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

Chapter 48 Private Transactions
"Rong Jingxuan didn't mention this, but the Rong family's steward did mention it, saying that if Ruyan were to be betrothed to someone else in the future, it would be a loss of face for the Rong family. I was thinking of going there again tomorrow to discuss with the Rong family about having Ruyan marry into the family as a secondary wife. In this way, not only would we not be disobeying the imperial decree, but Liu Miaoling and her son would also remain the same as before."

Shen Qingwan was speechless for a moment. Same as before?
Liu Miaoling was originally married in place of Liu Ruyan. Originally, she and her husband lived a harmonious life and were barely making ends meet. Now, there is an inexplicable person in the family who is on equal footing with her, and she is the one who was married in place of her. Who could endure such grievances?

Liu really dotes on this niece to an extreme degree.

Shen Qingwan moved her lips but before she could speak, Liu Ruyan started yelling, "Aunt, what are you saying? Why should I marry into that family and share a husband with that illegitimate daughter? I can't bear such humiliation. Besides, the eldest son of the Zhao family has already promised me that once he passes the imperial examination, he will go to the manor to propose to my father." As Liu Ruyan spoke, she lowered her eyes somewhat embarrassed.

"Young Master Zhao?" Shen Qingwan frowned deeply. "Which Young Master Zhao?"

Liu hurriedly explained, "It is Zhao Youlian, the young master of Zhao Wunian, the Minister of Rites."

"Zhao Youlian? Isn't she the daughter of Zhao Wunian's concubine? How could my cousin, who is so proud and arrogant, possibly marry a son of a concubine?"

Liu Ruyan lowered her eyes shyly: "Cousin, you don't know, although Zhao Youlian is only a son of a concubine, he is very knowledgeable and has a charming demeanor. He will definitely have his day in the future."

Shen Qingwan sneered: "An unmarried woman, having an affair with a man, disobeying the imperial decree, didn't your uncle teach you any virtues or rules for women from a young age? You still have the nerve to say that? Is this how your uncle taught you manners?"

Liu Ruyan turned pale with fright: "Cousin, why are you so angry? I... I just..."

"You defied the order first, and then you had an affair with a man. Either of these is enough to kill you and your whole family. You have to bear the consequences of your actions. Since the Rong family wants you to give an explanation..." Shen Qingwan glared angrily.

"Cousin, what are you doing? I don't... I don't want to marry Rong Jingxuan, I don't want to..." Liu Ruyan saw that Shen Qingwan was really angry, and she was so scared that she knelt down on the ground, crying and shouting.

"When did I ever say I wanted you to marry Rong Jingxuan?" Shen Qingwan's face darkened. "Send Liu Ruyan to the Sansheng Nunnery, where she can spend the rest of her life with the ancient Buddha and the dim light of the lamp. She should properly repent before the Bodhisattva for the mistakes she made. I will plead with the Emperor and hope that he can spare the lives of this whole family for my sake!"

“Cousin…” Liu Ruyan’s face turned pale, and she collapsed to the ground in disbelief: “Cousin, you can’t send me to the Three Saints Nunnery, I… I can’t become a nun, Young Master Zhao is still waiting for me, cousin…”

Madam Liu was also startled: "This..."

“Mother, if you continue to indulge her in such reckless behavior, and if the Emperor blames us in the future, the entire family will be doomed, and no one can save us.”

When Rong Jingxuan learned that the Empress had sent Liu Ruyan to the Sansheng Nunnery, his anger subsided considerably. He hadn't seen his son for some time and missed him dearly, so he brought Liu Miaoling and her son back to the Rong residence that very day.

Shen Qingwan bestowed many gifts upon the Rong family as a gesture of appeasement.

The Rong family's situation is resolved, but what about the Emperor...?

Shen Qingwan took the pearl and went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

"Your Majesty, the Empress has arrived."

The Hall of Mental Cultivation was where the Emperor reviewed memorials. Even as the Empress, Shen Qingwan could not enter at will. She stood outside the door, waiting for the Emperor to summon her.

Emperor Yuanwu paused in his work of reviewing memorials: "Why is she here?"

"It seems to be about the Rong family and the Liu family..." Wu Jixiang recounted the whole story in detail.

"The Empress has already taken care of everything?" Emperor Yuanwu asked in surprise.

“Since Her Majesty the Empress has come at this time, she must have already taken care of everything. I reckon the Empress has come to apologize. This servant noticed that the Empress is dressed quite plainly today,” Wu Jixiang said.

Emperor Yuanwu frowned. If this matter hadn't been brought up today, he wouldn't have even remembered it. It wasn't really an arranged marriage at the time; it was just a casual remark made at a palace banquet, but the Liu and Rong families took it seriously.

Although a woman's marriage is arranged by her parents and matchmakers, if a woman truly does not want to marry, she must have her reasons, and one cannot force her to ruin her life.

Now that they've been sent directly to the Three Saints Temple, Emperor Yuanwu naturally can't find any fault with them or blame them for anything.

"Go out and tell the Empress that I already know about this matter. Since the Empress has resolved it, I will naturally not pursue the Liu family any further. Let her return to the palace with peace of mind. The Grand Tutor will be coming over later, and I will have dinner at her palace tonight."

Wu Jixiang went out and relayed Emperor Yuanwu's words to Shen Qingwan.

"Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch. Please tell His Majesty that I will be returning now," Shen Qingwan said.

"This servant respectfully sees off Her Majesty the Empress."

Shen Qingwan and Zhen'er walked side by side toward Kunning Palace.

"Your Majesty, what do you think the Emperor really means? Is he angry or not? You went there in person, so why didn't he even see you?" Zhen'er asked, puzzled.

Shen Qingwan shook her head: "Didn't His Majesty say he would come over for dinner tonight? Since he said that, he must not be angry. Let's wait and see during dinner. We shouldn't go back to the palace. Let's go see if the Third Prince is feeling better."

When Shen Qingwan arrived at Yonghe Palace, Consort Li was also there.

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

"How is the Third Prince?" Shen Qingwan entered the Yonghe Palace's bedroom, where Consort Shu was sitting by the bed.

"Your Majesty, the Third Prince's high fever subsided this morning, and he is much better now," Consort Shu said.

Shen Qingwan glanced at the Third Prince. Although he was still asleep, his complexion looked much better than before, unlike when he had a fever and his cheeks were flushed.

"Consort Shu has worked hard taking care of the Third Prince, so please take care of your health. Don't exhaust yourself after the Third Prince recovers," Shen Qingwan instructed.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty, but the Third Prince has not yet recovered, and I really can't eat or sleep. I'm very worried," Consort Shu said softly.

"Consort Li is now pregnant, so she should take good care of herself."

"I thank Your Majesty for your concern."

Shen Qingwan went to visit Consort Rou. The Third Prince was fine, and the two pregnant concubines were also safe and sound. She could finally return to the palace with peace of mind and prepare for the dinner that Emperor Yuanwu would be coming tonight.

Just after dusk, Emperor Yuanwu arrived at Kunning Palace.

Shen Qingwan had the prepared dinner brought out, and just as the two picked up their chopsticks, a eunuch rushed in from outside.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, something terrible has happened! Consort Li has been in trouble!"

(End of this chapter)