Quick Transmigration: Underdog Turns out to be Untouchable-Chapter 942 - 853: Unwilling to Be a Slave

The promotion speed of the ministers’ daughters entering the palace is extremely fast. This is not due to the Emperor’s affection, but rather their family background. Of course, the Emperor’s favor can certainly accelerate the speed of promotion.

One such case is the daughter of the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, who the Emperor particularly liked, Yang Gengyi. Because of the Emperor’s favor, she was promoted for eight consecutive days, advancing from a Junior Eighth Rank straight to a Senior Fifth Rank Wanyi.

Yang Wanyi was the fastest and highest to be promoted among her cohort of ministers’ daughters entering the palace. Other concubines were mostly still lingering at the beauty or talented level.

Yang Wanyi’s stomach was particularly competitive. Shortly after becoming a Wanyi, she became pregnant. Since Lady Jing’s miscarriage, the harem had not had any good news from the concubines. Now that Yang Wanyi was pregnant, the Emperor was particularly happy and directly conferred her as a concubine.

A concubine can preside over a palace. There weren’t many empty palaces available in the harem because there were too many low-ranked concubines, but almost all main halls were empty. To show his favor to Yang Pin, the Emperor generously let her choose one for herself.

Yang Pin immediately set her heart on Fangcao Pavilion because its scenery was among the best in the harem, second only to the prestigious Fengchen Palace. Among the remaining palaces, it was superior to even Lady Jing’s Yingyue Palace.

Of course, another reason Yang Pin favored Fangcao Pavilion was that it housed the fewest low-ranked concubines, just two, allowing for tranquility in the beautiful setting, without having to witness those vying for favor.

The Emperor hesitated slightly before agreeing. To show respect to Lady Jing, he specifically went to Yingyue Palace to inform her, asking her to make the arrangements.

Upon hearing the Emperor’s request, Lady Jing did not immediately agree, hesitating instead, "Emperor, normally it would be fine for Yang Pin to move into Fangcao Pavilion, except that Du Zhaoyi still resides there. Du Zhaoyi was previously the main lady of Fangcao Pavilion.

Although she angered the Emperor before and was demoted from Lady to Zhaoyi, she was still once a Lady. Presently, she stays cooped up in Fangcao Pavilion without venturing out, looking quite pitiful.

I thought of leaving some dignity for Du Zhaoyi and hadn’t placed anyone in Fangcao Pavilion. Now, with the sudden appointment of another main lady to Fangcao Pavilion, Du Zhaoyi’s feelings..."

Lady Jing stopped here without continuing. This Du Zhaoyi was the former Lady Xuan. Lady Jing wasn’t truly sympathetic but had already considered everything.

The Emperor instructed her to place Yang Pin in Fangcao Pavilion, evidently not planning to intervene himself. Lady Jing feared that if Du Zhaoyi later complained of mistreatment, the Emperor might believe her and become dissatisfied with Lady Jing.

The Emperor was quite hypocritical, ready to abandon any woman, including the Empress, without batting an eye in serious matters.

However, in trivial matters, he liked to play a part of deep affection, much like after demoting Lady Xuan to Du Zhaoyi, acting harshly, yet later appeasing several servants who dared slight Du Zhaoyi, switching between affection and indifference effortlessly.

The Emperor never believed that the concubines truly loved him as a person rather than for his title, nor did he believe they would dare have grievances. He felt that when he punished, they could only be heartbroken, and when he showed benevolence, they should be immediately grateful.

Thus, the Emperor never considered that Lady Xuan would resent him. When he demoted her, he was unconcerned. When favoring Du Zhaoyi after the fact, he never thought she wouldn’t need his favor.

Of course, at this moment, the Emperor again exhibited his cold side. When Lady Jing suggested considering Du Zhaoyi’s feelings and perhaps letting Yang Pin choose another palace, he laughed indifferently.

Casually addressing Lady Jing, he said, "Your considerate approach towards each concubine’s feelings is commendable, but Du Zhaoyi is no longer a main lady of a palace. She must adapt to her status eventually. No need to overthink it; let it be Fangcao Pavilion, quickly prepare it for Yang Pin to move in."

Since the Emperor had spoken, Lady Jing permitted her staff to set up the main palace of Fangcao Pavilion, though it was not without its challenges, such as obstruction from the original occupant. However, the matron executing the orders silenced Du Zhaoyi with the phrase, "It is the Emperor’s decision."

In Fangcao Pavilion, the former Lady Xuan, now Du Zhaoyi, was furiously smashing items in the room, cursing, "Bitch, bitch! Gao Yilan, you dare humiliate me so!"

"Yang Pin, bitch, seeing me down and out, even as a mere little concubine, you dare climb over me! Dream of being the main lady of my Fangcao Pavilion. I will not let you get your way, bitch!"

Beside her, Bi Ying listened to the crashing sounds within, concernedly watching Du Zhaoyi, uncertain how to console her. Now that her mistress had fallen on hard times, venting her hurt was fine but secretly, Bi Ying felt a sense of relief.

During this period, her mistress held back, her temper changed, she no longer exploded in anger, nor went outside for leisure, remaining in the room daily. Watching this worried Bi Ying greatly, fearing something troubling was brewing, but now that her mistress was venting, Bi Ying felt more at ease.

After smashing everything breakable, Du Zhaoyi caught her breath, standing amidst a sea of broken porcelain, the anger fading from her eyes as she stood lost for a moment before abruptly covering her face and sobbing.

Alarmed, Bi Ying stepped over the shards to reach Du Zhaoyi, circling anxiously without knowing how to comfort her, managing only a straightforward, "Mistress, mistress, please don’t cry. I am still here for you, mistress..."

After Du Zhaoyi sobbed unbearably, her emotions finally calmed down. She settled back into her chair, dazed, watching Bi Ying and two little palace maids busily tidying the room.

Once the room was neat, it suddenly felt emptier since Du Zhaoyi had smashed all the porcelain decorations. Without them, the room naturally looked barren.

Sending the two little palace maids away, Bi Ying returned to Du Zhaoyi’s side, unsure how to console her. She knew her mistress had high ambitions, ever since being demoted from Lady to Zhaoyi, she couldn’t get over it, unable to understand why the Emperor suddenly acted so heartlessly.

All Bi Ying could do was stand by Du Zhaoyi’s side. It was Du Zhaoyi herself who, after a long daze, regained awareness, observing the dimming sky outside. A cold smile curved her lips as she looked at the concerned Bi Ying, feeling a warmth in her heart.