Chapter 4
**Chapter 4: The Night's Embrace (2)**
“Your Highness, it seems that Concubine Zhang is indulging in pork knuckles again,” the personal eunuch, Fu Gui, said sheepishly.
Concubine Zhang had always had a penchant for food, even before her marriage. After becoming the concubine of the Yan Wang, her love for food only grew stronger.
As she continued to eat, she became rounder, and now she resembled a little chubby dumpling.
In the past, when the Yan Wang stayed in Concubine Zhang's quarters, he would often be greeted by the greasy aroma of pork knuckles wafting through the air.
During their intimate moments, the plump Zhang Miaoyu would heavily press down on the Wang.
Yan Wang thought to himself: ...she's gotten heavier again!
My back!
It’s no surprise that heavier people tend to snore, and the Yan Wang had been awakened more than once by Concubine Zhang’s snores, which disrupted his sleep and severely affected his duties the next day.
Gradually, he lost interest in this chubby concubine.
“Will Your Highness be staying with Concubine Zhang tonight?” Fu Gui asked cautiously outside the fragrant courtyard.
The Yan Wang pinched his nose, trying to block out the greasy smell of the pork knuckles. “Not going.”
He turned and walked away.
He detested pork knuckles!
If Zhang Miaoyu could pay a little more attention to her appearance, the Yan Wang would surely continue to like her. But alas, she was utterly unrestrained!
With no other choice, Fu Gui followed the Yan Wang to the next concubine's quarters.
In Zhang Miaoyu's fragrant courtyard, a maid rushed in, panting. “My lady, the Wang just came to our courtyard, stood at the door for a while, and then left. Should we go after him?”
Zhang Miaoyu, holding a fragrant pork knuckle in her chubby hand, replied nonchalantly, “My mother always said, if a man loves you, he will love everything about you unconditionally. No matter if you’re tall or short, fat or thin, he will like you. If the Wang truly liked me, he wouldn’t mind my weight.”
When she first entered the Wang’s residence, Zhang Miaoyu and the Yan Wang had gotten along well.
They had shared some wonderful moments together.
But gradually, as she continued to gain weight, the Wang began to distance himself from her. Zhang Miaoyu had been troubled by this and wanted to lose weight. However, after talking with the equally neglected Liu Ruyan, she began to understand.
Men are fickle creatures, and their love is fleeting.
It’s better to enjoy pork knuckles instead.
As night fell, the Yan Wang wandered around, growing increasingly bored. He decided to return to the main residence and sleep alone tonight.
Fu Gui, following closely behind, suggested respectfully, “Your Highness, a new lady has moved into the Fangfei Courtyard. I’ve heard she’s exceptionally beautiful. Why not go take a look tonight?”
The Yan Wang paused.
Adhering to the principle of “since I’m here, I might as well,” he decided to check out the Fangfei Courtyard.
Newcomers are always different from the old residents; they carry a certain freshness. Of course, based on the Yan Wang’s past experiences, that freshness would soon fade, and they would become just another ordinary member of the inner court.
With guards clearing the way and the eunuch holding a lantern to guide him, the Yan Wang headed toward the southwestern corner of the Wang residence, where several courtyards housed the concubines.
The Yan Wang wasn’t particularly fond of these southwestern courtyards; they seemed a bit shabby. Although the concubines were beautiful, their courtyards lacked maintenance, overgrown with weeds, and the decorations in their sleeping quarters were sparse and dull.
He could tolerate visiting once or twice, but coming here daily was truly off-putting. Especially at night, when the southwestern courtyards were dark and silent, resembling a graveyard.
As he walked, the Yan Wang suddenly stopped in his tracks, noticing a uniquely charming courtyard among the dim walls.
At the entrance, two beautiful, colorful lanterns shaped like koi fish hung high. Under the moonlight, clusters of pink roses bloomed outside the white walls, which were adorned with exquisite patterns.
Compared to the surrounding gloomy courtyards, this place felt like a fairyland.
“Your Highness, that’s the Fangfei Courtyard of Lady Shen Wei,” Fu Gui volunteered.
The Yan Wang’s interest was piqued.
What a distinctive courtyard!
As he stepped through the gate of Fangfei Courtyard, the bright moonlight illuminated the small space.
He saw several trees of vibrant peach blossoms, and the courtyard was free of weeds, with hydrangeas, irises, and bellflowers planted in an orderly fashion. In one corner, there was a swing set, and delicate wind chimes hung from the eaves.
Though small, the courtyard exuded a unique charm.
Fangfei Courtyard was filled with vibrant life, a stark contrast to Liu Ruyan’s cold, cave-like quarters.
Fu Gui cleared his throat to announce the arrival of the Wang.
The door opened, revealing the maids Cai Ping and Cai Lian. The two girls knelt down, and Cai Lian nervously said, “Your Highness arrived unexpectedly; our lady is still bathing... please wait a moment.”
Fu Gui frowned. “How dare you, insolent servant! How can you make the Wang wait?”
The Yan Wang shot a glance at Fu Gui.
Fu Gui, being quite astute, immediately closed his mouth. The Yan Wang pushed the door open and entered, leaving Fu Gui and the two maids outside to guard.
Upon stepping into the main sleeping chamber, the Yan Wang was instantly captivated. The room was filled with a subtle fragrance; though there were no extravagant decorations, everything exuded elegance and beauty.
The floor was covered with a plush carpet, and a vase on the table held fresh, delicate peach blossoms. Intricate handmade items adorned the table, and the folding screen was exquisitely crafted, with picturesque views from the windows.
Behind a thin white gauze curtain, steam rose, and Shen Wei was bathing, her figure shrouded in mist.
Shen Wei’s voice sounded a bit nervous. “Please forgive me, Your Highness; I am still bathing...”
Her voice was soft and timid, like a shy little bird.
The Yan Wang’s interest was instantly piqued as he lifted the gauze curtain.
The room was brightly lit, and steam billowed from the bath. The Yan Wang gazed at the woman in the tub, her damp black hair cascading over her shoulders, glistening against her smooth skin. Through the water, he could faintly see her slender waist.
She was stunningly beautiful.
Her eyes sparkled with moisture, reminiscent of a lost fawn in the mountains.
It had been a long time since the Yan Wang had experienced complete relief after his southern tour. Suddenly confronted with such a breathtaking beauty, his throat tightened, and his gaze darkened.
Little mistress, there’s more to this chapter; please click to the next page to continue reading; it gets even more exciting!
“Y-Your Highness...” Shen Wei feigned shyness, lowering her head.
Though her face was flushed with embarrassment, her heart was secretly rejoicing.
After waiting for so long, she finally had this man before her. Although his arrival was sudden, Shen Wei was well-prepared.
The Yan Wang, now fully intrigued, bent down to lift the unclothed Shen Wei from the bath, holding her chin. “What’s your name?”
Her fair skin was exposed to the slightly cool air, causing Shen Wei to shiver, and she melted against the Yan Wang’s embrace. “I... I am Shen Wei.”
Splash! The water in the tub surged.
Shen Wei’s damp hair spread across the couch.
“Your Highness...” Shen Wei looked up at him timidly, her eyes glistening with tears.
Her coy demeanor stirred something within the Yan Wang, igniting a fire in him as he leaned down...
...
As time flowed on, the moon sank lower in the sky, and the maids Cai Ping and Cai Lian, stationed at the door, felt their faces flush.
Lady Shen’s voice was simply too enchanting, more melodious than the orioles of spring.
The two maids felt a tingle of excitement, not to mention the young and vigorous Yan Wang.
However, Cai Ping rubbed her sore knees, thinking that this was taking too long—Lady Shen seemed delicate, yet she could endure for so long!
Inside the room, the atmosphere lingered.
The Yan Wang felt utterly satisfied; this woman, slender as a willow, surprisingly matched him so well! Other women would have fainted within half an hour, yet Shen Wei could play with him until deep into the night!
Such a rarity!
Finally content, the Yan Wang grew even fonder, leaning down to kiss Shen Wei’s cheek. “You’ve worked hard.”
Shen Wei’s eyes brightened as she stole a glance at the Yan Wang, her voice soft, “Your Highness, your southern tour must have been exhausting; serving you is my duty.”
The Yan Wang’s body trembled slightly. He grasped Shen Wei’s hand, his dark eyes like ink. “How do you know my southern tour was exhausting?”
Shen Wei lowered her head, answering timidly, “Replying to Your Highness, I am from the south. My family moved to Yanjing two years ago. When I was young, I saw high officials on their southern tours; they had to inspect affairs in various counties within a month, clearing up grievances and cases, tirelessly working for the people.”
As she spoke, Shen Wei boldly reached out to caress the Yan Wang’s handsome, lean face, affectionately saying, “Your Highness, you’ve tanned and lost weight.”
No man dislikes a woman who understands him.
Physical pleasure is fleeting; it can capture a man for a moment but not for a lifetime.
One must express concern through words and actions. Shen Wei’s goal was to become the Yan Wang’s “Jie Yu Hua” (解语花, a term for a woman who understands and comforts a man), to be his emotional refuge, the only harbor he longs for when weary.
Only then could she truly establish herself in the inner court.
The Yan Wang stared blankly.
After returning from his southern tour, the Crown Prince had sent lavish gifts to express his sympathy, and the Empress had sent some tonics. The Wang Fei and the concubines merely offered perfunctory remarks of “Your Highness has worked hard.”
Only the little concubine in his arms, Shen Wei, clearly pointed out his “tanned” and “thinner” features.
The Yan Wang’s heart stirred, and for some reason, his nose felt a bit sour.
He felt like a little boy yearning for praise, finally receiving candy from Shen Wei.
Unable to resist, he leaned down to kiss Shen Wei again. This woman truly loves me... If it weren’t for love, how could she notice these little details?
The Yan Wang held Shen Wei tightly, finally falling into a deeply satisfying sleep.
Shen Wei listened to the steady rhythm of his breathing above her, secretly grinding her teeth and rubbing her sore waist.
That dog of a man nearly killed me.
Fortunately, she had been working out every day; otherwise, she might have fainted midway.
Cursing him in her heart, Shen Wei leaned against the Yan Wang, feeling as if she were hugging her most beloved treasure, and soon drifted off into a deep slumber.
Table of Contents
