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

Chapter 429 (Extra Chapter 2: The Grand Wedding)

"Third...Third Prince, why have you come at this hour?"

Even though Consort Pang had clearly seen the person in front of her, she still asked in disbelief.

"What? Consort Pang doesn't welcome me? Then I'll go to Consort Song." Jiang Yuyan's eyes were indifferent, as if he were talking about something insignificant.

"Third Prince."

Consort Pang called out sweetly, straightened up, and took Jiang Yuyan's arm with one hand, "Tonight, I can't bear to see you leave. You can't go anywhere."

As soon as she finished speaking, she smiled and pulled Jiang Yuyan into the bedroom.

The warm yellow candlelight illuminated two silhouettes that almost merged into one behind the curtain.

The ambiguous sounds in the room lingered for a long time before dissipating.

The next morning.

Genius has just dawned.

Jiang Yuyan rolled off the bed, and although he moved very gently, he still woke up Consort Pang, who was lying next to him.

She rubbed her eyes, glanced at the still-dark sky outside the window, and then looked at Jiang Yuyan, who was already getting dressed.

Her eyes widened in shock, and she sat up abruptly in bed. "Third Prince."

Jiang Yuyan turned his head upon hearing this, "It's still early, you can sleep a little longer."

Consort Pang's smile froze for a moment, then she smiled and said, "The Third Prince doesn't have to attend court today, so why are you up so early? Is there something you need?"

Although she asked the question, she already had a guess in her heart.

Before dawn, what could possibly be going on? Surely he wouldn't be going back to the wife's room so early in the morning?

If that's the case, wouldn't she become the laughingstock of the household in the future?

She moved her lips, as if she wanted to say something more, but before she could open her mouth...

Jiang Yuyan had already changed his clothes and turned around to say, "Seventh Brother, a few days ago he suddenly vomited blood in the manor. The imperial physician said that he was about to die. We consulted Master Wuchen of Huguo Temple, who said that he should move to Huguo Temple to recuperate. I happen to have some free time these two days, so I want to go to Huguo Temple to see Seventh Brother."

It turned out to be like this...

The plump concubine's tense heart suddenly relaxed, and the smile on her face deepened. "So that's how it is. Then Third Prince, go and come back soon."

Jiang Yuyan nodded, but his expression remained grave. "However..."

"It's just that a new consort has just arrived in the manor. Third Prince, please rest assured. I will first arrange for a few concubines to pay their respects to the consort, and then have the steward explain the affairs of the manor to her. After a few days, once the consort has a clear understanding of the affairs of the manor, I will definitely hand over the stewardship entirely to her." Consort Pang lowered her eyes as she spoke, "It would be good to have some peace and quiet."

Jiang Yuyan walked to her side and put his arm around her shoulder. "It's my blessing that you're so sensible. Go and pay your respects first and get to know her. As for the housekeeper's rights, there's no rush. We can talk about it later."

Consort Pang's lips curled into a sly smile without her noticing.

She nestled in Jiang Yuyan's arms, her voice still gentle, "I'll do whatever the Third Prince says."

"Alright." Jiang Yuyan patted her shoulder. "I feel at ease with you here in the manor. I'll be back by the day after tomorrow at the latest, and I'll leave the affairs of the manor to you."

"Third Prince, go ahead with peace of mind."

After Jiang Yuyan left, Xiang'er ran in happily, "Consort, the Third Prince and the Princess Consort even came to our Consort's place on their wedding night! The Third Prince really dotes on our Consort the most!"

Consort Pang's lips curled into a smug smile. "Heh." "Consort, would you like me to boil water for your bath?" Xiang'er's lips were practically trembling with joy.

She thought that things would change after a new princess came to the mansion.

I heard that this princess is no ordinary person. She is not from the capital. Moreover, the reason why the Emperor valued the Shen family and even granted them a mansion in the capital was because the Seventh Prince and the Imperial Concubine pleaded with the Emperor on their behalf.

Is it because this princess was once favored by the Seventh Prince that the Third Prince disliked her so much and left her alone on their wedding night?

However, none of this seems to concern her.

As long as the Third Prince favors their concubine, her life in the mansion won't be too bad.

Seeing that Consort Pang remained silent, she asked again, "Consort, would you like to sleep a little longer? It's still early."

sleep?
Sleep? What are you talking about?

On such a beautiful day, wouldn't it be a waste to let her sleep?
Consort Pang smiled and said, "Boil water for a bath, and then we'll dress up nicely and go pay our respects to the Fujin (Prince Consort)."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Xiang'er happily withdrew, unable to suppress the smile on her lips.

On the other side of the mansion.

Pei'er walked to Consort Song's bedside with a worried expression.

Yesterday was the wedding of the Third Prince, and his concubine was already in a bad mood. If the Third Prince had consummated his marriage with his wife that night, it would have been fine.

After all, she was the emperor's personally bestowed wife.

But no one knew what happened when the Third Prince went to his wife's room that night. He stayed there for only half a cup of tea before going directly to Consort Pang's room.

They stayed there all night.

This morning, I went directly from Consort Pang's room to Huguo Temple.

Before the Fujin entered the family, it was not thought that the Third Prince favored Consort Pang so much. Compared with their Fujin, it was at most a matter of equal favor.

But how come after this Fujin entered the mansion, not only did she not get the Third Prince's favor, but the whole mansion seemed to be changing.

Last night, their mistress cried herself to sleep.

It's getting late. If we don't wake her up soon, she'll be late in paying her respects to the Princess Consort. What should we do then?

"Consort, it's time to get up."

Pei'er called out several times before Consort Song finally responded.

She slowly opened her eyes, which were swollen like walnuts. "What happened?"

"Your Highness, it's time to get up and pay your respects to the Fujin (principal wife). Now that there is a Fujin in the household, if you don't pay your respects to her according to the rules, you will be punished."

With Pei'er's help, Consort Song sat up, rubbing her temples with a splitting headache. "Where is the Third Prince?"

"Reporting to Consort, the Third Prince went to Huguo Temple before dawn, saying he was going to visit the Seventh Prince. He will probably be gone for two or three days."

Consort Song remained silent, stunned for a long while, before smiling with relief. "This morning, did the Third Prince leave from your room, or did he leave directly from there?"

Pei'er thought for a while before speaking.

"Consort, no matter what happened between you and Consort Pang before, you two were the most powerful people in the household. Now that we have a new consort, we should prioritize her above all else. Last night, on your wedding night with the Third Prince, he didn't stay in his room but went to Consort Pang's room. I reckon you must hate Consort Pang to death right now. This isn't about favor or disfavor anymore; Consort Pang has directly slapped you in the face. If we can maintain a good relationship with you from now on, are we afraid of not being able to deal with Consort Pang?"