A Concubine’s Competitive Life in the Prince’s Household

The Princess Consort schemed in her mind—using Li Yao’s poisoning incident to bring down Shen Wei, or any other concubine, would not be a loss.

Prince Yan naturally did not believe Shen Wei was capable of such deeds.

Yet, Shen Wei had given Li Yao the chilled cakes, and thus was unwillingly dragged into this conflict.

The court physician had yet to arrive, so Prince Yan ordered someone to summon Shen Wei from the Glazed Pavilion.

...

In the Glazed Pavilion, Shen Wei was happily savoring a steamed perch. The air outside was stifling, but the room was cool and comfortable. She did not have to attend to Prince Yan during dinner or put on an act, relishing the rare moment of ease.

The night was unbearably muggy, with restless winds and birds flying low—a sign of an impending downpour. Shen Wei even planned to pick the ripe red tomatoes in the courtyard after her meal, lest they be battered to the ground by the storm.

Cai Ping hurried over, whispering urgently into Shen Wei’s ear. Gossip traveled fast in the palace, and Cai Ping’s network quickly relayed the news of Li Yao’s poisoning.

"Poisoned?" Shen Wei set down her chopsticks calmly and asked, "Do you know how to handle this?"

Cai Ping nodded, her bright eyes sharp with intelligence. "My lady, Granny Liu is already on her way with attendants—likely nearing the courtyard gates. Rest assured, Cai Lian and I have divided our tasks. Cai Lian and Ji Xiang are gathering those who ate the chilled cakes today, ready to testify if summoned. Nanny Rong and the others are guarding the Glazed Pavilion in case of unexpected trouble."

Shen Wei was pleased.

Under her deliberate guidance, the maids and eunuchs of the Glazed Pavilion had absorbed her shrewdness, becoming quick-witted themselves.

A strong team required not just a clever leader but capable followers. Should Shen Wei ever face trouble and be unable to act openly, Cai Lian and Cai Ping could independently resolve issues for the Glazed Pavilion.

United in purpose, they formed an increasingly formidable team.

Moments later, Granny Liu, the Princess Consort’s attendant, arrived at the Glazed Pavilion with an imposing air.

Shen Wei feigned shock, her chopsticks clattering to the floor as she put on a flustered expression. "Granny Liu, what brings you here at this hour? Has something happened?"

Granny Liu sneered inwardly at Shen Wei’s timid demeanor.

A peasant girl, no matter how favored, would crumble at the first sign of trouble.

"Lady Shen, His Highness requests your presence," Granny Liu replied coldly.

Shen Wei rose hesitantly, taking Cai Ping with her as she followed Granny Liu meekly.

The night had grown darker, the air thick with humidity. Birds chirped noisily as they darted low across the sky, and the howling wind rustled the trees ominously. A storm was coming. Shen Wei stepped into the brightly lit courtyard.

From afar, Prince Yan watched Shen Wei approach.

She wore thin robes, her delicate frame swaying unsteadily in the fierce night wind. How could such a frail woman be the poisoner?

Prince Yan gently helped Shen Wei up from her curtsy and seated her.

"Your Highness, Princess Consort, has something happened?" Shen Wei asked cautiously, feigning ignorance.

The Princess Consort observed Shen Wei’s seemingly naive demeanor, her suspicions fading. Even if Shen Wei were foolish, she wouldn’t dare poison someone in public.

The maid attending Li Yao recounted the incident briefly. Shen Wei gasped in shock, turning to Prince Yan with stammered words: "Your Highness... This afternoon, I did encounter Yao’er... But the chilled cakes couldn’t have been poisoned—I ate plenty myself!"

Granny Liu scoffed sharply. "Perhaps you poisoned only the bowl served to Lady Yao and spared your own."

Shen Wei appeared dumbfounded.

Beside her, Cai Ping dropped to her knees. "Your Highnesses, please be just! This afternoon was sweltering, and my lady, out of kindness, had me distribute the leftover chilled cakes to the servants. With so many witnesses, how could she dare poison Lady Yao?"

"Dozens ate those cakes, and none fell ill! This proves my lady’s innocence! If you doubt us, summon every servant who partook—they’ll testify!"

The servants who had eaten the cakes stood ready to vouch for Shen Wei.

The Princess Consort frowned subtly.

How convenient—she had shared the cakes with so many?

Prince Yan, unwilling to see Shen Wei distressed, declared, "Finding the culprit can wait. For now, Yao’er’s recovery is priority. Fu Gui, go hurry the court physician—"

Pausing, ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‍he seemed to recall a better alternative. "Fu Gui, fetch Mo the Divine Physician from the East Courtyard."

For years, Prince Yan had searched the land for Mo the Divine Physician to treat the Crown Prince’s illness. He had only just brought the renowned healer to the manor that day.

With Mo here, the court physician’s presence was unnecessary.

Fu Gui rushed off to summon him.

Shen Wei sat demurely beside Prince Yan, sipping mint tea as she pondered the mention of Mo the Divine Physician.

Having lived in this world for months, Shen Wei knew of the elusive Mo, whose peerless medical skill earned him the title of the era’s greatest physician.

During the Eastern Mountain hunt, Lady Sun had once mentioned receiving three antidote pills from him.

Before Mo arrived, two small figures stumbled in—Li Chengke and Li Chengzhen.

The boys, hearing of Li Yao’s poisoning, had abandoned their studies to check on her. The older Li Chengke remembered to bow. "Father, Mother... Is Yao’er alright?"

Prince Yan patted his shoulder approvingly. "You came to see your sister in her time of need. Good."

Li Chengke pressed his lips together.

To him, Prince Yan was more a figure of fear than familiarity. The Princess Consort’s constant complaints of his "philandering" and "indifference" had led the boys to believe their father cold-hearted.

The rift between father and sons had long been sown.

The younger Li Chengzhen, meanwhile, threw himself at the bedside, sobbing Li Yao’s name.

The Princess Consort gripped her handkerchief, seething.

At this hour, the boys should be studying, not crowding a girl’s chambers. They were only causing disruption, wasting precious time—yet with Prince Yan present, she swallowed her reprimand.

Forcing gentleness, she said, "Yao’er will be treated soon. Do not cry. A true man does not shed tears lightly."

Li Chengke and Li Chengzhen sniffled, eyes wet.

They refused to leave, silently keeping vigil.

In this manor, their mother was too strict, their father too detached—only little Li Yao treated them with sincerity. Seeing her lying pale and unconscious, their tears fell freely.

Shen Wei sat quietly, her observant gaze shifting between the Princess Consort and the two boys.

These two children seemed to have been raised rather poorly under the Princess Consort's care. When faced with their own father, their eyes held nothing but fear and distance.

Shen Wei gently touched her still-flat stomach, thinking that when her own child was born, she would have to work hard to foster a good relationship with their father. She would ensure Prince Yan took part in the child's upbringing, strengthening the bond between father and child.

"Your Highness, Mo the Divine Physician has arrived," announced Chief Steward Fu Gui in a loud voice.