Chapter 35
**Chapter 35: So Shen Wei... Has Been Lying to Him All Along?**
A sense of foreboding surged within the Yan Wang as he patiently returned to his study.
The Wangfei followed closely behind, placing the witness Zhang Yue and the evidence they had unearthed on the table.
It was a small, worn wooden box, no bigger than a palm, crudely crafted. Inside lay a tiny wooden figure.
The figure was oddly shaped, with the name "Li Yuanjing" carved on its chest, along with his birth date.
On the back of the wooden figure was the name "Shen Wei," accompanied by her birth date. Both names were stained with dark red blood, and two red threads were tightly entwined between them, creating a bizarre and eerie sight.
Yan Wang picked up the small wooden figure, recognizing the crooked handwriting—it was Shen Wei's!
Zhang Yue suddenly knelt down, trying to assert her presence. "Your Highness, I stumbled upon this wooden figure by chance. I was worried for your safety and couldn’t keep it to myself, so I exposed Shen Wei’s wicked deeds to the Wangfei."
She looked up, her eyes wide with hope, wishing Yan Wang would remember her face. Zhang Yue believed that with her exquisite beauty, she would soon win Yan Wang's favor.
But when she saw the wooden figure in Yan Wang's hand, her expression turned strange—this figure seemed different from the one she had placed in the box!
To frame Shen Wei, Zhang Yue had casually carved a wooden figure herself, inscribing Yan Wang's name along with some wicked curses.
Yet the wooden figure in Yan Wang's hand appeared completely different. Why were there bloodstains on its chest? Where did the red threads come from? What about the birth dates?
Yan Wang's handsome face darkened; that crooked handwriting was undoubtedly carved by Shen Wei herself.
His heart ached with a dull pain as he questioned himself—had he not treated Shen Wei well?
He admired Shen Wei's alluring figure, cherished her meticulous care, and loved the vibrant energy she brought. When Shen Wei faced a haunting incident, he had promptly arranged for her to move to a new residence.
But this woman had secretly cursed him!
Could it be that Shen Wei had been deceiving him all along? Was all her deep affection merely a facade?
"Go to Liuli Pavilion," Yan Wang's expression hardened, his thin lips pressed into a cold line as he strode toward the Liuli Pavilion.
Zhang Yue watched his tall figure depart, secretly relieved, and then smugly thought that her days of favor were finally about to begin.
...
Yan Wang stormed into Shen Wei's chamber at the Liuli Pavilion, his face a mask of fury.
Shen Wei was at her desk practicing calligraphy, diligently copying "Chun Ri Yan," her expression focused, her profile pale and beautiful.
Hearing the commotion at the door, Shen Wei looked up joyfully. "Your Highness, you’re back!"
Yan Wang approached the desk, his expression dark as he snatched the xuan paper to examine it.
"Chun Ri Yan, a cup of green wine, a song sung once..."
Shen Wei had written several copies; her handwriting was still uneven, but progress was evident. Yan Wang clenched the xuan paper and slammed the box containing the wooden figure onto the desk.
The box flew open, revealing the oddly shaped wooden figure.
Shen Wei's face turned to shock.
Yan Wang glared at her, his ink-black eyes filled with anger and disbelief.
He grasped Shen Wei's delicate wrist, questioning each word, "Shen Wei, I have treated you well. Why would you curse me?"
Shen Wei's face froze, as if she had heard the most absurd tale. Tears welled in her bright eyes as she stammered, "N-no... it’s not like that..."
Seeing her pitiful expression, Yan Wang felt an inexplicable pang in his heart. He asked, "The writing on this wooden figure—did you carve it? Do you still want to deny it?"
Shen Wei's handwriting was unique.
Ugly and strange, it was impossible for anyone else to replicate.
A look of grievance crossed Shen Wei's face as tears streamed down, her voice choked, "I carved those letters myself... but... but it’s not what you think..."
Hearing Shen Wei's admission, a wave of pain surged through Yan Wang.
He had thought he had finally found a rare flower that understood him. But it turned out this flower had hidden thorns, cruel and hypocritical.
Yan Wang's anger flared, "The evidence is irrefutable! Do you still want to argue? Shen Wei, was there even a shred of truth in the affection you showed me?"
Shen Wei's almond-shaped eyes widened.
It seemed she hadn’t expected Yan Wang to doubt her love. Her temper flared, and for the first time, she pouted at him, "Your Highness, how could you doubt my feelings for you? You... you’re being unreasonable!"
Tears as big as beans fell freely, and Shen Wei seemed utterly heartbroken. In a huff, she turned away, burying her face on the desk and sobbing.
Yan Wang's anger only intensified.
This woman had done wrong, yet she dared to throw a tantrum at him!
"Someone, seal off the Liuli Pavilion! No one is to let Shen Wei step out without my command!" Yan Wang ground his teeth. If it were any other maid who had committed such a heinous act, she would have long been punished with a white silk scarf.
But Shen Wei...
Though furious, Yan Wang couldn’t bring himself to harm her. The inner courtyard of the Wangfu was a stagnant pool, and it was rare to find a woman who captured his heart; he couldn’t bear to strike her down.
"When you realize your mistake, come to me to confess!" Yan Wang declared, sweeping out of the room.
Behind him, Shen Wei's pitiful cries echoed. As he reached the door, he couldn’t help but glance back. Shen Wei's small face was pale, her tears soaking her cheeks, like pearls strung on a broken thread, wetting the xuan paper on the desk.
She looked so pitiful.
Yan Wang suppressed his heartache and left coldly.
As soon as he stepped out of the Liuli Pavilion, Shen Wei's tears ceased instantly. Her pale fingers brushed the corners of her eyes, wiping away the tears that had escaped.
She yawned, rubbed her sore wrist where Yan Wang had gripped her, and asked the entering Rong Mama, "Have you spoken to Gonggong Fugui?"
Rong Mama handed her a cup of hot tea, smiling, "Don’t worry, my lady. Gonggong Fugui is quite fond of that snuff bottle."
...
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