Chapter 52
**Chapter 52: Locked in the Woodshed**
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Baihu Temple was somewhat renowned in Yanjing, known for its picturesque scenery and the efficacy of its talismans for peace, love, and wealth.
Shen Wei arrived early, with only a few worshippers present.
Old Madam Rong had gone to the Confucian Temple to fetch Shen Xiuming, leaving Shen Wei to burn incense and pray in the temple.
Baihu Temple had three halls: the Hall of Longevity for love, the Hall of Peace for safety, and the Hall of Wealth for prosperity.
Shen Wei completely ignored the Hall of Longevity and headed straight for the Hall of Wealth.
Inside, the oil lamps flickered, illuminating the imposing golden statue of the Daoist God of Wealth.
Shen Wei knelt on the mat, her posture reverent as she prayed for wealth: “Heavenly spirits, earthly spirits, great God of Wealth, please show your power and bless your faithful servant Shen Wei with a successful career, a smooth retirement, and a life of riches.”
With sincere devotion, she burned incense and bowed her head.
Afterward, she leisurely made her way to the adjacent Hall of Peace, where she also prayed for a talisman: “Heavenly spirits, earthly spirits, may the Supreme Lord show his grace. Please bless Prince Li Yuanjing with safety and success. I don’t ask for him to live a hundred years, but at least to survive until after my retirement.”
She earnestly donated a bit of silver to the merit box and placed the talisman into her incense pouch.
As she left the Hall of Peace, Old Madam Rong returned with Shen Xiuming.
Standing at the entrance, Old Madam Rong glared at Shen Xiuming and said harshly, “If it weren’t for the Shen family giving me a month’s worth of silver, I wouldn’t have brought you to see her! I’ll only give you the time of a single incense stick, so hurry up!”
Old Madam Rong’s expression was as fierce as ever, embodying the role of a cruel servant with remarkable authenticity.
Shen Xiuming hurried inside the temple. Spotting Shen Wei sitting in the small courtyard, dressed in coarse cloth and looking worn and haggard, he rushed over.
“Third Sister…” Shen Xiuming stepped forward, gazing at Shen Wei’s pale face, his voice choked with emotion. “Third Sister, you’ve lost weight again, and you don’t look well.”
Shen Wei forced a smile and took out a bundle she had carried with her. “Xiuming, the prince has been staying with me these past few nights, and I’ve managed to earn a little favor. He gifted me two pieces of fabric, and I stayed up all night making some clothes for you and Mother. Take them back.”
Tears rolled down Shen Xiuming’s cheeks, touched by his sister’s thoughtfulness.
Even trapped in the prince’s residence, Shen Wei still thought of him and their mother.
He could never let down his sister’s care!
Shen Wei sighed softly, standing on her tiptoes to wipe away Shen Xiuming’s tears. “Don’t cry. How are the boots I made for you? Do they fit?”
Shen Xiuming nodded, his voice still choked. “They fit perfectly; I wear them every day.”
Indeed, he was wearing the dark boots Shen Wei had made for him. They were clean and well-maintained, showing how much he cared for them.
Shen Wei sighed again. “The inner court of the prince’s residence is full of scheming and intrigue. I took a risk coming out to bring you clothes, so I can’t stay long. Xiuming, you’re a grown man now. You need to take good care of Mother and yourself, understand?”
Shen Xiuming wiped his tears and nodded firmly.
Shen Wei’s eyes were filled with nostalgia as she took out a clean handkerchief and gently wiped the tears from his cheeks. “You’ve grown up, yet you still cry like a child. It’s okay if I suffer a little, but I just hope you can achieve great things—oh no, I mean stand out.”
Caught up in the emotion, Shen Wei almost misspoke.
Suddenly—
The door of Baihu Temple was flung open.
Old Madam Liu burst in with three guards. From her vantage point, she saw Shen Wei actually touching Shen Xiuming’s face!
Old Madam Liu’s eyes lit up with delight, instantly concluding that Shen Wei was “consorting with an outsider.” She shouted, “Shen, how dare you consort with an outsider! Someone, gag this pair of lovers and drag them back to the prince’s residence!”
A fierce-looking guard rushed forward with a coarse rope.
Shen Xiuming was bewildered, his face a mask of confusion as he stammered, “You’ve got it all wrong, she’s my sister—”
Before he could finish, Shen Wei’s alarmed cry interrupted him. “This is bad… I shouldn’t have taken the risk to come out today.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the guards had already bound Shen Xiuming tightly and stuffed a foul-smelling cloth in his mouth.
Shen Wei wasn’t in a much better situation; her hands were tied, but her mouth was still free.
Family shame should not be aired in public, so Old Madam Liu quickly escorted Shen Wei and Shen Xiuming to the carriage, racing back to the prince’s residence.
The siblings were locked in the woodshed.
With his mouth gagged, Shen Xiuming could only make muffled sounds, his eyes wide as he stared at the stinky woodshed.
“Brother… we’ve been framed,” Shen Wei said, leaning against him.
Shen Xiuming could only respond with muffled whimpers.
Shen Wei’s tears fell. “I truly miss you and Mother. I took a chance today, thinking no one would notice…”
Shen Xiuming felt a chill in his heart, a painful weight pressing down. He had long heard of the brutal power struggles among the wives and concubines in the grand residences of Yanjing, where betrayal was commonplace.
His sister’s situation in the prince’s residence was far worse than he had imagined.
He felt a deep ache for her!
Creak—
The sound of a lock turning came from outside the woodshed, followed by a loud bang as blinding sunlight poured in. Shen Xiuming squinted against the brightness, vaguely seeing a woman in a deep purple long coat.
The woman was beautiful, with an imposing presence that commanded respect.
The princess scanned the woodshed, her gaze landing on the haggard Shen Wei, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.
Old Madam Liu reported to the princess, “I followed closely and saw with my own eyes how Shen was pulling at this man. The boots he’s wearing were also made by her.”
Shen Xiuming was indeed wearing the boots Shen Wei had crafted for him.
The leather used for the boots was of high quality, expertly crafted. The princess recalled that this leather had been a gift from Prince Li to Shen Wei, and now she had turned around to make boots for another man.
Digging her own grave.
The princess looked down from her elevated position. “Shen, the evidence is clear. Do you have anything to say?”
Shen Wei’s eyes reddened, tears streaming down her cheeks as she choked out, “Your Highness, please see clearly. I only made a few pieces of clothing and boots for Xiuming…”
Though Shen Wei was trying to explain, she inadvertently revealed the fact that she had made clothing for an outsider.
The princess couldn’t help but laugh inwardly at this foolish, brainless woman.
With a calm demeanor, the princess instructed Old Madam Liu, “Prepare white silk and poison. Once the prince decides, send these two on their way. All the servants in Liuli Pavilion are to be confined.”
Shen Wei’s face turned pale.
Shen Xiuming, with his mouth gagged, could only make muffled sounds. But the princess had already turned to leave.
After taking a few steps, Shen Wei cried out, her voice trembling, “Your Highness, you’ve truly misunderstood me… This man is my brother Shen Xiuming, I’ve been framed!”
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