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

Chapter 341 Enlightenment

But this light, which illuminated the entire harem, failed to illuminate her.

This made her feel very uncomfortable.

"Your Highness, Father is alright, but he has been fighting alongside General Pang for many years and has many old injuries and ailments that he may have to live with for the rest of his life," said Consort Yan.

Consort Xian: ...

The words may be rough, but the meaning is sound. However, upon closer examination, they feel awkward, yet I can't quite put my finger on why.

At this moment, Consort Yan was still kneeling on the ground.

Consort Xian's tone finally softened, "Don't keep kneeling, get up quickly."

Consort Yan knelt on the ground and kowtowed again, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Consort Xian: ...

She had been trying to figure out what was wrong, but now she finally understood.

There was nothing wrong with it, but Consort Yan kept calling them "Your Highness the Imperial Concubine," making them feel like strangers, completely distant.

Consort Xian wasn't afraid of her, but she felt that she had gone to great lengths to bring her into the palace, and the girl wasn't loyal and couldn't help her at all. If that letter fell into someone else's hands, wouldn't she have lost more than she gained?

Consort Xian walked to Consort Yan's side and deliberately took her hand in a friendly manner, saying, "Sister, there's no need to be so polite. After all, we've been friends since childhood, which is different from the other sisters in the palace."

Consort Yan lowered her eyes, pursed her lips, and smiled, but the smile seemed rather intriguing.

Consort Xian looked at her indifferent attitude, and was already both satisfied and angry, but she could not show it directly at this time. She could only suppress her anger and said, "I suppose you have been serving the Emperor hard, so I will not disturb you any longer. Please rest first, and I will come to see you another day."

Consort Yan subtly withdrew her hand from Consort Xian's and curtsied, saying, "Respectfully seeing off Your Highness, Consort Xian."

Consort Xian: ...

Consort Xian stared at her empty hand, her smile freezing.
-
When Consort Shu and Consort Jin arrived at the gate of Kunning Palace, they were still discussing how to comfort the Empress and make her feel better. However, as the eunuch who had come to announce their arrival led them into the courtyard of Kunning Palace, the scene before them made them both stop in their tracks.

Shen Qingwan lay half-reclined on the swing in the courtyard, while Su Tianhe and several eunuchs tended the vegetable garden, and several palace maids chatted and laughed as they trimmed the flowers.

Zhen'er sat on the stone bench next to Shen Qingwan, brewing tea for her. Around the tea stove were several exquisite plates containing various kinds of pastries of different colors, as well as some cut fruits.

This is so relaxing!

When Zhen'er saw the person who came, she hurriedly stood up and bowed. The palace maids and eunuchs also stopped what they were doing.

"This servant greets Consort Shu and Consort Jin. May Consort Shu and Consort Jin be blessed."

Consort Shu's expression was somewhat complicated. "Quickly, get up."

Consort Shu and Consort Jin greeted Her Majesty the Empress in unison, "May Her Majesty the Empress be blessed."

Shen Qingwan put down the book in her hand, stopped the swing, and smiled as she invited them to sit down.

"Your Majesty, I heard this this morning and thought..." Consort Shu was speechless.

After all, after being reprimanded by the Emperor in the harem and forced to reflect on one's actions behind closed doors, it's hard to find another person who can not only act as if nothing happened but also enjoy drinking tea and reading so leisurely. Consort Shu spoke vaguely, but Shen Qingwan heard her clearly, "Are you talking about the Emperor confining me to my quarters?"

Consort Shu and Consort Jin remained silent, looking slightly embarrassed. Consort Jin spoke first, "When Consort Shu and I came here, we were thinking about how to comfort Her Majesty the Empress, but we didn't expect..."

Shen Qingwan's smile deepened even more.

Comfort her?
Actually, she didn't feel sad at all.

She didn't know what Emperor Yuanwu was really thinking, but it wouldn't be so bad to confine her to her quarters for a little while.

In this way, she wouldn't have to get up early to listen to the concubines in the palace saying things against their will every day, and she could also avoid being bothered by the various palaces.

She could simply stay comfortably in Kunning Palace, eating and sleeping as she pleased, without having to worry about the Empress Dowager urging her to have a child with Emperor Yuanwu every day. Why wouldn't she be happy?

"Since you're all here, don't go back for lunch. I just instructed the kitchen to prepare a pot. It's boring for me to eat alone. It's more lively when there are more people eating together."

"pot?"

Concubine Shu:......

The expressions on Consort Shu's face flashed by like a revolving lantern.

Back in the palace, when Consort Xian held absolute power, she always wanted to compete, to win favor, and to vie for power.

Although she no longer enjoys the emperor's favor, Emperor Yuanwu still visits her every few days, and she has truly gained power. However, she is somewhat envious of the empress's current life.

She could only feel envy; how could a mere concubine compare to the Empress?

It is impossible for an empress to be deposed unless she commits an unforgivable mistake.

Even though the Empress was punished, she could still live such a comfortable life. For a moment, she even really suspected that Emperor Yuanwu had thrown all the affairs of the harem into her hands, which made it easier for the Empress to have some leisure.

But she was different. Above her were not only the Empress, but also the Imperial Concubine, and even the Imperial Noble Concubine.

The affairs of the harem are neither too big nor too small. The more one does, the more mistakes one makes. If anything goes wrong, she might not even be able to hold onto her position as a concubine.

"Your Majesty, you've finally found some peace and quiet, but I'm in for a rough time. How could I possibly manage the six palaces? I usually just do whatever Your Majesty asks me to do. But now... Your Majesty, I really can't do it." Consort Shu's face was full of worry.

"Since the Emperor has ordered you to do it, just do it without worry. Even if you fail, I doubt anyone will say anything. After all, you still have Consort Jin and Consort Zhen to help you..."

After Shen Qingwan finished speaking, her gaze inadvertently swept over Consort Jin. Since entering, Consort Jin seemed to have barely spoken; it had been Consort Shu who had been doing all the talking.

Only then did she realize that Consort Jin did not seem to be in good spirits. Although she had applied makeup to her face and her complexion looked good, the dark circles under her eyes could not be concealed by the makeup.

"Did Consort Jin not sleep well last night?"

Shen Qingwan's curious words startled Consort Shu. She couldn't help but look at Consort Jin. "It's Your Majesty's information. How could I be so careless? I've been talking to Consort Jin all the way here and didn't even notice. Is Consort Jin feeling unwell somewhere?"

Consort Jin's expression tightened. "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I'm fine. I just drank some tea last night, which made me a bit more alert, and I couldn't sleep until dawn."

Consort Shu then sighed, "I don't know if it's because I'm getting old, but I dare not touch this tea after noon. If I do, I can't sleep at night."

Consort Jin sighed, "Who can argue with that? Her Majesty the Empress is still young, so naturally she doesn't understand this."