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

Chapter 140 Intentions
The Emperor's reward is already a favor, so there's no need for her to personally go to the end. However, as the Empress, if she doesn't care and ignore it, she'll likely face a lot of criticism.

There is an indelible law in the imperial harem: when nothing is happening, everything is calm and peaceful; but once something happens, it will instantly tear open a huge hole in the palace.

There are five imperial concubines living in the palace. The youngest one is about the same age as her, while the oldest one is now in her sixties.

Whether they are old or young, no one can do anything that would disgrace the royal family, otherwise it would not look good for her as the empress.

The original owner had been making a fuss, saying that he was already in dire straits and couldn't even save himself, let alone have the experience of managing several concubines in the imperial palace.

However, she is currently at peace. Recently, she has come across some records about the Dowager Consort in ancient books, which makes her uneasy. She feels she should go and make a trip to the palace to put her mind at ease.

Upon hearing Shen Qingwan's words, Emperor Yuanwu's eyes flashed with surprise, which then turned into admiration and appreciation. "The Empress has thought things through and set a date. I will have the Imperial Guards personally escort you there."

"How about the second day of the second month? On the second day of the second month, the dragon raises its head. Every year, the emperor goes to offer sacrifices to heaven and thank the gods. He goes to Huguo Temple to burn incense. I can go out of the palace with the emperor. The imperial palace is not far from Huguo Temple. After the emperor arrives at Huguo Temple, we can send some people to escort me to the imperial palace. I estimate that two hours will be enough for the round trip. Then I will go back to the palace with the emperor."

Emperor Yuanwu nodded, feeling that the Empress had thought things through thoroughly, even planning the route and the date, so it must not have been a spur-of-the-moment decision.

"Then let's do as the Empress says. Wu Jixiang, have someone prepare."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Among women of outstanding beauty, does the Empress have anyone in mind?"

Shen Qingwan shook her head slightly.

Liu Ruyan rushed in from outside the palace and knelt directly in front of the two men: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, I am willing to go to the northern desert for a political marriage."

Emperor Yuanwu and Shen Qingwan exchanged a glance, and Shen Qingwan shook her head blankly.

Xiao Cui followed closely behind and ran in from outside, kneeling on the ground: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, please forgive me, this servant could not stop you."

"You go out first."

Shen Qingwan's eyes were filled with complex emotions, and she deliberately lowered her voice with a hint of anger: "This is not a place for you to act up. Get out of here right now."

“Cousin, I’m not being silly. I’m genuinely willing to share your husband’s burdens.” After saying this, Liu Ruyan kowtowed on the ground again.

Emperor Yuanwu was speechless for a moment, then turned to look at Shen Qingwan.

Shen Qingwan's eyes reddened completely this time: "What brother-in-law? This is the palace. Don't talk nonsense. Do you know that you have committed a capital offense by eavesdropping on the Emperor's conversation outside the door?"

"Cousin, Your Majesty, I am willing to atone for my crimes by performing meritorious service. Since you are just going to find any woman with outstanding looks to be named a princess and sent to marry a foreign ruler, what's wrong with me?" Liu Ruyan spoke passionately, and if Shen Qingwan hadn't known her personality, she would have almost been deceived by her appearance.

"A marriage alliance is a diplomatic relationship between two countries, ensuring peace and tranquility for the people on the border. How can this be a trivial matter? You do not understand the gravity of the situation. Go back to the side hall to rest and leave the palace with your mother tomorrow."

As soon as Shen Qingwan finished speaking, Zhen'er walked to Liu Ruyan's side. "Miss, it's getting late. Let me help you go back to wash up." Liu Ruyan broke free from Zhen'er's hand, knelt on the ground, and took two steps forward. "Your Majesty, please believe in me. I will not fail you. I will use the favor of the Prince of Mobei to bring peace to our dynasty!"

Emperor Yuanwu suddenly realized that the woman kneeling on the ground was the cousin who had been sent by the Empress to the Sansheng Nunnery to practice asceticism after her half-sister had married in her place.

Liu Ruyan was unaware that Emperor Yuanwu already knew about this matter. For the royal family, scandals within the family would naturally be covered up if possible.

How could she possibly tell the Emperor such a shameful thing? Wouldn't that ruin her future?

"My daughter's mind is made up. I beg Your Majesty, my cousin, to grant her wish."

Shen Qingwan had no idea what Liu Ruyan was up to. When she rushed in, she thought Liu Ruyan was just trying to attract Emperor Yuanwu's attention, but now she seemed to genuinely want to marry into the northern desert.

"This matter is of great importance and requires careful consideration. You should get up and go back to rest. I will discuss it with the Emperor and then make a decision." Seeing that Liu Ruyan was unyielding, Shen Qingwan had no choice but to change her tune.

“If my cousin doesn’t agree, I will kneel here and not get up.” Liu Ruyan said with her head down.

"Then you shall remain kneeling."

After Shen Qingwan finished speaking, she turned to Emperor Yuanwu and said, "The roads are slippery due to the snow outside. Since Your Majesty has chosen Consort Rong, please go there as soon as possible so as not to keep Consort Rong waiting. I will see you out."

Emperor Yuanwu nodded, put on his tiger-skin cloak, and left the main hall of Kunning Palace. Shen Qingwan followed him out.

"Your Majesty, my cousin has been spoiled since childhood and is willful and unruly. She is not the best candidate for a marriage alliance. Tomorrow I will send a list of relatives to select some outstanding women for Your Majesty to review before making a decision."

Light, drifting snowflakes brushed against Shen Qingwan's cheeks like willow catkins. Although Emperor Yuanwu did not know why Shen Qingwan was so against Liu Ruyan's marriage proposal, he finally nodded and said, "I will come to have lunch with you again tomorrow."

"Congratulations to the emperor."

After Emperor Yuanwu left, Shen Qingwan dismissed everyone in Kunning Palace, not even keeping Zhen'er by her side. Grabbing Liu Ruyan's wrist with one hand, she went directly into the bedroom of Kunning Palace, threw her to the ground, and said angrily, "Do you know what you just did?"

Liu Ruyan got up from the ground in pain, rubbing her sore arm, and sneered: "I know I don't have my cousin's good fortune, who was born with auspicious clouds protecting her, allowing her to rise to prominence and marry the emperor directly. I just want to spend my life with the one I love. As the current empress, you not only don't help, but you also obstruct me at every turn. What are your intentions?"

"Do you know what a marriage alliance means? I know you won't believe me if I say it's for your own good, but this matter concerns the people of both countries, and I will never let you act recklessly." Shen Qingwan's expression was calm, a stark contrast to her usual docile demeanor.

"Nonsense?" Liu Ruyan said irritably, "How come it's considered absurd for my cousin to marry the Emperor and become Empress, while it's considered absurd for me to marry into the Northern Desert and become a Princess? Does my cousin not want to see me living a better life than you?"

"Liu Ruyan, are you crazy? It's not as simple as you think. Mo Ganxie already has a princess, and there are many favored concubines in the palace. If you marry into the palace, you will at most be a concubine. Do you really want to be a concubine?" Shen Qingwan sighed and rubbed her forehead in exasperation.

“Concubine? What’s wrong with being a concubine? Not everyone is as lucky as my cousin, who can be someone’s legal wife!” Liu Ruyan gritted her teeth, deliberately emphasizing the words “legal wife”.

(End of this chapter)