The Princess Consort scoffed, fiddling with the prayer beads in her hand. "Even if Shen Wei gives birth to a child, with her lowly background, she can only be a concubine. Does she really think she could become a secondary consort?"
Any child born to a concubine must be handed over to the Princess Consort to raise.
When the time came, the Princess Consort would deliberately employ some underhanded tactics to turn Shen Wei’s son into a timid and useless weakling.
"You are most wise, Your Highness," Granny Liu said as she applied medicine to the Princess Consort’s wounds. "However, there is another troublesome matter. Miss Ye from Jiangnan has sent word that she has taken refuge with relatives in Yanjing and refuses to enter the palace as a concubine."
The Princess Consort’s fingers, which had been idly rolling the beads, stilled.
Ye Qiushuang refused to become a concubine?
A wave of irritation washed over the Princess Consort. Her original plan had been to bring Ye Qiushuang into the palace during Shen Wei’s pregnancy to unsettle her emotions.
Pregnant women were already emotionally fragile. Watching the prince dote on another woman would surely leave Shen Wei heartbroken and weary, affecting the health of the unborn child.
When the time came for labor, complications would inevitably arise.
She had used the same tactic against Secondary Consort Liu Qiao'er when she was pregnant. The result? Liu Qiao'er suffered a difficult birth, and the son she bore still couldn’t speak to this day. As for Liu Qiao'er herself, her body had been so damaged that it took her two full years to barely recover.
The Princess Consort shook her head faintly. "If she refuses, I shan’t force her. Granny Liu, find me another suitable woman—daughters of minor officials, peasant girls, merchant girls, even actresses or performers will do. Just avoid those from noble families."
Though the Prince of Yan was widely known for his cold indifference, his high status and power still tempted many officials to offer their daughters.
But the Princess Consort would never allow noblewomen into the palace—they would threaten her position.
Granny Liu nodded eagerly. "This servant will arrange it as soon as we return."
Thinking of Shen Wei’s recent glory, the Princess Consort curled her lips. "Having received rewards and attention from the Empress, if Shen Wei has any wits about her, she’ll cling to the Empress like a lifeline and claw her way up."
...
The carriage arrived back at the palace, and the Princess Consort, leaning on Granny Liu’s arm, made her way to Kunyu Courtyard.
But who could have guessed that Shen Wei would be waiting at the entrance?
The night had fallen, and lanterns glowed by the courtyard gate. Shen Wei stood there in a flowing gilded purple gown, a palace lantern in hand, with two heavy chests behind her.
"This concubine pays her respects to the Princess Consort." Shen Wei curtsied, her gaze lingering on the Princess Consort’s knees.
Judging by the Princess Consort’s limping gait, she must have been punished with kneeling in the palace. Shen Wei mused silently—was the relationship between the Empress and the Princess Consort strained?
That could work to her advantage. If the Empress and the Princess Consort were at odds, Shen Wei might find an opening.
The Princess Consort hadn’t expected Shen Wei’s visit and raised a brow. "You were the center of attention today, even receiving rewards from the Empress despite your pregnancy. You should be resting in your chambers. What brings you here?"
Shen Wei’s slender frame trembled slightly, and she fidgeted nervously. "I... I received so many gifts today... This concubine..."
She stammered, struggling to string her words together.
The Princess Consort grew impatient. "One should be happy to receive rewards."
Shen Wei shook her head fearfully. "This concubine was happy at first, but after returning, I grew more and more uneasy. When I was young, my mother and I sold vegetables, and once we earned twenty copper coins. We hid them under the pillow at night, but they were still stolen. Now that I’ve received so much wealth, I’m too afraid to sleep, terrified it’ll be stolen again... After much thought, I decided to entrust the gifts to Your Highness for safekeeping."
The Princess Consort was stunned.
Beside her, Granny Liu barely stifled a laugh.
Truly a peasant girl with no worldly experience—to fear that the Empress’ lavish gifts would be stolen!
How laughable, how shortsighted.
The Princess Consort was equally baffled by Shen Wei’s absurd behavior. She had assumed that with the Empress’ favor, Shen Wei would finally hold her head high and seize the opportunity to climb higher.
Yet Shen Wei seemed utterly oblivious to the power she could gain from the Empress...
How foolish.
The Princess Consort had felt a twinge of jealousy earlier at Shen Wei’s moment of glory. But seeing her act so spineless and witless, she couldn’t help but sneer inwardly.
With such narrow-mindedness, even if Shen Wei were given a mountain of gold, she wouldn’t be able to hold onto it.
The Princess Consort sighed. "The palace is heavily guarded. No one would dare steal the Empress’ gifts. Take the chests back and keep them safe yourself."
Shen Wei clutched the lantern hesitantly. "But... but..."
"The night wind is cold. Return and rest. If something were to happen to your child at my doorstep, where would I explain myself?"
Reluctantly, Shen Wei lowered her head. "Then... then I shall take them back. I’ll buy some rat poison and insect repellent too—can’t let mice or bugs ruin the silks and jewelry."
She instructed Nanny Rong and the others to carry the chests back to Liuli Pavilion.
The Princess Consort watched Shen Wei’s retreating figure from the courtyard gate, her mind swirling with questions—how could the prince, a man of unparalleled brilliance, have taken a liking to such a simple-minded, empty-headed woman?
Was it possible... he actually preferred this type?
After a moment’s contemplation, she turned to Granny Liu. "The new concubine you find must not be too clever. The best candidates would be dull-witted, naïve, and lacking in sophistication."
Granny Liu smiled. "Understood, Your Highness."
Finding a replacement similar to Shen Wei would be an easy task.
...
Shen Wei returned to Liuli Pavilion with the two heavy chests.
She personally supervised as Nanny Rong stored them in her private treasury. Watching her growing hoard of wealth, a contented smile spread across Shen Wei’s face.
How wonderful it felt to be rich.
"Your Ladyship, why did you take the chests to the Princess Consort?" Nanny Rong couldn’t make sense of it.
Shen Wei took a sip of tart citron water and replied leisurely, "To lower her guard."
The Princess Consort looked down on her, dismissing her as insignificant—and Shen Wei intended to use that to her advantage.
She understood the Princess Consort’s contempt. It was like telling the richest man in the world that a peasant running a small village grocery store posed a threat to his vast empire. Would he even bat an eye?
People never saw ants as a threat.
At least for now, in the Princess Consort’s eyes, Shen Wei was nothing more than an ant—far from endangering her position.
With a faint smile, Shen Wei murmured,
"I must establish myself firmly in the palace before she realizes the truth."
