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

Chapter 379 is different from before.

"Does Your Majesty mean that, like the Third Prince, he has a foster mother of high status like Consort Shu?" Jiang Wenlan asked.

Shen Qingwan nodded. "Does the eldest prince think this is not good?"

"Empress Mother." Jiang Wenlan knelt on the ground and bowed.

"Get up quickly." Shen Qingwan bent down and helped him up. "Your Majesty is only discussing this matter with you. She has not made a decision yet and is not making you accept it hastily. So you can tell Your Majesty whatever you think. Your Majesty will listen and take it to heart."

"Your subject remembers that your mother once told you that you are the Empress, the mother of all the people, and also your subject's mother. Your subject only needs you as a mother. Your subject has grown up. Since Your Majesty changed the nanny and eunuch for your subject's household, they have taken good care of you. Your subject really does not need to find another foster mother to help you plan things out."

After a pause, Jiang Wenlan continued, "If I really encounter any difficulties, Mother, will you truly not help me?"

“No!” Shen Qingwan said firmly, “No matter what happens, Mother Empress will never abandon you.”

“Then why should I need another person to take care of me?” Jiang Wenlan said with a firm gaze.

"Alright, alright, our eldest prince has grown up and is now a child with his own opinions. Your mother will certainly respect your own choices," Shen Qingwan said gently. "Alright, alright, hurry up and eat, or it will get cold."

After Shen Qingwan finished speaking, she picked up another tomato and egg dumpling and placed it in Jiang Wenlan's bowl, saying, "Try this and see if it's good."

Jiang Wenlan took a bite, his eyes lit up, and the sweet and sour soup dripped down his lips. "Empress Mother, this is the first time I've ever tasted the filling in these dumplings. It's tomato and egg!"

"Try this one too..."

Before Shen Qingwan could finish speaking, a eunuch's voice came from outside the hall announcing the arrival of someone.

"The Emperor has arrived!"

Why has the Emperor come over?
Shen Qingwan and Jiang Wenlan simultaneously put down their chopsticks, stood up, and bowed.

"Your Majesty, good luck."

"The Emperor Ama is auspicious."

Emperor Yuanwu seemed quite surprised to see Jiang Wenlan in Kunning Palace at this time. He was stunned for a moment, his gaze sweeping over Jiang Wenlan.

"I heard that the Empress made dumplings in the palace today, so I came over. Is there any left for me?"

“Of course,” Shen Qingwan replied, and began to make arrangements.

With Emperor Yuanwu around, what was originally a simple meal of dumplings instantly became anything but simple.

In no time at all, the imperial kitchen brought over platters full of dishes.

Zhen'er brought over a basin of water for washing hands. Emperor Yuanwu washed his hands and sat down next to Jiang Wenlan.

The moment he sat down, Jiang Wenlan's body visibly stiffened.

"What are you two, mother and son, chatting so happily? Why did you all fall silent as soon as I arrived?"

Shen Qingwan smiled in relief, "We were talking about the dumpling filling we ate today."

"Oh?" Emperor Yuanwu drawled, his tone sharp and piercing at the end. "Is there anything special about this dumpling filling?"

"Then Your Majesty should try it." After Shen Qingwan finished speaking, she picked up a mushroom, green pepper and chicken dumpling and placed it in Emperor Yuanwu's bowl. "Now that Your Majesty has tasted it, tell us what's so special about this dumpling."

"Green peppers?" Emperor Yuanwu looked down incredulously at the dumpling he was holding with his chopsticks. "Green peppers can be used to make dumplings?"

"Does Your Majesty find it delicious?" Shen Qingwan followed up with her question.

"It's really not bad."

Seeing that Emperor Yuanwu seemed to be in a good mood, Jiang Wenlan mustered up her courage and picked up a dumpling for him, saying, "Then Father Emperor, please try this dumpling."

"Oh?" Emperor Yuanwu took a bite, and bright red tomato juice overflowed, causing him to raise an eyebrow slightly. "This is..." "Father, you must have never eaten this before. This is tomato and egg soup made by Mother."

Emperor Yuanwu couldn't help but laugh out loud, "It is indeed a very thoughtful gesture, reward him."

Shen Qingwan rose and bowed, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The three people sat in front of the food platters, chatting and laughing. By the time they finished their dinner, it was already dark outside.

"Father, Mother, I'll be going back now." Jiang Wenlan bowed with his arms crossed.

Emperor Yuanwu casually agreed, and Shen Qingwan also stood up. "I heard that His Majesty has chosen Consort Xia tonight. Why don't we go there early so that Consort Xia doesn't have to wait around?"

Emperor Yuanwu raised his eyes and glanced at her, a hint of displeasure in them. "The Empress is truly virtuous."

Shen Qingwan: ...

Shen Qingwan couldn't remember how many times Emperor Yuanwu had praised her like this, but every time, he always managed to say the words of praise in a sarcastic tone.

Shen Qingwan didn't care. It was just like when she slightly changed the dishes in her palace, he would come running like a dog, drawn by the smell.

"Your Majesty," Zhen'er said casually as she helped people clear the dishes from the plates, "His Majesty has been coming to our Kunning Palace quite frequently lately. Although he chooses Consort Xia every day, he still comes to our palace for meals almost every day. If His Majesty the Empress recovers, His Majesty might not go to Consort Xia's palace at night anymore."

Zhen'er smiled broadly, seemingly very happy.

Which servant doesn't want their master to be favored? The struggles in the harem are all about winning favor.

Even if someone holds a high position, if they lose the emperor's favor, like Consort De, who will still take them seriously?

Emperor Yuanwu and Jiang Wenlan walked out of Kunning Palace together.

"Father, I'll be returning to my son's quarters now." Jiang Wenlan clasped his hands in a salute.

Emperor Yuanwu glanced at the little eunuch behind him and said, "From now on, when the eldest prince comes out at night, have someone light a lamp."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The little eunuch trembled with fright.

When he came down from the study today, it was still early when he accompanied the eldest prince to Kunning Palace.

No one expected that Emperor Yuanwu would come, which caused the delay.

But the Emperor's words seem to indicate that he is somewhat concerned about the eldest prince.

Could it be that the First Prince is no longer in the Emperor's heart as before?
The Emperor began to feel less annoyed with the First Prince.

This is a great thing.

Emperor Yuanwu thought for a moment and said, "Never mind, it's still early anyway. I'll accompany you back to the Prince's residence first, and then we'll go to Consort Xia's palace."

Jiang Wenlan's eyes lit up with joy. "Thank you, Father Emperor."

The father and son walked on in silence. Jiang Wenlan walked behind Emperor Yuanwu, glancing at his back every now and then.

Just as I walked through the Imperial Garden, Consort De approached from a distance.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects. May Your Majesty be well." Consort De curtsied.

"Get up," Emperor Yuanwu said calmly.

"Greetings to Consort De. May Consort De enjoy boundless blessings and peace."

Consort De was startled, and when she looked up, she saw Jiang Wenlan standing beside Emperor Yuanwu.