Chapter 299
**Chapter 297: The Xie Family**
She was a daughter of the Xie family, cherished by her parents since childhood. Her father had always taught her to prioritize the family above all else.
She bore the weight of the family's future on her shoulders. Now that the scandal had broken, Lan Pin decided to shoulder all the blame, determined not to let the Xie family suffer.
Seeing this, a close maid quickly knelt down, tears brimming in her eyes as she pleaded for Lan Pin, “Your Highness, please see reason! It’s all my fault! My mistress is pure-hearted; it was I who stirred up trouble and led her astray! I know I was wrong! I beg you, Your Highness, to show mercy and spare my mistress.”
Lan Pin’s eyes reddened, “You silly girl, don’t speak nonsense. How could I be swayed by you?”
Shen Wei, seated in the main chair, silently smiled at the touching scene between the master and her servant.
She set down her teacup, “I’m tired. Cai Lian, let’s return to Yong Ning Palace.”
Cai Lian responded calmly, “Yes.”
As Cai Lian supported Shen Wei, they left the main hall of Hua Yang Palace. Lan Pin was momentarily stunned, then hurried to catch up with Shen Wei.
As the noblewoman’s palanquin departed, Lan Pin stood dazed at the palace gate, her mouth opening and closing, “Your Highness... you...”
Lan Pin had expected to face dire consequences today, to be cast into the cold palace, left to a lonely demise.
But to her surprise, Shen Wei did nothing; she simply finished half a cup of tea and left.
Inside the palanquin, Shen Wei, with her fair fingers resting on her forehead, casually asked Lan Pin, “You have two younger half-brothers and one half-sister, right?”
Lan Pin, confused, nodded, “Yes.”
The current head of the Xie family was a respectable gentleman, uninterested in women, with only one wife and one concubine in his household.
His legitimate wife, Wu Shi, hailed from the prestigious Wu family and was Lan Pin’s biological mother. Wu Shi was frail, and after several pregnancies that ended in miscarriage, she finally gave birth to a daughter, Lan Pin, but her health deteriorated, leaving her unable to bear more children.
The head of the Xie family was deeply devoted to Wu Shi and vowed never to take another concubine. However, a prominent family like the Xie family could not be without male heirs. Wu Shi, a virtuous woman, disregarded her husband’s objections and took in a concubine, Aunt Zhao, who soon bore the Xie family two sons and a daughter.
Yet, the head of the Xie family remained cold towards Aunt Zhao, spending most of his time with Wu Shi and doting on their daughter, Lan Pin.
Both the outside world and Lan Pin herself believed that she was the most illustrious daughter of the Xie family.
“Why did the noble consort suddenly bring up my siblings?” Lan Pin asked, puzzled.
Shen Wei smiled slightly and replied, “From now on, you should behave yourself.”
Lan Pin forced a smile and replied obediently, “I will certainly keep to myself.”
Though she maintained a respectful demeanor, Lan Pin knew that once she entered the palace, her fate was no longer her own. To behave herself meant waiting for death; she bore the future of the Xie family on her shoulders and had no choice but to fight.
As the noblewoman’s entourage departed, Lan Pin watched Shen Wei’s magnificent figure fade away, pouting slightly before turning back into the palace.
“Tong’er, prepare the ink and brush! I need to write to my mother!” Lan Pin shouted.
The maid hurried off to gather the supplies.
...
...
Yong Ning Palace.
After returning from Hua Yang Palace, Shen Wei leisurely applied a homemade face mask and began to study the new palace regulations.
On the desk lay a thick stack of detailed documents about the Xie and Wu families, chronicling their affairs. Cai Ping picked up the documents and tossed them into the fire.
The papers were consumed by the flames, turning to ash.
After burning the documents, Cai Ping couldn’t help but murmur, “Mistress, why did you let Lan Pin go? We could take this opportunity to ensure she never rises again.”
Shen Wei poked Cai Ping’s little head, “You silly girl, always thinking about killing this and that. The palace isn’t a battlefield; violence won’t solve anything.”
Cai Ping lowered her head in silence.
Shen Wei continued, “The Xie family is a century-old clan, intricately tied to the Wu family. You can’t just eliminate them; you have to suppress and divide. In my view, Lan Pin is the best entry point.”
The head of the Xie family married the only legitimate daughter of the Wu family, giving birth to Xie Fanglan (Lan Pin). The Xie and Wu families were closely connected, supporting each other.
Two strands of hemp twisted together are hard to sever. Separating them would be much easier. Thus, it was essential to create discord between the Xie and Wu families.
Holding her brush, Shen Wei quickly finished writing the new palace regulations. She blew on the ink to dry it and instructed Cai Ping, “Go, take the new regulations to the Empress Dowager, and have the Emperor finalize them.”
According to palace rules, only consorts of a certain rank could meet their close relatives once a year. Shen Wei wanted to change this regulation so that the concubines and noblewomen could also see their families once or twice a year.
She wanted Lan Pin to see her poor mother, to fully recognize the head of the Xie family’s hypocritical nature, and to drive a wedge between the Xie and Wu families.
Moreover, Shen Wei sensed that the mental health of the concubines in the palace was deteriorating. For instance, Lan Pin, who was neglected and not very bright, could easily become twisted in her mindset after prolonged loneliness, leading her to take extreme actions.
Shen Wei needed to devise measures to help the concubines find some joy in the oppressive palace.
...
...
In Yanjing City, the Xie family.
The Xie family was wealthy, and the soil in their garden was exceptionally fertile, allowing the chrysanthemums to bloom vibrantly. A graceful middle-aged woman strolled leisurely, dressed in a light golden peacock-patterned silk robe, with a brown embroidered outer garment, her hair elegantly styled, her steps delicate.
“Madam, a letter has arrived from the palace,” a maid said, handing her a letter.
Aunt Zhao took the letter, reading it quickly with a hint of mockery in her eyes, “She still hopes for a reply from that shameless Wu Shi—how naive. Burn it.”
The maid complied, burning the letter Lan Pin had sent to Wu Shi.
Since Lan Pin entered the palace, she had written to Wu Shi almost every month. But all those letters were intercepted by Aunt Zhao and turned to ashes.
Aunt Zhao strolled among the chrysanthemums, her well-maintained fingers plucking a precious bloom to play with in her palm. She casually asked the maid, “Has Wu Shi’s condition improved?”
The maid smiled and replied, “The physician says she won’t survive this winter. Once Wu Shi passes, you will be the only mistress of the Xie family.”
Aunt Zhao let out a delighted laugh, crushing the chrysanthemum in her hand, “Poor sister, still thinking the head of the family truly loves her.”
Even in death, she remains a fool.
Aunt Zhao murmured to herself, “Wu Shi is a simpleton, and her daughter is no better.”
The maid laughed in agreement.
After a pause, Aunt Zhao instructed the maid, “Go remind Fanghua to imitate the noble consort well. She needs to mimic the noble consort’s attire, speech, and even her makeup and figure—at least eighty percent resemblance.”
Aunt Zhao had a daughter, Xie Fanghua, with the head of the Xie family.
Xie Fanghua was eighteen this year, strikingly beautiful. What’s more, she bore a resemblance to the noble consort in the palace. With Lan Pin out of favor, the Xie family planned to send Xie Fanghua into the palace to vie for attention.
Aunt Zhao was quite shrewd; she knew that the palace was never short of beauties, and her daughter might not win the Emperor’s exclusive favor.
Fortunately, Xie Fanghua bore some resemblance to the noble consort. The fact that the noble consort enjoyed the Emperor’s favor indicated that he liked her type of woman.
Men are creatures who judge by appearances; they love what they see. Xie Fanghua, being young and beautiful, would surely gradually replace the noble consort in the Emperor’s heart.
The maid supported Aunt Zhao’s arm and said, “Rest assured, Madam. The second young lady has been diligently imitating the noble consort for the past two months, and she’s doing it remarkably well.”
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