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

Chapter 81 A facade of harmony masking underlying discord

Wu Jixiang handed a bowl of tea to Emperor Yuanwu.

What should we reward them with?
Emperor Yuanwu was truly at a loss for words.

The Empress's attire seemed to be much simpler than before, and she showed no particular fondness for gold or silver. After much thought, Emperor Yuanwu could not think of any other preferences of the Empress besides knowing that she liked to eat crabs.

But in the dead of winter, where can you find crabs? We can't wait until next autumn to enjoy them.

"Does the Empress know that these fox furs were obtained by Prince Rui and Prince Yao while hunting?" Emperor Yuanwu asked, seemingly out of nowhere. Even he himself found it somewhat unbelievable as he spoke.

"Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress knows," Wu Jixiang replied truthfully.

know!

Does the Empress really not care at all about the gifts from Prince Rui?

Emperor Yuanwu paused for a moment, his expression softening.

What is he thinking here?

“Your Majesty, there is something else…” Wu Jixiang looked up at Emperor Yuanwu, seemingly hesitant.

"Speak," Emperor Yuanwu said, snapping out of his daze.

“It’s Consort Lan.” Wu Jixiang said, glancing at Emperor Yuanwu again. Seeing that there was no obvious abnormality in his expression, he continued, “This servant heard from the eunuchs of Jingyang Palace that since Consort Xian recovered these days, she has been staying in Consort Lan’s palace every day, sometimes for the whole day.”

Emperor Yuanwu frowned: "Has Consort Xian made things difficult for Consort Lan?"

"No, that's not true. But Consort Xian is a Consort, while Consort Lan is just a Consort. Consort Xian stays in her palace, so how could Consort Lan dare to neglect her? She has to serve her well. But Consort Lan is pregnant now. I don't know if her body can handle it all day. She doesn't rest, but the prince in her belly won't be able to rest all day because of her..."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yuanwu's brows furrowed even more deeply: "Consort Xian is just prone to being capricious and jealous. Does the Empress know about this?"

"Her Majesty the Empress has been busy preparing for the Lunar New Year with Consort Shu and Consort De these past few days, so she probably doesn't know yet," Wu Jixiang said cautiously.

Even if we knew, what could we do?
The relationship between the Empress and Consort Xian was always outwardly harmonious but inwardly discordant, in addition to the Empress Dowager's dislike of Consort Lan.

Even if the Empress knew, Consort Xian was just going to visit one of my concubines' palaces. Could she possibly stop her from going?

Emperor Yuanwu's question left Wu Jixiang momentarily speechless.

"It just so happens that I've finished reviewing most of the memorials for today." Emperor Yuanwu put down his pen and stood up.

"Would Your Majesty like to visit Consort Xian's palace?" Wu Jixiang asked.

"Let's go sit in Consort Lan's palace. I haven't seen Consort Lan for quite some time."

"Your Majesty is truly thoughtful; this servant could not have considered so many things," Wu Jixiang said, following behind Emperor Yuanwu.

"Heh." Emperor Yuanwu sneered: "It's not that you didn't think things through, but that you deliberately led me to where Lan Chang was, and even made me say it."

Wu Jixiang looked startled and lightly slapped his own mouth: "This servant deserves to die. This servant never thought of so much. This servant slaps himself."

"Never mind." Emperor Yuanwu's lips curled slightly. "I know you are thinking of my imperial offspring."

"Your Majesty is wise!" Wu Jixiang followed behind Emperor Yuanwu, flattering him with a cheerful smile.

Before long, Emperor Yuanwu was already standing at the entrance of Jingyang Palace.

"His Majesty has arrived." Consort Xian, who was sitting in Consort Lan's palace drinking tea, paused heavily with her fingertips holding the teacup.

emperor?

Why did he suddenly come at this hour?
When Consort Xian got up, Emperor Yuanwu had already reached the palace gate.

Consort Xian's expression froze, and she hurriedly curtsied, saying, "Your Majesty, may you be well. I pay my respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"

"Get up." Emperor Yuanwu glanced at Consort Lan behind Consort Xian, then sat down. Consort Xian followed suit, smiling slightly. "Your Majesty, why did you have time to come at this hour? Why didn't you send someone to inform me beforehand so I could have made preparations?"

"I just finished reviewing the memorials and was thinking of coming to see Consort Lan and having lunch with her."

Let's take a look at Lan Changzai.

The five simple words made Consort Xian's smile freeze abruptly, and the color drained from her face, leaving her visibly pale.

Consort Lan looked up in disbelief and glanced at Emperor Yuanwu.

Since the Empress Dowager's last incident, Emperor Yuanwu has never visited her palace again.

If the imperial physician hadn't diagnosed her as pregnant, it seems unlikely that she would ever see Emperor Yuanwu again, let alone become a mere concubine.

Before entering the palace, she always thought she was quite beautiful. But after entering the palace, she discovered that all the concubines in the harem were outstanding, and even some of the personal maids of the empresses were first-rate in appearance.

So after Emperor Yuanwu favored her, he not only did not promote her, but also never visited her again. She thought it was just a passing fancy of his and that she would spend her life serving Consort Xian in the palace. Little did she know that heaven would take pity on her and make her pregnant.

Since Emperor Yuanwu had come to Jingyang Palace, he shouldn't have dined at Consort Xian's palace. Why did he come here instead?

Lan Changzai had never dined with Emperor Yuanwu before, so she naturally didn't know what to prepare.

She was sent directly to the palace from the General's Mansion. Not to mention how to serve Emperor Yuanwu meals, she didn't even know the rules of the palace.

"Why is Consort Xian still standing here? Would you like to stay and dine with me and Consort Lan?" Emperor Yuanwu looked up at Consort Xian.

Consort Xian's already pale face turned even paler.

Her hands clenched into fists at her sides: "I'm feeling a little unwell, so I'll have dinner with Your Majesty and my sister. I'll go back to rest now."

Consort Xian had a smile on her face, but she spoke every word through gritted teeth.

"Consort Xian is not in good health, and Consort Lan is pregnant. Both of them need to rest. Although they live in the same palace, they should not spend all their time together. Especially since you, Consort Xian, are not fully recovered, you should rest more in your palace. It takes a hundred days to recover from a broken bone. If you have nothing to do, stay in bed and do not leave any lingering health problems."

"Your Majesty, thank you for your concern." Consort Xian curtsied. "I will return now."

No sooner had Consort Xian stepped out of Consort Lan's palace than the imperial kitchen staff brought in the prepared lunch, dish after dish.

Every time a young eunuch passed by Consort Xian, he would greet her with "Greetings, Consort Xian," which made her lips tremble and her temples throb.

In no time at all, Lan Chang's plate was filled with dishes.

Emperor Yuanwu picked up his chopsticks to eat, but found that Consort Lan was still standing beside him.

"What is Consort Lan doing standing there? Sit down and eat with us..."

(End of this chapter)