Chapter 2
**Chapter 2: Striving for the Night's Embrace through Fitness**
...
Fangfei Garden.
The old matron, adhering to the standards for concubines, assigned two maidservants to Shen Wei before turning to leave.
Zhang Yue stealthily followed, pulling Shen Wei into a corner.
In a hushed tone, Zhang Yue warned, “Shen Wei, you’re jumping into a fire pit! Last year, there was a beautiful maid in the Wang residence who eagerly served the prince for a few days, only to be forgotten by him. That maid went mad a while back and drowned herself.”
In Zhang Yue’s eyes, Shen Wei was simply asking for trouble.
Why not just be a good maid?
“I have my own plans,” Shen Wei replied with a faint smile.
Zhang Yue sighed, a mix of sympathy and disdain in her voice. “I have to get back to the flower room. Take care of yourself.”
Zhang Yue was already waiting to see Shen Wei make a fool of herself.
As Shen Wei stepped into Fangfei Garden, she noted that the courtyard was not large, consisting of only four small rooms. Long uninhabited, wild grass grew unchecked.
“Greetings to Mistress Shen,” the two young maidservants approached to pay their respects.
Shen Wei took her seat at the main table, scrutinizing the two girls before her. They were about fifteen or sixteen years old, one named Cai Ping and the other Cai Lian.
If “Fangfei Garden” were a newly established company, then Cai Ping and Cai Lian would be her initial employees.
Shen Wei asked the maidservants to fetch paper and ink. She spread out the rice paper and held the brush poised: “I’m new to the Wang residence and not familiar with it yet. Can you tell me when the prince will return?”
In Shen Wei’s mind, she viewed the unseen Yan Wang (Prince Yan) as a target client. To successfully sign a project with a client, one must understand their preferences.
Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.
Cai Ping and Cai Lian exchanged glances, their eyes revealing sympathy and a hint of disdain.
Though young, these two maidservants had served in the Wang residence since childhood, having seen countless women trying to climb the social ladder.
These women, beautiful and favored by the prince, would soon wither like fallen petals.
“Replying to Mistress,” Cai Lian, the older and more composed of the two, said, “The prince left a month ago to accompany the crown prince on a southern tour and should return in two days.”
Shen Wei pondered, her brush swiftly recording on the rice paper: “How old is the prince? What are his family relations? What are his likes? What does he enjoy eating? What are his daily hobbies?”
Cai Lian was momentarily taken aback.
Suddenly, she felt that this mistress was somewhat different from the previous ones who were merely beautiful.
Cai Lian answered dutifully, “The prince is the second son of the current emperor, twenty-eight this year. In the inner court, he has a primary wife, three secondary wives, and several concubines and maidservants. The prince enjoys horseback riding, archery, and reading…”
The sun shifted from the center of the sky to the corners, and dusk began to fall.
Cai Lian and Cai Ping spoke until their throats were dry, sharing all the information they knew about the prince.
Shen Wei asked so many questions that, aside from inquiries about the prince, she also learned about the backgrounds of the other concubines and maidservants in the inner court, as well as information about prominent families in the capital.
“Very well, thank you for the interview,” Shen Wei organized the thick stack of rice paper. She now had a general understanding of the Wang residence.
As night fell, the kitchen sent in dinner for Fangfei Garden.
Two dishes and a soup—quite decent.
Shen Wei enjoyed a delightful meal and later took a stroll around Fangfei Garden. Under the hazy moonlight, she surveyed the overgrown weeds and the dilapidated walls, her brow furrowing.
Fangfei Garden, located in the southwest corner of the Wang residence, was rather secluded. There were several other courtyards housing a dozen or so neglected concubines.
The other concubines, having lost their favor, had given up on themselves, rarely cleaning their own courtyards, merely lamenting their fates against the crumbling walls. Under the moonlight, the separate courtyards resembled haunted houses.
“This won’t do; I must renovate the facade!” Shen Wei resolved, determined to transform Fangfei Garden.
A person is judged by their appearance, and a shop that attracts customers must have an appealing facade.
No customer would willingly enter a shabby store.
Shen Wei initially planned to call the two maidservants to help clear the weeds and clean the courtyard that night. However, it was their first day on the job, and asking them to work late would leave a bad impression.
Better to start fresh tomorrow.
Returning to her chamber, Shen Wei removed her hairpin while gazing into the mirror. The silver mirror was of decent quality, clearly reflecting her features.
The original owner not only shared her name but also bore a striking resemblance to her—round face, beautiful almond-shaped eyes, and a smile that made her eyes crescent-shaped.
“Skin lacking moisture, too thin, malnourished,” Shen Wei pinched her face, realizing she needed to nurture her health.
To win the favor of Yan Wang, one must possess not only striking beauty but also a healthy body.
Today, hearing Cai Lian mention that Yan Wang was particularly skilled in bed, she learned that the delicate concubines in the inner court often couldn’t withstand his affections and would faint from exhaustion.
Shen Wei needed to work hard to strengthen her body!
After freshening up, Shen Wei returned to her bed to sleep. Lying there, she began to assess her bedding—a carved redwood bed, somewhat old, with paint peeling at the edges.
“I need to redecorate the bedroom and create a fresh style.”
Sighing inwardly, Shen Wei clutched the fifty taels of silver gifted by the Wang Fei (Princess) and envisioned various renovation plans before slowly closing her eyes and drifting into a deep sleep.
...
The next morning, Cai Ping and Cai Lian yawned as they got out of bed, preparing to serve Shen Wei in her morning routine.
However, they were surprised to see their mistress, Shen Wei, dressed in short attire, jogging around the courtyard in the early morning light. Her hair was tied up high, and her pretty face was flushed, panting from the exertion.
Cai Lian exclaimed, “Mistress, what are you doing?”
After finishing her jog, Shen Wei took the handkerchief Cai Lian offered to wipe her sweat. “Exercising.”
A healthy body is the foundation for winning affection.
Study hard and exercise daily.
After her jog, Shen Wei began doing squats. Only after completing thirty did she wipe her sweat and head for breakfast.
In Kunyuyuan, the old matron entered with tea to serve, asking the Wang Fei, who had just risen, “Is Mistress Shen from Fangfei Garden settling in well?”
The old matron replied, “Strangely enough, this morning, Mistress Shen sent maidservants to the flower room for a lot of flowers and vegetable seeds. She even had a few young eunuchs bring tools to repair the courtyard walls.”
“Repair the courtyard walls?” The Wang Fei paused mid-sip.
Unlike other concubines, who either stayed quietly in their courtyards waiting for the prince’s summons or bought cosmetics to beautify themselves, Shen Wei was quite unique.
The old matron dismissed it. “Fangfei Garden has been uninhabited for a long time, and the walls are damaged. Perhaps Mistress Shen is worried that heavy rain will wash them away and is repairing them in advance—she comes from a farming background, so her perspective is limited.”
The Wang Fei smirked sarcastically.
Indeed, only a woman from a farming background would care about a crumbling wall and seek vegetable seeds.
Let her be; she wouldn’t stir up much trouble anyway.
Not taking Shen Wei seriously, the Wang Fei’s thoughts remained focused on her own children. She instructed the old matron, “Send someone to the school to keep an eye on them. They mustn’t misbehave in class. This year, for Mother’s birthday, they need to perform well in front of her.”
The old matron asked, “The prince returns from his southern tour the day after tomorrow. Shouldn’t the two young masters take a day off to welcome him?”
The Wang Fei frowned and shook her head. “That would delay their studies; it’s not worth it.”
The old matron sighed inwardly.
In recent years, the Wang Fei had become increasingly indifferent to the prince, her mind solely occupied with raising the children. The concubines in the inner court had all settled down.
The Wang residence was calm and tranquil, like a still pond.
It seemed unlikely that any woman would stir up trouble in the inner court again.
...
Fangfei Garden.
After two busy days, Fangfei Garden had transformed from a dilapidated space into a beautifully renovated one.
Shen Wei took a portion of the fifty taels of silver gifted by the Wang Fei and rewarded the hardworking young eunuchs who helped with the renovations, giving each of Cai Ping and Cai Lian three taels of silver.
The eunuchs were overjoyed, bowing in gratitude.
Cai Ping and Cai Lian were equally thrilled; three taels of silver was equivalent to three months of their wages.
Shen Wei smiled; she was not a stingy boss. When her employees put in hard work, she would reward them, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship that would encourage them to work even harder next time.
“Mistress Shen, our courtyard looks so beautiful,” Cai Ping exclaimed, clutching her reward, genuinely impressed.
The overgrown weeds and dead trees had been cleared away, and many vibrant flowers had been brought in from the flower room, along with several peach trees. The crumbling walls had been repaired, and Shen Wei even personally painted vivid designs on the outer walls.
Though not as luxurious as the Wang Fei’s courtyard, Fangfei Garden had its own unique charm.
Shen Wei also planned to change the flowers and plants each season: peach trees in spring, lotus flowers in summer, osmanthus in autumn, and plum blossoms in winter.
However, Cai Ping curiously pointed to a patch of bare land that had been cleared for vegetables. “Mistress, do you want to grow vegetables?”
Shen Wei took a sip of tea to soothe her throat, gazing at the vegetable patch, her lips curling into a slow smile. “It will have its uses; it will be planted by someone with intention.”
Cai Ping looked puzzled.
Shen Wei set down her teacup and told the two maidservants, “The prince is returning today, and I want to sneak a glance at him.”
As a concubine, her status was only slightly higher than that of a maidservant, and she had no right to welcome the prince back.
But Shen Wei wanted to learn about Yan Wang in advance, observing his demeanor and speech.
“Um…” Cai Lian and Cai Ping exchanged hesitant looks.
Shen Wei smiled gently. “It’s just a quick look; I won’t disturb him. We’ll keep a low profile and not be noticed.”
Determined, Shen Wei convinced the two maidservants, who reluctantly nodded in agreement. As noon approached, the sound of ceremonial music echoed at the entrance of the Wang residence.
Yan Wang had returned.
Shen Wei slipped out of Fangfei Garden, hiding in a corner of the main courtyard to observe discreetly. Information about Yan Wang floated in her mind.
The Emperor of Qingguo had few offspring, with only three princes. The Empress had given birth to the crown prince and Yan Wang, while the youngest, Heng Wang, was born to the favored concubine.
The crown prince and Yan Wang were full brothers, having grown up together, their bond strong. Unless something unexpected happened, the crown prince would ascend the throne, and Yan Wang would become the new emperor’s right-hand man.
In other words, Shen Wei’s future alongside Yan Wang was promising.
“Shen Wei, what are you doing here?” a puzzled voice suddenly came from behind.
Shen Wei turned to find her former colleague, Zhang Yue, holding a pot of flowers.
Zhang Yue knew very well that Shen Wei was here to seek out Yan Wang.
Like the other newly favored concubines, she was deliberately making her presence known, hoping to leave a good impression on the prince.
Zhang Yue felt a mix of pity and disdain, her tone growing increasingly rude. “I advise you to save your efforts. Even if you catch the prince’s eye, you won’t be able to keep him—”
Before she could finish, Cai Ping frowned and scolded, “You don’t greet the mistress and yet speak so boldly! Where do you get the nerve?”
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