Receiving an education isn’t just a privilege for boys—girls must also study to understand principles and broaden their horizons. Especially for imperial princesses, they must never become empty-headed, spoiled, or malicious fools. Take the Zhao Yang Princess, for example. Though somewhat lovestruck, she was kind-hearted, intelligent, and deeply concerned for the common people. She would never commit heinous acts, earning her an excellent reputation.
Cai Lian memorized Shen Wei’s instructions.
"Also, have Nanny Rong send Shopkeeper Ye the list of porcelain, spices, fabrics, and flowers required by the imperial household this year." As the one managing the inner palace, Shen Wei had no intention of being a mere overworked housekeeper. She intended to make money.
With wealth in her pockets and power in her hands, she would have confidence.
The imperial family’s money was the easiest to earn—a single project could bring in thousands or even tens of thousands of taels of silver, yielding substantial profits.
Relying on the imperial household, Shen Wei’s commercial empire was rapidly expanding.
Cai Lian went to carry out Shen Wei’s orders. Meanwhile, Shen Wei stretched lazily, washed the facial mask off with clear water, and applied a thin layer of cream. Moving her shoulders, she slowly rose and performed a set of Ba Duan Jin exercises by the lotus pond.
Managing the inner palace was exhausting, but she couldn’t neglect skincare and fitness. Li Yuanjing still favored her quite a bit—he spent the most nights in Yongning Palace each month, though he also visited Lu Xuan and Zhang Miaoyu’s quarters. Just two days ago, he had summoned Tantai Yinxue.
The palace was never short of beauties, and danger lurked at every turn. Shen Wei dared not let her guard down—she had to keep striving.
She touched her face and sighed. I’ll have to rely on my looks to keep his favor for another decade or so.
---
In Huayang Palace, the crape myrtles were in full bloom.
Tantai Yinxue sat in the courtyard, sipping tea leisurely. Today, the Tantai family head had secretly sent her some rare floral tea and reminded her to secure the emperor’s favor and bear a prince as soon as possible.
The tea in the celadon cup was clear and fragrant.
Tantai Yinxue frowned slightly, sighing inwardly. After much anticipation, she had finally gotten her wish two days ago—Li Yuanjing had summoned her to his chambers.
But the experience had not gone as smoothly as she imagined. The emperor was devastatingly handsome, with a tall, powerfully built frame. Closing her eyes, Tantai Yinxue felt as though she had endured a nightmare...
The Noble Consort and the Virtuous Consort are truly extraordinary women, she thought with resignation.
Before entering the palace, Tantai Yinxue had heard rumors about Li Yuanjing’s formidable stamina and how his concubines struggled to endure it.
Now, having experienced it once, she understood the terror.
His arms, strong enough to draw a bow, and his legs, sturdy from galloping on horseback, bore down on her delicate frame like torture.
Tantai Yinxue was naturally frail. To maintain her slender waist, she had dieted rigorously. Even two days after the ordeal, her bones still ached. The secret techniques taught to her by the old palace maids had been utterly useless.
"My lady, your medicine is ready," a palace maid said, presenting a bowl of steaming decoction.
Gritting her teeth against the bitterness, Tantai Yinxue downed the tonic in one go. It was a restorative brew for women—she prayed she was already carrying the emperor’s child.
"My, what refined taste you have, Snow Lady, drinking tea beneath the crape myrtles. How elegant," Concubine Lan remarked leisurely, sauntering over while fanning herself with an orchid-patterned round fan, her eyes full of disdain.
Since they lived in the same palace, they were bound to cross paths. As the higher-ranking concubine, Tantai Yinxue had no choice but to rise and greet her.
Concubine Lan clicked her tongue mockingly. "Congratulations on finally catching the emperor’s eye. What a shame, though—even after serving him, you’re still just a Lady of Handsome Fairness. Not even a Noble Lady."
The barb struck a nerve. Tantai Yinxue’s expression dimmed.
After that single night, the emperor had ignored her completely. This morning, when she went to pay respects at Chang’an Palace, Eunuch Deshun had gently stopped her, claiming His Majesty was busy.
Tantai Yinxue knew the truth—he simply didn’t want to see her.
Concubine Lan’s gaze flicked to the medicine bowl on the table. Catching a whiff of the herbal scent, she sneered, "The emperor only came once. Do you really think you’ll get pregnant?"
She despised Tantai Yinxue.
This wretched woman had once poisoned her, leaving her bedridden. Though Concubine Lan had turned Huayang Palace upside down searching for evidence, she found none.
Fortunately, she had recently bribed Cai Lian, Shen Wei’s chief maid, for advice. Now, Concubine Lan used her rank to suppress Tantai Yinxue at every turn—mocking her openly, slandering her behind her back. To prevent further poisoning, she followed Cai Lian’s suggestion and forced Tantai Yinxue to share every meal with her.
A concubine’s meals were far more lavish than a mere lady’s. They ate from the same dishes and drank from the same pot—Concubine Lan only took a bite after Tantai Yinxue had tasted everything. Since both women had small appetites, leftovers were plentiful. Concubine Lan distributed the excess to the palace servants.
If Tantai Yinxue dared poison her again, the entire Huayang Palace staff would fall ill. A mass food poisoning incident would undoubtedly draw the emperor’s and the empress dowager’s attention.
The method was crude but surprisingly effective. Not only did it torment Tantai Yinxue, but it also earned Concubine Lan a reputation for "treating her sisters with kindness."
After all, in a palace where hierarchy ruled, it was rare for a concubine to share her luxurious meals with a lowly lady.
"My affairs are none of your concern, elder sister," Tantai Yinxue replied wearily.
Concubine Lan smiled smugly. "As the ranking mistress of Huayang Palace, it is my duty to oversee its inhabitants. Disciplining you is well within palace regulations. Even if you complain to the Virtuous Consort, I am in the right."
Tantai Yinxue gritted her teeth in silence. She loathed Concubine Lan but couldn’t eliminate her—an infuriating predicament.
Concubine Lan was the empress dowager’s niece, and the Xie family outmatched the Tantai clan in influence.
Tantai Yinxue had entered the palace aiming for the empress’s throne. Yet, since her arrival, it felt as though an invisible hand had trapped her in the confines of Huayang Palace.
After a few more snide remarks, Concubine Lan finally sauntered off for her afternoon nap. Tantai Yinxue’s maidservant was on the verge of tears.
Lowering her gaze, Tantai Yinxue pondered for a moment before instructing her personal maid, "Concubine Lan is vicious but stupid—she couldn’t have devised such a maddening tactic on her own. Find out who she met privately in recent days."
Someone was guiding Concubine Lan from the shadows.
Clutching her handkerchief, Tantai Yinxue’s eyes burned with hatred and murderous intent. If she couldn’t touch Concubine Lan, she would deal with the scheming rat behind her.
---
Back in Yongning Palace that afternoon, Cai Lian suddenly sneezed while sorting medicinal herbs in the storeroom.
Cai Ping rushed over in concern. "Sister Cai Lian, did you not sleep well last night? Even though it’s hot, you should still cover yourself with a thin blanket. If you fall ill, our mistress will worry."
Cai Lian shook her head with a smile, placing a precious piece of deer antler into a box. "It’s nothing. Perhaps my family is thinking of me."
Cai Ping grinned. "It must be your grandmother missing you. In two more years, when you turn twenty-five, you can leave the palace and reunite with her. How is her health?"
Cai Lian had no parents—only an elderly grandmother living peacefully in the countryside. Every month, she sent money to support her.
"She’s doing well," Cai Lian replied, her eyes softening with warmth at the thought of her kind grandmother.
Once they had gathered the required herbs, Cai Lian and Cai Ping returned to report to Shen Wei.
Shen Wei had changed into a modest, plain dress, her appearance simple and unadorned. She glanced at the medicinal herbs in the box, a faint smile curling at her lips. "Let’s go to Kunning Palace to visit the ailing Empress."
Cai Ping didn’t understand and muttered, "Mistress, the Empress has always treated you with disdain. Why bother seeing her?"
Shen Wei merely smiled without responding.
A few days earlier, Lu Xuan had spread malicious rumors in an attempt to tarnish Li Chengtai’s reputation. Fortunately, thanks to Lu Xuan’s "reminder," Shen Wei had realized the importance of reputation and uncovered a hidden, looming threat.
Not only did Chengtai and Chengyou need to maintain good reputations—Shen Wei herself had to cultivate one as well!
Now holding immense power and favored above all others, Shen Wei appeared untouchable. But what if court officials seized upon her influence, accusing her of being a "seductive concubine who deludes the Emperor" or of "scheming against the rightful Empress," pressuring the Emperor to eliminate her? That would spell disaster.
She refused to be branded a villainess. Instead, she would build a reputation for virtue and wisdom!
