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

Recently, the court has been busy, but the insincere attitude of the former officials has been worn down over time. As people gradually accept the new emperor's ascension to the throne, the court has finally returned to normal operation.

As for the emperor, as long as the court system can operate smoothly, he can naturally withdraw for a period of time.

When Xie Yun'an had free time, he always liked to go to the inner palace to accompany Consort Rong. Although the Duke's mansion was still a thorn in his side, Xie Yun'an still liked Consort Rong very much.

The affairs of the court need to be dealt with gradually, and naturally, some effort also needs to be put into dealing with the affairs of the harem. After all, with so many women, even if they all cry and make a fuss at the same time, it is still overwhelming.

While Xie Yun'an couldn't withstand the women's crying and fussing, it didn't mean he could handle the Empress's dignified and polite demeanor.

In Xie Yun'an's view, his empress was not really wrong, but she often didn't act like a woman, but rather like the ministers of the previous dynasty.

From the day she became a princess, Shen Qingyin maintained an exceptionally gentle image. However, Xie Yun'an could still like this look for the first few years, but after a few years, even the most intrigued person eventually lost interest.

Moreover, ever since losing her child, the Empress has been cold and indifferent. When facing Xie Yun'an, Shen Qingyin stood there like an emotionless tree. She was neither as eager to please as others, nor as charming and coquettish as Consort Rong. If there were no one else to compare her to, this feeling of indifference would not be so strong.

But there are so many people around me making comparisons.

Compared to Consort Rong, who could twist a single sentence into eighteen different ways, Empress Shen Qingyin was always slightly inferior.

As for the other concubines, youth has its advantages, and the older concubines also have children. Xie Yun'an has always been a man who cherishes women. These women in the harem are all people with whom he has had feelings. Even if those feelings have faded over time, it is still hard to let go of those old feelings.

So even without the usual favors, these elderly people never lacked anything in terms of material rewards.

But human desires are never satisfied, and many people are not content with living their lives like this. Not to mention the newly arrived concubines who don't even receive material rewards from the elders. If they can't show their faces in front of the emperor, they probably have no hope for the rest of their lives.

"It's all thanks to Lady Qi's good fortune; her belly is growing bigger every day, and she's clearly going to be someone we can count on."

Such rumors are common in the imperial harem. Those with children are often the target of criticism, let alone Consort Qi, who is the most popular among the newcomers.

Everyone entered the palace together and took turns serving the emperor. Why is it that you are the only one who gets to be pregnant?
The saying goes, "It's not scarcity that's worrisome, but inequality." Amidst such gossip, Lady Qi could only ignore everything and stay hidden in her courtyard unless it was something important.

If Yao Jinse were to say that Qi Meiren's caution was indeed correct.

It's not very convenient for her to move palaces now that she's pregnant. It will be easier to move palaces after she gives birth, whether she's promoted or granted a title.

As for what position it will be promoted to, that depends on whether the baby is a boy or a girl.

Yao Jinse naturally didn't care much about these things.

The arrival of Consort Qi's child was also a matter of chance. If there was anything to be concerned about, Yao Jinse's attention should be focused on Consort Rong's belly at this moment. At least, if the Consort had a child, there would definitely be many benefits. At this moment, Yao Jinse was not in her own palace, but was sitting in Cining Palace with her child.

She had always thought that someone like her, without any real power, would need to find a backer in the harem. Consort Rong would eventually be unable to protect herself, so finding a new backer to rely on was imperative before that happened.

The only suitable person to act as a protector is actually the Empress Dowager.

"It's rare to see the princess so happy!"

Yao Jinse watched Princess Dongyang happily climbing on the Empress Dowager's bed, and the words she spoke were genuinely joyful. No matter how others listened, they couldn't detect any wrongdoing.

Empress Dowager Xu was also quite pleased. Yao Jinse's presence here today was certainly not accidental. After paying her respects a couple of days ago, Empress Dowager Xu had been feeling unwell. The imperial physician diagnosed her with a minor cold, and after taking two doses of medicine, she finally felt better.

Yao Jinse arrived at just the right time. She had long planned to bring her child to meet the Empress Dowager, hoping to secure a place for herself and her child to rely on. So her appearance was perfectly timed.

Empress Dowager Xu's health has been gradually improving these past two days, but due to the imperial physician's advice, she is still not allowed to go out. She was originally feeling cooped up in her room when she heard the news that Yao Jinse had brought her child to pay her respects, which immediately brought her some amusement.

Strangely enough, Princess Dongyang is only about nine months old and just learning to crawl. She is not shy in the Empress Dowager's palace, and the crying scene that Yao Jinse was worried about did not occur.

There are few children in the palace, and the few who are already there are quite old and have long passed the age of playing. It is these young children who are the most adorable, the most interesting, and the more likely they are to be liked by the elderly.

Yao Jinse brought the child over, so naturally she wouldn't say too many things she shouldn't. Everyone was sitting here simply to make the Empress Dowager happy, and they were all showing their filial piety.

"Speaking of which, Sister Bai has been in the palace for a long time, and she rarely goes out for walks. If it weren't for the coincidence of meeting you in the Imperial Garden today, this would probably not have happened."

Bai Fengping sat on the soft stool and suddenly felt a little awkward.

Even the most socially adept person would be somewhat reserved in the Empress Dowager's palace. Bai Fengping envied Yao Jinse's ease, but since she was not from the Prince's residence and had never been pregnant or given birth, she naturally dared not speak much.

"You young people should really get some exercise in the palace. I feel at ease with you lively people by my side."

After Yao Jinse mentioned it, Empress Dowager Xu also remembered the wild little talent in front of her. After all, she had personally gone to the selection process and had some impression of the girls who were selected, but she didn't remember them very well.

How did this Bai family member get selected back then?

It seems that because of his good manners, despite his humble origins, he was neither servile nor arrogant, which made him quite interesting. (End of Chapter)