Chapter 99
**Chapter 99: Marrying Zhaoyang?**
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In the secluded estate by Luoyue Lake, Shen Wei continued to stay here, spending her days comforting the heartbroken Princess Zhaoyang. Together, they strolled along the lake and savored delicious food, trying to soothe her wounded spirit.
One night, after taking a calming herbal medicine, Shen Wei lay back down to rest.
Cai Ping, while lowering the bed curtains, murmured, “My lady, there’s no wall that doesn’t let the wind through. What happened to the princess that night may not reach the ears of the common folk, but it will definitely reach the Empress.”
The guards at the estate were all assigned by the Empress to ensure Zhaoyang’s safety. With the princess suddenly facing such a calamity, the Empress must have already been informed.
Shen Wei stifled a delicate yawn and replied slowly, “It’s a good thing for me that the Empress knows about Zhaoyang’s attack.”
Cai Ping’s pretty face showed confusion.
Shen Wei smiled, “The Yanzhou Princess has mismanaged the royal residence. The Empress has long been dissatisfied. If I can appropriately showcase my management skills, the Empress will surely nurture me.”
In the current Yanzhou residence, the wives and concubines were all in disarray, but Shen Wei was someone who could be utilized and cultivated.
Cai Ping suddenly understood.
Shen Wei’s guess was correct; the turmoil at Luoyue Lake had already reached Kun Ning Palace. Yun Er, with her head bowed, knelt in the inner hall of Kun Ning Palace, recounting every detail of the incident at Luoyue Lake to the Empress.
The Empress listened with a heavy heart, “That Yan Yunting is truly unbearable! How could he toy with my daughter like this!”
The Empress and the Emperor had long harbored grievances against Yan Yunting. However, since Zhaoyang liked him and protected him at every turn, the Empress felt helpless.
Yun Er quickly reassured her, “Your Majesty, please rest easy. The princess has now come to her senses and completely let go of Yan Yunting.”
The Empress sighed in relief. Although Zhaoyang had gone through a great ordeal, she had at least awakened to the truth.
An old matron brought in some cool tea, and the Empress took a few sips to soothe her throat, then thought of the pregnant Shen Wei. She asked, “Yun Er, is it true that Shen has remained calm in the face of danger?”
Yun Er did not hold back, sharing all of Shen Wei’s composed actions during the crisis, her words filled with admiration.
The Empress nodded repeatedly.
Who would have thought that a mere farmer’s daughter could remain unflustered and organize everything so methodically, considering every aspect? It was truly remarkable.
The Empress then thought of the troublesome Yanzhou Princess. Dantai Shuya, though the legitimate wife, lacked any management skills, being neither a virtuous wife nor a caring mother, leaving the royal residence in chaos.
Shen Wei, on the other hand, displayed considerable management talent, caring deeply for Zhaoyang and being devoted to the Yanzhou Prince. Once the prince ascended the throne, she could help manage the harem effectively.
However, Shen Wei’s lowly background made it difficult for her to command respect in the future.
After much contemplation, the Empress decided to wait until Shen Wei gave birth before finding a way to elevate her status.
The transition of royal power was also a game between the new nobility and the old families. Raising Shen Wei’s family status to support her as a new noble in the court was not out of the question.
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In the remote city of Yunzhou, night fell, bringing a sudden drop in temperature, and the cold wind howled through the night. The Yanzhou Prince was in his study, reviewing documents, with incense burning in the air, while the chill seeped through the windows.
The Yanzhou Prince sneezed.
A young eunuch attending him quickly tiptoed out of the study. Moments later, he returned with a thick robe, bowing respectfully, “Your Highness, it’s quite cold tonight. May I bring you a warmer garment?”
The Yanzhou Prince set down the scroll and glanced at the dark robe adorned with silver flowers. As a man of stature, he naturally didn’t concern himself with the clothing he wore when going out.
That was usually the responsibility of the princess, the head of the household.
He casually asked, “Did the princess prepare this?”
The young eunuch replied truthfully, “Your Highness, the princess has been busy lately. This clothing was prepared by Shen Wei from Liuli Pavilion. According to the maid Cai Lian, Shen specifically inquired about the climate in Yunzhou, working all night to prepare warm clothing, cold medicine, mosquito-repelling mugwort, and even spare boots. They’re all packed in the carriage.”
He changed into the new warm attire. The young eunuch then brought in ginger tea for warmth and soothing incense for relaxation.
In the cold of Yunzhou, the Yanzhou Prince felt a warmth in his heart.
In the vast Yanzhou residence, only his Wei Wei would put so much thought into the little details.
After being away for a few days, the Yanzhou Prince held the scroll tightly, suddenly missing Shen Wei. This was a feeling he had never experienced before; longing surged like a tide in the quiet of the night, slowly eroding his thoughts.
In previous years, while away on business, he had never felt such delicate yearning. Now that Shen Wei was in the royal residence, he felt like a kite in the sky with a master to guide it; he had found his home.
A Tiger Guard who had been out on reconnaissance entered the study, presenting a letter sealed with a special insignia.
The Tiger Guard clasped his hands and said, “Your Highness, Mo Shenyi has been taken away by the national master of Yue. Before leaving, the national master left this letter.”
The Yanzhou Prince opened the letter and read it swiftly.
His eyes narrowed, a sharp coldness hidden within: “Yue is not as unassailable as it seems. The Emperor of Yue is cruel and warlike, and the common people suffer greatly.”
The two nations of Qing and Yue had been at war for many years, with frequent skirmishes along the border. Qing had initially been at a disadvantage, but fortunately, the strategist of the Southern General, Shangguan Xuan, had devised a firearm, allowing the Qing army to achieve remarkable victories and significantly enhance their combat effectiveness.
However, Yue was unwilling to withdraw its troops, relying on its geographical advantages to hold out fiercely. To completely end the war, they would need to replace Yue’s Emperor with one who valued peace.
The Yanzhou Prince was collaborating with an ambitious prince of Yue and the national master to plot a grand scheme. Yet, as he glanced at the last few lines of the letter, he found himself utterly perplexed.
The recently returned prince of Yue actually expressed a desire to marry Zhaoyang after their plans succeeded.
“Tuoba Hongchuan wants to marry Zhaoyang?” The Yanzhou Prince raised an eyebrow.
After a long pause, he let out a silent laugh.
He held the letter over the flickering red candle flame, and the paper quickly turned to black ash.
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