Chapter 84
**Chapter 84: Doctor Mo**
Cai Lian and Cai Ping worked quickly. Cai Lian scooped up the cool cake into bowls, while Cai Ping used her little trumpet-like voice to call friends and acquaintances.
Before long, a long line of maids and eunuchs formed outside the pavilion, eager for a taste of the refreshing treat. The weather was sweltering, and the master had graciously rewarded them with a bowl of delicious cool cake, leaving everyone deeply grateful.
In front of the crowd, Cai Ping also delivered a bowl of cool cake to Li Yao and Shen Wei.
Shen Wei smiled and said to Li Yao, “Give it a try; it’s really good.”
Li Yao was hungry and didn’t think too much about it. She picked up a small white porcelain spoon and took a big bite. After a couple of mouthfuls, she remembered the princess’s advice to “chew slowly and savor your food,” so she slowed down her pace.
Though she finished the bowl, it wasn’t quite enough to fill her up. Feeling a bit shy, Li Yao politely returned the porcelain bowl.
The ingredients for the cool cake in the wooden tub were all used up. Li Yao spoke softly, “It’s getting late; I need to head back to learn about tea-making... Thank you, Aunt Shen, for the cool cake.”
She jogged away.
Shen Wei smiled slightly, touching her still-flat belly. If she were to have a daughter in the future, she would certainly not let her miss out on a bowl of cool cake to beat the summer heat.
Shen Wei lay back on the lounge chair, continuing to peruse the dessert shop’s account books.
...
Meanwhile, in a dessert shop on the streets of Yanjing, Ye Qiushuang was busy working the abacus at the counter. The summer heat was intense, and she had developed an affordable cool cake specifically for the common folk, which was selling quite well.
The abacus flew through her fingers.
As Ye Qiushuang focused on her calculations, a teasing voice suddenly broke through, “Oh, what a beautiful shopkeeper—though there are dark circles under your eyes, I suppose you’ve been losing sleep at night. A little rest is in order, or you might end up half-starved.”
Ye Qiushuang was strikingly beautiful, often attracting the attention of many male customers. She was used to it by now and had even hired a skilled assistant to ensure her safety.
She looked up, offering a polite smile, “Welcome, sir. We have many delicious new desserts; please come in.”
The young man before her was a dandy, with fair, delicate skin, sharp brows, and bright eyes. Strands of black hair fell gracefully at his temples. He was slender, dressed in white, and carried a paper fan, exuding an air of charm.
A faint scent of herbs wafted from him.
Ye Qiushuang, well-versed in the ways of the world, could tell at a glance that he was not a wealthy young master from Yanjing, but rather someone who roamed the martial world.
The young man’s lips curled into a slight smile, “Wei Yan Ji—‘The falling flowers stand alone, the light rain sends the swallows flying’... What a lovely name. A good shop name, and a beautiful shopkeeper. I wonder how the desserts taste.”
Guided by the assistant, the young man took a seat in a private booth. He gently adjusted his sleeves, closing the paper fan, causing the cloud patterns on his white robe to ripple slightly.
Ye Qiushuang glanced at the fabric of his clothing, recognizing it as the unique cloud brocade from the Yue Kingdom, as light as a cloud and worth a fortune. It seemed this young man had quite the background.
The assistant brought out the shop’s signature desserts.
In beautiful bowls, the desserts sparkled enticingly. The young man picked up a small porcelain spoon and delicately scooped up a dessert called “Mint Spring Mountain.” As soon as he tasted it, his eyes widened in surprise.
Having never encountered such deliciousness before, the young man exclaimed, “This is amazing! Assistant, bring me one of everything on the menu!”
Currently, the shop offered a total of fifteen desserts.
All of them were soon laid out before the young man.
Though he appeared slender, he had a surprisingly large appetite, finishing the entire table of desserts in no time, as if a whirlwind had swept through.
Before leaving, the young man even ordered a takeout of “Mint Spring Mountain,” dropped a generous amount of silver coins, and swaggered out without waiting for change.
“Such generosity,” Ye Qiushuang thought as she tucked away the ten taels of silver, watching the distinguished guest depart.
The young man, feeling quite full, strolled toward the inn, planning to enjoy a drink. As he walked through a secluded alley, he suddenly stopped, a breeze lifting the strands of hair at his temples. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, “Who is your master? You’ve been following me since I entered Yanjing.”
As soon as he spoke, four black-clad guards appeared at both ends of the alley.
One of the guards clasped his hands in greeting, saying politely, “Doctor Mo, the prince has been looking for you for years and wishes to invite you to stay at the Yan Wangfu for a few days.”
Doctor Mo had already drawn out a deadly silver needle, a smile playing on his lips, “You four exude a murderous aura and possess great skill—if I refuse to go, will you kill me?”
The guards seemed to have anticipated his refusal, remaining calm as they replied, “The prince said that if you do not go to the Yan Wangfu, we will inform the national master of the Yue Kingdom of your whereabouts.”
Doctor Mo stiffened, the face of that man flashing before his eyes.
The man’s ceremonial robe, covered in talismans, pressed down on him, making it hard to breathe, impossible to escape, like a prey caught in a spider’s web, slowly dragged into the abyss.
Having barely escaped, he could not let that pervert catch him again...
Doctor Mo retracted the silver needle, his paper fan fluttering, “I’ll go with you to the Yan Wangfu. But let me make it clear, I’ll stay there for no more than ten days.”
The guards secretly sighed in relief, bowing respectfully, “Please.”
...
...
As the summer sun set, the Yan Wang returned to the palace, stepping into the golden glow of dusk. It was only after being reminded by the steward, Fu Gui, that he realized he hadn’t visited the princess in quite some time.
With the crown prince still unwell and the Heng Wang watching closely, countless eyes in the court were fixed on the Yan Wang, eager to catch him making a mistake.
If the Yan Wang neglected the princess and favored his concubines too much, it would surely stir up a storm.
The Yan Wang instructed Fu Gui, “Go to the kitchen and tell them to add a steamed bass to the evening meal for the Liuli Pavilion.”
Fu Gui replied respectfully, “This servant will take care of it right away.”
Inwardly, Fu Gui marveled at how the prince still valued the Liuli Pavilion above all else. Over the years, many wives and concubines in the palace had been pregnant, but this was the first time he had seen the Yan Wang so attentive to a concubine.
If it weren’t for Shen Wei’s lowly background and the scrutiny from the Censorate, given Shen Wei’s current level of favor, she would have long been promoted to a secondary consort.
The Yan Wang entered the princess’s Kunyuyuan.
The evening air was unusually stifling, with birds flying low. The rich scent of incense from the princess’s altar mixed with the smoke of mosquitoes, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere.
The princess, accompanied by her maids and servants, welcomed him, her expression neutral, revealing little joy.
The Yan Wang had been busy with state affairs that day; with the border fires reigniting, General Shen Xiuxing and the Marquis of Zhen Nan had submitted memorials requesting more supplies. The ministers had each voiced their opinions, and it wasn’t until the afternoon that a decision was reached.
Exhausted from his duties, the Yan Wang naturally hoped to receive gentle affection from his wives and concubines upon returning to the palace. But as soon as he stepped into Kunyuyuan, the princess’s lifeless face only darkened his mood further.
The evening meal was quite elaborate.
Especially a tofu casserole, with tender tofu and delightful flavors.
After a couple of bites, the Yan Wang instructed the eunuch beside him, “Tell the kitchen to send a tofu casserole to the Liuli Pavilion tomorrow at noon; pregnant women need to eat more tofu.”
The eunuch quickly noted it down.
Seeing this, the princess couldn’t help but scoff in disdain. Shen Wei had just become pregnant and was already starting to act spoiled, becoming increasingly demanding about her food.
She must have whispered sweet nothings in the Yan Wang’s ear, using her pregnancy to get this and that.
The princess reminded the Yan Wang, “Your Highness, it is indeed important to take good care of women during pregnancy. But if you keep indulging Shen, she will only become more arrogant and demanding.”
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