Chapter 44
**Chapter 44: Emotions Are Revealed Through Contrast!**
...
The next morning, the hunting horn sounded. The Yan Wang, Heng Wang, and the noblemen of the Qing Kingdom all gathered their hunting gear, ready to head to the hunting grounds for a day of sport.
Shen Wei was filled with unease; she feared for the Yan Wang's safety. If anything were to happen to him, if he were to meet with an accident and lose his life in the wild, her greatest fortune would vanish in an instant.
She placed a carefully prepared sachet into the Yan Wang's hand, her voice sincere and heartfelt. "Your Highness, I've put sulfur to ward off poisonous snakes, mugwort to repel mosquitoes, and a few hemostatic pills in this sachet. You must keep it close to you. Hunting is dangerous; please be careful."
The concern in her eyes was genuine, unmasked.
The Yan Wang sighed inwardly; his little concubine was always so thoughtful and caring. Her love for him was profound, down to the smallest detail.
He tucked the sachet away and replied gently, "Wait for me at the camp. I’ll bring back a few deer, and we’ll have roasted venison for dinner tonight."
Shen Wei nodded obediently, her eyes following the Yan Wang as he rode away. Clad in a striking black and red riding outfit, his strong and tall figure shone in the morning light, like a general heading into battle.
Not far off, Heng Wang mounted his horse, surrounded by his own concubines, looking quite pleased with himself.
The scene of Shen Wei seeing off the Yan Wang did not escape Heng Wang's notice. He lowered his gaze, glancing at the ladies surrounding him, then raised his head to see Shen Wei standing in the morning breeze, bidding farewell.
Emotions are revealed through contrast.
Shen Wei's feelings for the Yan Wang were sincere, filled with worry. Heng Wang's concubines, on the other hand, were insincere, flattering him with empty words.
Heng Wang felt a twinge of jealousy; he too wanted a little plaything who would care for him wholeheartedly.
He rode over to Shen Wei, feigning a casual tone, "My second brother is rather cold-hearted; he might not appreciate your affections. Why not come to the Heng Wang Fu? I can guarantee you a life of wealth and comfort."
Shen Wei glanced at the Yan Wang, her expression instantly turning cold. "Your Highness is joking. I have matters to attend to and must take my leave."
She offered a polite bow to Heng Wang and turned to leave.
As a competent employee, Shen Wei would never easily switch to another company! Besides, the Yan Wang's brother was the Crown Prince, and his mother was the reigning Empress; his family background was far more formidable than Heng Wang's.
Shen Wei wasn’t foolish enough to switch to the Heng Wang Fu.
Heng Wang pouted, his gaze lingering on Shen Wei's slender figure as she walked away, a smirk playing on his lips. "Interesting."
After the hunting at Dongshan concluded, Heng Wang planned to find a concubine similar to Shen Wei to serve him.
Returning to her tent, Shen Wei was just about to lift the curtain when she suddenly heard raised voices nearby.
Turning around, she spotted the main tent of Princess Zhaoyang. It seemed that Princess Zhaoyang and the Minister of Rites, Yan Yunting, were in a heated argument.
Dressed in a flamboyant red phoenix peony gown, Princess Zhaoyang's cheeks were puffed up with anger as she exclaimed, "Yan Yunting, what do you mean by that? Are you afraid I’ll bully your Rou'er?"
Yan Yunting's handsome face bore a hint of helplessness. "Rou'er has been unwell these past few days. As a princess, you shouldn’t lead the way in mocking or bullying her."
Princess Zhaoyang's face flushed, her tone slightly aggrieved. "Yan Yunting, you even remember when Dan Tai Rou came to Kui Shui?"
Yan Yunting didn’t explain, his eyes filled with fatigue.
Shen Wei listened intently for a moment and grasped the reason behind their quarrel. The Dongshan hunt was a grand event for men, while the women stayed behind to enjoy the scenery.
Worried that Princess Zhaoyang might bully his Rou'er, Yan Yunting had come to warn her, which only angered the princess and led to their dispute.
"I’ll take my leave first, but I’ll say it again: please don’t bully Rou'er. She can’t eat anything cold while she’s here. If you accidentally push her into the water, the consequences would be dire." Yan Yunting bowed to Princess Zhaoyang and strode away.
Princess Zhaoyang stomped her foot, her almond-shaped eyes momentarily reddening.
Quickly wiping away her tears, she took a deep breath and transformed back into the proud and dignified princess she was.
Shen Wei quietly returned to her tent and rested until noon.
Cai Lian stepped into the tent, reminding Shen Wei, "My lady, the princess's maid has come with a message. She says the weather is fine today and invites you to the riverside for a feast and to enjoy the mountain scenery."
Shen Wei yawned as she sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes. "Cai Lian, prepare the ingredients for making iced desserts."
Cai Lian smiled, "Don’t worry, my lady. I’ve already prepared everything."
Shen Wei changed into a cool, light green cloud gauze dress, looking fresh and unassuming, and headed with Cai Lian to the banks of the Dongshan stream.
The summer sun was pleasantly warm, and the stream flowed gently, bringing a refreshing coolness. Along the banks, a row of elegant tables had been set up, and several noble ladies from Yanjing were already seated.
Princess Zhaoyang, radiant in her red phoenix peony gown and adorned with golden and jeweled hairpins, looked stunning.
At the far end of the stream, Princess Zhaoyang's rival, Dan Tai Rou, knelt with her head bowed. Coming from a humble background, Dan Tai Rou had no right to be at the Dongshan hunting grounds, but Yan Yunting had insisted on bringing her along.
Compared to the lavishly dressed noble ladies, Dan Tai Rou appeared somewhat shabby.
Shen Wei's gaze lingered over the banquet before she made her way to the far end. As a concubine of the Yan Wang, she was not a secondary wife and thus had no right to sit at the front.
Just then, she noticed an empty seat next to Dan Tai Rou. Shen Wei approached with Cai Lian.
"Are you going to sit here?" Dan Tai Rou asked softly, her eyes filled with doubt and a hint of disdain.
Shen Wei smiled lightly, "This seat is empty."
Dan Tai Rou pressed her lips together, her delicate face showing reluctance. She whispered, "But..."
But a lowly concubine had no right to sit among the noble ladies. Dan Tai Rou looked down on Shen Wei, feeling embarrassed by her presence.
Though Dan Tai Rou came from a modest background, she was still a proper young lady. To her, a concubine who relied on her looks for favor was no different from a courtesan.
"Shen Wei, sit next to Lady Sun." From the main seat, Princess Zhaoyang called out cheerfully.
Shen Wei gladly complied, leading Cai Lian to the front of the banquet.
Princess Zhaoyang, sitting in the highest position, had Lady Sun, the wife of the Marquis of Nanzhen, seated to her left.
By inviting Shen Wei to sit beside Lady Sun, Princess Zhaoyang showed her regard for Shen Wei.
As Shen Wei took her seat, she smiled warmly, "Thank you, Your Highness."
Princess Zhaoyang beamed, saying, "If it weren’t for you pulling me back at the spring banquet in the Yan Wang Fu, I would have met my end. Shen Wei, you are my savior; let me toast to you."
A maid brought over wine, and Shen Wei raised her cup in a toast to Princess Zhaoyang.
The noble ladies at the banquet quickly learned of Shen Wei's identity, and no one looked down on her status as a concubine.
So what if she was a concubine?
Shen Wei was the princess's savior, and with the princess's favor, her status naturally rose.
At the far end of the table, seeing Shen Wei and Princess Zhaoyang chatting happily, Dan Tai Rou's face shifted between shades of green and white. She lowered her head deeply, gripping the white porcelain cup tightly.
The stream flowed gently, and the palace servants brought delicious lunch to the table.
At noon, the weather was a bit warm, and the food served was rather greasy, making it somewhat difficult to eat.
Seizing the moment, Shen Wei deliberately raised her voice to instruct Cai Lian, "Cai Lian, make me a bowl of brown sugar jelly and a bowl of mint tapioca pudding."
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