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

Chapter 393 No Gifts

Prince Rui.

Upon hearing this name, a complex emotion flickered in Emperor Yuanwu's deep eyes.

Wu Jixiang walked up to Zhen'er and presented the bowl of soup from the food box in her hand to Emperor Yuanwu. "Your Majesty, I could smell this soup from afar. It's full of ingredients. Your Majesty was just saying yesterday that you hadn't dined at Kunning Palace in a long time. The Empress has brought you this soup. It's clear that even though the Empress is ill, she still thinks of you."

Emperor Yuanwu snorted coldly and glanced at the soup bowl that Wu Jixiang handed over.

"Is the Empress fully recovered?"

"Your Majesty, my lady is now perfectly fine."

Emperor Yuanwu asked a few more questions about the eldest prince before letting Zhen'er leave.

After he left, she raised her hand and had someone take the bowl of soup away.

Wu Jixiang's eyes widened in surprise. "Your Majesty, this soup is so good, won't you drink it while it's hot? It won't taste good when it gets cold."

"Take it away." Emperor Yuanwu's eyes were cold and indifferent.

"Your Majesty, I have also heard about Prince Rui's visit to the First Prince at Kunning Palace."

Wu Jixiang glanced cautiously at Emperor Yuanwu, and seeing that he didn't seem to intend to continue his anger, he then spoke.
"That day, the Empress Dowager was furious in the palace, and all the servants in the palace knelt on the ground. However, the Empress Dowager still did not eat or drink anything all day. Zhang Mama had no choice but to invite the Empress, who was recuperating in Kunning Palace, to come over."

"Your Majesty, you must say the Empress is quite resourceful. She went to Cining Palace and said something to the Empress Dowager. In no time, the Empress Dowager was not only no longer angry, but was also fed a lot of food by the Empress."

"It was around that time that Prince Rui went to Kunning Palace to visit the First Prince. He probably didn't expect the Empress to return so soon, and the two of them bumped into each other. But the Empress didn't say much to Prince Rui, just greeted him and went straight back to her palace."

"After Prince Rui finished visiting the First Prince, he also left the palace. The First Prince was a pitiful child who grew up alone. Now that someone suddenly cares about him, he knows how to be grateful. That's why he took advantage of the situation and gave all the medicinal herbs that Prince Rui sent to the Empress."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor's expression finally softened a bit. "So, out of concern for me, the Empress stewed these medicinal herbs into a soup and brought it to me."

Wu Jixiang smiled awkwardly, "Your Majesty is so thoughtful. This servant would never have thought of such things. This servant simply thought that the Empress sent these soups over because Your Majesty hasn't visited her in a long time. Don't the ladies of the harem usually send Your Majesty all sorts of food when they miss him?"

Emperor Yuanwu's solemn expression vanished in an instant. "If it's as you say, then it's my fault!"

"This servant dares not. This servant only feels that the fact that the eldest prince is so sensible now is largely due to the Empress's efforts. If it weren't for the Empress's persuasion, and if someone were to gossip in front of the Empress Dowager, who knows how much discord would arise between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor."

"The Empress is indeed good to the First Prince," Emperor Yuanwu couldn't help but say with emotion. "The Empress mentioned to me the other day that she wanted to find a suitable foster mother for the First Prince. Who do you think would be more suitable among the women of the harem?"

Wu Jixiang panicked, "Oh dear, Your Majesty, how can this servant say anything about such a matter? In fact, the eldest prince is already so grown up now, and he will be 8 years old in a few days. He has been living well on his own all these years, and now he has the Empress taking care of him. Why bother to make him move out of the eldest prince's residence?"

"Indeed." Emperor Yanwu nodded in agreement. "Let's put this matter aside for now and discuss it again when we have time. Go and tell the Empress that I will be having dinner at Kunning Palace tonight." "Yes, Your Majesty."

Wu Jixiang, beaming with joy, led his men to deliver the message. He had only gone halfway when he encountered Rou Pin's personal maid, Jun'er. "Where is Eunuch Jixiang going? Why are you so happy?"

"Jun'er?" Wu Jixiang suddenly stopped in his tracks. "Aren't you busy with your duties at Zhongcui Palace today? Why do you have time to come over at this hour?"

Jun'er sighed, "It's all because of Consort Rou. Ever since her miscarriage, she has been depressed. I was waiting here hoping to have some good luck and see Eunuch Jixiang. I never expected that I would actually see him."

After Jun'er finished speaking, she glanced around cautiously and, taking advantage of the moment when no one was looking, quickly stuffed a heavy money bag into Wu Jixiang's hand.

She deliberately lowered her voice, speaking in a tone only the two of them could hear, "I would be grateful if you could put in a good word for my lady with the Emperor when it is convenient for you, Father-in-law. My lady will be eternally grateful and will repay you handsomely in the future."

Wu Jixiang understood her meaning and quickly stuffed the money bag back. His eyes darkened. "Aunt Jun'er, don't worry. If Consort Rou wants to take it, this servant will definitely take it. However, His Majesty just instructed this servant to go to Kunning Palace to deliver a message. If we delay the task assigned by His Majesty, no one can bear the responsibility."

Jun'er felt a weight in his hand. He glanced down at the money bag that Wu Jixiang had stuffed back into his hand, and his smile instantly froze.

However, Wu Jixiang had already bypassed her and was walking quickly towards Kunning Palace.

At this moment, Consort Rou paced anxiously back and forth in the palace. When she saw Jun'er enter, she quickly went over and asked anxiously, "How is it? Have you seen Wu Jixiang?"

"I saw it." Jun'er's expression was solemn.

"So, did Wu Jixiang agree? Did he accept the silver you asked him to give him?"

Jun'er shook her head, her expression flustered, and knelt down on the ground. "This servant deserves to die. Please forgive me, Your Highness. I am incompetent and unable to help Your Highness complete the task."

Upon hearing this, Consort Rou involuntarily took a step back. She watched as Jun'er took the money pouch out of her bosom intact, and her face turned pale.

"What? He won't accept it?"

Jun'er nodded. "Your Highness, Eunuch Jixiang answered decisively, but he promised me that he would definitely speak on Your Highness's behalf to the Emperor."

help?
If he were truly willing to help, how could he refuse the money offered to him? This so-called help is merely an excuse to refuse.

She herself had lost count of how long it had been since Emperor Yuanwu had last visited her.

Is she really going to fall out of favor like this?
Consort Rou felt a sudden darkness before her eyes and nearly collapsed.

“Your Majesty, please don’t worry. Eunuch Jixiang is the chief eunuch of the inner palace. He receives a considerable salary and many rewards from the Emperor. Perhaps he really doesn’t accept the rewards.” Jun’er paused, then suddenly remembered something. “By the way, Your Majesty, there has been a reply to the letter you asked me to give to Lord Wen.”