A Concubine's Competitive Life in the Prince's Household-Chapter 116

The room was so silent one could hear a pin drop.

The Empress still wore a kindly smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes.

But Shen Wei knew—this was a life-or-death question! It was like being a new employee at a company, where the chairman (the Empress) solemnly asks whether you want to overthrow another female director (the Princess Consort) and take her place.

Could she answer "yes"? Of course not!

The Princess Consort came from the Tantai family, a prestigious clan with centuries of history. Shen Wei, a peasant girl with no background or connections, could never replace her.

But if she answered "I dare not entertain such thoughts," she would demean herself too much.

Shen Wei’s heart pounded as her mind raced. Summoning a show of courage, she replied neither humbly nor arrogantly: "Shen Wei comes from a poor family, and it is only by Prince Yan’s grace that I now live a life free from want. My devotion lies with the Prince—I only wish to stay by his side for life, bearing his children and tending to his needs so he may never worry. As for anything beyond that, I truly have no desire to think of it."

She avoided answering the Empress directly, instead shifting the focus to her love for Prince Yan.

Her words were a subtle hint to the Empress: as long as she could remain by Prince Yan’s side, even as a mere concubine, she would be content. Her heart belonged only to Prince Yan, not to status. And what Prince Yan’s Mansion lacked most was a woman who would wholeheartedly care for him and manage the household.

The room remained silent.

The Empress studied Shen Wei for a long moment before finally setting down her celadon teacup with a faint smile. "You’re a clever one."

Shen Wei bowed her head. "Your Majesty flatters me."

The Empress asked, "Can you write?"

Shen Wei: "A little. His Highness has taught me."

Empress: "Can you read account books?"

Shen Wei: "I have some understanding."

Empress: "The maids and eunuchs in your courtyard seem loyal. Aren’t you afraid they might harbor ulterior motives?"

Shen Wei replied, "If you suspect someone, don’t employ them. If you employ them, don’t suspect them."

A glimmer of approval flashed in the Empress’s eyes.

Slowly, the Empress raised her hand, and Nanny Qian hurried forward to assist her to her feet.

The Empress was leaving.

Shen Wei led the servants of Liuli Pavilion to escort the Empress to the courtyard gate. Before departing, the Empress spoke meaningfully: "Take good care of your pregnancy and give the Prince a healthy child. Once you’ve safely delivered, I shall reward you."

Shen Wei curtsied respectfully, a faint smile on her lips. "This humble one thanks Your Majesty for your guidance. I shall strive diligently and not disappoint your grace."

Between clever people, few words were needed—the deal was sealed in mere sentences.

The Empress still had to visit Prince Yan, so she departed leisurely, her entourage vanishing from Shen Wei’s sight.

Instead of taking her palanquin, the Empress strolled slowly through the mansion’s gardens. At summer’s end, the lotus pond was in full bloom.

Nanny Qian supported the Empress’s arm and murmured, "Your Majesty, though Shen Wei has administrative skills, who knows if her devotion to the Prince is genuine? Hearts are hidden behind ribs."

The Empress glanced at the lush lotus pond and smiled faintly. "I need not question Shen Wei’s sincerity. She is willing to work, and she does it well—that alone is rare."

The other wives and concubines in the mansion all claimed to love Prince Yan. But their love existed only in words and thoughts. The moment their affections went unreturned, they wallowed in self-pity.

Shen Wei was different. She considered everything carefully and acted on it.

Actions, not intentions, define a person—for no one’s heart is flawless. To find someone capable is already a blessing.

Not only did Shen Wei work diligently, but she also knew how to win people over. Li Yao, the old nannies, Steward Fugui—one by one, their hearts had all leaned toward her.

Shen Wei was clever, ambitious, and cunning, yet she knew when to conceal her brilliance. In the lifeless Prince Yan’s Mansion, she was the most vibrant bloom, full of vitality.

Seeing the Empress’s high regard for Shen Wei, Nanny Qian marveled inwardly. This woman’s fortunes were only just beginning.

Nanny Qian asked, "Your Majesty, should we elevate Shen Wei’s status now and make her a secondary consort?"

The Empress shook her head. "No need to rush. Wait until she gives birth."

A tree that stands too tall invites the wind’s wrath. Promoting Shen Wei now would only make her a target.

Once she bore a child and grew stronger, the Empress would then raise her as the household’s true manager, replacing the Princess Consort in all but name.

A ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‍secondary consort was insufficient—she would need to be made a full side consort to silence the critics. With no powerful family backing her, Shen Wei would cling tightly to Prince Yan, never daring to betray him.

As for the empty-headed Princess Consort, Tantai Shuya, the Empress would let her keep her title for the sake of the Tantai family’s prestige—but she would remain nothing more than a hollow figurehead.

"For Yuan Jing’s sake, and for the stability of Qing State’s court and inner quarters, I must plan ahead."

With a long sigh, the Empress left the mansion’s lush gardens behind.

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Liuli Pavilion.

After the Empress’s departure, Shen Wei returned to her courtyard with her maids and eunuchs.

Cai Ping clutched her chest, still shaken. "Mistress, you scared me half to death! Her Majesty is so imposing—I didn’t even dare breathe too loudly, afraid I’d make a mistake."

This was the first time Cai Ping and the others had served the Empress up close. Though they had maintained composure, their hearts had raced wildly.

Shen Wei sat down and sipped some tea to soothe her throat.

Cai Ping added, "I never imagined Her Majesty would visit our humble quarters in person."

Shen Wei smiled, pleased. "It was a test."

Both were shrewd—Shen Wei had guessed the Empress’s purpose: an interview.

The Princess Consort had mismanaged the household into chaos, and the Empress had long been displeased, seeking a replacement. By assessing Shen Wei’s abilities firsthand, the Empress had found her answers—and Shen Wei had performed flawlessly.

Opportunity favors the prepared.

Shen Wei caressed her still-flat belly. Once her child was born, she would surely rise in rank, her coffers overflowing with treasures.

The Empress intended for her to manage the household, and Shen Wei would not disappoint. She would bring order to Prince Yan’s Mansion, ensure the Prince’s well-being, and become the perfect "virtuous helpmate."

Of course, this meant open war with the Princess Consort.

But so what?

Shen Wei had never feared hardship—she thrived on challenges.

She had no delusions of replacing the Princess Consort, knowing her lowly origins made it impossible. Instead, she would steadily strip the Princess Consort of power, becoming the true ruler of the inner quarters, seizing wealth and freedom for herself.

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After visiting Prince Yan, the Empress departed in her palanquin. The Princess Consort led the side consorts in seeing her off, maintaining a facade of smiles until the imperial procession disappeared from view.

On the way back to Kunyu Courtyard, Granny Liu reported the Empress’s visit to Liuli Pavilion.

Granny Liu fretted, "Princess Consort, Her Majesty seems to hold Shen Wei in high regard. We must be wary."