A Concubine's Competitive Life in the Prince's Household-Chapter 195

Zhao Qing trembled as he nodded: "It was burned by Shangguan Qian—I swear, I’m not lying!"

Li Yuanli: "You found this book in a cave outside Liangzhou?"

Zhao Qing: "Yes..."

Li Yuanli clicked his tongue and leisurely rose to his feet. After days of interrogation, he had finally confirmed that Zhao Qing was nothing but an empty-headed fool.

He always lacked a bit of luck, never as fortunate as Li Yuanjing.

Without further questions, Li Yuanli stretched lazily in the cool night breeze, his crimson robe flaring like blood in the wind. His guards acted swiftly, tossing the nearly crippled Zhao Qing into the roaring bonfire.

The wind carried Zhao Qing’s terrified whimpers and pleas, which soon faded into silence.

Clutching a white jade fan, Li Yuanli paused to gaze north toward the Great Qing Kingdom. His pet white fox yipped twice and curled up at his feet.

Though he had no proof, Li Yuanli couldn’t shake the feeling that Shen Wei was somehow connected to the burning of the sheepskin book.

But he had already lost the war, forced to flee the Great Qing Kingdom. He would likely never see Shen Wei again.

The imperial palace was no Prince’s Mansion. Now that Prince Yan had ascended the throne, would he still dote on Shen Wei as before? Before long, she might vanish behind those towering palace walls, her beauty extinguished like a dying ember...

"Of all people, she had to marry Li Yuanjing. Sooner or later, she’ll be devoured by the women of the harem," Li Yuanli sighed, pitying Shen Wei.

But after a moment, his expression stiffened. Every time he thought Shen Wei was doomed to fail, she always proved him wrong.

Shen Wei was no helpless damsel. She had effortlessly controlled the Prince’s Mansion’s inner court—and she could easily dominate the imperial harem too.

Li Yuanli sucked in a sharp breath, resentment boiling in his chest. He glared at the dark sky and roared:

"That bastard Li Yuanjing has all the luck!"

...

...

In the Great Qing Kingdom’s imperial palace, servants from the Internal Affairs Office bustled about, scrubbing away years of grime, repainting walls, and tending to gardens.

Inside Kunning Palace, the Empress handed her plump little granddaughter to Nanny Rong, instructing firmly: "Test the bird’s nest soup’s temperature before feeding her. Not too hot. After she eats, put her down for a nap."

Nanny Rong carried Le You away.

Once her granddaughter was settled, the Empress walked to the rear courtyard. There, Concubine Qian knelt on the cold marble floor, her still-elegant face devoid of emotion.

"Prince Heng has left the capital," the Empress said calmly, gazing at her former rival. "It’s time for you to go."

Concubine Qian remained expressionless. "Can my ashes be sent to Southern Chu?"

The Empress nodded. "They can."

Only then did Concubine Qian relax.

A servant presented a cup of poisoned wine.

Clutching the cup, Concubine Qian sneered at the Empress looming above her: "Your scheme won’t succeed. That Shen woman will follow my path—just another stepping stone for the new emperor’s heir."

Years ago, Concubine Qian had entered the palace, winning the emperor’s favor and bearing Prince Heng. The emperor had treated the Empress with cold indifference, leading many to believe the Empress was powerless.

Concubine Qian had been certain her son would inherit the throne.

She had outmaneuvered countless consorts, reigning supreme in the harem—only to realize too late that she had merely been the emperor’s shield, protecting the Empress and the crown prince. The emperor had deliberately empowered Prince Heng, granting him military authority and turning a blind eye to his faction-building, all to sharpen the crown prince’s blade.

"That Shen woman is pitiful," Concubine Qian mocked. "She thinks the new emperor’s favor and a child will secure her future."

Emperors were merciless. For the sake of the realm, they would sacrifice even their most beloved consorts and sons.

She raised the cup and drank the poison in one gulp.

The Empress watched silently before finally speaking: "Yuanjing is not his father. And Shen Wei is not you—she’s far cleverer."

A maid entered the courtyard, bowing deeply. "Your Majesty, Consort Shen has arrived."

The Empress smiled faintly, as if she had expected this. "Have her wait in the main hall."

As the maid left, Concubine Qian’s eyes widened in shock.

The Empress chuckled. "Shen Wei is smarter than you. She won’t repeat your mistakes."

Concubine Qian collapsed, black blood trickling from her lips. She burst into laughter—wild, broken laughter—before the poison took her.

Servants swiftly carried her body to a prepared coffin and slipped it out through the back gate.

Thus, a once-favored consort vanished from the world.

...

...

The Empress returned to the main hall.

She hadn’t seen Shen Wei in months. From afar, the woman looked gaunt, her face pale as if a breeze could topple her.

The moment she saw the Empress, Shen Wei dropped to her knees. "I beg for Your Majesty’s protection."

The Empress arched a brow.

After dismissing the attendants, she helped Shen Wei up, her eyes warm. "Yuanjing is about to ascend the throne. You’ll soon be an imperial consort, your future blooming with glory. Why seek my help?"

Shen Wei replied, "When a flower reaches its peak, its fall is near."

A flicker of admiration crossed the Empress’s lips. "How would you have me help you?"

Shen Wei spoke carefully: "I heard you plan to retreat to the Eastern Hua Mountain villa to pray for the late emperor and the crown prince. I wish to accompany you with my three children, serving at your side."

For months, Shen Wei had pondered a way out.

Finally, she had devised the perfect solution—a few years away from the palace with the Empress, buying herself time.

First, she could recover from childbirth and rebuild her health, refining her beauty to new heights.

Second, her children would grow safely outside the palace, shielded from scheming consorts while bonding with their grandmother.

Third, her absence would make her less of a target, lulling the harem into complacency.

Fourth, her brother Shen Xiuming could climb the ranks in her absence, strengthening her position for her eventual return.

Fifth, she could expand her businesses in the capital, amassing wealth—because Shen Wei feared poverty. Only with enough money would she feel secure.

In short, stepping away from Prince Yan was her best move.

"I beg for Your Majesty’s mercy," Shen Wei pleaded. "Without your protection, my children won’t survive those palace walls."

The room fell silent, the gilded incense burner flickering.

The Empress’s lips curved, her eyes alight with approval. "Every woman in the Prince’s Mansion is clamoring to enter the harem, desperate to bring glory to their families. Yet here you are, wise enough to retreat."

Sometimes, stepping back was the surest way forward.

She clasped Shen Wei’s hands warmly. "I adore Le You, and your two little boys. Let us raise them well—for the Great Qing Kingdom’s future."

Shen Wei smiled in relief.

It was settled.

Both ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‍women were clever. They understood each other without need for lengthy explanations.

Shen Wei looked at her three children. Le You had grown even chubbier, his cheeks like water-filled balloons, soft and squishy to the touch. The twin boys were also lively and healthy, their little plump hands clutching Shen Wei’s sleeves, refusing to let go as they babbled sweetly.

She didn’t stay long in the nursery, rising to return to the Prince's Mansion to prepare for her upcoming departure from the palace.

Just as she reached the door, Shen Wei suddenly heard a soft, milky voice call out, "Mo... Mother..."

The voice was sweet and childish, the words not entirely clear.

Shen Wei turned back to see Le You propping himself up on the edge of the wooden crib with his chubby hands, clumsily standing up. Little Le You had just learned to stand, his big, dark eyes fixed on Shen Wei as he called out again in that tender voice, "Mother... Mother..."

In that moment, Shen Wei felt a sudden sting in her nose.

...

Shen Wei returned to the Glazed Pavilion in the Prince's Mansion.

She summoned Nanny Rong, Cai Lian, Cai Ping, Ji Xiang, and De Shun. These five were her most trusted confidants, utterly loyal to her. frёewebnoѵēl.com

"Prince Yan is about to ascend the throne. I plan to retreat to Mount Donghua to serve the Empress Dowager," Shen Wei said without concealment. "This is a strategic retreat."

The five listened quietly, their expressions solemn.

Shen Wei continued, "Nanny Rong, Cai Ping, and De Shun—you three will accompany the prince into the palace. I will recommend you to the Empress, securing you high positions in the palace as my eyes and ears, gathering intelligence from the six palaces."

She intended to leave the palace for a few years but needed her own people to remain behind. When she returned, she would rely on them to swiftly consolidate her position.

Cai Ping’s eyes reddened as she said reluctantly, "Mistress, this servant would also like to accompany you to Mount Donghua."

Shen Wei reassured her, "You excel at gathering information, uncovering every rumor in the capital. Staying in the palace is where your talents will shine."

Cai Ping lowered her head, obliged to obey.

De Shun knelt and kowtowed to Shen Wei. "Mistress, rest assured—this servant will never forget your kindness. I will work diligently in the palace, clearing any obstacles for your return."

Years ago, De Shun’s mother had fallen gravely ill, requiring rare medicinal herbs for treatment. It was Shen Wei who had generously provided the precious herbs bestowed by the Empress, saving his mother’s life without asking for anything in return.

The debt of saving his mother was etched in De Shun’s heart.

Once everything was arranged, Shen Wei finally relaxed slightly, preparing to return to her chambers to feign illness.

Cai Lian helped Shen Wei inside, her vision far-sighted. Frowning, she cautioned, "Mistress, this servant understands your intentions. But once Prince Yan ascends the throne, the palace will be flooded with new faces. What if he grows tired of the old and forgets you and the young masters?"

With a constant influx of young, fresh beauties entering the palace, Prince Yan would hardly remain chaste for Shen Wei’s sake.

Shen Wei’s red lips curled slightly. "Do you know which woman a man can never forget?"

Cai Lian shook her head in confusion.

Shen Wei answered, "The one who became his white moonlight."

She would leave Prince Yan at the peak of his love for her.

Once Prince Yan became emperor, he would face the complexities of court politics and ambitious concubines in the harem. Burdened by the pressures of his lofty position, he would inevitably yearn for the past’s simplicity and beauty.

In a world tainted by filth, Shen Wei would become the indelible white moonlight in his heart.

Since ancient times, nothing was more devastating than a man’s white moonlight.