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

Chapter 61 Thunder Point
The same few concubines who used to chatter away every time they came to pay their respects were unusually quiet today.

Shen Qingwan thought that it might be because of Consort Bai's matter that people were afraid. After all, which woman in the harem didn't want to be favored? And which woman didn't want to fight for a better future for herself, her family, and her children? Wuliang Palace was a cold palace, a place that all the women in the harem dared not approach. Everyone avoided talking about this place because they were afraid that one day, that place would become their final destination.

Shen Qingwan simply asked about everyone's situation as a matter of routine, and then dismissed them.

The first month of the lunar calendar is almost here.

Everything in the inner palace was relatively peaceful, except that Consort Rou was suffering from severe morning sickness, and the imperial physicians were going in and out of Zhongcui Palace all day long. The people in the other palaces were also much more well-behaved than usual.

It seems that Emperor Yuanwu's punishment of Consort Bai and confining her to the Wuliang Palace was indeed very effective, making those concubines who used to cause trouble stay obediently in the palace and dare not come out.

The palace was peaceful for only a few days before good news of victory arrived from the court.

Consort De's father made great contributions in suppressing the rebellion by commanding the army and formulating strategies, and Emperor Yuanwu was so pleased that he was awarded a yellow riding jacket.

Consort De also benefited from her maternal family's influence. In the evening, she dined with Emperor Yuanwu and her father. That night, Emperor Yuanwu stayed at Yanxi Palace.

"Your Majesty, I thought you had forgotten me," Consort De said sweetly, nestled in the Emperor's arms.

"Does Consort De want me to forget you?" Emperor Yuanwu turned over.

"Your Majesty, I didn't like that just now." Consort De gently traced Emperor Yuanwu's brow with her fingertips. "Why don't you try something I prefer..."

The next morning, Emperor Yuanwu was late for the morning court session, but Consort De was not late in paying her respects to Shen Qingwan.

Since the incident involving the mandarin duck bibs, Consort De has lost favor and was later stripped of her power to assist in managing the six palaces. Last night, she finally managed to turn the tide.

Yanxi Palace requested water three times in one night, making it known to everyone in the palace.

"Your Majesty, all the concubines in the palace have arrived." Zhen'er paused, then added, "Consort De has also arrived."

Since being punished by the Empress Dowager, Consort De had not come to Kunning Palace to pay her respects. But today she was very proactive and came early in the morning.

There's an inexplicable sense of provocation and showing off.

Shen Qingwan looked at herself in the bronze mirror, and only after confirming that her makeup was in good condition did she stand up from the dressing stool.

Zhen'er was different from usual, her face showing more worry: "Your Majesty, Consort De's father has rendered meritorious service in the previous court and has now regained favor. Consort Xian's health has also greatly improved. I heard from the imperial physician yesterday that she can even get out of bed. In a few days, both of them will regain their power to assist in managing the six palaces. Then Your Majesty..."

Before Zhen'er could finish speaking, Shen Qingwan understood.

"As I said before, we don't need to concern ourselves with things that don't concern us."

Every time Shen Qingwan brought up this matter, her expression became exceptionally serious, so much so that even if Zhen'er had something on her mind, she would only mention it briefly. As soon as Shen Qingwan's face darkened, she would shut up and never say another word.

Regardless of how power is distributed within the harem, it is merely a matter of balancing the harem and the court. A single move can affect the whole situation, a principle she could understand, and Emperor Yuanwu naturally understood it even better.

Throughout history, there have been favored concubines in every dynasty, and the rise and fall of concubines has been numerous. If the empress does not commit any heinous crime, it is not something that the emperor can decide to depose her on his own. Moreover, since Shen Qingwan has already decided to lay down and accept her fate, she will not allow herself to commit a crime that would lead Emperor Yuanwu to depose her.

Consort De was indeed in high spirits when she was happy. Not only was her makeup exquisite, but she also wore an eye-catching rose pink outfit. Even when she paid her respects, she couldn't suppress the upward curve of her lips. "Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress. May Her Majesty be blessed."

Shen Qingwan watched her swaggering through the streets and couldn't help but laugh. Consort De's personality was just like her appearance—flamboyant.

"Consort De looks quite well today," Shen Qingwan praised, a faint smile playing on her lips, her face devoid of any emotion.

"Your Majesty flatters me. It's just that I'm happy to hear that my father can share the Emperor's burdens. When I'm in a good mood, my complexion looks much better."

"What Consort De said is true. Women in our harem still have to rely on their maternal families. Consort De is lucky to have such a supportive maternal family. Naturally, the Emperor will like her more."

Shen Qingwan sighed and rubbed her forehead in exasperation as she listened to Dong Changzai's words.

This silly child wants to flatter without considering who's sitting in this room. Which of the women who can enter the palace to serve don't have a family with some official position in the court?
If there really isn't one, then it can only be her, the Empress.

The concubines sitting below, who usually walked around together, exchanged glances in twos and threes, but their eyes finally fell on Shen Qingwan.

Empress Dong had offended people with her outspokenness and didn't think she deserved it, so naturally, Empress Dong didn't want to say anything more.

"It's quite rare for Dong Chang to say such a thing. Which of the sisters sitting here doesn't serve the Emperor wholeheartedly? If the Emperor were to use this as a reward, I'm afraid there would be dozens of times more sisters in the harem. The twelve palaces in the east and west would be overflowing."

Consort Liang was usually unassuming and didn't fight for anything, but when she heard Consort Liang's pointed provocation of the Empress, she seemed to get restless.

To Shen Qingwan's surprise, Consort Zhen, who rarely spoke, also spoke up: "Consort Dong has just entered the palace and may not know the rules of the palace, but it doesn't matter. You are in the same palace as Consort De. When Consort De has nothing to do, you can ask Consort De for advice."

Dong Changzai's face turned pale. She looked up at Consort De, then at Shen Qingwan, and realized that she had said the wrong thing.

While most of the imperial concubines were indeed relatives of the court officials, the empress, who held the highest position, had only a noble title but no official position.

She wanted to please Consort De, but inadvertently stepped on the Empress's sore spot.

"Your Majesty, I misspoke. Please don't blame me." Consort Dong knelt on the ground, her head bowed, not daring to raise it.

"Get up." Shen Qingwan's tone remained emotionless, with a polite smile on her face.

It felt like Dong Changzai's words were like punching cotton.

Consort Liang and Consort Zhen exchanged a glance. They had wanted to add a few more words, but when they looked at Shen Qingwan, they found themselves at a loss for words.

However, as she stared at Consort De, her face appeared calm and composed, but something that was usually hard to detect flashed in her eyes.

However, on the other hand, the Empress really didn't have anything to compete with the concubines for.

The things that the concubines fought over and fought over, the empress already had, and perhaps even more of.

The newly arrived concubines may not know some things, but Consort Zhen and Consort Liang have been by Emperor Yuanwu's side since they came from the Prince's residence.

(End of this chapter)