Chapter 71
**Chapter 71: Perfectly Resolving the Crisis**
Shen Wei was well aware that Prince Heng was deliberately targeting her.
However, to outsiders, it appeared that Prince Heng was merely using a light touch to strike a heavy blow, undermining the face of the Yan Wang by suppressing a mere lowly maid. After all, who would believe that the esteemed Prince Heng would stoop to harassing a mere servant girl?
Zhaoyang, with her innocent nature, was oblivious to Prince Heng's schemes. She beamed with joy, "Shen Wei, what birthday gift have you prepared for me?"
With the princess herself speaking, Shen Wei had no choice but to steel herself and rise. Bowing her head, she cautiously made her way to the center of the main hall.
Her bow was perfectly executed, but her voice trembled slightly as she spoke, "I am Shen Wei, here to pay my respects to Her Majesty the Empress, and to greet Your Highness, the Princess..."
She played the role of a naive maid to perfection.
Not far away, Prince Heng let out a soft snort.
Keep pretending, he thought.
His eyes, sharp as mirrors, saw through Shen Wei's act—her head deliberately lowered, her body feigning tremors, while her heart remained remarkably steady. The precision of her bow left no room for error.
The Empress narrowed her phoenix eyes, her tone calm, "I have heard of the Shen family from the Yan Wang's residence. Raise your head."
Shen Wei cautiously lifted her gaze, her eyes cast downward, too timid to meet the Empress's stare.
The Empress noted Shen Wei's simple yet elegant attire, her demeanor proper, and felt a sense of satisfaction. Indeed, her beauty was striking, and there was an indescribable aura about her—no wonder the Yan Wang was fond of her.
It was a pity, though, that despite being favored for months, she had yet to conceive.
The Wangfei furrowed her brows deeply, secretly cursing Prince Heng for picking on a mere maid!
The gift Shen Wei had prepared was a true test of skill—it couldn't be too extravagant, lest it overshadow the gifts from other officials' families, which would be disrespectful; yet it also couldn't be too cheap, as that would tarnish the Yan Wang's reputation. Most importantly, it had to be something the princess would genuinely like.
Getting the princess to truly appreciate a gift was no easy feat.
The Wangfei racked her brain for ideas.
Prince Heng twirled his white jade fan, his peach blossom eyes narrowed in amusement, eager to see this cunning little fox stumble.
Shen Wei's throat "tightened" as she reached into her sleeve and pulled out a letter, her voice barely above a whisper, "Your Highness, I come from humble beginnings and cannot present an extravagant gift. After much thought, I would like to offer you a treasured beauty recipe."
"May Your Highness enjoy everlasting beauty, with flowers in your hair, year after year."
Rather than presenting an expensive gift that would steal the spotlight, or a cheap one that would be embarrassing, she chose to offer a cherished beauty mask recipe—neither too cheap nor too extravagant, and sure to be appreciated by the princess.
No woman dislikes beauty, and the princess was no exception.
Zhaoyang exclaimed with delight, "Quick, bring me that recipe!" She had always thought Shen Wei's skin was exceptionally fair and flawless.
So it was the treasured beauty recipe that kept her skin so radiant!
The young ladies at the birthday banquet turned their curious gazes toward Shen Wei, their eyes filled with envy as they admired her fair complexion. They too wanted a beauty recipe...
Zhaoyang was thrilled with the gift, and Shen Wei had perfectly navigated her predicament.
The Wangfei secretly sighed in relief, considering Shen Wei lucky to have narrowly escaped a crisis.
Prince Heng snapped his white jade fan shut, his peach blossom eyes narrowing dangerously. This woman was sharper than she appeared, managing to evade trouble once again.
His second brother was quite fortunate; where had he found such a clever maid? He too wanted to find a similar servant to keep at home for amusement.
The Empress smiled warmly, unable to resist taking another look at Shen Wei. To think of giving a beauty recipe as a gift was not mere luck; it must have been the result of careful consideration.
This Shen Wei, seemingly timid and weak, surprisingly possessed a clever and agile mind.
Such a rarity.
The Empress said kindly, "Shen Wei, you have saved Zhaoyang and presented a beauty recipe. I wish to reward you—"
Before she could finish, an old matron hurried over to whisper something in the Empress's ear.
The Empress's expression shifted to one of surprise.
Then, outside, the sharp, high-pitched calls of the palace eunuchs rang out—"The Emperor has arrived! The Crown Prince has arrived! The Yan Wang has arrived!"
Everyone was taken aback!
Shen Wei quickly lowered her head, concealing her astonishment.
She had long heard that the current Emperor was frail and bedridden. Who would have thought he would personally visit the princess's residence to celebrate Zhaoyang's birthday!
This clearly demonstrated the Emperor's affection for Zhaoyang!
Shen Wei felt a mix of surprise and exasperation—Zhaoyang, you foolish girl! With the Emperor and Empress's grand favor, you could walk tall throughout the entire Da Qing Kingdom, yet you let a mere Dan Tai Rou bully you into depression. It was truly unbecoming of a princess.
As the Emperor entered, officials and their families all bowed deeply in reverence.
Shen Wei followed suit, straining her ears to catch the sound of hurried footsteps approaching the main seat. Then, a hoarse, weathered voice resonated from the throne, "All rise."
Everyone stood up in unison, bowing again before taking their seats one by one.
Shen Wei couldn't return to her place; the Empress was still asking her questions.
On the throne, the elderly Emperor, his hair graying, smiled and asked, "Empress, what were you discussing with Zhaoyang?"
The Empress replied, "The Shen family from Yuanjing has saved Zhaoyang's life and even gifted her a beauty recipe. I was just thinking of rewarding her."
Shen Wei stood there, properly, not daring to lift her head.
She listened intently as the Empress instructed the old matron beside her to bestow a series of gifts upon her. Shen Wei's ears buzzed with the words "gold, silver, jade, pastries, silk, pearls, amber, and gold coins"...
Palace maids and eunuchs brought in several trays covered with bright yellow silk, while boxes of silk were carried in.
Shen Wei's heart raced—money, so much money!
She hurriedly bowed her head in gratitude, "I, Shen Wei, thank Your Majesty for the generous gifts."
The Wangfei, watching the precious rewards, felt a pang of bitterness rise within her. Silently, she took out a string of prayer beads from her sleeve, rolling them between her fingers. With each bead's movement, she forced herself to suppress the sour jealousy bubbling inside.
After all, she was just a maid; a brief moment of glory was nothing to be concerned about.
With so many rewards, Shen Wei naturally couldn't carry them all. She hadn't brought any maids or eunuchs to help, and the Wangfei was unwilling to step in.
With no other choice, Shen Wei cast a desperate glance toward the Yan Wang nearby. A maid, new to such grand occasions, felt lost in the face of the Emperor and Empress's lavish gifts, her only hope resting on the one closest to her—would he be moved?
Seeing Shen Wei's pitiful yet hopeful gaze, the Yan Wang felt a gentle tug at his heart.
She needs me!
Men often have a protective instinct, and the Yan Wang smiled, signaling to the guards behind him to collect the gifts from the Emperor and Empress for Shen Wei.
As she received the gifts, Shen Wei was about to return to her seat at the end of the table when the Yan Wang spoke up, "Wei Wei, come sit beside me."
Dressed in court attire, the Yan Wang looked handsome and imposing. Shen Wei, filled with gratitude, walked over obediently and sat down beside him.
With the gift-giving segment concluded, beautiful songs and dances resumed. The banquet was lively, filled with the clinking of cups and the aroma of wine.
Before long, the kitchen sent out exquisite desserts.
In delicate white porcelain bowls, there were red sugar jelly, mint sago pudding, and fresh milk with peach gum, each more delightful than the last.
Zhaoyang smiled and said to the Emperor, "Father, on this hot summer day, I specially prepared some refreshing treats for you and Mother to enjoy."
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