Chapter 118
**Chapter 118: Caring for the Elder Brother**
The arrival of Prince Heng was certainly not a good omen.
Prince Yan's gaze sharpened as he told Shen Wei, "Wei Wei, you should return to the Liuli Pavilion first."
Shen Wei nodded obediently, her eyes filled with affection as she looked at Prince Yan. "Then I shall come back tonight to share a meal with you, my lord. Yao'er and I have made some lotus seed pastries to bring for you to taste."
Prince Yan nodded, his eyes softening with warmth. "Alright."
After ensuring her dress and hairpin were perfectly in place, Shen Wei left Prince Yan's main chamber.
As she reached the entrance of the courtyard, she caught sight of Prince Heng, whose face was ashen. Unlike his usual flamboyant attire, today he wore plain clothes and leaned on a cane, limping as he walked, resembling a frail man, as if the words "I am also wounded" were written across his forehead.
Shen Wei did not have a good impression of Prince Heng.
This esteemed prince had deliberately targeted her several times, attempting to undermine Prince Yan through her.
Prince Yan was Shen Wei's treasure. With her golden mountain under attack, it was only natural that she held no fondness for Prince Heng.
Yet, she could not forget the necessary courtesies.
Bending her knee, she politely greeted Prince Heng, "Your Highness, I hope you are well."
Prince Heng raised an eyebrow.
Shen Wei lowered her head slightly, but even so, she could feel Prince Heng's sharp gaze lingering on her, as if trying to see through her.
After a long pause, she finally heard Prince Heng's voice, a mix of mockery and amusement, meant only for her ears: "You scheme and plot, but at most, you'll end up as a mere concubine, utterly foolish."
Shen Wei's thoughts stirred, and she looked up in confusion, her clear, innocent eyes reflecting bewilderment, as if she did not grasp the meaning behind Prince Heng's words.
Prince Heng: ...
You're still pretending! Acting all innocent and naive. If it weren't for the chance encounter that revealed Shen Wei's true nature, he would have been deceived by her facade.
Prince Heng found her foolish. In the royal family, a bit of cleverness was not enough; lineage was paramount. Shen Wei's calculated efforts to win Prince Yan's favor would only allow her to rise to the status of a concubine, at best.
A concubine was merely a slightly elevated mistress, and any children she bore would be raised by the legitimate wife.
"Leave," Prince Heng waved his sleeve.
The steward beside him supported Prince Heng, carefully guiding him toward Prince Yan's main chamber.
Shen Wei discreetly pursed her lips, dismissing Prince Heng from her mind as she turned to leave with her maid.
The wind rustled as they brushed past each other.
...
Prince Heng limped into the main house of the royal residence.
Prince Yan was not in the study but had returned to his bedchamber to "recover." Standing at the door, Prince Heng had not yet entered when he began to call out dramatically, "Second Brother, I was so worried about your injury last night that I couldn't sleep until the early hours, and I even dreamt that you had passed away! Yuan Li is truly distressed!"
Prince Yan remained silent.
With his cane, Prince Heng limped into the room. The scene felt less like a visit to check on Prince Yan's health and more like attending a funeral.
The relationship between Prince Yan and Prince Heng had always been strained. After establishing his own residence as an adult, their interactions had become rare. This was Prince Heng's first visit to Prince Yan's bedchamber, and he had expected it to be as rigid and serious as Prince Yan himself. However, upon entering, he was surprised by what he saw.
The chamber was anything but stiff and solemn; it was rather... cozy?
The light-colored, soft bed curtains swayed gently, and fresh lotus flowers on the table released a delicate fragrance. Sunlight filtered through the window, casting a warm glow on the white jade floor. As Prince Heng walked past the jade screen and approached the bed, he saw Prince Yan reclining there, surrounded by soft, deep green bedding and a plush emerald pillow.
Before officially engaging in court affairs, Prince Yan had been a fierce warrior, spending his days among a group of rough men, indifferent to his own comforts. He wouldn't care whether his pillow was soft or if there were fresh flowers on the table.
What kind of delicate thought would a legitimate wife have?
Clearly, it was Shen Wei who had arranged all of this bit by bit.
Prince Heng felt a mix of emotions; he too desired a thoughtful concubine.
"Second Brother, how is your health?" Prince Heng asked, a warm smile on his face as he tossed his cane aside and opened his arms, ready to embrace Prince Yan.
Prince Yan recoiled, "Stay away from me."
Prince Heng produced a white jade fan from somewhere, fanning himself as he said amiably, "We are half-brothers, after all. It is only natural for a younger brother to care for his elder. Second Brother, do you need assistance in the restroom? Would you like me to help you?"
Prince Yan raised an eyebrow, "You really dare to help?"
Imagining that horrifying scene, Prince Heng abruptly halted his fan's motion.
Not only was he disgusted by others, but he had also grossed himself out.
The brothers' gazes clashed, and they saw murderous intent reflected in each other's eyes.
Prince Yan sighed, "Yuan Li, you were a good child when you were young."
Prince Heng concealed his bitter smile, his tone flat. "Second Brother, there are no good children in the royal family."
Prince Heng stayed in Prince Yan's room for a cup of tea before reluctantly taking his leave. Prince Yan, unable to see him off due to his injury, had the princess leave the Buddhist hall to personally escort this troublesome guest away.
At the entrance of Prince Yan's residence.
Prince Heng leaned on his cane, reluctant to part. "Second Sister-in-law, please take good care of Second Brother. I even brought some gifts for him—these chrysanthemums, fragrant and lovely, will surely elevate the ambiance of the room."
The steward brought forth two large pots of blooming white chrysanthemums.
Prince Heng continued to chatter earnestly, "I have a mild poison, and I am no longer in danger. But Second Brother has a deeper poison, which I hear can easily lead to weakness in men. I specially prepared some tonics to strengthen the kidneys and boost vitality; make sure to have Second Brother try them when you can."
The steward brought forth a pile of medicine.
The princess: ...
Prince Heng seemed to casually mention, "If the toxins remain in the body for too long, Second Brother's health will surely suffer. If he were to unexpectedly pass away, my two nephews would inherit his position. Second Sister-in-law, you have raised those boys well; they will surely uphold the reputation of the Yan family."
The princess's expression shifted slightly.
She was not foolish; she could see through Prince Heng's attempts to sow discord. Although she had many grievances against Prince Yan, they were still husband and wife, their fates intertwined. She would never be deceived by Prince Heng's words.
With a polite smile, she replied coolly, "It's getting late, Prince Heng. You should return early; I won't see you off."
Prince Heng leaned on the steward's arm, limping back to his carriage. The luxurious black carriage of Prince Heng rolled away, the setting sun casting a gentle golden glow.
Inside the carriage.
The steward asked in confusion, "Your Highness, your attempts to sow discord are rather shallow; the Yan princess isn't buying it at all."
Prince Heng lounged lazily on the soft couch, popping a sweet ice grape into his mouth. "My second sister-in-law is short-sighted, jealous without realizing it, petty, and vengeful. To kill someone doesn't require sophisticated methods. Many clever people have fallen to fools."
The steward understood; he was cultivating the Yan princess as a hidden assassin.
Could Prince Yan defend against the open and hidden arrows of the court, but also against the ill intentions of someone so close?
The Yan princess might not heed Prince Heng's "whispers" now. But if one day a conflict arose between her and Prince Yan, under the influence of strong negative emotions, she would surely recall Prince Heng's divisive words.
The steward admired, "Your Highness is brilliant!"
Prince Heng changed the subject, leisurely saying, "When will you bring me the concubine I asked you to find?"
The steward sighed, smiling wryly. "Your Highness, I've searched everywhere, but I still haven't found a suitable one. Among the dark guards you keep, there are a few female assassins who can sing and butcher pigs... how about bringing them into the residence?"
On the bustling street, Prince Heng's luxurious black carriage stopped in the middle of the road.
With a loud thud, the steward was kicked out of the carriage, landing on his back.
...
...
At the border, in Liangzhou City.
An urgent imperial edict, sent at great speed, arrived at the General's residence in Liangzhou.
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