Chapter 78
**Chapter 78: A Common Flaw Among Men**
Shen Wei wore a simple smile, her demeanor carefree as she deliberately said, “Your Highness, don’t worry. I’m in great health. My sister-in-law, who used to live next door, was up and about the day after giving birth—picking lotus seeds. And could you bring me a bowl of ice-cold sweet tofu? The colder, the better.”
Cai Ping quietly went to fetch the sweet tofu.
Yan Wang: ...
Yan Wang rubbed his temples. His Wei Wei was indeed different from his other wives and concubines, but that only made him more anxious.
Shen Wei loved gardening, swinging, and would often climb ladders to check on the bird’s nests, playing by the water’s edge, indulging in fun and ice-cold treats, and at night, she would accompany him in passionate revelry... Now that Shen Wei was pregnant, she must not engage in such laborious activities!
Yet, Shen Wei, being pregnant for the first time, knew nothing about prenatal care.
A sense of responsibility welled up in Yan Wang’s heart—since Wei Wei didn’t understand how to take care of herself during pregnancy, it was his duty to teach her.
He set down his chopsticks and instructed, “From now on, change the dishes on the table to those that are beneficial for your health and the baby.”
Shen Wei looked a bit confused. “But back in my hometown, the women in the village worked just fine with big bellies!”
Seeing her innocent expression, Yan Wang felt an even stronger urge to educate her. “You are my woman, and you carry my child. How can my child suffer before it’s even born?”
Shen Wei nodded, half-understanding, then broke into a sweet and trusting smile. “Your Highness would never harm me; I’ll follow your arrangements!”
With the trust of the woman he loved, a deep sense of pride surged within Yan Wang.
Watching Shen Wei forgo the fried dumplings and obediently drink a bowl of bird’s nest porridge, Yan Wang felt quite satisfied.
After the meal, Shen Wei pulled Yan Wang to the pavilion by the water to enjoy the cool evening. The moonlight was bright, a gentle breeze blew, and the lotus pond wafted with a refreshing fragrance. Shen Wei leaned against the railing, reaching out to pluck fresh green lotus pods.
Yan Wang’s eyelids twitched.
While other pregnant wives and concubines took great care of themselves, walking cautiously, Shen Wei was busy leaning over the railing to pick lotus pods! What if she fell into the water and caught a chill? What would happen to the baby?
“Don’t move around, stay here and enjoy the cool with me.” Yan Wang scooped Shen Wei back into his arms and pressed her onto the cool bench beside him.
Shen Wei’s almond-shaped eyes widened. “I was just picking a lotus pod! I wanted to peel the seeds for you.”
Look at how thoughtful she was, even while pregnant, wanting to pick lotus pods for Yan Wang.
Yan Wang gently caressed her still-flat belly. “The first three months of pregnancy are the most unstable; you mustn’t be reckless.”
Shen Wei’s willow-like brows arched slightly, and she gazed at Yan Wang with admiration, her eyes sparkling. “Your Highness, you’re a man, yet you understand so much about women’s pregnancy! You’re truly knowledgeable!”
Yan Wang’s lips curled up.
To be admired and trusted by the woman he loved brought him an unparalleled sense of accomplishment.
As the cool night breeze blew, Shen Wei obediently accompanied Yan Wang in enjoying the evening. In the past, he had been troubled by the pregnant wives and concubines, and subconsciously, he had absorbed a lot of knowledge about pregnancy. So, he shared what he knew with Shen Wei, who listened with admiration, occasionally showering him with compliments.
Men have a common flaw; they often think they are clever and dislike it when women are smarter than they are.
Shen Wei, by pretending not to understand, encouraged Yan Wang to take an active role in her prenatal care. With a sense of involvement and accomplishment, he began to feel affection for the child in Shen Wei’s belly.
After all, that child was the result of Yan Wang’s own “nurturing.”
Just like the vegetables he had personally planted in the garden, Yan Wang developed feelings for things he had invested effort into.
...
While Yan Wang and Shen Wei chatted in the pavilion, under the night sky, Cai Lian was carrying a box of pastries back to the Liuli Pavilion.
Passing through the garden, Cai Lian unexpectedly ran into Xue Mei, a maid from the Qixue Pavilion.
“Xue Mei, where are you off to so late?” Cai Lian greeted her warmly.
The two were old acquaintances, having entered the royal household as maids together. Xue Mei was fortunate; her name contained the character “Mei,” which led to her being chosen by Liu Ruyan to serve as a maid in the Qixue Pavilion.
Cai Lian, lacking connections, had been assigned to serve lower-ranking concubines. It wasn’t until she was assigned to serve Shen Wei that her life finally stabilized.
“It’s you, Cai Lian!” Xue Mei forced a smile.
Noticing the worry in her eyes, Cai Lian kindly asked, “Xue Mei, has Liu Fei been giving you a hard time?”
With a sigh of resignation, Xue Mei recounted her troubles.
It turned out that Xue Mei had been bitten by mosquitoes and, unable to bear it, had secretly bathed with mugwort and carried a sachet to repel them. Unfortunately, Liu Ruyan caught a whiff of the mugwort scent today.
Liu Ruyan disliked the smell and ordered Xue Mei to wash it off, even gifting her a box of “Plum Blossom Fragrance Balm.”
The balm had a delicate scent, but it certainly didn’t repel mosquitoes...
Cai Lian thought for a moment and suggested, “You should bathe with mint leaves, fill your sachet with white angelica and camphor, and then apply a layer of the plum blossom balm to mask the scent.”
Xue Mei nodded helplessly, glancing at Cai Lian’s round, fair face, genuinely envious. “I guess that’s all I can do. I really envy you for having such a good mistress. Now that Mistress Shen is pregnant, her favor will only increase.”
In the royal household, who wouldn’t want to serve in the Liuli Pavilion? Shen Wei was a rare and exceptional mistress; as long as one worked diligently, she would surely reward them.
Cai Lian smiled. “Yes, my mistress is indeed a rare gem. But it’s getting late; I need to take these pastries back.”
Cai Lian bid farewell to Xue Mei.
Walking under the bright moonlight, Cai Lian returned to the Liuli Pavilion. Looking at the beautiful fish lanterns hanging from the eaves, she felt a surge of indescribable pride and satisfaction.
Initially assigned to the remote Fangfei Courtyard, Cai Lian had harbored prejudices against Shen Wei. But now, she found herself increasingly fond of serving her.
In the past, the royal household was dreary; maids worked from dawn till dusk, serving their mistresses and returning to cramped quarters at night, their days repeating endlessly with no prospects in sight.
But since following Shen Wei, Cai Lian felt every day was filled with joy and fulfillment. She worked hard, and her mind became sharper.
Shen Wei was like a bright sun; being close to her brought warmth and a sense of vibrant life.
“Cai Ping, I’ve brought back the pastries the mistress wanted!” Cai Lian cheerfully entered the courtyard.
Meanwhile, Xue Mei walked back to the pale Qixue Pavilion under the ghostly moonlight. Liu Ruyan was reclining on a soft couch, reading, her long, black hair cascading over her shoulders.
The flickering candlelight, her dark hair, and her white nightgown created a chilling aura from afar.
Xue Mei silently brushed away the goosebumps on her arms and returned to the study. “Mistress, it’s dark now; let me help you rest.”
Liu Ruyan set down the “Book of Songs.” “I heard Shen has become pregnant?”
Xue Mei nodded. “It’s said she’s been pregnant for a month now.”
Liu Ruyan smiled sadly. “The prince has many heirs; he may not care. To him, a child is just an embellishment, something optional.”
In the two years when Liu Ruyan and Yan Wang were most in love, they were inseparable, their hearts in harmony. Later, when Liu Ruyan became pregnant, she devoted herself to nurturing their love’s fruit, hoping the prince would spend more time with her.
At first, Yan Wang would come to accompany her every few days. But eventually, he always excused himself, claiming to be busy with state affairs.
State affairs, state affairs, always state affairs... With so many capable ministers under him, he could easily delegate tasks.
In the end, it was simply that he didn’t care for her.
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