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

Chapter 194 One Thing
"Find a few gossipy people. I want the whole palace to know before lunch that although the Emperor selected Consort Ruan, he did not touch her."

Consort Xian raised her hand, the silk covering her lips, but unable to conceal her gloating laughter.

"I've never looked forward to paying my respects to the Empress so much. Come on, all of you stay close."

Consort Xian walked very fast, almost one after the other, to the entrance of Kunning Palace.

Consort Wen curtsied and said, “This concubine greets Consort Xian. May Consort Xian be blessed. I was thinking of visiting Consort Xian’s palace after paying my respects to the Empress today, and bringing some hometown food that I brought for Consort Xian. Please forgive me, Your Majesty, for my long journey and failure to pay my respects to Your Majesty immediately. I have been impolite.”

"It's alright." Consort Xian raised her haughty chin. "Noble Lady Wen is very thoughtful."

As the two were talking, Ruan Changzai walked in from outside. She had her head down and almost bumped into Wen Guiren.

I didn't sleep all night and cried for a long time. My eyes were swollen like walnuts, leaving only a thin slit.

She didn't know Consort Wen at all. After staring at her for a while, she suddenly remembered who the woman in front of her was. She snorted coldly, bent her knees perfunctorily, and walked towards the main hall of Kunning Palace.

As Consort Wen watched her departing figure, her brows furrowed slightly.

Unable to bear it any longer, Green Pine spoke in the northern desert dialect, "Princess, what kind of people are they in the palace? I think they talk about palace rules all day long, but it's all just empty talk. Why should you tolerate her attitude just now? I'll teach her a lesson later."

Consort Xian couldn't understand what they were saying, so she rolled her eyes and left.

After she walked away, Consort Wen slowly shook her head. "Don't act rashly. We've only been here for a day and haven't figured out anything in this palace yet. Don't fall into someone's trap. If I remember correctly, the Emperor stayed in that person's room last night."

Green Pine's expression softened somewhat.

When Consort Wen entered Kunning Palace, many concubines had already arrived. According to the rules taught to her by her nanny, she had to kneel and bow when she first met the Empress. Before coming, she had specifically asked Cui'er again to prevent herself from making a mistake.

"Alright, now that you've entered the palace, we're all sisters from now on. Consort Wen, please have a seat." Shen Qingwan said with a smile.

"Your Majesty, I thank you." Consort Wen kowtowed again before standing up. "I came all the way from the northern desert and brought some local delicacies. I also brought some for Your Majesty this morning. They are all preserved meats. I wonder if Your Majesty will enjoy them."

After Wen Guiren finished speaking, she beckoned to Lvsong, who then handed a delicate food box to Zhen'er.

"I've long heard that the northern desert is rich and prosperous. Look at this! Even this food box is incredibly exquisite. It's made of fine mahogany with gold thread carvings and painted designs. It's truly beautiful."

Originally, everyone was only paying attention to what Consort Wen was saying, but now, because of Shen Qingwan's words, everyone's attention was focused on the food box.

"This food box is indeed exquisite, and the carving is superb," ​​Consort Shu remarked.

"Am I the only one who noticed that not only is Consort Wen's food box beautiful, but Consort Wen herself is also stunningly beautiful. She is a young girl after all, and her skin looks so fresh and delicate."

Consort Zhen's words caused everyone to shift their gaze from the food box back to Consort Wen.

Feeling stared at by so many people, Consort Wen blushed.

“Last night, I was reading in the palace when I faintly heard the sound of a pipa coming from the direction of Jingyang Palace. It was a melodious and beautiful piece called ‘Frontier Song.’ I suppose it was also composed by Consort Wen?” Consort Jin asked.

"Reply..." Consort Wen stood up and bowed. When the palace matrons taught her etiquette, they showed her portraits of all the concubines in the harem, so that she wouldn't be at a loss for how to greet people when she encountered them while walking around the palace.

Unexpectedly, after seeing so many, she couldn't remember a single one. At this moment, she looked embarrassed. Cui'er hurriedly moved closer to her and whispered, "This is Consort Jin of Xianfu Palace." "Replying to Consort Jin, it is indeed this concubine."

The moment Consort Wen's voice fell, the entire main hall of Kunning Palace became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Shen Qingwan's gaze swept over everyone, finally landing on Consort Wen. "Consort Wen, please sit down."

"Thank you, Queen."

Because a new woman had joined the palace, and she came from the northern desert, everyone was bored staying in the palace all day. They listened to Consort Wen say that women from the northern desert could go out freely and could ride horses and shoot arrows just like men. They were both envious and curious, and they all pestered Consort Wen, wanting to hear her say more.

Shen Qingwan sipped her tea and listened quietly to their conversation. It had been a long time since such a scene had been seen in the palace.

The fact that the concubines could chat and laugh so happily around Consort Wen is probably because Emperor Yuanwu didn't visit her palace last night. A concubine who is not favored may not receive sympathy, but she will certainly receive less targeting.

Ruan Changzai, on the other hand, sat in the far corner, head down, looking dejected, not at all like someone who had just been favored by Emperor Yuanwu the night before.

Shen Qingwan was naturally curious about what Emperor Yuanwu had done in Consort Ruan's palace last night.

They made a casual bet during lunch; could Emperor Yuanwu have taken it seriously?
Well... looking at it this way, Ruan Changzai really does seem a bit pitiful.

I was taken advantage of without even knowing it.

Judging from Ruan Changzai's personality, I'm afraid her days in the palace are numbered.

The concubines chatted until almost lunchtime before leaving Kunning Palace.

As soon as they left, Shen Qingwan couldn't wait to have Zhen'er serve the meal.

"They really chatted today. I was so sleepy listening to them that I almost fell asleep. I hinted at it several times, but they acted like they didn't hear me." Shen Qingwan took a sip of osmanthus tea, and disregarded the dignity of an empress, slumped down on the chaise longue.

"Your Majesty, when I went to the Imperial Kitchen to serve the meal, I overheard many palace maids and eunuchs talking about something along the way," Zhen'er said solemnly.

"what's up?"

“They all say…” Zhen’er panicked and knelt on the ground, “This servant dares not say.”

Shen Qingwan gave a wink to the maids standing in the hall, and one by one the maids withdrew.

"There are only the two of us in the hall, so please feel free to speak." Shen Qingwan picked up the osmanthus tea and took another sip.

Today, the concubines came to pay their respects and we chatted. Although she didn't say much, she was extremely thirsty at the moment.

The room was dry because of the underfloor heating; otherwise, it would be unbearably cold.

If we can get through this month, it should be a bit warmer next month.

(End of this chapter)