Chapter 130
**Chapter 130: Shen Wei is His Understanding Flower**
The princess felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave, staring incredulously at her husband before her, unable to believe such heartless words could come from his lips.
“Your Highness, I have exhausted myself for the sake of our child. If I occasionally falter, you cannot treat me this way!” The princess was astonished.
The Yan Wang's eyes were filled with even more disdain; he didn’t want to hear another word from her and swept away with a flick of his sleeve.
The princess's knees buckled, and she stumbled to the ground.
In a panic, she grasped at the air, her fingers finally clutching onto Liu Mama's arm, as if it were a lifeline. “Liu Mama, is the Wang going to divorce me for those lowly concubines?”
The princess could hardly believe she was awake.
Liu Mama helped her back inside, offering comfort. “My lady, the Wang is just speaking out of anger. You come from the Dantai family, your status is noble, and you have two sons. No one can shake your position; the Wang will not divorce you.”
The princess felt as if a needle were piercing her heart, her mind buzzing with emptiness.
She racked her brain, murmuring to herself, “Someone must have complained to the Wang... Yes, it must be Yao'er! I scolded her just now, and she went to the Wang to complain, and now he’s taking it out on me. That wretched girl, I shouldn’t have given birth to her!”
Tears streamed down the princess's face, and she threw her prayer beads into the snow with a clatter, a torrent of emotions surging within her.
Liu Mama, still holding onto her rationality, advised, “My lady, the urgent matter is to ensure the concubines in the rear courtyard have enough charcoal to keep warm. If a life is lost, the Wang may again turn his anger towards you.”
The princess rubbed her temples and said, “Call for Chief Steward Fu Gui. I need to ask him what kind of business he’s been handling!”
...
...
The snow fell endlessly through the night.
Flakes piled lightly on the umbrella. Beneath it, the Yan Wang felt utterly exhausted.
His mind flickered between thoughts of the snow disaster affecting the northern peasants, the frost harming the mulberry crops, and the initial success of the court’s relief efforts; and the unreasonable tantrums of Liu Ru Yan, and the princess's negligence.
His head throbbed.
Until the little eunuch holding the umbrella reminded him, “Your Highness, we’ve arrived at the Liuli Pavilion.”
The Yan Wang instinctively looked up.
On this frigid, snow-laden night, the doors of the Liuli Pavilion stood open, two warm carp lanterns hanging from the eaves. In the warm yellow light, Shen Wei stood at the entrance, wrapped in a thick fox fur cloak, holding a hot water bottle, peering out.
Seeing the Yan Wang return through the snow, a warm smile spread across Shen Wei's face. “Your Highness, you’re back.”
In the bitter cold, only Shen Wei felt like a source of warmth.
Her gentle, soothing voice fell on the Yan Wang’s ears, melting away much of his accumulated fatigue.
The Yan Wang’s heart stirred.
He suddenly understood the life he yearned for: he would shoulder the weight of the world outside, worry about state affairs, and solidify his position in the court of the Qing Kingdom. Upon returning home, a woman who loved him would be waiting, freeing him from the trivial matters of the inner courtyard, allowing them to share heartfelt conversations at night and sleep entwined.
It was a simple longing, yet one he had been unable to attain for many years.
“Your Highness, your hands are so cold.” Shen Wei stepped forward, pressing the warm water bottle into his hands, then brushed the snow off his shoulders, and naturally took his icy hand, leading him back into the Liuli Pavilion.
Inside, it was warm.
Shen Wei wanted to help the Yan Wang out of his damp cloak, but he held her hand. “I can manage myself.”
Shen Wei, heavily pregnant, had braved the cold wind and snow to wait for his return. The Yan Wang felt touched and didn’t want her to suffer further by assisting him with changing clothes.
After changing into his nightclothes and soaking his feet in warm water, they lay together on the bed, fully clothed.
In the winter chill, Shen Wei had made the bed soft and warm, even placing a hot water bottle under the covers in advance. When she and the Yan Wang slipped in, the bedding was already warm.
The room was filled with a soothing fragrance, light and pleasant.
Shen Wei felt drowsy, wishing she could sleep until dawn, but the Yan Wang, her living ancestor, had yet to fall asleep, and she couldn’t let herself doze off first.
Holding the Yan Wang’s hand, she asked with concern, “Your Highness, is Liu Ce Fei’s illness very serious? You seem so worried you can’t sleep.”
The Yan Wang shook his head, thinking of the chaotic inner courtyard. “Wei Wei, my heart is not at peace.”
Shen Wei had many ears and eyes in the Wangfu, and she had learned about the Yan Wang’s troubles with the princess from Cai Ping.
But she feigned ignorance, softly saying, “Did you encounter some trouble in court, Your Highness? Unfortunately, I don’t understand state affairs and can’t help you…”
The Yan Wang sighed, feeling a bit of his frustration dissipate. “Just some minor issues. You’re carrying a child; don’t worry about it.”
Shen Wei sincerely replied, “Then once I give birth, I’ll help you share the burdens.”
In truth, Shen Wei understood the Yan Wang’s mindset. During the day, he toiled in the court, navigating the subtle power struggles with the Heng Wang faction, and had to be wary of hidden assassins. When night fell and he returned home, he naturally hoped for warm meals, a cozy bed, and a few comforting words with his beloved before drifting off to sleep.
But upon returning home, he found: the princess and Liu Mama arguing endlessly over the child; Liu Ru Yan sulking, waiting for him to coax her; the inner courtyard’s winter charcoal supply insufficient, leading to the freezing of concubines; his daughter crying loudly after being scolded by the princess; and his two biological sons hiding from him…
The Yan Wang felt utterly drained.
Shen Wei secretly thought that once she safely gave birth and elevated her status, she would gradually take over the management of the household from the princess. The princess was incapable of managing the Wangfu, but Shen Wei could do it well.
She promised to take care of the Yan Wang comfortably, ensuring he wouldn’t be bothered by trivial matters upon returning home. The smoother his life became, the more he would rely on her, and the more benefits she could gain from him.
The Yan Wang was Shen Wei’s treasure; as long as he provided protection, she would enjoy a lifetime of wealth and honor.
Shen Wei deliberately nudged the Yan Wang’s hand. “If you don’t sleep, then neither will I or the baby. I’ll keep you company through the night.”
The Yan Wang chuckled, his long fingers pinching Shen Wei’s increasingly round face.
He was very fond of Shen Wei; with her by his side, he felt completely at ease.
Though Shen Wei was pregnant, it had been a long time since he had found complete satisfaction. Yet, lying beside Shen Wei, listening to her gentle, lively voice, and inhaling her faint fragrance, he found a deeper sense of spiritual fulfillment.
Shen Wei was his understanding flower, the “home” he found increasingly hard to let go of.
As night fell, the snow ceased.
The Yan Wang fell asleep.
Shen Wei nestled in his arms, her eyelids slowly drooping, and soon she was fast asleep.
...
...
After the cold winds passed, Liu Ru Yan, consumed by worry, found her health slow to recover. Her body had always been delicate, and after her illness, she became even weaker, gasping for breath and coughing after just a short walk, requiring a considerable amount of medicine daily.
As for the neglected concubines in the inner courtyard, they received enough charcoal to barely survive the harsh winter.
The spring breeze blew away the remnants of snow from the branches, and the withered trees began to bud. Day by day, the weather grew warmer; spring had arrived.
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