Chapter 145
**Chapter 145: The Reunion of Siblings**
The Yan Wang took a sip of fragrant spring tea, his tone calm: “You are a disciple of Yang Xuanji, which places you in the ranks of the humble. Do not let this king’s goodwill go to waste.”
Shen Xiuming stiffened his neck and nodded slowly.
It turned out that the Yan Wang valued him not because of Shen Wei, but because of his mentor, Yang Xuanji. As the leader of the humble faction, Yang Xuanji had retired from official duties but held immense prestige among the commoners.
The Yan Wang was trying to win over the humble faction.
What a clever tactic!
Little did the Yan Wang know the convoluted thoughts swirling in Shen Xiuming's mind. In a low voice, he continued, “Jiangnan is prosperous, but it’s not easy for humble officials. If you can establish yourself in Jiangnan, this king promises you a bright future.”
Shen Xiuming took a deep breath, slowly rising to his feet, and cupped his hands in respect. His tone was resolute: “Rest assured, Your Highness, I will establish myself in Jiangnan.”
After a pause, he summoned his courage and met the Yan Wang’s gaze. “Your Highness, I have wasted my years and harmed my family. Now, I have turned over a new leaf and only wish to protect my family—please treat my sister kindly. Even if you have no feelings for her, I ask that you ensure she wants for nothing.”
The Yan Wang raised an eyebrow.
He smiled, “The Shen family is a rare gem in this world; this king will certainly protect her.”
Shen Xiuming lowered his head in silence.
As a man, he understood a fundamental truth—men’s words can be deceiving, and they often grow tired of the same faces.
The Yan Wang had countless beauties in his inner court; how could he truly devote himself to Shen Wei? One day, if a more beautiful newcomer arrived at the palace, the Yan Wang would likely forget all about Shen Wei.
Shen Xiuming knew he was his sister’s only support! With a promising career ahead, Shen Wei would have the means to secure her place in the inner court.
With their elder brother dead on the battlefield, he was the only man left in the family, the pillar of the Shen household. For his sister, for their aging mother, and for the Shen family, Shen Xiuming had to shoulder the heavy burden of being the head of the family.
“Your Highness, news from the East Palace,” a Hu Wei guard entered the study, whispering a few words in the Yan Wang’s ear.
The Yan Wang brushed off his robes and stood up, saying to Shen Xiuming, “Go see Shen Wei; she misses you dearly.”
The Yan Wang left the palace to discuss state affairs with the Crown Prince. Not long after he departed, a figure stumbled out from the front courtyard, crying out, “Your Highness! Please, help me!”
It was the Shu Fei, Zhou.
Her son was gravely ill and bedridden, and Zhou Fei was frantic but unable to see him. With no other options, she had to seek the Yan Wang’s help.
Unfortunately, the Yan Wang was busy with state matters, and a neglected concubine had no right to approach him. Zhou Fei fell to the ground, tears streaming down her face.
Just then, Mama Liu, who was by the Wang Fei’s side, passed by. Frowning, she scolded the maid beside her, “Why haven’t you taken this madwoman back? Keep a close watch on her; she’s not allowed to leave.”
Zhou Fei’s son was naturally well cared for by the palace physician. But this madwoman, stubborn as she was, still wanted to make a scene in front of the Yan Wang.
The Yan Wang already had many grievances against the Wang Fei. If he were to get angry and blame her for mismanagement, it would surely stir up trouble.
The maid and guards stepped forward, covering Zhou Fei’s mouth with a cloth and dragging her back to a secluded courtyard.
With a heavy clang, the door shut, and the sound of Zhou Fei’s muffled, despairing cries echoed in the courtyard.
...
Meanwhile, Shen Xiuming, guided by a maid, arrived at the palace garden.
In late spring, the roses in the garden bloomed profusely, their clusters nearly touching the ground. As summer approached, the lotus leaves in the pond unfurled, and the breeze remained pleasantly cool. Shen Wei sat quietly in a pavilion in the garden, accompanied only by a maid named Cai Lian.
It had been over half a year since Shen Xiuming had last seen Shen Wei.
He stumbled into the pavilion. Although today was Shen Wei’s daughter’s full moon celebration, she dressed modestly in a simple yellow patterned gown, with only a jade hairpin adorning her hair.
Her complexion was pale, with faint dark circles under her eyes, and her brows looked weary.
Upon seeing Shen Xiuming, her nose tinged with emotion, and tears fell instantly. “Brother…”
Shen Xiuming choked up, “Sister…”
Shen Wei clutched her handkerchief, wanting to step forward and hold her brother’s hand to confide in him. Cai Lian hurriedly intervened, clearing her throat to remind, “My lady, you are the Wang Fei’s concubine; you must not have physical contact with other men.”
Shen Wei sobbed, “This is my brother.”
Cai Lian nervously touched her nose, trying to play the role of a humble maid, and said timidly, “My lady, the Wang Fei sees you as a thorn in her side. If you get too close to a man, she will surely complain to the Wang.”
Reluctantly, Shen Wei took two steps back, increasing the distance between her and Shen Xiuming.
Shen Xiuming watched this unfold, his heart aching. He remembered the times he and his sister had met, only to be caught by the jealous Wang Fei and beaten mercilessly.
Even now, as a concubine, the spiteful Wang Fei still wouldn’t let Shen Wei off the hook!
How infuriating! How tragic!
Wiping away her tears, Shen Wei said with a pained heart, “Brother, you’ve lost so much weight. I’ve prepared two boxes of pastries for you to take back and share with Mother.”
On the stone table lay two boxes of pastries.
Today, Shen Wei had dressed up for her brother’s visit, trying her best to appear simple and even applying a “weary look” to her face. She couldn’t dare take Shen Xiuming to the Liuli Pavilion; seeing the opulent surroundings would expose all her pretenses.
So, she chose to meet in the palace garden.
Shen Xiuming felt a sharp pain in his heart. “Sister, I’m now a top scholar; you’ll be able to stand firm in the palace too.”
Once a nobody, he could finally help his sister now.
Tears welled in Shen Wei’s eyes, and she dabbed at them with her handkerchief, which had absorbed the scent of onions. “Since I had the baby, I worry day and night about her being taken to the Wang Fei. Brother, thank you for saving me. You’ve protected my child, your niece. Without you, I could never have been made a concubine.”
The siblings exchanged heartfelt words, pouring out their feelings.
When Shen Wei learned that Shen Xiuming was going to Jiangnan for an official position, she gently reminded him, “Jiangnan is remote; you must take care of Mother and yourself. I’ve heard that corrupt officials abound in Jiangnan; brother, do not get involved with them.”
Shen Xiuming nodded, his tone resolute: “Sister, don’t worry. I will be a good official.”
In recent years, the Yan Wang and the Crown Prince had been vigorously reforming the bureaucracy, recently uncovering a batch of corrupt officials in Jiangnan. Shen Xiuming silently reminded himself that he must not stray from the right path.
One must not harbor any illusions. If he went astray, the entire Shen family would fall.
His sister had finally endured hardship and found some peace; he could not let her be dragged down again.
After chatting for a while, Shen Wei reluctantly sent Shen Xiuming off.
...
Shen Wei returned to the Liuli Pavilion.
With her new status as a concubine, the Liuli Pavilion was filled with joy. Shen Wei, having received a promotion, naturally did not forget to reward the servants. Mama Rong took on a serious demeanor as the steward of the courtyard, using both kindness and authority to keep everyone in line, ensuring they did not become complacent or arrogant.
In the afternoon, the child was carefully tended to by the wet nurse and maid.
The waterside pavilion was cool, and the freshly brewed spring tea had a delicate aroma. As Shen Wei sipped her tea, she reviewed the accounts that had been brought to her. The pastry shop and rouge shop were both quite profitable, and Shen Wei planned to expand her business and open a new shop.
As for what kind of shop to open, she had not yet decided.
Cai Ping rushed into the waterside pavilion, bringing news she had overheard: “My lady, the Wang Fei plans to resume the morning and evening greetings, requiring you to pay your respects to her daily.”
Table of Contents
