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

Chapter 370 Nothing

"Prince Rui?" Zhen'er asked in surprise.

Yes!

Prince Rui.

After she transmigrated into the original owner's body, she seemed to know nothing except that she had been engaged to Prince Rui.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong with you..." Zhen'er's face changed rapidly, "You don't know?"

Shen Qingwan: ...

The original owner of this body had been engaged to Prince Rui, so she must know about Prince Rui's affairs. Now she increasingly feels that the relationship between the original owner and Prince Rui is not as simple as just an engagement.

“This…” Shen Qingwan pinched the bridge of her nose. “Why do I suddenly feel like I’ve lost my memory? I can’t remember anything.”

"Your Majesty, it's really not a big deal. Everyone in the harem knows about it..."

Prince Rui was the son of Consort Ying, the late emperor's favorite concubine. At that time, Consort Ying was the most favored concubine, and the late emperor naturally loved this son the most as well.

Of all the late emperor's sons, only Prince Rui grew up by his side. Whether it was reading and writing, or riding horses and shooting arrows, Prince Rui was personally taught by the late emperor. Even Prince Rui's handwriting bears some resemblance to that of the late emperor.

Shortly before the late emperor's death due to poor health, Consort Ying died in her own palace.

The true cause of death remains a mystery to this day.

Rumors circulated in the palace. Some said that Consort Ying died of excessive grief and depression after witnessing the late emperor's decline. Others said that Consort Ying's death was actually orchestrated by the Empress Dowager. Still others said that Consort Ying had been secretly poisoned and that the late emperor had been coerced into changing the crown prince's choice by threatening Consort Ying's life.

Shen Qingwan broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing this.

Of all the stories I've heard about the imperial harem, none have been as shocking or unacceptable as what I'm hearing now.

Although there are many rumors, each with its own version of events, it seems that every single one of them is related to the Empress Dowager.

Emperor Yuanwu was the Empress Dowager's biological son, and since he was related to her, it could be said that he was also related to her.

Shen Qingwan didn't believe that Prince Rui wouldn't know about the rumors that even Zhen'er had heard.

That was his own mother. Could he really remain unmoved by such rumors, treat Emperor Yuanwu as a brother, and be filial and respectful to the Empress Dowager?

He could travel the world freely, and as long as he didn't interfere in politics, Emperor Yuanwu didn't seem to really want his life.

If he were truly magnanimous, why would he return to the capital and then, in a way that seemed to imply something, ask Emperor Yuanwu to reserve a place for him in the inner palace?

Shen Qingwan felt that everything Prince Rui had done was waiting for an opportunity.

"Mother, are you okay?"

Seeing her pale face and cold sweat on her forehead, Zhen'er hurriedly poured a cup of tea and placed it in her hand.

Shen Qingwan slowly shook her head. "Zhen'er, you may have heard what Consort Ying's favorite pastry is?"

"pastry?"

Zhen'er seemed to think about it seriously for a moment, "This servant is not very clear either. When this servant went to get osmanthus for Your Highness before, I seemed to hear the palace maid say that Consort Ying also liked osmanthus. At that time, in order to please Consort Ying, the Imperial Kitchen often made all kinds of osmanthus cakes for Consort Ying. They even asked this servant, 'Your Highness, would you like to eat osmanthus cake?'"

Osmanthus cake...

Shen Qingwan's heart skipped a beat when she heard those three words.

In her dream, the little girl was also holding osmanthus cake. What does that dream mean?
Could it really just be a coincidence?

why?
Why is this happening? She remembered that when she transmigrated here, she didn't seem to like the smell of osmanthus or anything related to osmanthus.

It was only after inheriting the original owner's body that he showed particular favoritism.

"Your Majesty, I'd better summon Physician Zhang to examine you; you look very unwell."

Shen Qingwan slowly shook her head. "It's alright. I just feel a little tired. I'll take a nap..."

Before she could finish speaking, Su Tianhe hurriedly walked in from outside.

"Your Majesty, there is something I need to tell you."

"What?" Shen Qingwan asked calmly.

"It concerns the Prince Yao's residence."

Prince Yao's Mansion?
Shen Qingwan frowned, feeling that ever since Prince Yao had a legitimate son, he had become increasingly arrogant and restless.

"what happened?"

"Does Your Highness remember Cao Wenya, the niece of Prince Yao's wife?"

That girl who had no manners whatsoever, was arrogant and domineering, and broke Jiang Wenlan's head?
Jiang Wenlan's injuries haven't fully healed yet, how could she possibly forget?

"Cao Wenya's father, who is also the brother of Prince Yao's wife, got into an argument with someone while drinking at a restaurant yesterday and beat someone to death."

Shen Qingwan couldn't help but sneer inwardly. The Cao family still had such a family tradition. She had been wondering how a lady from a prestigious family could be so ignorant of etiquette, but now she could understand.

Like father, like daughter.

"Does the Emperor know?"

Shen Qingwan was somewhat clear-headed. Emperor Yuanwu publicly announced that she had miscarried, otherwise the matter might have fallen on her shoulders. After all, there were some matters concerning the imperial clan that Emperor Yuanwu couldn't handle personally, so he would inevitably use her as a shield. She had experienced Emperor Yuanwu's most adept methods before.

“It seems His Majesty already knows. Prince Yao has also entered the palace, bringing his brother-in-law to apologize to His Majesty.” Su Tianhe paused. “I just heard from Eunuch Jixiang that His Majesty is upset in the Hall of Mental Cultivation and has already smashed two teacups.”

Shen Qingwan: ...

Shen Qingwan collapsed onto the bed, her hands trembling. "Zhen'er, I feel dizzy and my heart is beating very fast. I must have some incurable disease. Quickly, go and fetch Physician Zhang. I'm dying."

Zhen'er: ...

Su Tianhe suppressed a laugh, "Her Majesty the Empress is seriously ill. Zhen'er, please take good care of her. This servant will go and fetch Physician Zhang."

Kunning Palace was thrown into chaos.

"Oh, Eunuch Su, what's the rush you're going on?"

"Eunuch Jixiang." Su Tianhe bowed and his expression became extremely solemn. "Our lady is feeling dizzy, pale, and has a rapid heartbeat as soon as she woke up today. I don't know if it's related to a miscarriage. This servant is busy going to the Imperial Hospital to invite Physician Zhang."

As Su Tianhe spoke, he raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead. "Is there something wrong, Eunuch Jixiang? If not, this servant dares not delay, as our lady is still ill."

Upon hearing this, Wu Jixiang's smile froze abruptly. "Her Majesty the Empress's health is of utmost importance. Eunuch Su, please go quickly."

Without even looking up, Su Tianhe bowed again and strode towards the Imperial Hospital.

Watching his hurried departure, Wu Jixiang pursed his lips and sighed inwardly.

The Emperor was thinking of inviting the Empress over to say a few words at this time.

Prince Yao and his brother-in-law have been lingering in the Hall of Mental Cultivation for three hours, weeping and wailing.