Chapter 265
**Chapter 263: A Visit of Punishment**
Li Chengzhen flicked his sleeve, his tone impatient. “Got it.”
He followed the palace maid back, sulking as he returned to his studies.
Shen Wei frowned secretly. The Empress was trapped in Kun Ning Palace, unable to force Li Chengzhen to study any longer. But why did the boy still look so haggard, with dark circles under his eyes, unsteady on his feet, and lacking spirit?
Shen Wei exchanged a glance with Cai Ping. “Cai Ping.”
Cai Ping understood immediately and nodded quickly. Once they returned, she would investigate the recent movements of the Second Prince.
The sedan chair for their departure arrived swiftly, and Shen Wei took her two sons and left.
“Mother, what’s that?” Li Chengyou asked, sitting beside Shen Wei, his curiosity piqued by a large wooden tub in the cool shade of the palace walls.
“Green bean soup,” Shen Wei replied.
In the sweltering heat, large wooden tubs filled with refreshing green bean soup were placed in the shade every few palace paths, allowing the busy palace servants to quench their thirst and relieve their fatigue.
Managing the inner palace required empathy for the servants’ hard work, providing small favors appropriately. However, Shen Wei would never drink from the tub herself; as a manager, she could not mingle too closely with the lower ranks, lest she lose her authority.
Being overly kind could lead to complacency among the servants; being too harsh would breed resentment. The best way to manage the inner palace was to balance kindness with authority—give a slap and then a sweet date.
...
The Chen Fei managed the six palaces with humility and solemnity, earning immense respect among the servants.
The Dantai family was in a state of panic! With the Empress losing favor, the newly entered Dantai Yinxue found herself in a precarious position. One day, the Emperor might decide to depose the Empress and elevate Chen Fei as the new Empress.
As the Shen family rose in prominence, the Dantai family fell into decline. The head of the Dantai family was deeply troubled, racking his brain for a solution.
Meanwhile, Shen Wei was at ease; the affairs of the inner palace were running smoothly and in perfect order. Bored, she decided to visit the Empress with Zhang Miaoyu, showcasing the “virtue of concubines.”
After spending an hour in Kun Ning Palace, the Empress’s face had turned a ghastly shade, on the verge of madness. Shen Wei promptly took Zhang Miaoyu and left, taking a detour to visit Shu Fei Lu Xuan in Chang Xin Palace.
“Why are we going to Chang Xin Palace? I don’t want to go,” Zhang Miaoyu pouted, clearly not fond of Shu Fei.
Shen Wei replied, “Shu Fei is pregnant. As sisters in the same palace, it’s only natural to visit her occasionally.”
Zhang Miaoyu eyed Shen Wei suspiciously. “Are you really that kind-hearted?”
Shen Wei smiled without answering.
The two entered Chang Xin Palace.
In Chang Xin Palace, the begonia flowers were gradually wilting, and the palace maids were methodically sweeping the courtyard. Lu Xuan was strict with her subordinates, and the maids and eunuchs in Chang Xin Palace were well-disciplined under her management.
With a noticeable baby bump and a round face, Lu Xuan greeted them with a gentle smile, her tone calm. “Chen Fei, what brings you to my palace today?”
Shen Wei beamed. “The Donglin Kingdom sent three boxes of dried plum paste as tribute. The Empress kept one and gave me two. I heard that Shu Fei craves sour flavors during her pregnancy, so I brought you a box.”
Lu Xuan smiled thinly. “You’re very thoughtful, Chen Fei.”
Both women were like foxes who had honed their craft for a thousand years, exchanging pleasantries with a veneer of politeness. In the courtyard, there was a pavilion by the cooling pond, where Shen Wei, Zhang Miaoyu, and Lu Xuan settled down together.
Shen Wei cheerfully explained, “This dried plum paste is simple to make. You take the largest, ripest plums from the branches, crush them in a stone mortar, add nourishing herbs and spices, and simmer it over high heat until it thickens. Seal it in a small jar and store it in a cool place. When you want to drink it, just take two spoonfuls and mix it with boiling water. It tastes wonderful.”
Lu Xuan pretended to listen attentively, but inwardly she was puzzled. There must be a reason for Shen Wei’s visit; after all, a fox doesn’t visit a henhouse without a plan. Was she here to harm her unborn child? Was the plum paste poisoned?
Shen Wei seemed to sense Lu Xuan’s thoughts. She instructed her maid Cai Lian, “This special plum soup, neither I nor Yu Fei have tasted yet. Cai Lian, go fetch the tea set and a pot of boiling water. Today, Shu Fei and I will try it together.”
Cai Lian eagerly complied.
Before long, a brand-new tea set was brought in. Cai Lian skillfully scooped several spoonfuls of the plum paste and mixed it with boiling water, the steam rising in the hot weather.
Lu Xuan’s willow-like brows furrowed as she scrutinized Shen Wei across the stone table, unable to decipher her intentions.
Shen Wei’s gaze shifted to the palace maid Xiao Qin beside Lu Xuan. Lu Xuan had two trusted maids, Xiao Qin and Xiao Qi, who were her confidantes.
Xiao Qin noticed Shen Wei’s gaze and her heart raced. She feigned nervousness and asked, “Chen Fei, why are you looking at me like that?”
Shen Wei smiled enigmatically. “You’ve served Shu Fei for many years and have done a great job. This cup of plum soup is a reward for you.”
Xiao Qin was taken aback.
In front of Shen Wei was a small white jade cup filled with steaming dark red soup, white steam wafting up.
How could one drink boiling hot plum soup? A sip would scald the tongue and throat!
“Chen Fei, you’re joking. Such boiling water is impossible to drink. Please, spare me,” Xiao Qin said, lowering her head awkwardly.
Shen Wei raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on her lips. “You, young lady, can’t keep a secret. You love to spread rumors. Rumors are as fierce as tigers, more terrifying than boiling water.”
Xiao Qin’s face turned pale.
Lu Xuan clenched the handkerchief in her hand, finally understanding Shen Wei’s true purpose for visiting. The pretense of a visit was merely a guise; she was here to use Xiao Qin to send a message to Lu Xuan.
Two months ago, Yang Xuanji fell ill, and Lu Xuan had instructed Xiao Qin to spread the rumor that “the Eighth Prince’s illness was caused by Yang Xuanji.” Two months had passed, and the rumor had long since been debunked; Lu Xuan thought Shen Wei had let it go.
But who would have thought Shen Wei would suddenly strike back?
Xiao Qin fell to her knees, trembling, casting a pleading glance at Lu Xuan.
After all, she had served Lu Xuan since childhood, and Lu Xuan couldn’t bear to see her suffer. Putting on a smile, Lu Xuan interceded for Xiao Qin. “Chen Fei, there must be some misunderstanding in this matter. If this maid has offended you in any way, I apologize on her behalf.”
Zhang Miaoyu quickly nodded in agreement, her expression sympathetic. “Chen Fei, Shu Fei’s maid can’t control her tongue. But there’s no need to make her drink boiling water; it could burn her tongue and throat.”
Xiao Qin was overwhelmed with gratitude. “Thank you, Yu Fei, for your kindness.”
Shen Wei rested her chin on her hand, turning to Zhang Miaoyu. “Shu Fei is struggling with her pregnancy and has no time to discipline her servants. Her maid is spreading rumors. Sister Miaoyu, what do you think should be done about this little maid?”
Zhang Miaoyu set down the pastry in her hand, her expression serious. “In my opinion, just use poison to silence her; that way, she won’t hurt her tongue.”
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