Chapter 25
**Chapter 25: A Big Bed Makes Things Convenient**
...
Meanwhile, news of Zhang Yue's night with the Yan Wang spread throughout the inner court of the Wang residence.
It was said that Shen Wei from Fangfei Courtyard was unwilling to accept this, waiting at the door that night, hoping to entice the Yan Wang to stay over. To her surprise, the Yan Wang ignored her completely.
The next day, the Yan Wang sent a bottle of medicine to Shen Wei through the eunuch Fugui, but he sent fourteen bottles to Zhang Yue! The disparity was clear to anyone with eyes.
In no time, everyone was lamenting: the Yan Wang had found a new favorite and was already growing tired of the old one, Shen Wei.
This same script had played out countless times in the inner court of the Wang residence.
Alas, Shen Wei had ultimately followed in the footsteps of those before her, fading into obscurity, becoming a wilting ephemeron. After two months of favor, with no sign of pregnancy, her future days would only grow more miserable.
...
In Kunyuyuan, the Wangfei was checking on her two sons' studies when she overheard the gossip about Shen Wei and Zhang Yue outside.
The Wangfei smiled faintly, “What a futile struggle. Liu Mama, how long do you think Zhang Yue can hold the Yan Wang's favor?”
Liu Mama replied, “Zhang Yue is the daughter of a merchant. Though her family has fallen on hard times, she at least knows etiquette and has some education. If luck is on her side, she might enjoy the Yan Wang's favor for a month or two.”
The Wangfei sighed.
“Let’s hope Zhang Yue can prove herself and conceive a child soon. As for Shen Wei, she will be trapped in her square courtyard for the rest of her life, living in solitude.”
But who could Shen Wei blame? The path she chose was her own, and she must bear the consequences of her wrong choices.
...
In Qixue Pavilion, Liu Ru Yan was playing chess with Liu Qiao Er.
After hearing the news from the maid about the situation in Qiangwei Courtyard, Liu Ru Yan put down her white piece and shook her head sadly, “Love is as fleeting as water; it’s just a dream.”
Liu Qiao Er shared the same sentiment.
When Shen Wei was favored, she was in such a glorious position. Yet, the Yan Wang was fickle, losing interest in Shen Wei after just one night.
Zhang Yue received fourteen bottles of medicine, while Shen Wei got only one; the difference was obvious to anyone.
Liu Qiao Er sighed, “I’ve come to understand: it’s better to be unassuming and live in peace.”
Liu Qiao Er and Liu Ru Yan exchanged glances, feeling a sense of camaraderie.
As they continued their game, Liu Qiao Er suddenly felt an itch on her neck; she had been bitten by a mosquito.
“Do you have so many mosquitoes in your courtyard too, sister?” Liu Qiao Er exclaimed.
She had come to Liu Ru Yan not just to play chess but also to escape the mosquitoes. Although Liu Qiao Er was a side consort, she had offended the Yan Wang by refusing his favor, and her status had been downgraded to that of a mere concubine.
Concubines received fewer mosquito coils, which burned poorly and had a pungent smell, making them ineffective at repelling mosquitoes.
“I don’t like mosquito coils,” Liu Ru Yan replied coolly. “The scent is not as elegant as that of plum blossoms.”
Liu Qiao Er: ...
Liu Ru Yan’s courtyard was filled with trees and had a small pond, which attracted mosquitoes. Although there were mosquito nets, the incessant buzzing was quite bothersome.
Only mosquito coils could effectively drive them away, but Liu Ru Yan was unwilling to use them.
Liu Qiao Er silently suppressed her complaints.
As noon approached, Liu Qiao Er stayed in Liu Ru Yan’s courtyard to share lunch. After having plain meals for so long, she missed meat and had come to mooch off Liu Ru Yan.
However, when lunch was served, it was all vegetarian dishes, accompanied by a bottle of plum blossom wine.
At a glance, it was all very bland.
Liu Qiao Er, longing for meat, fell silent.
Liu Ru Yan said lightly, “I don’t care for meat. The Buddhist teachings emphasize purity of the senses, so I’ve always eaten vegetarian.”
Liu Qiao Er fiddled with her chopsticks, unable to bring herself to eat for a long while.
Suddenly, she found herself reminiscing about the days when she was favored, enjoying delicacies every day, with the best mosquito coils in summer and the finest charcoal in winter, and snacking on dried fruits, honey, and pine nuts during leisure...
As this thought crossed her mind, Liu Qiao Er quickly shook her head.
Though being favored meant no worries about food and clothing, it also meant a lack of security.
It was better to be a salted fish, low-key and living longer.
...
In Qiangwei Courtyard, gentle sunlight poured down, casting a patch of green shade in the courtyard. The yard was planted with lush mugwort, which was refreshing and kept mosquitoes at bay, free from any pesky insects.
Under the shade of the trees, a set of rosewood chairs was arranged, and Shen Wei began practicing her calligraphy.
With a beauty mask on her face and a cup of honey goji berry tea at her side, she leisurely practiced her writing under the trees.
Her writing skills needed to improve gradually, creating the illusion for the Yan Wang that he was a good teacher.
The gossiping maid Cai Ping returned after hearing a bellyful of rumors, chattering in Shen Wei’s ear, “My lady, everyone is saying that the Yan Wang favors the Qiangwei Courtyard even more.”
Cai Ping was quite upset. Were these people blind?
The swelling medicine the Yan Wang sent to Shen Wei was personally prepared by the Imperial Medical Bureau. The dozen bottles of medicine Zhang Yue received were merely discarded ones that Shen Wei had used.
Shen Wei focused on her calligraphy, “Let her enjoy her moment of pride; there’s no need to take it to heart. Cai Ping, have Jixiang and Deshun build a small pavilion by the pond. Make sure it’s ready before the Yan Wang returns.”
In the pond of Fangfei Courtyard, the lotus leaves were a vibrant green, and the buds were about to bloom. Shen Wei wanted to build a pavilion by the water to cool off.
Summer was approaching; what was the point of sleeping in the same bed every day?
It was time to unlock a new location.
“Rest assured, my lady, Jixiang and Deshun have already gone to fetch the wood,” Cai Ping said, noticing Shen Wei’s calm demeanor, her own heart gradually settling.
Shen Wei nodded, “Cai Ping, call in Rong Mama; I have something to arrange.”
Cai Ping complied, and soon Rong Mama entered the room.
Shen Wei set down her brush and handed a pouch of coins to Rong Mama, “Take this to the Confucian Temple in the outskirts of Yan Jing and give it to my mother and brother. Mama, you know how to act.”
Rong Mama smiled, “Rest assured, my lady, I’ll head to the temple right away.”
Shen Wei was continuing to prod Shen Xiu Ming, ensuring he wouldn’t forget his sister’s “suffering” and “shame,” and would keep striving to improve.
My lady, there’s more to this chapter, please click the next page to continue reading; it gets even more exciting!
After Rong Mama left, Shen Wei practiced her calligraphy for another half an hour before heading outside to supervise the two young eunuchs building the pavilion.
She wanted to create a pavilion filled with ancient charm, placing a cool bed inside.
As Shen Wei sipped her tea while overseeing the work, a lively voice suddenly called out from the courtyard, “Shen Wei, guess what I’ve brought you!”
Before she even arrived, the aroma of braised pork wafted in.
Without a doubt, it was Zhang Miaoyu, the side consort. Zhang Miaoyu, round and plump like a little dumpling, hurried into Fangfei Courtyard, her skirt in hand, panting.
Wiping the sweat from her forehead, she complained, “Your courtyard is too far! I walked for ages, and my feet are killing me.”
Shen Wei quite liked this chubby side consort—naive, fond of food, and without any scheming.
“Side consort, did you come today for something?” Shen Wei asked.
Zhang Miaoyu shook her head and plopped down on a chair, “Don’t call me side consort; it’s too formal. You can call me Miaoyu—I brought you some braised pork because I was worried you might be feeling down.”
The maid brought out a plate of braised pork.
The pork was a rich, glossy red, tender and falling off the bone, with an enticing aroma.
Shen Wei smiled, “Thank you for your kindness, but I’m feeling great.”
Zhang Miaoyu looked at her with pity, “It’s okay to lose favor; just be happy yourself. The Yan Wang’s love is hard to come by; you might as well join me for some pork.”
Shen Wei understood in her heart.
So, Zhang Miaoyu thought she had fallen out of favor and had come to check on her.
What a kind-hearted person.
However, Shen Wei, who was focused on her health, still declined the offer of braised pork.
Zhang Miaoyu pouted, “If you don’t like pork, next time I’ll bring you braised meat—I'll have the pork for now.”
Zhang Miaoyu was not shy at all, grabbing the pork and starting to gnaw on it, her mouth dripping with grease.
As she ate, she curiously watched as two eunuchs brought in a cool bed, and Zhang Miaoyu exclaimed, “What a big bed!”
Shen Wei smiled without saying a word.
A big bed makes things convenient, after all.
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