Chapter 82
**Chapter 82: The Night Grows Darker**
Zhang Miaoyu's tears nearly spilled over as she exclaimed, "Your Highness! You can't just indulge yourself while cutting off my meat supply!"
Prince Yan furrowed his handsome brows. "When have I ever indulged myself?"
Zhang Miaoyu huffed, her defiance evident. "The princess is virtuous and worried that Sister Shen Wei can't serve you well during her pregnancy, so she specially chose a beautiful concubine for you. Having a new favorite is just indulging, isn't it?"
Hearing her twisted logic, Prince Yan grew even more displeased. "Someone, take Concubine Zhang back."
With a pitiful expression, Zhang Miaoyu lowered her head. Before leaving, she discreetly took two bowls of delicious ice cream, then departed with her maid, Xiangyu.
Once outside the Liuli Pavilion, Zhang Miaoyu glanced back at the vibrant courtyard, letting out a silent sigh.
Shen Wei generously offered her delicacies, and in return, Zhang Miaoyu intentionally brought up the princess's vile behavior in front of the prince, effectively planting a seed of doubt in his heart.
"Time to enjoy my ice cream," Zhang Miaoyu smiled to herself.
Xiangyu, following closely behind, couldn't help but remind her, "My lady, the prince has asked you to watch your diet."
Zhang Miaoyu cheerfully hugged her ice cream. "You need to eat well to have the energy to lose weight! I actually hope Sister Shen Wei remains in favor; she's even more captivating than the prince!"
...
After Zhang Miaoyu left, Prince Yan was in good spirits, enjoying the cool evening with Shen Wei.
The weather was hot, so he had Caiping bring out the ice cream while he perused official documents.
Shen Wei watched eagerly from the side.
She wanted some too!
"I've asked the imperial physician, and eating ice in summer can easily cause diarrhea," Prince Yan said, a smile playing at the corners of his lips.
The bowl of ice cream wasn't particularly extraordinary, but seeing Shen Wei's longing gaze made Prince Yan suddenly find it exceptionally delicious.
Indeed, what others can't have is always the most tempting.
Shen Wei huffed, her fan rustling in the air.
As night fell, Shen Wei noticed the table was filled with nourishing dishes like radish and pork rib soup, stir-fried yellow bean sprouts, and boiled fish—all beneficial for pregnant women.
"Your Highness, I want to eat spicy meatballs," Shen Wei said, her expression one of frustration.
Prince Yan waved his hand dismissively. "No."
Shen Wei clutched a pair of jade chopsticks. "But in my hometown, pregnant women don't have many restrictions. The neighbor's aunt, with a big belly, still goes fishing in the river."
Seeing Shen Wei's innocent demeanor, Prince Yan became even more stern. "Weiwei, be obedient."
With a resigned sigh, Shen Wei lowered her head and obediently ate the nutritious radish and pork rib soup.
Fine, fine, she would eat.
In truth, she had planned to switch to these dishes during her pregnancy. But if she took the initiative, it would seem too deliberate; if Prince Yan did, she could just go along with it.
That night, Prince Yan and Shen Wei lay down together. Shen Wei changed into a thin, light silver silk nightgown and lay obediently on the cool mat, her beautiful eyes gazing affectionately at Prince Yan.
The room was filled with the elegant scent of incense, and the pink lotus in the vase on the table was about to bloom.
The candlelight was soft and hazy, and under the light, Shen Wei looked like a painting, her figure graceful, stirring deep emotions within Prince Yan.
"Your Highness," Shen Wei said, taking the initiative to help him change clothes.
Prince Yan had intended to enjoy their usual intimate moments. But when his gaze fell on Shen Wei's flat belly, he remembered that she was now carrying their child.
The imperial physician had repeatedly warned that during the early and late stages of pregnancy, the fetus was fragile, and they must not engage in intimacy. In previous years, when his wives and concubines were pregnant, he was completely forbidden from touching them during the early stages.
"I won't touch you while you're newly pregnant," Prince Yan sighed, lying down beside Shen Wei fully clothed.
The room was cooled by an ice basin, making it exceptionally refreshing even in summer. Shen Wei leaned against Prince Yan, her delicate fingers lightly brushing against his arm like a feather.
Shen Wei knew that Prince Yan was at an age full of vigor and desire.
He could hold back once or twice, but eventually, he would seek out other women. Shen Wei didn't need him to be with her all the time, but she wanted to ensure that most of his attention remained on her.
"Your Highness, don't move," Shen Wei suddenly said with a mischievous smile.
While they couldn't be intimate during her pregnancy, there were always other ways...
Surprise flickered in Prince Yan's handsome eyes; Shen Wei looked like a particularly alluring little fox.
The night was still young.
---
On the same night, in the Kunyu Courtyard's small Buddhist hall, incense and candles burned slowly, filling the air with a rich, smoky aroma.
The princess was kneeling devoutly in the hall, her hands clasped together, murmuring prayers.
Before long, Mama Liu entered, leading a young girl. "Your Highness, the newcomer has come to pay her respects."
The princess slowly opened her eyes.
With reverence, she placed a stick of incense in the altar, holding a string of polished prayer beads, before returning to the main room. Sitting in her high seat, she looked at the plainly dressed girl. "Lift your head."
The girl shrank back, awkwardly raising her head.
Her features were delicate and pretty, dressed in a coarse cloth skirt, her hands fidgeting nervously. Perhaps it was her first time seeing such a noble woman, as her body trembled slightly.
The princess's expression was inscrutable as she asked, "What is your name?"
The girl stammered, "I... I am called Wang Zhaodi..."
She was the eldest in her family, with four younger sisters, and her mother had just given birth to a son this year. Raising a son required money, so her parents sold her to a tavern for cash. Because she was relatively pretty, Mama Liu took a liking to her and brought her back to the prince's residence as a concubine.
The princess glanced at the burning incense burner and said, "That name won't do. From now on, you shall be called—Xiang'er."
The girl shrank back further. "Yes..."
The princess instructed Mama Liu, "Take Xiang'er away, give her some clothes and jewelry, and make sure she looks presentable."
Mama Liu complied and led Xiang'er out of the Kunyu Courtyard. The princess took a sip of tea, noting that Xiang'er and Shen Wei came from similar backgrounds and weren't particularly clever; perhaps she could steal some of the prince's favor.
Even if she couldn't take away his affection, she could certainly stir Shen Wei's emotions during her pregnancy.
Though she knew Shen Wei wouldn't cause much of a stir, the princess still felt a twinge of jealousy deep down. Every woman in the prince's residence eventually became dull and lifeless. Yet this Shen Wei bloomed like a flower, showing no signs of wilting.
The princess was unwilling to dwell on the deeper reasons for her feelings.
She only wanted to hasten Shen Wei's fall from favor until Shen Wei too became lifeless, allowing her own pent-up frustration to ease.
After finishing her prayers in the Buddhist hall, the princess routinely went to her two sons' courtyard to check on their studies for the day.
As she stepped into the courtyard, she suddenly caught a whiff of a faint sweet aroma. The study door was slightly ajar, revealing her second son and daughter inside.
The three children each held a bowl of cool brown sugar jelly, savoring it with blissful smiles on their faces, creating a warm and joyful scene.
"Brother, next time you want to eat something, I'll buy it for you," said eight-year-old Li Yao, her voice sweet and tender.
Li Chengke said, "I want to eat candied hawthorn."
Li Yao chimed in, her voice ringing like a bell, "Okay, next time I'll bring you candied hawthorn."
The princess felt a surge of anger; they hadn't finished their studies and were sneaking treats instead? She pushed the study door open forcefully, making a loud noise that startled the three children inside.
"What are you doing?" the princess scolded, frowning.
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