Chapter 51
**Chapter 51: Equality Above the Self, Hierarchy Below**
*Thud—*
The teacup in the princess's hand fell to the ground, the expensive ice plum-patterned porcelain shattering into several pieces, the cool fragrance of tea wafting into the air.
The princess narrowed her eyes, her gaze slicing through Zhang Yue's slender figure like a knife. "Zhang, do you know that slandering others can have serious consequences?"
Zhang Yue did not hesitate. She pulled out a few half-burned sheets of paper and mixed truth with lies. "Your Highness, I wouldn’t dare speak recklessly. At first, I was a maid alongside Shen Wei, and she secretly pledged her love to a young man. Later, when Shen Wei became the prince's concubine, she still maintained ties with that man, often sending Mama Rong to deliver love letters and boots to him. Shen Wei is already the prince's woman, yet she sends boots to another man—this is quite inappropriate."
"I’ve also learned that tomorrow Shen Wei plans to visit the Daoist temple under the pretense of offering incense, but in reality, she intends to meet her lover. If you don’t believe me, Your Highness, just send someone to follow her tomorrow, and you’ll see that I speak the truth."
The princess seemed to ponder. "Are you sure the man Shen is meeting is her lover?"
Zhang Yue looked steadfastly at the princess, raising her hand to swear, "I swear by the child in my womb that I am not lying!"
In the main hall, a brief silence fell.
Mama Liu instructed the maid to clean up the broken teacup and replace it with a brand new one. The princess's expression remained calm as she took a sip of tea. "As for the truth of this matter, I will send someone to investigate. You should return to the Rose Courtyard and take care of your pregnancy."
Seeing this, Zhang Yue knew her plan was nearing success. As long as the princess sent someone to investigate tomorrow, Shen Wei's scandal would be exposed immediately. The Yan Wang, a noble of the highest order, would never forgive Shen Wei for her transgressions!
Zhang Yue left, her heart filled with joy, eagerly awaiting Shen Wei's downfall.
In the main hall, the princess rubbed her temples, weary. She truly did not want to get involved in the petty squabbles of the concubines, but as the matriarch of the Wang residence, she had to shoulder her responsibilities, no matter how reluctant she felt.
"Mama Liu, do you think Zhang's words are true or false?" the princess asked.
Mama Liu replied, "Whether true or false, we’ll know tomorrow when we send someone to Baihu Temple to check. Shen has been favored for a long time, yet she still hasn’t conceived. She’s wasting the prince’s time; it’s really not appropriate for her to stay much longer."
The princess's tone held a bitterness she herself didn’t notice. "Yes, Shen has indeed been favored for quite a while."
The Yan Wang had been visiting Shen Wei more frequently, sometimes even handling official business at Liuli Pavilion during the day. Even Liu Ruyan, who once enjoyed great favor, could not compare to Shen Wei's current glory.
If it were Liu Ruyan or Zhang Miaoyu who were favored now, the princess might have accepted it calmly. But Shen Wei, a girl of humble origins from a farming family, was the one in the spotlight!
Though the princess had a demeanor as gentle as a chrysanthemum, who could truly be as indifferent as a chrysanthemum? Seeing a lowborn girl thrive stirred a subtle bitterness deep within her heart.
Deep down, the princess secretly hoped Shen Wei would never conceive, never gain favor.
In the afternoon, Shen Wei indeed came to Kunyu Courtyard to pay her respects.
With a sincere tone, Shen Wei told the princess that she hoped to leave the Wang residence the next day to visit Baihu Temple and pray for the prince.
Her words were grand and noble.
The princess concealed her mockery and readily agreed.
...
After receiving the princess's approval, Shen Wei left Kunyu Courtyard in high spirits. But as she turned a corner, the fake smile on her face vanished in an instant.
Cai Ping whispered, "My lady, Zhang Yue came to Kunyu Courtyard this morning."
Shen Wei touched her flat belly and chuckled lightly, "Then let’s put on a good show."
Zhang Yue and the princess were the biggest obstacles to Shen Wei's future pregnancy. Zhang Yue was not clever enough to be a real threat; the real challenge was the princess.
The princess appeared calm and collected, but Shen Wei understood that deep down, the princess looked down on her for her lowly origins.
Women of similar backgrounds to the princess were treated equally, but those of lower status were all scorned.
In simple terms, the princess's mindset was: **"Above the self, everyone is equal; below the self, hierarchy is clear."**
Shen Wei wanted to use the Yan Wang's influence to give the princess a good lesson, making her think twice before acting against her during her pregnancy.
Thus, she needed to stage a grand performance.
As soon as Shen Wei returned to Liuli Pavilion, the steward Fu Gui arrived with several young eunuchs, all smiles as they came to pay their respects.
The young eunuchs held trays filled with exquisite gold and silver jewelry, each piece uniquely crafted.
Fu Gui respectfully said, "Lady Shen, Princess Zhaoyang specially sent these items to you. When the East Mountain was attacked by a venomous snake, you risked your life to save her. The princess has no way to repay you, so she sends you these humble gifts, and she will visit you in person in a few days."
Shen Wei gazed at the glittering jewelry, a smile tugging at her lips.
Friends who send gifts are always good friends!
Shen Wei happily accepted, instructing Cai Lian and Cai Ping to take the items and enrich her little treasury.
Fu Gui, seeing the mountain of gifts, marveled inwardly. Shen Wei not only had the prince's favor but also the princess's goodwill; her support was growing stronger.
"When will the prince return?" Shen Wei asked Fu Gui.
Since returning from the East Mountain hunt, the ambitious Yan Wang had not indulged in the pleasures of the boudoir but had instead thrown himself into his duties, busy investigating the origins of the assassins, shuttling between the East Palace and the Ministry of Justice these past few days.
Fu Gui replied, "The prince will return tomorrow afternoon."
Shen Wei felt relieved, "Good, I won’t miss him."
Fu Gui looked puzzled.
Mama Rong, standing nearby, casually mentioned, "The prince encountered danger at East Mountain. My lady is quite worried and plans to go to Baihu Temple tomorrow morning to pray for a safety talisman for him. Baihu Temple is not far from the Confucian Temple, so she’ll also take the opportunity to deliver some summer clothes to her brother."
Fu Gui smiled respectfully, "Lady Shen is very thoughtful."
In the entire Wang residence, who could care for the prince more than Lady Shen?
As for Shen Wei delivering clothes to her brother, that was only natural. Fu Gui pictured Shen Wei's brother, a handsome scholar, dedicated to his studies, destined to be a talented individual.
After sending Fu Gui away, Shen Wei stretched lazily.
Tonight, she would sleep well and prepare for her performance tomorrow.
...
The next morning, Shen Wei deliberately applied a haggard makeup look, changing into a coarse linen dress, simply pinning a plain wooden hairpin in her hair.
Going to the temple to pray, she couldn’t dress too ostentatiously.
Moreover, when meeting her brother Shen Xiuming, she had to keep a low profile. After all, in Shen Xiuming's eyes, she was a sister who suffered bullying in the Wang residence, lacking food and warmth.
If she appeared in luxurious silks and satins, her lies would fall apart.
Shen Wei only took Mama Rong with her, quietly boarding the Wang residence's carriage and leaving through the back gate. Mama Rong carried clothes for Shen Xiuming and their mother.
"Go!" The coachman, Sanlang, glanced at Shen Wei and Mama Rong in the carriage, sneering inwardly.
The carriage left the Wang residence, speeding toward Baihu Temple in the outskirts of the capital.
Meanwhile, behind the carriage, Mama Liu followed silently with several guards.
A grand drama of catching a secret affair was about to unfold!
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