Chapter 141
**Chapter 141: The Child's Name**
The results of the imperial examination were just released yesterday, and as a woman confined to her chambers, how could she possibly be so well-informed?
Shen Wei buried her face in the arms of the Yan Wang, her voice choked with emotion and melancholy. “The ancestral rules cannot be broken. Thank you, Your Highness, for your kindness, allowing the child to stay by my side for two months.”
The Yan Wang looked at her with eyes full of tenderness and affection.
Shen Wei could have asked him to keep their daughter with them, but out of consideration for his reputation and to uphold the ancestral traditions, she had never brought it up.
She was always so patient and kind, thinking of the Yan Wang in every way.
The Yan Wang chuckled softly, pinching Shen Wei’s round cheek. “Wei Wei, I have a surprise for you today.”
There were two surprises. One was a decree from the Empress promoting her to a side consort, and the other was that the Yan Wang had sent for Shen Wei’s brother, Shen Xiuming.
Shen Wei feigned confusion.
Outside, the side consorts began to arrive one after another. Zhang Miaoyu was already seated at the banquet, while Liu Qiaoer entered the Liuli Pavilion with her maid.
This was Liu Qiaoer’s first visit to the Liuli Pavilion. The vibrant spring scenery greeted her: the courtyard was lush with flowers and greenery, and koi swam gracefully in the pond. Liu Qiaoer was secretly astonished; she knew the Liuli Pavilion was splendid, but she had no idea it was this magnificent.
However, Liu Qiaoer quickly came to terms with it. The price of Shen Wei’s favor was the loss of her child.
What good was it to be favored again? With her humble origins, the child could only be entrusted to the Wang Fei for upbringing. Given the Wang Fei’s duplicitous nature, the child would surely be neglected.
“Your servant pays her respects to Your Highness,” Liu Qiaoer said, bowing to the Yan Wang.
It had been a long time since the Yan Wang had visited Liu Qiaoer. Today, he casually glanced over and saw her gaunt face, her cheekbones protruding sharply, dressed in a thin, dull gray gown. Under the bright spring sun, her pale, emaciated face looked quite unsettling.
If the child saw her, she might even cry. The Yan Wang couldn’t help but frown and casually asked, “Why are you so thin? Haven’t you been eating?”
Liu Qiaoer stiffened.
She quickly lowered her head. “I eat well enough, Your Highness need not worry.”
Liu Qiaoer hurriedly bowed to the Yan Wang and rushed back to the banquet table, her head bowed deeply, fear gnawing at her heart.
She knew that the Yan Wang still cared for her; otherwise, he wouldn’t have inquired about her meals upon seeing her.
But she dared not hope for the Yan Wang’s affection any longer. All she wanted in this life was to keep a low profile and ensure the survival of her family and child. The Yan Wang’s love would only make her a target for others’ scorn.
Liu Qiaoer took a seat in the far corner, and before long, Liu Ruoyan arrived.
The spring sun shone brightly, and Liu Ruoyan was still dressed in a flowing silver spring gown, her sleeves fluttering in the breeze. Her stunning face bore a sickly pallor, and after a few steps, she couldn’t help but cough, looking as fragile as a flower.
She cast a sympathetic glance at Shen Wei before taking a seat at the banquet table. Xue Mei stood behind Liu Ruoyan, her big, round eyes darting around.
What a large courtyard!
What a beautiful house!
The maids of the Liuli Pavilion wore such fine clothes!
Xue Mei was filled with envy; if only she could work at the Liuli Pavilion, she would be willing to be the lowest-ranking maid.
Before long, the Wang Fei arrived, fashionably late. Today, she was dressed extravagantly, exuding the air of a noble mistress, and her wrinkles were concealed with “Qixiangzhai” jade powder, giving her a radiant complexion.
“Your servant pays her respects to Your Highness,” the Wang Fei said as she approached the Yan Wang, performing a graceful bow.
The Yan Wang nodded casually.
As the Wang Fei entered the room, she spotted the rosewood cradle, where the baby was still sleeping, completely unaware that she was about to be raised by the Wang Fei.
The Wang Fei smiled and said, “Shen, your daughter is quite lovely, just like you—a natural beauty.”
Shen Wei’s face turned pale, and she remained silent.
Seeing Shen Wei’s suppressed and helpless demeanor, the Wang Fei felt a wave of satisfaction. When she had elevated Shen Wei to a concubine, she had thought Shen Wei would soon fall out of favor. But unexpectedly, Shen Wei had been fortunate, repeatedly escaping danger and earning the Yan Wang’s lasting affection.
Though the Wang Fei pretended to be indifferent, her heart was filled with jealousy. Now that she had finally turned the tables, how could she not be pleased?
At noon, the full moon banquet commenced.
In the courtyard, a long pearwood table was set, and the maids of the Liuli Pavilion served the dishes in an orderly fashion. The table was laden with delicacies: spring bamboo shoots favored by the Yan Wang, pork knuckles and desserts loved by Zhang Miaoyu, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall and crab-stuffed oranges enjoyed by the Wang Fei, plum blossom wine favored by Liu Ruoyan, and flaky pastries loved by Liu Qiaoer...
Every guest could savor their favorite food.
Before the Wang Fei were five beautifully presented crab-stuffed oranges. Generally, the preparation of crab-stuffed oranges involves cutting off the top of an orange, scooping out the flesh, and filling it with crab roe, crab meat, wine, and vinegar, then steaming it until cooked.
The Wang Fei had always loved crab-stuffed oranges and had developed a new recipe, replacing the crab meat with bass and venison for a more exquisite flavor. This method had never been disclosed, known only to a few trusted confidants.
But now, five crab-stuffed oranges were placed before her, and they too contained bass and venison.
A hint of doubt crept into the Wang Fei’s mind.
How did Shen Wei know about her special taste?
Before the Wang Fei could ponder further, the Yan Wang raised his wine cup, his deep voice resonating: “Today is the child’s full moon banquet. Though it is two months late, I still take it seriously.”
“I name the child Li Luan, with the nickname Le You.”
Everyone raised their cups in celebration.
A flicker of nostalgia crossed Liu Ruoyan’s eyes. When she had given birth to her daughter, the Yan Wang had named her “Qiong,” and Liu Ruoyan had chosen the nickname “Nan Zhi.” Nan Zhi was also a name for the plum blossom.
Memories wafted like smoke, vivid and clear.
Now, the man she once loved had named another woman’s child, and he had likely long forgotten Li Nan Zhi. Disappointment welled up in Liu Ruoyan’s heart.
The Wang Fei felt an inexplicable pang in her heart. According to the royal naming conventions, boys of this generation were to be named with the character “Cheng,” such as Li Chengke or Li Chengzhen.
Girls, however, were to be given a single character “Yu.” For example, Li Yao or Li Qiong. The royal family strictly enforced naming conventions for boys, while girls had a bit more leeway and could forgo the “Yu” character.
Shen Wei’s daughter had the single character “Luan.” The Luan bird, a mythical creature akin to the phoenix, symbolized beauty and grace.
The Yan Wang had given Shen Wei’s daughter such a grand name?
A sense of foreboding surged within the Wang Fei.
...
Meanwhile, at the entrance of the Yan Wang’s residence, Mama Liu, accompanied by her maid, dismounted from the carriage. Following the Wang Fei’s orders, she was to buy some necessities for Shen Wei’s daughter.
As soon as she stepped down, Mama Liu spotted two figures at the gate.
It was Shen Xiuming and Shen Mu, both dressed simply, indistinguishable from ordinary folk.
Recognizing Shen Xiuming, Mama Liu couldn’t help but roll her eyes.
Today was Shen Wei’s child’s full moon banquet, and she had actually invited her shabby family. How could these two country bumpkins even think of entering the gates of the Wang Fu?
Mama Liu approached the entrance and coldly scolded the guards, “What are you standing there for? Hurry up and chase these two away!”
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