Chapter 156
**Chapter 156: The Art of Management**
Shen Wei looked at the people in Liuli Pavilion and smiled, “You’ve all worked hard these past few days. Let’s sort through the old accounts and establish new rules together.”
“If you encounter any difficulties that you can’t resolve, consult Steward Fugui. Remember to keep a humble attitude and ask respectfully.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Especially Cai Lian and Cai Ping, their eyes burning with a fiery ambition. In the past, the servants of Liuli Pavilion held lowly positions. Now, as they followed Shen Wei diligently, they were getting promotions and raises, gradually climbing to the pinnacle of power within the Wangfu’s inner court.
How could they not be happy?
How could they not feel a sense of accomplishment?
In the days that followed, Shen Wei began to take full control of the Wangfu’s management. Overall, things went quite smoothly.
Five or six days later, the court was on break, and Prince Yan did not go out. On a sunny afternoon, he leisurely flipped through the battle reports sent from the border in his study.
The guards stood watch at the door.
As Prince Yan focused on the documents, he suddenly heard the faintest sound of footsteps outside, accompanied by a subtle, elegant floral fragrance. He didn’t need to guess; he knew it was Shen Wei.
His eyes remained on the scrolls as he perked up his ears, waiting for her to enter.
After a while, he only heard the footsteps pause at the treasure cabinet, and then silence fell. Curious, Prince Yan looked up and found Shen Wei peeking in like a hiding cat, her slender figure silhouetted against the bookshelf.
“What are you hiding?” Prince Yan set down the scroll, a hint of a fond smile playing on his lips.
Shen Wei leaned against the bookshelf, her hands gripping its edge, revealing half her head. With her almond-shaped eyes looking over, she said, a bit flustered, “How did Your Highness know I was hiding out here? I didn’t even have the guards announce me.”
Prince Yan thought, “That’s easy to guess.”
Among the wives and concubines in the Wangfu, only Shen Wei dared to play hide-and-seek with him. He found it amusing; every interaction with Shen Wei brought layers of fresh experiences.
So, he occasionally indulged her playful side.
Shen Wei shyly stepped out, wearing a deep purple gown adorned with gold, her hair pinned up with a hairpin gifted by Prince Yan. With rosy lips and white teeth, she stood charmingly by the bookshelf.
She quickly glanced at Prince Yan, then, like a child caught in the act, walked past a wall of bookshelves and sat down beside him on the embroidered golden cloud couch.
On the desk lay a plate of unfinished yunpian cake. Shen Wei habitually took a piece to taste, saying, “I wanted to sneak over to see if you were busy, Your Highness. If you were, I would have quietly left.”
Today, Prince Yan happened to have no pressing matters.
With a slight smile, he looked at Shen Wei, “What brings you here, my little Wei Wei? You don’t just come to the Sanbao Hall for nothing.”
Shen Wei scratched her head, feeling a bit embarrassed, “I’m managing the household, but I’ve run into some trouble…” As she spoke, her beautiful eyes darted up to glance at Prince Yan.
In a good mood, Prince Yan encouraged her, “Go on, tell me. I’m all ears.”
Shen Wei began to vent her frustrations, “Your Highness, managing the household isn’t easy. With the help of Mama Rong and the others, things have been going relatively well these past few days. But recently, I’ve encountered a problem… The accounts for the two estates in the eastern suburbs have been falsified. I sent someone to investigate, but the steward there refuses to admit it. I really can’t think of a solution.”
Pausing, she looked at Prince Yan with hopeful eyes, “I heard that you managed military affairs in the south with thousands of soldiers under your command, and everything was in order. Managing the inner court should be somewhat similar. I came to seek your advice, hoping you could guide me.”
As she spoke, Shen Wei gently tugged at the sleeve of Prince Yan’s brocade robe, a mix of playfulness and reliance.
Prince Yan chuckled.
To him, it seemed like a big deal, but it was really just a matter of a disobedient steward.
However, upon reflection, he understood that Shen Wei came from humble beginnings and lacked experience in managing the household. It was natural for her to take a minor issue so seriously.
With just a little guidance, he believed Shen Wei’s intelligence would allow her to apply what she learned and resolve the problem swiftly.
Prince Yan took a brush and some rice paper, writing the four characters “ruan ying jian shi” (soft and hard tactics). Like a knowledgeable teacher, he patiently explained to Shen Wei, “When subordinates are disobedient and spread rumors, you can use a mix of soft and hard tactics. Use force and authority to intimidate them, while also offering small benefits to win them over…”
The incense burner emitted white smoke as sandalwood burned.
Using military affairs as an example, Prince Yan patiently taught Shen Wei the art of management.
Shen Wei listened intently, nodding frequently. Whenever she encountered something she didn’t understand, she would ask questions. By the end, she was enlightened, praising Prince Yan for his brilliance.
After a stick of incense burned down, the admiration in Shen Wei’s eyes was unmistakable. She joyfully stood up, “I understand now! I’ll go apply what you taught me to solve the problem.”
With a cheerful bow to bid farewell, Shen Wei lifted her skirt and left the study. Prince Yan watched her slender figure depart, resembling a delicate purple butterfly in flight, and he couldn’t hide his fondness.
After leaving Prince Yan’s study, Shen Wei returned to Liuli Pavilion with Cai Ping.
It was early summer, and the weather was getting warmer. Shen Wei waved a silk fan in her hand as she walked, saying, “Cai Ping, go tell Mama Rong to take ten guards to the suburban estate. We must get those old men to hand over the real account books today.”
Cai Ping, following behind Shen Wei, asked in confusion, “Mistress, you already have a way to resolve the estate’s messy accounts. Why do you still need to seek advice from His Highness?”
Since Shen Wei took over the management, Cai Ping had noticed that her seemingly delicate mistress had a mature system for managing the household.
Shen Wei was skilled at utilizing talent and resolving conflicts.
Even without Prince Yan’s guidance, Shen Wei could manage the Wangfu well, yet she still sought his counsel…
Shen Wei paused and looked at Cai Ping, “People need to learn to play dumb sometimes. Even geniuses need a process of growth.”
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In Prince Yan’s eyes, Shen Wei was beautiful and charming. His willingness to let her manage the household was largely due to the Empress’s strong recommendation.
Deep down, Prince Yan didn’t believe Shen Wei could truly manage the Wangfu.
If Shen Wei, having just taken over the inner court affairs, handled everything perfectly without a single mistake, what would Prince Yan think?
A farmer’s daughter mastering the art of management in just a few days would be quite unbelievable. Prince Yan might even suspect Shen Wei’s identity, or think she had ulterior motives from the start.
Thus, Shen Wei couldn’t reveal her capabilities too soon. She needed to hide her talents appropriately, intentionally making a few minor mistakes and pretending to encounter some difficulties.
When faced with challenges, she would seek help from the only person she trusted—Prince Yan. With his “brilliant guidance,” she would then be able to resolve the issues.
This also gave Prince Yan the illusion that, through his step-by-step teaching, Shen Wei, a novice, had finally grasped the methods of managing the household.
What do you call this? It’s a form of nurturing.
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At dusk, Prince Yan arrived at Liuli Pavilion, stepping into the sunset. Little Le You, now able to crawl, was wearing a pink baby outfit, moving around on the cool mat.
Sensing Prince Yan’s scent, Le You turned and clumsily crawled toward him, babbling happily.
“Come here, my sweet girl. Let Father hold you.” Prince Yan scooped up his clingy daughter, feeling a wave of joy.
Having missed her milk, Le You wrapped her small hands around Prince Yan’s neck, leaning her face against his, searching for nourishment. With no teeth yet, she left a trail of wet saliva on his cheek.
Prince Yan didn’t mind at all; in fact, he was overjoyed.
His daughter had kissed him!
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