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

Chapter 215 Troubles

The truth will out. General Pang's actions on the frontier have been going on for a long time, and the number of impeachments against him by the court is increasing.

Previously, there were no suitable military generals in the court, so even if Emperor Yuanwu wanted to take action against the Pang family, he dared not act rashly.

Fortunately, Shen Qingwan learned about Rong Yuze from Consort Ying.

If Shen Qingwan hadn't sent someone to General Rongda's mansion to pull Rong Yuze back from the brink of death, and then sent someone to take care of him, how could he be now a sharp weapon on the battlefield, capable of fighting against the Pang clan?

Rong Yuze's power is not yet fully established, and it is not the best time to wipe out the Pang clan. Even if he can order the execution of General Pang, if someone deliberately incites his old subordinates and cavalry to rebel, countless innocent people will lose their lives.

Unfortunately, Consort Xian is also brainless. She has been spoiled by General Pang since childhood. If she had half the brains of Shen Qingwan, she should be able to see the current situation clearly.

Her... the Pang family, had long since lost its power.

If she lives a peaceful life in the harem, even if he issues a kill order against the Pang family one day, he will spare her life out of consideration for her years of service, allowing her to spend the rest of her life in the harem.

But at such a time, not only did she not behave herself, she almost killed Consort Rou and her son. It's a wonder he even considered deposing her and making her the Empress. I never expected her to be so brainless.

Emperor Yuanwu's expression relaxed slightly. "With the Empress around, the harem has indeed saved me a lot of trouble. Wu Jixiang, what do you think I should reward the Empress with? Since she likes reading and cooking, how about giving her that set of 'Taiping Shenghui Fang'?"

Wu Jixiang looked troubled. “Your Majesty, the Empress usually enjoys making medicinal cuisine, so she must have read the Taiping Shenghui Fang. It seems that rewarding the Empress with a book she already owns does not please her.”

"What about the hairpin? The fabric? Go check if there's any Shu brocade left in the storeroom," Emperor Yuanwu continued.

Wu Jixiang swallowed hard, his expression becoming even more troubled. "Your Majesty, apart from some grand palace banquets, Her Majesty usually dresses rather plainly. When she swears, she only wears a hairpin. Besides, those gold and silk tributes, whether Your Majesty rewards them or not, Kunning Palace and Cining Palace will each have a share. Her Majesty's palace should... not lack such things."

Emperor Yuanwu:...

"This won't do, that won't do either. Does the Empress have nothing she likes? Does she have no worries?" Emperor Yuanwu said irritably.

“Your Majesty, I truly do not know if Her Majesty is lacking anything, but if it is something Your Majesty bestows upon Her Majesty, Her Majesty will surely be pleased…” Wu Jixiang raised his eyes and glanced at Emperor Yuanwu, then paused and continued, “But… if it is something that is troubling, as far as I know, there is indeed one matter.”

"Oh?" Emperor Yuanwu turned his head, drawing out his words, and looked at Wu Jixiang. "Troublesome matters? What's troubling the Empress?"

“This…” Wu Jixiang looked troubled.

"Speak your mind. With me here, no one will dare to make things difficult for you," Emperor Yuanwu said sullenly.

Wu Jixiang smiled and said, “Your Majesty, it’s not really a big deal. It’s just that the Empress Dowager’s niece, Consort Xi, always cries and whine in front of the Empress Dowager. Once, when Consort Xi was crying in the Empress Dowager’s palace, Her Majesty the Empress brought some things to visit Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. Her Majesty the Empress Dowager was probably annoyed by Consort Xi’s crying and said a few words about Her Majesty the Empress.”

"Is that so?" Emperor Yuanwu frowned slightly. "I have never heard the Empress mention this matter." "Your Majesty, the Empress is virtuous. Even if she suffers grievances, she will not complain in front of you. However, she is caught in the middle between the Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, and Consort Xi. It is indeed a difficult position for her."

"What exactly caused Consort Xi to cry to the Empress Dowager? Was she having a hard time in the harem? Or was she being bullied by one of the concubines?" Emperor Yuanwu thought for a moment and continued, "If I remember correctly, Consort Xi lives in Xianfu Palace, and the head of Xianfu Palace is Consort Jin."

“Your Majesty.” Wu Jixiang couldn’t help but shudder. “Consort Jin is gentle by nature, and everyone in the harem knows that the Empress Dowager is Consort Xi’s aunt, so naturally no one dares to mistreat her.”

"If that's the case, then what else is she dissatisfied with, and why is she running to the Empress Dowager to complain?" Emperor Yuanwu's expression immediately darkened.

Wu Jixiang raised his hand and slapped himself on the face. "Look at this clumsy servant! I only meant well and wanted to help Your Majesty and the Empress, but I didn't mean to upset Your Majesty. This servant deserves to be punished, this servant deserves to be punished..."

"Alright." Emperor Yuanwu's eyes flickered. "What exactly is the reason?"

"That's right. Your Majesty has never favored Consort Xi, and recently the three ladies sent from the Prince's residence were granted the rank of Noble Lady upon entering the palace. Consort Xi is probably unhappy about this. After all, the Empress Dowager is her only relative in the harem, so it's only natural that she would complain to her. What aunt wouldn't care for her niece? Even the Empress..."

Before Wu Jixiang could finish speaking, Emperor Yuanwu snorted and interrupted him, "Such a small matter, is it really necessary to make a fuss about it with the Empress Dowager? It's clear that Consort Xi is too ignorant."

Wu Jixiang: ...

Wu Jixiang looked up at the sky in despair. He had talked himself hoarse, but the Emperor hadn't understood a single word, and...

If Xi Changzai is punished for this, wouldn't he have done something wrong with good intentions?

"Alright, stop looking so lifeless. After all that talk, all you want me to do is make you want me to spend more time with Consort Xi in the palace, right?" Emperor Yuanwu shook his head with a laugh.

Wu Jixiang bowed and scraped, “Nothing can be hidden from His Majesty. This servant just felt that the Empress had done so much for His Majesty, and was even reprimanded by the Empress Dowager for not favoring any of the concubines. So I said a few words. If His Majesty feels that what this servant said has displeased him, His Majesty is free to punish this servant.”

"Enough." Emperor Yuanwu took a deep breath. "I know there's no one in the harem who can bribe you. The Empress has done so much for me. It would be unfair if I let her be reprimanded by the Empress Dowager for something like this. Go tell the Imperial Household Department that I won't be choosing a concubine tonight. Let Consort Xi have dinner in her palace and have her prepare in advance."

"Yes, this servant will go and deliver the message immediately." Wu Jixiang bowed and walked towards Xianfu Palace.

Emperor Yuanwu watched his departing figure from afar, and couldn't help but turn back to glance in the direction of Kunning Palace.

This empress... is getting more and more interesting...

"What has Prince Rui been doing lately?"

(End of this chapter)