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

Chapter 345 What does it mean?

Xia Fuchuan's face turned pale. He moved his lips, wanting to say something more, but he could only watch helplessly as Consort Xian had already written down the title on paper.

He was heartbroken and looked at the sky in despair.

Consort Xian quickly finished writing the letter to General Qiu, sealed it in an envelope, and handed it to Xia Fuchuan. "Find the same person who delivered the letter last time and send this letter to General Qiu's residence. Make sure there are no mishaps, even if it costs a little more money."

Xia Fuchuan was taken aback.

The person who delivered the letter last time...

The person who delivered that letter to General Qiu's mansion last time was not someone he found, but someone Xia Mei found.

The letter was eventually sent without any problems, and he never mentioned it to Consort Xian again.

Last time, no matter what, it was just about finding a woman for Emperor Yuanwu. Whether the matter succeeded or not, he wouldn't be accused of colluding with the previous dynasty.

Bringing a woman into the palace to serve Emperor Yuanwu was, after all, a matter for the harem.

But this time...

Xia Fuchuan moved his lips, about to say something, but Xia Mei interrupted him quickly, "Your Majesty, the Third Prince was ill a few days ago and has just recovered. Should I ask the kitchen to make some of the Third Prince's favorite snacks and send them over, so that the Third Prince knows that you are thinking of him all the time?"

Upon hearing the mention of the Third Prince, Consort Xian instantly forgot everything else. She stood up and said to the Emperor, "Then what are we waiting for? Hurry up and go to the small kitchen. I want to personally make some snacks to send to the Third Prince."

Consort Xian hurried towards the small kitchen in Jingyang Palace. Xia Mei was about to follow when Xia Fuchuan grabbed her arm.

He winked at Xia Mei, who wanted to refuse but was afraid that their commotion would alert Consort Xian.

She was reluctantly pulled to the corner by Xia Fuchuan, and forcefully shook off his hand. "Why did you pull me here? Can't you just say what you want to say? What kind of image do you make if people see you pulling and tugging like this?"

Xia Fuchuan chuckled and shook his head. "You think I want to? I'd like to ask you what you meant by what you just said to the Imperial Concubine?"

"What do you mean? It means exactly what you heard. I didn't try to hide anything. Did Eunuch Xia not understand what I meant, or did he understand but pretend not to and ask me what I meant on purpose?" Xia Mei retorted.

"What do you mean by 'meaning'? You've confused me. I just want to ask you this: you encouraged our Empress to write such a letter to General Qiu, aren't you afraid the Emperor will find out?" Xia Fuchuan said, making a throat-slitting gesture with his hand. "Will that kill us?"

"Heh." Xia Mei sneered, "I only care about our mistress. Serving in the palace, I've long since become indifferent to life and death. Even if our mistress doesn't write this letter to General Qiu, if the Emperor wants our mistress dead one day, you and I will both be buried with her. No one can escape."

Xia Fuchuan remained silent, because he knew in his heart that Xia Mei's words were not without reason. However, it was quite inappropriate for Consort Xian to write such a letter to General Qiu in black and white.

Even if they weren't concerned for Consort Xian, they would still have to consider their own interests, so naturally they wouldn't let such a letter fall into the hands of others. But once this letter entered the General's Mansion, who could guarantee that it wouldn't fall into the hands of others?

But now, it seems there's no better way to resolve the current predicament.

The Emperor restored Consort Xian to her position as a Noble Consort.

Even if it's restored, what good will it do? All the power in the harem is still in the hands of the Empress and her entourage. Emperor Yuanwu hasn't set foot in Jingyang Palace for a long time, and he only has the title of Consort. If this continues, I'm afraid Jingyang Palace will become even colder than the Cold Palace.

After the Empress seized absolute power, the people in the harem gradually became opportunistic, and the former glory of Jingyang Palace was long gone. Although Xia Mei's actions at this time were inappropriate, they were indeed making plans for Consort Xian's future, both morally and logically.

Xia Fuchuan sighed deeply, "Forget it. If our Empress is not doing well in the harem, we servants will still suffer cold looks. We might as well take a gamble. Maybe there will be a turning point. Even if the Empress loses her former favor, it would be good to have some real power to assist in managing the six palaces."

"Have you figured it out?" Xia Mei shook her head with a chuckle.

Xia Fuchuan couldn't help but sigh again, "Hmm."

"Now that you've figured it out, I'll go help Your Highness prepare food for the Third Prince."

After Xia Mei finished speaking, she turned to leave, but Xia Fuchuan stopped her again, saying, "Wait."

He looked around with a somewhat somber expression. "Since Her Majesty says this letter should be delivered by the same person as last time, and you were the one who had it delivered last time, what about that train number..."

Xia Min pursed her lips, hesitated for a moment, and then took the letter from Xia Fuchuan's hand. "Alright, I'll serve the Empress first and then you. I'm just born to be a hard worker."

Xia Fuchuan smiled with relief, "That's because Auntie is so capable and quick-witted. We're just dull and stupid, we can't compare to Auntie Xia Mei."

"Alright, stop joking. Her Majesty is still waiting in the small kitchen. If there's nothing else, I really have to go. If Her Majesty can't find me later, I'll get scolded again." Xia Mei glanced anxiously in the direction of the small kitchen.

"Go away, go away," Xia Fuchuan said, gesturing with his hand to signal her to hide the letter.

Xia Mei nodded and walked quickly toward the small kitchen.

Xia Fuchuan stared at her departing figure, his gaze growing increasingly intense...
-
When Shen Qingwan woke up again, it was already late at night.

She took a blanket from the bed and draped it over Jane, who was already asleep and sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Your Highness, you're awake?" Zhen'er opened her eyes with a start, turned around and looked at Shen Qingwan, saying with some self-reproach, "Your Highness, when did you wake up? It's all my fault, how could I have fallen asleep sitting by the bed?"

"It's alright."

Shen Qingwan wrapped the blanket around herself tighter.

Just before going to sleep, she took the medicine prescribed by the imperial physician. Presumably, the medicine had an antipyretic effect, which made her sweat a lot. Her inner clothes were already soaked with sweat. As she sat up, she felt a little cold.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong? Are you feeling cold?" Zhen'er said, glancing towards the window. "The imperial physician just instructed that Your Majesty's illness requires good ventilation in the bedroom, so I opened the window a crack. Your Majesty, please lie down quickly and don't get cold and sweaty. I'll go close the window now."

"No need. It's stuffy with the windows closed. It's better to leave them open for ventilation, and it will make my head feel less foggy."

Shen Qingwan said weakly, "Go and get me a glass of water, I'm a little thirsty."

"Okay, Nian Niang."

Just as Zhen'er stepped out of the bedroom, a dark shadow suddenly flashed through the crack in the window.