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

Chapter 90 How Could I Bear to Part with It?
Shen Qingwan looked at her anxious expression and was both amused and exasperated: "Come in first."

Zhen'er poured Jinfei a cup of tea, but the tea was almost cold, and Jinfei didn't drink a drop.

"Your Majesty, I know I am but a lowly concubine, but I truly wish to help you. Although I am not in charge of the six palaces, please do not hesitate to call upon me if you need anything in the future, and I will do my best to assist you," Consort Jin said sincerely.

Although Shen Qingwan didn't know much about her, she felt that she was a fairly honest person after meeting her a few times.

“I didn’t specifically invite anyone to my palace today. It’s probably because Consort De and Consort Shu are managing the six palaces that the news travels faster. I understand your intentions. If anything happens next time, I will definitely have someone inform you,” Shen Qingwan said.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your kindness." Consort Rou curtsied.

“Consort Rou is in poor health, and His Majesty has already given his word, so it’s not convenient to disturb her these days. Once Consort Rou’s pregnancy is stable, we can go to Zhongcui Palace to see her together,” Shen Qingwan comforted her.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Apart from coming to pay her respects every morning, this was the first time Consort Jin had come to the Empress's palace to sit face to face with the Empress and drink tea. She couldn't help but feel reserved in her demeanor.

Shen Qingwan gave her some pastries she had made herself. Jinfei liked a few of them so Zhen'er wrapped some more for her to take back.

People come into the world feeling reserved, but leave with joy and excitement.

After Consort Jin left, Zhen'er came to clear away the teacups.

"Your Majesty, this servant thinks that Consort Jin is really lucky. There are only four consort positions in the palace. She is neither favored by the Emperor nor has any children. She just spent one night with Your Majesty in Consort Li's palace, and she still managed to get one of them." Zhen'er couldn't help but sigh.

Shen Qingwan remained silent, raising her eyes to glance at Zhen'er's innocent face.

The number of people in this palace, regardless of their rank, is limited.

Consort Jin has one, so naturally others have one less. She took care of Consort Li in Chuxiu Palace for one night, which is indeed not enough to qualify her as a Consort Feng. However, since Emperor Yuanwu has bestowed such a title upon her, it is enough to prove that in Emperor Yuanwu's heart, she is by no means just a disfavored consort.

Emperor Yuanwu stopped favoring her not because she had done anything wrong, but simply because of her maternal family.

Although Emperor Yuanwu did not bring up the old matter again, whether the conferment of this concubine title meant that the case of her maternal family would be reopened is unknown.

Ultimately, this was just a matter of the previous dynasty and had nothing to do with the harem.

Shen Qingwan knew all too well that in order to survive in the harem, the less you knew, the longer you would live. Even if you guessed or knew something in your heart, it was best to pretend you didn't know unless someone else mentioned it.

Emperor Yuanwu was an emperor, and being able to stand in that supreme position, his thoughts were naturally not something that ordinary people could easily fathom.

Consort Yao had almost fully recovered. Not long after Consort Jin left, people from the Imperial Household Department came to inquire about the Empress's wishes.

Shen Qingwan naturally had no objections. Consort Yao's green plaque was put back up. It seemed that it didn't matter to her which concubine the Emperor favored, even if she was his exclusive favorite.

That night, Emperor Yuanwu, who had been busy with matters in the northern desert for several days and had not visited the inner palace, chose Consort Yao's nameplate.

The concubines in the palace wished they could have a face similar to Consort Li.

If Consort Yao hadn't resembled Consort Li to some extent, how could she have won Emperor Yuanwu's favor?

Although she was sent by Prince Yao's mansion, she is now injured and can no longer have children. Emperor Yuanwu is even more unscrupulous when he goes to her, and he has no worries about the future.

On the eve of the Lunar New Year, it snowed again in the capital city. Emperor Yuanwu had just fallen asleep in Consort Yao's palace.

Xia Fuchuan braved the snow to come over. As Consort Xian's personal steward, he was a person who could speak with authority among the servants in the harem. Even though the servants of Qixiang Palace were a hundred times unwilling, they still had to inform them since Xia Fuchuan had come in person.

Whether or not to go there was up to Emperor Yuanwu himself.

"What's wrong with Consort Xian?" Emperor Yuanwu sat up from his bed.

"Your Majesty, Consort Xian said she was feeling unwell today. She didn't eat dinner and went straight to bed. She is currently experiencing chest pain and would like Your Majesty to come and take a look."

Emperor Yuanwu stared at Xia Fuchuan kneeling on the ground in silence for a while, then turned to Consort Yao on the bed and said, "Consort Xian doesn't usually complain of illness or pain easily, so she must really be feeling unwell. I'll go and take a look first, and come back another day."

Consort Yao sat up in bed: "The roads are slippery due to the snow outside. Tell the servants carrying the sedan chair to be careful."

Emperor Yuanwu patted Consort Yao on the shoulder, and servants helped her get dressed before heading to Jingyang Palace.

"Your Majesty, I really didn't mean it, I..." Consort Xian said, taking Emperor Yuanwu's hand and placing it on her chest. "I was in so much pain just now, I had the imperial physician examine me, and he said it was nothing. I was just scared, so I sent someone to fetch Your Majesty. Please don't blame me, Your Majesty."

Emperor Yuanwu pulled Consort Xian into his arms, his eyes shimmering like clear water, and his thin lips curved slightly: "Then let me take a good look at what's wrong with Consort Xian?"

"Your Majesty," Consort Xian nestled in Emperor Yuanwu's arms, a hint of shyness in her voice.

"What? As soon as I arrived, Consort Xian's chest pain stopped?" Emperor Yuanwu teased.

"It doesn't hurt anymore, but my heart is racing. Does Your Majesty see that my heart is beating very fast?" Consort Xian said, nuzzling her head against his chest.

"I really can't do anything with you." Emperor Yuanwu grasped her restless hand.

"How can there be no way? I'm completely captivated by His Majesty. It's me who has no choice." Consort Xian blushed. "It's all my fault today. I stole the favor of Consort Yao. Tomorrow morning, I will go to Qixiang Palace to apologize to her."

"Consort Yao wouldn't fuss over such trivial matters."

Emperor Yuanwu's casual remark caused Consort Xian's smile to vanish: "So, does Your Majesty mean that I tend to fuss over trivial matters?"

"Of all the people in the palace, you're the one who loves to throw tantrums at me the most," Emperor Yuanwu said with a feigned anger, letting out a cold snort.

"If Your Majesty thinks I'm being petty, then you don't have to come to my Jingyang Palace." Consort Xian deliberately turned over in a huff. "Your Majesty, see which of the ladies in the palace doesn't like to be petty. Go to whichever lady you like. Your Majesty, go now."

Emperor Yuanwu turned her back over: "How could I bear to..."

The next morning was the Little New Year.

Emperor Yuanwu did not need to attend court and also took a nap.

I woke up close to lunchtime.

Consort Xian was preparing to help Emperor Yuanwu with his washing and grooming. When the palace servants went outside to fetch water, leaving only Emperor Yuanwu and Consort Xian in the bedchamber, Emperor Yuanwu asked, "Does your heart still hurt?"

Consort Xian paused slightly: "My heart no longer aches, but I..."

(End of this chapter)