A Concubine's Competitive Life in the Prince's Household-Chapter 121

Li Yao lowered her head in grievance, tears pattering down.

At that moment, the elderly nanny who cared for Li Yao appeared, holding a plate of cherry pastries in her hands.

Seeing Li Yao sobbing in the room, the old nanny’s heart ached. She hurried inside and pulled the weeping girl into her arms, then looked up and said, "Princess Consort, Young Mistress Yao is still very young. Please don’t scold her so harshly."

The ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‍nanny had been sent by the Empress to care for Li Yao, so her words carried weight.

The Princess Consort’s face turned cold. "When did a mere outsider like you earn the right to lecture me on how to discipline my own child?"

The nanny replied coolly, "This servant was assigned by Her Majesty the Empress to serve in the Prince’s residence and care for the young mistress. If the Princess Consort is dissatisfied, you may bring your grievances to the Empress herself."

The Princess Consort gritted her teeth in anger.

This wretched old servant—always hiding behind the Empress! The Empress was the mother of the nation, dignified and powerful. The Princess Consort dared not provoke her, so she could only swallow her bitterness.

"You think you’re something, flaunting your authority before me—"

Before she could finish, Nanny Liu hurried into the room and whispered something into the Princess Consort’s ear.

It turned out that the Imperial Academy had dismissed for the day, yet Li Chengke and Li Chengzhen had not returned. Upon inquiry, Nanny Liu learned that the two children had been summoned to the palace by the Empress to dine with her.

The Princess Consort paled in shock!

The Empress had taken her children into the palace! What did this mean? Was she trying to steal them away?

"Prepare the carriage—I must go to the palace at once!" The Princess Consort, frantic with worry, turned and rushed out without sparing Li Yao another glance.

If she were honest with herself, the Princess Consort held little affection for Li Yao. No matter how clever or accomplished a daughter might be, she would one day become another family’s daughter-in-law.

Her scolding of Li Yao tonight stemmed more from a need for control.

Even if the Princess Consort did not particularly care for the daughter she had borne, she still demanded Li Yao’s unwavering loyalty.

After the Princess Consort’s hasty departure, the courtyard fell silent. Li Yao, still held in the nanny’s embrace, had red-rimmed eyes. "Nanny… does Mother truly love me?"

The old nanny sighed deeply but did not answer, simply holding the pitiful girl tighter.

...

This content is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

...

Kunning Palace.

A round rosewood table was laden with exquisite dishes, while palace maids stood quietly in attendance. The hall was hushed.

Li Chengke and Li Chengzhen sat rigidly in their seats, not daring to touch their chopsticks.

The Empress smiled warmly. "It has been so long since your grandmother last saw you. I missed you dearly, which is why I had you brought here. Come, try this Golden Jade Soup."

A maid served two bowls of the soup.

Golden Jade Soup was a favorite among children—sliced chestnuts and yam simmered together, sweetened with honey and garnished with raisins and osmanthus flowers. Its appearance resembled gold and jade, hence the name.

The elder brother, Li Chengke, mustered his courage and stammered, "Th-thank you… Grandmother."

The younger brother, Li Chengzhen, was far more timid. He kept his head lowered, refusing to eat, and stumbled over his words when the Empress spoke to him.

The two children were terrified of the Empress.

Their mother had often whispered in their ears, warning them that the Empress was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, who would force the Princess Consort to kneel for hours as punishment. Over time, the boys had come to see the Empress as a fearsome enemy, feeling nothing but dread in her presence.

The Empress smiled. "Eat well—you’re both too thin. There’s also golden chicken, crab-stuffed oranges, and braised perch."

The children silently sipped their soup.

The Empress did not eat. Instead, her sharp eyes discreetly observed them. Their hands trembled as they held their spoons, and little Li Chengzhen’s eyes were red-rimmed, as if holding back tears.

Just as the meal ended, a maid announced that the Princess Consort of Yan had arrived, requesting an audience.

The Empress rubbed her temples wearily. "How impatient she is. As if I would harm her children. Send Chengke and Chengzhen back to her."

The maids escorted the boys out of Kunning Palace.

Night had fully fallen, and lanterns illuminated the palace grounds in a golden glow. Seated in her chair, the Empress sighed in disappointment, turning to Nanny Qian beside her. "Those children… they’ve been ruined."

The Princess Consort had pushed them to study, believing erudition alone would make them exceptional. But in the imperial family, knowledge was merely an embellishment.

What truly mattered was discernment, courage, and the ability to stand firm—qualities that made a true prince.

Nanny Qian handed her a cup of tea, smiling. "Your Majesty, there’s no need to worry. There’s still Shen Wei. She is clever and bold, with a broad perspective. Her child will surely be remarkable."

The Empress took a sip. "Let us hope so. When Shen Wei gives birth next spring, may it be a son."

After a pause, she added softly, "But even if it’s a daughter… that will suffice."

Given Shen Wei’s favor, she would surely bear more children in the future.

...

...

Time slipped away like sand through fingers. After the autumn rains, temperatures plummeted, and the lotus flowers in Shen Wei’s courtyard withered, their once-lush leaves now dry and brittle.

Ji Xiang and Dechun waded into the pond, spending the afternoon digging up armfuls of lotus roots. Some were sent to the kitchen to be cooked, while others were ground into lotus root starch for storage.

Every morning, two cups of the starch were brewed, sweetened with raisins and osmanthus—a delicacy both Prince Yan and Shen Wei enjoyed.

In autumn, osmanthus trees were transplanted into the courtyard. Their golden blossoms dotted the branches, filling the air with fragrance. Shen Wei’s days passed leisurely—she maintained her pregnancy exercises, attended to Prince Yan, and oversaw the expansion of her shops.

As the seasons changed, her dessert shop, "Wei Yan’s Delights," reduced its ice-based treats in favor of warm autumn sweets, which sold just as well.

Moreover, the "cosmetic powder" Shen Wei had tasked Ye Qiushuang to create was now ready. Ye Qiushuang had tested it herself, finding that it evened out her complexion beautifully. Female customers at the shop, sharp-eyed as ever, quickly noticed and inquired about the product.

Ye Qiushuang distributed small samples, and word of the powder spread.

She named it "Jade Beauty Powder." It was long-lasting, provided excellent coverage, and caused minimal irritation.

Seizing the opportunity, Ye Qiushuang opened a cosmetics shop, selling traditional rouge, lip tints, and hair ornaments—with the Jade Beauty Powder as its star product.

Due to its costly ingredients, a single box was priced at an exorbitant fifty taels of silver, with only thirty boxes available each month. The steep price deterred many, and so far, only two boxes had sold.

Shen Wei was unperturbed. Fine wine needed no bush, and quality cosmetics would find their buyers. She intended to cultivate an air of exclusivity, driving up demand for the powder.

Setting aside the ledger, Shen Wei accepted a cup of citron water from Nanny Rong and asked casually, "Has my younger brother been neglecting his studies at the Confucian Temple?"