The harem is too complicated; the empress, a lazy bum, wins by doing nothing.

Chapter 114 Think Twice

Before the New Year, she sent some gold and silver to the eldest princess. Although she was a princess and the queen of the northern desert, she returned to the palace in a hurry and probably didn't have much money on her.

When the New Year arrives in the palace, everyone from top to bottom has to make preparations. Without some money on hand, life would be difficult.

The eldest princess was a person who cared a lot about her reputation. Although she did not explicitly state her intentions, Shen Qingwan knew them in her heart.

Since the eldest princess didn't bring it up, Shen Qingwan wouldn't embarrass her in public.

“If the Princess hadn’t come today, I was thinking of finishing up my work and going to Xingshuang Pavilion to see the two children. I just happened to have frozen some pears and persimmons. They’re not anything valuable, but they’re fresh, and they’d be good to cheer the children up for the New Year.” Shen Qingwan had Zhen’er bring some frozen pears and persimmons and gave them to the two children.

"It is truly a blessing for Your Majesty that you were able to marry the Empress." The Eldest Princess couldn't help but sigh, "Yesterday, I took my two children to pay our respects to the Empress Dowager, and when we mentioned the Empress, she spoke highly of her."

Full of praise.

Upon hearing these four words, Shen Qingwan's smile became slightly awkward.

It seems that when the eldest princess was sent to marry the emperor, she had not yet married Emperor Yuanwu, otherwise she would not be able to say that Emperor Yuanwu was fortunate to have married her.

Although those things were done by the original owner, she borrowed the original owner's body. In the eyes of outsiders, the original owner's past achievements are her indelible dark history.

The Lunar New Year is an exceptionally busy time.

No sooner had Shen Qingwan seen off the Eldest Princess than Consort Rou arrived at Kunning Palace with her mother.

"This humble servant greets Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty live a thousand years!"

"This humble servant greets Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty be blessed."

"Consort Rou is pregnant, so there's no need for such formalities. Madam Wen, please rise."

Shen Qingwan asked someone to serve her tea.

"I have always wanted to go to the palace to pay my respects to Your Majesty. Since Consort Rou entered the palace, Your Majesty has taken great care of her. This is Consort Rou's good fortune, and also the good fortune of our entire Wen family. My husband and I have always kept this kindness in our hearts. Today, we are finally able to thank Your Majesty in person." Madam Wen spoke emotionally, her eyes reddening.

"Madam Wen, you are too kind. I am the Empress, and these are things I should do. Madam Wen, you really don't need to take it to heart. Consort Rou is gentle and kind, and is deeply loved by the Emperor," Shen Qingwan said gently.

"Your Majesty is gentle and kind, with an extraordinary demeanor. During my time in the palace, Consort Rou has told me many stories of how well Your Majesty has taken care of her. If Consort Rou is able to give birth to a prince in the future, she will definitely send him to Your Majesty to raise."

Shen Qingwan's eyes flickered.

She had already resigned herself to a life of leisure, indulging in food, drink, and merrymaking in the harem, but why were all the pregnant concubines in the harem sending their children to her to raise?

Children and grandchildren have their own blessings; if she has no children or grandchildren, she will enjoy her blessings.

She has no intention of raising other concubines' children.

No matter which concubine's child ascends the throne and becomes emperor, she will always be the Holy Mother Empress Dowager. Since the overall situation is already settled, why should she make things difficult for herself?

"Madam Wen, you flatter me. It is Consort Rou's blessing to be able to continue the imperial line. Whether she gives birth to a prince or a princess, she will naturally raise them herself. I have never given birth or raised a child, and no matter how hard others try, they can never compare to the birth mother. I will love all the children of the concubines in the harem as if they were my own. Madam Wen, you can rest assured." "With Your Majesty here, I am naturally at ease. However, our Wen family has no way to repay Your Majesty's care for Consort Rou." Madam Wen couldn't help but sigh.

"If Consort Rou can raise the imperial heirs well and share the Emperor's burdens, and give the Emperor a few more princes and princesses, that would be the best way to repay me."

Consort Rou and Lady Wen exchanged glances.

"Your Majesty, what Mother said today is also what I think. Since the selection of concubines, if it weren't for the Empress's favor, I wouldn't have had the good fortune to bear a royal heir. I'm afraid..."

Consort Rou rose and curtsied, saying, "If the imperial heir in my womb is fortunate enough to be born safely, I sincerely hope that he can grow up under the Empress's care. Moreover, Imperial Physician Zhang took my pulse and told me that this child in my womb is a boy."

"Although Physician Zhang is highly skilled, he is not immune to making mistakes. Before the prince is safely born, it is uncertain whether he will be a boy or a girl. Whether it is a prince or a princess, I think His Majesty will be very happy. There are many people in the harem who will gossip. Consort Rou, please do not say these words, lest you cause trouble." Shen Qingwan instructed solemnly.

Consort Rou's expression changed: "It was my fault for speaking out of turn. I will certainly remember Your Majesty's teachings."

After Consort Rou left with Lady Wen, Zhen'er came over.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty will be coming for dinner tonight. The kitchen is almost ready. Would Your Majesty like to take a bath and change your clothes in advance?"

The simple words "bathe and change clothes" sent a shiver down Shen Qingwan's spine.

Is she really going to have to serve the emperor?
But she didn't want to at all; she wasn't the original owner of this body, and she couldn't accept it from the bottom of her heart.

Before she transmigrated here, she had never even touched a man's hand. To give her virginity to a man shared in the harem, especially one she didn't like at all, was unacceptable to her.

She wasn't from this era, so she naturally couldn't understand the thoughts of women of this time who would go to great lengths to win a man's favor.

But at this moment, she was no longer a mere concubine or an insignificant palace maid; she was the Empress. If Emperor Yuanwu came over at night and really wanted to consummate their marriage, she couldn't very well push him off the bed. Did she really think she would risk her own life?

Once you do it the first time, you'll do it a second time, a third time... and even countless times.

Shen Qingwan's mind was filled with countless melodramatic plots of avoiding being favored by others, and after thinking it over, she actually came up with a reasonable method.

"No need to heat it up for the bath, just prepare something cold!" Shen Qingwan turned to Zhen'er and said.

"Cold?" Zhen'er exclaimed in surprise, "Your Majesty, the wind outside is biting cold. Even if we have charcoal burning inside and it's not that cold, you still can't soak in cold water. It will harm your health. Your Majesty, please think it over."

I've thought it over three times, four times, five times!
This was the best solution she could find after much thought.

The cold weather and catching a cold would be the perfect excuse. If she were really sick, not only the Emperor, but even the Empress Dowager would not mention having Emperor Yuanwu consummate their marriage. Even if he was the Son of Heaven, he was not made of iron. Once he recovered from his illness, no one could bear the consequences.

With so many women in the harem, the Empress Dowager was always watching what she did.

"Do as I say."

Zhen'er moved her lips, wanting to say a few more words of persuasion, but seeing that Shen Qingwan's expression didn't seem very good, she swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

(End of this chapter)