian had painted for her. "With you as my right hand, this one need not worry about having no one capable in the harem!"

"Your Majesty is brilliant! Your Majesty is wonderful! As long as Your Majesty finds me worthy, I am willing to serve you with utmost loyalty."

Jiang Xian said coquettishly, holding the Empress’s arm.

If the Emperor had been present, he would have surely recognized that the way Jiang Xian was fawning and acting cute with his Empress was exactly the same way she acted with him.

As a dowry maid, Fu Jin had been with the Empress since their days in the Chu Mansion. The masters and mistresses she was used to all spoke with subtlety and elegance. Who had ever seen someone like Jiang Xian, who simultaneously deployed a flurry of rainbow farts and painted grand pictures for the future? It was as if she wanted to become sworn sisters the day after they met. It was so cringe-worthy! A daughter from an aristocratic family would surely look down on such behavior...

The Empress laughed. "Haha, Noble Lady Gu, you really do say whatever is on your mind."

The Empress couldn’t handle it.

She didn’t believe everything Jiang Xian said, but it was truly pleasant to hear.

Seeing the obvious delight on the Empress’s face, the palace maids were in disbelief... ’So Her Majesty actually falls for this sort of thing? How did we never notice before? Then again, not everyone has the gall of Noble Lady Gu.’

This was Jiang Xian in business mode.

But she knew better than anyone that this "business" was secondary; the most important thing was that she was valuable to the Empress.

Then, the Empress remembered the original reason she had summoned her: to help sort out the procedures for the New Year celebration. "After the New Year, and a little while longer, the Emperor will be going to Xihua Garden to escape the summer heat."

※

After connecting with the Empress, Jiang Xian’s life in the harem became much more eventful.

Every day after paying her respects, she was invariably kept behind by the Empress to help with palace affairs. Because a Noble Lady’s rank was too low to officially assist with these duties, this arrangement was not publicly announced. Jiang Xian agreed to this, but the Empress felt indebted to her, hinting that she would certainly be on the list for the next round of harem promotions, while also showering her with a constant stream of rewards.

In recent days, the rewards the Empress sent to Yizhu Pavilion were even more generous than those from the Emperor.

Her leader had promised her a spot on the promotion list and was generous with bonuses and benefits—where could one find such a good boss? Jiang Xian returned the favor in kind. She helped the Empress sort through past palace affair records, which had become a chronic mess, and re-recorded them in a loose-leaf binder for easy reference to past precedents. This greatly increased the Empress’s work efficiency.

The one who noticed this most keenly was Noble Princess Consort Rong.

Since reflecting on her actions by copying scriptures in her own blood, Noble Princess Consort Rong had regained the Emperor’s Holy Favor. Although not at its peak, she was still the number one figure in the harem. However, it seemed the Emperor’s reservations had not entirely disappeared. He did not return control of the Imperial Household to her, leaving it in the Empress’s hands.

Thus, her power to "assist in managing the Six Palaces" seemed rather empty.

The Empress’s position was stable. The only goals a Noble Consort could pursue were a son and power over the palace.

The former was nowhere in sight, and Noble Princess Consort Rong had always wanted to reclaim the latter.

Noble Princess Consort Rong had a fine plan.

She and Chu Siyun were old rivals. She knew perfectly well that the Empress’s capabilities were limited and that she would have to give up her palace duties sooner or later. She waited and waited, never even arriving late for her daily respects at Jianzhang Palace, all so she could see the look on Chu Siyun’s face with her own eyes.

The Empress’s dark circles grew heavier.

The account books from the Imperial Household sent to Jianzhang Palace remained unsorted for a long time.

The Empress grew so thin her cheeks became hollow.

The Empress’s steps became unsteady.

The Empress... collapsed in Jianzhang Palace!

When she heard this news, Noble Princess Consort Rong was so delighted she wanted to open two pots of the finest wine to celebrate. It was like popping the champagne early.

"The Empress keeps that Mrs. Jiang behind every day. I don’t know what shady business they’re up to, but her complexion has become rosier by the day."

Noble Princess Consort Rong frowned.

Ma Wan Yi chimed in, "It’s Mrs. Jiang again. She’s everywhere! She’s trying to curry favor with the Empress, but can the Empress help her win the Emperor’s affection? The Emperor never stays overnight at Jianzhang Palace except on the first and fifteenth of the month. I think she’s wasting her effort. The Empress is probably just enjoying the feeling of being served by her... Is this Noble Lady Gu really that good at serving people?"

Neither of them considered that she might be helping with palace affairs.

After all, Jiang Xian’s original self was merely the daughter of a County Magistrate from a remote region. No one would have expected her to possess such strong work capabilities.

What they thought of was that she must possess some miraculous health-preservation techniques.

Noble Princess Consort Rong lowered her gaze for a moment and sneered, "A mere Noble Lady, and instead of trying to hold on to the Emperor’s affection, she’s focused on currying favor with the Empress. When the Emperor has completely forgotten about her, she’ll realize her mistake."

Just as the two were gleefully imagining Jiang Xian’s tragic downfall for being penny-wise and pound-foolish, a palace maid walked in with her head bowed:

"My Lady, over at Jianzhang Palace..."