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

Chapter 392 I Miss You

His previously gentle expression instantly turned gloomy, his lips twitched, and the muscles in his face suddenly tightened, as if every line was filled with ruthlessness.

"Your Highness," Gu Nian hesitated before continuing, "Although I didn't hear very clearly, judging from the expression on the hostage's face when he left, it seems that Her Majesty the Empress refused."

Prince Rui did not speak, but simply lifted his foot and continued walking towards the Prince's residence.

The following day at noon.

Shen Qingwan and Jiang Wenlan dined in a side hall.

Su Tianhe walked in from outside.

"Your Majesty, the Song family from Wuliang Palace wishes to see you."

Shen Qingwan moved her lips, but before she could speak, Jiang Wenlan put down her chopsticks and couldn't help but spit, "You've already entered the Cold Palace, what do you want to see the Empress Dowager for?"

"Reporting to the First Prince, she said that there are still a few crazy people living in the Wuliang Palace, making her life a living hell. She guesses that Song's injuries are getting worse," Su Tianhe said with difficulty.

"The Empress Dowager won't care. She treated you like that before, and everything she has now is her own fault. Since she's living a life worse than death in the Wuliang Palace, once she goes mad, she'll be just like them, and naturally she won't think those people are crazy."

Shen Qingwan raised her eyes and glanced at Jiang Wenlan.

She was somewhat surprised; how did he know what the Song family had done in the past?
Even if she did do it, it should have been Song who did it to the original owner of the body. After all, she had already seen through Song's treacherous nature after she transmigrated and had never been close to her.

Jiang Wenlan was naturally unaware that she and the original owner of this body were not the same person.

Could it be... that there was something between him and the original owner of this body...?

impossible!
When she transmigrated, Jiang Wenlan was only seven years old. What could such a young child possibly be thinking? Perhaps he just thought that Song Shi was arrogant and domineering.

"I will not see Lady Song. Since she is staying in the Cold Palace, let her stay there."

"Yes."

Su Tianhe withdrew, and Shen Qingwan placed a piece of meat in Jiang Wenlan's bowl. She hesitated for a moment, then asked, "You don't like the Song family?"

"It's not a matter of liking or disliking; I haven't spoken much with Madam Song," Jiang Wenlan said calmly.

"Since you're not familiar with her, why did you say those things just now?" Shen Qingwan asked in surprise.

“Song has already been banished to the Cold Palace. If the Empress Dowager interferes in her affairs, someone might deliberately spread the news to Father Emperor, which would definitely create a rift between the Empress Dowager and Father Emperor. But if the Empress Dowager doesn’t care about Song, there will be criticism from the palace, and people will say that the Empress Dowager is an unsatisfactory person.” Jiang Wenlan’s eyes were indifferent, as if she were talking about something that had nothing to do with her.

Shen Qingwan's eyes trembled slightly upon hearing this, and she said with concern, "But if this gets out, I'm afraid it won't be good for you."

“Your Majesty, there is no need to worry about this. Song is now just a concubine who has been punished and sent to the Cold Palace. I have never seen anyone come out of the Cold Palace. Besides, Song is so badly injured. If I, as a prince, say a few words, Father and Grandmother will at most say that I am young and ignorant. But if the same words come from Your Majesty’s mouth, I am afraid that others will think differently.”

Shen Qingwan's lips twitched.

He's not clueless at all; he clearly knows a lot.

Since she transmigrated into the original owner's body, although the Empress Dowager had always treated her well, Jiang Wenlan was the first person to dare to stand up for her. Shen Qingwan felt a pang in the softest part of her heart. She ladled a bowl of chicken soup for Jiang Wenlan and placed it in front of him, forcing back the tears welling up in her eyes. "You're at the age where you're growing, drink more chicken soup."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Emperor Yuanwu has been unwell these days and has also been arguing with the Empress Dowager. Shen Qingwan can use her "miscarriage" as an excuse to visit him without leaving the palace.

But Emperor Yuanwu knew the truth in his heart.

Besides, she had left the palace several times, not only to the Princes' Residence but also to the Cining Palace.

If she continues to do nothing on Emperor Yuanwu's side, it will inevitably cause a lot of trouble.

In the evening, Shen Qingwan had Zhen'er stew a soup using the medicinal herbs that Prince Rui had given to Jiang Wenlan, and then had Zhen'er personally deliver it to him.

Normally, the gifts that the concubines sent to Emperor Yuanwu at the Hall of Mental Cultivation were only delivered to the entrance of the Hall of Mental Cultivation and then carried inside by the servants who were guarding outside at the time.

But today it was the Empress's personal maid who came, so they didn't dare to make decisions on their own and went in to call Wu Jixiang out.

Wu Jixiang waved his whisk and greeted her warmly, "Aunt Zhen'er, what brings you here?"

Zhen'er curtsied and greeted him, "Good luck, Lord Jixiang."

"No, no, I dare not." Wu Jixiang waved his hands repeatedly. "Aunt Zhen'er is the Empress's personal maid. How can this servant accept such a courtesy from you?"

"You're too kind, Eunuch Jixiang. You are the most trusted person by the Emperor's side, so you are certainly worthy of such an honor."

The two stood at the entrance of the Hall of Mental Cultivation and flattered each other for a while. Wu Jixiang glanced at the food box in her hand before steer the conversation back to the main topic.

"I wonder what business Aunt Zhen'er has with His Majesty today?"

"In reply to Eunuch Jixiang, Her Majesty the Empress has prepared some chicken soup and asked me to personally deliver it to His Majesty. I am also aware of the rules of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, so please take this chicken soup to His Majesty and deliver it to him."

Wu Jixiang waved his hands repeatedly, "No, no, since it is a gift from the Empress to the Emperor, how could I possibly do it for her? Aunt, please wait here for a moment, I will go in and report. This morning the Emperor asked me about the Empress's situation, so I suppose the Emperor is also thinking of the Empress."

"Thank you for your trouble, Uncle Jixiang." Zhen'er curtsied and bowed again.

Wu Jixiang went in and soon followed Zhen'er inside.

"This servant greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty be blessed." Zhen'er walked to the main hall and performed the full kneeling ceremony.

"Get up." Emperor Yuanwu put down his pen and glanced indifferently at Zhen'er. "How is your lady's health?"

"Your Majesty, our Lady has been very weak since her serious illness. A few days ago, when the First Prince fell ill, the Lady stayed with him at his residence all night. After returning home, she developed a high fever and has been recuperating for a long time. She has only just recovered somewhat."

Zhen'er paused here, not daring to look directly at Emperor Yuanwu, but only stealing a glance at where Emperor Yuanwu was sitting out of the corner of her eye.

“Prince Rui came to Kunning Palace to visit the First Prince, bringing a lot of medicinal herbs. The First Prince thanked the Empress for her care and gave them all to her. The Empress used those herbs to make soup and asked me to send it to the Emperor.”