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

Chapter 308 It turned out to be him
Emperor Yuanwu's already slightly furrowed brows tightened even more. "If the Empress is unwell, she should rest well. No matter how important matters in the harem are, nothing is more important than the Empress's well-being."

Shen Qingwan smiled and rose to greet him, "Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty."

Emperor Yuanwu waved to her, gesturing for her to sit down, and then turned to Wu Jixiang, who was kneeling beside him, and said, "Don't keep kneeling, get up."

"This servant thanks Your Majesty for your mercy in not punishing me." Wu Jixiang stood up from the ground with a complicated expression.

Emperor Yuanwu stared at the table full of delicious food. He had thought that he would have a great appetite after sleeping so well, but he did not expect that after taking a bite of the tempting shrimp dumplings, he would lose his appetite.

What exactly is going on?

"Wu Jixiang, go and pour me a cup of tea."

Emperor Yuanwu felt unbearably thirsty and inexplicably irritable. This feeling was something he used to only experience when he didn't sleep well at night and lost his appetite, but he had slept for so long...

Could it be because he hasn't slept for such a long time in a long time, and his body can't adapt to it? That's why he's feeling unwell.
Emperor Yuanwu couldn't quite explain what was wrong with him at that moment; he really had no appetite, so he simply put down his chopsticks.

The instant he put down his chopsticks, he casually picked up the teacup in front of him and drank the tea he had just half-finished in one gulp.

Shen Qingwan paused heavily, a strange glint flashing in her eyes that shouldn't be there at this moment, but her voice remained as gentle as ever, "Does Your Majesty find the shrimp dumplings unpalatable? Then try something else."

She was hesitating about what to pick out of Emperor Yuanwu's bowl when he waved his hand quickly, "Empress, don't bother. I don't have much of an appetite. I'm going to court now."

As Emperor Yuanwu spoke, he stood up and said, "If the Empress is not feeling well, have Imperial Physician Zhang come and take a look at her later. She has been recuperating for so long and has finally regained a little bit of her health, so please don't be careless."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty." Shen Qingwan curtsied and said, "Respectfully seeing Your Majesty off."

Emperor Yuanwu:...

He just didn't have an appetite and didn't want to eat, but he didn't intend to leave.

This... Empress...

Emperor Yuanwu pursed his lips deeply, turned and walked out of the palace, but there was still some time before the court session.

If I were to return to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, I fear that upon arrival, I would not even have time to drink a cup of tea before having to attend court. Going directly to court would be far too early, and it would indeed be a bit strange to sit alone on the dragon throne in the main hall waiting for ministers to arrive one after another.

Emperor Yuanwu thought for a moment and then headed towards the Imperial Garden. The Imperial Garden was not far from Kunning Palace. After walking a few steps, he heard the sound of reading in the distance.

Who?
Who is studying in the Imperial Garden so early in the morning?

Emperor Yuanwu quickened his pace in surprise, and as he walked faster and faster, the sound of reading became clearer and clearer.

"Heaven and earth were dark and yellow, the universe was vast and boundless. The sun and moon waxed and waned, the stars and constellations were arrayed. Cold came and heat went, autumn harvested and winter stored. Leap years made up the year, the musical scales harmonized the seasons..."

Jiang Wenlan?
Is it him?

Upon seeing the person reading, Emperor Yuanwu suddenly stopped, his eyes filled with surprise.

Emperor Yuanwu stopped, and the servants behind him also stopped.

Wu Jixiang cautiously raised his eyes and glanced at him, thinking that he had just inexplicably lost his temper.

This eldest prince is really something. Of all the places to study, he has to choose the Imperial Garden. Now, if Emperor Yuanwu really loses his temper, they'll all suffer. Jiang Wenlan was engrossed in reciting his book, seemingly unaware of the large group of people standing behind him.

"The musical scales harmonize with the seasons. Clouds rise and bring rain, dew condenses into frost. Gold is born in the Li River, jade comes from Kunlun Mountain. The sword is named Juque, the pearl is called Ye Guang... the pearl is called Ye Guang... Ye Guang... what was it again?"

Jiang Wenlan suddenly couldn't continue reciting this part, and he angrily slapped his forehead.

"The sword is named Juque, the pearl is called Yeguang. The fruits are prized, such as plums and apricots, and the vegetables are valued, such as mustard and ginger. The sea is salty, the river is fresh, and fish swim and birds fly."

Emperor Yuanwu lifted his foot and continued reciting the poem he hadn't finished.

Upon hearing the voice, Jiang Wenlan turned around. When he saw who it was, he panicked and almost dropped the book in his hand. He hurriedly knelt on the ground.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty... Your son greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty live ten thousand years!"

Wu Jixiang was so shocked that he broke out in a cold sweat and kept giving winks to the old woman following behind Jiang Wenlan.

Although Emperor Yuanwu had seen Jiang Wenlan several times before, he did not seem to dislike him as much. He not only spoke to him calmly, but also rewarded him.

At that time, Emperor Yuanwu seemed to be in a good mood, and the Empress was also by his side.

This matter...

When Emperor Yuanwu came out of Kunning Palace, he was in a bad mood. In fact, he was in a terrible mood.

When the eldest prince was young, he only resembled the late Consort Li in his eyebrows and eyes. As he grew older, he not only resembled Consort Li in his eyebrows and eyes, but now he was practically a carbon copy of her. It's fortunate that Jiang Wenlan was a prince; if he were a princess, he would probably be a miniature version of Consort Li.

Wu Jixiang was filled with remorse. He should have advised the Emperor to have another bowl of tea in Kunning Palace before leaving.

In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the eldest prince arrived at the Imperial Study. Emperor Yuanwu was also in a hurry to attend court, so they naturally wouldn't meet in the Imperial Garden.

Perhaps this is fate.

Emperor Yuanwu glanced in Jiang Wenlan's direction, then lowered his eyes and asked, "Why are you reciting your lessons here at this hour? Shouldn't you be in the Imperial Study?"

"Replying to Father Emperor, I am just about to return to the Prince's residence." Jiang Wenlan spoke calmly and steadily, showing no trace of his earlier panic. Instead, he displayed a composure beyond his years.

Emperor Yuanwu's eyes darkened. "You...do you spend every day reciting your lessons in the Imperial Garden?"

"Replying to Father Emperor, I do not study in the Imperial Garden every day. It is only because I am captivated by the spring scenery in the Imperial Garden that I suddenly feel like studying. I have only been studying in the Imperial Garden these past few days. On other days, I study in the Prince's quarters," Jiang Wenlan said.

Emperor Yuanwu nodded, then asked with a puzzled look, "Does the eldest prince really enjoy reading?"

"Father, the Empress told me that 'the early bird catches the worm.' If I recite it repeatedly, I will remember it and won't be punished by my teacher. I am stupid. If I don't get up early and read it a few more times, I'm afraid I will be punished by my teacher to copy it a hundred times."

Emperor Yuanwu:...

Emperor Yuanwu's expression was somewhat complicated. After a long while, he slowly said, "The Empress will discipline the princes."

"Father, the Empress is a model of virtue for the nation, and she and Father are of one heart and mind. I am Father's child, and I am also the Empress's child. I believe that the Empress would never harm me."