Upon hearing Shen Wei’s instructions, Granny Liu immediately understood—Shen Wei was preparing to take action against the Empress.
In the current imperial harem of the Great Qing Dynasty, the Empress and Noble Consort Lu Xuan jointly managed the inner palace, sharing equal authority.
Shen Wei, who had been away from the palace for three years, had only returned a month ago, yet she had already decided to strip the Empress of her administrative power. Such boldness sent a shiver down Granny Liu’s spine.
"Consort Chen, rest assured. This old servant knows what must be done," Granny Liu kowtowed to Shen Wei once more.
Granny Liu had a premonition—it wouldn’t be long before the Great Qing’s harem became Shen Wei’s domain.
The Empress, Noble Consort Lu, Consort Lan... even if a few more dazzling newcomers arrived, none could shake Consort Chen’s position.
...
After Granny Liu left, Shen Wei sent Cai Lian to Cining Palace with a message. The small kitchen had prepared fresh pastries and sweets, and she invited Le You to come enjoy them in the afternoon.
As the sun shifted from east to west, Shen Wei sat in the waterside pavilion reviewing account books when a lively voice called out from the entrance: "Mother! Le You is here!"
Le You hadn’t come alone.
She had brought along Li Nanzhi, the daughter of Consort Mei Liu Ruyan, and Li Yao, the Empress’s daughter. The three exquisitely delicate girls entered cheerfully.
Li Nanzhi bowed timidly to Shen Wei. "Greetings, Consort Chen."
Shen Wei smiled warmly. "Perfect timing. The pastries from the kitchen have just been prepared. Come, try them while they’re still warm."
Plates of delicate desserts were placed on the wooden table.
The three girls ate happily.
Shen Wei glanced around and casually asked, "Where is Wan'er?"
Li Yao set down the carved candied fruit in her hand and answered truthfully, "It rained two nights ago, and Wan'er sister caught a chill. Though she’s taken medicine and recovered, she didn’t want to go out and is still napping in her room."
A flicker of thought passed through Shen Wei’s eyes. "She’s been ill for two days—why wasn’t His Majesty informed?"
Li Yao lowered her gaze and muttered, "Mother Empress said it was just a minor illness and would clear up with a few doses of medicine, so there was no need to make a fuss... But don’t worry, Consort Chen. This morning, Wan'er sister was much better—she could already walk around and even ate two full bowls of rice at noon!"
Shen Wei nodded thoughtfully. "Later, have the maids pack two boxes of pastries. Yao’er, take them back to Treasure Pearl Hall for Wan'er."
Li Yao immediately brightened. "Of course! Wan'er sister has been craving sweets. She’ll be delighted when I bring these back for her!"
The three girls continued eating, discussing their plans to fly kites in the garden later.
Shen Wei returned to the front hall and summoned Li Yao’s personal maid, Little Yan. The girl kowtowed respectfully, her manners impeccable, not a single flaw to be found.
Little Yan had always been Shen Wei’s person. Back at the South Garrison Marquis's Mansion, she had indirectly helped Shen Wei obtain Princess Taihua’s notes. Later, Shen Wei assigned her to serve Li Yao.
Over the years, Little Yan had grown even more sharp-witted and composed.
Shen Wei asked, "What exactly is going on with Wan'er?"
Illness strikes like a landslide, but recovery is as slow as untangling silk—a chill wasn’t something one could shake off so quickly.
Li Wan'er had fallen ill two days ago, yet today she already had an appetite and seemed in good spirits. It was... suspicious.
This recovery was far too swift.
Little Yan considered before replying honestly, "Consort Chen, the Empress Dowager’s birthday is approaching, and it just so happened that Young Mistress Wan'er caught a chill. The Empress feared the Empress Dowager would blame her, so last night, she summoned a physician to prescribe medicine. The physician’s skills were remarkable—after taking the medicine, Young Mistress Wan'er seemed completely recovered by morning! The fever and chills vanished, and she appeared perfectly healthy."
Shen Wei chuckled, sipping her tea. "This physician’s skills are truly extraordinary."
Little Yan, ever perceptive, added, "This servant observed Young Mistress Wan'er today. Though the weather isn’t hot, she was sweating profusely, her face flushed with unnatural vigor—nothing like someone who had been ill."
"The Empress has been paying unusual attention to Treasure Pearl Hall lately. She ordered the Internal Affairs Office to prepare new clothes for the two young mistresses and replaced all the old furnishings with the finest. Their courtyard is now resplendent."
Having gathered enough information, Shen Wei raised a hand slightly. "Good. You may go collect your reward."
Little Yan bowed deeply. "This servant thanks Consort Chen for your generosity! I will continue to serve you faithfully!"
With that, she retreated respectfully.
Shen Wei then summoned Cai Ping, instructing her to visit the imperial pharmacy and relay Li Wan'er’s "recovery" symptoms to Physician Moxun, seeking his insight.
Cai Ping was efficient. Within half an hour, she returned with an answer.
"Master," she reported, "Physician Moxun says even he couldn’t cure a teenage girl of a chill overnight—unless potent drugs were used to stimulate the liver and drain vitality, creating a temporary illusion of robust health."
Now Shen Wei understood the Empress’s scheme.
With the Empress Dowager’s birthday approaching, noblewomen from the capital would attend, and the imperial princesses would make appearances. Li Wan'er was the late Crown Prince’s daughter—if the Empress Dowager learned she had fallen ill at such a critical time, there would be repercussions.
Thus, the Empress had the physician administer strong medicine to make Li Wan'er appear healthy.
Even knowing the drugs would harm Li Wan'er’s body, the Empress, concerned only with saving face, didn’t care.
In fact, she had learned from past mistakes. Fearing her mistreatment of Li Yao and Li Wan'er might be exposed, she hastily renovated Treasure Pearl Hall.
Should the Empress Dowager visit her granddaughters, she would see the lavish decor and assume the Empress was a dutiful mother.
"The Empress’s calculations are clever," Shen Wei murmured, her fair fingers tapping the table slowly.
But in the end, she was only digging her own grave.
...
At dusk, the three girls bid Shen Wei farewell.
A palace maid carried a large food box as Le You gazed at Shen Wei reluctantly, her voice soft. "Mother, I must return to Cining Palace to accompany Grandmother Empress. I’ll visit you again tomorrow."
With that, she rushed forward and hugged Shen Wei tightly.
Shen Wei affectionately pinched Le You’s plump cheeks. "Don’t eat too many sweets, or your teeth will ache."
"I won’t!"
Nearby, Li Nanzhi watched the tender exchange between Consort Chen and Le You, envy flickering in her eyes.
If only her own mother would hold her like that... or even just pat her cheek...
After seeing Le You off, Shen Wei turned to Li Nanzhi with a smile, beckoning. "Nanzhi, come here."
Startled, Li Nanzhi obediently approached.
Shen Wei gently touched the girl’s silver-white dress. "This attire is too plain. A few days ago, the Empress Dowager gifted me a roll of Shu brocade. I had the sewing bureau make two summer dresses—one is for you. You’re still young; you should wear bright, beautiful colors."
Cai Lian presented a box containing the dress.
Li Nanzhi’s eyes widened in surprise. Tentatively, she reached out to touch the pink gown inside—exquisitely crafted, with delicate embroidered rabbits along the sleeves and collar.
She adored it at first glance.
Yet she lowered her head and murmured, "Consort Chen... I can’t accept this..."
