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

Chapter 86 Comfortable
Emperor Yuanwu's lips twitched as he watched her flee in disarray.

Last night, I discussed and tried to understand the essence of Buddhism with Master Wuchen. He mentioned the changes in Shen Qingwan after her serious illness. Master Wuchen only said one word: enlightenment.

Perhaps after the Empress had a brush with death, she became indifferent to all matters of life, death, fortune, and misfortune.

After Shen Qingwan obtained amulets of peace for the Empress Dowager and several princes and princesses, she followed Emperor Yuanwu back to the palace in a carriage.

The carriage had only been traveling for a short while when it stopped.

Shen Qingwan was wondering what had happened when she lifted the curtain and saw Emperor Yuanwu getting off the carriage and talking to Prince Rui.

She suddenly remembered that when she met Prince Rui yesterday, he had mentioned that he had a private residence at the foot of this mountain, and it seemed that this was the place.

The house was clean and tidy, with white walls and black tiles that came into view. Its shape was well-arranged and full of poetic charm. There was an osmanthus tree planted at the entrance of the courtyard. I imagine that when the osmanthus blooms during the Mid-Autumn Festival, the whole house will be filled with the fragrance of osmanthus.

Shen Qingwan was surprised to find that such a picturesque and elegant place could be found near the imperial city; it was truly a rare find.

I had heard that Prince Rui had been traveling all over the world, but I never imagined that there were places he frequented throughout the land.

If I remember correctly, the original owner of this body was also from Jiangnan.

As if she had been watching for too long, she was noticed by two people talking not far away.

Emperor Yuanwu smiled in relief and asked her, "I just happened to run into Prince Rui. Would you like to come down for a cup of tea, Wanwan?"

Shen Qingwan: ? ? ?

Wanwan?

Although he couldn't understand what Emperor Yuanwu was doing, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and get off the carriage.

"Royal sister-in-law."

Prince Rui crossed his arms and was about to kneel when Emperor Yuanwu helped him up with one hand: "Now that we are not in the palace, we are all family. Prince Rui, there is no need for such formalities."

Prince Rui paused for a moment, then said, “Since you and your brother and sister-in-law are passing by, why don’t you come in and have a cup of tea before you leave?”

Shen Qingwan didn't have any particular opinions, but she felt that it would be pleasant to stop and appreciate the beautiful scenery of the pavilion before leaving.

Unexpectedly, Emperor Yuanwu refused outright: "I've been out for a day, and there are still many things to attend to in the palace. I'll bring Wanwan to my residence for a small gathering another day when I have some free time."

another day?

A good day is another day.

In Shen Qingwan's understanding, these two words meant "never to meet again."

“In that case, Your Majesty, I will not linger any longer. Please, Your Majesty, board the carriage. I will ride with you for a while.” Prince Rui said, and then had his horse brought out from the residence.

Emperor Yuanwu's carriage was in front, Shen Qingwan's carriage was behind, and Prince Rui followed behind Emperor Yuanwu's carriage on horseback.

Shen Qingwan: ...

This scene inevitably evokes images of a grand procession with a ten-mile-long red bridal procession.

She didn't know if Prince Rui had mentioned their chance encounter at the temple the day before to Emperor Yuanwu.

It's unlikely anyone would deliberately cause trouble for themselves, so some things are better left unmentioned. The journey was bumpy, and Shen Qingwan felt drowsy; before long, she fell asleep in the carriage again.

When she woke up, the carriage was already parked at the entrance of Kunning Palace.

She didn't know where Prince Rui had taken them away from. Just as she opened her eyes, Zhen'er hurriedly told her to change her clothes and go to Cining Palace for dinner. Emperor Yuanwu would also be there later.

The Empress Dowager was quite pleased with the peace charm that Shen Qingwan had obtained for her.

"Your Majesty is so thoughtful. You think of me no matter where you go. The amulet that Your Majesty got for me from the Sansheng Temple last time is still hanging by my bedside. I'll hang this up later too." The Empress Dowager was kind-hearted and kept putting food into Shen Qingwan's bowl.

"The Empress not only requested amulets for the Empress Dowager, but also for the princes and princesses," Emperor Yuanwu said.

"Oh?" The Empress Dowager drawled, her eyes brightening. "The Empress is very sensible. This is the Emperor's blessing, and also my blessing."

"Your Majesty is too kind. I suppose the prince and princess are young, and this was just to let them know that they are safe and sound, and to put their minds at ease," Shen Qingwan said with a relieved smile.

"It is the prince and princess's good fortune that the Empress has such a kind heart. I heard that the Empress bestowed several fine furs upon the prince and princess last time. It just so happens that I have just received a new mink cloak. The Empress can wear it to keep warm."

Shen Qingwan was startled upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words: "Mother, the mink cloak is truly rare. Please keep it for yourself. I have other fur coats in my palace..."

Before Shen Qingwan could finish speaking, Emperor Yuanwu gently pressed the back of her hand, which was resting on the table: "Since it is the Empress's kind intention, the Empress should accept it."

Since Emperor Yuanwu had said so, Shen Qingwan could no longer refuse: "Your daughter-in-law thanks Your Majesty for the reward."

"We're all family, thanking each other all the time is too formal. Eat quickly, or the food will get cold."

The Empress Dowager was getting old, and the fact that Emperor Yuanwu came to dine with her clearly pleased her. She ate to her heart's content, and Shen Qingwan chatted with the Empress Dowager casually, which seemed natural and unpretentious.

Compared to the two women, Emperor Yuanwu was much quieter, simply eating his meal with his head down, occasionally nodding in response when he heard anything related to himself.

Shen Qingwan suddenly envied her own life, which was peaceful and tranquil, yet not mundane.

If one day in the future I could live such a life, it would not be bad. I had heard that some of the late emperor's less favored concubines went to the Three Saints Temple to cultivate after the late emperor passed away. Although Shen Qingwan's father had a title, he was not very familiar with these relatives. He did not visit them when he went to the Three Saints Temple last time.

At this moment, she felt that she should pay a visit next time she went there. If she could not stay in the palace in the future, it seemed like a good place to go.

After dinner, the Empress Dowager urged the Empress and Emperor Yuanwu to return to the palace to rest.

Although the Empress Dowager did not say it explicitly, Shen Qingwan knew in her heart that the Empress Dowager meant for Emperor Yuanwu to rest in Kunning Palace.

The two walked out of Cining Palace side by side. Snowflakes began to fall again outside. Shen Qingwan was hesitating about how to send Emperor Yuanwu away and go back on her own.

Wu Jixiang walked over hurriedly from a distance. It seemed that several ministers were waiting in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, indicating that something significant had happened in the previous dynasty.

Wu Jixiang's words were vague, and Shen Qingwan, knowing that the inner palace should not interfere in politics, bowed and took her leave.

"What could have happened so late at night?" Emperor Yuanwu frowned.

“Your Majesty, yesterday the Northern Desert troops set up camp outside our border with a large force. I fear that war is imminent. General Zhenyuan just sent a memorial via express courier, asking Your Majesty whether to fight or what to do,” Wu Jixiang said.

"What a fine example of the Northern Desert." Emperor Yuanwu's eyes flashed coldly: "Since I ascended the throne, the Northern Desert has frequently invaded our borders. When Father Emperor was still alive, he had already married the eldest princess to Moganbu, the leader of the Northern Desert. Now they have even set up camp on our border. It is time to deal with the Northern Desert."

(End of this chapter)