You cannot read email in WordPress.
WordPress is content management software – not an email client.
But I did come across a lot of options on Google that says this is possible. There are search results available to help configure email server settings on WordPress.
Follow the link:http://www.trixya.net/index.php/wordpress/configure-email-server-settings-in-wordpress
That is related to whether you use the internal php_Mail function, or an external SMTP relay to support WPs functions.
IT is for making sure WordPress generated emails, such as comment and registration emails get sent properly.
IT has nothing to do with using WP as an email system.
What I do that works well, is use google apps to provide email. It’s free to a point. YOu can use gmail, but with a me@domain.com address, simply by signing up to google apps, and then adjusting your MX records in your DNS settings. All the instructions for that are available thorugh google, they give a fairly simple step by step
