Chapter 115
**Chapter 115: Replace the Princess?**
Li Yao shyly touched her nose and said obediently, “Father is ill, and I promised him I would make lotus seed pastries. Grandmother, I’ve already made three pieces for you to try.”
As she spoke, Li Yao took the Empress's hand and led her into the room. Just as the Empress settled down, Li Yao came running back with a small green porcelain plate, on which lay three pieces of pink lotus seed pastries, their shapes a bit crooked and somewhat unappealing.
The Empress took a bite; the taste was passable, but she still praised, “Delicious. At such a young age, how did you learn to make lotus seed pastries?”
Li Yao’s eyes sparkled with joy as she replied, “Aunt Shen taught me! Aunt Shen makes them even better. She’s so good to me—she swings with me, teaches me how to write, and even helps me correct the mistakes in my accounts.”
Mentioning Shen Wei, Li Yao beamed with happiness, her words brimming with affection and admiration for her.
The Empress frowned slightly upon hearing this. Shen Wei playing and frolicking with Li Yao—was she trying to lead the child astray?
After chatting for a while, Li Yao placed the lotus seed pastries into a food box. “Grandmother, I need to take the remaining pastries to Father. They won’t stay crisp for long. I’ll come back to keep you company later.”
The Empress smiled warmly, “Alright.”
Li Yao happily carried the food box and headed towards the main house of Prince Yan. The Empress’s expression darkened as she summoned the old nanny who had been attending to Li Yao, asking, “How does Shen treat Yao’er? I want the truth.”
The old nanny replied honestly, “Your Majesty, Shen treats the young mistress very well. She plays with her and also encourages her studies. Yesterday, when the prince was poisoned and injured, Shen and Yao’er waited in the front courtyard for him all afternoon, only leaving once they confirmed he returned safely... I must say, Shen is far more attentive to Yao’er than the princess.”
“And the princess has been busy lately; all matters concerning the prince’s recovery have been arranged by Shen.”
It was no wonder the old nanny favored Shen Wei. The nannies sent by the Empress to care for the three children in the prince’s residence often faced harsh treatment and cold shoulders from the princess.
Shen Wei was clever and meticulous, kind and warm-hearted. Every time she encountered the old nannies, she would greet them warmly and even have her maid bring them refreshing snacks and fabric for new clothes. Shen Wei’s kindness towards Li Yao did not go unnoticed by them.
With a soft spot for those who treat them well, the old nannies naturally spoke highly of Shen Wei.
The Empress was taken aback. So, all those thoughtful arrangements in Prince Yan’s quarters—the changing of meals, the washing of linens, the removal of noisy cicadas—were all Shen Wei’s doing?
Previously, the Empress had only thought Shen Wei somewhat clever, calm under pressure, and capable of management. Today, witnessing it firsthand, she realized Shen Wei’s excellence—unflappable in major matters, attentive to the smallest details.
“Let’s go see Shen’s courtyard,” the Empress said, her interest in Shen Wei piqued.
Accompanied by Nanny Qian and several palace maids, the Empress made her way to the Liuli Pavilion.
On the way, she passed by Liu Ruyan’s Qixue Pavilion. Glancing through the moon gate, she caught sight of the white curtains billowing in the breeze. Liu Ruyan, dressed in white, stood at the entrance, kneeling to greet the Empress, her voice ethereal, “Mother Empress, may you be well.”
The Empress thought to herself:
Thank goodness it’s daytime! Otherwise, I might have mistaken her for a ghost. Amitabha!
Next, she passed by Zhang Miaoyu’s Huaxiang Courtyard. From a distance, she caught a rich aroma of meat—perhaps braised pork or stir-fried meat, the scent was enticing.
Peering through the moon gate, the Empress saw Zhang Miaoyu and her maid enjoying their meal, completely absorbed in their food.
The Empress sighed.
Finally, she arrived at Liu Qiao’er’s courtyard. The entrance was dilapidated, and Liu Qiao’er was embroidering under the eaves, her expression calm and serene, as if she had transcended the mundane world.
“The former Prince Yan’s residence was not like this,” the Empress said, pressing her handkerchief to her forehead, her temples throbbing.
Once, the Prince Yan’s residence was vibrant and flourishing, filled with beautiful wives and concubines, each brimming with life.
Now, it felt lifeless, as if the very spirit had been drained. The Empress felt as if she had wandered into a cold palace.
If Prince Yan were to remain merely a prince, with harmony among his wives and peace in the inner court, it would be a good thing.
But Prince Yan was destined for a higher throne, and the inner court of the prince’s residence was starkly different from that of the imperial harem of Qingguo, where new contenders would emerge, each vying for favor.
Women like Liu Ruyan and Zhang Miaoyu would eventually be left with nothing.
Yet, the Empress could not inform the princess of the possibility of Prince Yan ascending to the throne; the situation was still uncertain, and it could lead to unforeseen changes.
“Your Majesty, ahead is the Liuli Pavilion,” Nanny Qian gently reminded.
The Empress’s eyes brightened.
The Liuli Pavilion, with its elegant structure, looked like a beautiful painting from afar. Two guards stood at attention, their postures sharp and alert. Colorful fish lanterns hung from the eaves, the entrance was free of weeds, and the flowers and plants outside were neatly trimmed, even the stone path was smooth.
Compared to the lifeless Kunyuyuan, Shen Wei’s Liuli Pavilion radiated vitality.
Upon learning of the Empress’s visit, Shen Wei had already gathered her maids and eunuchs at the entrance to welcome her. In the late summer sunshine, Shen Wei, dressed in a fresh green dress, stood at the door, looking both beautiful and refreshing.
“Greetings to Your Majesty,” Shen Wei said, bowing gracefully with her attendants.
The Empress was pleased and said, “It’s hot today; I’m tired. I’d like to sit in your courtyard for a while.”
The Empress visiting her courtyard was a great honor, and Shen Wei respectfully invited her inside.
As the Empress passed through the moon gate and entered the Liuli Pavilion’s courtyard, she found it spacious, with lush greenery and well-arranged flowers and trees. She even spotted two vibrant vegetable patches, with heavy purple eggplants hanging beneath the leaves.
“This is a new lotus mint tea I’ve prepared for you, Your Majesty. Please enjoy,” Shen Wei presented a cup of clear tea, its fragrance delicate.
To ensure it was safe, Shen Wei took a sip herself first.
The Empress took a few sips; the tea was chilled with ice, refreshing and fragrant. After finishing half the cup, she set it down.
Her gaze swept across the main house of the Liuli Pavilion.
The carpet inside was a light cream color, and a vase on the wooden table held blooming lotus flowers, while hibiscus flowers outside the window were in full bloom. The entire room was elegant and comfortable.
The maids and eunuchs attending to Shen Wei were diligent and organized, their spirits high and faces rosy, displaying impeccable manners. Even with the Empress’s arrival, there was no sign of panic or nervousness.
It was clear that Shen Wei managed her household well.
On the wooden table beside the Empress lay a half-opened medical book, the *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon).
The Empress asked, “Do you have some knowledge of medicine?”
Shen Wei lowered her head shyly, “Your Majesty, I don’t understand medical texts. I only wanted to look through them to find ways to help the prince recover from his poisoning and injuries.”
Her feelings for Prince Yan were deep; with him injured, Shen Wei had to maintain her image of devotion, always considering his well-being.
The Empress smiled, then suddenly changed the subject, “You’re clever and ambitious, and Yuanjing likes you. Shen Wei, have you ever thought about replacing the princess and becoming the mistress of this residence?”
Table of Contents
