Chapter 167
**Chapter 167: Expecting**
Old Madam Dantai closed her eyes briefly, disappointment etched on her face as she said, “You are my child, born after ten months of pregnancy. Naturally, I will protect you... but you truly lack virtue and capability. Heed your mother’s advice: stay quietly in the Wangfu and avoid causing trouble.”
Having managed the household for many years, Old Madam Dantai had a far-reaching vision. Currently, the conflict between Prince Yan and Prince Heng was intensifying, with Prince Yan gradually gaining the upper hand. Perhaps in the future, he would ascend the throne.
As long as the Wangfei remained compliant and refrained from stirring up trouble, her future position as empress would surely be secure. However, if she continued to be obstinate and provoke conflict, her chances of becoming empress would likely vanish.
The empress had sent a message to Old Madam Dantai, subtly conveying the same sentiment—if the Wangfei behaved herself, her position as empress would remain unchanged.
The Wangfei stood frozen in shock. It was hard to believe that her own mother had chosen to turn a blind eye!
“Mother! Don’t you care for your daughter? You just watch as that peasant girl steps all over me!” the Wangfei cried out in despair.
Old Madam Dantai scolded, “Be obedient and stop causing trouble. Your fortune is still ahead of you.”
In the future, even if the Wangfei became an empress without favor, it would still be a great honor for the Dantai family. The male members of the family could rely on the empress as a powerful ally, gaining more prominence in the court.
The Wangfei, however, was clearly not listening, feeling betrayed by her mother. “That Shen woman is constantly at odds with me! What fortune do I have? Mother, who has blinded you?”
Old Madam Dantai rubbed her temples. “Someone, take the Wangfei back. And return that jade Guanyin statue as well.”
The lotus throne of the jade Guanyin was surrounded by intricate carvings of baby totems. This was not the Yangliu Guanyin that bestowed blessings, but rather the Songzi Guanyin, associated with fertility.
At sixty years old, having been widowed for many years, it was rather embarrassing for Old Madam Dantai to receive a “Songzi Guanyin” from her youngest daughter. If word got out, it would surely be a laughingstock.
This clearly showed that the Wangfei had not put much thought into her gift selection.
“Mother, you... you... I think you’ve lost your mind!” The Wangfei, filled with grievances, let her tears fall and angrily swept out of the room.
Just as Liu Momo was about to follow, Old Madam Dantai coldly instructed, “Liu Momo, keep an eye on her. Don’t let her cause any more trouble!”
Liu Momo bowed her head. “This old servant understands.”
The Wangfei stormed out, leaving the inner hall empty. Her eldest daughter, Dantai Shuqin, emerged from the shadows, gently massaging Old Madam Dantai’s shoulders and softly comforting her, “Mother, don’t blame my little sister.”
Old Madam Dantai sighed deeply. “It’s my fault; I spoiled her too much back then.”
The Wangfei had always had things too easy—showered with love as a child, marrying into nobility, and surrounded by children. This smooth and untroubled life had left her unprepared for setbacks, causing her to lose her composure.
...
The Wangfei returned to the Wangfu, seething with anger. She could hardly believe she had faced a setback with her mother today.
Her own flesh and blood refused to help her, watching her suffer in the Wangfu.
The fire of rage within her was almost impossible to extinguish. As she stepped through the grand entrance of the Wangfu, her eyes fell upon the one person she despised: Shen Wei.
Shen Wei’s face was increasingly radiant, as beautiful as a peony blooming in a garden. She stood at the courtyard entrance, speaking to the steward of the Wangfu, who looked at her with utmost respect.
Just seeing Shen Wei’s face made the Wangfei furious. In a moment of poor judgment, she had allowed this ambitious woman into the Wangfu, nurturing a tiger at her door, which had led to her current miserable state.
“What are you planning now?” The Wangfei’s expression was dark.
Shen Wei turned at the sound of her voice. “Old Madam Dantai’s birthday is approaching. The Wangye is busy with official matters and can’t attend, so I’m delivering a jade ruyi to the old madam on his behalf.”
Shen Wei, feeling unwell, could not go to the Dantai residence herself, so she had the steward carry the birthday gift in the Wangye’s name.
The steward carefully held the box containing the jade ruyi, not daring to involve himself in the conflict between the two women, and quickly left with his head bowed.
Shen Wei glanced at the Wangfei, pressing a handkerchief to her temple, and casually remarked, “Now that the Wangfei has returned, you should rest in Kunyuyuan. You’re still unwell.”
Outwardly, it was claimed that the Wangfei was gravely ill, allowing Shen Wei to take charge. If the Wangfei were to be lively and draw attention to herself, it would reflect poorly on the Wangfu.
The Wangfei’s eyes were sharp as knives. “You used to see me as a timid quail, always cautious. Now you’re so bold, even trying to meddle in my affairs!”
Shen Wei had no time to engage in her provocations.
Posturing was futile. The Wangfei had already been sidelined, and the vast Wangfu was under Shen Wei’s control.
Shen Wei turned her gaze to Liu Momo behind the Wangfei, lightly reproaching, “Liu Momo, has the Wangfei’s illness muddled your mind as well? It’s hot out; take the Wangfei back to her courtyard.”
Liu Momo was a clever woman; she understood that Shen Wei was now in charge of the Wangfu. All the servants’ monthly wages were managed and distributed by Shen Wei.
It was wise to avoid offending the one who held the purse strings.
Having just been reprimanded by Old Madam Dantai, Liu Momo stepped forward to grasp the Wangfei’s sleeve, patiently advising, “Wangfei, it’s hot, and you’re not well. You should return to your courtyard—”
Before she could finish, the Wangfei angrily shook off Liu Momo’s hand. “Even you betray me?”
Liu Momo, being older, stumbled and fell to the ground, her old bones aching.
Seeing this, Cai Lian, who was beside Shen Wei, hurried over to help the pained Liu Momo.
The Wangfei was burning with rage. She stepped forward, her sharp gaze clashing with Shen Wei’s, and said each word with precision, “Shen, I am the Wangye’s legitimate wife. No matter how proud you are, you are still just a concubine.”
Shen Wei replied coolly, “Take the Wangfei back to her courtyard.”
A maid immediately stepped forward, attempting to escort the Wangfei back to Kunyuyuan. The Wangfei, feeling provoked, raised her hand and struck Shen Wei hard.
Shen Wei could have dodged, but a thought crossed her mind, and she chose not to.
Slap—
The sound echoed as the Wangfei’s palm connected with Shen Wei’s right cheek.
Dazed, Shen Wei felt her head spin, darkness clouding her vision as she leaned against Cai Ping, “fainting” away.
Cai Ping gasped in shock, supporting the unconscious Shen Wei. “Quick, someone! The mistress has fainted! Call the physician!”
The Wangfei’s eyelids twitched. “What are you pretending for? You think your little tricks can fool me?”
The Wangfei had seen many schemes in the inner chambers; many concubines feigned illness or fainting to win the Wangye’s favor.
The maids carried the fainted Shen Wei back to Liuli Pavilion.
The Wangfei couldn’t be bothered to inquire further and slowly returned to Kunyuyuan. Lacking authority over the household and unable to visit her two sons frequently, she could only pass the time with incense and prayers.
The smoke curled around her, the compassionate Buddha statue sitting high, the strong scent of incense filling the air.
As the Wangfei was offering incense at the altar, Liu Momo entered the room. “The Wangye has returned and, upon hearing that Shen has fainted, went straight to Liuli Pavilion.”
The Wangfei replied nonchalantly, “Shen will only complain to the Wangye that I hit her. What’s there to fear? The mistress has the right to discipline her concubines.”
Liu Momo pursed her lips, gently reminding, “Wangfei, Shen is pregnant again.”
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