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

Chapter 371 Bathing
He kept saying that he wanted the Emperor to understand that his wife was still in confinement after childbirth.

If the emperor agrees, then all the court officials will follow suit, wouldn't that lead to chaos throughout the country?

But if the emperor doesn't agree, it will be said that the emperor doesn't care about brotherly affection.

If the Emperor really imprisoned Cao Tianzhang, then the feud between Prince Yao and Emperor Yuanwu would be completely sealed.

When Emperor Yuanwu was vying for the throne, Prince Yao helped him and did a lot of things for him, both openly and secretly.

This is one of the reasons why Emperor Yuanwu did not take his harsh words at the banquet to heart.

only……

Now that the Empress is ill and the imperial physician has been summoned, Wu Jixiang naturally cannot continue to go to Kunning Palace to discuss this matter with the Empress.

But this is for the best. Since the Empress can't go, the Emperor won't have to be blocked in the Hall of Mental Cultivation by Prince Yao anymore.

Wu Jixiang's solemn expression finally eased a bit. He flicked the whisk in his hand and turned to walk towards the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

The young eunuch following behind him was flustered, unsure whether he should follow. "Eunuch Jixiang, aren't we going to Kunning Palace?"

"Go?" Wu Jixiang drew out the last syllable of his voice, turning around and slapping the hat of the eunuch who had spoken. "Are you hard of hearing? Didn't you hear what Su Tianhe said? The Empress is seriously ill. Do you want someone to carry the Empress to the Hall of Mental Cultivation? That's the Empress. If anything happens to her, and the Empress Dowager comes after us, is your head or mine enough to be chopped off?"

The little eunuch shuddered in fright. "This servant knows his mistake."

Wu Jixiang walked quickly to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, straightened his body, forced a pained expression, and then went inside.

"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! You must go to Kunning Palace to see the Empress! The Empress..." Wu Jixiang paused, seemingly even more heartbroken, "...The Empress is dying."

"What?" Emperor Yuanwu's eyes widened in shock. He stood up abruptly, pushed aside Prince Yao who was blocking his way, and strode toward the entrance of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

"Brother Emperor..."

"emperor………………"

Emperor Yuanwu walked quite a distance from the Hall of Mental Cultivation before slowing down.

His solemn expression remained unchanged, but his pace slowed down.

"emperor."

Looking at his stunned expression, Wu Jixiang hesitated for a moment before saying, "Your Majesty is really not well. Before I even arrived at Kunning Palace, I saw Su Tianhe running out of Kunning Palace and hurriedly going to fetch Physician Zhang."

what?
Emperor Yuanwu's pupils dilated. "Why didn't you say so earlier?"

Wu Jixiang: ...

When Emperor Yuanwu arrived at Kunning Palace, Imperial Physician Zhang had just left.

When Shen Qingwan saw him coming, she was about to get up and bow, but Emperor Yuanwu pressed her back down.

"Since the Empress is not feeling well, there is no need for her to rise and perform the proper courtesies."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty, this is..."

Emperor Yuanwu was uneasy. He remembered that when he was a child, he once lied about feeling unwell because he had stayed up late the night before, and thus escaped from the Imperial Study the next day.

After the Empress Dowager learned the truth, she slapped her palm for the first time, telling her that she should never use illness as an excuse, as it was very unlucky.

Emperor Yuanwu was suddenly filled with remorse. He felt that Shen Qingwan's inexplicable illness was very likely related to his lie that she had miscarried.

"What did Physician Zhang say?" Emperor Yuanwu asked solemnly.

"Your Majesty, the imperial physician says there's nothing wrong," Shen Qingwan said calmly. Emperor Yuanwu frowned deeply and sat down by her bedside. "I see you look unwell. If you're feeling unwell, don't hide it. If Physician Zhang can't diagnose the illness, let other physicians from the Imperial Hospital take a look. It's okay to see them a few more times. What if we delay treatment?"

Shen Qingwan couldn't help but swallow hard. Emperor Yuanwu's sudden concern made her feel like she was sitting on pins and needles. She actually felt that his usual cold and indifferent attitude made her more comfortable and at ease.

"Your Majesty, I'm really alright," Shen Qingwan said firmly.

Emperor Yuanwu stared at her for a while with some skepticism, then said, "If you feel unwell later, be sure to summon the imperial physician."

"it is good."

Shen Qingwan nodded.

It's true that she wasn't feeling unwell anywhere; she simply didn't want to be a shield.

Although she didn't go, Emperor Yuanwu came out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, which suggests that his predicament has been resolved.

Then... there's no use for her anymore.

Shen Qingwan thought Emperor Yuanwu's concern was insincere and that he would say a few words and then go back.

But no matter how you look at it, Emperor Yuanwu doesn't seem to have any intention of going back.

What... is this supposed to be?
Shen Qingwan remained silent, as did Emperor Yuanwu. The two sat there quietly, the atmosphere in the bedchamber growing increasingly awkward. Embarrassed, she lowered her head, fidgeting with her fingers, silently chanting, "Get out of here, get out of here..."

Just then, Emperor Yuanwu's expression relaxed slightly. "I'm tired. Prepare water. I want to take a bath."

Bath?

Shen Qingwan's brow twitched, and her facial features almost twisted together. What did Emperor Yuanwu mean by this?
Could it be that he wants to stay overnight?

But she's in such a state that she can't serve him in bed, and he knows that. Does he intend to force himself on her and fight a bloody battle with her?

Wouldn't that be unfair to him?

How could a dignified emperor be driven to this point by a mere prince?
While Emperor Yuanwu was taking a bath, Shen Qingwan called Zhen'er over.

"Go to Consort Xia's palace and tell her that I am feeling unwell. Also, ask her if she remembers what I told her before."

What did you say before?
Zhen'er seemed to understand something.

It must have been that day when Consort Xia whispered in Shen Qingwan's ear, and the words that made her ears turn red.

Not long after Zhen'er returned, Consort Xia arrived with her maids.

"This humble servant greets Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty be blessed."

"Get up."

"I heard that Your Majesty the Empress is not feeling well, so I came here to see you. I brought some donkey-hide gelatin from the palace, please don't find it offensive."

"You're so kind, Consort Xia." Shen Qingwan had someone bring over the donkey-hide gelatin.

"The Queen..."

Consort Xia moved her lips, as if she wanted to say something, but before she could finish speaking, Shen Qingwan yawned lazily, "I am very weak. I am tired after talking for only a short while. Consort Xia, please make yourself at home."

When Consort Xia came out, Zhen'er followed her out and dismissed all the palace maids from the main hall and sleeping quarters of Kunning Palace.

"Consort Xia, Her Majesty the Empress has already gone to bed. His Majesty the Emperor is taking a bath in the side hall. Whether Consort Xia should return to her own palace to rest or go to serve His Majesty while he bathes is entirely up to her."

After Zhen'er finished speaking, she turned and went into the bedchamber...