Chapter 81
**Chapter 81: Sour Sons and Spicy Daughters?**
...
In the Liuli Pavilion.
The summer heat was stifling, and Shen Wei sat in the coolness of the pavilion, seeking refuge from the sweltering weather. On the small table beside her lay a bowl of chilled citrus water, while the fragrant scent of sandalwood incense wafted through the air, keeping the mosquitoes at bay.
Leaning back in her chair, Shen Wei had a beauty mask of her own concoction on her face, a brush made of wolf hair in her hand, and rice paper spread out on the table. She was deep in thought about her upcoming business plans. Once the "Wei Yan Ji" shop opened successfully and she had enough capital, she intended to establish a restaurant and inn.
Moreover, with summer giving way to autumn, she needed to tailor new clothes for the Yan Wang (Prince Yan), subtly expressing her affection and care.
"Your Highness, the chilled citrus water you requested is here," said Cai Ping, bringing a small bowl of the refreshing drink. Shen Wei had developed a craving for sour flavors during her pregnancy, and the tangy citrus water was her favorite.
Taking a big sip, Shen Wei felt a wave of comfort wash over her.
Cai Ping frowned at the sight. Unable to hold back, she said, "Your Highness loves sour flavors, which means you must be carrying a lively little boy. Shouldn't we cover it up a bit? You could pretend to enjoy spicy food to throw people off the scent."
There was a popular saying among the common folk: "Sour sons and spicy daughters." It suggested that if a pregnant woman craved sour foods, she was expecting a boy; if she craved spicy foods, she was expecting a girl.
Cai Ping was only looking out for Shen Wei. The Wang Fei (Princess) had a heart like a snake, and if she discovered that Shen Wei might be having a boy, she could very well take action against her.
Shen Wei set down her bowl, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "If I can't even protect the child in my womb, then there's no need for me to survive in the Wang Fu (Prince's residence)."
The Liuli Pavilion was her domain; the Wang Fei's influence couldn't reach her here. With the Yan Wang's affection and the Empress's protection, it would be too cowardly and stifling for Shen Wei to feign a taste for spicy food just to mislead others!
Besides, the notion of "sour sons and spicy daughters" lacked substantial scientific backing. Regardless of whether her child was a boy or a girl, Shen Wei would care for them with utmost dedication, ensuring a smooth path ahead.
Cai Ping nodded, somewhat understanding.
"By the way, this afternoon, please buy a few bottles of the finest tea oil," Shen Wei instructed. She was more concerned about the tea oil than the old wives' tales.
Cai Ping smiled, "Rest assured, I’ll remember."
In ancient times, there was no pregnancy oil for women, so Shen Wei had to use tea oil as a substitute.
When a woman becomes pregnant, her belly expands, making her prone to stretch marks. Rich in fatty acids and vitamin E, tea oil could be consumed or applied, moisturizing the skin and effectively preventing stretch marks.
Shen Wei certainly didn't want to give birth to a child with unsightly stretch marks. Men are often hypocritical; they might say, "Pregnancy is tough," but deep down, they likely harbor disdain when they see a woman's belly covered in stretch marks.
She needed to prepare early and take precautions.
Shen Wei resumed writing, finishing three pages when cheerful voices echoed from outside the Liuli Pavilion.
"Your Highness, Zhang Ce Fei has arrived." Just as Cai Ping finished speaking, Zhang Miaoyu came bounding in, her presence as lively as a plump little dumpling, rolling into Shen Wei's pavilion.
Zhang Miaoyu's round face was flushed, and her big, bright eyes scanned the small table filled with treats: fresh, chilled watermelon, grapes, peaches, a bowl of sweet red bean jelly, a bowl of icy custard, and two plates of candied fruits...
"Shen Wei, my dear sister, I had nothing to do today, so I came to share some heartfelt words with you—oh, what are you wearing on your face?" Zhang Miaoyu plopped down onto the bamboo chair beside Shen Wei, the chair creaking under her weight.
Shen Wei knew why she had come. After wiping off her mask, she smiled at Zhang Miaoyu, "Sister Miaoyu, feel free to indulge in the food on the table."
Zhang Miaoyu eagerly grabbed a bowl of icy custard, her eyes sparkling with delight. "I don’t know why, but I always feel like the food here is especially delicious. The scenery is lovely, the people are beautiful, and I can eat a few more bites."
In the sweltering summer, even her favorite braised pork elbow was unappetizing; she preferred the refreshing, cool treats.
Zhang Miaoyu chirped, "I want more icy custard! Can I take two bowls home when I leave?"
Shen Wei nodded happily, "Of course."
Zhang Miaoyu had a hearty appetite, and soon, most of the food on the table had disappeared into her belly.
Cai Ping watched in astonishment, unable to resist leaning over to Zhang Miaoyu's maid, "Xiang Yu, how long has your mistress gone without eating? At this rate, she'll eat us out of house and home!"
Zhang Miaoyu's maid was named Xiang Yu. Following her mistress, she feasted on rich foods daily, and her own face was quite round.
Seeing her mistress devouring food with such abandon, Xiang Yu's head drooped lower and lower, wishing she could find a hole to hide in.
How embarrassing! I can't show my face to anyone.
Zhang Miaoyu, holding a bowl of icy custard, turned her gaze to Shen Wei, who was diligently writing on the rice paper with her brush.
Zhang Miaoyu was taken aback. Every time she visited Shen Wei, she was always busy—running, writing, gardening, arranging the courtyard, selecting fabrics for the Yan Wang's clothes, preparing dinner, and making sachets.
She was always occupied, never showing a moment of idleness, brimming with energy.
In contrast, Zhang Miaoyu spent her days eating and sleeping, waking only to indulge in more food and fun. Suddenly, she wondered if she had been living too carelessly.
But she couldn't muster the same diligence as Shen Wei. Just the thought of running every day was enough to make Zhang Miaoyu give up.
With good intentions, Zhang Miaoyu leaned closer, holding her bowl of icy custard, "Shen Wei, I have something to tell you. This morning, a small sedan chair was brought into the back courtyard. The Wang Fei has chosen a new concubine for the Wang Ye!"
Shen Wei paused, her brush halting mid-stroke.
She had already heard the news about the newcomer this morning. It was said that the girl was a farmer's daughter and quite pretty.
The Wang Fei had arranged for the newcomer to stay in a courtyard in the southwest, waiting for the right moment to inform the Yan Wang.
Zhang Miaoyu kindly advised, "Shen Wei, please don’t get upset or argue with the Wang Ye. My mother once told me that if a pregnant woman is emotionally unstable, it could lead to complications during childbirth."
Shen Wei set down her brush, folding the expansion plan she had just written and tucking it into a scroll.
She sat down on the bamboo chair beside Zhang Miaoyu, accepting the bowl of icy custard that Cai Ping handed her, and smiled warmly at Zhang Miaoyu, "Thank you for your concern, Sister Miaoyu. I will take good care of the child in my womb."
After a long period of busyness, a bowl of icy custard was a refreshing treat.
Icy custard was a dessert similar to ice cream, made from milk, fermented rice, and cane sugar. It had a subtle alcoholic aroma, a creamy milk flavor, and the rich scent of osmanthus flowers, making it an essential summer delicacy.
Just as Shen Wei took a couple of bites, a voice announced from outside the courtyard: the Yan Wang had arrived.
With little official business today, the Yan Wang returned to the Wang Fu early, making his way to the Liuli Pavilion as was his habit. Upon entering the pavilion, he helped Shen Wei to her feet and noticed the numerous bowls and utensils left on the table.
The Yan Wang felt a flicker of anger.
While other wives and concubines avoided icy treats during their pregnancies, Shen Wei had taken advantage of his absence to indulge in a feast of chilled foods, eating far too much.
She really was disobedient!
The more careless Shen Wei appeared, the stronger the Yan Wang's sense of "responsibility" as a husband grew.
"I only had a couple of bites, I really didn’t eat much," Shen Wei said, looking like a child caught in a mistake, her head bowed, her fair fingers intertwined, appearing particularly anxious.
Zhang Miaoyu quickly jumped in to take the blame, "Your Highness, please don’t scold my sister. Most of what’s on the table was eaten by me."
The Yan Wang cast a deep glance at the plump Zhang Miaoyu.
She still had remnants of the icy custard on her lips, her eyes squinting into mere slits. It seemed that Zhang Miaoyu had gained even more weight since he last saw her.
If she kept gaining weight, her health would truly be at risk.
Not long ago, during court, Zhang Miaoyu's father had secretly visited the Yan Wang, hoping he would encourage her to lose weight.
The Zhang family was also a significant force under the Yan Wang's command. With a sigh, the Yan Wang instructed Zhang Miaoyu, "Return to your Huaxiang Courtyard. For the time being, you must control your diet and only eat one meat meal a day. I will send an old nanny to supervise your daily exercise."
Zhang Miaoyu felt as if she had been struck by lightning.
She could forgo the Yan Wang's affection, but she could not live without her pork elbow! Not allowing her to eat meat was worse than killing her!
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