Chapter 139
**Chapter 139: Preparing for the Full Moon Feast**
What a capable brother this Shen Wei has!
The Empress's face lit up with joy, the pent-up frustration of the past few days dissipating like morning mist. She had initially thought that promoting Shen Wei to a concubine would face numerous obstacles. But now, it seemed that Shen Wei's family had risen to the occasion, securing the best future for themselves.
The Empress smiled broadly, "Excellent! Excellent! I will discuss this with His Majesty shortly and have the Ministry of Rites draft the announcement!"
...
The results of the palace examination were released, and the Da Qing Kingdom was about to welcome a new batch of officials. After the list was published, the Princess of Yan, who was supervising her children as they wrote, received a copy of the successful candidates.
The golden list was long.
But the Princess only glanced at the top three names: the top scholar Zhang Fenghua from Yanjing; the second place Shen Xiuming from the southern Dingzhou; and the third place Liu Zhang from Yunzhou.
She quickly skimmed through the list and placed it on the desk.
With a sigh, she turned to her two children, who were engrossed in their studies. "I don’t expect you to be as talented as the top scholar, but I do hope you both achieve something worthwhile. One day, you will inherit your father's throne and earn a reputation for virtue and wisdom, rather than being useless fools."
As long as her son succeeded, she would have her pride as a mother.
The two children gripped their brushes, focused on their writing, seemingly oblivious to their mother’s words.
"Your Highness," Liu Mama entered the study, "Tomorrow, the Shen family from Liuli Pavilion will host a full moon feast for their child."
The Princess raised an eyebrow, her fingers idly twisting the prayer beads, "Prepare the East Ear Room for the child to stay in."
It had been a long time since the Princess had cared for an infant.
Despite her many grievances against Shen Wei, she still had to maintain appearances. The Princess would raise Shen Wei's daughter, providing her with enough food and care, but she would not nurture her as a legitimate daughter. Once the girl reached marriageable age, she could be married off to any suitable family, fulfilling the responsibilities of a matriarch.
The Princess sneered, "One child is hardly enough. The Shen family should have a few more. I will take good care of her children."
Concubines and secondary wives were merely tools for expanding the royal family.
No matter how glorious Shen Wei became, a farmer's daughter could never rise to the position of the Princess.
Liu Mama chimed in, "I fear that Shen Wei is probably hiding in her room, crying alone right now—who's out there?"
Liu Mama's keen ears caught the sound of footsteps outside. She hurried to the door and saw Li Yao standing there.
Li Yao held a beautiful paper kite, staring blankly at Liu Mama and the Princess.
Seeing Li Yao's dazed expression, the Princess coldly remarked, "Chengke and Chengzhen are studying hard; don’t disturb them."
Li Yao pouted her rosy lips, her small face clouded with disappointment. Inside, Li Chengke and Li Chengzhen dared only to steal a glance at Li Yao, fearful of being caught by the Princess, and quickly lowered their heads.
"Then... I’ll take my leave," Li Yao said, clutching the kite, turning away in a huff.
Liu Mama, noticing her distress, quickly stepped forward, "Oh dear, little princess, are you going to Liuli Pavilion to find Shen Wei again? You should be more careful; now that Shen Wei has her own daughter, she won't have time for you."
Li Yao froze, tears glistening in her round eyes.
Shen Yi Niang no longer liked her now that she had her own daughter?
As Li Yao thought about it, she realized that Shen Yi Niang had been increasingly busy, and their time together had grown shorter.
"Your Highness is your true mother; only she treats you like a daughter. Shen Wei is merely using you," Liu Mama added, fanning the flames.
Li Yao silently lowered her head, feeling a deep sense of injustice. She wiped away the tears welling in her eyes with her small hand and quietly returned to her courtyard, clutching the kite.
Liu Mama felt a surge of satisfaction.
Li Yao's growing distance from Shen Wei would only benefit the Princess.
...
At Liuli Pavilion, Shen Wei was busy.
Tomorrow was the full moon feast for her child. Although Shen Wei was currently a secondary wife, in the Yan royal household, all concubines below the rank of side wife were considered "servants," mere slaves to the prince.
For the feast, she couldn't invite the high-ranking officials of Yanjing; she could only invite the ladies of the royal household.
Shen Wei was sorting through newly purchased fabrics when Cai Ping entered the room to report, "Mistress, the dishes in the kitchen are ready and kept cool in well water. We will start cooking tomorrow morning. Sister Cai Lian has prepared all the cups and plates needed for the banquet. You can rest assured, there won't be any mistakes."
Shen Wei nodded with satisfaction.
After long training, the servants of Liuli Pavilion had become a highly efficient team. Shen Wei didn’t need to worry too much; Cai Lian and Cai Ping could handle the affairs of the courtyard on their own.
Cai Ping continued, "Mistress, Steward Fu Gui has come to deliver two boxes of tribute spring tea. This tea is a tribute from Nan Chu to His Majesty; our Yan royal household received five boxes, and the prince gave you two, while the Princess received one."
Shen Wei set down the fabric, her eyes sparkling, "Steward Fu Gui came personally to deliver it; I should see him off."
Stepping outside, Shen Wei expressed her gratitude to Fu Gui for his delivery. She took a moment to assess him and couldn’t help but say, "Steward Fu Gui, you seem to have lost weight since I last saw you."
The former Fu Gui had been plump and round.
Now, he had slimmed down considerably, his skin sagging, dark circles under his eyes. His gaze was dull and weary, his whole demeanor exuding exhaustion.
Fu Gui sighed, wiping the sweat from his forehead, "It's been busy since spring; there are too many trivial matters in the royal household. I’ve been running around so much that my legs feel like they might break, so naturally, I’ve lost weight."
The Princess had been increasingly negligent lately, and the maids and nannies around her were of little help. Most of the household affairs had been thrown onto Fu Gui.
He was literally worn down to a shadow, suffering in silence.
Shen Wei said, "Steward Fu Gui, you’ve worked hard. Just so happens that my people at Liuli Pavilion are free; I’ll send Rong Mama, Cai Lian, and Ji Xiang to help you."
Fu Gui quickly waved his hands, "No, no! Tomorrow is the little princess's full moon feast; how could I dare to use Mistress Shen's people?"
Shen Wei smiled, "Steward Fu Gui, there's no need to be polite. Liuli Pavilion has plenty of hands. Let Cai Lian and Ji Xiang help you; they can learn a thing or two."
Shen Wei intended to take over the management of the household from the Princess, but running the royal household was not a one-person job; she needed experienced helpers.
Sending Rong Mama, Cai Lian, and Ji Xiang to assist Fu Gui would also help them gain experience.
Fu Gui, being astute, quickly grasped the underlying connections.
He respectfully clasped his hands and sighed, "Thank you, Mistress Shen! This old body of mine can hardly take it anymore; I just hope to retire soon and grow vegetables at home."
After managing the Princess's household, Fu Gui feared he might work himself to death. Shen Wei's willingness to help him escape this plight was a blessing he could only wish for.
After seeing Fu Gui off, Shen Wei returned to her room to continue selecting fabrics.
She picked out several pieces and instructed Cai Ping, "These two rolls of brocade, make four summer outfits for my daughter. This piece of jacquard silk, send it to Sister Miao Yu. Also, this afternoon, go to the embroidery room and fetch the summer skirt and handkerchief made for Yao'er, and take them to the Peony Courtyard."
Cai Ping noted everything down.
Shen Wei rubbed her sore wrists and added, "I've been busy lately and haven't had time to spend with Yao'er. Tonight, bring her over for dinner; I can't let her grow distant from me."
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