Chapter 146
**Chapter 146: Three Days**
In the back courtyard of the Wangfu, Shen Wei's network of informants was spread far and wide, and naturally, the maidservants around the princess had been bribed by her as well.
The morning and evening rituals were not to be taken lightly. The princess would undoubtedly put on the airs of a matriarch and give Shen Wei a good scolding.
Shen Wei took a sip of her tea and smiled, “Morning and evening rituals? That’s hardly a good rule.”
Serving the Yan Wang every day had already worn her out. She had no intention of wasting any extra energy on the princess.
Setting down her teacup, she took a deep breath, already formulating a plan.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky and the stars began to twinkle, the sound of crickets filled the air in the Liuli Pavilion courtyard. The Yan Wang was still delayed in the East Palace, and after finishing her dinner, Shen Wei took a leisurely stroll to aid digestion, practiced the Baduanjin (Eight Pieces of Brocade) for exercise, and spent half an hour in the study practicing her calligraphy.
As night deepened and the Yan Wang still hadn’t returned, Shen Wei grew tired of waiting. She instructed Cai Lian and Cai Ping to prepare a bath with water infused with red flower petals. She loosened her clothing and sank into the wooden tub, enjoying a leisurely soak.
After a busy day, a hot bath in the Lan Fang before bed was pure bliss.
Dinglingling—
The sound of a copper bell rang out from outside the Lan Fang, signaling someone’s return.
Shen Wei sighed inwardly; it seemed she was in for a long night. A man full of energy who hadn’t eaten well in days was the most daunting of all.
With a creak, the door opened, and a tall, imposing figure slowly appeared beyond the gauzy curtain.
As the curtain lifted, a white mist spread.
Shen Wei turned, the sound of water splashing as the red flower petals slipped from her shoulder.
A subtle fragrance wafted through the air, the mist swirling around her. Shen Wei’s delicate, fair hand rested on the edge of the tub, her damp eyes lifting to meet the man’s gaze, a mix of shyness and allure in her expression.
She looked at the man standing so close and said softly, “Your Highness, I’m still bathing.”
The Yan Wang returned late at night, still dressed in his court robes.
He gazed at Shen Wei, who was leaning over the tub, the dim candlelight casting a warm glow on her damp hair, which clung to her delicate shoulders. She looked shy and enchanting, like a captivating fox spirit.
Splash—
As the night deepened, the sounds of water continued in the Lan Fang.
It was a long while before calm returned.
...
The next morning, the loud cries of a baby echoed from outside. The wet nurse hurried to attend to the little master in the nursery, while Cai Lian and Cai Ping brought wash water to the sleeping quarters.
At this hour, both mistresses were usually awake.
However, as they reached the door, Cai Lian and Cai Ping suddenly heard ambiguous sounds coming from inside.
They perked up their ears for a moment, and a faint blush crept onto their cheeks. Cai Lian cleared her throat and whispered, “Cai Ping, let’s... let’s come back later. Just put the wash water down and check if the porridge is ready in the kitchen.”
Cai Ping, blushing, replied, “Okay.”
They ended up waiting until the sun was high in the sky.
Even Mama Rong was disturbed, looking at the tightly shut door of the sleeping quarters, sighing deeply.
The Yan Wang was in his prime, full of vigor, and no concubine could withstand him. Only Shen Wei was in perfect harmony with him, indulging in pleasure.
In the past, Shen Wei had been pregnant and had taken great care of herself after giving birth. The Yan Wang had endured for half a year, but Shen Wei was truly suffering.
Finally, the tightly closed bedroom door swung open. The Yan Wang, dressed neatly, stretched lazily and stepped out of the room, his handsome face radiating satisfaction and contentment.
“Your Highness, will you have lunch in the Liuli Pavilion?” Mama Rong inquired.
In a good mood, the Yan Wang replied, “No need. Take care of your mistress.”
With that, he strode out of the Liuli Pavilion, flanked by his guards.
...
After the Yan Wang left, Cai Lian and Cai Ping hurried into the sleeping quarters to serve.
Cai Ping opened the window, letting in a cool breeze, and placed fresh, fragrant pink roses in a vase. Cai Lian helped Shen Wei change clothes and prepared for her bath.
Soaking in the warm water, Shen Wei felt like crying... she really needed to strengthen her training.
That dog of a man, he was unbearable.
“Mistress, the Yan Wang sent Steward Fu Gui to deliver some medicine to invigorate your blood and dispel bruises,” Cai Lian said as she entered the room, holding two delicate boxes that smelled of medicine.
After applying the medicine and having lunch, Shen Wei felt drained all day, her legs trembling as she walked.
When the Yan Wang returned in the evening, they had dinner together. As Shen Wei savored the exquisite dishes, she glanced up at the Yan Wang, whose handsome eyes sparkled with an intensity that made it seem like he wanted to devour her rather than share a meal.
Shen Wei: ...
The next three days were a struggle for Shen Wei.
It wasn’t entirely the Yan Wang’s fault for being so indulgent.
Shen Wei was simply too enchanting; after giving birth, she had become even more alluring, her skin fair and her waist delicate. Every smile and frown stirred the Yan Wang’s heart.
Shen Wei was a unique treasure crafted by the heavens just for him, perfectly in tune with the Yan Wang, who was deeply entranced.
It wasn’t until the fourth day, when the Yan Wang was ordered to inspect the riverworks in the coastal province, that Shen Wei finally breathed a sigh of relief in secret. She pretended to be reluctant as she sent off this living ancestor, and once back in her room, she finally enjoyed a comfortable nap.
Waking up around noon, Shen Wei got up to freshen up. Today, she was going out of the palace to see Shen Xiuming off as he headed south for his official post.
With the Yan Wang’s protection, Shen Xiuming had received his official documents for his position in Jiangnan. He was set to leave at noon with their mother, heading south along the official road.
The carriage rolled out of the city.
There weren’t many people on the official road, and as Shen Wei lifted the curtain of the carriage, she spotted a plain gray carriage parked at the intersection. Shen Xiuming and their mother hadn’t left yet; their mother was anxiously looking around.
“Third girl!” Seeing Shen Wei step down from the carriage, their mother hurried over and grasped Shen Wei’s hand.
“Elder sister,” Shen Xiuming called out.
Shen Wei wore a simple gray-silver long dress, her hair adorned with two white jade hairpins. She held her mother’s hand, her voice choked, “Mother...”
“Child, why do you look so haggard?” Their mother noticed the faint dark circles under Shen Wei’s eyes and the split on her lip, her entire demeanor lacking vitality, as if she had endured great torment.
A pang of sorrow pierced their mother’s heart.
Her gaze fell on Shen Wei’s wrist, where clear red marks were visible, as if she had been bound by a rope.
Shen Wei quickly pulled back her sleeve to hide the marks, forcing a smile, “I didn’t sleep well last night, Mother, don’t worry. Thanks to my brother, I’m now a side concubine in the Wangfu; no one dares to harm me.”
Their mother held back her tears.
She knew that although Shen Wei was a side concubine, she was still a farmer’s daughter. The prominent side concubines in the Wangfu would surely look down on her.
If Shen Wei wanted to establish herself firmly in the Wangfu, she would have to rely on Shen Xiuming.
“Mother, where’s Second Sister?” Shen Wei looked around but didn’t see her sister Shen Qiang.
Their mother shook her head, her tone bitter, “I didn’t allow your sister to come. She’s safe in Nanshan and won’t be discovered by that Liu.”
It turned out that Shen Qiang’s ex-husband, Liu Boyuan, had failed in business and squandered all his money. The family’s farmland had been poorly managed, resulting in a near-total loss last year.
At this moment, Liu Boyuan realized Shen Qiang’s importance and traveled all the way to Yanjing to find her. However, shortly after arriving, he learned that Shen Qiang’s brother, Shen Xiuming, had passed the imperial examination, and Shen Wei had become a side concubine in the Wangfu!
Liu Boyuan was overjoyed and began searching for Shen Qiang, hoping to reconcile.
“Mother-in-law, brother-in-law! It’s so easy to find you!” Just then, a deep, shrewd voice rang out.
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.
Liu Boyuan, Shen Qiang’s ex-husband, rushed over, panting. He was slightly plump, sporting a mustache, and his shrewd eyes scanned the surroundings. Since arriving in the capital, he had been searching for Shen Qiang, but the Shen family had concealed her whereabouts so well that he could only follow them around.
He politely greeted Shen Xiuming, then his gaze fell on Shen Wei, and he respectfully bowed, “Aunt, it’s been years since we last met. You’ve grown even more beautiful; no wonder His Highness the Yan Wang is so fond of you.”
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