Traveling through the busy farmland of a peasant girl

Shen Li devoted his whole heart to the cause of reform. He stayed in the imperial study for several days, examining the piles of documents one by one and repeatedly considering every detail of the reform.

She was immersed in this complicated work, often forgetting to eat and sleep, her eyes fixed on the dense reform ideas. The hustle and bustle of the outside world seemed to be isolated by an invisible barrier and had nothing to do with her.

In the court, Shen Li finally laid out the complex and elaborate reform clauses and measures that he had been thinking about for a long time in an orderly manner.

As soon as she finished speaking, Prime Minister He Changting stood up first and spoke sincerely and passionately, expressing his full support for her determination to reform in a resounding voice.

He Changting has always been prestigious in the court. His statement was like a stabilizing force that firmly resonated with the people, giving reassurance to many ministers who were originally wavering on the issue of reform.

Before Shen Li could recover from her joy, Luo Lingchen spoke next.

He has meticulous thinking and clear logic, and every word he says is full of wisdom. The suggestions he puts forward are extremely constructive, which complement Shen Li's reform ideas and make the entire reform plan more complete and comprehensive.

Prime Minister Xie Jinan, another powerful and influential figure in the court, listened patiently to the opinions of all parties, looked solemn, and solemnly expressed his support for the empress's proposal.

His crucial decision undoubtedly injected a strong shot of confidence into this reform.

The scattered and weak voices of opposition in the court receded quickly like the tide and disappeared without a trace under the successive support of these three important ministers.

Shen Li's heart was filled with excitement and pride. He immediately made a swift and decisive decision to immediately incorporate the newly discussed contents into the reform plan, and to revise and improve it in a race against time, striving to implement the reform as soon as possible and open up a new situation for the prosperity of the country.

However, in this busy and exciting moment, she overlooked a crucial matter. She also had two concubines, Su Ran and Nangong Qi, who were waiting for her in the harem with great anticipation.

Since their marriage, Su Ran and Nangong Qi have been eagerly waiting for the empress's visit every day.

At first, whenever night fell and dusk enveloped the palace, their hearts would be filled with excitement and anticipation. They would carefully dress up early, tidy themselves up, and look forward to Shen Li's appearance in the bedroom with joy.

They often paced and wandered back and forth in the courtyard, looking towards the direction of the imperial study from time to time, wondering whether the empress's busy day had ended, and constantly sketching and imagining the sweet and warm scenes of their reunion with her in their minds.

But as the days passed, Shen Li was always preoccupied with government affairs and never once set foot in their bedroom. Their initial excitement gradually turned to bitterness and loss.

On countless silent nights, they were alone in the empty and slightly cold bedroom, facing the flickering candlelight, and their full expectations gradually turned into deep loss.

Although they understood the responsibilities and busyness that Shen Li shouldered as the empress, when the night was deep and quiet, they couldn't help but feel lonely and aggrieved.

On this day, Shen Li finally finished dealing with all the complicated and difficult matters, and various reforms were being implemented in an orderly and steady manner.

The heavy burden that had been weighing on her heart for days was lifted overnight, and her heart was filled with joy and happiness, and a bright smile unconsciously bloomed on her face.

But at this moment of elation, she was suddenly struck by thunder. She slapped her head hard and thought to herself, "It's been a whole week, and I completely forgot about Su Ran and Nangong Qi!"

Thinking of the two concubines who had been alone in the empty room for many days, full of expectations but repeatedly disappointed, Shen Li's face flashed with guilt and self-blame. She paced back and forth in the imperial study, her steps hurried and anxious, her brows furrowed tightly into the shape of a "川" character, her heart filled with regret and annoyance.

Chu Qiu, the personal maid, had been waiting by the side, and had seen all the strange changes in Shen Li. She couldn't help but feel puzzled, and cautiously stepped forward and asked softly, "Your Majesty, is there something bothering you?"

Shen Li frowned and said with a worried look on her face, "Chu Qiu, I have been focusing on state affairs these days and have really neglected Jing'an Jun and Duan Ya Jun. I haven't been able to consummate my marriage with them yet. Please help me think about how to make it up to them."

Chu Qiu suddenly realized what had happened and panicked. She quickly knelt down and apologized, her voice filled with fear and anxiety: "Your Majesty, I have seen that you have been busy with state affairs these days, so I didn't dare to bring up this matter! Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

Shen Li quickly waved her hand and said gently, "It's okay, get up quickly. By the way, you and Fu Sheng have been married for quite some time. If he gets upset, how do you comfort him?"

When Chu Qiu heard this, her face flushed instantly. After hesitating for a moment, she leaned close to Shen Li's ear and whispered, "Your Majesty, this is not that difficult..."

After that, she moved closer to Shen Li, half covered her mouth with her hand, and whispered a few words.

After hearing this, Shen Li was stunned at first, then suddenly realized, and couldn't help muttering to herself: "Arguing at the head of the bed and making up at the foot of the bed...but my situation is a little different, right? I haven't even slept with them, let alone quarreled!"

Chu Qiu's face grew hotter and hotter, redder than a ripe tomato. She stammered, "Your Majesty, they're unhappy because you haven't been to their bedroom!"

At this moment, Emperor Xuan Ye walked in slowly, supported by the great eunuch Li Quan. Upon hearing this, he couldn't help but smile and said, "Li'er, since you have already married four husbands, you must treat them equally from now on. Don't let them down.

Back then, they all followed you without hesitation, wholeheartedly believing in you as the Empress, and accompanied you through those difficult and hard times. Now that you've become busy, you've left them aside. After a while, they'll inevitably feel lost and sad."

After Xuan Ye abdicated, although he no longer cared about state affairs, his care and doting for Shen Li did not diminish in the slightest. In his eyes, Shen Li was still the child who needed his care and concern in every possible way.

When Shen Li saw it was the retired emperor, he was slightly startled at first, then his eyes flashed with surprise, the corners of his mouth curled up, and he said happily, "Father, why are you here?" Then he saw the Duke of Zhenguo Shen Shaodong and the Minister of Revenue Bai Jin following behind. His smile became even wider. He hurried forward and said, "Father, uncle, you are here too!"

Emperor Xuan Ye laughed heartily and said, "I was really bored staying in the palace, so I asked the Duke of Zhenguo to come play chess with me to relieve my boredom! As for Bai Jin, he happened to be in the palace with your father on business, so he came along. I had thought I'd stop by to see how your reforms were going, but I didn't expect to find you worried."

Duke Shen Shaodong looked at his daughter with eyes full of heartache and concern, and earnestly advised: "Li'er, Dad knows that you are devoted to state affairs and want to accomplish great things. Dad is proud of you from the bottom of his heart.

But don't forget that you are also the wife of Su Ran and Nangong Qi. It is the duty of husband and wife to accompany and understand each other.

You've ignored them for so long, and while they might not say it, they must be feeling aggrieved. Listen to Dad, take some time to spend with them, talk to them about everything that's on your mind, and then pick out some things they'll like and give them to them. There's no such thing as an overnight grudge between young couples, and I guarantee you'll be able to reconcile as before."

Minister of Revenue Bai Jin also echoed: "What the Duke of Zhenguo said is very true. Your Majesty may wish to give it a try."

Shen Li listened to everyone's suggestions, and gradually formed an idea in her mind. A confident and determined smile appeared on her face. She secretly made up her mind to make up for her debt to the two concubines and make the relationship between husband and wife even deeper.