I swept the harem by pretending to be weak

Liu Zhirou chatted with Zhao for a few more words before leaving.

She is actually very busy now. If she hadn't fallen ill suddenly, she would still be learning the rules from the governess nanny from the palace.

Liu Zhirou's father Liu Ming had always trained her to be a lady from an aristocratic family, so he naturally taught her very well about rules. Even though the palace nanny had put forward many stricter requirements, she followed them almost meticulously and soon memorized them by heart.

However, it is impossible to gain a foothold in the palace just by knowing the rules. The reason why the maids were so respected in the homes of these concubines and even received large bribes was largely because they were well-informed and could tell these concubines some basic information about the palace, so that the concubines would not enter the palace without knowing the truth, lose their lives without knowing the truth, or even bring disaster to their families.

After Liu Zhirou walked out of the Zhao family's courtyard, she felt that her health had improved a little, so she immediately took Qiuju to the governess's residence.

The maid from the palace was surnamed Zhao, and was a distant relative of Liu Zhirou's mother, Zhao. Liu Zhirou usually called her Aunt Zhao. Aunt Zhao was about forty years old, and looked very serious, but she was usually very kind to Liu Zhirou, and told her many more private things.

"Is the third young lady feeling better?" Nanny Zhao asked casually when she saw Liu Zhirou coming over with her maid Qiuju.

"Much better." Liu Zhirou was also very polite.

"Miss Third has no problems with etiquette. Even the old people who have been in the palace for many years are not necessarily better than Miss Third. But there are some things that I, your wife, will tell you about, and Miss Third should listen carefully. In case it can be useful someday, that would be the best thing." Madam Zhao thought for a while and decided to start today's class.

"Miss Third, the palace is different from the government office. While the rules are strict, people's hearts are fickle. After you enter the palace, remember not to believe in the empty promises made by others. Follow Concubine Shu closely." As soon as Aunt Zhao opened her mouth, Liu Zhirou's heart sank.

It seems that sometimes the vague cognition left by the original owner cannot be completely regarded as true.

Madam Zhao might not have any intention of harming her, but she was definitely not loyal.

Liu Zhirou also understood that her situation seemed to be worse than she had initially thought.

But it is very reasonable to think about it this way. No matter how rich the Liu family is, they are still merchants. The same is true here for scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans.

Liu Ming must have made a lot of calculations and cuts of interests to be able to send her into the palace, but even so, it would be impossible for her to compete on the same stage with those beauties from respectable families.

Liu Zhirou estimated that Liu Ming had probably taken refuge with an aristocratic family, and she, a young and beautiful woman, was probably a bonus for the cooperation, sent to the palace to serve as a reproductive machine for those high-ranking concubines who were not good at fertility.

Thinking of this, Liu Zhirou became more determined to escape.

But she didn't show any of it on the surface and still had a smiling face, as if what Madam Zhao said was the truth.

"Of course I understand this. For a girl with my background, if I go to the palace, I'm afraid even the servants will look down on me. How can I survive without a backer? I just don't know what the Empress Shufei's temper is like..." Liu Zhirou frowned slightly, looking very worried.

She needed more information, more intelligence, to decide what to do next.

If possible, she didn't want to enter the palace, but even in the Liu family, she was now trapped in the deep courtyard.

As a girl who had hardly received any physical exercise since childhood, Liu Zhirou didn't believe that with her current physical fitness, she could escape from a group of burly guards.

Since she knew there would be no results, Liu Zhirou didn't plan to waste her efforts.

"Miss Third, you can rest assured about this. Concubine Shu is a very good person and she almost never scolds or beats her servants. Concubine Shu was originally the eldest lady in Duke Deng's mansion. Back then, when the Emperor was still the crown prince, he fell in love with Concubine Shu at first sight and begged the late Emperor to arrange a marriage for her. He waited until he ascended the throne before welcoming our Concubine into the family." Nanny Zhao did not suspect anything.

“It’s just that Concubine Shu has been innocent and naive since childhood, and she never knew how to scheme. When she was in the Prince’s Mansion, a few vicious women killed the fetus in her belly. Since then, her body has been damaged, and she has not been pregnant since then.” Nanny Zhao said this with gritted teeth, as if it was she who was hurt, and not Concubine Shu who was far away.

Liu Zhirou was stunned.

It's not that she was moved by Zhao Ma's words. As a young person living in the new era, how could she have the thoughts of ancient slaves? What does Shufei's situation have to do with her? The reason she was touched was that she found that the energy bar was moving again.

Liu Zhirou's mind raced as she began to summarize the circumstances of the two increases in the energy bar.

The first time was when chatting with Zhao, when Aunt Bai was punished. This time he was talking to Madam Zhao, and Madam Zhao mentioned the injured Concubine Shu.

Could it be that the increase in the energy bar is related to the suffering of others?

Liu Zhirou's mind moved, and she began to inquire about other things subtly.

"Empress Shufei is such a noble person, but she has suffered such a hardship? Who is so bold!" Liu Zhirou looked angry, and then began to be afraid, "If they want to harm me, wouldn't it be easy?"

Zhao Mama didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and said, "You just entered the palace, a newcomer, you won't attract the attention of those high-ranking concubines. They really paid attention to you only after you became pregnant. And since you are pregnant, you will naturally be protected by the entire palace. Even if those villains want to make a move, they won't succeed."

"Madam Zhao, please take this opportunity to introduce me to the forces in the palace, so that I don't offend anyone without knowing it." Liu Zhirou took the opportunity to beg.

"Whatever, this is not something that cannot be discussed. The most important person in the palace is of course the Queen. She gave birth to a princess who is already six years old this year, so her position is well-established. In addition, the Emperor also respects the Queen very much, so her position in the harem is almost unshakable."

"The Queen is usually very fair. As long as you don't break the rules, she generally won't target you."

"The next most favored one was Concubine Chen. Concubine Chen herself did not come from a good family. She was just a close maid to the Queen Mother. Because the Emperor had no prince, the Queen Mother was worried, so she gave her to the Emperor. She was also very good at pregnancy. She got pregnant three times and had miscarriages twice, but she finally gave birth to the second princess."

"The rest of the concubines have no children. Among them, Concubine Xian is the youngest daughter of General Lin, and Concubine De is the younger sister of the current General Piqi. They all got to high positions because of their family background. The emperor has some respect for them, but he doesn't particularly favor them."

"The emperor's new favorite is Concubine Wei. Concubine Wei may not come from a high family, but she is very beautiful. Concubine Wei was sent by Concubine Xian's family. She is considered a big enemy of yours." Nanny Zhao explained a lot of things in one breath.

Liu Zhirou listened quietly.