Chapter 157
**Chapter 157: Life is Like a Play**
The Yan Wang strolled leisurely around the courtyard, cradling his little daughter in his arms, admiring the lush green seedlings in the vegetable patch. It wasn't until the wet nurse arrived, announcing that it was time for the child to be fed, that he reluctantly handed her over.
Dinner time had not yet arrived, so the Yan Wang made his way to the side hall, where Shen Wei was still engrossed in the account books. Occasionally, she would furrow her delicate brows, and at other times, a smile would light up her face.
“Wangye,” Shen Wei exclaimed, hearing his footsteps. She quickly set down the account book and ran over, her face beaming with joy and admiration. “Thanks to your methods, the stewards of those two estates finally handed over the real account books.”
A smile tugged at the corners of the Yan Wang's thin lips, a sense of accomplishment swelling within him. He took Shen Wei's hand and sat down. “Managing the household is tedious and exhausting. If you ever wish to stop, I can have someone else take over the internal affairs.”
Shen Wei's eyes widened in protest. “That won't do! I can't trust anyone else with it.”
After all, she had worked hard to gain the authority of the steward, and the thought of relinquishing it would keep her awake at night. Now that she held the financial reins of the Yan Wang Fu, she was aware of the flow of all funds and had control over dozens of shops and several acres of fertile land in Yan Jing. With the power of the Yan Wang Fu behind her, she could expand her business. In the future, operating under the Yan Wang's name would grant her almost unimpeded access to success.
It was easy to foresee a steady stream of wealth flowing into her little treasury.
To be rich and powerful was just around the corner.
Shen Wei was no saint, either. To achieve her goals, she would use everyone around her as stepping stones. She could act, she could play the fool—she would stop at nothing.
Life was just a play; wasn’t everyone just acting in it?
Gazing affectionately at the Yan Wang, Shen Wei earnestly declared, “I will manage the household well, so you have no worries. No matter how hard or tiring it gets, it’s worth it, as long as you can have a little less trouble and worry.”
The Yan Wang tightened his grip on her hand, his heart swelling with emotion.
Who else would treat him with such devotion?
The room was bright with candlelight, and Shen Wei's radiant, delicate face filled his vision, her beautiful eyes sparkling. The Yan Wang pulled her close, leaning down until their lips almost touched.
Dinner was inevitably delayed, and Shen Wei didn’t even get a chance to touch the account books that night.
...
The Wang Fei had long neglected the internal affairs of the household, and the chief steward had taken on multiple roles, resulting in a significant amount of messy accounts left behind. Shen Wei painstakingly sorted through the tangled finances, which consumed a considerable amount of her energy.
Yet, she showed no signs of fatigue; instead, she was eager for the challenge.
She relished the thrill of it.
Once managing a small Liuli Pavilion, she now oversaw a vast royal estate. The core principles of management remained unchanged, regardless of the scale.
Occasionally, when Shen Wei mismanaged something and made minor mistakes, the Yan Wang would turn a blind eye, showing her leniency.
One day, just as the Yan Wang returned to the palace, he instinctively headed toward the Liuli Pavilion. Suddenly, Liu Mama appeared from the side, blocking his path. “Old servant pays her respects to the Wangye. In half a month, it will be the sixtieth birthday of the Wang Fei’s mother. The Wang Fei wishes to see you to discuss the choice of birthday gifts.”
The Yan Wang had no intention of engaging.
However, when Liu Mama mentioned the Wang Fei’s mother, the esteemed matriarch of the Dantai family, he felt compelled by filial duty to change direction and head toward the Kunyuyuan.
The Wang Fei was still under house arrest for her health, but the flowers and plants outside Kunyuyuan were neatly trimmed. This was Shen Wei’s doing; after taking charge, she allocated funds to repair the crumbling walls of the estate and ensured that the main pathways were regularly maintained.
Even the remote southwestern courtyard, where the less favored concubines resided in dilapidated quarters, had been spruced up, with walls and roofs repaired.
The area outside Kunyuyuan was clean and tidy. As the Yan Wang stepped into the courtyard, he was greeted by the strong scent of sandalwood incense, which, after a while, became dizzying.
“Your servant pays her respects to the Wangye,” the Wang Fei said, emerging in a gray-brown robe, looking haggard as she knelt to greet him.
After several days apart, the Wang Fei’s face bore several new wrinkles, and she appeared quite fatigued. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she looked at the Yan Wang, evoking a sense of pity.
The Yan Wang couldn’t help but frown. Seeing the Wang Fei in such a pitiful state stirred a complex mix of emotions within him. Had his punishment been too harsh?
Once inside, Liu Mama served the Yan Wang hot tea. He took a slow sip and asked, “Do you know your mistake?”
The Wang Fei lowered her gaze, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Wangye, I recite scriptures before the Buddha every day, praying for the child we lost. I already know my wrongs.”
It was rare for the Wang Fei to admit fault, and the Yan Wang felt some of the tension in his heart ease. After all, they had once been a loving couple. As long as she recognized her mistakes and was willing to change, he was still willing to give her another chance.
Seeing that the Yan Wang was moved, she continued, “Wangye, I have made mistakes. You and the Empress Dowager punished me with house arrest, and I can understand that. But letting that Shen woman manage the household is simply inappropriate.”
The Yan Wang’s grip on the teacup faltered.
The Wang Fei continued, “Though I am confined to the courtyard, I have heard that Shen Wei had the steward beaten by the guards. Just the other day, she even sold off two servants for minor mistakes. With such management, it will surely lead to—”
Before she could finish, the Yan Wang slammed the teacup back onto the table.
Tea splashed everywhere, and the atmosphere in the room grew tense.
The Wang Fei felt a surge of anxiety, unsure of what she had said wrong. She had finally managed to invite the Yan Wang over, admitting her faults and pointing out Shen Wei’s shortcomings, hoping to regain her authority as the steward.
But why was the Yan Wang angry?
He stood up, his eyes devoid of any warmth. Coldly, he said, “You’re supposed to be recuperating in Kunyuyuan, yet you seem to know everything.”
The Wang Fei hurriedly replied, “Wangye, it’s true that Shen Wei is unfit to manage the household. The beatings and selling of servants are facts!”
The Yan Wang could hardly bear to look at the foolish expression on her face. The beatings and selling of servants were strategies he had taught Shen Wei for managing the household.
Some servants needed discipline; they deserved to be punished or sold off. A balance of kindness and severity was essential to uphold the authority of the royal household.
The Yan Wang turned to leave, leaving behind a cold remark: “You should focus on the birthday gifts for your mother. Stretching your hand too far can lead to it breaking.”
The Wang Fei stood frozen in place.
Watching the tall figure disappear, her knees buckled, and she stumbled back into her chair.
Confused and frustrated, she could only grit her teeth in anger. “What kind of spell has that Shen woman cast on the Wangye? Why does he indulge her so?”
The Wang Fei was unwilling to accept this.
As night fell, she hastily finished her dinner but couldn’t sleep a wink. Tossing and turning, she pondered how to reclaim her authority as the steward.
Controlling the household was a matter of dignity for the main wife.
As dawn broke, Liu Mama entered the room with a blank expression, informing the restless Wang Fei, “Mistress, Xiang’er requests an audience.”
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