Chapter 31
**Chapter 31: Moving into the New Home!**
Liuli Pavilion, a residence only fit for a favored concubine.
Built just last year, Liuli Pavilion is located near the Yan Wang's study and has never been occupied, remaining empty all this time.
With a playful smile, Yan Wang gently pinched Shen Wei's nose. "Fangfei Courtyard is too remote. You should stay in Liuli Pavilion; it’s closer to me."
Shen Wei bit her rosy lip, hesitating as she replied, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but my status is humble... Fangfei Courtyard is simple and serene; I am quite happy there."
Inside, she was bursting with joy, but she had to maintain a facade.
The more Shen Wei resisted, the more Yan Wang felt for her.
Not giving her a chance to decline, Yan Wang leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Be obedient."
Shen Wei blushed and nodded silently.
With a grand house as a reward from her benefactor, she naturally felt the urge to reciprocate.
Her slender, fair arms wrapped around Yan Wang's neck as she gazed at him shyly, her eyes filled with trust and affection—he was her treasure, her love!
The candlelight flickered warmly, painting a picture of beauty, while the air was infused with a faint scent of mugwort. Yan Wang felt his heart stir as he leaned closer...
Hand in hand, they entered the canopy, giggling as they blew out the lamp.
With gentle strokes, they caressed and teased, the atmosphere thick with romance.
...
Meanwhile, Shen Wei and Yan Wang were engaged in a playful experiment of separating their clothes, while in the neighboring Fangfei Courtyard, Zhang Yue sat on her bed with a sullen expression.
The buzzing of mosquitoes filled the air, and the acrid smoke of mosquito repellent wafted around her. Learning that Yan Wang was spending the night in Fangfei Courtyard again, Zhang Yue felt a wave of frustration.
With Yan Wang present, she dared not let Fang'er play tricks on Shen Wei.
Only when Yan Wang left would she feel free to act.
Zhang Yue had been observing from the shadows, noting how unsettled Shen Wei had been these past few days, her spirit waning and her complexion growing pale and thin.
"I never expected my ghostly scheme would go unnoticed," Zhang Yue thought, feeling quite pleased with herself.
She had thought Shen Wei was formidable, but it turned out she was just a spineless coward.
Unable to see through even the simplest of tricks, how foolish.
Such a dim-witted woman, even if she gained Yan Wang's favor, wouldn't last long. Zhang Yue planned to continue her ghostly antics to frighten Shen Wei until she was driven to her end.
Once Shen Wei was gone, Zhang Yue would have her chance to rise.
Content with her thoughts, Zhang Yue lay down on her small bed, ready to sleep. But the summer night was filled with mosquitoes, buzzing incessantly. Many had slipped through the mosquito net, leaving her covered in itchy welts.
Zhang Yue endured silently, thinking that once she gained favor, the Inner Court would provide her with the finest mosquito nets and repellent.
The next morning, Zhang Yue was awakened by the commotion from the neighboring courtyard.
Irritated, she pulled back the bed curtains and asked Fang'er, who was on night watch outside, "What’s going on in Fangfei Courtyard? It’s so noisy this early."
Fang'er rushed in, casting a deep glance at Zhang Yue, hiding the fleeting resentment in her eyes before lowering her head. "Replying to the mistress, this morning the prince ordered Shen to move to Liuli Pavilion. She is currently directing the servants to move her furniture, hence the noise."
Zhang Yue's mind went blank.
What?
Moving to Liuli Pavilion!
She had heard of Liuli Pavilion. It was a new building specially constructed by Yan Wang last year, close to his study, originally intended as a place for his summer naps.
Never did she expect such a fine residence would be given to Shen Wei, a lowly concubine!
Zhang Yue's eyes widened in disbelief as she unconsciously clutched the bed curtains, the turn of events far exceeding her expectations.
Then, a wave of intense jealousy surged through her, and she angrily grabbed a small celadon vase from the bedside and smashed it to the ground.
Clenching her fists, her teeth grinding, she muttered, "Shen Wei, do you think moving to Liuli Pavilion means there are no ghosts?"
Ghosts in this world are ever-present, like shadows.
...
...
In Kunyuyuan, the princess was inspecting newly purchased leather.
These leathers had been specially sourced from the south, as she intended to make new shoes for her two sons.
Upon hearing that Shen Wei had moved into Liuli Pavilion, the princess paused, her hand gripping the leather, disbelief etched on her face.
"Madam Liu," she whispered, leaning in, "the prince's decision to let Shen reside in Liuli Pavilion shows his regard for her. If this continues, Shen's influence will only grow."
The princess pondered for a moment, then shook her head lightly. "The prince has never been one for lasting affections. Shen Wei is merely a tool to provoke me. He wants to use her to remind me to be a good wife and mother."
She speculated that Yan Wang was displeased with her cold treatment of the concubines, hence the decision to place Shen Wei in Liuli Pavilion.
With a scoff, she continued, "When the prince gave Qixue Pavilion to Liu Ruyan, everyone thought she would take my place. But look at it now; Qixue Pavilion is desolate and cold. How often does the prince even step inside?"
If even the stunning Liu Ruyan could not secure his exclusive favor, how could a woman of humble origins and no family background like Shen Wei?
The princess remained steadfast in her belief that Shen had never truly entered Yan Wang's heart.
Shen Wei had enjoyed three months of favor, yet after every night spent together, Yan Wang sent her away with contraceptive medicine, and she had yet to conceive—this was the best proof.
The princess instructed Madam Liu, "Since the prince has given Liuli Pavilion to Shen, I must also make a gesture. Madam Liu, fetch ten bolts of silk and a hundred taels of silver to reward Shen. She has been disturbed by the ghostly happenings, and as the head of the household, I should offer some comfort."
Wasn't Yan Wang asking her to be a diligent mistress?
Then she would comply with his wishes and put on a show for him.
"When will the girl from Jiangnan arrive in Yanjing?" the princess thought of the new concubine she had prepared for Yan Wang.
Madam Liu replied, "She will arrive in half a month."
The princess smiled, "Very good."
This girl from Jiangnan, clever and cunning, was far superior to the useless Zhang Yue.
The princess believed that this newcomer would surely overshadow Shen Wei and soon bear Yan Wang a child.
...
Liuli Pavilion is situated in the southern part of the palace, right next to Yan Wang's library and study.
The servants had already cleaned Liuli Pavilion and moved in the furnishings from Fangfei Courtyard. As Shen Wei stepped into Liuli Pavilion, she found it much larger than Fangfei Courtyard, with six spacious rooms and a beautiful two-story wooden pavilion in the center.
The courtyard was surrounded by lush trees, with a crescent-shaped pond winding from the front to the back, complete with a rockery and trickling water. The entire Liuli Pavilion exuded elegance and charm.
The new workspace was spacious, and Shen Wei was quite satisfied.
After moving into Liuli Pavilion, Yan Wang also sent her a generous supply of medicinal herbs and fine silks to comfort her for the hardships she had endured.
The princess, too, sent her some herbs and silver, urging her to take care of her health and not to be disturbed by ghosts anymore.
Shen Wei appreciated the gifts from both Yan Wang and the princess; her little treasury was now overflowing. When the time was right, she planned to invest in shops and land in Yanjing, letting her wealth multiply.
After taking a stroll around Liuli Pavilion and surveying the entire courtyard, she called her staff for a meeting.
The first order of business after moving into her new home was to renovate the exterior.
Shen Wei took a sip of tea to clear her throat and began her plans: "Clean the moss and debris from the pond, and transfer the lotus flowers and fish here. Build a larger pavilion by the pond and lay down a big bed inside."
"We must plant mugwort outside the courtyard; it’s essential for repelling mosquitoes in summer."
"Create two vegetable plots, one for vegetables and one for medicinal herbs. Clear out the small kitchen next door."
"Plant two plum trees in the corner; when the plums ripen next year, I want to make plum wine. And as for the furniture inside, let’s replace it with rosewood chairs... Hang the prince's 'Spring Banquet' on the study wall, and prepare the writing materials... If funds are short, I’ll dip into my little treasury..."
Shen Wei issued her orders methodically, while Cai Ping, Cai Ying, Ji Xiang, De Shun, and Mama Rong listened attentively, taking notes.
After the meeting, everyone dispersed to get busy.
Over time, the maids and eunuchs in Shen Wei's courtyard had become a highly efficient working team under her guidance. Shen Wei could confidently delegate tasks to them, significantly lightening her own workload.
Returning to her small study, Shen Wei began practicing her calligraphy.
Every time Yan Wang visited her, he would check on her progress. Shen Wei knew she couldn't disappoint her benefactor's expectations, so she worked doubly hard to earn a promotion and a raise.
As she wrote, Shen Wei paused, her hand stilling. "Cai Ping, come in for a moment."
Cai Ping wiped the sweat from her forehead and hurried in. "Mistress, what do you need?"
Shen Wei said, "Have Ji Xiang and De Shun keep a close watch tonight; the ghost from Fangfei Courtyard might come to Liuli Pavilion. If they see it, they should catch it immediately."
Cai Ping nodded eagerly. "Rest assured, Mistress, I’ll get Ji Xiang and De Shun ready right away."
Shen Wei understood Zhang Yue's petty and spiteful nature. Watching her move into a luxurious residence, Zhang Yue would undoubtedly be unwilling to accept it.
She would surely continue to stir up trouble.
Shen Wei lightly tapped her brush; it was time to prepare for a counterattack—preferably a decisive one.
Shen Wei practiced her calligraphy until night fell.
As night quietly descended, Yan Wang did not come to find Shen Wei for the night; he was still in the East Palace discussing state affairs with the Crown Prince. With the recent frequent border skirmishes, both Yan Wang and the Crown Prince would likely be busy for several more days.
Shen Wei knew well that Yan Wang was not the type to be infatuated with beauty; he was ambitious and would not waste time on romantic entanglements.
Most of his day was spent on official duties, riding and shooting, with only a small portion left for the women in the inner court.
What Yan Wang desired was simple: he wanted to return home after a long day of work to find a warm embrace waiting for him, a cozy haven to sleep in.
The women like Liu Ruyan yearned for a lifetime of companionship, to be inseparable from their husbands. Such dreams were naturally unattainable—when unfulfilled, resentment brewed, leading to a choice to languish in despair.
Shen Wei would not harbor resentment; Yan Wang was busy with his affairs, and she had her own to attend to.
When Yan Wang found time to visit her, Shen Wei would still be the devoted woman who loved him wholeheartedly, fulfilling all his beautiful fantasies.
After dinner and a session of Pamela's workout, Shen Wei was drenched in sweat. She held a small embroidered fan as she strolled through the courtyard of Liuli Pavilion.
The courtyard was spacious, and the newly planted flowers and greenery looked particularly vibrant under the hazy moonlight, with a gentle breeze carrying sweet fragrances.
Cai Ping followed closely behind Shen Wei, chattering about the border affairs. "I heard that the young lord of the southern town and General Shen have joined forces, driving the troops of the Yue Kingdom back in defeat. The young lord even set aside his newlywed wife on their wedding night to fulfill his duty."
"General Shen has served for many years, rising from an unknown soldier to a general, with numerous achievements. It’s said that his mother and younger siblings were all killed by the Yue troops, so he vowed to destroy the Yue Kingdom and avenge his family."
Shen Wei listened with great interest. "General Shen? We share the same surname. What is his full name?"
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