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

Chapter 3 Auspicious Clouds and Phoenixes
The Empress Dowager noticed that she seemed to have some unspeakable troubles.

"Granny Zhang, go and have someone move these chrysanthemums to the backyard and find a sunny spot to grow them properly."

"Yes, Queen Mother."

Shen Qingwan was surprised that the Empress Dowager believed her so easily.

She's increasingly convinced that the original owner of this body was incredibly dramatic.

Since the Empress Dowager was able to become the champion of the previous palace intrigue and put her son on the throne, in addition to having some tricks up her sleeve, she also had to be wary of others.

Given the original owner's actions, the fact that she could still unconditionally believe in her stirred a strange feeling within Shen Qingwan.

"Actually, the imperial physician had said before that these potted plants should not be kept in the palace. But these potted plants were a gift from the late emperor when I was made a Noble Consort. They were originally kept in the courtyard when I lived in Yikun Palace. Now that I have moved to Cining Palace, the courtyard is full of pine and bamboo, and it would be inconvenient to let people break them, so I kept them in the palace..."

The two were talking.

Emperor Yuanwu walked in from outside.

As the eunuchs and maids carried the potted plants out, he was about to ask what had happened.

He looked up and saw Shen Qingwan sitting by the Empress Dowager's bedside.

Shen Qingwan wore a jade green dress, her skin was like solidified cream and her fragrance was like a delicate orchid. She simply wore a phoenix hairpin in her hair, unlike her usual adorned with pearls and jade, dressed like a canary.

When Shen Qingwan saw Emperor Yuanwu approaching, she stood up and bowed, saying, "Empress Dowager, now that Your Majesty has arrived, I will return to the palace first. I will come to see you another day."

Staring at her departing figure, Emperor Yuanwu's eyes were shallow, and he felt that she was walking a little too fast.

"Why is my mother with you?"

"He said he had made some food and brought it to me."

Emperor Yuanwu always felt that Shen Qingwan had ill intentions, after all, she had caused quite a bit of trouble in the past by relying on the Empress Dowager's favor: "Mother, how are you feeling today?"

"After taking so much bitter medicine, he's still the same."

"Isn't Mother most fond of those potted plants? Why did she have them all moved to the backyard?"

"It is the Empress's intention."

"Shen Qingwan?" Emperor Yuanwu frowned. "Mother, whether the story of the auspicious cloud and the phoenix was true or false back then is unknown to anyone. It's one thing for her to cause trouble in the harem all these years, but now she's even pointing fingers at the furnishings in your palace. It's really too improper."

The Empress Dowager said earnestly, "It's better to believe it than not. Emperor, don't forget that the late Emperor's preferred heir was Prince Rui. Shen Qingwan was engaged to Prince Rui. After you married Shen Qingwan, Prince Rui suddenly fell seriously ill. Otherwise, Prince Rui would have been the heir at that time. The power in the harem has already been handed over to Consort Xian. If the Emperor really doesn't like her, just keep her in the palace and let her be."

Emperor Yuanwu lowered his eyes: "It was your son's oversight that caused the Empress Dowager worry."

"The imperial concubine selection will be held in two days. She is the Empress of the Eastern Palace. If she is not here at this time, I don't know how much gossip will follow. We have been married for three years, but we have not yet consummated our marriage. The Empress has a grudge. Consort Xian and Consort De have done wrong. I have punished them by confining them to their rooms to reflect on their mistakes. Today is the first day of the month. Your Majesty, please have dinner at the Empress's palace tonight."

On her way back, Shen Qingwan saw a little boy catching fish by the pond in the distance.

Who is this child?

"Your Majesty, it is the First Prince, Jiang Wenlan."

Shen Qingwan couldn't help but sigh inwardly. It was truly rare to see a child of a deceased concubine raised to such a young age and still so healthy in the deep palace.

But why is he catching fish at this hour instead of going to his study?

"Go back to the palace."

at dusk.

Emperor Yuanwu arrived at Kunning Palace surrounded by his entourage.

"Your Majesty." Emperor Yuanwu raised his eyes and glanced at Shen Qingwan. Her clothes were thin, and she did look much thinner than usual.

"Today is the first day of the month. I've come to have dinner with the Empress. Seeing that she's feeling better, I'm relieved. In a few days, I will return the power to assist in managing the six palaces to the Empress."

"Your Majesty need not worry. The imperial physician came today to check my pulse and said that I still need to rest for a while. Consort Xian has been managing the harem diligently these days, and unnecessary expenses in the harem have been reduced considerably. Let Consort Xian continue to manage it for the time being."

Upon hearing Shen Qingwan's words, Emperor Yuanwu's brow twitched involuntarily.

If someone else had said these words, they might have been somewhat sincere, but the moment they came out of her mouth, Emperor Yuanwu felt as if a storm was brewing in his heart.

The wind was howling outside the window, and several dark clouds were rolling around with a series of muffled sounds, as if a heavy rain was about to fall.

The two stood facing each other in an awkward silence. Shen Qingwan invited Emperor Yuanwu to sit down in front of the food tray, and the palace maids brought out one dish after another of the food that the imperial kitchen had prepared in advance.

Shen Qingwan usually only had the imperial kitchen send over three to five dishes for each meal.

At this moment, the Emperor arrived, and there were many more dishes. The entire plate was filled to the brim. Apart from a few dishes that she liked, the rest were all dishes that Emperor Yuanwu liked to eat. Unfortunately, there were no crabs.

"Your Majesty, let's have our meal first. It will be difficult to return once the rain gets heavier."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yuanwu paused, his hand still holding the chopsticks.

He looked up and glanced at Shen Qingwan.

Shen Qingwan was very beautiful, unlike Consort De who was charming and delicate. Consort Xian was bright and flamboyant, with the kind of beauty that was like a peach blossom, plum blossom, and fairy-like beauty.

When Emperor Yuanwu made her empress, he didn't have any particular expectations, but he was truly amazed when he first saw her.

However, this very personality made Emperor Yuanwu completely lose interest in her.

At this moment, Shen Qingwan was wearing only a light green long dress with light blue peonies embroidered on the cuffs and silver threads outlining a few auspicious clouds, which made her skin look like cream and her beauty radiant.

Shen Qingwan ate her meal quietly without saying anything more. With Emperor Yuanwu present, she couldn't eat as freely as she usually did. She felt exhausted throughout the meal.

Shen Qingwan thought to herself, Emperor Yuanwu has long been full, yet he shows no sign of leaving. If he doesn't leave soon, she'll really be exhausted.

Could it be that he's planning to stay here overnight?

No, during the three years of the original owner's marriage, Emperor Yuanwu never stayed overnight. Even when he couldn't avoid coming to Kunning Palace on the first or fifteenth of the month, he would only come for lunch, just so as not to stay overnight.

Shen Qingwan figured he must be too embarrassed to leave right after finishing his meal, so she gave him a way out: "Your Majesty, I have finished eating. If Your Majesty has nothing else to do, please go back and rest early. You have to attend court early tomorrow morning."

When Shen Qingwan said this for the first time, Emperor Yuanwu had some other thoughts, but now, hearing her say this for the second time, he was told to leave.

Emperor Yuanwu's eyes darkened: "Empress, you should rest early. I still have memorials to review. I'll return to the Hall of Mental Cultivation first."

"I respectfully send you to your Majesty."

Emperor Yuanwu:...

Wasn't that getting up and bowing a little too quickly?

Emperor Yuanwu has just left.

Shen Qingwan yawned lazily, quickly washed up, and lay down on the bed.

Spring drowsiness and autumn fatigue—every word the ancients said makes sense.

If Emperor Yuanwu stayed any longer, she might really fall asleep.

"Your Majesty, it looks like it's about to rain. Would you like to return to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, or stay with one of the concubines?"

(End of this chapter)