Chapter 19
**Chapter 19: The Excellent Boss, Shen Wei**
The next morning, before the court session, the Yan Wang (Prince Yan) hurried to Fangfei Garden, specifically to have breakfast with Shen Wei.
Shen Wei was currently in the prince's favor, having just risked her life to save him from an assassin. The servants of the royal residence, eager to curry favor, sent all sorts of delicacies to Fangfei Garden, making the breakfast there exquisite and delicious.
On the small dining table, there was a long-simmered shrimp and chicken congee, a nourishing pigeon and kelp soup, stir-fried greens, and more.
With her left arm injured, Shen Wei couldn’t hold a bowl, so she used her right hand to grasp a spoon and lowered her head to drink the congee. The Yan Wang picked up the bowl, stirred it with a small porcelain spoon, and personally fed Shen Wei.
Her cheeks flushed, Shen Wei gently pressed her lips together, seemingly shy. “Your Highness, there’s no need to trouble yourself with such small matters. Just let Caiping do it.”
The Yan Wang smiled indulgently. “Be good, open your mouth.”
Shen Wei silently complied.
After finishing a bowl of congee, she said she was full. The Yan Wang’s court time was approaching, so he stood up to leave Fangfei Garden.
Before departing, he walked around his vegetable garden twice.
Two months ago, he had personally planted the seedlings, and now the garden was thriving. The bok choy and radish seedlings were growing well, while the eggplants, peppers, and tomatoes had already blossomed, soon to bear fruit.
The Yan Wang felt satisfied and adjusted his court attire before heading off.
After he left, Shen Wei drank another bowl of congee and finished half a plate of stewed pigeon. She was still on the slender side and needed to gain some weight.
Once she was full, Shen Wei strolled leisurely in the courtyard to aid digestion and check on the renovations in Fangfei Garden. With the weather growing increasingly warm and summer approaching, the overall style of the courtyard needed to reflect the season.
“Master, the Wang Fei (Princess) has arrived!” Caiping ran over to inform her.
Shen Wei raised her delicate willow-leaf brows and, accompanied by the maids and eunuchs of Fangfei Garden, awaited at the entrance to greet her.
The high-ranking Wang Fei rarely visited the shabby courtyard where the concubines lived, as it was unbecoming of her status.
However, since Shen Wei had risked her life to save the Yan Wang, word had spread throughout Yanjing, and everyone praised her bravery. As the legitimate wife of the Yan Wang, the Wang Fei had no choice but to personally visit Shen Wei.
At the very least, she had to uphold the formalities.
The courtyard where the concubines resided was located in the most remote southwest corner of the royal residence. As they walked, they passed by dilapidated flowers and trees, with moss creeping up the old eaves.
The Wang Fei covered her nose, reluctant to step into this filthy place. After a while, she and her entourage arrived at Fangfei Garden.
Upon seeing the charming little courtyard, she almost thought she was mistaken. The walls of Fangfei Garden had been completely renovated, adorned with beautiful paintings of lotus leaves and flowers, while pink crape myrtle peeked over the walls.
Two lovely lanterns hung from the eaves, and the ground beneath was covered with soft green grass. Shen Wei, dressed in a light yellow silk dress, stood at the entrance of Fangfei Garden, the spring breeze gently tousling her hair, resembling a fairy from a painting.
The Wang Fei was taken aback.
She had expected Shen Wei’s courtyard to be modestly decorated, but she never imagined it would be so exquisitely adorned.
“Greetings to the Wang Fei,” Shen Wei said, leading her maids and eunuchs in a bow.
The Wang Fei’s expression remained unchanged as she stepped into Fangfei Garden.
The scenery in the courtyard astonished her even more. It was like a small paradise, with crape myrtle trees lining the edges, blooming bougainvillea below, and a lush green lawn in the center, where a winding pebble path circled the entire courtyard.
Not far away was a small vegetable garden, with eggplants in bloom and crops thriving. The pond was filled with green lotus leaves, and though summer had not yet arrived, the young lotus buds were just beginning to show.
Fangfei Garden exuded a vibrant life force, starkly contrasting with the gloomy and rigid royal residence.
“Shen Wei, your selfless act to save the Wang Ye is truly commendable,” the Wang Fei clapped her hands, and a dozen maids approached, holding trays and standing in two rows.
The trays were filled with jewelry, pearls, jade, fine silks, and gold and silver.
Shen Wei’s heart raced at the sight of all that wealth—so much money!
The Wang Fei continued, “The Empress learned of your bravery and sent a hundred taels of gold and a hundred-year-old ginseng root to reward your merit. Princess Zhaoyang sent you ten bolts of silk. I, too, have brought you two boxes of pearls and two pairs of jade bracelets.”
Shen Wei was overwhelmed with gratitude and quickly bowed to express her thanks.
Mama Rong, along with Cai Lian and Cai Ping, took the awarded jewelry and gold and placed them in Shen Wei’s personal treasury.
After inquiring about her well-being, the Wang Fei added, “It’s most important to take care of your health and bear children for the Wang Ye as soon as possible.”
Shen Wei’s body shifted slightly, and she smiled bitterly, lowering her head. “Replying to the Wang Fei, I certainly wish to bear children for the Wang Ye, but... I am not blessed, and I have yet to conceive.”
She had been favored for two months, relying on contraceptive soup to avoid pregnancy.
Otherwise, with the Yan Wang’s terrifying frequency of seven times in one night, she would have been pregnant long ago.
But Shen Wei pretended to be unaware of the contraceptive soup.
A fleeting look of pity crossed the Wang Fei’s eyes—this poor woman had no idea that her lover had secretly replaced her nourishing medicine with contraceptive soup.
The Wang Ye was ultimately a cold-hearted man.
Even though Shen Wei harbored deep affection for him, he only regarded her as a warm bed companion.
“Take good care of your injury,” the Wang Fei said, unwilling to linger, and prepared to leave.
Shen Wei respectfully saw her out.
As the Wang Fei departed with her maids and the old matron, she turned back at the corner. Looking at the lively Shen Wei standing at the door, she momentarily saw a reflection of her once vibrant self.
Unfortunately, time had dulled her edges and resolve.
Liu Mama followed closely behind the Wang Fei and whispered, “Wang Fei, Zhang Yue from the side courtyard has mostly recovered and can serve the Wang Ye now.”
Zhang Yue was quite resilient, having endured dozens of lashes, and her recovery was surprisingly swift.
The Wang Fei replied coolly, “Bring Zhang Yue in as a concubine. The Rose Garden next to Fangfei Garden is still vacant; let her move in there.”
With a new arrival, Shen Wei, the old one, would gradually fade from the stage.
Having been married to the Yan Wang for ten years, the Wang Fei naturally understood the fickleness of her partner. The Yan Wang’s love had a time limit; no woman would be an exception.
...
Shen Wei received a substantial reward and happily counted the gold, silver, and jewels. Her little treasury was becoming increasingly full.
Of course, as an excellent boss, Shen Wei understood the principle of “to share wealth and not forget those who helped.”
She called for Mama Rong, Cai Lian, Cai Ping, Ji Xiang, and De Shun.
Shen Wei gifted Mama Rong twenty taels of silver. Mama Rong was older, had worked hard, and was responsible for managing the maids and eunuchs daily, as well as completing Shen Wei’s tasks on time and teaching her etiquette, making her worthy of the bonus.
“Thank you, Master!” Mama Rong said, tears of gratitude in her eyes.
Shen Wei smiled and said, “You’ve worked hard lately, so I’m giving you half a piece of this hundred-year-old ginseng. Slice a bit each day to brew and drink; it will nourish your spleen and lungs.”
Mama Rong’s eyes glistened with tears.
The hundred-year-old ginseng gifted by the Empress was incredibly valuable; even a single root was precious medicine. The fact that her master generously gifted her half a piece was truly moving.
Shen Wei also rewarded Cai Lian and Cai Ping each with fifteen taels of silver, saying, “Your clothes are worn out. Go to the storeroom and pick out a bolt of fabric each; summer is coming, and it’s time for new clothes.”
Cai Lian and Cai Ping repeatedly bowed in gratitude.
Fifteen taels of silver was more than their annual salary. Their master not only generously rewarded them with silver but also offered them precious fabric.
Where could they find such a generous master?
As for Ji Xiang and De Shun, these two little eunuchs were quiet but diligent. The successful renovation of Shen Wei’s courtyard in such a short time was thanks to their hard work.
Shen Wei rewarded both of them with fifteen taels of silver each and also gifted them some precious spices. Eunuchs had undergone castration, and they often carried a faint odor, so they liked to use spices to mask the smell.
They needed high-quality spices, but good ones were expensive, and their meager monthly salaries couldn’t afford them.
Shen Wei’s rewards were just right.
She knew that the best way to ensure her employees were dedicated was to pay them well.
In modern society, many company bosses demand their employees to contribute without offering raises or overtime pay. Over time, employees grow resentful and leave one by one.
Shen Wei was a good boss, sharing both fortune and misfortune. If she had a piece of meat to eat, then Cai Lian and Cai Ping would have a bowl of soup to drink.
“Alright, you all can go back to your duties,” Shen Wei said, dismissing the maids and eunuchs while keeping Cai Lian by her side.
Taking a sip of the newly acquired Bi Luo Chun tea, its fragrant aroma spread in her mouth. She squinted her eyes and said to Cai Lian, “Cai Lian, go to the Neiwufu (Internal Affairs Office) and request a set of the Four Treasures of the Study.”
Cai Lian eagerly accepted the task.
She was efficient and quickly brought back the ink, brush, paper, and inkstone.
After finishing her eight-section brocade exercises in the afternoon, Shen Wei glanced at the sunset on the horizon, guessing that the Yan Wang would come to rest with her again that night. So, she spread out the ink and personally ground it, picking up the brush to start writing.
When the Yan Wang finished his official duties and walked into Fangfei Garden under the golden sunset, he didn’t have Cai Lian announce his arrival but walked straight into the room.
What greeted him was the sight of Shen Wei sitting at the small desk by the window, writing.
Her profile was beautiful, with a small, delicate nose marked with ink, resembling a little flower cat. The desk was piled with Xuan paper, covered in dense ink marks.
In the small window, she was practicing her calligraphy.
There was a sense of happiness in the tranquility of time, and the fatigue accumulated from the Yan Wang’s busy day dissipated upon seeing Shen Wei.
“Your arm still isn’t healed, and you’re at it again?” The Yan Wang’s voice was deep and rich, like wine, drifting into Shen Wei’s ears.
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