A Concubine’s Competitive Life in the Prince’s Household
Chapter 286

The Yongning Palace was brimming with joy and celebration.

Shen Wei felt a faint premonition in her heart and asked Cai Lian, "What’s the occasion?"

Cai Lian, her eyes curved in delight, replied with a smile, "Your Highness, Chief Eunuch Zhou just visited. The Emperor has appointed the Minister of Rites as the envoy to bestow the title of Imperial Concubine upon you this afternoon."

Shen Wei silently calculated the stipend of an Imperial Concubine in her mind.

The salary for an Imperial Concubine was significantly higher than that of a Consort, second only to the Empress. With the Empress currently confined, Shen Wei now held the highest-ranking position in the harem.

A satisfied smile graced Shen Wei’s lips.

Being elevated to Imperial Concubine didn’t surprise her. She had both a son and a daughter and enjoyed the favor of both the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.

Li Yuanjing had initially intended to make her Empress, but Shen Wei, considering the bigger picture, tactfully declined. The Emperor must have felt indebted to her—and when a man feels indebted to a woman, he’ll go to great lengths to make amends.

"Excellent," Shen Wei said, her expression only slightly pleased, betraying no excessive excitement. "Since I’ve been promoted, all the servants of Yongning Palace shall receive an additional ten percent in their monthly wages."

She wouldn’t forget to reward those who served her faithfully upon her rise in status.

The palace was filled with jubilation as the servants knelt and expressed their gratitude.

By the hour of the afternoon, the envoy arrived with the ceremonial scepter and the Imperial Concubine’s seal, announcing the imperial decree in the main hall. The ceremony proceeded smoothly, with every concubine in the harem present to offer their congratulations.

Dressed in lavish ceremonial robes, Shen Wei received the decree.

The reactions of the other concubines varied.

Zhang Miaoyu jumped in place twice, her face alight with the joy of having secured a powerful ally;

Lu Xuan clutched her silk handkerchief tightly, her expression unreadable;

Liu Ruyan’s gaze remained as calm as still water, undisturbed by even a ripple;

Concubine Lan’s envy was palpable as she stared longingly at the golden robes adorning Shen Wei, imagining herself in them;

Concubine Qiao frowned slightly, seemingly puzzled that Shen Wei had climbed so high.

...

By the time the festivities concluded at nightfall, Shen Wei finally returned to Yongning Palace.

Nanny Rong led the palace maids in cataloging the congratulatory gifts from the concubines and noblewomen. Piles of gold, silver, and jade filled the room, bringing Shen Wei immense satisfaction.

Promotion was wonderful—now she sat atop a mountain of riches.

She ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‍mentally tallied her wealth: the silver she received in the palace was substantial, and her businesses outside the palace were expanding rapidly.

Sipping her tea contentedly, Shen Wei thought, Making money truly is a delight.

"Your Highness, look at this," Nanny Rong said, her eyes lighting up as she uncovered a box among the gifts. "The wife of the Vice Minister of Rites sent a natural ruby from Southern Chu, shaped like a rose. It’s exquisite."

Shen Wei glanced over.

Inside the delicate box lay an uncut ruby, its form resembling a crimson rose in full bloom.

"The wife of the Vice Minister of Rites... Tantai Rou," Shen Wei recalled. Yan Yunting, the Vice Minister of Rites, had married Tantai Rou, a woman from a modest family, before Princess Zhao Yang’s political marriage.

The dramatic love triangle between Yan Yunting, Princess Zhao Yang, and Tantai Rou had finally come to an end.

After the wedding, Yan Yunting immersed himself in his duties, serving Li Yuanjing diligently. Tantai Rou, meanwhile, became the perfect virtuous wife, managing the Yan household flawlessly and earning high praise among the noblewomen of the capital.

"A ruby unique to Southern Chu—she certainly has connections," Shen Wei remarked before instructing Nanny Rong to store it away. Next year, when Li Wan'er came of age, this distinctive gem would make a fine gift.

As Nanny Rong left to secure the gift, Shen Wei reclined in her rattan chair, sipping warm milk tea. The mention of Tantai Rou reminded her of Princess Zhao Yang.

Zhao Yang had departed the capital in early May, and now, with autumn in full swing, she must have long arrived in the Yue Kingdom. Half a year had passed, yet she hadn’t sent a single letter.

With such distance between them, Shen Wei wondered if she would ever see Zhao Yang again in this lifetime.

The beaded curtain parted as Cai Ping entered respectfully, presenting a letter with a smile. "Your Highness, Lord Shen has written. Along with this letter, he sent a large crate of dried seafood and nuts."

Setting down her cup, Shen Wei unfolded the letter.

Months ago, Shen Xiuming had been assigned to oversee trade with the Eastern Lin Kingdom along the coast. Recently, Li Yuanjing had reassigned him to supervise the construction of the Mingyuan River dam, further elevating his rank.

His career was flourishing.

The letter was filled with familial concern—he inquired about Shen Wei’s well-being in the palace, the health of their mother in the capital, and, in a postscript, expressed care for Moxun.

Shen Xiuming wrote that Moxun was eccentric, with a fondness for alcohol, and asked Shen Wei to keep an eye on her to prevent excessive drinking.

He also requested that a portion of the roasted chestnuts from the crate be given to Moxun, as she loved them.

"Moxun... It seems my brother is quite taken with her," Shen Wei mused, raising an eyebrow. Her younger brother was of marriageable age now.

Shen Xiuming clearly harbored feelings for Moxun.

But Shen Wei knew better—Moxun was a mysterious woman from the Yue Kingdom, while Shen Xiuming was an official of Qing State. Their allegiances lay on opposite sides, making any future together nearly impossible.

"Your Highness, since the dam construction began in Qing State, the Eastern Lin Kingdom has softened its stance," Cai Ping whispered. "I’ve heard they intend to present the Emperor with a beauty as a gesture of submission."

Shen Wei arched a brow.

The Eastern Lin Kingdom sought to demonstrate loyalty by offering a beauty, and once the princess of Yue Kingdom came of age, she too would be sent to Qing State.

The harem would soon become even livelier.

A voice announced the Emperor’s arrival at Yongning Palace.

Shen Wei set aside Shen Xiuming’s letter and went to greet Li Yuanjing. Since it wasn’t yet dinnertime, she led him inside to rest.

With autumn approaching, the weather had cooled, and Shen Wei had redecorated the chamber accordingly.

The curtains were now pale golden gauze, the walls adorned with Li Yuanjing’s hand-painted Autumn Mountain Retreat, and the air lightly scented with osmanthus. She had also commissioned two melon-shaped cushions for added comfort.

Li Yuanjing took Shen Wei’s hand, his eyes warm with amusement. "What has the Imperial Concubine been occupied with?"

Shen Wei smiled. "Reading a letter from home—Cai Ping, bring some of those dried nuts for His Majesty and me to sample."

Cai Ping swiftly retrieved a jade plate of shelled nuts from the crate.

"From home?" Li Yuanjing asked curiously.

Shen Wei handed him the letter, her tone playful. "Your Majesty, take a look. I suspect my little brother has found someone special."

As Li Yuanjing read the letter, Shen Wei cracked open a chestnut and savored its sweetness.

Holding the letter, Li Yuanjing felt a pang of emotion.

It wasn’t uncommon for concubines to exchange secret letters with their families—many acted on their families’ behalf, vying for favor or relaying palace affairs.

Such letters were always kept hidden, never shared.

But Shen Wei had casually handed him her brother’s letter without hesitation, her heart always open to him, unguarded and trusting.