Chapter 41
**Chapter 41: Zhang Yue is Pregnant?**
“Rong Momo, don’t forget to send money to my mother and brother at the Wenmiao. Also, take this new pair of boots for my brother,” Shen Wei instructed, her voice steady and clear.
“Keep a close watch on the movements within the Wangfu. Note down anything unusual and let me know as soon as I return,” she added, meticulously outlining the tasks for everyone before allowing them to disperse to prepare for the trip to Dongshan.
Time flew by, and the next morning, Shen Wei accompanied the Yan Wang as they boarded the royal carriage heading to the hunting grounds in Dongshan.
Having traveled back in time, this was Shen Wei’s first long journey. Sitting in the spacious and luxurious carriage, she felt a sense of novelty wash over her.
As the carriage left the inner city of Yanjing and ventured outside, dozens of carriages of various sizes awaited them. The royal guards cleared the way, escorting the royal carriage and those of high-ranking officials, setting off in grand procession along the official road toward Dongshan.
Shen Wei discreetly lifted the dark curtain of the carriage and caught sight of the long line of carriages on the road, black banners bearing the character “Qing” fluttering in the wind. In the distance, the rolling green mountains beckoned, and a gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of unknown flowers and grasses.
After spending so much time within the confines of the Wangfu, seeing the famous mountains and rivers was a refreshing experience.
She also noticed another luxurious carriage trailing behind the Yan Wang’s, adorned with the banner of “Zhaoyang.” To her surprise, Princess Zhaoyang was also coming to Dongshan for the hunt.
During the spring banquet, Shen Wei had saved Princess Zhaoyang’s life, and she wondered if the esteemed princess still remembered this small act of kindness.
Seeing Shen Wei gazing around with a curious expression, the Yan Wang couldn’t help but smile slightly. “We still have three hours until we reach Dongshan. Let’s take a break.”
Shen Wei lowered the curtain and obediently sat beside the Yan Wang, pouring him a cup of cool mint tea. “I don’t get to leave the house often, so witnessing such a grand scene is quite a novelty for me.”
Despite her words, the swaying of the carriage soon lulled her into drowsiness. Her head gradually tilted and rested on the Yan Wang’s knee, and she fell asleep for the entire journey.
What other concubines would dare to sleep on the Yan Wang’s lap?
But Shen Wei dared.
She intended to gradually cross that line, slowly increasing the Yan Wang’s tolerance for her.
The Yan Wang looked down at the sleeping Shen Wei. Her small, round face was fair and delicate, with slightly curled eyelashes, resembling a peacefully sleeping child—utterly adorable.
A faint smile graced his lips as he draped a light shawl over her and then opened the official documents presented to him, fully engrossed in his reading.
...
Meanwhile, a significant event was unfolding at the Wangfu.
The Wangfei was leisurely sipping tea in the courtyard, while a young maid cautiously massaged her shoulders. The incense on the altar burned slowly, filling the courtyard with a rich sandalwood fragrance.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps approached, and Liu Momo came running in.
“Wangfei, there’s something going on with Zhang Yue in the woodshed,” Liu Momo said, her tone urgent, beads of sweat forming on her forehead from her haste.
The Wangfei set down her teacup. “What happened? Did Zhang Yue die? No matter, just wrap her in a straw mat and toss her in the potter’s field.”
In the Wangfu’s inner quarters, it was not uncommon for concubines to choose to end their lives due to loneliness. The Wangfei had become quite adept at handling such matters.
Liu Momo, ignoring the sweat on her brow, continued, “Zhang claims she’s pregnant. I just had a doctor check her pulse, and she indeed has been pregnant for a month.”
The Wangfei paused, momentarily taken aback before she processed the information.
After a moment of contemplation, a smirk crossed her lips. “Zhang is quite lucky. With this child, her life will be spared.”
Shen Wei was favored by the Yan Wang, yet months had passed without any sign of pregnancy. Zhang Yue, who had only received the Yan Wang’s favor a few times, had somehow managed to conceive. This would be the first child in the Wangfu in two years, and if the Yan Wang learned of this, he would surely be pleased.
Liu Momo cautiously asked, “Wangfei, how should we handle Zhang?”
The Wangfei smiled calmly. “For now, suspend her daily punishments and send her back to the Rose Courtyard to recuperate. Have a doctor treat her injuries. We’ll wait for the Wangye to return from Dongshan to make a decision.”
Liu Momo nodded. “I’ll take care of it right away.”
Liu Momo hurried off to arrange for the pregnant Zhang Yue. The Wangfei strolled leisurely into the Buddhist hall, accepting three sticks of incense handed to her by a maid.
The white jade statue of Guanyin in the hall exuded a serene and noble aura, her compassionate eyes gazing down at the faithful.
The Wangfei reverently offered the three sticks of incense. “May the Bodhisattva bless us.”
The Empress in the palace had always been dissatisfied with the Wangfei, blaming her for not providing the Yan Wang with heirs. Now that Zhang was pregnant, it seemed this would silence the Empress’s complaints.
The news of Zhang Yue’s pregnancy quickly spread throughout the Wangfu, reaching the ears of those in Liuli Pavilion as well.
Cai Ping was in a tizzy, pulling at Rong Momo. “Momo, Zhang Yue is really lucky! With this child, won’t she be able to walk all over the Wangfu? What will happen to our mistress?”
Rong Momo, dressed elegantly, was preparing to head out to the Wenmiao to deliver money to Shen Mu and Shen Xiuming, while also planning to “mock and belittle” them thoroughly.
With a faint smile, Rong Momo reassured Cai Ping, “There are plenty of concubines in the Wangfu with children. Do you see them being favored? Besides, Zhang’s pregnancy is quite suspicious. She’s frail, and the Wangye has only visited her a few times. How could she conceive so quickly?”
Cai Ping thought for a moment. The concubines with children in the Wangfu were often neglected, and the Wangye rarely set foot in their courtyards.
Having been in the Wangfu for many years, Rong Momo saw through it all. “Clearly, having a child doesn’t guarantee favor. Even if Zhang Yue gives birth, she won’t have the right to raise the child; she’ll just be a stepping stone for the Wangfei.”
In the hierarchy of society, merchants held the lowest status. Zhang Yue, being the daughter of a merchant, would find it unlikely to rise in rank even if she bore a child.
In short, Zhang Yue would remain a mere concubine for life.
Rong Momo felt that Shen Wei’s choices were far more astute. Shen Wei was urging her brother, Shen Xiuming, to study hard. If he could pass the imperial examination next spring, Shen Wei would surely rise to the status of a secondary wife or even a concubine.
Cai Ping glanced around, lowering her voice to tell Rong Momo, “Momo, I’ve heard a little rumor. The Wangfei has carefully selected a talented merchant girl from Jiangnan, and she’s almost in Yanjing.”
Rong Momo narrowed her eyes. “Find out as much as you can about this girl from Jiangnan. The more details, the better. When our Mistress returns, she’ll have a plan.”
Compared to the pregnant Zhang Yue, Rong Momo was far more wary of the new concubine arriving from Jiangnan.
Cai Ping nodded, her tone smug. “Don’t worry, Momo. I have plenty of connections in the Wangfu.”
As a gossip expert, Cai Ping had various channels for information. Under Shen Wei’s guidance, she had already begun to establish a small network within the Wangfu.
Rong Momo discreetly left the Wangfu to attend to her business at the Wenmiao, while Cai Ping stayed behind in Liuli Pavilion, dusting with a feather duster.
Just as she was busy, a voice suddenly called out from outside Liuli Pavilion, “Cai Ping, Cai Ping~”
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