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

Chapter 63 Shu Brocade

Who could have imagined that seven years after Consort Li's passing, Prince Yao would send a woman who looked so much like Consort Li into the palace, and who would be so favored by Emperor Yuanwu?

If that's the case, has Emperor Yuanwu already let go of his resentment towards Consort Li's departure?
What about the position of the Imperial Concubine?
And the eldest prince?
When the concubines looked at Consort Yao again, they each had different thoughts in their minds.

The original owner had met Consort Li and even lived together in the Prince's mansion, but Shen Qingwan had never met her, and even that memory was vague.

So when I saw Consort Yao, I simply thought that although her appearance was not outstanding in the harem, she was still favored by Emperor Yuanwu, so she was somewhat lucky.

Looking back now, she was indeed lucky!

The three concubines chosen by the Empress Dowager had not yet served the Emperor, but she was granted the title of Noble Lady as soon as she entered the palace. She served the Emperor on her very first day and received many rewards. Such an honor was not something everyone in the harem could have.

However, in the harem, the more favor one receives, the more dangers one faces. Especially for a newcomer like her who has just entered the palace, a moment of carelessness could allow some unscrupulous people to take advantage of the situation.

After the concubines left, Wu Jixiang and his men brought Shen Qingwan many gifts bestowed by Emperor Yuanwu, such as gold and silver jewelry and Shu brocade. As the empress, she was not lacking in these things.

It has to be said that even though Emperor Yuanwu did not like her as empress, he was still very generous when he did. In any case, whether it was the original owner of the body or her now, she had always lived a life of luxury.

Only the white jade Guanyin statue is pure in texture, warm in color, exquisitely carved, and vividly lifelike.

The Guanyin image is dignified and graceful, with lowered eyebrows and kind eyes, a compassionate expression. She holds a vase in her left hand and makes a teaching mudra with her right hand, standing on a lotus throne. The robes are flowing, the shape is unique, the carving is delicate, and the material is pure.

Especially when Shen Qingwan and Yu Guanyin looked into each other's eyes, for a moment, she actually felt that Yu Guanyin was smiling at her.

The Imperial Household Department also thoughtfully sent a sandalwood shrine. Shen Qingwan invited Guanyin to a side hall where she usually read and wrote. Guanyin is compassionate and her daily routine is to face east.

Although it wasn't the first or fifteenth of the lunar month, Shen Qingwan still prepared the finest offerings, including fruits and flowers, lit incense, and made the offerings.

Although Shen Qingwan knew that Emperor Yuanwu would also bestow gifts upon other concubines in addition to those given to her, she still selected some Shu brocade from the gifts Emperor Yuanwu sent and delivered them to the palaces of several princes and princesses as a token of her appreciation.

"And these two batches of Shu brocade, send them to Consort Yao."

“Your Majesty, Shu brocade is precious, and the amount that is presented as tribute each year is limited. His Majesty has only bestowed a few bolts upon Your Majesty. Why not keep these last two for yourself?” Zhen’er was truly heartbroken.

"These are all material possessions. As the Empress, I naturally don't need such things to adorn myself. Shu brocade is a rare item even among concubines. I imagine not every lady in the palace has it. Since His Majesty values ​​Consort Yao, why not do him a favor?" Shen Qingwan said calmly.

"Yes, Your Highness, this servant will have someone send it over right away." Although Zhen'er didn't quite understand, she always felt that everything her mistress did had its reasons, and she just had to do as she was told.

Just as Zhen'er turned to leave, Shen Qingwan called her back: "When you see Consort Yao later, if she asks about Consort Li, just say that it was me who said it. Too much talk leads to trouble, so it's better to just say it."

Zhen'er looked bewildered: "Your Majesty, will Consort Yao understand what I'm saying?"

There were some things she could only hint at, and whether or not one could understand them depended on Consort Yao's fate. If she truly didn't understand her meaning, then it would be difficult for her to survive in the palace and maintain her favor in the future.

Zhen'er, accompanied by a palace maid, first went to deliver it to the eldest prince.

"Thank you so much, Aunt Zhen'er. I'd also like to trouble you to convey my gratitude to Her Majesty the Empress for her kindness," Jiang Wenlan said. "Please rest assured, Your Highness. If you ask me to deliver it, I will do so. Although Her Majesty the Empress cannot visit you often, she always keeps you in her heart."

After Zhen'er finished speaking, she turned to the nannies, maids and eunuchs in the First Prince's palace and said, "Her Majesty the Empress said that as long as you serve the First Prince well on a daily basis, Her Majesty the Empress will definitely reward you. If you do not take good care of the First Prince, do not blame Her Majesty the Empress for turning her back on you."

"This servant will follow Aunt Zhen'er's teachings; this servant dares not."

Zhen'er bent down: "Then study hard, eldest prince. Her Majesty the Empress said that she will come to ask you about your studies when she has time. Don't be lazy!"

Jiang Wenlan crossed his arms and said, "Please tell Your Majesty, Aunt Zhen'er, that I understand and will study hard so as not to disappoint Your Majesty's kindness."

After the princes left, Zhen'er took some things to Consort Shu's palace, delivered them to the Third Prince, visited the Second Prince, and finally went to Changchun Palace.

"Greetings to Consort Zhen, may Consort Zhen be blessed."

Upon hearing the sound, Consort Zhen quickly came out of her palace, and Jiang Wanying skipped and hopped after her.

"Is there something you need, Aunt Zhen'er? Why did you come here in person?" Consort Zhen asked.

"Her Majesty the Empress instructed me to deliver two bolts of Shu brocade to the Eldest Princess, saying it was for making new clothes for her."

Shu brocade?
Upon hearing those two words, Consort Zhen's eyes lit up.

Although Shu brocade is included in the tribute fabrics every year, such fine material could never reach the palace of a concubine of her rank. The eldest princess is not favored, and no matter how much the emperor rewards her, it will never reach Changchun Palace.

She didn't care whether she wore it or not, but now her luck had turned around. Thanks to the Empress's grace, her daughter was allowed to wear it. Consort Zhen reached out and stroked the top piece of Shu brocade, her eyes involuntarily welling up with tears.

"Please ask Aunt Zhen'er to tell Her Majesty the Empress that she will definitely bring Wan Ying to Kunning Palace to express her gratitude another day."

Zhen'er curtsied and said, "This servant has other duties to attend to, so I will take my leave now."

Jiang Wanying was still young and naturally couldn't hide her temper. As soon as Zhen'er left, she happily tore open the Shu brocade that had been delivered and wrapped it around herself.

"Mother, is this Shu brocade really a gift from the Empress to me? Can I really use it to make clothes? I've only ever seen such beautiful Shu brocade on Consort De and Consort Xian before."

As Consort Zhen listened to her daughter's words, she felt as if something had stabbed the deepest part of her heart.

"Mother, why is the Empress so kind to us? At the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, she even had me and Jiang Wenlan perform a song for Grandmother." Jiang Wanying paused in her twirling and asked Consort Zhen with a puzzled look.

"Because she is the Empress, and the Empress must be a model for the nation." Consort Zhen smiled with relief.

“But Father is also the Emperor. I see that Father often goes to other palaces to see other concubines, but he never comes to Changchun Palace to see Mother and me. Is it because Father doesn’t like me?” Jiang Wanying’s tone was childish, but it made Consort Zhen’s brow twitch.

(End of this chapter)