Chapter 117
**Chapter 117: She Only Feels Pain for the Prince**
The princess was unfazed, even dismissive in her tone. “No matter how much Mother Empress values the Shen family, it won’t change their humble origins. The Shen family can never replace my position as the princess. Liu Mama, could you check in the kitchen? Is the chicken soup for Chengke and Chengzhen ready?”
Compared to Shen Wei and the Yan Wang, the princess was far more concerned about the chicken soup for her children. They were her support. As long as her children could grow up to be capable and inherit their father’s legacy, Shen Wei was nothing to worry about.
...
In the afternoon, Shen Wei went to visit the Yan Wang in the main house, empty-handed.
“Master, shouldn’t we bring a pot of Fu Ling chicken soup?” Cai Lian whispered, following Shen Wei closely.
Shen Wei shook her head. “No need. It’s too hot in summer; soup is too rich.” Besides, the imperial physician had advised that the Yan Wang should take it easy while recovering, not overindulge.
As Shen Wei and Cai Lian approached the main house, they spotted two figures at the gate. It was the concubine Xiang’er and her maid, with Xiang’er holding a food box, arguing with the guards at the entrance.
“I want to see the prince!” Xiang’er exclaimed angrily.
The guard remained expressionless. “The prince is recovering and cannot be disturbed.”
Xiang’er retorted, “I’m the prince’s concubine. He’s injured, and I’ve brought chicken soup to care for him. What’s the problem?”
The guard still refused to budge, and Xiang’er was so furious she nearly charged inside. Her treatment had been getting worse lately; her daily rations were reduced, and the maids were increasingly indifferent to her.
Xiang’er was unwilling to accept this. Having tasted the sweetness of wealth and privilege, she didn’t want to return to the bleak, desperate days of her past. Moreover, she had sent most of her rewards home to support her family.
With the financial aid, Xiang’er finally felt a sense of pride in front of her parents, receiving their praise. They hoped she would continue sending money each month to improve her brother’s living conditions. Now, without access to the prince and his affection, how could she send money home?
Xiang’er had to find a way to get close to the Yan Wang. Today, she had specially asked the kitchen to prepare chicken soup to bring to him. Naturally, the kitchen couldn’t refuse and complied.
But upon arriving at the main house, she couldn’t even get through the gate.
In her moment of despair, she suddenly noticed the two guards who had been harsh with her now greeting her respectfully. “Greetings, Miss Shen.”
Shen Wei had arrived.
Shen Wei smiled lightly. “I’m here to see the prince.”
The guards quickly stepped aside. “Please, Miss Shen.”
Xiang’er watched in disbelief. She and Shen Wei were both concubines of equal status; why could Shen Wei walk in without hindrance?
Shen Wei walked gracefully into the main house, and Cai Lian discreetly pulled out two pieces of silver, cheerfully handing them to the guards. “It’s hot today; you two have worked hard. Here’s a little something for tea.”
The guards thanked her repeatedly, gratefully accepting the silver.
Xiang’er fell silent, realizing it was all about money.
Grinding her teeth, Xiang’er took out the last two pieces of silver from her pouch and offered them to the guards. “I’ll pay too! Let me in to see the prince.”
The guards waved her off.
One guard’s expression turned cold. “It’s not about the silver. Please don’t make this harder for us.”
Shen Wei could enter freely because the Yan Wang wanted to see her. Even if Shen Wei’s maid hadn’t offered a bribe, the guards would still respectfully let her in.
Xiang’er couldn’t fathom the deeper reason and thought the guards looked down on her. Her eyes reddened with grievance as she glared at Shen Wei’s slender figure disappearing inside.
Shen Wei wore a light purple palace dress, her sleeves flowing gracefully. Though her pregnancy hadn’t yet shown, her waist was delicate and slender. Just her silhouette was enough to exude an indescribable elegance.
Xiang’er looked down at her own attire, dressed in what she believed to be the finest clothes, adorned with what she thought was the best hairpin. Yet, standing next to Shen Wei, she felt like a poor imitation.
Why was it that they were both peasant girls, yet Shen Wei had such an air about her?
Xiang’er couldn’t understand and sighed over her misfortune. She turned away, clutching the food box, tears of frustration streaming down her cheeks.
As she walked, she wiped her tears and cursed, “Shen family, so what if you’re favored? I curse you to bear a useless daughter! I curse you to become a faded, haggard woman!”
...
...
In the main house, the Yan Wang was not lying in bed recovering. He had always been healthy, skilled in archery and horsemanship, and his physique was naturally robust. A mere arrow wound didn’t affect him at all.
The Yan Wang was practicing swordplay in the courtyard, wielding his sword with vigor.
He dedicated a little time each day to martial arts training, ensuring that his mind wouldn’t be too fatigued when he was busy with official duties.
Shen Wei stood under the eaves, watching as the Yan Wang wielded his sword with impressive prowess.
He looked quite handsome.
The Yan Wang wasn’t wearing an outer robe; a white bandage was wrapped around his left shoulder, revealing his chiseled abs. As he moved, beads of sweat trickled down from his shoulder and neck, gliding over his firm abdomen—a sight to behold.
Shen Wei couldn’t help but sigh inwardly; in a way, both she and the Yan Wang were “overachievers,” each in their own way.
After finishing his sword practice, Shen Wei descended the steps, tiptoeing to wipe the sweat from the Yan Wang’s brow.
“Aren’t you afraid of straining your injury?” Shen Wei chided lightly, her tone tinged with helplessness.
She didn’t stop the Yan Wang from practicing. As a fellow overachiever, Shen Wei understood that those like them disliked being interrupted in their pursuits.
The Yan Wang’s voice was low and husky. “Change my bandage.”
Shen Wei’s cheeks flushed a rosy hue. “Alright…”
The maid brought in the ointment and regular clothes, then quietly withdrew. Shen Wei used scissors to cut the blood-stopping bandage, dampened a cloth, and gently wiped the sweat from the Yan Wang’s body, her movements delicate.
The arrow wound wasn’t deep, but the injury had formed a thin scab, showing a disturbing shade of deep purple that looked quite unsettling.
As Shen Wei applied the ointment, tears began to well up in her eyes. A pang of sorrow hit her, and a single tear fell, landing perfectly on the Yan Wang’s hand.
It felt as if his heart had been brushed by a soft feather, filled with both tenderness and gratitude.
Who else but his Wei Wei would shed tears for his safety?
Shen Wei’s tearful expression was truly heart-wrenching, like a delicate flower. The Yan Wang wiped away the tear from the corner of her eye, speaking softly, “Don’t cry. I’m fine; I can still wield my sword.”
Shen Wei’s voice was muffled, her eyes glistening with tears. “I know you’re fine, but it just pains me to see you like this…”
While other wives and concubines remained indifferent to the Yan Wang’s injury, hiding their concern deep within, Shen Wei was the only one who truly felt for him.
Who could resist a woman whose heart and eyes were filled with love for him?
Certainly, the Yan Wang couldn’t.
After gently finishing the bandaging, Shen Wei carefully dressed him in loose clothing. Just as she was about to rise to fetch tea, the Yan Wang grasped her slender wrist. Shen Wei gasped softly, finding herself seated in his strong embrace, his warm breath brushing against her ear.
“Your Highness?” Shen Wei’s beautiful eyes widened in surprise. When she looked up, she saw the flames burning in the Yan Wang’s dark eyes.
Shen Wei was speechless.
Even changing a bandage could spark such feelings; in his past life, he must have been a teddy bear.
Nestled softly in the Yan Wang’s embrace, Shen Wei contemplated whether to yield to him. Just then, a eunuch’s respectful voice came from outside:
“Your Highness, Prince Heng has arrived.”
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