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

Chapter 46 Supporting One's Brother: A Magical Connection Through Time and Space

Madam Shen?
The original owner's mother?
Why does she suddenly want to enter the palace?

"Did Mother say anything else?" Shen Qingwan paused, her fingers holding the teacup.

"Your Majesty, Madam Shen said that she has not seen Your Majesty for many days and misses you very much. She wishes to come to the palace to see Your Majesty."

"Understood, let's go down."

Shen Qingwan sneered inwardly. What longing? They probably don't come to the palace unless they have something to say. The original owner was sick for so long and almost died, but no one from her family came to visit her. Now they suddenly remember her.

The original owner's ancestors were founding heroes who were granted titles. By the time it was passed down to the original owner's father, only the title remained. They did not serve in the court. Originally, they could have lived a life of comfort and ease thanks to the kindness of their ancestors. However, unexpectedly, when the original owner was born, a monk casually said that the auspicious clouds and phoenixes would lead to her becoming the empress.

Since the original owner's family didn't hold any official positions, it probably wasn't a particularly big deal. Now that she had inherited the original owner's body, she should be filial to the original owner's parents.

The next day.

Shen Qingwan had just finished lunch.

The original owner's mother, Madam Shen Liu's, proud carriage stopped outside the gate of Kunning Palace.

"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress! Long live the Empress!" Upon seeing Shen Qingwan, Lady Liu performed a grand salute in accordance with palace etiquette.

Shen Qingwan hurriedly helped her up from the ground: "Mother, there's no need for such formalities. Please come and sit in the palace."

"The order of ruler and subject comes before father and son. Before entering the palace, your father repeatedly told you not to be impolite." Madam Liu took Shen Qingwan's hand and followed her to the main hall of Kunning Palace.

The palace servants brought tea and snacks, and the two sat side by side, feeling somewhat awkward.

"Mother, is there something you need to see me about today? Please speak frankly."

Shen Qingwan got straight to the point, which made Liu Shi a little embarrassed. Although she was her own daughter, they hadn't seen each other for so many years. In addition, she hadn't visited the original owner of the body when she was seriously ill. She felt somewhat indebted to this daughter, so when it really came to something, she was a little embarrassed to speak up.

Shen Qingwan dismissed everyone from the palace, leaving only Zhen'er by her side.

"Zhen'er has grown even more beautiful since she's been by the Empress's side." Liu Shi's praise made Zhen'er lower her eyes shyly.

"This maid will go and make a cup of tea for Madam," Zhen'er said, turning around and following her out.

After Zhen'er left, Shen Qingwan asked, "What exactly happened to Mother? Since no one is around, you might as well just tell me."

"Yes... that's how it is. More than half a year ago, the Emperor betrothed your cousin Liu Ruyan to Rong Jingxuan, the nephew of General Rong."

After General Rong left, he had long lost his former glory. Your cousin refused to marry him no matter what. When it was time for the wedding, your uncle's concubine's daughter, Liu Miaoling, was asked to take her place.

Rong Jingxuan and Liu Miaoling had always had a good relationship and even had a son. However, a few days ago, during a visit to his hometown, an old woman at the village entrance made a casual remark that Rong Jingxuan overheard. After inquiring around, he learned about the impersonation and was furious. He wanted to take his uncle to the Emperor to accuse him of deceiving the Emperor. What should be done?

"Mother is confused! How can you condone such a thing as your uncle? Since ancient times, there has been a distinction between the noble and the lowly. How can you allow a concubine's child to replace the daughter of the principal wife in marriage!" Shen Qingwan sighed helplessly and rubbed her forehead.

Perhaps Liu was truly frightened, for tears streamed down her face as she spoke.

"Mother, don't cry." Shen Qingwan handed the silk handkerchief to Liu Shi: "Since the two of them already have a child and Rong Jingxuan has not taken a concubine, it means that there is still affection between them. He is just angry that he was deceived. I think Liu Miaoling was forced to marry someone else back then, otherwise no one would be willing to take someone else's place."

“It’s your uncle who was foolish to do such a thing. I didn’t want to tell you about this, but I was afraid that Rong Jingxuan would report it to the Emperor and implicate you, so your father sent me to the palace to tell you first.”

Shen Qingwan listened to Liu's words and felt speechless. Was she afraid of being implicated? In the end, she just wanted Liu to speak a few words to the Emperor on her behalf when the truth came out.

When the original owner fell seriously ill, everyone in her family stayed far away. Why didn't they think about how badly she was living in the palace?

Although the monk said it casually, how did it get out and become known throughout the palace? It must have been something more.

In the end, this family was selfish. They wanted the original owner to marry the emperor so that the whole family could benefit. They didn't expect the original owner to be so troublesome. Even after becoming empress, she was not favored by Emperor Yuanwu. The original owner's family was worried that if she made a mistake in the harem, it would disrupt their life of luxury.

What kind of family are they?
"Since Mother has come to the palace about this matter, she must want me to put in a good word for her," Shen Qingwan said helplessly.

As expected, upon hearing this, Madam Liu's crying stopped abruptly: "This matter is neither a big deal nor a small one. Your mother doesn't want to implicate you because of family matters, but your uncle is now my only relative. Your mother really doesn't want to see your uncle, at his age, thrown into prison."

"Then why did you send a child born out of wedlock to marry him off in the first place? If you did it, you should have thought about the consequences." Shen Qingwan was speechless.

"So what should we do about this now?" Madam Liu was at her wits' end.

Shen Qingwan sighed helplessly. If only she had known this would happen, she would have done it in the first place. Thinking about the original owner's personality, it might be related to her environment growing up. "After we go back today, you and your father should take your uncle to the Rong residence to apologize. No matter what hurtful things they say, you must apologize sincerely. After all, we are in the wrong. Secondly, bring Liu Miaoling back."

"What? Bring her back?" Liu was shocked when she heard this. "How can a married daughter be brought back to her parents' home? If this gets out, how will your uncle ever be able to hold his head up in the village again?"

Shen Qingwan: ? ? ?

Is the saying "supporting one's brother is a magic trick that transcends time" true?
Shouldn't it be that Liu Miaoling will be unable to face anyone if this gets out? Why is it that the first person Liu thought of was her younger brother?

"When Uncle did this, didn't he think about how Liu Miaoling would face the consequences if the truth came out one day? Even if Uncle loves his legitimate daughter, his illegitimate daughter is still his own flesh and blood. How can you be so biased?" Shen Qingwan frowned: "After you have completed the task I asked you to do, bring Liu Ruyan to the palace to see me."

"Huh? Why bring her into the palace?" Lady Liu asked, puzzled.

“This whole thing started because of her, and now it’s turned into a disaster. She has to take responsibility for it herself. If Rong Jingxuan keeps pressing this matter, then we’ll just have to switch Liu Ruyan and Liu Miaoling over!” Shen Qingwan said resentfully.

"No way!" Liu refused outright.

(End of this chapter)