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

Chapter 342 Backbone

Shen Qingwan smiled when she heard the sound, but when she glanced at the dark circles under Jinfei's eyes again, her gaze darkened.

"Your Majesty, is the Empress Dowager aware of what happened this time? Shall we go and pay our respects to the Empress Dowager?" Consort Shu asked tentatively.

Shen Qingwan shook her head. "I finally managed to steal a few days of leisure from my busy schedule, but Consort Shu doesn't want me to be idle at all."

"Your Majesty the Empress," Consort Shu said with a hint of coquetry, "I really can't do without Your Majesty as my pillar of support."

As they were talking, a palace maid from the small kitchen came over. She curtsied to the three of them before slowly saying, "Your Majesty, the pot is ready. Should we bring it here or to the main hall?"

"Just leave it here."

One after another, palace maids brought over the prepared ingredients from the small kitchen. The last one to be served was a cloisonné enamel pot with floral patterns, which was a gift from Emperor Yuanwu. Shen Qingwan didn't mind these things; she just felt that eating meat in such a beautiful pot would make her feel much better than usual.

There was another pot containing her homemade chili oil, which, once boiled, filled the entire courtyard with the aroma of chili peppers, making everyone's mouths water.

This was the first time that Consort Shu and Consort Jin had dined in the courtyard like this, and they found it quite novel. For a moment, they even forgot the original purpose of coming to Kunning Palace.

The three sat down in front of the food platters. Shen Qingwan explained to the two of them in detail how to make the dipping sauces. As if afraid that she would never be able to eat it again, Consort Shu simply made all the dipping sauces that the Empress had mentioned: one bowl of sesame sauce, one bowl of garlic oil sauce, and one bowl of hot and sour sauce.

"I've really learned a lot from Your Majesty the Empress. I never imagined that hot pot could be eaten like this." Consort Shu couldn't stop eating.

“That’s right. Before, when we ate hot pot in our own palace, we would just eat it directly after it was cooked. The whole pot tasted the same. I always thought this hot pot was not good. But after Your Majesty the Empress taught me how to make it today, I think this hot pot can be eaten for a year.” Consort Jin followed up.

"If you like it, come to Kunning Palace. This hot pot is more fun when there are more people." Shen Qingwan said, simmering a piece of mutton and putting it in the bowl of sesame sauce.

"Your Majesty, I used to dislike eating such greasy food the most, but who would have thought that something so spicy it hurts your throat would become neither spicy nor greasy after being dipped in a bowl full of oil, and would even have a unique flavor."

"This mutton, cooked in plain water and dipped in sesame sauce, is tender and delicious," Jinfei praised.

"I used to think that sesame paste was just supposed to taste like this because I never made it well. But now that I see Her Majesty the Empress adding fermented bean curd and chive blossoms to it, I realize that this is how sesame paste should be eaten."

"Let me try this garlic oil dipping sauce too. I didn't dare to try it when I saw it just now." Consort Jin leaned over and glanced at the three bowls of dipping sauce in front of Consort Shu. "And what's that one of yours..."

The three of them were enjoying their meal when Granny Zhang walked in from outside. She could smell the aroma of food from afar and thought she was just hungry, but she didn't expect that the closer she got to Kunning Palace, the stronger the aroma became.

As she entered the gates of Kunning Palace, Zhang Mama suddenly stopped in her tracks.

Having served in the palace her entire life, this was the first time she had ever seen a concubine who was confined to her quarters not only not saddened, but instead holding a grand banquet in the courtyard with the concubines she was on good terms with.

Seeing how happily they were chatting, Granny Zhang realized that the Empress Dowager was really overthinking things.

Upon seeing Zhang Mama, Shen Qingwan quickly put down her chopsticks and went to greet her, "Mama, why are you here at this hour? Does the Empress Dowager want to see me about something?"

Zhang Mama curtsied and said, "Greetings to Your Majesty the Empress. This servant greets Your Majesty the Empress, and this servant greets Consort Shu and Consort Jin."

"No need for formalities, Granny Zhang," Shen Qingwan said politely. "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has recently acquired a jade ruyi, which she presumably likes. She specially sent me to deliver it to Your Majesty." After Granny Zhang finished speaking, a maid behind her handed over an exquisite wooden box.

The gold-inlaid jade ruyi is made of crystal-clear white jade with a delicate texture. It is carved into the shape of a lingzhi mushroom, with a slightly curved handle. The gold trim complements the white jade, making it a delight to behold.

Jade ruyi also symbolizes good fortune and auspiciousness.

The Empress Dowager knew that Emperor Yuanwu had punished her by confining her to Kunning Palace to reflect on her mistakes, so she specially sent Zhang Mama to deliver the jade ruyi to comfort her.

Shen Qingwan asked Zhen'er to accept the jade ruyi. "Thank you for your kindness, Granny. I will personally go to Cining Palace to express my gratitude in a few days."

"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has asked me to tell you that she has always kept Your Majesty's birthday in mind and has had the best preparations made for you. Please put your mind at ease."

Shen Qingwan nodded, "You've gone to so much trouble, Mother."

"This servant has delivered all the messages and items that Her Majesty the Empress Dowager asked me to convey. This servant will not disturb Her Majesty the Empress's meal any longer and will return now." After saying this, Zhang Mama curtsied again.

"It's lunchtime now, why don't you stay and have a bite with us, Granny?"

Shen Qingwan took the initiative to invite them, and Consort Shu and Consort Jin echoed, "Granny, please stay and have some with us."

Zhang Mama smiled and curtsied, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty the Empress, Consort Shu, and Consort Jin. I must return to report to the Empress Dowager, so I will take my leave now."

"Zhen'er, go see Granny Zhang off," Shen Qingwan said softly.

After leaving Kunning Palace, Zhang Mama had only walked a few steps when she saw a figure hurrying along in the distance.

Consort Xian?
"Did you see clearly? Are you sure?"

When Zhang Mama returned to Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager was drinking fruit tea that Shen Qingwan had sent over a few days earlier.

"Your Majesty, although I am old, my eyesight is exceptionally good, especially for things in the distance. I am certain that I am not mistaken, it is indeed Consort Xian."

Zhang Mama paused for a moment, then continued, "When I came back just now, I specifically asked someone, and they said that Consort Xian went to Zhongcui Palace."

Zhongcui Palace?
Consort Yan?

The Empress Dowager's gaze darkened. "The Emperor confined Consort Xian to her quarters, but he couldn't stop her people. No one stopped her from coming and going. The Emperor still has feelings for her."

"Your Majesty, perhaps the Emperor has other plans. If you get angry about this and harm your health, then this servant will truly deserve to die."

"I hope so." The Empress Dowager couldn't help but sigh, glancing at the teacup in her hand. "How is the Empress doing?"

As she recalled the scene at Kunning Palace, a series of expressions flashed across Zhang Mama's face like a revolving lantern...