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

Chapter 36: Not Enlightened

"I wouldn't dare."

Shen Qingwan sat back down on her stool.

Emperor Yuanwu put down his teacup, his smile deepening: "You dare not? You dare to serve me pastries made with crab, what else wouldn't you dare to do?"

Shen Qingwan: ...

"Um...Your Majesty, you already know?" Shen Qingwan gave an awkward laugh, but seeing that Emperor Yuanwu seemed to be in a good mood, he didn't blame her. So she mustered up her courage and asked, "Then why doesn't Your Majesty like to eat crab? Since you just tasted the crab-based pastry, why didn't you just spit it out?"

"It's not that I don't like to eat them, it's just that when I was a child, there was a crab plague in Zhejiang. Most of the rice fields were severely damaged, rice production was greatly reduced, the people suffered, and many people died of famine. I have never eaten crabs since then."

Even after many years, when Emperor Yuanwu brought up this matter again, his eyes still revealed an undeniable sadness.

Shen Qingwan: ...

It was because of this?!
She thought Emperor Yuanwu simply didn't like eating crabs!
"Your Majesty, the less people eat crabs, the more likely they are to suffer from crab plagues. If the people find crabs delicious and every household rushes to eat them when they become an infestation, how could there be a crab plague? The reason why the people are troubled by crab plagues is because everyone doesn't eat crabs. In addition, these creatures reproduce quickly and their growth cycle is not that long, so crab plagues occur. We should nip it in the bud and eat it when it grows to a suitable size and is at its most delicious."

Emperor Yuanwu:...

Emperor Yuanwu listened to Shen Qingwan's words, his face flashing across his expression.

For a moment.

He actually found that what she said seemed to make a lot of sense.

Emperor Yuanwu was at a loss for words.

The imperial kitchen staff delivered dinner.

Shen Qingwan was sitting facing Emperor Yuanwu. She had just taken two bites when Emperor Yuanwu suddenly asked, "You seem to really like the First Prince?"

"I wouldn't say I like him, but I can't say I don't like him either. I just feel that he's a pitiful child in the palace, having lost his mother at a young age." Shen Qingwan said calmly, "Like how I've seen him catching fish in the pond many times. If his birth mother were still alive, how could she have allowed him to play during the time he should be in his study?"

Emperor Yuanwu frowned slightly.

“I’m more worried that the Emperor’s neglect of the eldest prince has given some people the opportunity to take advantage of the situation. Even though his birth mother is gone, he is still the Emperor’s eldest son and has the right to inherit the throne in the future. Since others don’t dare to do anything to him, they can only tamper with what he is learning. The eldest prince is already seven years old. There are probably many things he hasn’t learned yet. Gradually, he will be labeled as an ignorant and incompetent person. Even if he grows up one day, he will have no hope of ascending the throne. After all, the ruler of a country cannot be an ignorant and incompetent fool.”

Shen Qingwan's words shocked Emperor Yuanwu.

Shen Qingwan even thought of some things he hadn't considered.

“I send him some food every now and then. I don’t have any ulterior motives. I just want the maids and eunuchs who serve him to know that even though his birth mother is gone, the Empress still cares about him, so they naturally dare not neglect him.”

Shen Qingwan swallowed the words "The Emperor doesn't like him" and didn't dare to say them aloud.

Although Emperor Yuanwu was often able to patiently listen to her talk about the grand principles she believed to be correct.

However, this does not mean that you can arbitrarily step on his red flags and criticize him.

Emperor Yuanwu raised his eyes and looked at Shen Qingwan, his deep gaze fixed on her with a hint of inquiry for a long time.

Now he has to re-examine the empress sitting before him.

She seemed to have completely changed, and was nothing like the queen he used to know.

Seeing his shocked expression, Shen Qingwan couldn't help but say, "You don't need to be too moved. This is what I, as the Empress, should do."

Emperor Yuanwu:? ? ?

What should an empress do?

Shen Qingwan truly treated Kunning Palace like a morning court session. Emperor Yuanwu's appetite instantly decreased by half.

"I have heard about what happened at General Rong's residence. It was handled very well. I am very impressed with the Empress." Emperor Yuanwu said with emotion, "If the Empress has anything she likes, I will certainly reward her."

“Your Majesty, I am already the Empress and lack nothing. However, at the time, Your Majesty was busy with the matter of the Anhui governor’s corruption, so I took it upon myself to make this decision. I should have informed Your Majesty first.” Shen Qingwan said while eating.

"Appeasing the descendants of the deceased general is also a matter within the inner palace. How can it be considered making decisions wisely? On the contrary, I should thank the Empress for sharing my burdens." Emperor Yuanwu raised an eyebrow and glanced at Shen Qingwan.

"Your Majesty, I can only help you take care of General Rong's mansion. Even though the Emperor allowed Consort Rong to enter the palace because of her father, she is currently the only one among all the candidates who has not yet served the Emperor. Consort Rong's rank is also low. I'm afraid that if this goes on for too long, she will suffer cold looks and torment, and the Emperor's original intention will be contrary to his wishes."

"The Empress keeps urging me to favor this one and that one all day long. Is she truly virtuous and generous, never jealous at all?"

Shen Qingwan was taken aback: "Your Majesty, you really don't need to be so polite with me. As the Empress, I should abide by my duties as Empress. This is what I should do as Empress!"

Emperor Yuanwu:...

As soon as Shen Qingwan finished speaking, Emperor Yuanwu stood up.

"I've eaten enough, Your Majesty. Please continue your meal. I'm going to Jingyang Palace to visit Consort Xian."

Shen Qingwan: ? ? ?

Wasn't that running a little too fast?

There are still so many untouched dishes on this table!

Since he didn't want to eat anymore, it was getting dark.

Shen Qingwan stood up and curtsied, saying, "Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty."

Emperor Yuanwu:...

After Emperor Yuanwu left.

Shen Qingwan sat down and continued eating.

Chicken soup nourishes the kidneys and invigorates the body. In fact, Emperor Yuanwu should have drunk a couple of bowls, since all the concubines in the palace were waiting for him to visit them one by one.

Upon closer reflection, Shen Qingwan felt a bit sorry for Emperor Yuanwu, feeling that he was more like a gigolo than a stud.

However, she only dared to think it in her heart. If such words were to spread, even the King of Hell might not be able to save her life.

"Your Majesty, why are you still smelling so good? Didn't you notice that the Emperor was angry when he left?" Zhen'er reminded her helplessly.

"Angry?" Shen Qingwan paused in her eating.

"Your Majesty, did you really not notice?" Zhen'er asked, puzzled.

"No? When did you get angry? How did you get angry? Why were you angry?"

Shen Qingwan thought what she said made no problem.

Didn't the two of them have a great time chatting all night?
Zhen'er: ...

She felt that their master was much smarter than before.

People have become smarter, so why are they so clueless when it comes to vying for favor?

(End of this chapter)