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

Chapter 274 Trouble
Shen Qingwan and Consort Shu looked at each other and stood up from their stools almost simultaneously.

"What happened?" Consort Shu asked.

"Your Majesty, I was unaware. Eunuch Jixiang has arrived at Kunning Palace with a large group of people, and the Imperial Guards have already surrounded the entire palace." Zhen'er was so anxious she was almost crying.

Shen Qingwan glanced out the window, and her eyelids twitched.

Since Wu Jixiang came in person, it means it was the Emperor's will. Even the Imperial Guards came. Could it be because of what happened between her and Mo Ganjunyi in the Imperial Garden that night, which was reported to Emperor Yuanwu?
That wouldn't warrant deploying the Imperial Guards!
Regardless of what happens, whether it's a blessing or a curse, there's no escaping it; what must be faced must be faced.

"Let's go out and take a look," Shen Qingwan sighed inwardly.

Consort Shu nodded solemnly and followed Shen Qingwan out.

Upon seeing the Empress, Wu Jixiang bowed and said, "This servant greets Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty be blessed."

"Why is Eunuch Jixiang doing this?" Although Shen Qingwan did not say it explicitly, her gaze swept towards the Imperial Guards standing behind Wu Jixiang.

Wu Jixiang gave an awkward smile. "Your Majesty and all the ladies, please don't panic. His Majesty sent me with the Imperial Guards to protect Your Majesty and all the ladies."

Protect?

Shen Qingwan was taken aback and asked, puzzled, "Has something happened in the palace?"

“This…” Wu Jixiang looked troubled, paused, and continued, “Your Majesty, may I speak with you in private?”

Shen Qingwan nodded and walked with Wu Jixiang to a corner of the Kunning Palace courtyard.

"This morning, several ministers in the court jointly submitted a memorial impeaching General Pang Da and presented evidence of his years of misconduct, including receiving military pay, accepting bribes, and selling official positions for personal gain."

The most serious issue is that during the years when General Pang was guarding the frontier, he deliberately provoked wars to gain military merits, causing the people on the frontier to suffer greatly from the war. Other matters are relatively minor, as they are just General Pang's personal actions. However, this matter has far-reaching implications, affecting not only General Pang's own military merits but also many of his soldiers.

Several court officials, led by Lord Wen, had secretly gathered considerable evidence over the past two years. The Emperor was furious, revoking all previous rewards bestowed upon General Pang and arresting two of his former trusted deputies. As a result, many soldiers rioted, taking advantage of the morning's lull in eunuchs leaving the palace to transport goods, and stormed into the palace. Now everyone has been arrested, but the Emperor fears they may still have accomplices. The Imperial Guards are only there to protect the Empresses; Your Highness need not panic. Prince Rui is also in the palace, and Princes Yao and Xiang have also been summoned. This matter should be resolved quickly.”

Shen Qingwan listened quietly to Wu Jixiang's words, but the more she listened, the more she felt that there was something fishy going on.

Is the palace a place where just anyone can come and go as they please? A few guards, capable of causing trouble within the palace, would probably be shot to death by archers standing on the city walls before they even reached the palace gates.

"Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Jixiang," Shen Qingwan said softly.

"Your Majesty is too kind." Wu Jixiang bowed again.

Shen Qingwan thought for a moment and then continued, "There is something I don't understand and would like to ask you, Eunuch."

"Oh dear." Wu Jixiang's eyes widened in surprise. "Your Majesty is too kind. Please do not hesitate to give me any instructions."

"If all the concubines in the harem stay in Kunning Palace, it's fine for those concubines without children. This morning, when I went to the princes' quarters, I heard the eldest prince say that the princes and princesses don't have to go to the study this morning, but stay in their own palaces. If the concubines don't go back, then only the princes and princesses will be left in the palace. Wouldn't that be a bit inappropriate?"

Wu Jixiang suddenly realized, "Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty. I will go and do it right away." Shen Qingwan nodded in relief.

Although she felt that this might just be a play orchestrated by the Emperor and Prince Rui to eliminate General Pang's confidants and prevent future troubles, as the Empress who only wanted to lie down and have a peaceful life, she could only see through it but not say anything, and play along with them until the play was over.

However, there was something else she was even more worried about: she feared that someone might take advantage of the chaos and do something to harm the children in the harem.

After all, the princes and princesses are still young and lack a strong sense of self-protection.

Even if those rioting soldiers really wanted to threaten Emperor Yuanwu into doing something, what use would it be to capture a concubine? With so many concubines in the harem, Emperor Yuanwu would certainly not let someone strangle him for the sake of a single concubine.

The only remaining possibility is that the prince and princess are involved.

If someone really wants to take advantage of this opportunity, they will definitely target them.

That Jiang Wenlan...

The other princes and princesses lived in the palaces of the concubines. With so many people around them, it was naturally less likely that others would have a chance to make a move.

"Eunuch Jixiang, please wait a moment." Shen Qingwan composed herself and took a step forward. "I have something I would like to trouble you with."

"This servant dares not accept such praise. Your Majesty, please speak freely." Wu Jixiang bowed slightly.

"We also need to send more people to the princes and princesses, especially the eldest prince." Shen Qingwan said solemnly.

Wu Jixiang paused for a moment, seemingly surprised, yet also as if enlightened. "Your Majesty, please rest assured."

Wu Jixiang had been by Emperor Yuanwu's side since he was a child, so he naturally knew what was important and what was not. Some things didn't need to be said too explicitly, but he would definitely understand.

Although Shen Qingwan stood aside while talking to Wu Jixiang, she did not deliberately avoid anyone. Those standing not far from them could naturally hear what they had just said.

The imperial harem had never seen such a grand spectacle before, so naturally everyone was curious. Even a few words or phrases would spark their imaginations and spread quickly.

The moment Wu Jixiang left, Consort Xian staggered back a step. If Xia Mei hadn't caught her from behind, she would have almost fallen to the ground.

Everything was fine last night, yet Emperor Yuanwu not only went to her palace but also slept with her.

Are these people crazy?
The Emperor has already bestowed upon us enough honors, so why do we still need to rebel?

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..." Consort Xian seemed to suddenly remember something, and stumbled to her feet. Before she could even stand up, she rushed toward Kunning Palace. She had only taken one step forward when her shoe accidentally stepped on the hem of her skirt, and she fell to the ground again.

Xia Mei followed behind, not knowing whether Consort Xian was running too fast and she didn't react in time, until Consort Xian fell heavily to the ground, her palm bleeding, before she hurriedly squatted down, "Your Highness, are you alright?"

Consort Xian lay on the ground, crying and then laughing...