A Concubine's Competitive Life in the Prince's Household-Chapter 182
Both Prince Yan and Prince Heng sought to recruit Shen Mieyue to their factions.
However, Shen Mieyue’s mind was wholly devoted to military strategy and warfare, and he remained loyal solely to the current emperor, steadfastly refusing to involve himself in the power struggles among the imperial princes. Wealth, beauties, power, and status—none of these held any sway over him.
Shen Wei nodded, half-understanding. "This concubine understands now."
She instinctively assumed that Prince Yan wished to win Shen Mieyue over to serve the Crown Prince. Once the Crown Prince ascended the throne, he would need military power to secure his reign.
Night had fallen, and as usual, Shen Wei shared a bed with Prince Yan.
Winter arrived, and snowflakes danced through the night. By the time Shen Wei awoke at dawn, a thin layer of white snow blanketed the courtyard.
Prince Yan rose early, first visiting the nursery to hear Li Yao call out "Father" several times before leaving for court, thoroughly satisfied.
Shen Wei rose later, having her breakfast in the warm pavilion. Prince Yan seldom returned to the manor during the day—after court, he often went to the Eastern Palace to assist the Crown Prince with state affairs.
Cai Ping served Shen Wei a bowl of hot soup. "My lady, there’s no need to worry. I’ve heard that the Crown Prince’s illness has greatly improved—he’s even well enough to attend court. Once he fully recovers, His Highness won’t be so busy anymore."
Shen Wei asked, "The Crown Prince is almost recovered?"
Cai Ping nodded. "Yes, that’s what the rumors say. Most of the imperial physicians stationed at the Eastern Palace have already returned to the palace, which shows his condition has improved."
Shen Wei knew little about the Crown Prince, only that he had long suffered from an ailment. The previous year, the renowned Mo the Divine Physician had been summoned to treat him.
With Mo’s miraculous skills and the meticulous care of the imperial physicians, the Crown Prince’s chronic illness must have been cured.
Shen Wei secretly rejoiced. The Crown Prince and Prince Yan were as close as brothers, so his recovery was excellent news. Once the Crown Prince ascended the throne, Prince Yan would undoubtedly be entrusted with great responsibilities.
With Prince Yan’s position secure, she, as his concubine, would also enjoy a future of prosperity and prestige. Life was unfolding just as she had planned, and in high spirits, Shen Wei downed another bowl of nourishing bone broth.
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Time flew, and soon the wedding day of the Marquis of Southern Garrison and the Princess of Pingyang arrived. Prince Yan was occupied with court affairs, and the Princess Consort was "gravely ill," leaving Shen Wei as the only one to attend the banquet at the marquis’s estate.
As a prince’s concubine, her status was not low—her name was recorded in the imperial genealogy, making her a recognized member of the royal family.
To avoid gossip, Shen Wei deliberately brought Li Yao, Prince Yan’s legitimate eldest daughter, along with her.
News of Shen Wei taking Li Yao to the banquet reached the Princess Consort in the Kunyu Courtyard’s prayer hall.
The Princess Consort lit three sticks of incense and piously placed them before the Buddha statue. She said coldly, "A mere peasant girl like Shen dares to replace me, the Princess Consort, at the marquis’s wedding banquet. Does she think I’m already dead?"
Granny Liu, standing nearby, replied calmly, "Your Highness, you are ill. The weather outside is freezing—it’s truly unwise to venture out."
The Princess Consort scoffed.
She wasn’t sick. This so-called "grave illness" was merely an excuse to suppress her.
With a long sigh, she gazed at the statue of the Bodhisattva, her lips curling into a twisted smile. "Let Shen enjoy her moment of triumph for now."
The days ahead were long, and the future uncertain.
The Princess Consort was no longer alone—she had allies now. When the time was right, she would find a way to send Shen Wei, along with all those who stood in her path, straight to the underworld.
...
Fresh snow had just fallen, and the Marquis of Southern Garrison’s estate was adorned with red silks that contrasted beautifully with the white snow. Guests arrived one after another, filling the venue with lively chatter.
Shen Wei sat gracefully among the noblewomen, her manners impeccable, leaving no room for criticism. With Prince Yan’s favor, as well as the Empress and Princess Zhaoyang’s patronage, none of the noblewomen dared to show disdain. Instead, many flattered her openly.
Shen Wei conversed with them effortlessly.
Pregnant and unable to move around much, she remained seated most of the time. The guests soon flocked to the entrance, eager to witness Shangguan Xuan escorting the Princess of Pingyang home.
Though Zhao Qing had been granted the title of Princess of Pingyang, for some reason, the emperor had yet to bestow her with an estate. Thus, Shangguan Xuan had rented a large courtyard in the capital for Zhao Qing to prepare for the wedding.
"Cai Ping!" A young maid rushed over, her face frantic.
Shen Wei recognized her as Zhao Qing’s personal maid. Without needing a reminder, Cai Ping quickly pulled the maid aside.
The maid whispered urgently, "Sister Cai Ping, you must help me! One of the South Sea pearls fell earlier, and now it has a flaw that won’t come off no matter how I try."
Cai Ping reassured her, "Don’t worry. Take me to see it."
Zhao Qing, still at the rented courtyard preparing for the wedding, had not yet arrived.
The maid led Cai Ping to Luofang Courtyard, where she opened a jewelry box and retrieved a pearl. "The phoenix crown uses ten pearls, and two remain. But this morning, a black stain appeared on one of them—I can’t scrub it off!"
If Zhao Qing returned and discovered the blemish, the maid would surely be punished.
Terrified, the maid had no choice but to seek Cai Ping’s help.
Pretending to examine the pearl, Cai Ping smiled. "It’s just a stain—coarse salt will remove it. Go fetch some, dear sister."
The maid, unsuspecting, hurried to the kitchen for salt. Meanwhile, Cai Ping slipped to the corner, retrieved a hidden parchment, and swiftly replaced it with a forged one.
Just as she was about to arrange oil to stage a "fire accident," a crisp voice called from outside the courtyard: "Cui Er! I heard my sister-in-law has South Sea pearls in her jewelry box. Bring them out for me to see!"
Startled, Cai Ping hid the parchment in her robes, slipped out through the window, and crouched outside to observe.
Footsteps approached, and in walked Shangguan Qian, dressed in gaudy finery. The maid who had gone for salt also rushed back upon hearing the commotion.
Shangguan Qian strode into the room.
Her eyes swept the space before landing on the two lustrous South Sea pearls on the dressing table. Her face lit up—such exquisite treasures! She had never seen pearls so beautiful.
If made into hairpins, they would surely dazzle.
The maid rushed in, protesting, "These belong to the Princess. You mustn’t touch them!"
Shangguan Qian snapped, "Zhao Qing is my sister-in-law. If I take two pearls, she won’t scold me."
When Sun Qingmei had been in the household, Shangguan Qian had often taken her jewelry without reprimand.
They were family—what harm was there in taking two pearls?
The maid’s eyes reddened with anxiety, but she insisted, "The Princess ordered me to guard her belongings. No one is to touch them!"
Ignoring her, Shangguan Qian grabbed both pearls. But her grip faltered, and one slipped through her fingers, rolling across the floor until it hit the wall.
"Ah! You wretched girl, you made me drop it!" Shangguan Qian fumed, scrambling to pick it up.
As she reached for the pearl near the wall, her hand accidentally nudged a loose brick.
It wobbled, then fell with a thud, scattering dust onto the hem of her expensive silk skirt.
Clatter—
The hidden parchment tumbled out with it.
Shangguan Qian picked up the pearl and shot an annoyed glance at the floor. "What filthy book—it’s dirtied my skirt."
She bent down and retrieved the leather-bound tome.
