Chapter 104
**Chapter 104: The Return of the Yan Wang to the Fangfei Garden**
Cai Ping was deeply worried. The emotional fluctuations of a pregnant woman could greatly affect the fetus. Shen Wei was currently less than two months along, the most unstable period of her pregnancy.
What if Shen Wei became too distressed and it led to a miscarriage? What would they do then?
Cai Ping felt anxious, but Shen Wei was completely at ease.
“It’s fine,” Shen Wei said with a carefree smile.
With the Yan Wang not visiting her, Shen Wei felt much lighter. She didn’t have to suffer through the evening with her mouth and limbs in pain, and she could go to bed early.
When the Yan Wang came to see her, she had to expend effort to serve him, reading his moods and playing the role of a charming confidante, only to end up exhausted and sore.
A man with such vigor was the hardest to please.
Shen Wei didn’t need the Yan Wang’s exclusive affection, nor did she crave his undivided love. In an era of concubines and secondary wives, seeking love was akin to asking for trouble; it was far more practical to seek wealth.
As long as the Yan Wang held a place for her in his heart and could provide her with stable wealth and resources, she would be satisfied.
Shen Wei licked her lips, recalling a dish she had long craved. She instructed Cai Ping, “Have the kitchen prepare a bowl of sweet osmanthus rice pudding with plenty of crushed ice for tonight.”
It was quite hot this evening, and a heavy rain was expected. With the Yan Wang not coming to her, she could secretly indulge in a refreshing bowl of icy dessert.
Seeing Shen Wei so unconcerned, Cai Ping could only nod helplessly. “I’ll go tell the kitchen right away.”
...
Fangfei Garden.
Xiang Er was trembling with anxiety as she watched the Yan Wang stroll through the small courtyard.
Since Xiang Er arrived at the Yan Wang’s residence, she had often been bullied by the servants, and her daily meals were barely enough to fill her stomach. In the royal household, a concubine without favor was of lower status than the servants.
Her parents, who favored sons over daughters, had sold her to a tavern for money. The servants in the palace tormented her, and she was in unbearable despair. Unable to endure this hopeless life any longer, she had attempted to end her sorrowful existence by jumping into the water last night. Fortunately, Liu Mama, who was passing by the pond, had someone pull her out.
Liu Mama sighed and told Xiang Er, “If you dare to die, why not fight for something instead? You have a pretty face; find a way to meet the Wang Ye, and you might win his favor. If you have a child, you’ll have a foothold in the palace.”
Perhaps Liu Mama’s words had an effect.
The next day, Xiang Er perked up, dressing herself up and waiting in the garden for the Yan Wang. As dusk fell, the Yan Wang, accompanied by his guards, passed through the garden. Xiang Er’s heart raced as she trembled and bowed to him.
This was her first close encounter with the Yan Wang.
He was tall and handsome, with a commanding presence that reminded Xiang Er of the fierce guardian deities depicted at the village temple gates.
“Your servant... your servant pays her respects to the Wang Ye,” Xiang Er stammered, her voice shaking.
The Yan Wang did not pause in his stride.
As he was about to disappear from her sight, Xiang Er felt a surge of urgency. She wracked her brain, recalling the flirty widow from her village. Whenever the widow wanted to attract a man, she would stand at her door, waving a bright red peony handkerchief, asking passing men if they were thirsty.
If a man replied, “I am thirsty,” the widow would smile and invite him inside.
Xiang Er mimicked the widow’s demeanor and tone, timidly saying, “Wang Ye, your servant... your servant has brewed tea in Fangfei Garden. Would you care for a cup to quench your thirst?”
Somehow, her words struck a chord with the Yan Wang, and he stopped.
What followed felt like a surreal dream; she had actually invited the Yan Wang into her humble Fangfei Garden!
Standing under the eaves of Fangfei Garden, Xiang Er watched as the Yan Wang paused by the overgrown vegetable patch. She was puzzled; it was his first visit to her courtyard, yet he didn’t enter the house, merely wandering about the garden?
He kept staring at the neglected vegetable patch—what could that mean?
But Xiang Er didn’t have the courage to ask, her hands nervously twisting together.
“Wang Ye, dinner time has arrived,” finally reminded the steward, Fu Gui, in a soft voice. “Shall we have the kitchen send dinner to Fangfei Garden?”
The Yan Wang nodded. “Yes.”
Xiang Er let out a long sigh of relief.
As night fell, the main house of Fangfei Garden was lit with bright candlelight. Plates of exquisite and delicious food were placed on the table, and Xiang Er swallowed hard, her mouth watering.
She came from a poor background but had never seen such a lavish spread! The Yan Wang didn’t touch his chopsticks, and naturally, Xiang Er didn’t dare to either.
The Yan Wang scanned the room. Although the candles provided light, the decor was quite rough.
He remembered how, when Shen Wei lived in Fangfei Garden, the windows were clean, and the furnishings were exquisite. The garden was free of weeds, and the vegetable seedlings were neatly arranged, giving the entire place a vibrant feel.
Today, after court, he had intended to visit Shen Wei again. But as he passed through the garden and heard someone mention “Fangfei Garden,” it stirred up memories for him.
He had returned to Fangfei Garden, a place of nostalgia.
Yet, in just a few short months, Fangfei Garden had lost its former luster. The food on the dinner table was not to his taste. If Shen Wei were here, she would have prepared the most suitable dishes for him.
Unbeknownst to him, Shen Wei had spoiled his palate.
“Clatter.”
The Yan Wang, disinterested, set down his chopsticks and stood up. “Let’s go to Liuli Pavilion.”
Fu Gui bowed respectfully. “This servant will lead the way.”
Fu Gui sighed inwardly; the Yan Wang’s heart was still with Shen Wei. Beautiful faces were a dime a dozen, but a soul as intriguing as Shen Wei’s was rare and hard to find.
Xiang Er was at a loss, so she set down her chopsticks and followed the Yan Wang out.
Standing at the entrance of Fangfei Garden, she gazed at the tall figure of the man as he walked away, feeling a bit dazed.
She stumbled back into the house, staring at the table full of food. Unable to contain herself, she picked up her chopsticks and began to eat heartily.
Delicious!
Sweet pastries, rich yet not greasy braised pork, sweet corn ribs, and tender roasted meat—she had never tasted anything so delightful!
“Congratulations, Miss,” the two maidservants attending Xiang Er changed their previously indifferent attitudes, stepping forward to serve her respectfully.
One offered her dishes, while the other poured her tea.
Although the Yan Wang hadn’t stayed overnight in Fangfei Garden, he had left his mark. This at least indicated that he had taken notice of Xiang Er.
Now that Shen Wei, the most favored in the inner court, was pregnant and unable to serve the Yan Wang, he, a young and vigorous man, had needs that Shen Wei could not fulfill. Xiang Er was perfectly positioned to fill that gap.
Xiang Er had a good chance of becoming the next favored concubine.
Before long, a young eunuch from the storeroom brought in two boxes containing overdue supplies for Fangfei Garden, including mosquito coils, cool blankets, and bed curtains. In recent days, Xiang Er had not been favored, and the monthly silver meant for Fangfei Garden had been withheld.
Now that Xiang Er showed signs of rising in status, these people hurried to curry favor.
“Miss, please enjoy your dinner first; I’ll light the mosquito coils right away,” the maidservant said, her tone obsequious as she busily lit the coils.
Xiang Er sat dazed at the table.
She looked at the table full of delicacies, then at the bountiful supplies from the storeroom, and finally at the two fawning servants. A sense of unprecedented satisfaction surged within her.
As the eldest daughter in her family, she had been raised in a household that favored sons over daughters, where her newborn brother was treated like a deity while she was treated like a servant.
Xiang Er never expected that after coming to the Wang’s residence, she would live a life that her brother could only dream of—being served, with food brought to her and clothes handed to her.
This feeling was strange, like a stone thrown into the lake of her heart, creating ripples. Xiang Er pondered, was this what it meant to be a favored concubine in the Wang’s residence?
When she first entered the Wang’s residence, she had secretly peeked at the Liuli Pavilion: such a grand and luxurious house, such a spacious courtyard, and the beautiful Shen Wei.
That was a height she could only aspire to.
“Miss, you must find a way to conceive the Wang Ye’s child soon,” the maidservant whispered in Xiang Er’s ear.
Suddenly, a desire surged within Xiang Er; she wanted to replace Shen Wei and find a way to bear a son for the Wang Ye. As long as she had a son, she would surely live a life of comfort for the rest of her days.
The once simple and innocent look in Xiang Er’s eyes slowly filled with greed. She had heard that Shen Wei also came from a humble farming background; if Shen Wei could gain favor, then surely Xiang Er could too.
She murmured to herself, her smile widening, “Yes, I want to have a son. Heaven, please bless me and let Shen Wei give birth to a useless daughter.”
Just like her parents had said in the past: daughters are of no use, sons are precious.
She, Wang Zhao Di—oh no, she now had a more beautiful name, Xiang Er—was determined to become the favored concubine of the Wang’s residence! No longer would she endure the hardships of her past life.
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