Inside the Imperial Palace, in Changle Palace, within the Empress's bedchamber.
Empress He Lian, General He Jin, and Zhang Shihao were gathered.
"Brother, quickly think of a solution! Zhang Rang and the others are extensively searching for Meiren; they must be targeting me. This is clearly an attempt to compete with me for favor!"
Empress He Lian's anxious voice resounded.
As soon as the Empress became pregnant, Zhang Rang and the Ten Attendants began a grand and extensive search for Meiren throughout the entire Han Dynasty.
Everyone knew this was a tactic devised by the Ten Attendants to deal with the Empress, so she was naturally quite alarmed.
Urged by the Empress, General He Jin's head was covered in sweat as he hastily said, "I'm thinking, I'm thinking!"
Suddenly, the anxious He Jin's eyes lit up, and he hesitantly said, "How about we also go collect some Meiren?"
"Clang!"
No sooner had He Jin finished speaking than the already furious Empress immediately threw a cup at him.
"Brother, are you trying to infuriate me to death? Are you also going to find Meiren to compete with your sister for favor? Do you think your sister has too much favor already?"
Zhang Shihao, who was standing nearby, heard He Jin's words, and his mouth twitched slightly.
This guy, he really is a 'talent.'
"This... Sister, don't be angry, please let me finish what I'm saying."
Having a cup thrown at him by the Empress, He Jin dared not get angry; instead, he said with a forced smile.
"Speak, I'd like to see what your plan is."
Empress He Lian heard this and somewhat suppressed her inner anger, but she also understood that although her brother was sometimes unreliable,
He was also one of her supports and should not betray her.
He Jin did not delay and quickly said,
"Sister, think about it, Zhang Rang and the others want to collect Meiren to divert His Majesty's favor from you; we can't stop that."
"However, we can also collect Meiren! I can also find a group of Meiren for you, Sister, and have them enter the Imperial Harem to support you. This way, they will also compete for favor, but they are our people, so won't they still help you, Sister?"
He Jin explained, wiping away sweat.
"Hmm?"
Hearing He Jin's explanation, Empress He Lian was stunned.
Even Zhang Shihao, who was beside her, looked at He Jin with some surprise.
Could this work?
It seemed, indeed, somewhat feasible.
Originally, Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong's plan was to use a group of Meiren to besiege the Empress.
Within the Imperial Harem, the Empress would be isolated and helpless.
Now, if He Jin brought another group of Meiren into the Imperial Harem, although it also carried the suspicion of dividing the Empress's favor,
At least, the Empress would no longer be isolated and helpless.
From being isolated and helpless, she now had a group of sisters to help her!
"This... will it work?"
Empress He Lian's delicate brows furrowed slightly, uncertainly.
"Sister, don't worry, for the Meiren arranged to enter the Imperial Harem, I will first ensure their loyalty."
Seeing his sister waver, He Jin was greatly encouraged and patted his chest, guaranteeing.
Hearing this, a faint smile finally appeared on Empress He Lian's exquisitely beautiful face.
However, she still felt her brother was somewhat unreliable.
The Empress couldn't help but look at Zhang Shihao.
Looking at Zhang Shihao,
The tension in the Imperial Harem also seemed to vanish.
However, noticing that her brother was still there, her cherry-like, dazzling lips parted slightly, and she softly said,
"Shihao, my brother suggests recruiting Meiren into the Imperial Harem, what do you think?"
In the Empress's bedchamber, hearing the Empress ask Zhang Shihao for his opinion, He Jin looked at Zhang Shihao.
There was no hint of disdain in his eyes as if looking at a Eunuch.
Today's Zhang Shihao was trusted and highly valued by Liu Hong.
Huang Zhong, the incredibly fierce general who commanded the Imperial Guards in the Imperial Harem, also had an excellent relationship with Zhang Shihao and followed his lead.
It could be said that the power Zhang Shihao controlled within the Imperial Harem was crucial.
Although Zhang Shihao had almost no say in the imperial court,
Nevertheless, even he, He Jin, being a General, could not underestimate Zhang Shihao.
In the bedchamber, as the Empress posed the question to Zhang Shihao, everyone's attention focused on him.
Zhang Shihao did not hesitate much and said with a smile,
"Shihao feels either way is fine."
"In the Imperial Harem, as long as Shihao is here, no one will dare to harm the Empress. Otherwise, Shihao and his three hundred elite guards will not agree!"
Zhang Shihao's words were nonchalant but filled with domineering power, causing both Empress He Lian and General He Jin to be momentarily stunned.
They had not expected Zhang Shihao to answer in such a way.
However, the next moment, Empress He Lian's gaze towards Zhang Shihao softened even more.
Zhang Shihao's words were very domineering.
His attitude and stance were firm and clear.
It meant that no matter what schemes or tricks Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong had, he, Zhang Shihao, was determined to protect the Empress.
He Jin was very satisfied with Zhang Shihao's attitude.
He knew that the Empress had privately recognized Zhang Shihao as her younger brother, and Zhang Shihao had recognized his sister as his older sister.
"Since that's the case, then brother will proceed as you suggested, but you must be very careful; the Meiren entering the Imperial Harem must be on our side."
The Empress quickly made a decision, agreeing to He Jin's suggestion.
Seeing this, Zhang Shihao's face showed little change.
In fact, regarding whether He Jin and the Empress should respond to Zhang Rang and the others' moves,
He, Zhang Shihao, genuinely felt it didn't matter.
Why?
Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong selecting Meiren to enter the Imperial Harem was to compete for favor and to cause the Empress to be neglected.
But could they truly succeed?
One should know that his sleep-aid incense had an antidote...