The wives of the concubines are empresses

Because she was not a female concubine, no maid was sent from any mansion to teach her.

Since ascending the throne, Shangguan Wanjun has attended morning court for five consecutive days and was so tired that she didn't want to get up.

After finally waiting for the court to end, she still had to go to Anhe Palace to have dinner with her mother.

Inside Anhe Palace, Empress Dowager Xigong kept looking at the door.

Since the death of the late emperor, she hasn't taken a serious look at her children for a long time.

Shangguan Wanjun walked into Anhe Palace with the support of Ouhe.

The young eunuch loudly announced, "The Emperor has arrived!"

When she heard the announcement, a smile appeared on Empress Dowager Xigong's face.

She looked at the bright yellow figure and slowly walked into the main hall.

"My sons and ministers see my mother and concubine."

The Empress Dowager Xigong's hands were shaking as she said, "Your Majesty, please get up."

Shangguan Wanjun slowly stood up and said, "Mother, please wait for me to eat. Let's go to the dining hall to eat."

The Empress Dowager Xigong nodded happily and walked towards the dining hall with the support of Shangguan Wanjun.

Seeing some of her favorite dishes, Shangguan Wanjun's mouth curled up slightly.

This mother concubine really cared about and loved her, but her humble background made her feel inferior, so she agreed to let her mother raise her.

The two were not familiar with each other and seemed awkward during the meal.

In order to ease the atmosphere, Shangguan Wanjun personally picked up a piece of pork ribs and put it into her mother's bowl.

The Queen Mother Xigong was startled when she saw the ribs suddenly appear. "Your Majesty, thank you."

Shangguan Wanjun smiled slightly and said, "You are too polite, mother. I will try my best to spend more time with you and me in the future."

The Queen Mother Xigong's eyes were filled with tears, but she tried hard not to let them fall.

"Okay, but you should pay more attention to the balance between work and rest. Mother is satisfied just to see you once a month."

Her child had been raised by the queen since childhood, and she could only see him for a short while when she paid her respects to the queen. So she tried her best not to get sick and continued to pay her respects every day, just to see her child.

But she never imagined that one day her child would become the ruler of the world.

While she was excited, she also felt regretful about her humble background and low status, and felt ashamed that she could not help her daughter.

Seeing the emotion and guilt in her mother's eyes, Shangguan Wanjun felt a little hurt.

"Mother, your birth is not something you can decide. As long as you take care of yourself, you will be the greatest help to me."

Empress Dowager Xigong raised her eyes, saw her daughter's serious expression, and nodded solemnly.

"I understand, mother. After you finish your meal, go get busy."

Shangguan Wanjun shook her head and smiled, "You just reminded me to balance work and rest, and now you're forcing me to do it. You're contradicting yourself."

The Empress Dowager Xigong was shocked when she heard this and quickly explained.

"Your Majesty, that's not what Mother meant."

"After lunch, I will accompany you for a walk to help you digest the food, and then we will return to the palace for a nap."

Seeing that her daughter had made arrangements, Empress Dowager Xigong smiled and nodded.

"Okay, you decide. Mother will listen to you."

In the courtyard of Anhe Palace, there are several butterflies flying around.

Shangguan Wanjun supported her mother, and the two of them walked in the courtyard to digest their food and chat.

"If you're bored, mother, you can plant some flowers in the courtyard. If you feel guilty, you can also plant some versatile plants. I have my own uses for them."

The Queen Mother of the Western Palace was stunned when she heard this and said awkwardly, "I understand the first part, but the second part..."

Shangguan Wanjun explained carefully, and Empress Dowager Xigong's eyes lit up when she listened. She seemed to have opened the door to a new world and learned something new.

In the Dragon's Bedchamber, Ouhe took off her master's headdress and other items.

"Your Majesty, you asked the Queen Mother of the West Palace to plant flowers, but it was just to pass her time."

Shangguan Wanjun curled her lips and smiled, "You are getting smarter and smarter."

Suddenly being praised, Ouhe smiled shyly.

"Your Majesty, why are you teasing me?"

Shangguan Wanjun smiled gently and explained, "It's to give mother something to look forward to and something to do, so that life in the deep palace won't seem boring."

Ou He was taught, "You really worry about the Queen Mother of the West Palace."

Her emperor had a very difficult life. He had to deal with state affairs and take care of the harem.

Thinking of this, Ouhe secretly vowed in her heart: she must work hard to make herself excellent and share the pressure with her master.

In the next few days, Ouhe worked even harder, wishing she had three heads and six arms.

Mu Xiang, who was always lazy, felt strange. "It's like Ou He took the wrong medicine."

Shangguan Wanjun heard her voice and shook her head and laughed.

"She sensed my pressure and wanted to work hard to help me."

Mu Xiang was stunned when she heard this. “Ah, so she is working hard on her own.”

Thinking of this, she felt the crisis. "No, I have to work hard too. I can't hold the emperor back."

Shangguan Wanjun couldn't help laughing when she heard her mumbling. This unintentional action of Ouhe actually inspired the people around her to work harder.

This is a good thing. People always have to have some pursuits, otherwise life would be so boring.

Ouhe compiled a list of palace maids to be released from the palace and came to the imperial study.

"Your Majesty, I have already compiled the list of people leaving the palace."

Shangguan Wanjun took it and took a quick look. "Two thousand people, how much is the monthly salary for one year?"

Ou He said respectfully, "Palace maids under five years old receive around two or three taels of silver per month, and those over five years old receive seven to ten taels. That works out to about 13,000 taels per month, or about 156,000 taels per year."

Shangguan Wanjun was shocked when she heard this. The monthly salary for the palace maids alone was 156,000 taels a year. This was a really huge number.

"You did a good job on this. After sending those palace maids out of the palace, you will start counting the number of palace maids and eunuchs in the harem. Also, since there cannot be palace maids in the palaces where the concubines live, only eunuchs will be arranged. The Empress Dowager, the concubines, and the ladies-in-waiting will continue to have their maids around them as usual."

Having already had this experience, Ou He doesn't feel too much pressure right now and is full of energy.

When the Empress Dowager of the Eastern Palace learned that the Emperor wanted to send a group of palace maids out of the palace, she was stunned at first, but then she understood.

"Your Majesty's action is appropriate. Alas, the treasury is now empty, which makes it difficult for her."

Nanny Li echoed, "Who says it isn't?"

Liu Cheng came to Fushou Palace to ask for a meeting.

"Your servant pays homage to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager."

"Is there something wrong with the Emperor?"

Liu Cheng bowed slightly and nodded, "The Emperor said that the palace where the concubines live will not have maids, only eunuchs will be arranged to serve them. The Empress Dowager and the concubines will continue as usual."

The Empress Dowager Donggong agreed, "Yes, Your Majesty, this arrangement is very appropriate."

Mu Xiang had already started earning money from the harem, especially from the palace maids and eunuchs. She asked them to buy their favorite dishes and set up a small kitchen to cook them without affecting the order in the harem.

Shangguan Wanjun received the registration book from Mu Xiang and flipped through it page by page. She was quite shocked.

"I didn't expect our Mu Xiang to be so powerful."

Shangguan Wanjun immediately pulled out a golden hairpin and said, "Put it in. You are a female official now, and you cannot lose your dignity."

Mu Xiang excitedly took it and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you. I will definitely continue to work hard."

Shangguan Wanjun smiled slightly and nodded, waving her hand to signal her to leave.

Mu Xiang took her leave, turned around with a slight smile on her face, and left in high spirits.