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

Chapter 181 Dark Shadow
When Shen Qingwan arrived at Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager was having dinner.

Perhaps because she had come so often, the Empress Dowager didn't seem surprised when she saw her coming over – she had just left at noon and was coming again in the evening.

He simply asked her if she had eaten dinner and asked someone to bring her another pair of chopsticks.

"I am getting old, so I prefer something light for dinner. Your Majesty, please see if there is anything you like to eat. If not, please have the Imperial Kitchen bring a few more dishes," the Empress Dowager said kindly.

"Mother, I'm not very hungry. I just made some osmanthus cakes and brought them to you while they're still hot. Would you like to try some?" Shen Qingwan said as she took the contents of the food box out.

"The pastries in the Empress's palace are different from those made in the Imperial Kitchen. They look quite good to me, so I'll have one to try." The Empress Dowager's smile grew even more benevolent.

Shen Qingwan picked up a piece of osmanthus cake and placed it in the Empress Dowager's bowl. "Mother, there is something else I would like to tell you today."

The Empress Dowager's smile remained unchanged, but she slowly put down her chopsticks. "Does the Empress want to talk about Consort Xian?"

Shen Qingwan nodded. "Your daughter-in-law has only recently taken over the harem, and may not have handled some things properly. If there is anything wrong, please feel free to speak up, Mother. After all, Consort Xian is the legitimate daughter of the General's Mansion, and such punishment from your daughter-in-law may cause trouble for the Emperor in the court."

The Empress Dowager held Shen Qingwan's hand, her face still kind. "Although the inner palace is closely related to the court, matters of the inner palace are ultimately matters of the inner palace. As the Empress, you naturally have the right to deal with concubines who have made mistakes, and you naturally have the right to promote or demote them. It is indeed outrageous for two concubines to fight in the inner palace. The Empress has handled this matter correctly. This Consort Xian is arrogant and domineering in the inner palace every day. It is time to teach her to restrain herself. I know your concerns. I believe that the Emperor is not an unreasonable person. In any case, Consort Xian and Consort Ruan were at fault first. If they are not punished because she is the legitimate daughter of the General's Mansion, I am afraid that the inner palace will be in chaos in the future, and it will be difficult to win the hearts of the people."

Shen Qingwan rose and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your understanding, Mother."

"Your Majesty, there's no need for such formalities. Please sit down and dine with me." The Empress Dowager reached out and helped Shen Qingwan up. "If the Emperor causes you any trouble, just send someone to find me."

Shen Qingwan listened to the Empress Dowager's words with deep gratitude.

This afternoon, when Xia Mei went to invite Emperor Yuanwu to Jingyang Palace, Emperor Yuanwu did not go, which already showed his attitude.

Xia Mei was originally a person close to Consort Xian, and since she was the one to report this matter to the Emperor, she inevitably sided with Consort Xian in many ways.

Even so, Emperor Yuanwu did not intend to get involved, which suggests that he genuinely did not want to concern himself with this matter.

Now the Empress Dowager has also made her stance clear.

Shen Qingwan finally breathed a sigh of relief. Although everything she did was in accordance with palace rules, if the Emperor and Empress Dowager intervened and protected Consort Xian, she would not only be powerless, but even how to manage the harem in the future would become a big problem.

Just as Shen Qingwan finished her dinner with the Empress Dowager, Rong Momo walked in carrying a century-old ginseng.

"Your Majesty, Prince Rui just came by and heard that the Empress was having a meal with the Empress Dowager in the palace, so he didn't come in. He asked me to give this to you, saying that he would come to the palace to pay his respects to you another day." Zhang Mama presented the century-old ginseng to the Empress Dowager.

Prince Rui?
When Shen Qingwan heard the name, the fingertips holding the chopsticks trembled slightly, and she could clearly feel her heart skip a beat.

"It's rare to see Prince Rui with such filial piety. Such old ginseng has not been seen in the palace for many years," the Empress Dowager remarked.

"This only shows that Prince Rui always has the Empress Dowager on his mind. It's a pity that Prince Rui is fond of traveling and enjoying nature. If he were willing to serve as an official in the court, he could also help the Emperor share his burdens."

The Empress Dowager listened to Zhang Mama's words, and her eyes changed slightly without anyone noticing. "Put this away. Since Prince Rui sent it personally, we shouldn't let his filial piety go to waste. When Physician Zhang comes to take your pulse tomorrow, give it to him and let him see how to use it." "Yes, Your Majesty."

Shen Qingwan stood up at this moment. "Mother, I've finished eating. It's getting late, so I'll head back now. I'll come back to dine with you another day."

"It's already dark outside. Empress, please be careful on your way back. I won't keep you any longer," the Empress Dowager said softly.

"Thank you for your concern, Mother. Your daughter-in-law takes her leave."

After leaving the Cining Palace, Shen Qingwan told the palace servants who had come with her to return to the Kunning Palace first, leaving only Zhen'er by her side.

"Your Highness, it's so late, where are you going?" Zhen'er looked around and couldn't help but shiver.

"Zhen'er, do you know where Prince Rui usually goes when he enters the palace? Is there a place in the palace where Prince Rui usually lives or places he frequents?" Shen Qingwan asked.

"Your Majesty?" Zhen'er turned pale with fright. Just as she was about to cry out, she covered her mouth with both hands. "Your Majesty, have you gone mad? This is the inner palace, the imperial palace! You wouldn't be thinking of sending away the servants around you and taking me to find Prince Rui, would you? Your Majesty..."

Shen Qingwan didn't hide anything from her and nodded generously, "So, do you know?"

“Your Majesty, it is a capital offense for a concubine to have an affair with a prince, punishable by the extermination of nine generations of her family. You are now in the palace, and your life has just become a little easier. Please don't do anything rash. Your Majesty, it is already very late. Let's go back to the palace.” Zhen’er was anxious, and her voice trembled at the end of her sentence. “Your Majesty, you just punished Consort Xian today. Consort Xian is arrogant and domineering, and she is not one to suffer in silence. Let's go back as soon as possible. If Your Majesty really has something to discuss with Prince Rui, let's wait until dawn. It's so late, so don't wander around the palace.”

“Zhen’er, if you are scared, go back to the palace first.”

Shen Qingwan's tone was flat, revealing no emotion. However, in the brief pauses between her words, she had already begun walking towards the Imperial Garden.

If she remembered correctly, the last time Prince Rui saved Zhen'er was in the Imperial Garden.

Could it be that there is a place in the Imperial Garden that Prince Rui frequently visits when he enters the palace?

Having made up her mind, Shen Qingwan quickened her pace toward the Imperial Garden.

"Your Highness, please wait for me, I'll go with you..."

Zhen'er said this and quickly followed after him.

It was already dark at this hour, and the night patrol servants had not yet gone to the Imperial Garden, where it was so dark that one could not see their own hand in front of their face.

Zhen'er held a lamp in her hand, the dim light only illuminating a small area under her eyes.

It would be a lie to say she wasn't afraid. Shen Qingwan's steps slowed involuntarily. Just as she hesitated whether to take another step forward, a dark shadow suddenly flashed before her eyes...

(End of this chapter)