Chapter 73
**Chapter 73: A Marriage Proposal?**
The entire city of Yanjing knew that Princess Zhaoyang had a fondness for the young master of the Yan family.
Today, at Princess Zhaoyang's birthday banquet, if she were to request the Emperor to grant her marriage to Yan Yunting, he would have no choice but to comply. There was no room for resistance; defying the Emperor would be a gamble with the lives of his entire family.
A wave of melancholy washed over Yan Yunting. He had Rou'er, and he wished to marry her.
Under the pressure of imperial authority, he could only let down the gentle girl who resembled flowing water.
Zhaoyang, oh Zhaoyang, why can’t you just let me be? A fruit that is forced to ripen is never sweet; even if we were to become husband and wife, it would only yield bitter results.
At the head table of the banquet, Zhaoyang was in high spirits. She knew that as long as she made her request to her father today, he would surely grant her wish.
Zhaoyang looked happily towards Yan Yunting, who was seated at a distance.
But her smile froze.
The noble young master Yan Yunting, born into a prestigious family, looked like a fine jade tree, yet now he appeared troubled and helpless.
Zhaoyang's heart felt as if it had been pricked by tiny needles, causing her pain.
She pressed her lips together, forcing a smile: “Father, my wish is—may you and Mother live long, and may our country enjoy peace and prosperity.”
The Emperor paused for a moment, then his face lit up with delight: “My daughter has great aspirations, very good!”
After a moment, the Emperor said kindly, “Every daughter must eventually marry. If you have your eye on any young master, just tell your father, and I will officiate the wedding for you.”
Zhaoyang obediently replied, “Father, rest assured. If I have someone I care for, I will certainly ask for your blessing.”
And so, the storm of a marriage proposal quietly passed.
Yan Yunting's tense nerves finally relaxed, and he let out a long sigh. Yet, amidst his relief, he felt a twinge of discontent.
Why didn’t Zhaoyang ask the Emperor for a marriage proposal?
Could it be that her heart belonged to someone else?
An unnamed jealousy spread within him, gnawing at his heart like ants, and he tightened his grip on the teacup once more.
...
In the afternoon, the birthday banquet came to an end, and guests began to leave one after another.
The King of Yan and the Crown Prince had official matters to discuss, so the King sent two guards to escort Shen Wei back to the royal residence. The Princess was called away by the Empress for questioning and would likely not return until nightfall.
As Shen Wei stepped out of the Princess's residence and was about to board her carriage, Sun Qingmei approached her with a smile.
Sun Qingmei came forward, beaming, “Lady Shen, congratulations! Now that you’re with child, be sure to eat well and take care of yourself; don’t let your liver suffer from anger.”
Today, Sun Qingmei had noticed Shen Wei’s pale complexion and thought she was ill, not realizing she was pregnant.
Sun Qingmei felt a pang of envy.
If her husband hadn’t gone to the border before their wedding night, perhaps she would have a child by now. With the frequent battles at the border, Sun Qingmei lived in constant fear, praying daily for her husband’s safety.
“Thank you for your concern, Madam Sun. You must also take care of yourself while managing the Hou residence,” Shen Wei replied warmly. She had a good impression of Sun Qingmei, who was a kind mistress and never looked down on Shen Wei’s humble origins.
Sun Qingmei said gently, “The royal residence is full of eyes and ears, and there are often scandals of mistresses being forced by the main wife. You must be careful—”
Before Sun Qingmei could offer more advice, a carriage from the Zhen Nan Hou residence arrived at the entrance. An unfriendly old matron stepped down, her tone quite coarse: “Madam! The old lady is throwing a fit at home. The ice sent for summer cooling was too little, and she is very displeased. I’ve been sent to bring you back to take charge.”
The old matron’s attitude was quite unpleasant.
Sun Qingmei seemed used to it; she comfortingly patted Shen Wei’s hand and quickly turned to board the carriage of the Zhen Nan Hou residence.
Just as she got on, the carriage began to move, and Sun Qingmei nearly stumbled and fell.
Shen Wei watched the carriage leave, frowning slightly.
Madam Sun was kind and attentive, but good people often get taken advantage of. It seemed her life in the Zhen Nan Hou residence was not as pleasant as it should be.
Every family has its own troubles, Shen Wei sighed softly and boarded the carriage back to the Yan royal residence.
Upon returning to Liuli Pavilion, Cai Lian, Cai Ping, Mama Rong, Jixiang, and Deshun all came forward to congratulate her.
In a good mood, Shen Wei rewarded everyone with silver. She also planned to raise the wages of the staff in Liuli Pavilion. Her pregnancy would be hard work, and the maids and eunuchs serving her would only have it tougher.
In the workplace, appealing to emotions doesn’t work; raising wages is the best way to ensure employees take their jobs seriously.
She sipped her tea, preparing to check the gifts the Empress had bestowed upon her. Just then, a voice called out from outside—one of the Empress’s attendants had come!
Shen Wei nearly dropped her teacup—why would an attendant from the Empress come to her courtyard?
Suppressing her curiosity, Shen Wei quickly led her maids to the door to welcome her. The attendant, named Qian, had graying hair and had served the Empress closely, holding a high position in the palace.
Shen Wei and her maids bowed respectfully.
Behind Qian were four high-ranking eunuchs, each carrying heavy trays.
Qian announced, “By the Empress’s command, I have come to deliver some items to Lady Shen of the Yan royal residence.” This was Qian’s first visit to the courtyard of a concubine in the royal residence, and she had expected it to be modestly decorated. However, as her gaze swept over Liuli Pavilion, she was taken aback by the vibrant greenery, pavilions, and the sweet sounds of birds, creating a sense of comfort and ease.
Qian was secretly astonished; this Shen Wei was indeed a woman of considerable taste, no wonder she had captured the Yan King’s favor for several months.
“The Empress said that the gold, silver, and jade items sent to you today are of little use, so she specially sent me to bring you some nourishing supplements.” Qian clapped her hands, and the four eunuchs presented the trays.
Inside the trays were precious supplements like bird’s nest, fish maw, sea cucumber, and snow frog, all highly beneficial for pregnant women.
Shen Wei was taken aback.
Her origins were humble, and her status was merely that of an ordinary concubine. Even though she had saved Zhaoyang twice and was now pregnant, it was still unusual for the Empress to show her such care.
It simply didn’t make sense.
Suppressing her doubts, Shen Wei expressed her gratitude to the Empress repeatedly. After accepting the supplements, she discreetly signaled to Cai Lian, who understood and cheerfully presented Qian with a heavy pouch of money.
“Oh dear, Lady Shen, this is too much,” Qian feigned reluctance, but her hands deftly accepted the pouch, and her address for Shen Wei shifted from “Lady Shen” to “Mistress Shen.”
Shen Wei spoke sincerely, “Madam Qian, you’ve worked hard on the way here. Please take this small token as a tea fee. I am but a humble concubine, and to receive the Empress’s care is truly overwhelming.”
Having received the silver, Qian was naturally willing to offer Shen Wei a word of advice: “Mistress Shen, do not worry. The Yan King’s inner court has not seen a child born in two years, so the Empress naturally values the child you carry. If you can seize this opportunity, your rise to prominence is just around the corner.”
Table of Contents
