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

Chapter 433 (Extra Chapter 6: The Grand Wedding)

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuyan's gloomy expression softened slightly. The next second, Shen Qingwan's voice turned cold, "Then go and tell your concubines in the manor that if they dare to provoke me again, it won't be as light as a slap. What they fear, I don't fear. If you don't believe me, feel free to try!"

"Shen Qingwan, what exactly do you mean?"

"It doesn't mean anything. Whatever the Third Prince thinks he means, he can say it as he pleases."

A smile appeared on her stunningly beautiful face, but it carried a hint of sarcasm: "Tell me, where would I sell someone who served the future crown prince? Would that not be an insult to the Third Prince?"

Jiang Yuyan's face turned deathly pale with rage, his fingertips trembling. He gritted his teeth and said, word by word, "Shen Qingwan, you dare! Don't forget, I'm the one in charge here!"

"Yes, it's your decision! From now on, you're in charge of the whole world. What's the problem?" Shen Qingwan said dismissively. "Didn't you set the rules for this mansion? Should a concubine who disrespects the principal wife be punished with thirty strokes of the cane? Or fifty? Should a concubine who offends the principal wife be sold into slavery? Or sent to the Censorate?"

Jiang Yuyan gritted his teeth, "Shen Qingwan, they all entered the manor before you, don't go too far!"

Jiang Yuyan was furious, but just then, Shen Qingwan spoke again, still with that calm and collected expression.

"I'm dealing with your concubines according to the rules you set. Is the Third Prince feeling sorry for them? Divorce me, divorce me, and your harem will be back to normal, peaceful and tranquil."

"Incomprehensible!"

Jiang Yuyan turned and left.

Three days later.

The imperial edict appointing Jiang Yuyan as Crown Prince was delivered to his residence.

A dozen days later, the late emperor passed away, Jiang Yuyan ascended the throne, and Shen Qingwan naturally moved into Kunning Palace.

"Is the Dowager Consort still in the palace?"

Shen Qingwan stepped into Kunning Palace with one foot, then suddenly seemed to remember something and asked.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty ordered the five Dowager Consorts to move to the Imperial Palace early this morning. The youngest is Dowager Consort Hui, the oldest is Dowager Consort Xian, and the remaining senior ones are Dowager Consort Ru, Dowager Consort Wen, and Dowager Consort Xiao."

Shen Qingwan asked in confusion, "Why five? Not all of them?"

"Your Highness, this servant doesn't know much either, but I've heard..." Zhen'er paused and looked around to make sure no one was there before saying, "I've heard that these five ladies all had a grudge against Consort Ying."

Shen Qingwan stared wide-eyed in disbelief. "What?"

"Your Majesty, what do you think His Majesty means by this? Is it because he has a good relationship with the Seventh Prince, no, Prince Rui, that he wants to help Prince Rui take care of Consort Ying?"

Shen Qingwan scoffed, "He takes care of Consort Ying? He probably wishes they were dead."

Zhen'er turned pale with fright. "Your Majesty, please don't say that. This is the palace, not your home. There are many taboos here."

In the palace?

The palace is so wonderful!
You'll die even faster in the palace!
Shen Qingwan twirled the cup in her hand, "Do you know where Consort Ying lives now?"

"Your Majesty, I heard from people in the palace that Consort Ying has been ill since the late Emperor passed away, so she has not moved to another palace for the time being and is staying in Yikun Palace until Consort Ying has recovered."

Yikun Palace?
Shen Qingwan put down her teacup. "Let's go to Yikun Palace."

"My lady..."

Zhen'er wanted to say something more, but she knew her mistress's temperament; once she made up her mind, no amount of persuasion would change it.

When Shen Qingwan arrived at Yikun Palace, many imperial guards stood at the entrance. She stared at them, her brows furrowing deeply. "What do you mean by this? The late emperor's body is barely cold; are you going to place his most favored concubine under house arrest?"

When the head guard at the door saw her, he knelt down on one knee and bowed.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects. May Your Majesty be blessed with longevity and peace. Your Majesty, His Majesty has ordered me to lead troops to guard Yikun Palace. This is not to imprison Consort Ying, but simply to prevent outsiders from disturbing her peaceful recuperation. Your Majesty may enter or leave at any time if you wish, and Consort Ying may leave at any time if she wishes."

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingwan's eyes darkened.

Is the Emperor really that kind?

Even though she still harbored some suspicions, the guards had already opened the gates of Yikun Palace for her.

Shen Qingwan hesitated for a moment before going inside.

In the courtyard, several palace maids who were watering the flowers were slightly taken aback when they saw Shen Qingwan.

Although they had never met the Empress, they recognized her clothes and headdress after serving her in the palace for so many years.

Everyone in the courtyard knelt down on the ground to pay their respects.

"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress! Long live the Empress!"

Shen Qingwan glanced around and asked a woman dressed better, who looked like a head palace maid, "Where is Consort Ying?"

"Your Majesty, the imperial physician just took Consort Ying's pulse. She has already taken her medicine and is probably still awake. This servant will lead the way for Your Majesty."

Shen Qingwan nodded and followed the head palace maid toward the bedchamber.

"How is Consort Ying's health?"

"Your Majesty, Consort Ying's health has been poor ever since the late Emperor fell seriously ill. Thanks to His Majesty's grace, Imperial Physician Zhang has been carefully tending to her; otherwise, she would have..."

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingwan abruptly stopped in her tracks. "Your Majesty?"

"Correct."

The head palace maid nodded firmly, then couldn't help but sigh, "His Majesty and the Seventh Prince have had the best relationship since they were children in the palace. He often comes to Yikun Palace to play with the Seventh Prince. It can be said that Consort Ying watched him grow up. His Majesty cherishes the old friendship and has always taken care of Yikun Palace. Fearing that someone might harm Consort Ying after the late Emperor's passing, he even specially dispatched the Imperial Guards..."

Shen Qingwan slowed her pace, even though she didn't think Jiang Yuyan would be that nice.

But she also felt that Consort Ying's maid had no reason to lie to her about such a matter.

If she were truly under house arrest, then when she arrived at Yikun Palace, she wouldn't have seen palace maids watering flowers, but rather a lifeless, desolate scene.

While the two were talking, the head palace maid pushed open the door to the Yikun Palace's sleeping quarters.

A strong medicinal smell wafted over.

Shen Qingwan waved her hand, signaling everyone inside to leave. The moment the door closed, she quickly walked to Consort Ying's bedside and knelt on the ground.

"Your Highness, Wanwan greets you."

Consort Ying was startled and slowly turned her head. When she saw who was kneeling in front of her, her eyes widened in shock.

She struggled to sit up. "Your Majesty, please rise. How can I accept such a grand gesture from you?"