A Concubine's Competitive Life in the Prince's Household-Chapter 264

Shen Wei told Li Chengtai, "I accidentally got scalded by hot soup, but I've already applied medicine. It's nothing serious."

Cai Ping muttered indignantly, "The Empress is truly outrageous. While she's bedridden, our mistress often visits her, yet she deliberately overturned the medicine bowl and scalded her!"

Li ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌‍Chengtai's eyes widened in shock.

The Empress intentionally burned his mother?

A bitter smile flickered across Shen Wei's lips as she glanced subtly at Yang Xuanji nearby, then gently reassured Li Chengtai, "Don't worry, your mother is fine."

Li Chengtai lowered his head, seething with anger.

His mother had been so magnanimous, setting aside past grievances to visit the Empress. Yet the Empress was utterly malicious, even going so far as to harm her on purpose.

Li Chengtai was furious, and seeing his younger brother still munching on watermelon nearby only stoked his temper. How could this idiot keep eating while their mother was being bullied by the Empress?

Eat, eat, eat—that’s all he ever did!

Li Chengtai snatched the watermelon slice from Li Chengyou’s hands and demanded, "Chengyou, have you memorized the poem the tutor taught today?"

Li Chengyou looked up blankly, his mouth smeared with red watermelon juice. "No," he replied, confused. "The tutor said we only needed to understand the meaning, not memorize it."

Li Chengtai was speechless.

This foolish brother had no ambition at all!

In the Guangwen Hall, many officials responsible for compiling texts, writing books, and researching policies were gathered. They gradually clustered together—today, there was a gathering of scholars to discuss history and philosophy with Yang Xuanji.

Shen Wei couldn’t linger. "I shall take my two sons and leave now," she said. "Cai Ping, cut the remaining watermelon and serve it to the esteemed officials."

The scholars bowed respectfully as she departed.

Watermelon was a rare delicacy in Qing State, having been introduced from the Western Regions only a few decades prior. It was a luxury enjoyed almost exclusively by the imperial family and high-ranking nobles. The imperial household’s supply was of the finest quality, with the sweetest taste.

The half-watermelon Shen Wei gifted to the scholars was an extravagant gesture. Only after she and the two princes had left did the officials gather around to carefully share the fruit.

Under the scorching summer sun, the crisp, refreshing bite of the watermelon brought instant relief.

"Consort Chen is so generous. Every time she comes to fetch the young princes, she brings gifts—we’re fortunate to benefit as well."

"My wife was gravely ill and needed a rare medicinal herb. Consort Chen happened to have it and sent it over without hesitation. My wife still speaks of her kindness every day."

"Earlier, I overheard that the Empress scalded Consort Chen’s hand?"

"Ah, Consort Chen embodies the virtues of a noble consort, while the Empress... Recently, those sycophants attached to the Tantai Family have been submitting memorials accusing Consort Chen of misconduct. Such baseless slander!"

"Keep your voice down—no reckless discussions."

The scholars murmured among themselves as they ate.

Yang Xuanji set down the ancient text he was holding, stroking his beard with a puzzled frown. "I’ve long retired from court affairs, but from what I hear today, there are those attacking Consort Chen?"

Yang Xuanji was a revered elder, with disciples among many of the assembled officials.

One of his students quickly answered, "Master, you may not know, but ever since the Empress fell ill, the Tantai Family has been targeting Consort Chen and General Shen. Just days ago, that old fool Li Guangzhong and a dozen others submitted a memorial accusing Consort Chen of bewitching the Emperor."

"Isn’t that pure nonsense? Consort Chen has been tending to the sick Empress, managing the palace with impeccable order, and even caring for orphans at Anguo Temple on behalf of Zhao Yang Princess. She is a model of virtue."

Since returning to the palace, Consort Chen had conducted herself with grace, adhering to the proper conduct of a consort without a single misstep.

Her brother still guarded Liangzhou, ensuring the peace of Da Qing. Yet some in court despised the Shen Family and sought to undermine them—truly lamentable.

Yang Xuanji frowned. "What did the Emperor say?"

A scholar shrugged. "The Emperor reprimanded them and demoted most. The Tantai Family has since fallen silent."

Yang Xuanji tightened his grip on the ancient text, a faint smile of approval crossing his face. "The Emperor is wise."

...

Shen Wei led her two sons away from Guangwen Hall. Her hand wasn’t actually scalded—the cotton wrapping was merely for show, meant for the gossiping scholars.

The afternoon sun blazed, baking the stone pavement.

The palanquin for imperial consorts had yet to arrive.

Shen Wei waited in the shade with her children. Li Chengyou wiped his forehead and whined, "Mother, I’m sweating so much!"

Shen Wei knelt, pulling out a handkerchief. "Come, let me wipe it for you."

Li Chengyou obediently tilted his head, his round, sweaty face glowing under her care. His bright, innocent eyes sparkled.

Noticing this, Li Chengtai quietly stepped closer—he wanted his mother to wipe his sweat too.

Shen Wei chuckled, gently dabbing both boys’ faces. Li Chengyou, the heartier of the two, had a plump, sun-tanned face from his constant outdoor play. Li Chengtai was leaner, his small frame sturdy, his features carrying a maturity befitting an elder brother.

Glancing at the white bandage on Shen Wei’s right hand, Li Chengtai took the handkerchief from her. "Your hand is still hurt. I’ll wipe my own sweat."

Li Chengyou blinked, then grabbed another handkerchief. "Then I’ll wipe mine too!"

His attempt was more like washing his face—chubby hands clutching the embroidered cloth, smearing it haphazardly over his dark, round cheeks.

"Who’s there?" Cai Ping suddenly snapped, eyeing the stone lions at Guangwen Hall’s entrance.

Shen Wei looked up in surprise.

From behind one lion, a slender figure emerged—Li Chengzhen, pale and gaunt, dark circles under his lifeless eyes as if he hadn’t slept in days.

"Second Brother?" Li Chengyou tilted his head. "Shouldn’t you be at the Imperial Academy? Why are you here?"

Imperial princes attended the academy and Anguo Temple once they reached a certain age. Li Chengyou and Li Chengtai were still too young, receiving basic education before joining in a few years.

Today wasn’t a break—Li Chengzhen should have been in class, not lurking outside Guangwen Hall.

Li Chengzhen pressed his lips together. "None of your business."

Li Chengyou’s eyes gleamed. "You skipped class! If Father finds out, he’ll be furious."

Li Chengzhen exhaled sharply but said nothing. The stifling heat at the academy had driven him to wander the palace aimlessly—until he found himself here.

From the shadows, he had watched Shen Wei doting on his half-brothers, wiping their sweat with tender care. The sight pierced his heart like a knife.

Long ago, the Empress had been a loving mother too, gently tending to him and his elder brother. But then his brother was driven to an early death, and he was left drowning in despair...

Just then, two palace maids came running down the path, panting. "Your Highness! Why are you here? The tutor is waiting!"

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