Madam Tantai closed her eyes in disappointment and said, "You are the child I carried for ten months—of course I want to protect you... but you truly lack virtue and capability. Listen to your mother’s advice: stay quietly in the prince’s residence and avoid stirring trouble."
Having managed the household for many years, Madam Tantai had a far-sighted perspective. At present, Prince Yan and Prince Heng were locked in a power struggle, with Prince Yan gradually gaining the upper hand.
Perhaps one day, Prince Yan would ascend the throne as emperor.
As long as the Princess Consort behaved properly and refrained from causing further disturbances, her future position as Empress would remain secure. But if she persisted in her reckless actions, her chance at the throne might slip away.
The Empress’s message to Madam Tantai had carried the same implication—so long as the Princess Consort remained obedient, her status as future Empress would not change.
The Princess Consort stood frozen in shock.
She couldn’t believe her own mother would choose to turn a blind eye!
"Mother! Have you stopped caring for your daughter? Will you just watch as that lowborn woman tramples over me?" the Princess Consort cried out.
Madam Tantai scolded, "Behave yourself. Stop making trouble—your blessings lie ahead."
Once the Princess Consort became Empress, even if she lacked the emperor’s favor, it would bring immense prestige to the Tantai family. The men of the household could rely on the Empress’s influence to secure greater prominence in court.
But the Princess Consort was in no mood to listen, feeling only betrayal. "That Shen Wei opposes me at every turn! What blessings could I possibly have? Mother, who has clouded your judgment?"
Madam Tantai rubbed her temples. "Someone, escort the Princess Consort back. And return that jade Bodhisattva as well."
The lotus pedestal of the jade statue was intricately carved with tiny infant motifs. This was not the Willow Branch Guanyin, a symbol of blessings, but the Child-Granting Guanyin.
Madam Tantai, a widow in her sixties, had been gifted a "Child-Granting Guanyin" by her youngest daughter—if word got out, it would be a laughingstock.
It was clear the Princess Consort had put little thought into her gift.
"Mother, you—you—I think you’ve lost your senses!" The Princess Consort, eyes brimming with tears, stormed off in a fury.
As Granny Liu moved to follow, Madam Tantai coldly instructed, "Granny Liu, keep an eye on her. Don’t let her cause any more trouble."
Granny Liu bowed her head. "This old servant understands."
With the Princess Consort gone in a huff, the hall fell silent. The eldest daughter, Tantai Shuqin, emerged from the shadows and gently massaged Madam Tantai’s shoulders, soothing her. "Mother, don’t blame little sister."
Madam Tantai sighed deeply. "It’s my fault for spoiling her too much in the past."
The Princess Consort’s life had been too smooth—doted on as a child, married to a noble prince, blessed with children. Such an untroubled path had left her unprepared for setbacks, leaving her flustered and reckless when faced with adversity.
...
...
Seething with rage, the Princess Consort stormed back into the prince’s residence. She never imagined she would face such resistance from her own mother today.
Even her own flesh and blood refused to help, leaving her to suffer in silence within the residence.
Her fury burned uncontrollably. The moment she stepped through the gates, she caught sight of the woman she despised most—Shen Wei.
Shen Wei’s face was radiant, as beautiful as a blooming peony in the gardens. She stood at the courtyard entrance, speaking with the residence’s steward, who listened with deference.
The sight of Shen Wei’s face filled the Princess Consort with rage. Years ago, she had made the mistake of allowing this ambitious woman into the household, nurturing a viper that now tormented her.
"What are you scheming now?" the Princess Consort snapped.
Shen Wei turned at the sound of her voice. "It’s Madam Tantai’s birthday. His Highness is occupied with official duties and cannot attend, so he entrusted me to deliver a jade ruyi scepter as a gift."
Since Shen Wei was unwell and couldn’t go herself, she had the steward deliver the gift in the prince’s name.
The steward, clutching the box containing the jade scepter, kept his head down and hurried away, unwilling to be caught in the crossfire between the two women.
Shen Wei glanced at the Princess Consort, pressing a handkerchief to her temple. "Since you’ve returned, Your Highness, and are still unwell, you should rest in Kunyu Courtyard."
To the outside world, the Princess Consort was said to be gravely ill—this was how Shen Wei had taken control of the household. If the Princess Consort were seen roaming about in good health, it would damage the residence’s reputation.
The Princess Consort’s gaze sharpened like a blade. "In the past, you trembled before me like a frightened quail. Now you dare to dictate what I should do?"
Shen Wei had no patience for her tantrums.
Empty words meant nothing. The Princess Consort had already been stripped of power—the entire household now answered to Shen Wei.
Her eyes shifted to Granny Liu behind the Princess Consort, and she chided lightly, "Granny Liu, has the heat addled your senses as well? Escort Her Highness back to her courtyard."
Granny Liu was no fool. She knew Shen Wei now controlled the household, including the servants’ wages.
No one dared offend the one who held the purse strings.
Having also been warned by Madam Tantai earlier, Granny Liu stepped forward and tugged at the Princess Consort’s sleeve. "Your Highness, the weather is sweltering, and you’re unwell. Please return to your courtyard—"
Before she could finish, the Princess Consort flung her hand away. "Have you betrayed me too?"
Granny Liu, elderly and unsteady, stumbled and fell, her bones aching from the impact.
Cai Lian, one of Shen Wei’s maids, rushed forward to help the pained Granny Liu up.
The Princess Consort’s fury blazed hotter. She advanced on Shen Wei, their gazes clashing like swords. "Shen Wei, I am the prince’s lawfully wedded wife. No matter how high you climb, you will always be a concubine."
Shen Wei replied coolly, "Escort Her Highness back."
Maids immediately stepped forward to guide the Princess Consort to Kunyu Courtyard. Enraged, the Princess Consort raised her hand and struck Shen Wei hard across the face.
Shen Wei could have dodged, but she chose not to.
Slap!
The blow landed on Shen Wei’s right cheek.
Her vision darkened, and she swayed, collapsing against Cai Ping as she "fainted."
Cai Ping shrieked in alarm, supporting her unconscious mistress. "Quick, someone! Fetch the physician!"
The Princess Consort’s eyelid twitched. "Stop pretending. Do you think I don’t recognize such tricks?"
She had seen plenty of harem schemes—concubines feigning illness or fainting to win Prince Yan’s favor.
The maids carried the "unconscious" Shen Wei back to Liuli Pavilion.
The Princess Consort paid no further mind, leisurely returning to Kunyu Courtyard. Without authority over the household and barred from seeing her sons freely, she could only pass the time with incense and prayers.
The scent of burning incense filled the air as the compassionate Buddha statue sat enshrined in solemn silence.
Just as the Princess Consort was placing incense in the burner, Granny Liu entered. "His Highness has returned. Upon hearing of Shen Wei’s collapse, he went straight to Liuli Pavilion."
The Princess Consort replied indifferently, "At most, she’ll complain to him about my slap. What is there to fear? A wife has every right to discipline a concubine."
Granny Liu pursed her lips and whispered, "Your Highness... Shen Wei is with child again."
