Chapter 16
**Chapter 16: Targeted by the Heng Wang**
Shen Wei couldn't help but chuckle to herself.
After years of navigating the workplace, she could easily see through the little vixen's facade. Dan Tai Rou appeared delicate and timid, but she had her own tricks up her sleeve.
"The Princess Zhao Yang has arrived," announced the chief eunuch at the door.
The guests at the spring banquet rose in unison to pay their respects. Shen Wei lifted her gaze and saw a group of flamboyantly dressed palace maids clearing the way for a beautiful young girl in a golden brocade dress.
This was none other than the Fourth Princess, Li Ruo Ling, known by her title, Zhao Yang.
Zhao Yang's large, dark eyes scanned the room and quickly locked onto Dan Tai Rou, who was sitting next to Shen Wei.
With a cold huff, Zhao Yang strode over and took the empty seat beside Dan Tai Rou.
Her beautiful eyes fixed on Dan Tai Rou, she threatened ominously, "I’ll be watching you, don’t even think about trying to seduce Yan Yun Ting. He is my husband!"
Dan Tai Rou's pretty face turned pale, her rosy lips trembling as she timidly glanced at Yan Yun Ting in the distance. She then lowered her head in fear and explained, "Your Highness, you misunderstand... I have not tried to seduce Brother Yun Ting."
Zhao Yang wrinkled her nose in disgust at Dan Tai Rou's pitiful demeanor. "Stop playing the victim here!"
Tears streamed down Dan Tai Rou's face, making her look even more fragile.
Yan Yun Ting couldn't bear to watch any longer. He quickly approached and said coldly, "Princess Zhao Yang, your status is noble; you should take the seat of honor."
Zhao Yang shot him an angry glare, then her gaze wandered around the room. She linked her arm with Shen Wei's and proudly lifted her chin. "I’m sitting here to chat with this sister. Who are you to tell me otherwise? Even my father can’t control me. If you want to be my husband, then maybe you can have a say."
Shen Wei, the onlooker, was taken aback.
Caught off guard, she thought, "Here I am, minding my own business, and my friend drops in from the sky."
Yan Yun Ting was clearly displeased with Zhao Yang's arrogance, but he felt powerless to change the situation.
Dan Tai Rou forced a smile. "Brother Yun Ting, it’s my fault for angering the princess. You don’t need to worry about me."
But how could Yan Yun Ting not care? He cupped his hands in a polite gesture towards Zhao Yang and said, "Your Highness, while your status is esteemed, using it to bully the weak will only invite criticism. I hope you will show some restraint."
Zhao Yang's cheeks flushed with anger.
Yan Yun Ting returned to his seat, but his attention remained on Dan Tai Rou. He knew she came from a humble background and was timid, often bullied by Zhao Yang.
He had to protect her.
Zhao Yang settled next to Shen Wei, and the palace maids hurried to lay down expensive cashmere blankets on the table, replacing the dishes and utensils with exquisite jadeware reserved for the princess, and even lit incense in a small golden burner.
"Which noble family do you come from? I’ve never seen you before," Zhao Yang said, resting her chin on her hand, her gaze landing on Shen Wei.
Shen Wei replied, "I am Shen Wei, a newly accepted concubine of the prince."
Zhao Yang blinked her beautiful eyes in surprise. "Wow, I thought my second brother only liked dull women. I didn’t expect you to be so beautiful. He must dote on you a lot, right?"
Zhao Yang didn’t look down on Shen Wei’s status; rather, she was captivated by her beauty.
Shen Wei smiled lightly. "The prince treats me very well."
Zhao Yang leaned closer and lowered her voice. "My second brother is fickle; he loves one woman at a time. You need to have a child soon to secure your position."
Zhao Yang knew her three brothers well.
The Crown Prince was devoted, only loving the Crown Princess and rarely interacting with the women of the Eastern Palace.
The second brother, the Yan Wang, was indifferent but not a womanizer; he would favor one woman for a time, but once his interest waned, he would move on to the next.
The third brother, the Heng Wang, was the most promiscuous, sleeping with whoever caught his fancy, regardless of gender, sometimes even five or six in one night.
"Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness," Shen Wei replied politely.
Seeing Shen Wei's stiff and overly proper demeanor, Zhao Yang felt a pang of disappointment. Her second brother disliked "stiff and bland" women. Shen Wei was too conventional and polite; it was likely her second brother would soon grow tired of her.
Sigh.
Shen Wei, perceptive as she was, could guess Zhao Yang's thoughts. Silently sipping her tea, she thought, "I am not a conventional woman at all."
Today was the spring banquet, and as a concubine, Shen Wei had to behave herself and not lose face for the Yan Wang.
In private, however, she was anything but conventional; she and the Yan Wang had shared countless playful moments, and the bed in the Fang Fei Garden had collapsed several times.
Zhao Yang looked around and spotted the Heng Wang seated below the main table. "Wow, the fabric of my third brother's outfit seems to be floating brocade. He really went all out to embarrass my second brother today!"
In previous years, the Heng Wang had always dressed in extravagant finery for the spring banquet.
The Yan Wang was not one to care much about appearances; to him, official duties were more important than clothing. The clothes he wore were sourced from the palace's clothing department—though exquisite, they could not compare to the carefully selected garments of the Heng Wang.
Zhao Yang sighed, "Today, my second brother's spotlight is going to be stolen by my third brother."
No sooner had she spoken than a young eunuch announced from outside, "The Crown Prince has arrived!"
As the future heir, the Crown Prince held an esteemed position, and everyone rose to pay their respects, with the lower-ranking guests even daring not to lift their heads.
Shen Wei perked up her ears, listening to the rustling footsteps. After a moment, she heard a gentle voice from the main seat, "Everyone, please be seated."
The guests settled back down.
Shen Wei returned to her seat, finally daring to look at the main table of the spring banquet. It was adorned with flowers and finery, with the Yan Wang sitting on the left and the Crown Prince in his regular attire on the right.
In ancient times, the right side was considered the place of honor.
The Crown Prince, slender and with prominent cheekbones, exuded an air of authority, but he looked somewhat unwell. Shen Wei thought to herself, "The Crown Prince must be ill."
Silently, she prayed for his well-being, hoping he would stabilize his position and live a long life. If the Crown Prince was safe, the Yan Wang would have a solid backing, and Shen Wei would have a secure future.
After assessing the Crown Prince, Shen Wei turned her attention to the Yan Wang.
With his sword-like brows and starry eyes, the Yan Wang was exceptionally handsome. Today, he wore a long robe made of floating brocade, with a cross-collared inner garment and a light silk belt, topped with a silver crown.
As the saying goes, "Clothes make the man."
The Yan Wang usually favored dark, somber colors, but today he donned a silver floating brocade robe.
One word: stunning!
Shen Wei was very pleased.
The gold and silver jewelry she wore was a gift from the Yan Wang, and the clothes he wore were made by her own hands. They adorned each other with gifts, and neither lost out!
While Shen Wei stole glances at the Yan Wang, he was also watching her. Seeing the golden hairpin atop her head, he felt a surge of satisfaction.
No wonder she was his Wei Wei, so beautiful and radiant.
The Heng Wang often mocked his concubines for being plain, but today, with Shen Wei dressed to the nines, he had nothing to say.
"Wow, my second brother looks so handsome today, even better than my third brother!" Zhao Yang exclaimed, staring at the Yan Wang in surprise.
Not only Zhao Yang, but the other guests also had their own thoughts. Only the Heng Wang, seated below the main table, wore a dark expression.
The Heng Wang was also dressed in floating brocade, and his outfit was quite similar to the Yan Wang's.
As the saying goes, "Wearing the same outfit is not a problem; it’s the one who looks worse that feels embarrassed."
The Yan Wang, accustomed to riding and archery, had a robust physique, making his outfit look regal and exuding an air of authority.
In contrast, the Heng Wang was on the slimmer side, and the same luxurious floating brocade made him appear somewhat petty.
Moreover, the comparison made it clear to discerning eyes that the Yan Wang's floating brocade was of superior quality, reflecting a gentle silver light in the sunlight, while the Heng Wang's fabric appeared somewhat dull.
The Crown Prince smiled, breaking the awkward silence. "The auspicious time has come; let the spring banquet begin."
As his words fell, elegantly dressed maidens entered with fine wines and delicacies. The performance troupe took their places, and beautiful melodies began to fill the air.
The spring banquet was lively and harmonious, with songs and dances in full swing.
This was Shen Wei's first time attending such a lavish ancient banquet, and everything was new and exciting to her. She held her wine cup, sipping while admiring the performances on stage. The young girls danced the traditional "Ta Ge," their movements light and lively.
The most captivating was the masked singer in the center, playing the pipa.
Dressed in a flowing green gown with wide sleeves, the masked singer cradled a jade pipa, her delicate fingers plucking the strings as she sang an ancient, beautiful song:
"If you are the clouds in the sky, I am the bird among them..."
"Together we follow, reflecting the sun and riding the wind..."
Shen Wei was entranced by the pure, natural voice; if she were to participate in a modern singing competition, she would undoubtedly win.
As the performance concluded, the dancers retreated.
The Heng Wang, seemingly half-drunk, began to stir trouble. "Crown Prince, Second Brother, watching the songs and dances is so dull. Second Brother, your new concubine, Shen, looks like she can sing and dance, and is well-read. Why not let her take the stage for a dance?"
Table of Contents
