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

Chapter 40 Calm down
Shen Qingwan said sullenly, "I've always been curious. Even if Consort Shu treated that maid badly and the maid wanted to get revenge, safflower isn't an easy-to-obtain medicinal herb. How did such a precious thing like safflower come from? I really need to investigate this properly when I'm less busy."

Consort De took a step back without making a sound: "What's wrong with Your Majesty the Empress today? Why are you suddenly bringing up old matters? Consort Shu now has the Third Prince, what else could she be dissatisfied with?"

"Yes, what is she dissatisfied with having the Third Prince? And Consort De now holds the power to assist in managing the six palaces, so what is there for her to complain about? Why don't you tell me your story, and see if I can help you?"

"No, I am perfectly fine. I have no complaints whatsoever. Your Majesty, it is getting late. Please rest well. I will return now and pay my respects to Your Majesty again tomorrow morning."

Consort De bowed and quickly walked out of Kunning Palace.

Zhen'er looked at her back and asked curiously, "What's wrong with Consort De? She was so frightened by the mere mention of Consort Shu's inability to have children. She was so fast when she left that she almost flew away."

Shen Qingwan: ...

She was increasingly convinced that Zhen'er's mind was indeed somewhat identical to the original owner's.

Can't you even understand something this simple?
In fact, she wasn't sure whether Consort Shu's affair had anything to do with Consort De.

However, Consort De's guilty look just now confirmed her suspicions.

Although there were many people serving the Emperor in the palace, only Consort Shu was a real threat to Consort De.

People will do everything they can to eliminate anything that threatens them.

Shen Qingwan wasn't at the Prince's residence at that time and had no idea what had happened; everything she knew was just hearsay.

By piecing things together and making some guesses, you can probably figure it out.

"Your Highness, are you hungry? This servant will go and bring you some midnight snack..."

Zhen'er had just finished speaking.

Consort Li entered from outside the palace: "Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress. This concubine greets Your Majesty the Empress."

"Consort Li is pregnant, no need for formalities, please sit down." Shen Qingwan invited Consort Li to sit down: "Consort Li, why are you here so late? Is there something you need?"

"Your Majesty, I intended to come during the day, but fearing too many people and gossip, I thought I would wait until dark. I hope I haven't disturbed Your Majesty's rest," Consort Li said somewhat apologetically.

"It's still early. I've had the Imperial Kitchen prepare a late-night snack. Consort Li, come and have some with us."

"Yes, ma'am."

Consort Li sat opposite Shen Qingwan, seemingly without much appetite, taking only two bites before stopping.

"If Consort Li has something to say, please speak frankly." Shen Qingwan seemed to have seen through her unspeakable difficulty and put down her chopsticks.

"Your Majesty." Consort Li lifted her sleeve, revealing a dense layer of red rashes covering her fair arm.

"How could this be?" Shen Qingwan exclaimed in surprise, taking her arm with one hand to examine her closely. "Wasn't the imperial physician summoned? What did the imperial physician say?"

"Your Majesty, this is what I wanted to say..." Consort Li looked troubled. "The imperial physician said that I am pregnant and cannot easily take medicine. He only told me to wash with water, but the more I wash, the worse it gets. I was thinking, could Your Majesty grant me permission to have another imperial physician examine me? It wasn't easy for me to conceive this child, and I'm really afraid..."

As Consort Li spoke, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

"Consort Li, please don't be anxious. If I remember correctly, the imperial physician who will help you with your pregnancy should be Physician Li from the Imperial Hospital, right?" Shen Qingwan asked.

"Your Majesty has a good memory, it is indeed Physician Li." Consort Li nodded: "Since I entered the palace, Physician Li has been taking care of my health. Although Physician Li's medical skills are not as good as some other physicians, he is a kind and honest man. Over the years, he has been very devoted to me. If I were to summon another physician now, firstly, I am afraid that others would think that I am taking advantage of my pregnancy with the emperor's child to cause trouble, and secondly, I am afraid that Physician Li would think that I do not trust him, and that we might have a falling out in the future."

Consort Li's words made sense. Shen Qingwan hadn't noticed before, but she hadn't expected Consort Li to be such a thoughtful person. No wonder.

Although Consort Li did not receive much favor from the emperor, Emperor Yuanwu would still visit her palace from time to time. She had no children, yet she was already considered a principal wife.

He is certainly not a reckless person when it comes to doing things.

"I understand what you mean. If you trust me, find some excuse to come over before lunch tomorrow. Physician Zhang happens to be here at that time to take my pulse, and I'll have her examine you while I'm at it," Shen Qingwan comforted her.

"I thank Your Majesty the Empress. It was Your Majesty who first discovered my pregnancy. I trust Your Majesty." Consort Li's tears fell even faster.

"Don't rush, crying while pregnant isn't good for the baby. It's getting late, and the roads might be difficult to travel in the dark. You should go back and rest early," Shen Qingwan said.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Consort Li bowed.

"Su Tianhe, take a few men and escort Consort Li back to the palace."

"Yes!"

When Su Tianhe returned from Chuxiu Palace, Shen Qingwan had just finished her late-night snack.

"Your Majesty, I ran into His Majesty when I returned just now." Su Tianhe dismissed everyone in Kunning Palace and whispered in Shen Qingwan's ear.

"Didn't the Imperial Household Department say that the Emperor didn't choose a concubine tonight and was going to review memorials in the Hall of Mental Cultivation?" Shen Qingwan asked in confusion.

"Indeed, but on my way back I saw His Majesty bring Eunuch Jixiang into Jingyang Palace."

"Perhaps the Emperor was busy with state affairs and suddenly missed Consort Xian," Shen Qingwan said dismissively.

"Your Majesty, I heard from the eunuchs at Jingyang Palace that His Majesty has been staying there for the past few nights. And he's not going to see Consort Xian, but rather to see Lan Cui, the maidservant who serves Consort Xian," Su Tianhe said mysteriously.

"Is that so?" Shen Qingwan asked dismissively.

"Your Majesty, should we wait until the Emperor leaves tomorrow morning, then head straight to Jingyang Palace and interrogate that Lan Cui thoroughly?" Su Tianhe said through gritted teeth.

Shen Qingwan: ...

No!

What kind of thought processes do the original owner's confidants have?

"Calm down, calm down," Shen Qingwan interrupted him.

Su Tianhe: ? ? ?

"Zhen'er, come here too." Shen Qingwan beckoned, "And close the door while you're at it."

Su Tianhe: !!!

Zhen'er: ...

They knew their master wasn't going to be trifled with and was finally about to unleash his power.

The moment Zhen'er closed the door, Su Tianhe couldn't wait any longer and spoke up: "Your Majesty, please tell me your orders. This servant will go through fire and water for you!"

(End of this chapter)