Shen Wei did not particularly like the Kunyu Courtyard where the Princess Consort resided. It was too solemn, too rigid, and the room was filled with the heavy scent of incense from the Buddhist shrine. The Princess Consort’s greatest pastime, aside from teaching her children, was burning incense and worshiping Buddha. She had even spent a fortune to purchase a rare white jade Buddha statue, which she enshrined in a small hall and knelt before daily in devotion.
When Shen Wei entered the dimly lit main hall, she saw the Princess Consort dressed in a dark purple robe with a high collar, the color dull and aging. Her sharp gaze swept over Shen Wei, exuding an overwhelming sense of authority.
Besides the Princess Consort, Liu Ruyan and Liu Qiao'er were also seated on either side, and with Zhang Miaoyu, who had followed Shen Wei in, all the highest-ranking women of the Prince’s inner household were present. Zhang Yue stood obediently to the side, her lips unable to conceal a smug and mocking expression.
"Greetings to the Princess Consort and to all the concubine sisters," Shen Wei curtsied and greeted them.
The Princess Consort took a light sip of tea and said indifferently to Zhang Yue, "Lady Zhang, repeat what you saw in Fangfei Courtyard."
Zhang Yue complied readily and began weaving her tale: "Your Highness, this morning I felt restless and, seeing that Fangfei Courtyard, though uninhabited, was lush and beautiful, I decided to take a stroll there. Unexpectedly, as I walked beneath a peach tree, I noticed a mound of soil. Curious, I dug it up and found a box. Inside the box was a wooden figurine, inscribed with vile curses against the Prince."
"I was terrified, for this is clearly the evil art of witchcraft! Since Fangfei Courtyard was previously occupied by Shen Wei, it is almost certain that she buried it there. I dared not keep this hidden and came to seek Your Highness's guidance."
After Zhang Yue finished speaking, the room fell into silence.
Shen Wei's delicate face turned pale as if she had been struck by a tremendous blow. She bit her rosy lips hard, shaking her head in panic, and murmured, "No... it's impossible... There could never be such a thing in Fangfei Courtyard, where I lived..."
Shen Wei looked utterly distraught, barely able to stand.
Cai Ping, standing beside her, quickly supported her, her eyes filled with sympathy.
Shen Wei's almond-shaped eyes reddened, and tears fell uncontrollably. "Your Highness, I would never dare to practice witchcraft! I beg Your Highness to see the truth... I am truly at a loss for words to defend myself."
Zhang Yue sneered sarcastically, "I saw the wooden figurine with my own eyes. How could it be fake? Should we dig it up and throw it in your face before you admit your guilt?"
Seeing Shen Wei's panicked state, Zhang Yue felt immensely satisfied.
What a useless fool, unable to even defend herself, only sniveling and crying.
Not only did Zhang Yue look down on Shen Wei, but even the Princess Consort shook her head inwardly—Zhang Yue's accusation was full of flaws. If Shen Wei were even slightly clever, she could have demanded to examine the writing on the figurine or the origin of the fabric, finding a way to expose the lie.
But Shen Wei was clearly too foolish.
Faced with trouble, she could only cry, repeating "at a loss for words" over and over. Such a woman, with nothing but beauty, could easily be toppled by the slightest breeze in the inner household.
The Princess Consort slammed the table and declared sternly, "Lady Shen, the Prince has treated you well, yet you dared to practice witchcraft in secret! You are hereby confined to Liuli Pavilion until the Prince returns to decide your fate."
Practicing witchcraft in secret was punishable by death by hanging.
Shen Wei's face turned as white as snow, and her legs gave way as she collapsed to the floor. Her lips parted helplessly, and she muttered in despair, "It's not like this... It's not like this..."
But no one listened to her pleas. Granny Liu, accompanied by two maids, dragged the devastated Shen Wei back to Liuli Pavilion to be locked away.
In just one day, Shen Wei had fallen from the heights of glory to the depths of despair.
"She is truly pitiful," Liu Ruyan said, swaying her fan, a flicker of pity in her eyes.
Liu Qiao'er chuckled disdainfully, "At least she had her moment of glory. She’s not entirely pitiful."
When the tiger is absent from the mountain, the monkey proclaims itself king. In the old days of the Prince’s household, Zhang Yue’s petty tricks would never have gained any traction.
Yet such a crude scheme had managed to drag Shen Wei, once the Prince’s favorite, from her lofty position into the abyss.
Liu Qiao'er felt even more grateful for her own choice—to remain uninvolved, living quietly in her corner. Though she ate simple meals, at least she had peace and didn’t have to be caught up in the tumultuous struggles of the inner household.
Everyone watched the drama unfold, treating Shen Wei as a laughingstock.
Only Zhang Miaoyu was furious, her cheeks puffing out in indignation. "Your Highness, this is clearly a deliberate frame-up! I beg Your Highness to investigate thoroughly!"
The Princess Consort replied indifferently, "We will wait for the Prince to decide. I am tired now. All of you may leave."
The concubines curtsied and took their leave.
Soon, the news spread that Shen Wei had practiced witchcraft to curse Prince Yan.
People sighed in disbelief, never imagining that Shen Wei, once so favored, would stoop to such despicable acts in secret.
Of course, a few saw through the facade and knew Shen Wei had been framed.
But what could they do? No one dared to defend a low-born concubine.
...
The stifling summer breeze blew toward the suburban temple in Yanjing.
The female merchant, as usual, came to collect fabric and chatted with Shen's Mother during her break: "Auntie, today when I went to the Prince’s residence to sell fabric, I heard that a concubine surnamed Shen in the inner household was accused of practicing witchcraft. Ah, how pitiful. Even if she isn’t executed, she’ll likely be demoted to a lowly servant maid."
Shen's Mother froze in place, her mind reeling.
A concubine surnamed Shen—could it be her third daughter?
"Being a concubine in the Prince’s household is no easy life," the merchant sighed, packing up her fabric and leaving.
Tears streamed down Shen's Mother’s face, her heart aching but powerless to do anything.
In the house, Shen Xiuming, who had been studying, looked momentarily dazed. But then, with determination, he picked up his book and redoubled his efforts to study.
With his sister trapped in such a dire situation, he, as her younger brother, had to work hard to pass the imperial exams and attain an official position!
...
The weather was sweltering as the sun set. Prince Yan returned to the residence, the heat clinging to him. He had expected to see Shen Wei’s lovely face waiting for him under the eaves, but the space was empty, with no trace of his beloved.
Prince Yan frowned slightly.
Strange, why wasn’t Shen Wei here today?
Could she have fallen ill from the heat?
As he pondered, the Princess Consort and Granny Liu approached him. The Princess Consort bowed respectfully and said, "Your Highness, there is a matter I am unsure how to handle and must seek your judgment."
Prince Yan, exhausted from a long day, only wanted to go to Shen Wei’s quarters for some chilled pastries to cool off.
But the Princess Consort blocked his path, forcing him to stand under the scorching sunset, oblivious to the sweat on his brow.
Impatiently, Prince Yan said, "You are the mistress of the household. You may handle internal matters as you see fit."
The Princess Consort briefly explained the situation: "Your Highness, Lady Shen of Liuli Pavilion has been caught practicing witchcraft. The evidence is clear."
Prince Yan stopped in his tracks.
Witchcraft?
