Chapter 37
**Chapter 37: Shen Wei's Mastery of Acting**
Upon hearing the words, Shen Wei turned her head.
With crumbs of lotus flower pastry still clinging to the corners of her mouth and a half-eaten pink peach blossom pastry in her hand, she sat leisurely on the edge of the waterside pavilion, her feet swinging carelessly.
There was no trace of despair to be seen.
She radiated vitality, full of spirit and energy.
Zhang Yue was momentarily taken aback; she never expected Shen Wei to maintain such a carefree demeanor in the face of impending doom.
"With your death looming, you still have the heart to eat?" Zhang Yue laughed in frustration, feeling particularly displeased.
She wanted to see Shen Wei in tears, not this lively, foolish display.
Shen Wei smiled lightly, "People are like iron, and food is like steel; only when you're well-fed can you have the strength to stir up trouble."
Zhang Yue scoffed, "Stop pretending to be calm. Shen Wei, you must be panicking inside. The prince has no feelings for you; he has never trusted you."
Shen Wei rolled her eyes, about to retort, when her peripheral vision caught sight of the hurried approach of Prince Yan.
This was exactly who Shen Wei had been waiting for!
She had originally planned to stage a dramatic scene of "heartbroken despair leading to a watery grave" to evoke the prince's guilt.
But unexpectedly, Zhang Yue had barged in, intent on ruining her act.
However, it wasn't a big deal; with a change of script, Shen Wei could still deliver a stellar performance.
Instantly channeling her inner actress, Shen Wei staggered to her feet, her eyes reddening as she said, "Even if the prince were to kill me, I would willingly accept it. Born of humble origins, to receive the prince's favor is already a blessing from the heavens... In the days to come, when I can no longer accompany the prince, I will transform into a wisp of wind after my death, brushing against his face to dispel the summer heat."
Such love-struck words made Zhang Yue burst into laughter.
"Oh my, Shen Wei, you actually love the prince? In the inner chambers of the royal residence, who doesn't know that the prince is a heartless man? I once advised you not to become his concubine, but you still flew into the flames... Hahaha, now you're just a moth to the flame, bringing about your own demise. You deserve it."
Shen Wei's eyes glistened with tears, as if struck by a heavy blow. Tears streamed down her cheeks: "The prince misunderstands me; I have no way to explain myself. After I die, Zhang Yue, you must take good care of the prince."
Zhang Yue rolled her eyes, her tone dripping with sarcasm, "Of course, I'll take good care of the prince. Unlike you, I don't just crave a meager bit of his affection. What I seek is the wealth and power he can bestow upon me. In the future, when I bear the prince's child, I will rise in status, living a life of peace, and perhaps even replace the princess."
Shen Wei was aghast: "How can you treat the prince as a tool for wealth? He is the best man in the world! I won't allow you to speak of him like that!"
With that, Shen Wei angrily lunged at Zhang Yue, attempting to slap her.
But Zhang Yue was quick, easily dodging Shen Wei's soft strike.
Zhang Yue then raised her hand, her voice dripping with malice, "With death at your doorstep, you still dare to lay a hand on me? Just watch, I’ll make sure you regret it today."
With all her strength, Zhang Yue swung her hand down.
But before she could even touch Shen Wei's face, she was suddenly kicked hard into the pond, splashing water everywhere.
Fortunately, the pond wasn't deep. Zhang Yue stood up, drenched and disheveled, and caught sight of Prince Yan appearing at the edge of the pavilion.
Tall and imposing, dressed in a silver long robe, with a jade belt around his waist and a sachet of mugwort that Shen Wei had crafted hanging at his side, he looked furious. Cradling the shivering Shen Wei in his arms, he bellowed, "Someone, drag this shameless woman from the pond and beat her twenty times a day until she dies!"
Zhang Yue's face turned pale, chills running down her spine.
Caught off guard by Prince Yan's sudden appearance, her head buzzed. She was clumsily dragged out of the pond by the guards, crying out in terror, "Your Highness, spare me! I know I was wrong!"
Enveloped in the fear of death, Zhang Yue begged for mercy, but it was futile, as she was dragged out of the pavilion like a dead dog.
A cool morning breeze swept through, gently swaying the white curtains of the pavilion.
Shen Wei's beautiful eyes widened in disbelief as she gazed at the prince, now so close.
Taking two steps back in grievance, tears glistening in her eyes, she said, "Your Highness, have you come to send me on my way? A cup of poison? Or perhaps a white silk scarf?"
Her eyes were filled with pain and injustice.
Prince Yan's heart ached.
He had rushed to the pavilion, having overheard Shen Wei and Zhang Yue's conversation from a distance. Every word from Shen Wei was laced with love for him.
In the royal residence, there were plenty of women like Zhang Yue, driven by greed. But Shen Wei sought only his love, asking for nothing else.
This rare affection had almost been squandered by him!
Filled with guilt and relief, Prince Yan was thankful he hadn't let his anger lead him to harm Shen Wei. He took her hand gently and said, "It was I who misunderstood you. From now on, I will not let my emotions cloud my judgment."
He instructed for the wooden figure to be brought to him, personally dousing it in oil before setting it ablaze.
Shen Wei gasped, rushing forward to try to extinguish the flames. "You can't burn it! You mustn't burn it!"
Prince Yan wrapped his arm around Shen Wei's shoulders, speaking softly, "I have ample blessings; I do not need you to shield me from disaster."
Shen Wei choked back her tears, "During the spring banquet, the assassin almost harmed you... I thought, from now on, I would willingly shield you from harm, which is why I secretly carved the wooden figure. Your Highness, it cannot be burned."
Prince Yan's heart swelled with affection.
As the esteemed Prince Yan of Da Qing, skilled in both literature and martial arts, he was touched by Shen Wei's desire to protect him, but he did not want her to take such risks.
He smiled gently, playfully poking her nose, "I have my own guards to protect me, so I will be safe. You must not do foolish things in the future."
The flames consumed the wooden figure, quickly reducing it to a charred remnant.
Tears welled in Shen Wei's eyes as she sobbed, "Your Highness, how can you doubt my feelings for you... I... I will never speak to you again."
She loved the prince (and his wealth) so much!
How could Prince Yan question her love!
She was furious!
Shen Wei, feeling wronged, stormed back to her chamber, slamming the door shut. Prince Yan knocked several times, but she refused to open it.
Clearly, Shen Wei was still angry with him.
Prince Yan, concerned for her, wanted to enter and share tender moments, pouring out his heart.
But this little girl refused to open the door, and with his busy schedule, Prince Yan couldn't spend the entire day at the pavilion.
He decided to visit Shen Wei again that evening. Before leaving, he summoned the maids and eunuchs of the pavilion, instructing them, "Take good care of your mistress."
Madam Rong and the others responded nervously, "We will obey your orders."
With a heavy heart, Prince Yan departed.
Like a flowing stream, gifts and rewards poured into the pavilion. Within a day, everyone in the royal residence knew that Shen Wei had once again gained favor.
The gossip spread throughout the estate.
"Have you heard? Mistress Shen didn't use witchcraft; she performed a peace spell."
"The peace spell is a technique from Lingnan to ward off disasters for the prince."
"Thank goodness the prince is so discerning."
"Zhang Yue is really foolish; she's now locked in the woodshed, being beaten. Without medicine, she probably won't last ten days."
"Am I the only one who thinks Mistress Shen always manages to turn danger into safety, gaining even more favor?"
"I heard the prince went to the pavilion tonight and was met with a cold shoulder; Mistress Shen is angry and won't even acknowledge him."
The servants chattered away.
The wind carried these whispers to the princess's ears, who was in her study checking on her two sons' studies.
Holding a piece of rice paper, she asked, "A peace spell?"
Madam Liu replied, "It's said to be a secret technique from Lingnan to ward off disasters."
The princess scoffed, "Shen Wei is quite lucky."
She believed that Zhang Yue had secretly buried a wooden figure in the Fragrant Garden, and Shen Wei had done the same.
Later, Shen Wei's wooden figure was mistakenly dug up, and Prince Yan uncovered the truth, clearing Shen Wei's name. Had it been Zhang Yue's figure that was found, Shen Wei would have likely lost her head by now.
One could only say that Shen Wei was indeed fortunate.
Madam Liu added, "Mistress Shen is deeply affectionate towards the prince. After being misunderstood, she locked herself away. The prince has visited several times, only to be met with closed doors."
The princess nearly laughed out loud at this.
A mere concubine daring to give the prince the cold shoulder? That was digging her own grave!
Prince Yan felt guilty towards Shen Wei, which is why he was willing to visit. If Shen Wei were a wise woman, she would have taken the opportunity to forgive him and ease the tension.
But Shen Wei was truly foolish, repeatedly shutting the door on him!
Prince Yan, of noble birth, would feel his pride wounded being repeatedly dismissed by a mere concubine. Sooner or later, he would grow weary of her ungratefulness.
The princess shook her head in mock pity, saying, "That ungrateful Shen Wei is bound to follow in Liu Ru Yan's footsteps."
Madam Liu agreed, "Rest assured, once Miss Ye from Jiangnan arrives in Yan Jing, Shen Wei's days will be numbered."
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