A Concubine’s Competitive Life in the Prince’s Household

Cai Lian opened her small notebook and began recounting in a measured tone: "Reporting to Mistress, during the days you were away, the Princess Consort had five disputes with the four elder matrons, and their relationship has become as incompatible as fire and water. Young Mistress Li Yao came to the Glazed Pavilion twice to see you but left when she couldn’t find you.

Consort Liu requested two white plum trees from the Internal Affairs Office and transplanted them into her courtyard. Consort Liu’s daughter fell ill with summer heat but has recovered after taking medicine. Consort Zhang was put on a diet under the supervision of the elder matrons, but instead of losing weight, she gained five pounds. Later, it was discovered she had been sneaking to the kitchen at night to eat..."

"Additionally, the concubine Xiang'er attempted to drown herself last night but was rescued. Matron Liu visited her, and though we don’t know what was said, Xiang'er has since abandoned her suicidal thoughts."

Shen Wei reclined on a cool bamboo chair, idly waving a silk fan as she listened to Cai Lian recount the happenings in Prince Yan's Mansion.

Just then, an announcement came from outside the Glazed Pavilion—Young Mistress Li Yao had arrived.

Shen Wei instructed her attendants to invite the girl in.

Li Yao, dressed in a delicate pink dress with her hair styled in twin buns, entered with a cheerful smile. "Aunt Shen, you’re finally back! May I swing on the swing in your courtyard?"

The swing in Shen Wei’s courtyard was the sturdiest and most beautifully crafted, and Li Yao adored it.

After days apart, Li Yao’s once-pale cheeks had visibly filled out. Since the Princess Consort had abandoned her, the girl had thrived under the elder matrons’ attentive care—eating well, sleeping soundly, and even gaining a healthy plumpness.

"Cai Ping, take Yao'er to the swing," Shen Wei replied warmly, not refusing her request.

Li Yao obediently seated herself on the swing, swaying gently as her laughter rang out like silver bells.

Once she finished swinging, Shen Wei beckoned her over. The Glazed Pavilion had just prepared lotus pastries, Shen Wei’s favorite, and she offered one to Li Yao.

The recipe for lotus pastries was simple: a mixture of flour and lard formed the crispy outer layer, while a dough of flour and lotus pollen created the delicate pink inner petals. Shaped into blooming lotuses and fried until golden, the pastries were as visually stunning as they were delicious—utterly irresistible to children.

Li Yao took a bite, and her eyes widened slowly.

Delicious!

Noticing a crumb at the corner of Li Yao’s lips, Shen Wei reached out and gently wiped it away, murmuring, "Eat slowly. I’ll have Cai Ping wrap a few more for you to take back."

Li Yao froze, the lingering warmth of Shen Wei’s touch still on her skin.

Aunt Shen… had just wiped her mouth?

Her nose tingled with emotion. She remembered how, in the past, when crumbs clung to her lips while eating sweets, the Princess Consort would scold her for lacking the grace befitting a noble daughter.

Yet when her brothers had food on their faces, the Princess Consort would tenderly clean it for them.

"Aunt Shen, you’re so kind," Li Yao whispered, her eyes glistening.

Shen Wei smiled and patted the girl’s cheek.

Outside, an elder matron called out—it was time for Li Yao’s afternoon lesson in ledger-reading.

"Aunt ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‍Shen, I’ll visit again soon," Li Yao said, clutching the lotus pastries as she bid farewell.

At the Glazed Pavilion’s entrance, the elder matron greeted her.

Noticing the pastries in Li Yao’s hand, the matron remarked, "Young Mistress, you seem quite fond of Lady Shen?"

Li Yao nodded earnestly. "Aunt Shen is always kind to me. She gives me treats and never scolds me."

She adored visiting Shen Wei’s quarters—the Glazed Pavilion was always filled with delicious snacks, amusing toys, and Aunt Shen’s gentle warmth. Every visit left Li Yao feeling lighthearted.

The elder matron smiled in approval.

Not all the women in Prince Yan's Mansion were cold-hearted. Shen Wei’s kindness brought a rare warmth to the otherwise austere household.

Tasked with overseeing Li Yao’s daily life, the elder matron had grown fond of the well-behaved girl, almost treating her as a granddaughter. Seeing Shen Wei’s affectionate care for Li Yao brought her great comfort.

Every month, the four elder matrons returned to the palace to report on Prince Yan's Mansion to the Empress.

Before Her Majesty, the matron naturally spoke highly of Shen Wei.

---

That afternoon, Shopkeeper Ye of the dessert shop sent the shop’s account books to Shen Wei.

Recently, "Wei Yan’s Delights" had become wildly popular, prompting an expansion and doubling the number of employees.

The shop’s success, however, had drawn envy. Competitors schemed to undermine it, so Ye Qiushuang devised a clever solution: every three days, she would ostentatiously deliver several boxes of pastries to Princess Zhao Yang’s residence.

Princess Zhao Yang, who enjoyed the shop’s treats, accepted them readily. This created the illusion that the princess was the shop’s patron, deterring further mischief.

"We’ve earned quite a fortune," Shen Wei mused, lounging on a bamboo chair in the waterside pavilion as she skimmed the ledgers, her smile widening.

Business was booming, bringing in riches daily.

Shen Wei began contemplating opening an inn or tavern—but not an ordinary one. She envisioned a grand establishment combining dining, drinking, entertainment, and shopping, akin to a modern-day mall.

Though the capital had countless inns and taverns, none yet offered such an experience. Building a large-scale venue would require substantial funds and a powerful backer, so she couldn’t rush. Clutching the ledger, Shen Wei started drafting plans in her mind.

"Mistress!" Cai Ping hurried into the pavilion, her voice urgent through the shimmering silver curtain. "Mistress, Prince Yan has just returned from court!"

Without looking up, Shen Wei replied calmly, "It’s too hot today. There’s no need to greet him at the gate."

Given her pregnancy and the sweltering weather, Prince Yan had excused her from the daily ritual of waiting under the eaves, insisting she rest in the Glazed Pavilion for the baby’s sake.

Shen Wei had gladly complied.

Cai Ping’s voice grew more anxious. "Mistress, Prince Yan was on his way here, but when he passed the garden, he encountered the concubine Xiang'er… and turned toward her courtyard instead."