Chapter 49
**Chapter 49: Go Find a New Concubine for This Prince**
The Yan Wang tenderly embraced Shen Wei, his fingers brushing through her soft hair. “I’m fine. But Wei Wei, you shouldn’t have risked going out to look for me.”
Every year during the hunt, danger lurked, and the Yan Wang was no fool; he was well aware that the Dongshan hunt was rife with assassins. So, he and the Crown Prince had secretly devised a plan, intending to catch the enemy off guard.
Today, the Yan Wang had deliberately separated himself from the hunting party. As expected, he was ambushed in the mountains, away from the main group.
The Tiger Guards, who had been lying in wait, swiftly eliminated the assassins, leaving only two alive.
The captured assassins were sent back to Yanjing for interrogation, and the Yan Wang returned safely.
He never expected that his beloved little concubine, Shen Wei, would boldly venture into the mountains to find him, only to get separated from her maid, Cai Lian.
Seeing the dirt-stained dress on Shen Wei, the torn hem from thorns, and the mud on her shoes, he could tell she had been tirelessly searching for him.
Deep within, the Yan Wang felt as if a soft feather had brushed against his heart, stirring up uncontrollable emotions and joy.
She truly loved him!
Shen Wei sniffled, holding the Yan Wang’s hand. Her eyes glistened with tears, and her eyelids were slightly red. “Your Highness is my everything. If anything were to happen to you today, I would follow you into the afterlife, never to live on without you.”
She was even willing to die for him!
Was he moved? Was he happy?
The Yan Wang took a deep breath, tightly holding Shen Wei’s delicate frame, the intense feelings surging within him almost bursting forth.
He held her close, as if wanting to meld her into his very being.
The setting sun cast a warm glow over them, making them appear as the most affectionate couple, and the Yan Wang’s heart was gradually succumbing to her charm.
Not far away, the Heng Wang, who had followed Shen Wei back, silently observed everything.
This woman was truly a master of theatrics; she was such a good actress!
The Heng Wang strolled over leisurely, intending to expose Shen Wei. “Second Brother, be careful. Your concubine is quite the performer; she just killed a wild boar.”
Shen Wei peeked out from the Yan Wang’s embrace, her expression one of innocent confusion, as if she didn’t understand what the Heng Wang was saying.
The Yan Wang wouldn’t believe the Heng Wang’s nonsense. He cast a cool glance at him. “About the assassination in Dongshan, I hope you weren’t involved.”
The Heng Wang’s handsome face stiffened, and after a moment, he chuckled, “Second Brother, you’ve misunderstood me. If I wanted to kill you, I’d do it openly.”
A glint of murderous intent flashed in the Yan Wang’s eyes, but he didn’t want to reveal his ruthless side to Shen Wei, so he temporarily suppressed his killing intent.
Taking Shen Wei’s soft hand, the Yan Wang turned to leave.
The Heng Wang stroked his chin.
He suddenly became curious about how the Yan Wang would feel one day when he discovered that his beloved Shen Wei had two faces. That scene would surely be entertaining.
...
After the Dongshan hunt concluded, the group returned to Yanjing in high spirits. The Heng Wang first went to the palace to pay respects to his favored concubine mother, then returned to his residence.
As soon as he arrived, the concubines and beautiful men in the estate rushed to greet him.
Looking around, the Heng Wang saw his family members adorned in vibrant colors, each face beautiful. Yet, he suddenly felt a sense of emptiness; beauty was all well and good, but it lacked soul.
He called for the steward.
“Go find me a new concubine,” the Heng Wang said lazily, lounging on a swing in the garden, where the roses bloomed passionately, their vibrant red captivating.
Roses reminded him of Shen Wei.
He wanted to find a concubine similar to Shen Wei, someone to keep him entertained.
The steward, unfazed, knew his master often lingered among flowers and would seek new companions from time to time. He respectfully asked, “What kind of woman does Your Highness desire?”
The Heng Wang pondered for a moment. “She must be beautiful, with a slim waist.”
The steward thought to himself, that’s easy enough to find.
The Heng Wang continued, “She should be able to act.”
The steward thought, a beautiful, slim-waisted actress? That’s also easy to find.
The Heng Wang added, “She must be skilled at horseback riding.”
The steward paused, taken aback. Horseback riding?
The Heng Wang waved his white jade fan. “And she must be able to roast venison, better than the chef. Oh, and she should know how to hunt wild boars.”
The steward stood frozen, wanting to bang his head against the wall.
The first few requirements were reasonable, but horseback riding and hunting wild boars... where on earth could he find such a woman?
“If you can’t find one, bring your head to me,” the Heng Wang said with a smile, his tone laced with hidden menace.
The steward swallowed hard, trembling as he replied, “This old servant will go find one right away...”
A gentle breeze blew, causing the blooming roses in the garden to sway, their elegant fragrance wafting towards the Heng Wang.
He took a deep breath, a smile playing on his lips.
...
After the Dongshan hunt, Shen Wei and the Yan Wang’s relationship deepened. Shen Wei’s dress was torn, and her riding outfit was damaged. The Yan Wang, feeling pity for her, had specially sent Fu Gui with twenty bolts of precious fabric.
In addition, he gifted Shen Wei a considerable amount of jewelry.
The flowing rewards were delivered to the Liuli Pavilion, and as Shen Wei gazed at her filled little treasury, a pure smile spread across her face.
The Yan Wang’s greatest virtue was his generosity—he loved to shower Shen Wei with gifts, adorning her with gold, silver, and jewels.
Shen Wei adored the Yan Wang’s generosity!
Back at the Liuli Pavilion, the hardworking Shen Wei didn’t rest immediately.
She lay on a cool chair in the water pavilion, calling for Cai Ping and Mama Rong, inquiring about any developments in the Wangfu during her three-day absence.
Mama Rong began to report methodically, “Master, there are a few matters.”
“First, Zhang Yue is pregnant and has been taken back to the Rose Courtyard to rest. Second, a few days ago, I followed your orders to go to the Confucian Temple and sensed that someone was following me. Third, the Wangfei has sent someone to select a merchant’s daughter from Jiangnan, and that girl is almost in Yanjing.”
Shen Wei held a fresh green lotus pod in her hand, slowly peeling a lotus seed, and said, “Let’s discuss the first matter first. Zhang Yue is pregnant... The Wang has visited her only a handful of times; how could her frail body easily conceive?”
Cai Ping leaned in closer, lowering her voice. “Master, both Mama Rong and I find it suspicious. So, we collaborated with Fang and Cui from the Rose Courtyard, and they secretly uncovered some remarkable news.”
The child in Zhang Yue’s belly is actually that of the stableman, San Lang!
After becoming the Wang’s concubine, Zhang Yue couldn’t bear the loneliness of the empty walls and often met secretly with San Lang.
Now pregnant, she intended to use this child to turn her fortunes around.
“Master, if we expose this matter, Zhang Yue will never be able to rise again,” Cai Ping said, a fleeting glint of ruthlessness in her eyes.
Shen Wei shook her head slowly as she peeled the lotus pod. “Now is not the time to expose her.”
Shen Wei was already preparing for pregnancy, so Zhang Yue, who was targeting her, had to be dealt with. It was hard to guard against hypocrites, and even harder to defend against treacherous little people.
To ensure her pregnancy went smoothly and the child was born safely, Shen Wei needed to make the most thorough preparations.
Shen Wei continued to ask Mama Rong, “Now let’s talk about the second matter. Mama Rong, you mentioned someone was following you to the Confucian Temple?”
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