Chapter 6
**Chapter 6: Liu Ce Fei Decides to Take It Easy After Rebirth**
"Well... let's give it a try," Fu Gui said, unable to refuse. Following Cai Lian's instructions, he scattered some cabbage seeds and planted an eggplant seedling.
After finishing the planting, he looked at the little seedlings in the vegetable patch and suddenly felt a strange sense of accomplishment.
Growing vegetables seemed surprisingly fun...
Meanwhile, Shen Wei had already finished planting with Wang Ye (the Prince of Yan). She pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve and carefully wiped the mud off Wang Ye's hands. "Your Highness, the cabbage and radish seedlings sprout quickly, usually within five days, and will be ready to harvest in a month. The eggplants and tomatoes take a bit longer, about two to three months before they bear fruit."
With a beautiful woman nearby and vegetables he had planted himself, Wang Ye felt a slight stirring in his heart.
It was a warm, fuzzy feeling.
That night, Wang Ye naturally stayed over at Shen Wei's place. The two of them played around until midnight, calling for water five or six times.
As dawn broke, Wang Ye got up quietly, careful not to wake the sleeping Shen Wei. He knew his stamina was too strong, and it was already quite rare for Shen Wei to keep up with his late-night antics.
Not only did Shen Wei match him well, but she also had many alluring poses that made it hard for him to resist.
Wang Ye tiptoed out, preparing to leave Fang Fei Yuan (the Garden of Fragrance). As he passed through the lush garden, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.
He walked over to the vegetable patch and looked at the seedlings he had planted yesterday—the cabbage hadn’t sprouted yet, but the eggplant, tomato, garlic, and chili seedlings were growing quite well.
The leaves were a vibrant green, particularly endearing.
Wang Ye gently touched the tender green eggplant seedlings, feeling pleased.
Fu Gui, seizing the opportunity, sneaked into a corner to check on the vegetables he had planted yesterday as well.
Not long after Wang Ye and his servant left, Shen Wei yawned and got out of bed. She drank half a cup of lightly salted water, ate a piece of sugar cane, and then prepared to go for a jog.
"Master, you were so tired last night; you shouldn’t jog this morning," Cai Ping said, concerned for Shen Wei.
The prince was fierce, and last night Shen Wei's voice had gone hoarse, even breaking the table. Today, they would need to replace it with a sturdier one.
Shen Wei clenched her fists and stretched her muscles. "I can’t slack off; I must keep going!"
If she didn’t run today, she wouldn’t run tomorrow, and soon she would become increasingly lazy. The "Queen of Competition," Shen Wei, would never allow herself to be idle!
She began jogging around the courtyard, exercising on an empty stomach, which was effective for fat loss and boosting metabolism.
Running on an empty stomach could lead to low blood sugar, so she needed to eat some sugar to prevent that.
After her run, she rested for a moment before starting her breakfast. Her meal included eggs, fish, oatmeal, ham, rice porridge, and some pickled vegetables. These foods were rich in protein and very good for her health.
This was the treatment of a favored concubine.
Whatever Shen Wei wanted to eat, she could just ask the kitchen in the Wang Fu (the Prince's residence). The chefs would fulfill her requests, especially for Wang Ye's sake.
Other concubines in the Wang Fu, wanting a hearty breakfast, were often ignored by the kitchen, receiving only the standard portions, and sometimes even shortchanged.
"Master, why did you have Wang Ye plant vegetables?" Cai Ping asked while serving Shen Wei her meal, puzzled.
Shen Wei took a couple of sips of rice porridge. "So that Wang Ye can remember me."
Cai Ping looked confused.
How could planting vegetables make Wang Ye remember the master?
Shen Wei secretly curled her lips into a smile.
From a psychological perspective, people tend to have expectations and attention towards things they have invested effort in.
Shen Wei raised her gaze towards the clusters of tender green seedlings in the courtyard, her smile widening.
...
After several days of staying at Shen Wei's place, Wang Ye hadn’t forgotten about the other women in the Wang Fu, especially the Wang Fei (the official wife).
The Wang Fei was Wang Ye's legitimate wife, and he was required to stay with her at least twice a month. Today, after finishing his official duties, he would spend the night with her.
They went to bed fully clothed, without any intimate moments.
The Wang Fei leaned against her pillow, speaking in a tone as if reporting official matters. "Next month, during the Spring Banquet at the Wang Fu, the Crown Prince, the Fourth Princess, and Prince Heng will all come to attend. Your Highness, I would like to go to the tailor shop in Yan Jing to buy a batch of new fabrics for the ladies in the household. We can’t wear old clothes to the Spring Banquet."
Wang Ye was still preoccupied with official matters, as he was to accompany the Crown Prince for the plowing ceremony the next day.
He casually replied, "You are the mistress; you can decide."
The Wang Fei lowered her gaze. "There’s one more thing. This afternoon, Liu Ce Fei fell into the water and fainted. When she woke up, she seemed to be in a state of distress, seeking death. If you have time tomorrow, Your Highness, please go and see Liu Mei."
Liu Ce Fei, whose real name was Liu Qiao'er, was Wang Ye's childhood sweetheart. After marrying him, she had been arrogant and domineering in the Wang Fu, bullying the other concubines. It wasn’t until she gave birth to a pair of twins two years ago that her health deteriorated, and she had to take care of herself.
For the past two years, Liu Ce Fei had been working hard to regain her health and strength.
The Wang Fei suspected that Liu Ce Fei was preparing to vie for favor again. The so-called distress from falling into the water was likely just a ploy to attract Wang Ye's attention.
"I will visit her tomorrow," Wang Ye said, recalling that it had indeed been a long time since he last checked on Liu Ce Fei.
The maid extinguished the lamp, and the sleeping chamber fell silent.
The Wang Fei lay under the covers, secretly sighing—Liu Ce Fei came from a good background and had various means to vie for favor. That poor Shen Wei was bound to suffer.
As night deepened, a gentle spring rain began to fall outside, the raindrops tapping against the glazed tiles, waking Wang Ye.
He perked up his ears to listen to the sound of the rain.
For some reason, he suddenly thought of the vegetables he had planted in Fang Fei Yuan. Spring rain is precious; surely the seeds must have sprouted by now.
Wang Ye decided that he would take some time tomorrow to check on the vegetables he had planted!
The spring rain fell softly, drenching the entire city of Yan Jing and the various courtyards of the Wang Fu.
In Liu Ru Yan's Qi Xue Ge (the Snow Perching Pavilion), the candlelight still flickered in the study. The maid, Xue Mei, was drowsy, yawning repeatedly.
"Master, it’s raining. Why don’t you rest?" Xue Mei said, pinching her thigh to stay awake.
But her master wasn’t asleep, so neither could she.
With the window open, Liu Ru Yan, dressed in a flowing white gown, gazed forlornly out the window, a hint of sorrow crossing her lips. "A rain like this, I wonder how many petals have fallen. These flowers are so pitiful; they bloom for only a few days before being mercilessly knocked off their branches by the rain."
Xue Mei wanted to bang her head against the wall.
Isn’t it normal for petals to fall?
I just want to sleep!
This rain also fell upon Liu Ce Fei's Ming Yue Yuan (the Moonlit Courtyard).
Liu Ce Fei's personal maid stood at the door, a bit worried. Ever since Liu Ce Fei fell into the water during the day, she had locked herself inside.
Inside, Liu Ce Fei curled up in bed, trembling in fear. She looked around at the familiar decor, finally accepting the reality of her rebirth.
"Heaven has eyes, heaven has eyes, heaven has eyes!" Liu Ce Fei cried, tears streaming down her face as she bit down hard on her lip.
She was still alive!
She hadn’t been turned into a mere tool!
Liu Ce Fei curled up, her lips quivering. "I will never vie for favor again. My children, my family, my life have all been ruined by that woman."
In her past life, Liu Ce Fei had relied on her childhood bond with Wang Ye to stir up trouble in the Wang Fu. After giving birth to twins, her health had suffered severely, forcing her to heed the doctors' advice and take care of herself.
Two years later, having regained her health, Liu Ce Fei pretended to fall into the water again to regain Wang Ye's favor, becoming the second most favored woman in the entire Wang Fu, just after the Wang Fei.
Meanwhile, the other women in the Wang Fu shrank back, and Liu Ce Fei looked down on them from the bottom of her heart. Women who didn’t vie for favor were nothing but useless.
Later, when the Crown Prince's family fell into misfortune and Wang Ye ascended the throne, she was also granted the title of Fei. In the palace, Liu Ce Fei continued to compete for favor with the newly appointed concubines, fighting fiercely.
Until that terrifying woman entered the palace...
She was stunningly beautiful and exceptionally intelligent, instantly capturing the Emperor's heart and becoming the most favored in the six palaces. Liu Ce Fei battled her for over half a year, ultimately losing her child, being despised by the Emperor, and having her family exiled, while she herself was reduced to a mere tool.
Meanwhile, those concubines who had emerged from the hidden chambers, due to their low-key and laid-back approach, surprisingly ended up with decent outcomes. At least before Liu Ce Fei's death, they lived without worries, safe and sound.
Before her death, Liu Ce Fei finally understood—vying for favor only made her a living target.
The Wang Fei, Liu Ru Yan, and Zhang Miao Yu, who didn’t compete, were the ones who truly found happiness.
"Thank you, heavens, for giving me a second chance at life," Liu Ce Fei cried, tears streaming down her face, choked with emotion.
This time, she would keep a low profile; she would be a salted fish (a term for someone who is laid-back and unambitious).
In the Wang Fu, no one could forever hold the favor of the prince. Wang Ye was cold-hearted; he would never truly love any woman.
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