Consort Shu Just Wants to Be Lazy Today

Yun Ying, a woman who had died at twenty-four after seven years of scheming in the imperial harem, wakes up at seventeen, back at the moment she first entered the palace as a low-ranked Cairen. In her previous life, she had climbed from obscurity to become the Emperor’s most favored Consort Shu, only to die young while mocked by the Empress Dowager. Having experienced the emptiness of her past ambitions, Yun Ying resolves not to repeat the same path. She chooses a life of quiet leisure, refusing to chase the Emperor’s favor or engage in the palace intrigues that defined her previous existence. She intends to survive comfortably, relying on her knowledge of future events to avoid danger while keeping a low profile.

Her plan is disrupted when Emperor Zhao Chong, who has secretly possessed the ability to read minds for over a month, selects her nameplate. Zhao Chong is weary of the duplicity he hears in the thoughts of other consorts, but Yun Ying’s mind is notably calm and unburdened by scheming. When he visits her, he finds her indifferent to his presence, more concerned with arranging flowers and reading storybooks. Their first night together ends with Yun Ying falling asleep before intimacy can occur, an event that amuses rather than offends the Emperor. He is intrigued by her genuine lack of ambition and her transparent, albeit irreverent, inner monologue, which often critiques his workload or questions his decisions without fear.

As Yun Ying rises in rank to Jieyu, she attracts the attention and resentment of other consorts, particularly Beauty Gu Zhenzhen, who feels threatened by Yun Ying’s sudden prominence. Gu Zhenzhen orchestrates a scheme to frame Yun Ying for pushing her into a lotus pond, using a stolen sachet as false evidence. When confronted by the Emperor and the harem, Yun Ying refuses to play the victim or mount an elaborate defense, calmly accepting whatever judgment the Emperor delivers. This stoic response, combined with Zhao Chong’s knowledge of her innocence through his mind-reading ability, leads him to publicly clear her name and reward her with rare cloud brocade. The incident exposes the petty rivalries within the harem but solidifies Yun Ying’s position as the Emperor’s favored consort.

Shortly after, news arrives of severe droughts and floods in the Shu and Jiangnan regions. The Empress Dowager orders the consorts to contribute to disaster relief efforts. Yun Ying, having anticipated the need for charity to maintain her image and perhaps to test the loyalty of her peers, donates her entire personal fortune of gold and silver before the other consorts can respond. Her generous act forces the other women, including Consort De and Consort Xian, to match or exceed her contribution, causing them financial strain and resentment. Yun Ying, now living frugally on simple meals, feels no regret, viewing her donation as a sincere duty and a clever way to expose the greed of her rivals.

The Emperor, aware of Yun Ying’s true intentions through her thoughts, recognizes her intelligence beneath her lazy exterior. He begins to visit her more frequently, finding solace in her company and her unique lack of political maneuvering. Their relationship evolves from curiosity to a deeper connection, with Zhao Chong protecting her from further schemes while Yun Ying continues to navigate the dangerous palace politics with minimal effort. The story follows her journey as she balances her desire for a peaceful life with the unavoidable demands of her status, all while the Emperor grows increasingly attached to her unconventional nature.

As the narrative progresses, Yun Ying’s past life knowledge proves valuable in anticipating political shifts and natural disasters, allowing her to advise the Emperor subtly without overstepping her role. The tension between her and the more ambitious consorts escalates, but her calm demeanor and the Emperor’s unwavering support keep her safe. The story highlights the contrast between Yun Ying’s desire for obscurity and the spotlight thrust upon her, as well as the Emperor’s growing dependence on her honesty in a court filled with deceit. Yun Ying’s rebirth becomes not just a second chance at survival, but an opportunity to redefine her identity on her own terms, challenging the traditional expectations of an imperial concubine.