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

Chapter 375 Can't Get Through

"Alright, alright, I was just saying that. Why did you take it so seriously, Consort Xia?" Consort De flicked the handkerchief in her hand. "Consort Xia, please get up. There are so many people coming and going in this palace. It's as if I'm deliberately trying to cause you trouble."

Consort Xia lowered her head, very humbly, "Thank you for your kindness in not punishing me, Your Highness."

Concubine De: ...

Consort De walked in front, and Noble Lady Xia followed behind. The two entered the main hall of Kunning Palace together.

Because of Emperor Yuanwu's words, Shen Qingwan should be in her postpartum period at this time. In order not to disturb her recuperation, the morning greetings of the concubines were naturally waived.

It was indeed a bit of a surprise to see the two of them come together.

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

Consort De curtsied and greeted her, and Noble Lady Xia followed suit.

But when Consort De stood up straight, she clearly felt a burning gaze staring at her from the side.

Just now at the palace gate, she used this kneeling ceremony to make things difficult for Consort Xia, saying that she did not know etiquette and that a consort should kneel and bow to a concubine of the rank of imperial concubine.

But at this time...

Although she held the rank of concubine, how was she any different from the Empress, or from Consort Xia?

Consort De glanced at Noble Lady Xia out of the corner of her eye, and sure enough, she was staring at her intently, her gaze unwavering and unyielding.

The color drained from Consort De's face, leaving her visibly pale. She pursed her lips deeply, struggled for a moment, and then knelt on the ground.

"I was impolite just now. I haven't seen Your Majesty the Empress for a long time. I should have paid my respects to Your Majesty. Please punish me, Your Majesty."

Shen Qingwan was taken aback at first, but then she glanced at Consort Xia standing to the side and immediately understood the situation.

Her lips still held a polite smile. "What's wrong with Consort De? Although it's been a while since you've been to Kunning Palace, we're not that distant. We're all sisters living in the palace. There's really no need for such a grand kneeling ceremony when we pay our respects to each other."

"It's Her Majesty the Empress's magnanimity that makes her not stoop to our level." Consort De's smile was stiff, and she couldn't help but glance at Noble Lady Xia out of the corner of her eye after speaking.

"Alright, everyone sit down. Zhen'er, bring the tea." Shen Qingwan straightened up.

Consort De feigned a sigh, "It's such a pity about Her Majesty the Empress's pregnancy. If she could have given birth to a legitimate son, his status would have been incredibly noble."

Shen Qingwan lowered her eyes, "Perhaps I am not destined for that."

"No, no, no!" Consort De panicked. "Your Majesty the Empress is the most blessed person in this palace. Your Majesty, please don't say that. Your Majesty is still so young. As long as you take good care of your health, you can have a child whenever you want." Consort De hurriedly tried to salvage the situation.

What's wrong with her right now? Everything she says is wrong. She's having the worst luck ever. She can only blame that Consort Xia for bringing her bad luck first thing in the morning.

"Whether or not we have children, it's all up to fate; you can't force it," Shen Qingwan said calmly.

"Your Majesty, please rest assured. Although having a child is a matter of fate, if Your Majesty desires one, His Majesty will naturally be pleased. If His Majesty does not wish to have a child with any of his concubines, even if he stays in her palace every day, it will be difficult for her to conceive." Consort De said, turning her head to look at Noble Lady Xia. "Noble Lady Xia, why aren't you saying anything? Do you agree with what I just said?"

Consort Xia smiled faintly, "What Consort De said is quite true, but the Empress is the mother of the nation, so naturally she is different from us concubines. The Empress is noble, and her position in the Emperor's heart is naturally also noble." Consort De's smug smile just now froze instantly.

Her sarcastic remarks about Consort Xia made her, in just a few words, use the terms "mother of the nation" and "concubine" to place herself on the same level as Consort Xia.

The implication is that even if she holds the rank of Consort, she is still just one of the Emperor's concubines, just like her, who is a Noble Lady!

Shen Qingwan found it amusing to listen to the two bickering. Before she transmigrated into the original owner's body, the original owner had always been obedient to Consort De. Consort De had often instigated the original owner to do things for her, both in public and in private.

Now it seems that not only was Consort De a complete idiot, but the original owner of this body was also...

Shen Qingwan sighed and rubbed her forehead in exasperation.

Consort Xia hurriedly stood up. "Your Majesty is currently unwell and should rest well. I came here today only to pay my respects to Your Majesty. I noticed that Your Majesty seems a little tired, so I will not disturb you any longer. I will come to pay my respects to Your Majesty another day."

"Zhen'er, see Consort Xia off."

Concubine De: ...

That damned Consort Xia, she's deliberately making things difficult for her.

She refused to believe that Consort Xia, who had just been favored by the emperor last night, had come to Kunning Palace early this morning simply to pay her respects.

Consort De wanted to say something more, but since Noble Lady Xia had already spoken, if she stayed there and didn't leave, wouldn't she seem very unruly, especially since the Empress looked so tired?

Consort De pursed her lips deeply, "Then I will not disturb Your Majesty's rest any longer. I will come to pay my respects to Your Majesty another day."

Consort De walked quickly and caught up with Noble Lady Xia, who had just walked out of Kunning Palace. She reached out and grabbed her arm. "Noble Lady Xia, are you deliberately trying to make things difficult for me? Just now at the entrance of Kunning Palace, you made me kneel down and bow. Are you feeling wronged?"

Consort Xia remained calm. "Your Highness, just now in the Empress's palace, I didn't say anything. It was Your Highness who did all the talking. How can you say I have a problem with you?"

"You..." Consort De's chest heaved heavily with anger, her face turning pale. "Then why have you been looking at me like that?"

“Your Highness, this is a misconception. You are a Consort, while I am merely a lowly Noble Lady. Even if I were to bow, I am not worthy to stand beside Your Highness. Naturally, I can only stand behind Your Highness.” Noble Lady Xia seemed puzzled. “If that is the case, then what are you referring to, Your Highness? Where were I looking with that gaze? Did Your Highness have eyes in the back of your head?”

"Consort Xia".

"Your Highness, please calm down. His Majesty told me this morning before he went to court that he would be having lunch at my palace. If Your Highness has nothing else to do, I will take my leave now, as His Majesty will be leaving court soon."

After speaking, Consort Xia curtsied and, without waiting for Consort De's reaction, quickly walked towards Xianfu Palace.

She... ugh... she's really infuriating...

So what if the Emperor goes to her palace for a meal?
When the emperor favored her, she was still nowhere to be found.

Consort Xia!
What a fine Lady Xia!

"Your Majesty, please don't be angry," Pei'er advised solemnly. "Consort Xia is currently enjoying the Emperor's favor. Why not be patient with her for now? Why make things difficult for a mere consort?"