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

Chapter 242 Instigation from Behind
The Empress Dowager nodded with satisfaction after hearing what Shen Qingwan said. "Since the Empress has thought things through so well, I will leave this matter to the Empress. I am at ease."

"Mother," Shen Qingwan thought for a moment, "What do you think of Lingxiang Pavilion? Although Lingxiang Pavilion is not as large as Xianfu Palace where Consort Xi currently resides, it has a side hall in addition to the main hall. If it is only given to Consort Xi, it will still be more spacious than the side hall of Xianfu Palace where Consort Xi currently resides. Lingxiang Pavilion is located right between Cining Palace and Yangxin Hall. Consort Xi is pregnant and tends to think a lot during pregnancy. If she can see her family members often, both her emotions and mood will be much more stable. After Consort Xi gives birth to the imperial heir and is promoted to the rank of Consort, we can arrange other residences. What do you think, Mother?"

The Empress Dowager nodded with great satisfaction. "The Empress has considered things very carefully. Even if she is promoted in rank and moves to a larger palace to live with others, it would be better for her to live alone in Lingxiang Pavilion with her child. It would be much more peaceful."

Shen Qingwan smiled but remained silent.

The Empress Dowager had seen all the intrigue and backstabbing in the palace. It was so rare for her to have a place to be alone in the palace. Consort Xi was different from Consort Rou when she first entered the palace.

When Consort Rou entered the palace through the imperial concubine selection, she was already a Noble Lady. She was also favored by Emperor Yuanwu and was bound to be favored in the future. At that time, there were few concubines in the palace, and there were many vacant palaces. It was not difficult to arrange a palace for her to live in alone.

Now that there are many concubines in the harem, each palace has its own main seat. It's not appropriate to move someone else to another place just to arrange a Noble Lady. After all, Lingxiang Pavilion is the best arrangement, especially since there is no more suitable place.

Since Consort Xi entered the palace, she had seen her cry quite often in Cining Palace. She had seen her cry so many times, she must have cried even more in private.

Shen Qingwan was really worried about someone who had absolutely no guile. Even if she managed to keep the baby, what would happen in the future?
"If Mother has no objections, then I will ask Consort Xi for her opinion later. If she also agrees, then I will have someone set about doing it," Shen Qingwan said slowly.

"Very well, very well." The Empress Dowager smiled, her eyes crinkling, seemingly quite satisfied with her arrangement. "There's no need to talk to Consort Xi. I can make the decision myself. I believe she will be happy to hear this good news and will be grateful to the Empress."

Shen Qingwan: ...

Is this really good?
However, since the Empress Dowager has said so, if Consort Xi is dissatisfied with this arrangement in the future, she should not be held responsible.

Shen Qingwan still looked troubled, "Mother, this..."

The Empress Dowager could see her predicament, but she turned to Zhang Mama behind her and said, "Go to Xianfu Palace and convey my imperial decree. Tell her that in order to allow Consort Xi to rest and recuperate peacefully during her pregnancy, she will be temporarily moved to Lingxiang Pavilion."

what?
Temporarily relocating to Lingxiang Pavilion?

When Xi Changzai received the imperial edict from Zhang Mama, she was completely stunned.

"Why would my aunt move me to Lingxiang Pavilion when I'm perfectly fine? I'm doing just fine in Xianfu Palace, why would she move me elsewhere? Besides, Lingxiang Pavilion is so small." Consort Xi's face was full of dissatisfaction, without any attempt to hide it. "Zhang Mama, is my aunt mistaken? In the harem, it's not only those concubines who are not valued or who have been punished who are moved to some pavilion or abbot's quarters. I'm pregnant, that's a joyous occasion."

Zhang Mama had a smile on her face. Normally, she wouldn't be the one to personally handle such a trivial matter as delivering an imperial decree. It was only because this Consort Xi was the Empress Dowager's cousin that the Empress Dowager had sent her on this trip. But who would have thought that the Consort Xi would not only be ungrateful but also seem to be complaining.

Zhang Mama gave a slight curtsy. "Your Excellency, the Empress Dowager is also thinking of you. Now that you are pregnant, it is more conducive to your pregnancy if you live alone. The Empress Dowager does not think that Xianfu Palace is bad, but she thinks it would be more convenient for you to live alone."

convenient?

Consort Xi couldn't help but sneer inwardly, "I really don't know who's been stirring things up behind my back, Aunt. Is it just to make my living conditions more comfortable, or do they have some other motive? Nobody knows." Granny Zhang pursed her lips deeply, feeling that there was no point in saying another word. She had come to read the imperial edict, and now that it was read, her job was done.

She naturally wouldn't tell Consort Xi what she overheard the Empress Dowager and the Empress saying in Cining Palace.

Consort Xi's mind was completely oblivious to the concerns of the Empress Dowager and the Empress.

Perhaps, if she knew the reason why the Empress Dowager and the Empress made her move to Lingxiang Pavilion, it was because they were afraid that Consort Shu would often bring the Third Prince in and out of Xianfu Palace, which would offend her. She just thought that the Empress Dowager and the Empress were worrying too much.

But she spent most of her life in the palace with the Empress Dowager.

The women in the imperial harem, in order to win favor and consolidate their position, have used every means and scheme they could think of.

Just from the look of annoyance on her face when she heard the Empress Dowager's decree, it was clear that without the Empress Dowager's protection, Consort Xi would not only lack favor, but would also have difficulty surviving in the power struggles of the harem.

She was far inferior to the Empress.

"If Consort Xi has any thoughts, please speak with the Empress Dowager. This servant will take her leave now." After saying this, Zhang Mama curtsied and left Xianfu Palace.

When they arrived at the entrance of Xianfu Palace, they bumped into Consort Jin, who was returning from outside.

When Consort Jin saw Granny Zhang, she greeted her very politely with a proper smile: "Granny Zhang."

Why did she come in person?
Zhang Mama was the Empress Dowager's dowry maid. She had served the Empress Dowager since the day she entered the palace. Although Emperor Yuanwu had a wet nurse, Zhang Mama had also taken good care of him when he was a child. Emperor Yuanwu always respected Zhang Mama.

In the imperial harem, any concubine who was sensible would naturally treat Zhang Mama with courtesy and respect.

When Zhang Mama saw Consort Jin approaching, she stopped and bowed, saying, "This servant greets Consort Jin. May Consort Jin be blessed."

"Please rise, Granny Zhang." Consort Jin raised her hand and asked curiously, "Is there something you need, Granny Zhang?"

"Reporting to Consort Jin, this servant has come to convey the Empress Dowager's decree. The Empress Dowager was very pleased to learn that Consort Xi was pregnant, and bestowed the Lingxiang Pavilion next to Cining Palace to Consort Xi for residence. The decree has been delivered, and this servant should return to report."

Upon hearing Zhang Mama's words, Consort Jin's smile froze, and her brow twitched involuntarily. "Zhang Mama, you are an old servant of the Empress Dowager, and you certainly know her temperament and personality better than we concubines do. I have a request, and I would appreciate it if you could enlighten me."

"Your Highness, please speak freely," said Granny Zhang with a smile, bowing slightly.

(End of this chapter)