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

Chapter 83 Fox Fur Cloak
"This maid thanks Your Majesty for the gift." Zhen'er was overjoyed.

Before long, the concubines who had come to pay their respects gathered in the courtyard of Kunning Palace. Zhen'er invited the concubines in, and Shen Qingwan also came out after getting ready.

"Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress, may Her Majesty live a thousand years!"

"Get up, everyone," Shen Qingwan said gently. "It's cold today, so those of you who arrived early don't need to wait outside. Just come in and sit down."

"I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's kindness, but it is indeed against the rules for me to come in and sit down so early," Consort Shu said gently.

"Rules are rigid, but people are flexible. There's no reason to leave someone outside to freeze when it's cold and there's a charcoal fire burning inside. From now on, I'll have someone prepare hot tea in advance and place it in the palace. Come in and sit down when you arrive. After traveling this far, your hands must be cold. It'll be good to warm them up with some hot tea."

"Your Majesty, we thank you," the concubines said in unison.

Shen Qingwan waved her hand: "We are all sisters in the palace, no need for formalities."

"The fur collar on Consort Xian's cloak is truly exquisite."

Dong Changzai's words drew everyone in the room to look in the direction of Consort Xian.

Consort Xian reached out and touched the white fox fur collar somewhat shyly: "This was a gift from His Majesty a few days ago. I suppose a single fox fur isn't much, so I just happened to have a cloak made. Fox fur is truly the best for keeping warm."

“His Majesty cares deeply for the Empress, so she must be the first person he thinks of,” Consort Dong added.

"His Majesty dotes on Consort Xian, so naturally Her Majesty the Empress dotes on the princes and princesses." Consort De couldn't help but roll her eyes. "His Majesty bestowed three fox furs upon Her Majesty the Empress as a token of his affection, but Her Majesty didn't use a single one. She gave them all to the princes and princesses in the palace. Yesterday in Consort Shu's palace, I saw the Third Prince wearing the fox fur hat that Her Majesty the Empress bestowed upon him. He looked very dashing."

The Empress bestowed it upon the Third Prince...

Upon hearing this, Consort Xian's fingers stiffened; she had indeed not seen the Third Prince for a long time.

When Consort De mentioned the Third Prince at this time, it was as if she was deliberately trying to make things difficult for her.

"Your Majesty the Empress's earrings are so beautiful today, are they pearls?" Consort Xi asked.

“These are pearls from the South China Sea that entered the palace this year. In previous years, the pearls were all white, but this is the first time I’ve seen purple pearls. They are quite rare,” Shen Qingwan said calmly.

"These purple pearls, paired with Your Highness's dark red patterned dress, are elegant and refined without being gaudy; they look beautiful," Consort Zhen added.

"Purple symbolizes elegance and nobility, but Her Majesty the Empress is only nineteen years old. For Consort Zhen to use this word to praise Her Majesty makes Her Majesty seem old-fashioned," Consort Xian said with a sneer.

"Purple is elegant and refreshing, simple yet refined, as beautiful as a flower, as captivating as light, as light as water, like a clear spring flowing with unfathomable charm. Purple clouds rise from the east, the Jade Pool is viewed from the west, and bluebirds gracefully descend before the courtyard. Purple represents beauty and hope, as if all worries vanish with it." Shen Qingwan smiled with relief: "In that case, does Consort Xian still think purple is old-fashioned?"

Consort Xian's smile froze on her face: "Your Majesty the Empress is well-read, and I am truly ignorant."

Shen Qingwan stopped speaking, the curve of her lips perfectly concealing her emotions.

"These days, the Emperor always thinks of Kunning Palace first when he gets something good. Not only does he think of it first, but he also sends the most to her. The Emperor and the Empress have a deep and loving relationship that we concubines can only envy." Consort Jin smiled and changed the subject.

"That's because Her Majesty the Empress is virtuous. Whenever Her Majesty has something good, she not only thinks of the sisters in our palace, but also of the princes and princesses. I heard that the Emperor rewarded Her Majesty with three fox furs, and Her Majesty gave them all away without keeping a single one for herself. This shows how generous and magnanimous Her Majesty is. The Second Prince is very happy wearing the white fox fur cloak that Her Majesty gave him," said Consort Liang.

Consort Xian's lips trembled with anger. All the people in this room had followed her around when she was assisting in managing the six palaces, one after another flattering her.

Now that she has only been ill for a few months, everyone is already flocking to the Empress.

It's just a fox fur. She's the legitimate daughter of a general's family. Let alone fox fur, she's never cared about even mink fur since she was a child.

This group of opportunistic women are all prone to making a mountain out of a molehill.

"I've heard that Consort Lan needs to rest more during her pregnancy. If you ladies don't have anything to do, please don't go near her." Shen Qingwan finished speaking and then glanced at Consort Xian: "Consort Lan is from Consort Xian's palace; Consort Xian should take this matter to heart." Consort Xian: ...

It would be better to just tell her by name that she shouldn't go to Consort Lan's palace unless absolutely necessary.

"Yes, Your Majesty is absolutely right." Consort Xian rose and bowed.

Even if Consort Xian had any dissatisfaction, she dared not show it on her face.

What did the emperor say?

She probably thought it was just what the Empress herself was thinking.

"Sit down. Is there anything else? If not, you can leave now." Shen Qingwan glanced at everyone.

Before the crowd had dispersed, Wu Jixiang walked over.

"This servant greets Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty be blessed."

"Why has Eunuch Jixiang arrived at this hour? Zhen'er, please have a seat."

"Your Majesty, you are too kind. This servant is here to deliver a message for His Majesty. His Majesty wishes to go to Huguo Temple to burn incense and pray for blessings. Please prepare to go with His Majesty," Wu Jixiang said.

Go to Huguo Temple to burn incense and pray for blessings.

Consort Xian's steps suddenly stopped.

In previous years, Emperor Yuanwu would go to Huguo Temple to burn incense and pray for blessings alone during the year. Why did he suddenly bring the Empress with him this year?

Two years ago, the Emperor wanted to take her with him, but the Empress Dowager objected, saying that it was a royal temple and the Emperor could not bring a woman in and out.

Does that mean the empress isn't a woman?

In the end, it all comes down to the fact that the Empress is the principal wife and it is only natural that she can enter and leave royal temples with the Emperor, while no matter how favored she is, she is still just a concubine.

Consort Xian took a deep breath and quickly walked out of the palace.

As soon as she stepped out of the palace gate, she took off her fox fur cloak and threw it directly into Xia Fuchuan's hands.

"Your Majesty, it's getting cold, what are you doing?"

Xia Fuchuan, holding the cloak, followed behind and quickly caught up.
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"Please trouble Eunuch Jixiang to inform His Majesty that I will make preparations immediately and am ready to depart with His Majesty at any time," Shen Qingwan said.

"Then this servant will return to report to His Majesty."

After Wu Jixiang left, Shen Qingwan packed a few clothes to accompany her. Not knowing if there were any special matters to be discussed when visiting the royal temple, she decided to bring a fine dress as a precaution.

After lunch, someone from Emperor Yuanwu's side came to deliver a message. Shen Qingwan, along with Zhen'er, Su Tianhe, and six maids from Kunning Palace, waited at the entrance of Kunning Palace.

Actually, it was only for two days and one night, and Shen Qingwan felt that taking Zhen'er alone was enough.

Although she was the empress, she wasn't without hands or feet, so she wasn't completely incapable of doing anything.

(End of this chapter)