Your Majesty, please do not disturb, the empress only wants to engage in business

Chapter 165 Silent

On such a significant day as the second day of the second lunar month, it was natural for all the concubines in the palace to pay their respects to the Empress and kowtow to the Empress Dowager.

Shen Qingyin got up very early, and the palace servants in Kunning Palace naturally got up even earlier. After dressing up, they had to eat something first, so as not to be too full.

To be fair, she is still relatively young at her age, but having given birth to several children, she no longer has the good physique of a young woman, so she always has a concern about this.

In front of outsiders, Shen Qingyin always appeared as a dignified and noble empress. Regardless of her actual state, she would never let anyone see through her facade.

Having been in the palace for so long, she had gradually adapted to this identity. She didn't think the position of Empress was anything special—it required so much effort and effort, yet she didn't gain a good reputation, and even the Emperor's attitude towards her wasn't good. What was the point?

Back when they were in the Prince's Palace, at least the Emperor still cared about her and their lost child. But now, Xie Yun'an's heart is filled with the world, and he no longer remembers her, the Empress without a son, and her lost child.
Even so, she could not give up this position.

She dislikes being busy and worrying; the feeling of being preoccupied and stressed is exhausting.

With so many people in the harem, there are always some who enjoy this kind of busyness. Shen Qingyin was taught by her elders since childhood, and that education made it impossible for her to easily throw off the shackles.

Because behind all these overt complexities lies the power and glory of being second only to the emperor, something that too many people find irresistible.

She herself didn't care, but her family relied on her in so many ways that she couldn't choose freely.

Over the years, the Shen family has established a presence and business network in Beijing.

Ultimately, a family's foundation isn't determined by its reputation. Although the Shen family is renowned for its refined and noble character, they are not, in the end, the kind of family with real power and influence.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have been chosen to be the principal wife of a prince with little power.

After the dust settled, this arranged marriage, which seemed to be a gift from the old emperor, was actually the one who was abandoned or even disliked by the princes during their competition.

Now that she has gained power and her family's influence is rapidly expanding, she, as the empress, is the core figure that cannot be ignored.

Therefore, her family would never easily let her give up the position of Empress, not to mention that she herself did not want to give it up.

Having witnessed just how heartless Xie Yun'an was after becoming emperor, Shen Qingyin felt that the position of empress was at least a guarantee for her. Without this position, she would just be another despised and resentful woman in the deep palace, and how could she possibly protect her daughter?

"Your Majesty, the concubines have almost all arrived. You can leave in a little while."

Granny Hua gently pressed a slightly cool, damp towel against Shen Qingyin's eyelids to make her look more alert without ruining her makeup. With all the concubines in the palace present this morning, she couldn't afford to be sleepy and ruin her makeup.

Otherwise, people might not dare to say it openly, but who knows what they might say in private? If these voices were to appear, they might not reach Shen Qingyin's ears, but they would certainly exist in her heart. Just thinking about it made Shen Qingyin feel exhausted.

Yao Jinse stood out among the concubines. Among so many women in the harem, she was neither the most beautiful nor the most married or favored. The only reason she was able to stand here and have a place among them was because she was lucky enough to have chosen the right master early on.

—If anyone cares about Yao Jinse, this is probably what they would think.

Yao Jinse herself naturally had more to think about regarding her situation. Although the Imperial Concubine was a great tree, there was always the risk of that tree being cut down. Even if she tried her best to protect her, she might not succeed.

Just as a farmer in a garden can stop felling from the outside, but cannot stop the plants from withering, even in the story, what truly caused the death of the Consort was the decline of the entire Duke's Mansion, which led to her utter despair. In this matter, the Emperor's ruthlessness towards the Duke's Mansion was the sharp knife that truly revealed the truth.

Yao Jinse herself was barely able to protect herself, let alone save the Duke's mansion. Many times, even if she tried her best, she might not be able to gain any benefit.

This deep palace is more like a labyrinth. Lost in such layers of high walls, even the most intelligent person would find it hard to keep their composure.

Insincere words and sweet talk were like spring rain slowly falling within these high walls. As the Empress and her entourage of concubines entered the Cining Palace, the sky, which had long been covered with thick clouds, finally let down a little spring rain.

"This is a good omen. People say that spring rain is like oil. On such an important day as the second day of the second lunar month, there is spring rain. It seems that this year will be a year of bumper harvest."

Consort Zhuang was used to saying such auspicious words, and the Empress Dowager couldn't help but smile when she heard this. If the first year after the emperor ascended the throne was a year of abundant harvest, it would be considered an auspicious sign and naturally a great thing.

If the first year goes well, the emperor can slow down his affairs in the court and not rush things. With so many beautiful and lovely young women in the harem, it would be impossible for them to have children without the emperor's presence.

No wonder Consort Zhuang was able to give birth to a prince in the Prince's residence; she must be quite clever.

“Recently, the prayers for blessings in the various palaces have all been handled by Consort Zhuang and the others. I have been feeling unwell these days, and I really don’t know what I would do without their help.”

As soon as Shen Qingyin finished speaking, Chen Yimiao chuckled softly.

"Her Majesty the Empress is known for her diligence in the harem. Even the Emperor praises her ability to manage the harem. In fact, the orderly state of the palace is largely due to Her Majesty's skillful management. I have heard that the Emperor intends for the First Prince to establish his own residence. I wonder if Consort Zhuang, who is in charge of the Empress's affairs, will have time to take care of the First Prince?"

That was a clever way of putting it.

The Empress was not bothered by those around her sharing her power in the palace, because she knew in her heart that as long as she did not make any mistakes, no one could touch her position as Empress.

However, the Consort's words, which mentioned the eldest prince, were clearly meant to pierce the Empress's heart. The Empress had always been most sensitive about matters concerning her son, and these words were undoubtedly a subtle attempt to sow discord between the Empress and Consort Zhuang.

Yao Jinse watched the excitement from below, quietly learning as well.

The women in the harem are quite adept at speaking; she probably still has a lot to learn about this kind of silent verbal sparring.