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

Chapter 174 Price
Shen Qingwan sighed. Although she had known for a long time that Consort De's pregnancy was doomed, she still felt a little regretful when she found out.

The child is gone, and the person has gone insane.

Consort De deserved her fate. She had done so many wrong things in the harem, and she paid a heavy price for her actions.

Consort Shu was childless throughout her life, which was her doing. Unexpectedly, even the death of Consort Li, Emperor Yuanwu's most beloved concubine, was related to her.

Shen Qingwan didn't want to get involved, but as the Empress, there were some things she had to do to maintain appearances.

When she arrived at Yanxi Palace, the Emperor's decree also arrived, demoting Consort De to the rank of Noble Lady and stripping her of her title.

The former Consort De is now Noble Lady Song. In any case, it is unknown whether Emperor Yuanwu did so out of consideration for her maternal family or out of consideration for their long-standing relationship.

If she recovers her health, even if she cannot regain the emperor's favor, the position of a noble person will be enough to allow her to live out the rest of her life in peace in the harem.

All the palace maids and eunuchs in Consort De's palace were taken away.

It seems they want to thoroughly investigate the matter of Consort De being frightened. I wonder if Emperor Yuanwu will still be able to treat this woman who has been with him for so many years well when he learns the truth about Consort Li's death.

Even though Consort De had caused the original owner considerable harm back then, Shen Qingwan really had no intention of kicking her while she was down. She simply went through the motions, took a quick look, and left.

After thinking for a moment, she went to see the Empress Dowager.

"Your daughter-in-law greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty be blessed."

Shen Qingwan always had unimpeded access to Cining Palace, perhaps because the Empress Dowager had given her special instructions.

"Why has the Empress come at this hour? Is there something you need?" The Empress Dowager asked kindly, glancing at the prayer beads in her hand.

"Mother, your daughter-in-law is fine. I just came from Yanxi Palace and stopped by to see you," Shen Qingwan said calmly.

"Another child has been lost in the palace." The Empress Dowager sighed deeply.

"Your Majesty, please accept my condolences. Consort De's child was lost, but thankfully Consort Rong is pregnant," Shen Qingwan comforted her.

"Yes." The Empress Dowager's expression softened a bit. "General Rong's spirit can rest in peace now. I do hope that Consort Rong's baby will be a boy."

“My daughter-in-law is also looking forward to it,” Shen Qingwan replied.

The Empress Dowager grasped Shen Qingwan's hand. "Now that the Empress is in charge of the harem, I have much less to worry about. Empress, please don't think I'm being nagging. I believe that the Emperor, like me, is also hoping for a legitimate son. The Emperor is used to being fawned over by the concubines in the palace. Next time the Emperor visits your palace, Empress, please take the initiative."

Although Shen Qingwan had heard these words countless times, she was still embarrassed and didn't know what to do. "Mother, your daughter-in-law will remember this."

The Empress Dowager's expression softened somewhat. "The Empress is sensible, and I need not elaborate on the reasons behind this. I heard that on the second day of the second month, the Empress visited the Imperial Concubine Dowager and the others at the temporary palace. Even if she is a princess, she will have someone to rely on after she enters the Prince Consort's residence. Which woman in the harem doesn't long for the Emperor to visit her palace every day and try her best to please him? I know that the Empress has her own pride. Even if it's for your own future, next time the Emperor visits you, be a little more proactive. Once you have the first time, the Emperor will keep coming. The Emperor is my son, and I know his temper. He has you in his heart."

Shen Qingwan listened to the Empress Dowager's heartfelt words, knowing they were for her own good. Even though she was unwilling, she didn't want to upset the Empress Dowager, so she silently nodded in agreement.

It has to be said that the original owner had turned the entire palace and harem into such a mess that without the Empress Dowager's protection, he would probably have died countless times.

The original owner of this body did not receive Emperor Yuanwu's favor, but she eventually sat on the throne of Empress. For every person who coveted this position, there was another who wanted to take her life.

Over the years, the Empress Dowager has also been very protective of the original owner of this body.

She transmigrated into the original owner's body, and the Empress Dowager had always treated her well, never mentioning the original owner's arrogant and domineering behavior to make things difficult for her. Shen Qingwan couldn't bear to let the Empress Dowager worry about these trivial matters any longer.

Agreeing to do something is one thing; whether or not you actually do it is another.

initiative……

is absolutely impossible.

As for whether Emperor Yuanwu had feelings for her, Shen Qingwan felt that he was more concerned about the food in her palace, which was the real reason.

As the two were talking, Emperor Yuanwu arrived. He looked radiant and walked with a lighter step than usual, indicating that Consort Rong's pregnancy had won his heart.

When Emperor Yuanwu saw Shen Qingwan, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. "The Empress is here too."

"Your Majesty." Shen Qingwan rose and bowed.

Although Shen Qingwan wouldn't have bowed to him like this in Kunning Palace, she still had to show proper etiquette in front of the Empress Dowager.

This surprised Emperor Yuanwu. "Is the Empress trying to distance herself from me in front of the Empress Dowager? Why is she bowing to me? If I remember correctly, the Empress said that we, as husband and wife, do not need to bow to each other."

Shen Qingwan: ...

Was Emperor Yuanwu deliberately trying to sabotage her, or did he want to complain about her in front of the Empress Dowager?

Shen Qingwan pursed her lips deeply, not daring to lash out in front of the Empress Dowager, and could only endure it.

The Empress Dowager took in their expressions and smiled even more kindly. "Why has the Emperor come at this hour?"

"Your Majesty, I heard that Consort Rong is pregnant and wanted to share this joyous occasion with you," Emperor Yuanwu said, glancing at Shen Qingwan. "I suppose I am too late; Your Majesty should already know."

"The Empress is so filial. She comes to visit me whenever she has time. She even brings me food herself. Unlike the Emperor, who only remembers me when there's a happy occasion." Although the Empress Dowager was complaining, she couldn't hide her joy. She could barely suppress the smile on her lips.

Emperor Yuanwu raised an eyebrow and glanced at Shen Qingwan again, seemingly quite surprised that she had not only changed herself but had also become filial.

"Your Majesty flatters me. These are just ordinary foods, nothing to mention," Shen Qingwan said modestly.

"How can it be not worth mentioning? I know that you always keep me in your heart."

Emperor Yuanwu walked over and sat down next to Shen Qingwan. “Seeing how well you two get along, it makes me feel like an outsider.”

"It's not unreasonable for the emperor to have such thoughts, after all, the emperor hasn't visited me for a long time."

Emperor Yuanwu looked at Shen Qingwan with a pleading expression.

"Mother, the Emperor is also busy with affairs of the court. A few days ago, I noticed that his complexion was not good."

"Very well, very well. I only said one sentence and the Empress is already feeling sorry for her. I will not say anything more." The Empress Dowager turned to Emperor Yuanwu and said, "The Empress is virtuous, which is a blessing for the Emperor. No matter how good the concubines are, the Emperor should not forget his principal wife. A harmonious marriage is beneficial to both the court and the harem."

Emperor Yuanwu nodded, "Your Majesty's teachings are correct, I will keep them in mind."

(End of this chapter)