A Concubine's Competitive Life in the Prince's Household-Chapter 157
Prince Yan carried his little daughter, leisurely strolling through the courtyard, admiring the lush green vegetable sprouts in the garden together. It wasn’t until the wet nurse arrived, reminding him it was time for the child to be fed, that he reluctantly handed his daughter over.
Dinner was still some time away, so Prince Yan made his way to the side hall, where Shen Wei was engrossed in reviewing account books. Occasionally, her delicate brows would furrow, and at other times, her face would brighten with a smile.
"Your Highness," Shen Wei exclaimed upon hearing his arrival, promptly setting aside the ledger and rushing over joyfully.
She wrapped her arms around Prince Yan’s, her face alight with admiration. "Thanks to Your Highness’s brilliant plan, the managers of those two estates finally handed over the real account books."
Prince Yan’s lips curved upward, a surge of pride swelling in his chest.
He took Shen Wei’s hand and sat her down. "Managing a household is tedious and exhausting. If you ever grow weary of it, I can have someone else take over the domestic affairs for you."
Shen Wei widened her eyes in playful protest. "Absolutely not! Entrusting it to others would only make me uneasy."
She had worked too hard to secure control over the household. If she were to relinquish it now, she’d be tossing and turning all night in frustration.
Now that she held the reins of Prince Yan’s estate, she had full knowledge of all financial flows, overseeing dozens of shops in the capital and vast stretches of fertile farmland. Leveraging the influence of Prince Yan’s household, she could expand her own business ventures. With his name backing her, her enterprises in the capital would face no obstacles.
A steady stream of wealth flowing into her personal coffers was all but guaranteed.
Becoming a magnate was only a matter of time.
Shen Wei was no saint. To achieve her goals, she wouldn’t hesitate to use anyone as a stepping stone. She could act, she could feign ignorance—she would stop at nothing.
Life was but a play—who wasn’t performing for someone?
Gazing at Prince Yan with deep affection, she said earnestly, "This humble one will manage the household diligently, ensuring Your Highness has no worries. No matter how exhausting it gets, it’s worth it if it eases even a fraction of your burdens."
Prince Yan squeezed her hand, his heart brimming with emotion.
Who else but Shen Wei would devote herself to him so wholeheartedly?
The candlelight in the room cast a warm glow, illuminating Shen Wei’s radiant, delicate features and her clear, bright eyes. Prince Yan pulled her close, leaning down to meet her lips in a lingering kiss.
Dinner was delayed that evening—Shen Wei didn’t even get a chance to glance at her account books again.
...
The Princess Consort had long neglected the household affairs, leaving the chief steward overburdened and the estate’s accounts in disarray. Shen Wei painstakingly sorted through the mess, expending considerable effort.
Yet, far from slacking, she was invigorated by the challenge.
She thrived on trials.
Before, she had managed just a small glassware shop. Now, she oversaw an entire princely estate. The scale was different, but the core principles of management remained the same.
Occasionally, Shen Wei made minor missteps in her administration, but Prince Yan would graciously turn a blind eye.
One day, as Prince Yan returned to the estate and headed habitually toward the glassware pavilion, Granny Liu suddenly intercepted him. "This old servant greets Your Highness. In half a month, it will be the sixtieth birthday of the Princess Consort’s mother. Her Ladyship wishes to speak with you regarding the selection of gifts."
Prince Yan had no intention of humoring the request.
But Granny Liu mentioned the Princess Consort’s mother—the esteemed matriarch of the Tantai family. Out of filial duty, Prince Yan had no choice but to change course and head toward Kunyu Courtyard.
Though the Princess Consort remained confined for her health, the gardens outside Kunyu Courtyard were impeccably maintained. That was Shen Wei’s doing. After taking charge of the household, she had allocated funds to repair the estate’s crumbling walls and arranged for regular trimming of the foliage along the main paths.
Even the remote southwestern quarters—the dilapidated residences of neglected concubines—had been refurbished, with walls and roofs patched up.
Kunyu Courtyard appeared neat and orderly, but as Prince Yan stepped inside, he was met with the overpowering scent of incense from the shrine, thick enough to make one lightheaded.
"This humble one greets Your Highness," the Princess Consort said, emerging in a drab gray-brown robe, her face haggard as she curtsied.
Days of separation had etched new lines onto her face, and her entire demeanor exuded exhaustion. Tears glistened in her eyes as she looked at Prince Yan.
A pitiful sight.
Prince Yan frowned. Seeing her in such a state stirred a twinge of guilt—had his punishment been too harsh?
Once inside, Granny Liu served Prince Yan tea. He took a sip before speaking calmly, "Have you reflected on your mistakes?"
The Princess Consort lowered her gaze, tears falling silently. "Your Highness, this humble one has been reciting sutras daily before the Buddha, praying for our departed child. I have long since recognized my faults."
Her rare show of remorse softened Prince Yan’s heart slightly. After all, they had once been a loving couple. If she truly repented, he was willing to give her another chance.
Seeing his reaction, the Princess Consort pressed on. "Your Highness, this humble one acknowledges her wrongdoing. You and Her Majesty the Empress Dowager confined me, and I accept that. But allowing that peasant-born Shen Wei to manage the household—it’s simply improper."
Prince Yan’s grip on the teacup stiffened.
The Princess Consort continued, "Though confined, I’ve heard that Shen Wei recently had estate stewards beaten by guards. Just days ago, she sold off two servants for minor mistakes. If this is how she manages the household, in the long run—"
Before she could finish, Prince Yan slammed the teacup onto the table.
Tea sloshed over the rim, splashing onto the surface.
The room grew heavy with tension.
The Princess Consort paled, unsure what had provoked his anger. She had gone to great lengths to summon him, admitted her faults, and pointed out Shen Wei’s mismanagement—all in hopes of reclaiming her authority.
Yet Prince Yan was furious?
Prince Yan stood, his gaze now icy. "You’ve been recuperating in Kunyu Courtyard, yet your sources of information remain sharp."
The Princess Consort hastily defended, "Your Highness, Shen Wei is unfit to manage the household! The beatings and the selling of servants—these are facts!"
Prince Yan could barely stand to look at her foolish face. The disciplinary measures—the beatings, the dismissals—were strategies he himself had taught Shen Wei.
Some servants refused to obey unless met with force. Authority had to be asserted. Rewards and punishments were necessary to maintain order.
Prince Yan turned to leave, throwing over his shoulder, "Focus on your mother’s birthday gifts. Overreach, and you’ll only break your own hand."
The Princess Consort stood frozen.
As his imposing figure disappeared, her legs gave way, and she collapsed back into her chair.
Baffled and seething, she muttered through gritted teeth, "What kind of bewitchment has that Shen Wei cast on His Highness? How can he indulge her so?"
She refused to accept this.
Night fell, and after a hasty dinner, the Princess Consort tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She racked her brain for a way to reclaim her authority.
Control over the household was a matter of dignity—the rightful privilege of the primary wife.
At dawn, Granny Liu entered with an impassive expression. "My lady, Xiang'er requests an audience."
