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

Chapter 349 Reward
"Your Majesty, please speak frankly."

"I wanted to ask Imperial Physician Zhang whether Consort Ying's baby is a boy or a girl?" Shen Qingwan saw Imperial Physician Zhang's eyes flicker and said slowly, "I know it's against the rules to ask like this. I have no children, and my body is not suitable for conceiving at the moment. As for whether I will have children in the future, I just want to leave it to fate. There are already few princes in the palace. I'm just worried that what happened when Consort Rou gave birth might happen again. If I know in advance, I can take precautions to avoid some people thinking about it every day and making the wrong decisions."

To reassure Imperial Physician Zhang, Shen Qingwan said many things. Now that the Emperor values ​​the Rong family, Shen Qingwan is really worried that Consort Ying will become the second Consort Xian.

Imperial Physician Zhang trembled. "Your Majesty, Consort Ying is beautiful and graceful. Her child must also be a stunning beauty."

Standing tall and graceful...

If that's the case, then Consort Ying's pregnancy should be with a princess.

The princess is great.

Since the princess would not be involved in the struggle for the throne, it would not raise any suspicions that her brother would serve Emperor Yuanwu.

Shen Qingwan didn't know what Emperor Yuanwu's feelings for Consort Xian were. Even if he was using her, after so many years together, it was impossible for him to have no feelings for her at all. But when she became a pawn, Emperor Yuanwu abandoned her so ruthlessly without the slightest hesitation.

Rong Yuze lost his parents at a young age, and he and his sister depended on each other for survival. It is already quite remarkable that they have achieved what they have today.

Shen Qingwan really didn't want to see her brother and sister suffer the same fate as Consort Xian because of Emperor Yuanwu's suspicion and because of a child.

She had read many ancient books and knew the cruel reality of brothers killing each other for the throne.

However, if she were to conceive a son, she would become the subject of Emperor Yuanwu's endless speculations. Shen Qingwan would rather she were carrying a daughter.

Although in such a society, having a son provides security, and a daughter, after marriage, must follow her husband's family and cannot bring her birth mother to live with her, she still hoped that Consort Ying's support for the rest of her life would come from Rong Yuze's military achievements. Only in this way could the Rong family bring glory to their family, and Consort Ying could enjoy the rest of her life in the harem.

"I understand what Physician Zhang said." Shen Qingwan nodded lightly. "However, I hope that no third person will know about this matter before it comes to fruition."

"I don't understand what Your Majesty is saying. I've only come today to take Your Majesty's pulse. Now that Your Majesty is cured, my duty is complete." Physician Zhang crossed his arms and bowed.

That's the good thing about dealing with smart people—they get to the point without saying much more.

"Zhen'er, help me see Imperial Physician Zhang off." Shen Qingwan said, giving Imperial Physician Zhang a wink.

When Zhen'er saw Physician Zhang off, she stuffed a very heavy money bag into his hand.

"Aunt Zhen'er, this is not right. This is what I should do." Physician Zhang waved his hands repeatedly, unwilling to accept the gift.

But the money pouch had already been stuffed into Physician Zhang's hand, so why would Zhen'er take it back?

"Physician Zhang, there's no need to refuse. Our lady is in poor health, and we're afraid we'll need your help many more times in the future. We're always making you run around and worrying about us, and our lady is very grateful. Please accept this small token of our appreciation," Zhen'er said politely.

"Then this humble subject will humbly accept your offer." After accepting the silver, Physician Zhang bowed respectfully before turning to leave.

Zhen'er watched until Physician Zhang walked away before returning to her palace.

When Shen Qingwan saw her return, she put down the book in her hand. "Is everything done?" "Your Majesty, everything is done. Physician Zhang was polite for a few words, but he accepted it." Zhen'er walked to Shen Qingwan's side. "Your Majesty, you are still ill, so please don't read."

Shen Qingwan shook her head slightly and put down the book in her hand. "I couldn't fall asleep no matter how hard I tried, and I didn't read it carefully. I was just passing the time."

“Your Majesty, you really don’t need to reward Physician Zhang with so much silver. It’s just a doctor’s duty to treat the Empress. Even if you want to reward him, a little silver is enough.”

Shen Qingwan remained silent, but the corners of her lips slightly lifted.

The world is bustling, all for profit; the world is in turmoil, all for gain.

Even though Physician Zhang was paid by the Imperial Medical Academy, it was his duty to treat the concubines in the harem. Moreover, Physician Zhang was most skilled in gynecology, and he was responsible for taking care of the pregnant concubines in the harem who were of higher rank.

Which woman in the harem doesn't long to be pregnant? Even those who have already given birth all hope to conceive again.

To secure a stable position in the imperial harem, besides the influence of one's maternal family, one's offspring are crucial; the more offspring one has, the more prestigious one becomes.

There is only one emperor, and his favor must be distributed equally. He also needs to rest. Even if the favored concubines see Emperor Yuanwu more often each month, they are not necessarily pregnant.

They wanted to take a risky approach, hoping to conceive Emperor Yuanwu's child during their few nights of service to the emperor. Naturally, all their hopes fell on Physician Zhang.

Presumably, no matter which palace she went to for treatment, the concubines who dreamed of having children would not mistreat her.

If everyone else gave something and she was the only one who didn't, then she, the empress, would become a shameful embarrassment for being stingy and miserly.

If everyone else has given, and she has given too, and everyone has given roughly the same amount, then even if she has spent the money, it will be as if she hasn't spent it at all.

She didn't believe there was any sincerity left in this deep palace; she was already incredibly lucky if she wasn't schemed against.

She and Physician Zhang were not related. If it weren't for those material possessions, why would he take special care of her?

Shen Qingwan herself thought it was unreasonable, but she believed that no one would turn down money.

On his way back to the Imperial Hospital, Physician Zhang happened to run into Consort De, who was returning from visiting Zhongcui Palace.

"Doctor Zhang, it's been a long time."

Consort De greeted her warmly, which made Imperial Physician Zhang's expression falter slightly. "Your humble servant greets Your Highness Consort De. May Your Highness be blessed."

It's unclear whether it was because the bag of silver Shen Qingwan had given him was too much to carry, or because he hadn't expected to encounter Consort De.

Just as he was bowing, the money bag inadvertently fell out of his sleeve.

Physician Zhang was taken aback. In his panic, he was about to bend down to pick it up when Consort De picked it up first.

She picked up the money pouch and examined it carefully, then said with a hint of teasing, "Which palace lady is Physician Zhang treating? He's so generous! The silver ingots in this pouch are almost overflowing."