Chapter 132
**Chapter 132: The Concubine**
...
As Prince Yan anxiously awaited Shen Wei's delivery, an unexpected visitor approached the Liuli Pavilion.
Under the cloak of night, a gaunt figure slowly drew near the pavilion. The moonlight spilled down, illuminating Xiang'er’s emaciated face. Her eyes were dark and brooding, fixed intently on the Liuli Pavilion. Without the prince's favor, Xiang'er had been struggling to survive, nearly succumbing to the biting cold of winter. Fortunately, luck had been on her side; she had managed to secure enough charcoal to endure the harsh season.
As winter faded into spring, Xiang'er felt like a mere shell of herself, wandering through each day like a ghost. She was unwilling to accept her fate, her heart brimming with resentment. Upon learning that Shen Wei would give birth tonight, she stumbled toward the Liuli Pavilion in a daze.
She was consumed by jealousy toward Shen Wei, plotting to take advantage of the chaos to eliminate her, then drown herself in despair. But the guards at the Liuli Pavilion were vigilant, making it impossible for her to get close.
With no other options, Xiang'er clasped her hands together and gazed up at the night sky, murmuring, “Heaven, please bless Shen with a daughter.”
She numbly reassured herself that Prince Yan was a man, and men always favored sons over daughters. If Shen Wei bore a girl, perhaps the prince would lose interest in her.
So, she squatted beneath a large tree outside the Liuli Pavilion, waiting blankly, silently cursing. Until the stroke of midnight, when the clear cry of a newborn shattered the stillness of the night.
Xiang'er sprang to her feet, straining to see into the pavilion, where she heard the voices of the maidservants.
“Madam Shen has given birth! It’s a girl!”
“Quick, bring in the medicinal soup!”
“A girl is just fine. Madam Shen has a kind heart; her blessings are yet to come.”
Xiang'er stood frozen, a smile slowly creeping across her face, growing wider and wider. “Hahaha, thank you, Heaven! She’s given birth to a useless daughter! Hahaha…”
But as laughter turned to tears, Xiang'er crouched in the shadows, weeping uncontrollably.
...
After a grueling night of labor, Shen Wei was left in pain and exhaustion, her strength completely drained, and she fainted. She didn’t awaken until morning.
Inside the Liuli Pavilion, everything was orderly, without a hint of chaos. Prince Yan had waited until the early hours of the morning, and only after confirming Shen Wei's safe delivery did he retreat to a nearby chamber to rest.
The spring sun shone brightly, filling the Liuli Pavilion with warmth. Shen Wei lay in bed, deep in slumber. Cai Lian opened the window to let out the last traces of blood's scent, then partially closed it again, lighting a delicate incense. She trimmed a few branches of freshly bloomed yellow forsythia and placed them in a white porcelain vase.
The bedding on Shen Wei's bed had been replaced with clean, warm, light-colored linens.
“Cai Lian, the prince is coming to see the mistress,” Cai Ping whispered as she entered quietly.
“Quick, wipe the mistress's face,” Cai Lian instructed.
“Got it,” Cai Ping replied.
Having just given birth, Shen Wei's complexion was not at its best. However, she had specifically instructed that if she fainted after childbirth, her room must be tidied, and her face cleaned.
Even after giving birth, she had to ensure she appeared presentable before Prince Yan.
Cai Lian carefully wiped Shen Wei's face until it was spotless, then used a jade comb to smooth her disheveled hair. Cai Ping applied a touch of light pink rouge to Shen Wei's lips.
The makeup was subtle, avoiding any appearance of being overly done. After their careful preparations, the sleeping Shen Wei exuded a fragile beauty, reminiscent of someone unwell.
Outside, heavy footsteps approached, and Cai Ping whispered, “The prince is here.”
The two maidservants quickly tidied up their tools, and soon the sound of the beaded curtain being lifted announced Prince Yan's entrance.
Cai Lian and Cai Ping bowed their heads in respect.
Prince Yan sat at the edge of the bed, his handsome eyes fixed on the slumbering Shen Wei. He took her slightly cold hand and asked Cai Lian, “What did the physician say?”
Cai Lian replied calmly, “Your Highness, this morning the physician checked her pulse and said there’s no major issue. If she maintains a peaceful mind during her confinement, gets some sunlight, and eats well, she will recover quickly. The wet nurse just finished feeding the little one, and she’s sleeping soundly in the cradle.”
Prince Yan let out a small sigh of relief.
The two maidservants quietly exited, leaving Prince Yan alone with Shen Wei.
The clear spring sunlight streamed through the window, filling the room with a gentle fragrance. Shen Wei lay quietly on the bed, her eyes lightly closed, long lashes casting shadows on her pale skin.
Her complexion was pale, lips a soft pink, her beauty as ethereal as ever, yet now tinged with a fragility that evoked deep sympathy.
Prince Yan found it hard to articulate his feelings. Last night, as Shen Wei struggled to give birth, he had begun to fear. He had finally found a woman with whom he felt a deep connection; if anything happened to her, his future would be devoid of joy.
Fortunately, both mother and child were safe.
Prince Yan had to admit that he was becoming increasingly dependent on Shen Wei.
He kept vigil by her side for an hour, and as noon approached, Steward Fu hurried in to report, “Your Highness, there’s news from the Eastern Palace. They request your presence to discuss matters regarding the Spring Examination.”
The Spring Examination was a significant event for the court, a vital means of selecting talent. Each year, Prince Yan would choose individuals from the candidates to serve him.
Reluctantly, Prince Yan rose, casting a lingering glance at the sleeping Shen Wei.
He instructed Steward Fu, “Pass it on: elevate Shen Wei of the Liuli Pavilion to the status of a concubine. Also, send two more maidservants and two eunuchs to the Liuli Pavilion, and have the Ministry of Internal Affairs send more nourishing medicines for her recovery.”
In truth, Prince Yan wished to elevate Shen Wei to the status of a secondary consort. However, according to royal protocol, a prince needed to discuss such matters with the emperor and empress before proceeding. Only with their approval could the Ministry of Rites draft the necessary documents, and then Shen Wei’s name could be added to the official records, completing the ceremony.
Prince Yan planned to bring up the promotion with the empress after Shen Wei’s child reached one month old.
Steward Fu’s eyes widened in surprise as he calculated the implications. With the existing staff at the Liuli Pavilion, they now had a head nurse, four maidservants, four eunuchs, and two guards. Even Liu Ruyan, the secondary consort, didn’t enjoy such status!
The prince was clearly preparing to elevate Shen Wei further!
What other concubines who had given birth in the inner court had such treatment?
Madam Shen had a bright future ahead!
Steward Fu, ever astute, readily accepted the order, “This old servant will take care of it right away!”
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