Quick Transmigration: Vicious Female Side Character Role-play Plan

The Emperor had many concubines in his palace, and it was not an easy task to inquire about the fragrances commonly used by the mistresses of each palace. By the time Qiu Ye had compiled these into a book and presented it to Jiang Xin Ren, three days had already passed.

“These were all collected by Xiao Fu Zi, a young eunuch I knew when I was still in the general palace. He is now in the Imperial Pharmacy Bureau.”

Jiang Xin Ren naturally understood her meaning: “Well done. Go take two boxes of gold leaf to reward Xiao Fu Zi.”

It was best that no fourth person knew about what she was doing. Rewarding with jewels could easily be traced back to the source, so gold and silver were more secure.

The system looked at the thick stack of papers, not understanding their purpose.

[What are you collecting these for?]

“I read in the plot that the winter hunting ground is in the warm south, right?”

[Yes.]

“It’s just perfect.” Jiang Xin Ren pulled out a sheet of paper and waved it. “Everything is just perfect.”

The paper had Consort De’s name written on it, along with the fragrances she commonly used.

Consort De was the one who ultimately caused the original host’s death in the original plot. She had an illustrious family background, the legitimate daughter of a Third-Rank Minister.

She had a sweet and lovely appearance, which was in stark contrast to her rank. She was a typical representative of someone with a sweet face but a bitter heart.

Just like her appearance, Consort De’s favorite fragrances were sweet scents made from a mixture of the finest honey and precious medicinal ingredients. She was the only one in the palace who used them.

“Compared to the Empress, we are the true mortal enemies,” she said, her red-tinted fingers caressing the characters “Consort De”. She smiled with deep meaning. “We won’t stop until one of us is dead.”

In the original plot, the original host had a close friendship with her. It was because of this trust that the original host was led to her demise.

Consort De took the original host’s personal clothing and framed her for having an affair with a guard. The Emperor was furious and ordered her to be strangled with a white silk cord.

“This time, I only want to teach you a painless lesson. I’m already being very merciful.”

Jiang Xin Ren exerted force with her hand, crumpling the paper into a ball and casually tossing it aside. She instructed, “Qiu Ye, go find Xiao Fu Zi from the Imperial Pharmacy Bureau again…”

——————

Originally, concubines were not allowed to be brought along for the winter hunt. However, the Emperor was not skilled in horseback riding and had no great interest in hunting. To pass the time, he made an exception and brought along a few concubines.

Among them were Consort De, Consort Shu, Noble Consort Qiao, and Jiang Xin Ren.

The rear palace could not be without a master for a day, so the Empress, who had just been confined for a few days, was released and resumed control of the rear palace.

The concubines in the rear palace who were unable to accompany the Emperor to the south immediately cried out in misery.

These matters were not Jiang Xin Ren’s concern.

She was in her own carriage, lifting the curtain and sticking her head out. Outside, the wind was biting cold. She sniffed, and in the frigid air, there was a hint of a sweet fragrance. She smiled and withdrew back into the carriage.

Taking the hot tea that Qiu Ye had timely brought over, she asked, “I heard that the southern hunting ground is located in a basin and is quite warm in winter?”

“In response to Mistress, yes, that is correct.”

“That’s truly something to look forward to. I am already… impatient.”

She smiled, her beautiful eyes reflecting a malicious light.

After a few days of travel, just before Jiang Xin Ren’s bones were about to be shaken to pieces, they finally arrived at the southern hunting ground.

She let out a sigh of relief and, with Qiu Ye’s support, alighted from the carriage, taking in the scenery that was completely different from the capital.

Lush greenery, warm and humid, full of vitality – it was truly a wonderful place.

She looked towards the Emperor’s carriage and saw the Emperor standing in front of it, talking to someone.

It was a man dressed in a scarlet crane robe. He had an immortal-like bearing, refined and noble, with scholarly elegance. Even as he slightly bent his waist to bow to the Emperor, he appeared aloof and unapproachable.

He had a handsome appearance, but it was a cold and indifferent type of handsomeness.

Zhuang He Ming reported the deployment to the Emperor and bowed, preparing to withdraw. As he turned around, from the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a graceful figure not far away.

He lifted his gaze for a brief glance and was somewhat stunned.

Skin fairer than snow, eyes filled with tenderness, exquisitely beautiful, with a stunning countenance that was dazzling to behold.

“What is it, Jing Mu? Is there something else?” The Emperor found it strange that he had not left and asked.

Zhuang He Ming came back to his senses and bowed. “This subject was remiss. May Your Majesty forgive me.”

“You have been working hard throughout the journey, Jing Mu. You must be tired. Go and rest well.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” He turned his head and no longer looked in that direction. The beauty was dressed in an opulent palace attire, so he assumed she was one of the palace consorts.

Jiang Xin Ren followed the lead eunuch to the resting area, still thinking about the man she had just seen.

A scarlet crane robe – he should be that Prime Minister, she thought. The Emperor trusted him, but there was no loyal and devoted expression on his face.

As for the other officials she had seen, there wasn’t one who didn’t have a terrified and respectful appearance, as if they were eager to lay down their lives for the Emperor.

But Zhuang He Ming was also the Emperor’s childhood study companion. It was by the grace of the previous Emperor that a commoner’s son was allowed to break the rules and become a prince’s study companion. So why would he…

“How is the Prime Minister’s literary talent?” Jiang Xin Ren suddenly asked.

Qiu Ye replied, “The Prime Minister has outstanding literary talent and is the paragon of scholars throughout the land.”

“Then has he attained any scholarly titles? The top scholar? The second or third place?”

“In response to Mistress, the Prime Minister only holds the title of Provincial Graduate.”

Provincial Graduate? The paragon of scholars throughout the land was only a Provincial Graduate? Did he not participate in the palace examination?

[Why are you thinking so much about this? There isn’t much interaction between you and him.] 086 felt very puzzled.

“You’re right. I have more important matters to attend to at the moment.”

She whispered in Qiu Ye’s ear, “Send someone to find out if there are any… and then replace them…”

That night, the Emperor held a grand banquet to reward the accompanying officials and soldiers. The few concubines naturally also participated in the feast.

As soon as the Emperor saw Consort De, he smelled a sweet fragrance that penetrated deep into his heart and soul, lingering and far-reaching. He praised with a smile, “A Fei (Beloved Consort), what are you wearing? It’s so sweet and lovely.”

Consort De displayed a shy and joyful expression. “This is the fragrance I always use. I just discovered that this scent can travel so far in open spaces.”

“This fragrance is perfect for A Fei (Beloved Consort).” The Emperor laughed heartily and summoned her to his side. Noble Consort Qiao and the other concubines showed expressions of disappointment and sourness.

Being so close, the Emperor’s body must have also been tainted with that fragrance. Jiang Xin Ren averted her gaze. She had done nothing at all.

Zhuang He Ming clinked cups with his colleagues and downed the wine in one gulp. Using the obstruction, his gaze fell upon the beautiful woman in the upper seat.

Seeing the Emperor being intimate with the other concubines, she was not disappointed. On the contrary, she revealed a barely discernible hint of a smile.

Perhaps something would happen in the next few days. He lowered his eyes and swallowed the wine in his mouth.

That night, the Emperor stayed with Consort De. When Jiang Xin Ren heard about it, she couldn’t help but sigh.

“Heaven is aiding me.”

086 emerged, trying to dissuade the host from her plan:

[The Emperor is heavily guarded. It would be too easy for you to get caught if you make a move. Besides, with the Emperor’s current favor towards you, you should be able to reach your desired rank without doing anything. Why take the risk?]

“The Emperor won’t promote me any further. Concubines of the third rank and above are considered high-ranking concubines, and the only remaining high-ranking concubines are Guifei, Huifei, Shufei, Yifei, and the three Zhaoyi.

The Emperor won’t easily agree. He only wants me to remain at the rank of Jieyu or Noble Consort.”

Having one more or one less high-ranking concubine would cause ripples in the rear palace. Without special circumstances, the Emperor would not disrupt this tranquility.

“He’s afraid of turmoil in the rear palace, which might harm his only prince.” Jiang Xin Ren sneered coldly.

Only his child’s life was considered a life? The lives of others were not lives?