Shen Wei’s younger brother was truly capable!
The Empress was overjoyed, her days of pent-up gloom dissipating at once.
She had initially feared that promoting Shen Wei to the position of secondary consort would face numerous objections. But now, everything had fallen into place—Shen Wei’s family had proven their worth, securing the brightest future for them all.
With a radiant smile, the Empress declared, "Excellent! Excellent! This very afternoon, I shall discuss it with His Majesty and have the Ministry of Rites draft the edict!"
...
...
The imperial examination results were announced, and the Great Qing Kingdom would soon welcome a new cohort of officials. As the rankings were made public, the Princess Consort of Yan, who was overseeing her children’s studies, also received a copy of the list of successful candidates.
The list was long.
But the Princess Consort only glanced at the top three names: Zhuangyuan (Top Scholar) Zhang Fenghua, a native of Yanjing; Bangyan (Second Place) Shen Xiuming, from Dingzhou in the south; and Tanhua (Third Place) Liu Zhang, hailing from Yunzhou.
After a cursory look, she set the list aside on her desk.
With a sigh, she addressed her two children, who were bent over their books: "Your mother does not expect you to match the brilliance of the Top Scholar. All I ask is that you make something of yourselves. When the time comes to inherit your father’s princely title, may you earn a reputation for virtue and capability—not as useless fools."
As long as her sons succeeded, she, as their mother, would bask in the reflected glory.
The two boys clutched their brushes, heads bowed as they continued writing, though it was unclear whether they had truly taken her words to heart.
"Princess Consort," Granny Liu entered the study, "Tomorrow, Madam Shen of Liuli Pavilion is hosting a full-month celebration for her child."
The Princess Consort raised an eyebrow, her fingers idly counting the beads of her rosary. "Prepare the eastern chamber for the child’s residence."
It had been a long time since she had cared for an infant.
Though she harbored many grievances against Shen Wei, she would maintain appearances.
She would raise Shen Wei’s daughter, ensuring the child had food and shelter—but she would not raise her as a legitimate daughter. Once the girl came of age, she would marry her off to some insignificant family, fulfilling her duty as the primary wife.
The Princess Consort smirked coldly. "One child is hardly enough. Let’s hope Madam Shen bears a few more. I’ll be more than happy to raise them all."
Secondary consorts and concubines were nothing more than tools for expanding the royal lineage.
No matter how high Shen Wei, a peasant-born woman, climbed, she would never reach the status of Princess Consort.
Granny Liu chimed in, "I’d wager that Madam Shen is holed up in her room weeping right now—who’s there?"
Hearing footsteps outside, Granny Liu hurried to the door and found Li Yao standing there, clutching a beautifully crafted paper kite, her wide eyes fixed on Granny Liu and the Princess Consort.
The Princess Consort regarded Li Yao’s dazed expression with a cold tone. "Chengke and Chengzhen are studying. Do not disturb them."
Li Yao’s rosy lips pursed slightly, her delicate face clouded with disappointment. Inside the room, Li Chengke and Li Chengzhen dared only steal a glance at her before quickly lowering their heads, afraid of being caught by the Princess Consort.
"Then... Yao’er will take her leave," Li Yao murmured, gripping the kite as she turned away dejectedly.
Granny Liu quickly stepped forward. "Ah, Young Mistress Yao, surely you’re not planning to visit Madam Shen at Liuli Pavilion again? You must wise up—now that Madam Shen has her own daughter, she won’t spare a thought for you."
Li Yao froze, her round eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Now that Aunt Shen had her own child, would she no longer care for Yao’er?
Thinking back, Li Yao realized Aunt Shen had indeed grown busier lately, spending less and less time with her.
"The Princess Consort is your true mother. She alone treats you as her daughter. That Madam Shen was merely using you," Granny Liu added, fanning the flames.
Li Yao hung her head silently, her heart aching with sorrow. She wiped the tears welling in her eyes and trudged back to her courtyard alone, still clutching the kite.
Granny Liu inwardly rejoiced.
The growing distance between Li Yao and Shen Wei would only benefit the Princess Consort.
...
At Liuli Pavilion, Shen Wei was swamped with preparations.
Tomorrow was her child’s full-month celebration. Though she held the rank of secondary consort, within the Yan Prince’s household, all below the primary consort were considered mere concubines—servants to the prince.
Her child’s celebration would not draw the nobility of Yanjing, only the women of the prince’s inner household.
As Shen Wei sorted through newly purchased fabrics, Cai Ping entered to report, "Mistress, the kitchen has prepared all the dishes and stored them in chilled well water. Cooking will begin tomorrow morning. Sister Cai Lian has readied all the cups, bowls, and plates for the banquet. Rest assured, everything will proceed smoothly."
Shen Wei nodded in satisfaction.
After months of training, the servants of Liuli Pavilion had become an efficient team, capable of handling affairs without her constant oversight. Cai Lian and Cai Ping could now manage most matters independently.
Cai Ping added, "Mistress, Steward Fu Gui has arrived, bringing two boxes of tribute spring tea. This tea was presented to His Majesty by the Southern Chu Kingdom. Our Yan Prince’s household received five boxes—the prince gave two to you, one to the Princess Consort."
Setting down the fabric, Shen Wei’s eyes gleamed. "Since Steward Fu Gui has come personally, I should see him off."
Stepping outside, she expressed her gratitude to Fu Gui. Studying him, she couldn’t help but remark, "Steward Fu Gui, you seem even more worn than the last time we met."
The once plump and round steward Fu Gui had now shed a considerable amount of weight. His face sagged with loose skin, dark circles hung heavily under his weary, lifeless eyes, and his entire demeanor reeked of exhaustion.
Fu Gui sighed, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "Spring is a busy season. The estate is flooded with endless tasks—my legs are nearly worn out from running around. No wonder I look so haggard."
The princess consort had grown increasingly negligent lately, and her maids and matrons were of little help. Most of the managerial duties had been dumped onto Fu Gui’s shoulders.
The relentless workload had whittled him down to a shadow of his former self, leaving him utterly miserable.
Shen Wei said, "You’ve worked hard, Steward Fu. My people at Glazed Pavilion have some free time—I’ll send Nanny Rong, Cai Lian, and Ji Xiang to assist you shortly."
Fu Gui hastily waved his hands. "No, no! Tomorrow is the young master’s full-month banquet. How could I possibly trouble your people, Lady Shen?"
Shen Wei smiled. "No need for formalities, Steward Fu. Glazed Pavilion has plenty of hands to spare. Let Cai Lian and Ji Xiang help you—it’ll be good experience for them."
Shen Wei intended to seize the princess consort’s authority over the household and render her powerless. But managing an estate of this scale was no task for one person alone—she needed experienced aides.
Sending Nanny Rong, Cai Lian, and Ji Xiang to assist Fu Gui was also a way for them to gain valuable knowledge.
Fu Gui was far from foolish. His mind quickly pieced together the implications.
With a respectful bow, he sighed gratefully, "This old servant thanks you, Lady Shen! My aging bones can hardly endure much longer. I only wish to retire soon and spend my days tending vegetables in peace."
If he had to keep managing the household for the princess consort, Fu Gui feared he might just work himself to death. Shen Wei’s offer to relieve him was nothing short of salvation.
After seeing Fu Gui off, Shen Wei returned to her chambers to continue selecting fabrics.
She picked out several bolts and instructed Cai Ping, "Take these two brocades to have four summer dresses made for my daughter. Deliver this patterned silk to Sister Miaoyu. Also, go to the embroidery workshop this afternoon and fetch the summer gown and handkerchiefs for Yao’er, then send them to Peony Court."
Cai Ping noted everything down.
Rubbing her sore wrist, Shen Wei added, "I’ve been too busy lately to spend time with Yao’er. Bring her here for dinner tonight—I won’t let her grow distant from me."
