The Female Psychology PhD Who Time Traveled to the Royal Harem

As Jiang Xinyue was lost in self-doubt, the doors of the imperial study opened, and Yan the Imperial Physician stepped out: "The Emperor has awakened and requests the Empress to enter. The rest of you should disperse."

"Only the Empress is to see him?"

"How is the Emperor? How is his health? Is there anything serious?"

"The Empress is with child. How can she attend to the Emperor in such a state? Why not let the higher-ranking consorts enter as well, so as not to burden the Empress?"

"That's right, the Empress is pregnant and should not be overworked. Let the other consorts accompany her."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

The ministers who spoke were not advocating for Consort Shu or Consort Liang, but were instead aligned with the Northern General's Mansion, pushing for Concubine Shi.

Yan the Imperial Physician glanced at the officials who had spoken: "These are the Emperor's orders. I am merely conveying his edict. If any of you have objections, you may take them up with the Emperor yourselves."

Wasn't this nonsense?

The Emperor hadn't summoned them; how could they dare to enter uninvited? They might be mistaken for assassins by the Emperor's personal guards and killed on the spot.

"No... no, no..."

Concubine Shi, blushing slightly, smiled apologetically at Jiang Xinyue: "Empress, I... I rushed here in haste and now feel a sharp pain in my abdomen. I wish to return to rest, if Your Majesty permits."

The ministers looked frustrated, their expressions betraying their disappointment in Concubine Shi. But she seemed oblivious, her pleading gaze fixed on Jiang Xinyue.

"Abdominal pain?"

Jiang Xinyue smiled faintly: "Since Consort Liang and Consort Shu are also returning to their quarters, why don't you accompany them?"

Concubine Shi's demeanor was that of a quiet, unambitious concubine, fitting the image everyone had of her. Even though her family wanted to elevate her status, she herself kept a low profile.

But Jiang Xinyue had said it before: in this palace, she trusted no one. Even with Consort Shu and Consort Liang, she remained cautious, let alone Concubine Shi, who was currently her rival.

At the entrance of Consort Shu's palace, her broken sedan chair still lay. Now Concubine Shi was asking to leave, and Jiang Xinyue wasn't comfortable with that.

Consort Shu and Consort Liang exchanged a glance before warmly taking Concubine Shi's arm: "Is Concubine Shi in pain? Then you must return quickly and call for the Imperial Physician. We happen to be going the same way; let us accompany you."

"Same... same way?"

"Yes, I wish to visit Noble Consort Jin at Qingyang Palace."

Consort Shu's eyes widened. She had forgotten about the princess from Goguryeo, Noble Consort Jin. Consort Liang was indeed clever, lying without hesitation.

Concubine Shi was ushered out, with no chance to refuse.

Jiang Xinyue then lifted her skirt and walked to the doorway, turning back slightly and raising her voice: "The Emperor has been neglecting his meals and rest while handling state affairs. Don't you, as his ministers, know to remind him? If he falls ill, I will hold you accountable."

Does the Empress not know?

The ministers exchanged glances under the corridor. Could it be that the Emperor had made this decision without informing the Empress?

Jiang Xinyue stepped inside, passing through the main hall and the covered walkway, arriving at the rear courtyard of the imperial study, where the Emperor often rested during his midday breaks while reviewing memorials.

The courtyard was silent. Wang Dequan was not guarding the entrance; instead, a somewhat familiar young maid stood there.

The maid bowed her head: "Greetings, Empress."

On the other side, a eunuch bent low and pushed the door open. Jiang Xinyue walked in without hesitation.

Mu Qianqian looked up, her stunning face now completely obscured by heavy bangs.

Laying low...

Matron Duan was right. She needed to bide her time. Until she had the strength to rival the Empress, she must not reveal even a hint of ambition.

Her beauty didn't need to be displayed to the world; it only needed to be seen by the Emperor.

She had been transferred to the Emperor's service several months ago, starting as a lowly cleaning maid. But driven by her determination to rise, she had worked her way up to become a tea-serving maid. She would not give up.

From her careful observations over the past few months, she suspected that Wang Dequan, the chief eunuch, and Tang Shiliang were both loyal to the Empress.

Thus, she could not reveal herself in front of them.

Patience was the key to victory.

What good did Concubine Tong's schemes against the Empress do?

The Emperor's heart belonged to Jiang Xinyue. No matter how others slandered her, he would always believe in her innocence.

She had to wait until the Emperor grew tired of her, until his affection waned and turned to impatience.

Only then could she set her trap, aligning with the Emperor's feelings. Wouldn't he act then?

In the bedchamber—

The Emperor sat on the bed, downing a bowl of medicine in one gulp.

The bitter taste didn't make him frown, but when he saw Jiang Xinyue, his brow furrowed slightly: "Didn't I say not to inform the Empress and worry her?"

Wang Dequan lowered his head and muttered softly: "Your Majesty, you only said that after you woke up. It was too late by then."

If the Emperor fainted, how could they not inform the Empress? If something serious happened, someone needed to make decisions.

Moreover, they were also concerned that if the Emperor... well, you know...

If the Empress didn't take charge, they would all be in trouble.

"If Your Majesty doesn't want me here, I will leave. There's no need to trouble Wang Dequan and the others."

With that, she turned to leave.

But the concern in her eyes was already evident. She had glanced over the Emperor from head to toe, confirming he was fine before speaking in anger.

"You... *cough cough cough*..."

The Emperor, in a panic, stood up from the bed. After taking two steps, he began coughing and "weakly" crouched on the ground.

"Your Majesty!"

Wang Dequan exclaimed loudly on purpose: "What's wrong, Your Majesty?"

Tang Shiliang frantically blinked at the Emperor, who caught the hint and pretended to faint, collapsing into Tang Shiliang's arms.

Jiang Xinyue could tell from Wang Dequan's tone that the Emperor was fine.

But she still turned back in worry, her eyes reddening at the sight of the Emperor lying motionless: "Your Majesty!"

Her performance was far more convincing than Wang Dequan's.

It didn't seem like an act at all.

As she rushed to the Emperor's side, she tripped over her own skirt and stumbled toward him.

The Emperor, peeking through half-closed eyes, quickly reached out to catch her, ensuring she didn't hit anything hard.

Wang Dequan and Tang Shiliang, ever perceptive, retreated to wait outside.

"Xinyue, it's been half a month. Are you still angry?"

"Your Majesty doubted my integrity and chastity, insulting me so deeply. Should I not be angry?"

"You're exaggerating."

The Emperor averted his gaze guiltily: "I only looked into Lan Xiaolou a little. If I hadn't, how would I have known the Tong family was framing you?"

But who was really framing whom?

The broken tombstone didn't have the character "Dong" altered to "Jiang." It was the other way around—the "Jiang" had been changed to "Dong."

Thus, it was a perfect setup to shift the blame.