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

Chapter 31 A fatal blow

The concubines looked at each other.

Consort Xian turned pale with anger.

Especially when they saw Emperor Yuanwu help Consort Xi up, the Empress Dowager and the Empress exchanged a glance, as if they had guessed something.

What a wonderful Shen Qingwan!

She really can't stay idle for a moment.

He no longer vies for the emperor's favor; instead, he's sending women to the emperor's bed one after another.

She truly was a virtuous and kind empress.

A palace servant brought over a stool, and Consort Xi sat down next to Shen Qingwan.

Taking advantage of Emperor Yuanwu's good mood, Shen Qingwan spoke up.

"Your Majesty, the Second Prince is already four years old, and his birth mother is still only a Noble Lady. Why not take advantage of the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet today to promote the Second Prince's birth mother to a higher rank? It would be a double celebration."

Consort Yu looked up in shock, staring at Shen Qingwan in disbelief.

Emperor Yuanwu pondered for a moment, then glanced at the Second Prince standing beside him.

"Consort Yu has been serving me in my residence since I was a prince. Over the years, Consort Yu has been humble and kind, and she should indeed be promoted. So, as the Empress wishes, Consort Yu is promoted to the rank of Consort. She has always been gentle, kind, and quiet. Her title is Liang, and she is granted residence in Qixiang Palace. The Empress shall decide on the investiture ceremony."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Shen Qingwan replied.

Consort Yu was completely dumbfounded.

She felt like she was dreaming. She hadn't spoken much with the Empress in her daily life. After entering the palace, she had always stood on Consort Xian's side and even did so many things for Consort Xian, but Consort Xian had never spoken up for her.

At this moment, the Empress was surprisingly able to disregard past grievances. Not only had she allowed the Second Prince to become close to Emperor Yuanwu for a long time, but she had also helped him to be promoted in rank.

Good concubine!

What a lovely name.

Qixiang Palace!
From this day forward, she has her own palace and no longer needs to live under someone else's roof.

Consort Liang cried her heart out, and when she expressed her gratitude, she was so excited that she almost couldn't speak coherently.

Consort Xian's mind was buzzing; Consort Xi was driving her crazy with annoyance.

Consort Yu was promoted to Consort Liang, which was a fatal blow to her.

Looking at the concubines in the palace, one by one they were promoted in rank, but she...

Emperor Yuanwu had not visited her Jingyang Palace for a long time.

This empress really can't stay idle for even a moment!

Consort Xian's hands were clenched into fists at her sides.

The concubines in the harem saw all this and gradually understood a principle: as long as they maintained a good relationship with the Empress, rewards and favors would come in abundance, and they could even be promoted in rank before the grand ceremony of the harem.

When Consort Xian was assisting in managing the six palaces, she would speak on their behalf to the Emperor, but she was unwilling to share any of his favor, let alone be promoted!
The concubines all knew who they should curry favor with and who would be the best way out.

When the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet ended.

It's already dark outside.

As expected, Emperor Yuanwu followed Consort Xi to Xianfu Palace.

As soon as Shen Qingwan stepped out of the Baohe Hall, she was surrounded by the concubines.

Consort Liang was so excited that she grabbed Shen Qingwan's arm and said, "Your Majesty, I owe my success today entirely to Your Majesty's support. If Your Majesty ever needs my help in the future, please don't hesitate to ask, and I will certainly not refuse!"

Shen Qingwan: ...Is Consort Liang so happy that she's confused?
Obligatory!

It sounds like she's about to face extreme danger or be thrown into boiling oil.

"Consort Liang, there's no need to be so polite. You are the birth mother of the Second Prince, and you are worthy of the title of Consort. You will be the head of a palace in the future, so you must take good care of the Second Prince and get along well with the sisters in the palace," Shen Qingwan instructed.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I certainly will!"

Shen Qingwan chatted casually with the concubines for a few more minutes before returning to Kunning Palace.

She suddenly realized that the concubines in the harem were not as difficult to get along with as she had imagined.

Most of the concubines who were afraid of fighting each other were just trying to avoid being bullied in the harem and live a peaceful life. Naturally, she would help such concubines.

If some concubines, in vying for the emperor's favor, harbored any wicked thoughts...

She is also intolerant of any imperfections.

When Shen Qingwan returned to the palace, she felt hungry again.

She spent the whole night helping Emperor Yuanwu's concubine Zhang Kuo, so much so that she didn't get enough to eat.

Zhen'er had the imperial kitchen send over some food.

"Your Majesty, there is something I am not sure if I should tell you."

Seeing that Shen Qingwan had almost finished eating, Zhen'er spoke up.

"When did you learn to speak to me in such a bureaucratic tone? Just say what you want to say directly."

After Shen Qingwan finished speaking, she picked up the osmanthus tea beside her and took a sip.

I'm finally full!
"It's Consort Li of Chuxiu Palace. Her period was more than half a month overdue, but the Emperor rarely visits her, so it's unlikely she'd get pregnant on the first try..."

After Zhen'er finished speaking, she glanced cautiously at Shen Qingwan.

"This is a good thing! Why didn't you just tell me directly? If you encounter something like this again in the future, you must tell me immediately. Tomorrow morning, you should personally go to the Imperial Hospital and invite a trustworthy imperial physician over. After the greetings are over, have the imperial physician take Consort Li's pulse."

"Why do we have to do it quietly?" Zhen'er asked, puzzled.

"Consort Li's period is just late, it doesn't mean she's really pregnant. Let the imperial physician take a look first. If she is indeed pregnant with the imperial heir, that would be wonderful. If not, let the imperial physician prescribe some medicine for her to take back and recuperate. Let the whole palace know. If Consort Li really isn't pregnant, how will she be able to hold her head high in the palace in the future?"

After Shen Qingwan finished speaking, she tapped Zhen'er on the head: "Stupid."

Zhen'er touched her forehead: "Your Majesty is so thoughtful. But I'm so stupid, it's all because of what Your Majesty taught me before."

Shen Qingwan: ...

Consort Li is not young anymore.

Having been in the palace for so many years.

Although she was not favored, the emperor would still visit her once every few months.

I haven't gotten pregnant for so long, I'm afraid it will be difficult this time too.

When Consort Xian returned to the palace, she saw a pretty girl making her bed in her bedroom.

"Who are you?" Consort Xian looked her up and down.

Upon hearing this, the girl hurriedly knelt down and bowed: "Greetings, Consort Xian. This servant is Lan Cui. The General sent me to the palace to serve Consort Xian. When I arrived at Jingyang Palace, I heard that Your Highness had gone to attend the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet. I thought that Your Highness had been busy all afternoon and must be tired after returning to the palace, so I first tidied up the bedding and warmed it with a hot water bottle. I will now serve Your Highness to wash up."

Consort Xian nodded with satisfaction: "Since Father sent you here, you should serve well in Jingyang Palace from now on. I will definitely not treat you unfairly."

"Your Majesty, please rest assured, this servant does not need any reward. The lives of my entire family were saved by the General. As long as I can serve Your Majesty, this servant will be eternally grateful." Lan Cui knelt on the ground, her head bowed.

(End of this chapter)