Chapter 33
**Chapter 33: The Demands of the Wealthy Sister Must Be Met!**
...
Two days later, after finishing his duties at the East Palace, Wang Yan, the Prince of Yan, returned to the royal residence under the cover of night. The summer evening was stifling, with not a whisper of wind.
Beads of sweat glistened on Wang Yan's forehead as he dismounted and walked into the palace, where he immediately spotted a figure in light green waiting under the eaves.
It was Shen Wei.
In the sweltering heat, she wore a refreshing green dress, adorned with a jade hairpin that glimmered like dew.
The fatigue from his busy schedule began to dissipate at the sight of someone eagerly waiting for him.
“Your Highness, you’re back!” Shen Wei exclaimed, her eyes brightening as she hurried over, lifting her skirt with joy.
Noticing the sweat on his brow, she quickly pulled out a light green handkerchief to dab at his forehead, then retrieved a small fan to cool him down.
The handkerchief carried a faint scent of mugwort, mingled with a refreshing hint of mint, and Wang Yan felt the heat leave his body, replaced by a wave of coolness.
“Why are you waiting at the door tonight?” Wang Yan asked with a smile.
Shen Wei's eyes sparkled as she replied sweetly, “Your Highness, you allowed me to move to the Liuli Pavilion. It’s spacious and beautiful, and I’ve felt very at ease these past two days. I came to thank you for your kindness upon hearing of your return.”
As a favored concubine, Shen Wei naturally aimed to show her affection for Wang Yan, providing him with the utmost emotional support.
Seeing her happiness brought joy to Wang Yan, and in turn, filled her little treasury.
Wang Yan took Shen Wei's hand and walked into the Liuli Pavilion. As soon as they stepped inside, a gentle breeze greeted them.
Before them lay an intricately designed courtyard, with elegant pavilions and a rockery where cool water cascaded down. In the newly cultivated vegetable patches, vibrant green vegetables had already been planted.
The courtyard was larger and more picturesque, brimming with life.
At dinner time, Shen Wei had prepared a variety of refreshing dishes to beat the heat, including her special red sugar jelly.
The jelly was simple to make: soaked glutinous rice was ground into a paste, mixed with chopped plantain leaves, and simmered slowly until it thickened. Finally, melted red sugar water was added, and once cooled, a delightful treat was ready.
Wang Yan took a bite of the jelly and was greatly impressed, quickly finishing an entire bowl.
After dinner, Shen Wei took Wang Yan's hand, and they strolled leisurely through the new courtyard, eventually arriving at the newly built pavilion.
Lotus flowers bloomed, the water was refreshing, and a wooden tub for bathing sat in the pavilion, adorned with floating pink lotus petals.
“Your Highness, it’s a hot summer night. Would you like to bathe to cool off?” Shen Wei asked with a bright smile, her delicate fingers playfully tugging at Wang Yan's jade belt.
Her sparkling eyes and enchanting smile were irresistible.
Wang Yan's breath quickened as he swept Shen Wei into the tub, and they frolicked until deep into the night. Only when Shen Wei grew drowsy did he carry her back to their quarters to sleep.
Wang Yan cherished these simple yet beautiful days. Being with Shen Wei always relieved his fatigue and filled his heart with immense satisfaction.
...
After moving into the Liuli Pavilion, Shen Wei received even more affection and enjoyed a life of luxury.
That morning, she was jogging in the courtyard when an unexpected visitor arrived. The plump Concubine Zhang Miaoyu was peering in at the entrance, her big, round eyes darting around.
“Shen Wei, Shen Wei!” Zhang Miaoyu called, rushing in while lifting her skirt.
Shen Wei paused her jog, took the towel from Cai Ping, and wiped her sweat, patiently asking, “Sister Miaoyu, what brings you here?”
Most of the women in the royal harem were homebodies, rarely stepping outside.
But Zhang Miaoyu was different; she occasionally visited Shen Wei. Living in the nearby Huaxiang Courtyard made it easy for her to drop by.
Zhang Miaoyu curiously looked around, her eyes wide with surprise. “Shen Wei, you’ve decorated the courtyard so vibrantly! It’s so cool and refreshing here, and there aren’t even any mosquitoes. No wonder the prince likes you!”
After enthusiastically praising Shen Wei, she quickly shifted the conversation. “I heard you made something called jelly. Is it good? Can I try some? Can I take two tubs home?”
Shen Wei was speechless.
As expected, she was still the same food lover.
Shen Wei instructed Cai Ping to open the well and retrieve the wooden tubs filled with jelly. The summer heat made chilling the jelly in the well water even more effective.
Cai Ping took out the jelly, cut a small piece, and placed it in a porcelain bowl, adding watermelon chunks, red sugar syrup, and sesame seeds.
Zhang Miaoyu eagerly accepted the bowl, scooping a bite with her porcelain spoon and popping it into her mouth.
It melted instantly, cool and refreshing, with a sweet aftertaste. Zhang Miaoyu closed her eyes in bliss, then opened her mouth wide and devoured the rest of the jelly.
Still not satisfied, her big, round eyes turned to the remaining large piece of jelly. “Can I take the rest home?”
Shen Wei shook her head with a smile, patiently explaining, “The prince will want some tonight.”
Zhang Miaoyu, undeterred, pulled out two shiny gold leaves from her pocket. “I’ll buy it with gold.”
The two gleaming gold leaves waved in front of Shen Wei.
Without hesitation, she commanded, “Cai Ping, take all the jelly to Sister Miaoyu’s room!”
If the wealthy sister wanted jelly, Shen Wei would give her as much as she desired!
She had long heard that Zhang Miaoyu’s father was a deputy minister of the Ministry of Revenue, overseeing finances. Officials in that department were incredibly wealthy.
Though Zhang Miaoyu was not favored as a concubine, her affluent family provided her with ample support, ensuring she wanted for nothing.
Shen Wei grasped Zhang Miaoyu’s hand, her eyes filled with affection for the wealthy sister. “Besides jelly, I can also make ice powder, sweet rice balls, and mint tapioca jelly. As long as you’re willing to pay, I’ll make them for you every day.”
Shen Wei had always harbored entrepreneurial dreams.
She had received a considerable amount of silver from the Prince of Yan, but it was all piling up in her little treasury, gathering dust. As someone who loved making money, Shen Wei was determined to embark on “capital expansion.”
When the time was right, she planned to open a shop in Yanjing, selling refreshing summer drinks. Once her capital was sufficient, she would venture into real estate and commercial properties.
In ancient times, the foundation for success boiled down to two things: power and money.
To make money, one needed power; she would take it step by step.
Zhang Miaoyu, unaware of Shen Wei’s grand ambitions, brightened up. “Great! It’s a deal— but what’s this ‘mint tapioca jelly’?”
Just as Shen Wei was about to explain, she caught sight of Liu Mama entering the Liuli Pavilion.
Liu Mama still wore her stern gray robe, her sharp gaze slicing through Shen Wei as she spoke ominously, “Miss Shen, the princess requests your presence.”
The visitor did not come with good intentions.
Zhang Miaoyu, oblivious to the seriousness of the situation, innocently asked Liu Mama, “Does the princess want to eat jelly too?”
Liu Mama shot a glance at the naive Zhang Miaoyu but did not respond.
Shen Wei, however, remained composed. “Please wait a moment, Liu Mama. Allow me to change.”
Liu Mama replied, “Hurry up, don’t delay.”
Returning to her chamber, Shen Wei changed into a new purple gauze dress with green patterns, assisted by Cai Ping and Cai Lian.
As Cai Ping helped her dress, she lowered her voice, “Miss, Fang’er from the Rose Courtyard came this morning with news that Zhang Yue went to the princess to complain, accusing you of practicing witchcraft.”
Shen Wei inserted a white jade hairpin into her hair. “Is everything arranged?”
Cai Ping nodded. “Don’t worry, Miss. Sister Cai Lian has already prepared everything as you instructed.”
Once dressed, Shen Wei, accompanied by Cai Ping, headed to the princess’s Kunyu Pavilion. Zhang Miaoyu, feeling uneasy, huffed and puffed, following along to see the commotion.
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