Shui Wa: "Alas~ A master of palace intrigue nurtured by a prominent family, ultimately defeated by a transmigration female with a cheat. Poor original host, who could possibly contend with her if she were an indigenous resident."
Jun Jiu Li: "Her defeat is quite normal. After all, no matter how capable, she couldn't withstand the crushing power of high technology. A mere dream could completely control the Emperor."
"Very true! Without the system, she would have died in this harem in the first round. Not to mention bearing so many children; with the current medical standards, giving birth to one already takes half a life. And her recovery afterward was so good – it's blatant cheating."
"How many did she end up having? Eating melon jpg."
"Nine, all sons. After that, she monopolized all the sons in the harem; others either got pregnant but didn't give birth, or gave birth to daughters."
"Clever~"
"Host, have you decided what to do?"
"My child is still so young. It's too early to act against the Emperor now. I can't personally handle it; governing the empire is too exhausting."
"That's true. This is Zhao Sisi's first child. It's also your child's... Aren't you going to do something about it?"
"Do it? Of course, I will!"
After dinner, the wet nurse brought the little one over. Although she didn't breastfeed personally, she had to cultivate their bond daily.
The moment the child saw Jun Jiu Li, he started smiling. He was incredibly cute, much more lovable than his scummy father.
The child was too young, and there were too many things to attend to. After playing for a while, Jun Jiu Li handed him back to the wet nurse. Previously, the original host had personally taken care of everything except feeding.
The Emperor didn't come, so the little one was placed beside her to sleep. With someone to care for him, Jun Jiu Li was too lazy to bother. She hung a peace charm on him, letting the child learn independence.
...
The next morning, she went to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager, in her words, was hinting that Jun Jiu Li was stingy. She mentioned that Consort Zhao was pregnant and advised Jun Jiu Li not to dwell on it.
"Mother, what would you consider not dwelling on it? Perhaps you could set an example for your son."
"Hmph, the Xu family taught you to speak to elders like this. The upbringing of noble families is also just this." With that, she slammed the table heavily, expecting Jun Jiu Li to bow and apologize.
"My Xu family's upbringing is, of course, first-class. I've never heard of a Noble Consort having to yield to a Mere Consort."
"There are laws for the state and rules for the family. Merely being pregnant means disregarding seniority and respect. Wouldn't this cause chaos? May I ask where Mother learned such household rules?"
The Empress Dowager slammed the table again, stood up, and pointed at Jun Jiu Li with trembling hands, her face flushed with anger. The imperial consorts all stopped their actions, silently watching the spectacle.
"Presumptuous, how dare you defy me."
Jun Jiu Li sat calmly, taking a sip of tea. She said indifferently, "Mother, why do you say that? Everyone knows I come from a prestigious family. We value filial piety, courtesy, and shame above all else."
The imperial consorts almost burst out laughing. The Empress Dowager felt extremely embarrassed. She was of humble origins, a mere palace maid, and the Emperor was not particularly affectionate towards her; he even loathed her background.
After all, the Emperor had suffered greatly in his youth, and the Empress Dowager could hardly be considered a qualified mother.
Few of the consorts in the palace truly respected her, so she could only seek validation from Zhao Sisi, who had an even lower status.
Jun Jiu Li had the Xu family behind her, and the Emperor had repeatedly warned the Empress Dowager not to trouble her. Previously, the original host, for the Emperor's sake, had always been respectful to the Empress Dowager, no matter how she was provoked.
Jun Jiu Li did not indulge her and gave her no face at all. With everyone watching and no one offering a way out, Zhao Sisi finally rose and supported the Empress Dowager.
"Empress Dowager, please sit down and have some tea to calm your anger. Do not worry yourself for my sake; it is all my fault for being foolish and accidentally offending Noble Consort."
"Indeed, foolish as a pig."
The Empress Dowager snorted coldly and sat down in a huff. Zhao Sisi bowed to Jun Jiu Li again, lowering her head as if on the verge of tears.
"Sister, you are right to reprimand me. It was my mistake for not clarifying things, causing Empress Dowager to misunderstand Sister. If you must blame someone, blame me. Empress Dowager is merely concerned for my unborn child."
After saying that, she caressed her belly, putting on a pitiable expression. The other imperial consorts showed no outward reaction, but they inwardly disdained her petty behavior.
They had seen all sorts of concubines in their deep courtyards; Zhao Sisi was still too naive. In an era where imperial power was supreme, merely acting pitiful and speaking softly wouldn't work.
"Don't try to falsely claim kinship here. Everyone in the capital knows I am the only daughter of the Xu family."
Zhao Sisi looked at Jun Jiu Li's contemptuous gaze and gritted her teeth. She deliberately clutched her still-flat abdomen and made as if to kneel and apologize.
"It is my lowly status that has offended you. I beg Noble Consort's forgiveness."
The Empress Dowager quickly grabbed her, "How presumptuous! If you want to put on airs, go back to your Weiyang Palace."
"Mother, you speak too harshly. I am merely speaking the truth. Have I perhaps touched upon someone's sore spot? In that case, I will punish myself with a drink."
With that, she looked at the two with a smile and downed the tea in her cup.
The Empress Dowager's chest heaved with anger. How could Xu Zhihua be so different from her previous dignified and elegant image?
Learning to be so petty, it seemed her past humility and politeness were all a pretense.
Thinking she would no longer gain any advantage, she angrily picked up her tea and took a sip.
Zhao Sisi obediently fanned the Empress Dowager from the side. Soon, the Empress Dowager clutched her throat with one hand and Zhao Sisi's hand with the other, her emotions highly agitated.
Her mouth opened and closed, but no sound could escape. The scene descended into chaos. Jun Jiu Li stepped forward, seized the somewhat flustered Zhao Sisi, and calmly ordered someone to fetch an imperial physician.
"Zhao, you dare to poison Empress Dowager! Guards, go summon the Emperor." Lu Luo bowed and shrewdly hurried towards the Emperor's chambers.