Don't be a salted fish, the daily life of the concubine in the palace

You can hear needle drops indoors.

The queen still had a kind smile on her face, but the smile did not reach her eyes.

But Shen Wei knew that this was a life-threatening question! It was like you were a new employee in a company, and the chairman (the queen) came to you and asked you solemnly whether you wanted to kick out another female director (the princess) and take his place.

Can you answer "yes"? Of course not!

The princess was born into the Tantai family, a century-old family. Shen Wei, a small peasant girl with no background or support, could not replace the princess at all.

But if you answer "I don't dare to dream", you will be belittling yourself too much.

Shen Wei's heart was beating fast, and her brain was thinking quickly. She put on a brave face and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Shen Wei's family is poor. Fortunately, the prince has shown mercy and can live a life without worries. I love the prince and only want to accompany the prince for my whole life, give birth to children for the prince, take good care of them, and let the prince have no worries. As for the rest, I really don't want to think too much."

She did not answer the Queen's question directly, but mentioned her love for Prince Yan indirectly.

She was hinting to the Queen that as long as she stayed with the Prince of Yan, she would be willing even if she was a concubine. She only had the Prince of Yan in her heart and didn't care about her position. And what the Prince of Yan's mansion lacked most was a woman who could take care of the Prince of Yan wholeheartedly and manage the mansion.

It was quiet inside.

The queen looked at Shen Wei for a moment, then gently put down the celadon teacup and said with a faint smile: "She is quite a smart person."

Shen Wei bowed her head: "Your Majesty, your praise is too great."

The Queen asked, "Can you write?"

Shen Wei: "I know a little. The prince taught me how to write."

Queen: "Can you read the account book?"

Shen Wei: “I understand a little bit.”

Queen: "The maids and eunuchs in your courtyard are loyal. Aren't you afraid that they may harbor ulterior motives?"

Shen Wei replied: "Don't employ people you doubt, and don't doubt people you employ."

There was admiration in the queen's eyes.

The queen slowly raised her hand, and Nanny Qian beside her quickly helped her up.

The Queen is leaving.

Shen Wei led everyone from Liuli Pavilion and escorted the queen to the gate of the courtyard. The queen said something else, telling Shen Wei: "Take good care of your pregnancy and give birth to a healthy child for the prince. After you give birth smoothly, I will reward you."

Shen Wei knelt respectfully and raised the corner of her lips: "I thank the Queen for her teachings. I will work hard and live up to her grace."

When smart people communicate, they don’t need to say much and can complete the transaction in just a few words.

The Queen had to visit Prince Yan again, so she stood up and left slowly, and the guard of honor disappeared from Shen Wei's sight.

Instead of riding in a sedan chair, the queen took a leisurely walk in the palace garden. At the end of summer, the lotus flowers in the lotus pond of the palace garden were in full bloom.

Madam Qian supported the Queen's hand and whispered, "Queen, although Shen is capable of management, people's hearts are hidden. Who knows if she really loves the prince?"

The queen glanced at the lush green lotus pond and smiled faintly, "I don't need to think about Shen's sincerity. She is willing to do things and does them well, which is already rare."

The other wives and concubines in the palace all said they loved the Prince of Yan, but their love was all in their hearts and in their mouths. Once their love was not reciprocated, they began to complain and feel sorry for themselves.

Shen Wei is completely different. She can consider everything carefully and put it into action.

Judging by deeds, not hearts, no one is perfect. It is rare to be able to get things done.

Shen Wei not only works hard, but also knows how to control people's hearts. Li Yao, several old maids, and the rich butler all have their hearts on her side.

Shen Wei is smart, ambitious, calculating, and knows how to hide her shortcomings. In the lifeless Prince Yan's Mansion, Shen Wei is the most blooming flower, full of vitality.

Seeing how much the Queen values ​​Shen Wei, Madam Qian was secretly amazed. Shen's good days were still to come.

Madam Qian asked, "Your Highness, should we directly raise Shen's status and make her a concubine?"

The queen shook her head: "No hurry, wait until she gives birth to the baby."

A tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind. Raising Shen Wei's position now will only make her a target of public criticism.

After Shen Wei gave birth to a child and became fully grown, the Queen supported Shen Wei to become the manager of the royal palace's rear quarters, managing the rear quarters instead of the Princess.

Being a concubine was not enough, at least Shen Wei had to be promoted to a concubine to stop the gossip. Shen Wei was not born in a high position and did not have a big family to rely on, so she would only cling to the big tree of King Yan and dare not have any second thoughts.

As for the empty-headed Princess Tan Tai Shu Ya, the Queen will keep her position as the principal wife for the sake of the Tan Tai family, and make the Princess a mere empty shell just to show off.

"For Yuan Jing, and for the stability of the Qing Kingdom's former dynasty and harem, I must prepare for a rainy day."

The queen sighed deeply and left the lush garden of the palace.

...

Glazed Pavilion.

After the queen left, Shen Wei returned to the courtyard with the maids and eunuchs.

Cai Ping's heart was beating fast with nervousness, and she was still in fear: "Master, you scared me to death! The Queen is so majestic, I dare not even breathe, for fear of making mistakes."

It was also the first time for Caiping and the others to serve the Queen at close range. Their hearts were pounding with nervousness, but they tried hard to remain calm.

Shen Wei sat down and drank a sip of tea to moisten her throat.

Cai Ping added: "I never thought that the Empress, who is worth so much, would come to our place."

Shen Wei smiled brightly and was in a good mood: "It can be considered as a test from the Queen."

We are all smart people. Shen Wei guessed the purpose of the Queen's visit - an interview.

The princess managed the harem in a mess, with many mistakes and omissions. The queen was already dissatisfied and wanted to support a newcomer. The queen personally investigated Shen Wei's talents, and Shen Wei also perfectly demonstrated her abilities.

Opportunities always favor those who are prepared.

Shen Wei stroked her belly which had not yet shown any signs of pregnancy. She knew that after the baby was born, she would definitely get a promotion and a raise, and her piggy bank would be filled with gold, silver and other treasures.

The Queen intended to let her manage the harem, and Shen Wei should live up to the Queen's trust, manage the palace in an orderly manner, take good care of Prince Yan, and be a perfect "virtuous wife".

However, by then, she and the princess will officially fall out and become open enemies.

But what's the matter?

Shen Wei is never afraid of difficulties, she always becomes more courageous as she faces more setbacks.

Shen Wei didn't want to be a princess, and she knew it would be difficult for her to replace the princess with her background. She just wanted to gradually sideline the princess, become the real power manager of the harem, and firmly grasp the wealth and freedom in her hands.

...

After the queen visited the king of Yan, she left in a sedan chair. The princess led the concubines to see her off at the door, and only after the phoenix sedan chair disappeared from her sight did the princess put away the fake smile on her face.

On the way back to Kunyuyuan, Nanny Liu told the princess that the queen had gone to Liuli Pavilion.

Nanny Liu was worried: "Princess, the Queen seems to think highly of Shen, we have to be on guard."