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

Chapter 314 Promotion Points

After Consort An died, she lived alone in Yonghe Palace.

Consort Yan is clearly Consort Xian's person. Who would want someone else's spy in their palace, making them feel uneasy coming and going? Especially since the Third Prince is Consort Xian's own son.

Consort Shu hesitated for a long time but never said it, and arranged for her to stay in Yonghe Palace.

What she could think of, how could Shen Qingwan not think of?

"Let's arrange for Consort Yan to stay at Zhongcui Palace," Shen Qingwan said.

Zhongcui Palace?
These three words made Consort Shu pause slightly, "But that is..."

“But what is that?” Shen Qingwan asked in return. “When the young ladies entered the palace, it was because the Emperor valued Consort Rou and thought that she would be a Noble Lady as soon as she entered the palace, and would surely be favored in the future. Once she was promoted, she would be a principal wife, so as to avoid the trouble of moving palaces in the future, he let her live in the Zhongcui Palace, which was empty. It was not that he gave Zhongcui Palace to her to live alone. Now that she is a principal wife, she should naturally have the tolerance of a principal wife.”

The hierarchy within the imperial harem was clearly defined. The difference between granting someone a place to live and granting someone a place to live alone, though only a word apart, was as vast as heaven and earth.

If I remember correctly, during the selection of imperial concubines, Consort Xian was in charge of all matters, big and small, in the harem.

It was the Empress's suggestion that Consort Rou move into Zhongcui Palace. Consort Xian was so angry about this that she threw a huge tantrum in the palace.

In this light, it truly seems to confirm the saying, "Thirty years east of the river, then west of the river."

Consort Shu had no interest in this Noble Lady Yan. She just wanted to make sure that Noble Lady Yan didn't stay in her palace and that Consort Xian could openly and brazenly wander into her palace and annoy her.

"Your Majesty is absolutely right." Consort Shu breathed a sigh of relief.

"Just arrange everything according to the standards for a noble lady in the palace; no special treatment is needed," Shen Qingwan instructed.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I know what I'm doing," said Consort Shu.

"How is the Third Prince doing lately? It's been a while since I've seen him."

"Your Majesty, the Third Prince has grown quite a bit. Although he can't walk yet, holding one of his hands, he can already take a wobbly step. It's cold in winter, and he's wearing a lot of clothes, so he hasn't really learned to crawl yet, but he's learned to walk first." Consort Shu's expression softened as she mentioned the Third Prince.

"You have to take care of the Third Prince and manage the six palaces at the same time. It must be really hard work for you," Shen Qingwan couldn't help but sigh.

Consort Shu paused slightly upon hearing Shen Qingwan's words, her face turning deathly pale. She hurriedly rose from her stool and knelt on the ground. "Your Majesty, I have raised the Third Prince since he was born. I will never have my own child. I have always regarded the Third Prince as my own. I have never felt tired taking care of him. If Your Majesty has any reservations, I am willing to relinquish my power to assist the six palaces. But the Third Prince..."

At this point, Consort Shu couldn't help but cry, "I know that Consort Xian is now a Noble Consort, but I really can't bear to part with the Third Prince, Your Majesty the Empress..."

Consort Shu became more and more agitated as she spoke, and her sobs almost drowned out everything she was about to say.

She thought Consort Xian was going to die, and always treated the Third Prince as her own son. But who would have thought that fate would play such a trick on her? Not only did she not die, but after so many ups and downs, she still managed to climb to the position of Consort.

How could she not panic? Not a single day went by without her heart filled with anxiety!
Shen Qingwan was stunned by her crying. She got up and tried to help Consort Shu up from the ground, but Consort Shu not only refused to get up, but cried even harder.

"Your Majesty, I know that having a prince by my side and the power to assist in managing the six palaces is indeed too much power. However, I have always been devoted to my duties and have never had the slightest thought of overstepping my bounds. If Your Majesty has any reservations, then please revoke my power to assist in managing the six palaces. I beg Your Majesty not to take the Third Prince away from me. I swear that the Third Prince will never covet the position of Crown Prince in the future. If I break my promise, I will surely..."

As Consort Shu spoke, she straightened up and held up three fingers to her cheek, but before she could utter her curses and oaths, Shen Qingwan interrupted her. She pulled Consort Shu up from the ground, both amused and exasperated, "I was wondering why you suddenly started crying. Look at what you're saying."

Consort Shu was completely stunned.

That's not it?

What would it be?
"I was thinking that since you are currently shouldering heavy responsibilities and working hard every day, I was going to suggest to the Emperor that you be promoted in rank when a suitable day comes. But you are crying your heart out here, and I was wondering what was wrong with you." Shen Qingwan sighed and rubbed her forehead.

Isn't her laziness and inaction obvious enough?
The power in the harem has now been handed over to Consort Shu, Consort Jin, and Consort Xian. What exactly did she say that could frighten Consort Shu to this extent?

Consort Shu is uneasy!
She couldn't tell her that Consort Xian's good days wouldn't last much longer.

Although the time is short, there is nothing she can do but wait. Her biggest worry now is that Consort Shu will not cause any trouble in the next few months.

The Third Prince will not inherit the throne.

How could Emperor Yuanwu possibly allow a child with blood ties to the Pang family to inherit the throne?

If someone were to sabotage things or harbor any wicked intentions, wouldn't that ruin this unified empire?

However, Shen Qingwan could see these things clearly, but Consort Shu might not. She couldn't tell Consort Shu either, since all of this was just speculation.

"Promotion?"

Consort Shu was stunned; tears welled in her eyes, and her gaze was blank.

Could the Empress be lying to her?
She is already a concubine; if she were to be promoted further, she would become a Noble Consort and then an Imperial Noble Consort.

Does the Empress really trust someone with a prince who holds a high position and threatens her status?

"Of course." Shen Qingwan gently helped her sit on the stool. "If you can understand what I'm saying, then wait patiently, keep an eye on the Third Prince, and make sure nothing goes wrong. When the time is right, I will definitely bring this matter up with the Emperor and the Empress Dowager."

Consort Shu nodded, both laughing and crying, "This concubine thanks Your Majesty the Empress."

After returning from Kunning Palace, Consort Shu began to arrange for Consort Yan to enter the palace.

Just as Consort Rou woke up with the Fourth Prince in her arms, she saw people from the Imperial Household Department going in and out, tidying up a side hall of Zhongcui Palace.

"Eunuch Meng." Consort Rou came out of her palace and called out to Meng Anfu, who was walking hurriedly.

"This servant greets Consort Rou. May Consort Rou be blessed." Meng Anfu smiled and curtsied.

"What is Eunuch Meng busy with? Such a big commotion?" Consort Rou looked Meng Anfu up and down, glancing at the direction behind him.

Roupin's personal maid hurriedly waved to the eunuchs carrying things, "You, I'm talking to you! Can't you see that our lady is talking to Eunuch Meng? Stop what you're doing."