Chapter 100
**Chapter 100: The Uncertain Times**
...
After the inspection, Wang Yan rode away from Yunzhou with his guards. His heart was set on returning home, eager to see Shen Wei. He deliberately chose to forgo the slow carriage and instead rode back on horseback.
His black cloak billowed behind him as his steed galloped forward. Dust rose from the official road, and the figure of Wang Yan, riding swiftly, disappeared toward the distant city of Yanjing.
On the side of the road, a lavish carriage was parked discreetly. The light-colored silk curtains were drawn back, revealing a woman wearing a veil, her phoenix eyes slightly upturned, exuding an alluring charm.
She watched the imposing figure of Wang Yan as he departed.
A maid inside the carriage whispered, “Your Highness, since Wang Yan is inspecting Yunzhou, why don’t you try to meet him? With your beauty, he would surely fall at your feet.”
The woman chuckled lightly, ambition gleaming in her eyes. “The times are still uncertain.”
She intended to marry the most esteemed man in the world. With the crown prince gravely ill and Wang Yan and Wang Heng locked in a subtle struggle for power, it was unclear who would emerge victorious. She would wait, biding her time until the new emperor ascended the throne, and then she would make a grand entrance into the inner palace.
To vie for favor, to gain power, to be the most cherished among the six palaces.
She would inevitably become the most revered woman in the world.
The maid recalled stories about Wang Yan and said, “I’ve heard that he is currently quite fond of a concubine, and she is even pregnant.”
The woman smiled dismissively. “A mere concubine is hardly worth mentioning.”
...
At the Wang Yan residence, the Kunyu Courtyard was quiet. The maids and servants moved about quietly, not daring to disturb the princess who was engaged in her prayers.
The tranquility was broken when a slender figure appeared at the entrance of Kunyu Courtyard.
Xiang’er stood nervously at the door and said softly, “I... I wish to see the princess. Could you... could you let her know?”
Xiang’er had been bought into the Wang residence by Liu Mama to divert Shen Wei’s favor. However, Wang Yan only cherished Shen Wei, and the princess had been preoccupied with her struggles against the old matriarch, leaving no one to remember this newly elevated concubine.
In the inner courtyard, without favor, there was no way to survive. Xiang’er faced disdain from the maids, and the silver and fabric bestowed by the princess had been taken away by the servants. With the mosquitoes buzzing at night and her rations cut, Xiang’er’s life was unbearable, forcing her to seek help from the princess.
“Do you think you can just see the princess whenever you want?” The maid at the door spoke harshly, her eyes filled with contempt.
Xiang’er lowered her head, feeling wronged.
At this rate, she would truly starve to death. She had thought that becoming a concubine in the Wang residence would ensure her a warm meal, but this harsh life was hardly better than what she had at home.
Liu Mama heard the commotion and came to the door, scolding in a low voice, “What’s all this noise? You’re disturbing the princess! I’ll punish you!”
The maid immediately fell silent.
Seeing Liu Mama was like seeing a savior for Xiang’er. She hurried over, grasping Liu Mama’s sleeve, tears streaming down her face. “Liu Mama, you told me that the prince would surely come to see me... but I’ve been in the Wang residence for so long, and he hasn’t even laid eyes on me.”
Liu Mama pulled her sleeve away, coldly saying, “The time isn’t right. Go back to your own courtyard. From now on, without the princess’s orders, you are not to come to Kunyu Courtyard.”
Xiang’er’s eyes brimmed with tears. “But... but...”
Liu Mama had already turned to leave. To her, Xiang’er was merely a pawn in the inner courtyard’s power struggles, unfortunate for not being utilized; from now on, Xiang’er would have to fend for herself.
With a heavy heart, Xiang’er walked back to her secluded courtyard, crying all the way. In the summer, everything flourished, yet the back courtyard was filled with withered grass, cold as a grave under the bright sun.
...
In the Buddhist hall of Kunyu Courtyard, the princess sincerely offered the last stick of incense before supporting Liu Mama as she rose.
“Princess, Xiang’er wishes to see you, but I sent her away,” Liu Mama said softly.
The princess raised an eyebrow. “Xiang’er?”
Liu Mama replied, “You’ve forgotten, she’s the concubine brought into the residence recently. You named her Xiang’er. Unfortunately, this girl has had bad luck; the prince has never set foot in her courtyard.”
The princess vaguely remembered such a person. She said lightly, “No need to pay her any mind. For now, do not bring any new concubines into the residence.”
Wang Yan had previously scolded the princess for frequently bringing new concubines into the Wang residence. Thus, the princess decided not to introduce any more newcomers.
One day, when Wang Yan grew tired of Shen Wei and could not find a new outlet for his desires, he would understand the wisdom of the princess’s decision.
The princess closed her eyes, fiddling with the Buddhist beads in her hand. “I’m only thinking of the prince, yet he never sees my good intentions. Forget it, Liu Mama, let’s go to the study and check on the children’s studies.”
Liu Mama supported the princess as they walked toward the courtyard of the two children.
Before they even entered the courtyard, the princess heard the cheerful laughter of her two sons. Upon looking closer, she saw that Cheng Ke and Cheng Zhen were not studying diligently in the study but were instead catching fish by the pond.
The two old maids sent by the empress did not stop them; instead, they stood by, smiling.
What a waste of time!
The princess was furious. Was the empress trying to ruin her two sons?
She quickly entered the courtyard, coldly questioning, “Cheng Ke, Cheng Zhen, have you completed your studies today?”
Li Cheng Ke’s face turned pale, and the fish he was holding slipped from his hands and fell into the water. He nervously replied, “Mother, we’ve finished the homework assigned by the teacher.”
The princess asked, “Then can you review tomorrow’s lessons in advance?”
Li Cheng Ke and Li Cheng Zhen lowered their heads in silence.
The two old maids exchanged glances, and one of them coldly said, “Princess, the children are still young; their studies need to be balanced.”
The princess retorted coldly, “My children do not need your outside opinions.”
“I am here on the empress’s orders to accompany the two young masters. If the princess is dissatisfied, you may inquire with the empress.”
The argument continued.
Li Cheng Ke and Li Cheng Zhen squatted by the pond, their fingers idly stirring the cold water, ignoring the adults’ quarrel, their eyes reflecting a numbness devoid of emotion.
...
...
As night fell, Wang Yan rode swiftly back to the Wang residence. Dismounting, he gazed at the magnificent and solemn Wang residence, warmth swelling in his heart, a longing that made his steps quicken as he entered.
The steward, Fu Gui, greeted him at the door, instructing the servants to take Wang Yan’s steed back to the stable.
“Your Highness, you’ve returned quite early,” Fu Gui said, noticing Wang Yan’s dusty appearance, concern etched on his face. “Oh dear, your clothes are torn! You should have taken the carriage.”
Wang Yan scanned the surroundings. Perhaps because he had returned home early and unannounced, he did not see Shen Wei waiting for him, nor did he notice any of the other wives or concubines in the residence.
Fu Gui, reading the situation, quickly explained with a smile, “Your Highness, Shen Zhuzi has been taken to Luoyue Lake by Princess Zhaoyang for a short stay. She won’t be back until tomorrow.”
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