Because of his fuss, the emperor's robes that had just been straightened had to be rearranged again, so Shen Mingzhuang had no choice but to do so, which took up another half a cup of tea's time.

Jiang Wang then left with a carefree air. Shen Mingzhuang looked at his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and strong physique and couldn't help but smile. He was clearly an army commander of a country, yet he could act like a child. Did he like him that much?

Knowing that he shouldn't let his heroic spirit falter and his affections get the better of him, she couldn't help but feel sorry for him sometimes. She always felt that there were too few people and things that could make Jiang Wang relax, and if he had to adhere to etiquette with her, how boring would that be?

She couldn't help but sigh. She couldn't find a way to satisfy both sides for the time being, so she decided not to worry about it unnecessarily.

These past few days, Tan'er and Zhu'er, along with several maids and servants arranged by Jiang Wang, have been serving by his side. As for Man Huan and Wen Xin, whom he brought into the palace, they will have to wait until they learn etiquette from the matron for a month before they can come to Hehuan Palace to serve. It's like on-the-job training, which Shen Mingzhuang understands.

If she hadn't been in a hurry to get to Cixi Palace, she would have liked to go and see how Manhuan was doing.

In Cixi Palace, Empress Dowager Yin had just finished her breakfast. She was turning her prayer beads in her hand and listening to Shuangxi's reply with a cold expression.

"His Majesty is still enjoying his new favorite, so it's understandable that he likes to stay in the Hehuan Palace. I'm sure it won't be long before he can treat everyone equally."

Empress Dowager Yin snorted coldly, disagreeing with this statement. "Go and tell Consort Song that if she has no intention of bearing children for the royal family, she should go to a temple to live a life of seclusion."

I won't keep a useless person around. Song Jingxi used to be my maid, nameless and faceless. I had my sister Yin Zhao take her in as her goddaughter, and that's how she got her current honor. Now she's doing well, not ambitious at all, letting the Ming Consort's family grow stronger. What use is she to me?

The Empress Dowager didn't keep these words hidden from anyone; not only Song Jingxi found out, but the other concubines also knew, and they all became terrified.

Yu Cai Ren, who also came from the background of being a maidservant of the Empress Dowager, has had little presence in the harem over the years. The Empress Dowager has never made such threatening remarks, so she was naturally happy to be a lazy bum. But now, upon hearing these words, she dared not pretend to be dead anymore and hurriedly had her maidservant help her with her toilette.

The Empress Dowager's words caused turmoil in the harem, but Shen Mingzhuang remained completely unaffected.

She originally thought that the Empress Dowager would at least have someone investigate her pregnancy, but to her surprise, the Empress Dowager had no such intention at all. However, even if the Empress Dowager really sent someone to test her, she was not afraid. Since Jiang Wang dared to say such a thing, he must have already prepared a backup plan.

When she arrived at Cixi Palace, the usually quiet palace was unusually lively.

All the beautiful women that the Empress Dowager had given to Jiang Wang over the years had gathered here. Shen Mingzhuang was surprised when he saw them. Each of these girls was more beautiful than the last. If they were released from the palace, just based on the fact that they had served the Empress Dowager, many families would surely be vying to marry them.

But if they followed Jiang Wang, given his temperament, he would never favor them. It would be a complete waste of talent, and she felt it was a pity.

Of course, if Jiang Wang were truly interested in the harem, she wouldn't have chosen to stay. Shen Mingzhuang felt she could distinguish between the two clearly.

"Your Majesty, I greet you!"

Shen Mingzhuang greeted the Empress Dowager with proper etiquette, and this time the Empress Dowager did not make trouble for her over such a trivial matter.

"They've arrived. Come and see, these are all your sisters. From now on, you must get along well with them in the harem." Yin Rong, with her hand adorned with crimson gold lace nail guards, slightly raised it as she led Shen Mingzhuang to Consort Song.

"This is Consort Song. Although you have already reached the rank of Imperial Concubine, Consort Song has served the Emperor for longer than you. She knows better than you what the Emperor likes. If there is anything you don't know, you can ask Consort Song for advice."

Upon hearing this, an unnatural expression flashed across Song Jingxi's face.

Shen Mingzhuang nodded, feigning ignorance, then suddenly reached out and tugged at Consort Song's sleeve, asking timidly, "Consort Song, I've only been in the palace for a short time, and I don't know what His Majesty usually does to pass the time in winter. I see that autumn is almost over and winter is approaching, and I'm afraid I won't be able to serve him well..."

Song Jingxi was completely taken aback by Shen Mingzhuang's impromptu remark, and stood there dumbfounded, her mouth agape.

The Empress Dowager took a deep breath, inwardly cursing the fabricated story. Didn't she know she couldn't just make something up? She didn't even know, so how would she know if what she said was true or false? Did she have to show this expression and let others know she was lying?

Shen Mingzhuang didn't press her for an easy time. She just wanted to tell the Empress Dowager that sometimes it's best not to speak carelessly or make things up. No one knows when they might slip up. Why should these women, whom Jiang Wang doesn't even respect, bother her? Does she have "I'm stupid" written on her forehead?

Yin Rong was retaliated against for her words, and indeed she didn't say anything inappropriate again. However, she couldn't suppress the anger in her heart. When Shuangxi took her to see the tea room where the medicine was brewed and to familiarize her with things, she slammed her hand on the table and gulped down three cups of tea before her expression calmed down.

Song Jingxi immediately knelt on the ground, but before she could even beg for mercy, a cup of tea was poured over her head.

She looked up in fear, but the Empress Dowager's face was cold. "Why did I choose you in the first place? You'd better think about it carefully. This harem is lacking in everything except women. If you're not willing to do it, there are plenty of others who are. Don't really think that I have no one else to use."

Song Jingxi knew that she had made a mistake with what she had just said. She was terrified but didn't know how to excuse herself, so she could only slink back home.

After Song Jingxi's incident, Yu Cairen and the others became even more like frightened birds, anxious and seeing threats everywhere.

When Shen Mingzhuang returned, he keenly sensed that something was amiss in the atmosphere of the hall.

She raised an eyebrow, her expression and movements calm as she stepped forward to ask the Empress Dowager for instructions: "This is also my first time serving the Empress Dowager, please give me your instructions."

The Empress Dowager was about to explode with rage, but upon hearing her words, she merely snorted twice, pondering what she could make Shen Mingzhuang do to teach her a lesson.

"I'm tired and need to rest now. You just focus on preparing the medicine. If there's anything else, I'll let you know." Yin Rong glanced coldly at the beautiful woman in front of her, then turned and went into the inner room, supporting Shuangxi's hand.

Shen Mingzhuang drew out his voice, which sounded extremely harsh to Empress Dowager Yin, as if he were provoking her!

When it was time for lunch, Empress Dowager Yin summoned her again to help her change clothes, set out the chopsticks and serve the dishes, treating Shen Mingzhuang like a palace maid, just as she did Shen Mingshu and Shen Mingxi.

Princess Jiayuan has been feeling down these past few days. The Empress Dowager thought Shen Mingxi had a silver tongue, so she sent her to the princess's residence to keep her company and cheer her up. Now, one of them is bedridden and unable to move, and the other is not in the palace, but another one, Shen Mingzhuang, has arrived. Yin Rong looked on with a sneer. She and the girls of the Shen family really have an inexplicable connection!