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

Chapter 318 Kneeling as punishment
Shen Qingwan spoke cautiously, each word carefully chosen to reflect Emperor Yuanwu's expression.

Emperor Yuanwu gave an unnatural "hmm," and said, "I know what I'm doing."

Shen Qingwan stopped talking and just kept eating. However, these leafy green vegetables that could help Emperor Yuanwu strengthen his body were not as delicious as abalone, sea cucumber, shark fin, and fish maw. She secretly rejoiced that she was a woman and did not need to supplement with these things. She only needed to drink some beauty and health-preserving flower tea.

Being a man is too difficult.

It's especially difficult for men who have so many women.

That afternoon, news came from the Imperial Household Department that Consort Wen had been chosen for the position.

When Su Tianhe told Shen Qingwan the news, Zhen'er was making her longan and red date tea.

"Your Majesty, I never expected that the Emperor would actually listen to what you said and actually choose Consort Wen tonight." Zhen'er placed a bowl of freshly brewed red date and longan tea in front of Shen Qingwan.

Su Tianhe glanced at her and said, "His Majesty hasn't been to the harem for some time. He must have remembered Consort Wen and that's why he chose her. What does this have to do with our Lady?"

Zhen'er's eyes widened in surprise, and she knelt on the ground in a panic. "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I misspoke."

Shen Qingwan was both angry and helpless. The original owner's personal maid was absolutely loyal, but her mouth always spoke faster than her brain. Although she had taught her a lot and given her pointers, she would still say the wrong thing sometimes.

Disaster comes from the mouth.

She glanced at Zhen'er, her head turned to the side. She was really worried that one day Zhen'er would be killed by her mouth.

This is definitely not what the original owner wanted to see. Perhaps one day, she could take Zhen'er away from Kunning Palace and away from the palace.

Shen Qingwan reached out her hand to Zhen'er, gesturing for her to stand up.

Zhen'er knelt on the ground and shook her head. She cried as she said, "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. I am willing to be punished. But I just feel that this newly entered Consort Yan entered the palace yesterday, and it is already this time today, yet she has not come to pay her respects to Your Majesty. Even if she was introduced to the palace by Consort Xian, so what? The Empress is in charge of the harem. With such a lack of manners, who can know what she is really thinking?"

"Enough." Shen Qingwan stood up. "Since you are willing to accept the punishment, then kneel here for a full hour. How many times have I told you to be careful with your words and actions? I know you are aggrieved for me, but if these words get out, I won't be able to protect you!"

Zhen'er lowered her head, tears streaming down her face. "Your Majesty the Empress is right. This servant will remember Your Majesty's teachings!"

Shen Qingwan's gaze was deep and serious. "Since you know you're wrong, kneel here for an hour and reflect on your mistakes."

After saying that, she turned and went to her bedchamber without looking back.

Su Tianhe glanced down at Zhen'er, seeing that she was still crying, hesitated for a moment, and then walked towards the palace.

“Your Majesty, Zhen’er was indeed in the wrong, but she didn’t mean any harm. She was just standing up for Your Majesty and spoke her mind.” Su Tianhe hesitated for a moment before finally offering a few words of advice. Shen Qingwan sat on the chaise longue, holding a book but not really reading it. “Zhen’er’s mouth really needs to be controlled. If someone with ulterior motives hears what she just said, even if I try my best to protect her, I’m afraid she will inevitably suffer some consequences.”

"Yes, yes, Your Majesty is right. She needs to suffer a little so she'll learn her lesson." Su Tianhe smiled obsequiously, clearly relieved.

Shen Qingwan rolled her eyes at him. "Alright, stop pleading. Go to the Imperial Hospital later and have Physician Zhang come over. Tell him I'm feeling unwell and ask him to come and take a look."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Su Tianhe understood and withdrew.

The Empress summoned the imperial physician at this time, clearly for Zhen'er's sake. As long as the Empress wasn't truly disappointed in Zhen'er, he could rest assured.

When Su Tianhe came out of the palace, Zhen'er was still kneeling on the ground crying.

He walked over to her and touched her shoulder with the back of his hand. "You really are something. Why are you always so outspoken? The Empress is teaching you a lesson this time so you'll remember it. Don't you even know how many heads you have? How dare you criticize the Emperor?"

"I..." Zhen'er's sobs faltered. She straightened her knees, wanting to say something, but after thinking for a moment, it seemed there was nothing to say. Her upright body instantly went limp again, and she collapsed to the ground, bursting into tears. "Her Majesty the Empress must be utterly disappointed in me. She will never forgive me. Do you think Her Majesty will send me to the Laundry Department or the Department of Punishments tomorrow morning?"

"Alright." Su Tianhe sighed speechlessly. "Don't worry, although Her Majesty the Empress is angry, she won't send you to the laundry department or the Ministry of Punishments this time. But next time, it's hard to say. Even if Her Majesty doesn't punish you, if others hear about it, even if Her Majesty isn't afraid of being implicated and insists on holding you back, she'll probably be powerless to do so. You obediently kneel here for two hours. Her Majesty the Empress has already given instructions for me to go to the Imperial Hospital later and invite Physician Zhang over."

Physician Zhang?
Zhen'er's sobs faltered, and her expression turned panicked. "Why summon the imperial physician at this hour? Is Her Majesty the Empress feeling unwell? Her Majesty is unwell, and you're not inside taking good care of her? What are you doing out here? Su Tianhe, are you planning a rebellion?"

Su Tianhe: ...

Su Tianhe was speechless. "Her Majesty the Empress is perfectly fine. Sometimes I really wonder how someone with your brain has managed to stay with Her Majesty the Empress for so many years and still be alive and well?"

"Huh?" Zhen'er was taken aback, puzzled.

Su Tianhe: ...

This punishment of kneeling is absolutely justified!
Just as Emperor Yuanwu's carriage arrived at the gate of Jingyang Palace, news of the summons of the imperial physician from Kunning Palace reached his ears.

He raised his hand to stop the group and turned to look in the direction of Kunning Palace.

"Is it serious?" Emperor Yuanwu's gaze was deep.

"Your Majesty, this servant is unaware. Only a messenger from the Imperial Hospital reported that Physician Zhang has already gone there," Wu Jixiang replied.

"It's been a long time since the Empress summoned the imperial physician this late. Perhaps she is truly unwell." Emperor Yuanwu turned back and glanced at Jingyang Palace again. "Let's check on the Empress first. We can come to see Consort Wen another day."

Wu Jixiang was taken aback. "Your Majesty, the Empress should be alright. I'll go to Kunning Palace to check on her myself and then report back. Consort Wen is overjoyed to know you've chosen her. Your Majesty, why don't you visit Consort Wen's palace first? Don't keep her waiting. I'll head to Kunning Palace now..."