Chapter 114
**Chapter 114: The Queen Visits the Yan Wang Fu**
The Yan Wang was poisoned and injured, recuperating in the royal residence. He wished to focus on his recovery, so he had turned away all visitors for the first few days of his illness.
Except for the Queen.
It was said that the Queen was anxious to the point of nearly fainting. On the morning of the second day, she hurriedly left the palace to visit her youngest son at the Yan Wang Fu.
The Queen's visit was a significant event.
The Wang Fei rose early, and the side consorts had already dressed up, all heading to the entrance of the Wang Fu to welcome her. Before the Queen's golden carriage arrived, Mama Liu leaned in and whispered to the Wang Fei, “Wang Fei, should we call for Shen from the Liuli Pavilion?”
Shen Wei had appeared before the Queen a few times and had received generous rewards from her, so she should be present to greet the Queen.
But the Wang Fei simply shook her head lightly. “No need.”
What right did a mere concubine have to welcome the Queen? Even if Shen Wei were to become a secondary consort in the future, she would still lack the qualifications to face the Queen’s radiant presence. With this thought, the Wang Fei felt a sense of relief.
At the hour of the snake, the sound of a grand procession echoed outside the Wang Fu— the Queen had arrived! The golden curtains were lifted, and the Queen, supported by Mama Qian, stepped down from her palanquin.
The Queen wore a frown, her eyes heavy with worry. She glanced over the Wang Fei and the others at the entrance and casually raised her hand. “You may rise. I’m here to see Yuanjing.”
The Wang Fei forced a smile, her heart racing. “Mother, allow me to escort you.”
The Queen did not visit the Yan Wang Fu often.
As they made their way to the main residence, the Queen’s keen eyes discreetly observed the surroundings. The order within the Yan Wang Fu was relatively stable; the servants were diligently performing their duties, and the flowers and trees along the path were neatly trimmed. The buildings showed no signs of neglect, and the Queen felt a sense of satisfaction with the Wang Fei’s management.
It seemed the Wang Fei had finally heeded advice and was managing the Wang Fu quite well.
The Queen couldn’t help but think that if the Wang Fei could shoulder the responsibilities of the household, perhaps in the future, when the Yan Wang ascended the throne, she would be a capable and supportive consort.
They soon arrived at the main residence where the Yan Wang was recuperating.
Upon entering, the Queen was greeted by a faint medicinal scent. In the outer room, various ointments and herbs for healing were neatly arranged, and the imperial physician resided in a nearby wing, ready to attend to the Yan Wang at any moment. The maidservants were orderly in taking away the soiled bedding, while the guards chased away the noisy cicadas from the trees in the courtyard.
The Yan Wang’s recovery environment was excellent.
The Queen felt even more pleased. As a patient, the Yan Wang required a meticulous environment for his recovery. She had expected the Wang Fei to be negligent, but to her surprise, the Wang Fei had taken her responsibilities seriously and cared for the Yan Wang well.
The Yan Wang had just awakened and eaten a light breakfast.
When the Queen entered the room, she noticed the remnants of breakfast on the maidservant’s tray—foods beneficial for wound recovery. The Queen felt a sense of comfort; the Wang Fei had even thought to adjust the diet, showing her dedication.
The Queen quietly approached the bedside. The Yan Wang’s face was pale, his lips lacking color, and dark circles under his eyes indicated a restless night.
“Mother,” the Yan Wang croaked, greeting her.
Seeing his sickly appearance, the Queen’s heart ached with compassion. In earlier years, she had poured most of her affection into the Crown Prince, neglecting the Yan Wang; later, when the Crown Prince fell gravely ill, her thoughts remained with him.
Now, reflecting on it, she felt guilt towards both her sons, a debt that seemed impossible to repay.
The Queen gently patted the Yan Wang’s hand, her voice filled with warmth. “Take good care of yourself; I’ve brought some excellent medicinal herbs.”
“Thank you, Mother,” the Yan Wang replied.
The two chatted for a while until a subordinate presented a report from the border. The Yan Wang’s injury was not severe, and he leaned back against the bed to read the report.
Watching the Yan Wang’s focused expression, the Queen sighed inwardly. With the Crown Prince and the Emperor both unwell, most of the pressing state affairs had fallen to the Yan Wang. He did not shy away from the responsibility, which was reassuring.
Not wanting to disturb him further, the Queen left the main room. Instead of departing immediately, she decided to take a stroll to the Wang Fei’s Kunyuyuan.
...
Once the three side consorts had withdrawn, the Queen and the Wang Fei walked back to Kunyuyuan. Before they reached the entrance, the Queen caught a whiff of a strong sandalwood incense, the kind that lingered from long-term burning, making her feel slightly dizzy.
The Queen couldn’t help but frown.
She simply couldn’t understand why the Wang Fei, a young woman in her twenties, should live with such solemnity. Yet, she seemed to burn incense and worship like an old woman every day.
Upon entering Kunyuyuan, the Queen looked around. The trees in the courtyard were tall, their lush green leaves piled thickly, while the maidservants and eunuchs wore blank expressions. The deep brown courtyard door led into a dim space. The somber atmosphere was even gloomier than the Queen’s own Kunning Palace. The Queen sighed silently; no wonder the Yan Wang was reluctant to come here.
With such a heavy incense smell and the dreary architecture, anyone would feel stifled after a while.
“Mother, please have some tea.” Inside the main room, the Wang Fei respectfully offered a cup of warm tea.
At the end of summer, the weather remained sultry. Although there was an ice basin to cool the room, the Queen had no desire for hot tea. She took a light sip and asked the Wang Fei, “Yuanjing is recovering well; you’ve managed the Wang Fu quite well.”
The Queen had always been one to reward merit and punish faults.
With the Yan Wang bedridden, the Wang Fei had organized the preparations for his care very well, even thinking to have the guards chase away the cicadas outside to prevent their noise from disturbing his rest—such thoughtfulness was commendable.
The Wang Fei was momentarily taken aback, her nose tingling with emotion; it had been a long time since she had heard praise from the Queen.
“Thank you for your kind words, Mother,” the Wang Fei replied, touched.
The Queen smiled gently. “As the head of the household, you must not be idle. As long as you fulfill your responsibilities, I will naturally be pleased.”
After a pause, the Queen inquired, “With autumn approaching, how is the harvest in the fields? Are the crops thriving? Any pest issues?”
The Wang Fei was caught off guard by the question.
She had been so busy with her prayers and caring for her two sons that she had no time to manage the estates.
Stammering, she replied, “I... I’m not quite sure about that. If you wish to inquire, perhaps you could summon the steward, Fu Gui.”
The smile on the Queen’s face faded.
Managing the household’s finances and lands was one of the primary responsibilities of the head of the household. The Wang Fei’s bewildered and hesitant expression clearly indicated her complete ignorance of the farming and cultivation situation at the Yan Wang Fu.
And she was going to delegate this work to a steward!
No matter how loyal Fu Gui was, he was still an outsider! Who could guarantee he wouldn’t line his own pockets?
The Queen felt a surge of frustration. She opened her mouth to reprimand the Wang Fei but ultimately held her tongue. This was Kunyuyuan, the Wang Fei’s residence; if the Queen scolded her in front of everyone, it would tarnish the reputation of the entire Wang Fu.
“I will go see Yao’er; you need not follow,” the Queen said, rising with disappointment in her eyes.
The Wang Fei was at a loss, nervously escorting the Queen out of the courtyard. Watching the Queen’s procession leave, her eyes turned red.
Her mother’s temper was unpredictable, sometimes warm and gentle, other times harsh and intimidating—truly difficult to fathom.
...
When the Queen arrived at Li Yao’s courtyard, she was greeted by a refreshing fragrance.
“Grandson pays respects to Grandmother,” Li Yao exclaimed, rushing out joyfully to greet the Queen.
The little girl was clever and sweet-tongued, and the Queen was very fond of her.
Noticing the flour dust on Li Yao’s nose, the Queen smiled and asked, “Yao’er, what are you up to? Your face is all dirty like a little kitten.”
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