Chapter 107
**Chapter 107: The Unfathomable Heart of Man**
The day after Yan Wang visited her, the number of servants trying to curry favor with Xiang'er increased dramatically. Even the Wangfei had sent rewards through Liu Mama, acknowledging her service.
Having endured countless hardships since childhood, constantly belittled and humiliated by her parents, Xiang'er was now struck by an overwhelming wave of wealth and luxury. As she gazed at the silks, satin, jade hairpins, and emeralds sent to her, her vanity swelled.
She even felt that soon she would stand on equal footing with Shen Wei and would eventually move into a grand courtyard.
Shen Wei smiled lightly, “I’m just visiting family outside the palace.”
Xiang'er beamed, deliberately brushing her fingers over the jade hairpin in her hair. “Sister, you’re visiting family dressed so plainly. Didn’t the Wangfei send you any rewards?”
Shen Wei: ...
After observing Xiang'er for a moment, Shen Wei realized that Xiang'er was quite simple-minded. Perhaps the Wangfei had brought her into the palace precisely because of her “naivety.”
Not bothering to respond, Shen Wei turned and left the Wangfu with Cai Lian. Xiang'er pouted, clearly displeased. “I’m a concubine, and so is she. How dare she give me the cold shoulder?”
A nearby maid quickly chimed in, “Don’t take it to heart, my lady. Shen Wei is pregnant; she can’t serve the Wangye with a big belly. Why don’t you wait at the entrance tonight and lead the Wangye to Fangfei Garden? Let’s see how smug Shen Wei can be then.”
Xiang'er was filled with confidence. “Sounds good.”
After all, they were both women; it was all the same in bed.
Yan Wang was vigorous, and serving him was quite demanding for Xiang'er. But as long as she could win his favor, a little hardship was worth it.
Xiang'er continued, “Why does Shen Wei get to visit her family directly? I want to go see mine too.”
Now adorned in gold and silver, with no worries about food or clothing, she wanted to return home and show off to her parents.
The maid hesitated, “The Wangye has granted Shen Wei special permission to leave the palace. If you want to go out, you’ll need the Wangfei’s approval.”
Xiang'er thought for a moment, dismissively saying, “Next time the Wangye comes to see me, I’ll ask him for the same privilege.”
...
The carriage rolled quietly to a stop in front of Wang Shu Inn. Shen Wei, wearing a white veil hat, entered a private room in the tavern.
“Boss,” Ye Qiushuang had received word and was already waiting in the room.
Shen Wei took a seat. “Did you bring the contract?”
Ye Qiushuang nodded. “I have everything.”
Shen Wei handed her a list of ingredients for a foundation powder. “Gather these materials and make the powder according to the steps. Package it in small boxes as gifts for the female customers who come to Wei Yan Ji for desserts. Collect their feedback after they use it, and we’ll refine it gradually.”
Ye Qiushuang, quick-witted, immediately guessed Shen Wei’s intention. “Are you planning to open a cosmetics shop?”
Shen Wei nodded. “If it proves effective, then we can open a store.”
Ye Qiushuang carefully tucked away the list of ingredients, excitement bubbling within her. Her greatest passion was business; seeing the shop expand day by day and the business thrive brought her a unique sense of fulfillment.
After brewing tea and waiting a moment, the female merchant brought in Shen Qiang, who was carrying a basket of vegetables.
Shen Qiang had worked hard for years, her face tanned and marked with scars that couldn’t be hidden, her hair wrapped in a piece of blue cloth. Her hands were rough and cracked, resembling the bark of a dry tree, with dirt lodged beneath her nails.
She looked every bit the farmer.
“Zhang Jie, is this lady here to buy the vegetables I grew?” Shen Qiang clutched her basket, her expression anxious and wary.
The female merchant smiled warmly. “You chat with her; I’ll wait outside.”
The merchant turned and left.
Shen Qiang nervously glanced at the two women seated at the main table. One wore a white veil hat that obscured her true face, exuding an extraordinary aura; the other was dressed in red, her eyes sharp and discerning.
Shen Qiang bit her lip, cautiously speaking, “Ladies, these are the greens I’ve grown. You can take a look.”
She set down the basket and pulled out two heads of green vegetables.
The greens were vibrant, with large leaves and a sweet aroma.
Shen Wei picked up one of the greens, praising, “No pests on the leaves; they’re growing splendidly.”
Ye Qiushuang examined the greens closely, her eyes reflecting admiration.
The sisters hadn’t seen each other in years, and Shen Wei lowered her voice intentionally, so Shen Qiang didn’t recognize her.
Shen Qiang humbly replied, “I learned to farm alongside my father when I was young. He was knowledgeable and taught me many techniques.”
Shen Wei shifted the conversation. “You’re quite talented; managing half an acre of land is indeed beneath your abilities. I have several acres of good land in Nanshan, with over a hundred tenants. Miss Shen, I’d like to sign a contract with you to help manage the vegetables and fruit trees on my land. I’ll pay you monthly.”
Shen Qiang was taken aback.
Manage someone else’s land?
In Yan Jing, where officials and nobles were abundant, everyone had their own estates. These lands were either managed by the matriarch or by trusted servants.
But this veiled noblewoman was asking her, a mere farmer, to manage it?
Shen Qiang was naturally tempted. After being dismissed, she had nothing to her name. Now back with her mother and brother, living off them felt burdensome, and she wanted to help ease her mother’s worries.
But what if this noblewoman was a fraud...
Shen Wei sensed her hesitation and calmly said, “We’ll establish a contract, registered with the government, ensuring there’s no deception. I’ll pay you two taels of silver each month. If the harvest is abundant, there will be additional rewards.”
Shen Qiang was stunned.
Two taels of silver!
How long would she have to sell vegetables to earn that much?
Shen Wei continued, “My status is special, making it inconvenient for me to go out often, which is why I need someone to help manage the land. A few days ago, my cousin fainted outside the Wen Temple, and you carried her to the clinic, even covering her medical expenses. Clearly, you are a kind-hearted girl.”
Shen Qiang recalled that she had indeed saved a little girl a few days ago.
Her suspicions eased significantly.
Shen Wei added, “I heard from the merchant that your mother weaves cloth at the Wen Temple, and your brother is studying hard. If you manage my land, the wages you earn can help support your family.”
Thinking of her mother weaving daily and her sister trapped in the Wangfu, Shen Qiang felt a pang in her heart.
She gritted her teeth and nodded. “Shen Qiang is willing to sign the contract with you, my lady.”
That was the response Shen Wei had been waiting for.
Ye Qiushuang took out the prepared contract, two copies. Shen Qiang could read and had signed contracts before; she carefully reviewed the document twice, ensuring there were no oversights before signing.
Of course, to avoid detection, the contract was signed in Ye Qiushuang’s name.
Otherwise, if Shen Qiang saw “Shen Wei” at the bottom, she would likely guess Shen Wei’s identity.
Shen Wei instructed, “Ye Zhanggui, take Shen Qiang to the government office to register the contract. Then take her to the back mountain of Nanshan and show her the list of the land and tenants she’ll be managing, so she can familiarize herself with the situation.”
Ye Qiushuang nodded. “Rest assured, Boss, I’ll handle it properly.”
After everything was settled, Shen Wei discreetly left the inn and took a carriage back to the Wangfu. Inside the carriage, Cai Ping was puzzled. “My lady, why didn’t you reveal your identity to Shen Qiang?”
Cai Ping had expected Shen Wei to remove her veil and show her true face.
Shen Wei replied nonchalantly, “The more people know, the greater the risk.”
What if Shen Qiang blabbed about Shen Wei’s several acres of land and her shop to Shen Mu and her brother Shen Xiuming?
Would Shen Xiuming still be motivated to study hard?
Even a one-in-a-million risk was too great for Shen Wei to take; the human heart was the hardest to fathom.
The carriage moved slowly, making its way back to the Wangfu. As soon as Shen Wei stepped into the backyard, she found the place in chaos, the atmosphere heavy, as if the sky had fallen.
Cai Lian inquired and soon learned some bad news!
Today, Yan Wang and Heng Wang had gone to the Ministry of War together. Unexpectedly, they were ambushed on the way; Heng Wang was shot in the thigh, and Yan Wang was hit in the left shoulder. Both had fallen unconscious!
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