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

Chapter 29 Good Reputation

"Replying to Your Majesty, there's nothing wrong. I was just bored and came to sit in Your Majesty's palace for a while," Shen Qingwan said, walking over and sitting down opposite the Empress Dowager.

"You've come at the perfect time. I'm getting bored playing chess alone. How about we play a game together?"

After chatting for a while, Shen Qingwan steered the conversation to the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet: "Mother, I would like to hear your thoughts on this birthday banquet. Although I have entrusted it to Consort De and Consort Shu, they will certainly do their best, but I am afraid that they may not be able to meet your expectations. If you have any ideas, please tell me directly, and I will do my best to help you."

Queen Mother:…

I originally thought the Empress was becoming more and more filial, but listening to this, it feels like she's treating coming to Cining Palace as if she's holding court.

The two of them are sitting here playing chess now, and they don't look like a family at all. They look more like a ruler and his subject.

"There's no need for such a grand ceremony. I'm getting old and just want some peace and quiet." The Empress Dowager's expression suddenly darkened.

"Does Mother not like crowds?" Shen Qingwan asked curiously.

It's not that older people enjoy being around more people.

What's wrong with the Empress Dowager?
The Empress Dowager did not speak, but Zhang Mama, who came to pour tea, spoke up.

“This morning, Consort Xi came over and talked for a while while crying. The Empress Dowager is already annoyed.”

It turned out to be the case.

"Mother, actually, Consort Xi has been in the palace for so long but has never served the Emperor. I've mentioned it to him twice, but..."

Shen Qingwan's words moved the Empress Dowager to tears.

The Empress herself has been married into the family for so long without ever having served the Emperor, yet she's still worried about others.

This empress is so sensible, it's heartbreaking.

"Xi Chang is such an impatient child. I've told her many times that these things can't be rushed, but she just won't listen. I really regret bringing her to the palace in the first place; she's just causing me trouble," the Empress Dowager sighed.

"Mother, please don't say that. Consort Xi is just straightforward. In the harem, women who are too cunning don't stay in the Emperor's favor for long. When it's Mother's birthday, your daughter-in-law will think of a way to see if she can get the Emperor's attention."

The Empress Dowager was shocked and her mind went blank.

"You're too kind of me to ask for a piece, Mother." Shen Qingwan placed the last chess piece.

"Alright, alright, I'll stop now. It's been a long time since I've met anyone who can beat me." The Empress Dowager took a sip of tea. "Empress, don't leave at noon. Have lunch with me at Cining Palace before you go back."

"Yes, Queen Mother."

While the meal was being served, Shen Qingwan finalized the arrangements for the birthday banquet with the Empress Dowager. This time, instead of a theatrical troupe, they opted for some song, dance, and acrobatic performances.

at the same time.

The eunuchs from the flower room carried pots of roses into Jingyang Palace.

"This..." Consort Xian looked puzzled.

Her garden has been bald for almost a year, so why did the eunuch from the flower room suddenly bring flowers today?

"In reply to Consort Xian, it was the Empress who said she saw some beautiful flowers in the Imperial Garden and asked me to bring some over to Your Highness."

Consort Xian was stunned for a while before she reacted: "Alright, then let's put it there for now."

The people in the greenhouse who had been waiting for me had all left.

Consort Xian finally came to her senses and asked Su Tianhe beside her, "What do you think the Empress means by this?"

"Perhaps Her Majesty the Empress has come to a realization. Even if she likes it, the Third Prince has been born safely. Besides, she has already plowed all the flowers and plants off of them. If she doesn't reward them, does she expect Jingyang Palace to remain empty forever?"

Consort Xian's gaze darkened: "Go to the Imperial Hospital later and find a physician to take a look at these flowers and plants to see if there is anything wrong with them."

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Sun Tianhe replied.

"Also, when will the palace maid that Father said he'd send back to the palace arrive? Ever since Xiang'er's accident, it's made it so inconvenient for me to come and go," Consort Xian said impatiently. "Your Majesty, please don't worry, he said she'll be able to enter the palace this afternoon."

When Shen Qingwan came out of Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager rewarded her with a lot of snacks.

She couldn't finish it all by herself, so she gave some to the palace servants.

I counted a few pieces and packed them in a food container.

"Zhen'er, go and deliver these pastries to the First Prince's palace. Remember, do it quietly," Shen Qingwan instructed.

"Your Majesty, when other ladies bestow gifts, they make a big fuss, like beating drums and gongs, so the whole palace knows. Why do you give gifts so quietly?" Zhen'er asked, puzzled.

"They're making a big fuss to gain a good reputation, but none of them know as well as the Emperor. Maybe if they do something that pleases the Emperor, he might be so pleased that he might promote them or give them more opportunities to be chosen. I'm already the Empress, so there's nothing more to promote me to," Shen Qingwan said calmly.

"Does Your Majesty not want the Emperor to choose you?"

Shen Qingwan remained silent.

Zhen'er realized she had said the wrong thing and hurriedly picked up the food box: "Your Majesty, this servant will take it to the First Prince right away."

On the day of the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, the sun shone brightly.

The imperial relatives brought the prince and princess into the palace.

The imperial concubines also arrived at the Hall of Preserving Harmony early.

Although this birthday banquet is held every year, there's nothing new about it.

On that day, the Empress Dowager wore a dark red dress with embroidered patterns of "ten thousand blessings and longevity," and a bright yellow sash hanging down the back of her collar, adorned with jewels, which made her complexion look much better.

Since regaining favor, Consort Yu has been in much better spirits. At the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, she even brought the Second Prince, who rarely leaves the palace, along with her.

The second prince, Jiang Wenyuan, was a little over four years old. Because he had always been in poor health, he rarely moved around in the palace and was somewhat afraid of people.

Shen Qingwan took a piece of candy, trying to coax her over. The Second Prince wanted to eat it, but he was also a little scared and kept hiding behind Consort Yu.

Consort Yu nudged him twice, trying to get him to come over, but the Second Prince just sat down on the ground and started crying.

Seeing this, the Empress Dowager frowned instantly: "Now that the Second Prince is well, Consort Yu should take him around the palace more often. The prince must be raised to be strong and upright, and not too timid."

"Yes, Your Majesty, it is my fault for not teaching the Second Prince well. Please do not blame me, Your Majesty." Consort Yu hurriedly pulled Jiang Wenyuan aside and began to lecture him.

The Empress Dowager's birthday banquet was supposed to be a joyous occasion, but his crying like this would spoil her mood.

After Emperor Yuanwu arrived and the princes of Jin took their seats, the acrobatic performance began.

After playing several pieces.

Jiang Wenlan and Princess Jiang Wanying walked side by side to the center of the Hall of Preserving Harmony.

Everyone gasped in shock.

Consort Xian raised her eyes and glanced in the direction of Emperor Yuanwu.

Everyone knows the First Prince's status in Emperor Yuanwu's heart. This Empress probably wanted to flatter him, but she accidentally flattered the wrong person.

Consort Xian snorted coldly in her heart.

They thought the empress had changed her ways, but little did they know she had simply found another way to court death.

Dealing with certain people requires using your brain.

To deal with someone like the Empress, all you have to do is do nothing and watch her bring about her own downfall.

(End of this chapter)