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

Chapter 70 Angry
Perhaps even emperors have many things they can't do.

The news of Consort Jin's promotion to Imperial Concubine Jin spread throughout the palace, and the most dissatisfied were the newcomers who had just entered the palace.

"Tsk tsk tsk, it's really unexpected that Consort Jin is so lucky. She only stayed at Chuxiu Palace for one night and she already has the rank of consort. It really makes one feel that there is hope for the future." Consort Ruan clicked her tongue in amazement.

"His Majesty promoted Consort Jin to the rank of Imperial Concubine, perhaps for some other reason. We have just entered the palace, so it's best not to discuss His Majesty behind his back, lest someone overhear something and cause trouble," said Consort Tong.

"What's wrong with Consort Tong? I've never seen her so timid and cowardly before. Is she trying to learn from Consort Jin and pretend to be oblivious to everything else so she can climb the ranks quietly?" Consort Ruan rolled her eyes.

"It's not fair to say she was completely oblivious to what was going on outside. If she hadn't gone to Consort Li's palace to keep her company last night, she probably wouldn't have been able to climb to the rank of Consort in her next life," Consort Dong added.

"If I had known that all the ladies in the palace were standing at the entrance of Chuxiu Palace last night, the harem might have been granted a grand investiture ceremony today..."

Shen Qingwan had no objection to the Emperor promoting Jinpin to the rank of Consort.

After all, Consort Jin had served Emperor Yuanwu for so many years without ever vying for favor. Moreover, her loss of favor was due to her father's wrongdoing in court, which resulted in his demotion and implicated her. Consort Jin herself had done nothing wrong.

Now that Emperor Yuanwu has come to terms with the past and forgiven past grievances, is he perhaps hinting to his sisters in the palace that as long as they behave themselves in the harem, the emperor will still remember their past relationship even if their maternal families suffer any misfortune?

The title of Consort was different from that of a Noble Lady.

It is necessary to listen to ancestral teachings and perform the grand ceremony of being conferred the title of imperial concubine.

Having not slept all night, Shen Qingwan was already so sleepy that her eyelids were drooping. When she saw Emperor Yuanwu arrive, she bowed and then went back to the palace to sleep.

When I woke up, daytime had turned into night.

In the evening, Emperor Yuanwu came to Kunning Palace again.

"Your Majesty left in such a hurry today, is there something you displeased with my bestowal of the title of Consort Jin?"

She wasn't actually dissatisfied, but the fact that Emperor Yuanwu was sitting in the palace staring straight at her made Shen Qingwan feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Only those who have pulled an all-nighter truly understand how filthy and disheveled you become after a full night's sleep.

Moreover, Emperor Yuanwu was dressed neatly at this moment, and every move he made exuded the nobility and elegance that an emperor should have.

In contrast, she was wearing a nightgown, had just woken up, hadn't combed her hair, brushed her teeth, washed her face, and even had eye boogers on her eyelashes.

Given her appearance, is it really appropriate for him to discuss important matters like the promotion of concubines in the imperial harem with her?

"Your Majesty, may I wash up first?" Shen Qingwan said softly, suppressing her anger.

Emperor Yuanwu raised an eyebrow, indicating that she should do as she pleased.

Although Shen Qingwan wasn't grumpy when she woke up, she had been up all night, had just woken up, hadn't had a drop of water or a grain of rice, and was now being dragged over to discuss matters of the harem. No one would be in a good mood.

However, just as she finished washing up, Emperor Yuanwu threw another matter at her: "There are still vacancies in the rank of Consort, and the positions of Noble Consort and Imperial Noble Consort are also vacant. I would like to take advantage of Consort Jin's situation to promote the other consorts to higher ranks. I wonder what the Empress thinks?"

What do you think?

Emperor Yuanwu's tone suggested that he wanted to discuss things with her, but ultimately, it was up to him to decide who to promote and who to appoint.

The so-called discussion was merely him deciding on a candidate and informing her. "Your Majesty doesn't need to discuss these things with me. I have no objection to whichever sister Your Majesty prefers."

Shen Qingwan's words were calm and without any ripples, yet they made Emperor Yuanwu's brows furrow deeply: "Is the Empress's attitude one of resentment towards me? I know that last night you were keeping vigil with Consort Li with Consort Jin. In the end, I bestowed the title of Consort Jin but not the title of Empress, which displeased the Empress. However, in terms of rank, you are already the Empress. I was also thinking of rewarding you with something else, but I couldn't think of anything novel for the time being, so I delayed."

Shen Qingwan was speechless for a moment.

She had never held a grudge over this. Could it be that in Emperor Yuanwu's eyes, Shen Qingwan was just a petty person who only cared about profit?

"Your Majesty has misunderstood me. I didn't. I just woke up after a sleepless night and my mind is still a little foggy. I have no objection to Your Majesty promoting any of the sisters in the harem. Consort Jin has served Your Majesty since Your Majesty was a prince. Even though she has no children, she is worthy of this title."

Emperor Yuanwu looked at her and said, "Is it because I mentioned the Consort and the Imperial Noble Consort that the Empress was unhappy?"

Shen Qingwan: ...

At this moment, she felt that Emperor Yuanwu was sometimes quite difficult to communicate with; how many times would she have to say it before he would believe her?

"Your Majesty, I really have no objection. I have no objection to whomever you like or whoever you appoint. You really don't need to ask my opinion. I am the Empress. It doesn't matter to me who among the sisters in the harem becomes a Consort or an Imperial Noble Consort." Shen Qingwan said with genuine helplessness.

Emperor Yuanwu stopped speaking, but his expression was clearly not as good as when he had just entered.

He knew in his heart that Shen Qingwan's true love was Consort Xian.

After Consort Xian gave birth, she was not promoted for a long time. Firstly, he couldn't get over Consort Li's past, and secondly, he was afraid that Consort Xian would become arrogant because of the emperor's favor. In addition, given the power of her maternal family, Emperor Yuanwu had to be wary of her.

Now that she has recovered, the Third Prince has been sent to Consort Shu's place.

He always wanted to give her some compensation.

The Empress is now managing the harem very well. He thought he should discuss it with her. If she refused, it would be fine to postpone the matter. However, he did not expect the Empress to have such an attitude.

He felt that Shen Qingwan had indeed changed a lot compared to before, but ultimately her willful and domineering nature remained.

"Since the Empress is not awake, let her continue sleeping. I have other matters to attend to and will be leaving now."

Before Emperor Yuanwu could stand up, Shen Qingwan's voice rang in his ears: "Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty."

When I turned around again, he was gone.

Emperor Yuanwu:...

Wu Jixiang followed Emperor Yuanwu all the way out of the gate of Kunning Palace.

"Your Majesty, please wait for me!"

Emperor Yuanwu suddenly stopped in his tracks. Wu Jixiang almost lost control. Although he didn't bump into Emperor Yuanwu, his hat got stuck on his face because of his sudden movement.

"Your Majesty, please don't be angry. The Empress stayed up all night at Consort Li's place and didn't get any sleep. She waited until you finished court this morning before leaving. Perhaps she was too tired. Besides, the Empress was there with Consort Jin, but Your Majesty only rewarded Consort Jin."

Wu Jixiang paused here, looked up at Emperor Yuanwu, and said with a troubled expression, "Actually, we can't blame Her Majesty. Anyone would be angry in this situation, wouldn't they? What do you think, Your Majesty?"

(End of this chapter)