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

Chapter 85 Bodhi Tree

The phrase "Imperial Sister-in-law" almost confirmed Shen Qingwan's suspicions: the man with the strikingly handsome face before her was Prince Rui.

"Prince Rui, what are you doing here?" Shen Qingwan asked in surprise.

Prince Rui chuckled awkwardly: "Doesn't my sister-in-law remember that there is a private residence of mine at the foot of this mountain?"

Shen Qingwan: Uh…

How could she remember?
They don't seem to know each other at all, do they?
No, no!

Shen Qingwan suddenly remembered that Prince Rui seemed to have had a marriage agreement with the original owner of this body. As for whether it was just a marriage agreement or something else, Shen Qingwan was not sure.

Since transmigrating into the original owner's body, her memories of the original owner have become hazy.

In particular, Shen Qingwan had absolutely no recollection of what had happened between the original owner and Prince Rui.

Since Prince Rui has spoken up, the original owner must have known about this private residence before, and might even have visited it.

Just thinking about it made Shen Qingwan break out in a cold sweat.

What a ridiculous plot! She's the Empress now. All she has to do is live a carefree life in the palace, enjoying good food and drink.

A few things about my sister-in-law and brother-in-law!

If Emperor Yuanwu found out, wouldn't he have her head chopped off?

"Didn't you come to burn incense with your brother? Why are you here alone so late? Where is your brother?" After saying this, Prince Rui nodded and looked behind Shen Qingwan, his gaze inadvertently falling on her left ear.

Shen Qingwan's face darkened, and even the last trace of a smile disappeared from the corner of her lips: "I accidentally left something behind just now, and I came out to look for it. Now that I've found it, it's time to go back. The roads are slippery in the rain, so Your Highness must be extra careful when you go down the mountain."

After Shen Qingwan finished speaking, she bowed slightly and, ignoring how heavy the rain was outside, turned and walked towards the carriage.

"Your Highness, didn't I tell you to take shelter from the rain over there and wait for me? Why did you come over here? What happened?" Zhen'er, holding an umbrella, saw Shen Qingwan coming and quickly ran to greet her.

"It's nothing." Shen Qingwan didn't want Zhen'er to see Prince Rui, so she directly blocked his view with her body: "Let's go back."

"Your Majesty, are you not going to look for it anymore?" Zhen'er asked, puzzled.

"Perhaps it was already gone when we were in the palace. The rain is getting heavier, let's hurry back..."

Only after Shen Qingwan disappeared into the rain did Prince Rui slowly loosen his tightly clenched fist.

In his palm, a pale purple pearl earring.

When Shen Qingwan returned to the meditation room, Emperor Yuanwu was not there. She figured he must have gone to talk to Master Wuchen. She had just been caught in the rain, and her clothes and hair were soaked.

Zhen'er fetched a bucket of water, and Shen Qingwan took a bath and changed her clothes. Feeling sleepy, she lay down on the bed and fell asleep in no time.

To show respect for Buddhism, one would naturally not engage in sexual activity the night before burning incense.

Although they were husband and wife, they still prepared two meditation rooms. Shen Qingwan thought that if Emperor Yuanwu brought Consort Xian or Consort De, even if they couldn't consummate their marriage, they would at least stay in one meditation room. Her position as empress was merely nominal.

However, this is also good. If Emperor Yuanwu really had such thoughts, she would not want it.

She wasn't from this era, so naturally she couldn't accept the polygamous system of this time. Although she was the empress, the concubines in the harem, some favored and some not, were all mixed up. Even if Emperor Yuanwu favored one a day, he might not be able to favor them all in a month, not to mention that he also needed rest.

She felt that it was quite good for them to maintain this relationship. She helped Emperor Yuanwu manage the harem, and Emperor Yuanwu gave her endless glory and wealth.

However, what exactly is the situation with that Prince Rui? Although they only exchanged a few words just now, there seemed to be something strange in the way he looked at her.

What exactly happened between this Prince Rui and the original owner of this body?

As she pondered, drowsiness overcame her, and Shen Qingwan slowly closed her eyes.

When Shen Qingwan woke up again, she was awakened by the sound of the temple bell.

She wasn't sure if the monks in the temple usually started their morning prayers this early, or if it was just a more elaborate ceremony because Emperor Yuanwu was coming.

Just as the eastern sky began to lighten, the temple bell struck three times in a row.

Because she was going to burn incense, Shen Qingwan thought long and hard and decided to wear a gorgeous dress. Only when she saw Emperor Yuanwu did she realize that she had made the right choice.

Shen Qingwan only offered nine sticks of incense and then, having nothing else to do, stood quietly to one side and waited. She watched as Emperor Yuanwu finished burning the incense and followed Master Wuchen to a side hall in the main hall. Emperor Yuanwu did not call her, presumably because he did not need her to come. Shen Qingwan simply walked to a Bodhi tree and looked up to see a sign on the Bodhi tree.

I wonder who donated the Bodhi tree to Huguo Temple. She seemed to have taken shelter from the rain under this tree yesterday. However, someone who can donate a tree outside the main hall of Huguo Temple must be either very rich or very noble.

Shen Qingwan curiously looked up at the sign on the Bodhi tree.

—Everything is empty, except for cause and effect.

—Jiang Yuxian
Jiang Yuxian?
Very familiar name.

Shen Qingwan suddenly remembered that Emperor Yuanwu's name was Jiang Yuyan, and Prince Rui's name was Jiang Yuxian.
So, this Bodhi tree was donated by Prince Rui?
Why would he make an offering to a Bodhi tree at Huguo Temple?
Just as Shen Qingwan was wondering, Emperor Yuanwu appeared behind her without her noticing.

"What are you looking at? You seem so engrossed in it." Emperor Yuanwu followed Shen Qingwan's gaze and his eyes fell on the plaque on the Bodhi tree.

"Is this the tree that Prince Rui donated? Does Prince Rui also believe in Buddhism?" Shen Qingwan asked curiously.

Emperor Yuanwu stared at Shen Qingwan for a long while, his eyes seemingly filled with doubt and disbelief: "He doesn't believe in Buddhism. This was on the seventh day after our wedding, when Prince Rui suddenly fell seriously ill and kept vomiting blood. When Father Emperor came to Huguo Temple to burn incense and pray for him, Father Emperor asked him to make offerings for Master Wuchen."

Shen Qingwan: ...

"If that's the case, then isn't this Bodhi tree closely connected to Prince Rui's destiny?"

"The Empress believes in this too?" Emperor Yuanwu smiled in relief.

"No, that's not it. I don't believe anything can change a person's fate. It's just that when people are in dire straits, they seek spiritual comfort. If a person's life were always smooth sailing, why would temples have any money for incense offerings?" Shen Qingwan said awkwardly.

"The Empress is quite insightful." Emperor Yuanwu nodded as if in agreement: "Since the Empress fell seriously ill, she seems to have become a different person. What is the reason for that?"

Shen Qingwan: ...

"I suddenly remembered that I haven't gone to ask the Empress Dowager for a peace charm yet. I'll go ask her for one first..."

(End of this chapter)