Shi Muyuan watched as the concubines had a quarrel and then resolved it right in front of her.
Actually, this kind of thing had happened more than once. Shi Muyuan was sometimes quite annoyed by their antics. A few days ago, a concubine came to her in tears, complaining that someone had been disrespectful.
"Since it was Concubine Qi who started this, she must be punished. Otherwise, there will be no rules in the harem at all," Shi Muyuan said.
"You're right, Empress Dowager," Concubine Ruan quickly chimed in, afraid that Shi Muyuan might change her mind if she was a bit slower.
"Concubine Qi shall stay in her palace and rest for half a month."
"This... Empress Dowager..." Concubine Qi was about to object. She knew this was just a disguised form of house arrest! But Concubine Rui tugged at her sleeve. So the words on the tip of Concubine Qi's tongue changed: "Empress Dowager is merciful. Thank you, Empress Dowager."
"Since that's the case, all of you may leave."
Shi Muyuan was really exhausted by their affairs. After they left, she was thinking about how to manage them properly so that they wouldn't come to her with trivial matters every now and then only to resolve the issues on their own, making her seem like a useless witness. Of course, sometimes she had to step in to mediate, but they were all just petty things.
It was really tiring for her to change clothes so often!
Shi Muyuan concluded that these concubines had been spoiled and always wanted to win. But there were also some who never fought for anything, like Concubine Shen. She quite liked her.
The way she used to manage the street vendors was to fine them or confiscate their goods. But these noble concubines in the palace were never short of money. Such measures might only make them think she was being ridiculous.
Confiscating things might be a feasible idea, but not every conflict was caused by a single item.
Shi Muyuan regarded these concubines as kindergarten kids at the moment, thinking about how to manage them to save herself some trouble.
Ah!
Shi Muyuan suddenly remembered that in the past, when the teacher wanted the fighting kids in the class to make up, she would make them hold hands until they reconciled.
These concubines were very concerned about their face. Even if they didn't reconcile, they would feel embarrassed when they met each other. Maybe in the end, they could clear up their misunderstandings and make up again. In this way, the conflicts in the harem would be reduced. It was a win - win situation!
Shi Muyuan thought it was a great idea and nodded involuntarily.
So Xiao Xiao and Ze Ze conveyed her order to Concubine Qi and Concubine Ruan.
Concubine Qi was fuming in her palace. When she heard this strange request, she was completely stunned. What kind of punishment was this? But who would be a fool not to choose this option if it meant avoiding house arrest? As for Concubine Ruan, it was a strict order from Shi Muyuan.
So the concubines in the harem would see a strange scene in a certain place.
Concubine Ruan and Concubine Qi walked arm in arm on the small path in the harem. They had to smile and praise each other, and they couldn't be sarcastic.
Naturally, Shi Muyuan's people were there to supervise them.
Concubine Qi instantly regretted her decision. She thought it would be better to be under house arrest in her palace for half a month.
But if she refused, she would have to give a gift to the other until the other was satisfied. That would be a great loss!
Concubine Ruan, who had been happy for a while, was also extremely angry.
Shi Muyuan just wanted to test this method and see the reactions of the others.
Concubine Qi and Concubine Ruan praised each other one after another. Xiao Xiao, who was following them, even seemed to be very sincere. Soon, both of them felt embarrassed. From being uncomfortable at first, they gradually started to chat.
Concubine Ruan was a straightforward person. She directly asked, "Sister, if you like that dress, just take it. I didn't mean to fight with you. If you had told me earlier, I would have reserved the fabric for you. There are only a few of us concubines in the palace, and there is no struggle for the throne now. We are living a comfortable life. Why would I fight with you over a small piece of fabric?"
"What are you saying, sister?" Concubine Qi felt that she seemed very stingy after Concubine Ruan said that. "The Empress Dowager said that we sisters should share this fabric. So we shall share it. There's no need to be so polite."
"I just didn't like the way you talked earlier, so I decided to fight it out."
The two of them seemed to open up their hearts and started chatting. They didn't even notice when Xiao Xiao left. The friendship between women was so strange. It came quickly and left quickly.
Concubine Rui was originally worried that Concubine Qi might cause some trouble again. When she came out and saw this harmonious scene, she was completely dumbfounded.
She stood in the corner for a while and then turned around and left. The expression on Concubine Qi's face was something she had never seen before. They had never talked so intimately.
Shi Muyuan really had good methods!
The other concubines who saw this were also shocked. They knew that Concubine Qi had a bad temper, but she could talk to others like this.
After getting this feedback, Shi Muyuan thought this method was really good. There had been no more conflicts in the harem for a long time. The conflicts mainly involved those few concubines.
Shi Muyuan was comfortable, but Concubine Rui was dissatisfied.
Seeing Concubine Qi, Concubine Ruan and Concubine Shen getting closer and closer, and she was left alone. She had once tried to integrate into them. After all, she was seen as a gentle and reliable person by everyone. But when she sat beside them and listened to their chat, she couldn't get rid of the strange sense of loneliness in her heart.
So she decided not to join in the fun.
The people who used to come at her call ignored her. Concubine Rui felt deeply betrayed.
Concubine Qi also felt different when she was with Concubine Ruan compared to when she was with Concubine Rui. So she gradually drifted away from Concubine Rui.
Shi Muyuan also organized some fun outings and parties to strengthen the relationship among the concubines. Of course, it was also for her own amusement. Especially some strange games greatly attracted the concubines.
After several such activities, many concubines had a new impression of Shi Muyuan.
This was not what Concubine Rui had expected. Had all the things she had worked so hard to build over such a long time just come to an end? She didn't believe it!
This situation couldn't continue. She had to think of a way.
The bright moon hung in the sky. The snow had already melted, and the spring wind had blown by in a hurry. The Yanshou Palace was plunged into endless darkness. Zhu'er wanted to light the candle, but Concubine Rui stopped her. Zhu'er saw the powerless Concubine Rui for the first time. It seemed that she would soon be drowned in this endless darkness.