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

Chapter 359 Not worthy
Emperor Yuanwu remained silent, feeling an unbearable headache from the noise all night.

Physician Zhang hurriedly knelt down and took Emperor Yuanwu's pulse. "Your Majesty, your dizziness is caused by overwork. Your Majesty is already very tired from worrying about state affairs every day. Why don't you let the Empress take charge of the affairs of the harem and help share your burden?"

Queen?

Consort Rou looked down at Physician Zhang in disbelief.

What does Physician Zhang mean by this? The Empress is still under house arrest, and Emperor Yuanwu has entrusted the affairs of the harem to Consort Shu. If he were to suggest that the Empress handle Consort Yan's matter now, wouldn't that be giving the Empress a legitimate way to regain control of the harem?

This Physician Zhang...

There had been no prior knowledge of any connection between the Shen family and Physician Zhang's family. Why would he help the Empress in this matter...?

Before Consort Rou could figure out her doubts, Wu Jixiang spoke up.

"Your Majesty, how about I have someone invite the Empress over? You don't look well, so perhaps Your Majesty shouldn't bother with matters of the harem."

Consort Rou: ...

Wu Jixiang?
Wu Jixiang's concern for Emperor Yuanwu was understandable, since he had served Emperor Yuanwu since childhood, and it was only natural for her to feel sorry for him.

But why did he follow Physician Zhang's words? Even if someone was to be found to interrogate Consort Yan, shouldn't it be Consort Shu who was in power?
She really underestimated this empress. She was truly capable, managing to win over several of Emperor Yuanwu's most trusted people, making them all obedient and willing to speak on her behalf.

Both Physician Zhang and Wu Jixiang said so, and Emperor Yuanwu nodded.

Consort Yan knew perfectly well that after entering the palace, she had not taken the initiative to pay her respects at Kunning Palace, nor had she interacted with the Empress.

The emperor might still consider some of their friendship and listen to her words, but the empress is different. Since ancient times, which empress has not hated the favored concubines?

Forget helping her, you'd rather make her wish she were dead.

Consort Yan desperately grabbed Emperor Yuanwu's sleeve, "Your Majesty, I have truly been framed. Please believe me."

When Consort Xian was brought to Zhongcui Palace, she was completely bewildered.

Looking at the people standing in the palace and Consort Yan kneeling on the ground, he was even more confused.

"This concubine greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty be well." Consort Xian curtsied, then thoughtfully inquired, "Your Majesty, this is..."

Before she could finish speaking, a eunuch's voice came from outside the hall announcing the arrival of a servant.

"The Empress is here."

The Empress arrived, and everyone curtsied in greeting.

"Long live the Empress! Long live the Empress!"

Consort Xian maintained her composure, but her face was already showing signs of embarrassment.

These lackeys really know how to play favorites. When she came in just now, she didn't see any of them kneeling down to pay their respects. She thought the Emperor was angry and they didn't dare to speak.

So that's not it, it's that she's not good enough!

When Shen Qingwan came with Wu Jixiang, Wu Jixiang gave her a brief account of what happened at Zhongcui Palace. She sighed helplessly in her heart, as this matter had nothing to do with her, but Emperor Yuanwu was too naive.

Consort Yan watched the Empress enter, fearing that the matter would ultimately fall into the Empress's hands, leaving no room for maneuver.

She crawled to Emperor Yuanwu's side, sobbing, "Your Majesty, I have only ever met Consort Xian. If it weren't for Consort Xian's harm, how could I have ended up in such a miserable state? Since ancient times, a woman's reputation has been of utmost importance. I beg Your Majesty to do justice for me, help me find out the truth, and restore my innocence."

Consort Xian: ? ? ? What's going on here? How did she get dragged into this?

She had just been wondering what the incident at Zhongcui Palace had to do with her. Even though Consort Yan's entry into the palace was done through a letter she sent to General Qiu, it was done secretly and no one knew about it.

It turns out it was that fool Consort Yan who dragged her into this mess in front of Emperor Yuanwu, but recently she…

With the Emperor and Empress both present, this was certainly no small matter, and Consort Xian felt a jolt in her heart.

"Your Majesty," Consort Xian curtsied, "What is Consort Yan saying? I can't understand a word she's saying."

Shen Qingwan glanced at the two men with a calm gaze, then sat down beside Emperor Yuanwu.

Shen Qingwan simply sighed, thinking that being confined to her quarters was quite nice. However, she was the only empress who, while confined, was still dragged by the emperor to judge cases. There should be no one like her before or after.

His two concubines got into a fight, and he couldn't decide what to do, so he dragged her over to be a scapegoat.

She really is... unlucky!

Emperor Yuanwu raised his hand and pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling annoyed. "Since the Empress is here, let her handle this matter. I will just listen from the side. If Consort Yan has any grievances, she should speak them. Consort Xian is here too. You keep saying that Consort Xian was framed, but where is the evidence?"

Shen Qingwan: ...

"Your Majesty." Consort Yan looked at Shen Qingwan in a panic. "Your Majesty the Empress, what happened to Xia'er last time was truly my fault. This girl has been clumsy since she was a child. It was only because my mother took pity on her since she lost her parents at a young age that she was allowed to stay by my side to serve me. She was just punished by His Majesty for doing something wrong. I hope Your Majesty will be magnanimous and not take what happened last time to heart."

Consort Rou couldn't help but sneer inwardly as she listened to her words.

Consort Yan is now saying anything and everything in order to protect herself.

"It's alright." Shen Qingwan had her usual smile on her face. "Let's talk about what happened today."

Consort Yan was stunned for a moment. She hadn't had much contact with Shen Qingwan before, so she couldn't tell her joy or anger from her expression.

However, the fact that she has contracted a sexually transmitted disease is now a foregone conclusion and cannot be changed.

Even if Emperor Yuanwu makes an exception for her, her favor with him is probably already over.

She had no intention of entering the palace and barely managed to avoid the imperial concubine selection, but she couldn't escape the clutches of Consort Xian.

After the Pang family was dealt with by Emperor Yuanwu, the emperor did not really blame her, so why should she go to the trouble of bringing her into the palace and getting involved in this mess?

Consort Yan's hatred for Consort Xian has now reached its peak.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, I wish to expose Consort Xian."

expose?

Consort Xian's face turned pale. She, who had been watching the commotion, suddenly collapsed to her knees and knelt on the ground. She looked at Emperor Yuanwu with a blank expression. "Your Majesty, Consort Yan must have lost her mind. I have been confined to Jingyang Palace and have done nothing. What is she trying to accuse me of?"

"Since Consort Xian has done nothing, why the panic? Why not let Consort Yan finish speaking?" Shen Qingwan's voice remained gentle.

Consort Xian was panicked. The Empress already harbored deep resentment towards her, and now Consort Yan had come with ill intentions. If the Empress were to find any evidence against her, she would surely try to kill her.

The emperor kept his eyes closed, seemingly having no intention of continuing to concern himself with the matter.

Consort Yan hurriedly stood up from the ground...