Clatter—
The tea cup in the Princess Consort's hand fell to the ground, shattering the expensive ice-patterned porcelain into pieces, the cool fragrance of tea wafting through the air.
The Princess Consort narrowed her eyes, her gaze sharp as a blade sweeping over Zhang Yue's frail figure: "Zhang Yue, do you know the severe consequences of slandering others?"
Without hesitation, Zhang Yue produced a few partially burned letters, mixing truth with lies: "Princess Consort, I dare not speak falsely. Back when Shen Wei and I were both maids, she had already secretly pledged her love to a young man.
Even after becoming the Prince's concubine, Shen Wei continued to maintain ties with that man. She often sent Nanny Rong to deliver love letters and boots to him. Shen Wei, who now belongs to the Prince, still sends boots to another man—this is highly improper behavior."
She added, "I also learned that tomorrow Shen Wei plans to visit the White Tiger Temple under the guise of offering incense, but in truth, she intends to secretly meet her lover. If Your Highness does not believe me, you can send someone to follow her tomorrow, and you will see that I am not lying."
The Princess Consort pondered for a moment: "Are you certain that the man Shen Wei is meeting is her lover?"
Zhang Yue looked steadfastly at the Princess Consort and raised her hand to swear: "I swear on the child in my womb that I am not lying!"
The main room fell into a brief silence.
Granny Liu instructed the maids to clean up the broken teacup and brought in a fresh one. The Princess Consort, her expression calm, took a sip of tea: "I will send someone to investigate the truth of this matter. You may return to the Rose Courtyard and focus on your pregnancy."
Seeing this, Zhang Yue knew her plan was nearing success.
As long as the Princess Consort sent someone to investigate tomorrow, Shen Wei's scandal would be exposed. The Prince, a man of noble birth and unparalleled excellence, would never forgive Shen Wei for her transgression!
Zhang Yue left, filled with joy, eagerly awaiting Shen Wei's downfall.
In the main room, the Princess Consort rubbed her temples wearily. She truly did not want to involve herself in the petty and tedious conflicts between the concubines, but as the mistress of the Prince's household, she had no choice but to fulfill her responsibilities.
"Granny Liu, do you think Zhang Yue is telling the truth?" the Princess Consort asked her trusted servant.
Granny Liu replied, "Whether it's true or not, we can find out by sending someone to the White Tiger Temple tomorrow. Shen Wei has enjoyed the Prince's favor for a long time, yet she has not conceived. She has wasted the Prince's time, and it is not fitting for her to remain in the household much longer."
The Princess Consort's tone carried a hint of bitterness she herself did not notice: "Indeed, Shen Wei has been favored for quite some time."
The Prince spent more and more time with Shen Wei each month, sometimes even spending entire days in the Crystal Pavilion to handle official business. Even during the peak of Liu Ruyan's favor, she could not compare to Shen Wei's current prominence.
If it were Liu Ruyan or Zhang Miaoyu who were currently favored, the Princess Consort might have been able to accept it calmly.
But Shen Wei, who now enjoyed such favor, was a low-born peasant girl!
Though the Princess Consort was known for her "calm as a chrysanthemum" demeanor, who could truly remain indifferent? Seeing a woman of such humble origins rise to prominence stirred a faint bitterness in the Princess Consort's heart.
Deep down, the Princess Consort secretly wished that Shen Wei would never conceive and never remain in the Prince's favor.
In the afternoon, Shen Wei indeed came to Kunyu Courtyard to pay her respects.
With a sincere tone, Shen Wei informed the Princess Consort that she wished to leave the palace the next day to visit the White Tiger Temple and offer incense for the Prince's blessings.
Her words sounded noble and righteous.
The Princess Consort concealed the mockery in her eyes and graciously agreed.
...
Having received the Princess Consort's permission, Shen Wei left Kunyu Courtyard with a smile. But as soon as she turned a corner, her feigned smile vanished.
Cai Ping whispered, "Madam, Zhang Yue visited Kunyu Courtyard this morning."
Shen Wei gently touched her flat stomach and chuckled, "Then let's put on a good show."
If Shen Wei were to become pregnant, Zhang Yue and the Princess Consort would be her greatest obstacles. Zhang Yue, with her low intelligence and shallow schemes, was not a significant threat. The real challenge was the Princess Consort.
Though the Princess Consort appeared calm and composed, Shen Wei understood that deep down, the Princess Consort looked down on her for her humble origins.
Women of similar status to the Princess Consort were treated equally, but those of lower status were all despised by her.
In simple terms, the Princess Consort's mentality was: "Equality for those above me, hierarchy for those below."
Shen Wei wanted to use the Prince's influence to teach the Princess Consort a lesson, ensuring that she would not dare to harm Shen Wei during her pregnancy.
To achieve this, she needed to stage a grand performance.
As soon as Shen Wei returned to the Crystal Pavilion, Fu Gui, the palace steward, arrived with several young eunuchs, beaming with joy as they presented themselves to Shen Wei.
The eunuchs carried trays laden with exquisite gold and silver jewelry, each piece uniquely crafted.
Fu Gui respectfully said, "Madam Shen, the Zhao Yang Princess has sent these gifts to express her gratitude. After you bravely saved her from a venomous snake attack on East Mountain, the Princess felt she could not repay you adequately. She sent these modest tokens and plans to visit you in person soon."
Shen Wei looked at the gleaming jewelry, a faint smile playing on her lips.
A friend who sends gifts is a good friend indeed!
Shen Wei happily accepted the gifts, instructing Cai Lian and Cai Ping to store them in her private treasury.
Fu Gui, seeing the mountain of gifts, marveled inwardly. Shen Wei not only enjoyed the Prince's favor but also had the gratitude of the Zhao Yang Princess. Her influence was steadily growing.
"When will the Prince return?" Shen Wei asked Fu Gui.
Since returning from the East Mountain hunt, the ambitious Prince had not lingered in the pleasures of the inner palace. Instead, he had been busy with official duties, investigating the origins of the assassins, shuttling between the Eastern Palace and the Ministry of Justice these past few days.
Fu Gui replied, "The Prince will return tomorrow afternoon."
Shen Wei nodded, relieved. "Good, I won't miss it."
Fu Gui looked puzzled.
Nanny Rong, standing nearby, casually mentioned, "After the Prince's close call on East Mountain, Madam has been deeply concerned. She plans to visit the White Tiger Temple tomorrow morning to pray for his safety. Since the temple is near the Literary Temple, she will also take the opportunity to deliver some summer clothes to her younger brother."
Fu Gui smiled respectfully. "Madam is truly thoughtful."
Throughout the entire palace, who could compare to Madam Shen in her care for the Prince?
As for Shen Wei delivering clothes to her brother, it was only natural. Fu Gui pictured Shen Wei's younger brother in his mind—a scholarly young man, diligent and focused in his studies, destined for greatness.
After seeing Fu Gui off, Shen Wei stretched lazily.
She would rest well tonight and put on a flawless performance tomorrow.
...
The next morning, Shen Wei deliberately applied a pale, weary makeup and dressed in coarse clothing, with only a simple wooden hairpin adorning her hair.
When visiting a temple to offer incense, one must not dress too ostentatiously.
Moreover, when meeting her brother Shen Xiuming, she could not appear too extravagant. After all, in Shen Xiuming's eyes, his sister was suffering in the palace, barely able to eat or dress warmly.
If she were to appear in luxurious silks, her lies would be exposed.
Shen Wei only brought Nanny Rong with her, quietly boarding the palace carriage and leaving through the back gate. Nanny Rong carried the clothes intended for Shen Xiuming and their mother.
"Giddy up!" The coachman, Sanlang, glanced at Shen Wei and Nanny Rong in the carriage, sneering inwardly.
The carriage sped out of the palace, heading toward the White Tiger Temple in the outskirts of the capital.
Behind the carriage, Granny Liu and several guards followed silently.
A grand drama of catching an illicit affair was about to unfold!
