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

Chapter 66 Gap
"Your Majesty, you are exaggerating. In this peaceful and prosperous era, what can a mere woman possibly do to destroy the empire?"

The Empress Dowager was furious: "I only sent her a contraceptive soup. Before her identity is confirmed, Consort Yao must not have any children."

"I hope what the Empress Dowager says is true," Emperor Yuanwu scoffed.

"Does the Emperor mean that he would rather believe Consort Yao, who has just entered the palace, than believe your birth mother who raised you with such care?"

"Consort Yao has only been in the palace for a few days. The palace rules are strict. Doesn't the Empress Dowager know about the custom of searching people upon entering the palace? Children are the only support for women in the harem. Does she think she can feed herself medicine?"

Seeing the two arguing fiercely, neither willing to back down, Shen Qingwan said helplessly, "Your Majesty, regardless of whether Consort Yao's current illness is related to the medicine sent by the Empress Dowager, Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager have indeed developed a rift because of her."

Emperor Yuanwu moved his lips, as if he wanted to say something more, but the words caught in his throat.

The Empress Dowager also looked up at Shen Qingwan with a sudden realization, and finally her gaze fell on Emperor Yuanwu's face. In the instant his eyes moved, she caught a strange feeling beyond his anger.

"The Emperor has never been able to let go of Consort Li all these years. It is understandable that he would fall for someone who looks somewhat like Consort Li."

Consort Yao was sent to the palace by Prince Yao's mansion. If the Emperor really had no fear of the close relationship between the harem and the court, why did he still insist on entrusting the Third Prince to Consort Shu for upbringing after Consort Xian recovered?
If the Emperor and Empress Dowager have truly become estranged because of this incident, I wonder who actually benefits from it.
The Emperor favors Consort Yao, so he shows her more affection. Does the Emperor intend for the offspring of the concubines sent to the palace by Prince Yao to be made Crown Prince or to inherit the throne?

Upon hearing Shen Qingwan's words, Emperor Yuanwu's expression relaxed for a moment: "Of course not. Since ancient times, the position of Crown Prince has been filled by a virtuous and capable prince."

“Since the Emperor does not intend to make the prince born to Consort Yao the Crown Prince, what does it matter if she can’t have a child?” Shen Qingwan asked, tilting her head. “If the Emperor really likes Consort Yao, he should give her a high position, let her enjoy honors, and keep her by his side at all times. It doesn’t seem like having no prince is a bad thing.”

If a prince were born or a woman were pregnant, and if Prince Yao were to show compassion one day, would the Emperor really kill his own flesh and blood? The Empress Dowager is the current Empress Dowager; she values ​​offspring more than anyone else. If it weren't for the Emperor's throne, why would she concern herself with the affairs of the harem? And I believe the Empress Dowager would never harm Consort Yao.”

Emperor Yuanwu remained silent for a while, then turned around, lifted his robe, and knelt on one knee: "Empress Dowager, it was your son's recklessness that led to this. Please punish me."

The Empress Dowager sighed deeply.

“There’s no need for punishment. If the Empress hadn’t come today, I think our mother-son relationship would have become strained because of Consort Yao.”

"Your subject knows he was wrong!"

After Emperor Yuanwu left Cining Palace.

The Empress Dowager held Shen Qingwan's hand and said, "The Emperor is getting more and more confused. If you hadn't come today, I'm afraid the bond between us would have been broken up by treacherous people."

"Your Majesty, you are too kind. The Emperor is your own son. How could he be so easily instigated? It's just that the Emperor misses Consort Li and has lost his mind for a moment. Please don't take offense, Your Majesty. I will go to Qixiang Palace to see Consort Yao later."

"Your Majesty is very kind. Now that the Empress is in charge of the harem, I can rest assured."

When Shen Qingwan arrived at Qixiang Palace, Consort Yao had already gone to bed. She called Imperial Physician Zhang aside and said, "Imperial Physician Zhang, I just came from Cining Palace. The Emperor and the Empress Dowager are arguing about this matter. It's just the two of us now. I want to hear the truth. What exactly happened to Consort Yao?"

"Your Majesty, Consort Yao's severe abdominal pain is due to the use of extremely cold substances. The Imperial Hospital's contraceptive decoction does not contain such a substance," Physician Zhang truthfully reported.

"Is there any danger to your life?" Shen Qingwan asked.

"Your Majesty, I have prescribed medicine for Consort Yao, and her life is not in immediate danger. However, I am afraid that Consort Yao will have no hope of having children in the future."

"I understand. Thank you, Physician Zhang."

"If Your Majesty has nothing else, I shall take my leave." Shen Qingwan nodded and waited for Physician Zhang to leave.

Zhen'er couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, did you really bring in the medicine that Consort Yao was taking herself? I delivered things to her before and even spoke to her a few times. Consort Yao doesn't seem like the kind of person who's scheming."

Shen Qingwan didn't speak, but gently tugged at the corner of her lips.

In this vast harem, those who appear innocent and harmless, like little white rabbits, are often the ones with the deepest hidden schemes.

Regardless of who caused Consort Yao to be unable to have children again, Emperor Yuanwu's guilt towards her was enough to ensure her a lifetime of glory and wealth in the harem.

For several days in a row, the emperor did not step into the inner palace.

It wasn't until Consort Rou suffered from morning sickness and vomited blood, alarming the entire Imperial Hospital, that Emperor Yuanwu hurriedly put down his memorial and rushed to Zhongcui Palace.

"What happened? Why did she suddenly vomit blood?" Emperor Yuanwu sat by Consort Rou's bedside. Consort Rou lay on the bed, her face pale. Her morning sickness was so severe that she had barely eaten anything for several days. Before, she could still drink some medicinal soup, but now she would vomit it up within half an hour of drinking it.

"Your Majesty, Consort Rou is only bleeding from her throat because she vomited so violently," said Physician Zhang.

"What about the child? Will it affect the child?"

"Your Majesty, it has no effect on the fetus. I have already prescribed medicine for Your Majesty and had it prepared. However, Your Majesty's morning sickness is so severe that she cannot eat anything, which is ultimately not good for the fetus."

Consort Rou became nervous upon hearing this: "Your Majesty, it's not that I don't want to eat, it's that I vomit everything I eat, and I feel extremely uncomfortable."

"Even for the sake of the child in your womb, Rou'er should try to eat as much as possible," Emperor Yuanwu comforted her.

"Your Majesty..." Consort Rou wanted to say something more, but when she looked up at Emperor Yuanwu, she nodded firmly.

Emperor Yuanwu stayed in Consort Rou's palace for a while longer. After she fell asleep, he called Imperial Physician Zhang aside.

"Is Consort Rou's next pregnancy a prince or a princess?"

"Your Majesty, Consort Rou's pulse is strong and powerful, and this child is likely a prince."

Emperor Yuanwu paused for a moment, then his eyes curved into crescents, shimmering with light: "Reward him!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The entire room of imperial physicians and servants knelt on the ground, looking completely bewildered.

Since Emperor Yuanwu had spoken, the reward was definitely to be accepted. As for why he was to accept the reward, only Physician Zhang knew the answer.

Emperor Yuanwu was in a great mood. On his way back to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he happened to pass by the Imperial Garden.

Today, the prince and princess didn't have to go to the study. Several children gathered together, chasing each other and having a great time. The imperial garden was filled with the sound of children's silvery laughter from time to time.

When Emperor Yuanwu approached, he saw that the person standing among a group of children was Shen Qingwan.

(End of this chapter)