Chapter 313
**Chapter 311: The Psychological Issues of the Concubines**
The next day, at dawn, Princess Donglin dressed herself elegantly and rode in a royal carriage into Yanjing City.
At the city gate, officials from the Ministry of Rites of the Qing Kingdom awaited her arrival. The procession of Princess Donglin entered Yanjing along the royal highway. She discreetly lifted the carriage curtain and caught sight of the city guards clad in armor lining the route.
The guards stood tall and proud, gripping their long red-tasseled spears, their gazes sharp and vigilant.
The towering city walls, the bustling streets in the distance, and the closely packed houses all spoke of the prosperity of the great Qing. Princess Donglin sighed inwardly; indeed, the Donglin Kingdom could hardly compare.
As she curiously observed her surroundings, she suddenly felt a burning gaze upon her. Turning her attention to the officials accompanying her, she spotted a young man in a red official robe standing out among the crowd.
He was strikingly handsome, exuding an air of scholarly elegance. He stared at Princess Donglin in astonishment, as if he had recognized an old acquaintance.
Sensing something unusual, Princess Donglin deliberately smiled gently at the young official.
With her meticulous mind, she maintained an image of innocence and vivacity in public, leading everyone to believe she was just a simple-minded little princess.
Her bright smile left the young official even more taken aback.
Lowering the crimson curtain, Princess Donglin asked her attendant beside her, “Who is that young official in his twenties on the left?”
The attendant flipped through a booklet. “Your Highness, that is Yan Yunting, the Right Vice Minister of Rites. A talented young man from a prestigious family, it is said that he is highly regarded by the Emperor.”
Princess Donglin pondered this information, committing his name to memory.
...
The following day, Shen Wei sent someone to prepare accommodations for Princess Donglin. Regardless of whether Li Yuanjing accepted her or not, according to the regulations of the Ministry of Rites, she was required to stay in the palace for a few days.
If she were to be conferred as a concubine, she would be officially enshrined in the palace. If she were to be given in marriage to a noble relative or minister, she would be married off from the palace.
While Shen Wei arranged for Princess Donglin's reception, she summoned Zhang Miaoyu, intending to organize some entertainment activities for the concubines in the harem.
Zhang Miaoyu sat beside a wooden couch, flipping through Shen Wei's plans. “Playing Yezi Pai with Pai Jiu, embroidery, ancient games by the hearth, listening to music while riding... Ah, the palace is quite lively.”
Shen Wei nodded. “Once you enter the palace, it’s like diving into the deep sea; it’s hard to escape for a lifetime. The concubines are trapped in their small courtyards day in and day out, growing increasingly melancholic. It’s truly pitiful.”
The concubines in the Qing harem were lifeless.
Each one, a flower-like beauty, entered the palace with dreams of winning the Emperor's heart, only to be battered by reality, leaving many despondent and withdrawn, preferring to curl up alone in their chambers.
Humans cannot live without social interaction.
Prolonged solitude can easily lead to depression, and even a slight provocation can twist their minds into something unrecognizable.
The psychologically distorted concubines resembled patients in a lunatic asylum, either fading away in despair or becoming dangerously volatile—both pitiable and perilous.
Shen Wei, overseeing the harem, had recently revised the palace rules, allowing the families of the concubines to visit twice a year to alleviate their depression. In addition, she planned some stress-relieving games for the concubines to participate in.
She wanted them to enjoy tea together, play cards, and entertain children, adding a touch of joy to their otherwise monotonous lives.
Zhang Miaoyu rested her chin on her hand, still worried. “The ideas are good, but they might not appreciate it. Those concubines are like wolves in sheep's clothing, hoping you lose favor so they can take your place.”
Shen Wei sighed. “We can only do our best.”
In truth, the best way to alleviate their depression would be for Li Yuanjing to spend time with the concubines. If the Emperor visited one palace today and another tomorrow, he could ensure that everyone felt equally favored.
However, Li Yuanjing was a ruler with real power, and with the downfall of the noble families that had once restrained him, he no longer needed to rely on the concubines to stabilize the court. He was not the type to be infatuated with women; his heart and mind were fully occupied by Shen Wei, and he spent most of his time in her palace, occasionally staying over at the other concubines' quarters.
In Li Yuanjing's eyes, Shen Wei was both a sumptuous feast and a comforting bowl of congee—delicious in every way, embodying the best qualities of all women.
He never grew tired of her, always savoring the experience.
Li Yuanjing often rested in Yongning Palace, and though he found it no trouble, Shen Wei was growing increasingly frustrated. Recently, she had tried to subtly suggest that he visit the other concubines more often.
Li Yuanjing's face darkened at once.
Shen Wei felt a chill run down her spine.
For years, she had played her role too well, firmly establishing herself in Li Yuanjing's heart. If she insisted on encouraging him to spread his affections, the deep emotional persona she had cultivated over the years might crumble, leading him to doubt her sincerity.
Shen Wei dared not press further, silently counting the days on her fingers, knowing her child would not grow up for another decade or so. For now, she would endure.
She would kick him to the curb after retirement.
“Weiwei, you really are a special person,” Zhang Miaoyu said, resting her chin in her hand, a hint of regret in her voice. “It’s a pity the Emperor won’t depose the Empress; otherwise, you would surely become a renowned and virtuous Empress in history.”
Shen Wei smiled gently. “The Noble Consort is quite good; too much of a good thing can lead to excess.”
If Shen Wei were to become Empress, as the mother of the nation, she would have to be dignified, virtuous, and set an example for the Emperor to be fair and just, forever trapped in rigid rules.
As a Noble Consort, she was not bound by such strictures. Occasionally doing a good deed would earn her praise from everyone.
The expectations for a Noble Consort were far less demanding than those for an Empress.
...
As noon approached, the luxurious carriage of Princess Donglin finally arrived at the palace, passing through the imposing and solemn palace walls.
A princess from a small foreign kingdom did not warrant the Emperor's personal reception. Thus, the arrangements for her welcome fell to Shen Wei, who oversaw the harem.
Shen Wei, accompanied by high-ranking female officials and officials from the Ministry of Rites, waited at the East Wu Gate.
In late autumn, the ancient trees outside the palace had turned yellow, their leaves falling to reveal bare branches.
Zhang Miaoyu stood behind Shen Wei, craning her neck to look, muttering, “I hope this Princess Donglin knows her place and doesn’t cause any trouble.”
A princess from a powerful nation commands respect wherever she goes. The princess of a small kingdom may sound noble, but in reality, she was worth less than the daughter of a fourth-rank official in the great Qing.
With the imperial guards clearing the way, the crimson carriage slowly rolled to a stop at the palace entrance. The eunuchs set up a footstool, and the maidservants lifted the heavy crimson curtain, carefully assisting Princess Donglin, whose hands were as white as jade, down from the carriage.
Dressed in a splendid golden ceremonial robe, her long hair elegantly styled, Princess Donglin greeted Shen Wei with a respectful yet confident demeanor. “I am Zhenmin from the Donglin Kingdom, honored to meet you, Noble Consort Chen.”
As she lifted her head, the autumn breeze rustled her golden hairpin, revealing a strikingly beautiful face to all present.
Shen Wei was momentarily taken aback.
The distant Princess Donglin bore a striking resemblance to Zhao Yang.
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