Chapter 159
**Chapter 159: Master Zhao**
Without further delay, Cai Lian dragged Cai Ping away.
Cai Ping had been pulled for over ten meters and was still turning her head to curse Xiang Er, “I’ve never seen anyone so foolish! Charging in to die! Thinking it’s worth something to die, not realizing she’s just a stepping stone for others. Bah! Dying for nothing!”
The morning breeze blew gently, leaving Xiang Er frozen in place, her mind a muddled mess.
...
Cai Lian and Cai Ping played their parts well, one as the good cop and the other as the bad cop. After giving Xiang Er a good talking-to, they finally returned to the Liuli Pavilion to report back.
Shen Wei leaned against the soft, luxurious couch, holding a ledger in her hands, looking quite helpless. “Can’t the princess just behave herself a little?”
Fortunately, Shen Wei was prepared.
In the Wang residence, every corner was filled with her informants. The hearts of the servants were all on her side. The few maids in the princess’s courtyard had received Cai Ping’s money, and if the princess ever tried to stir up trouble, they would be the first to inform the Liuli Pavilion.
“Don’t worry, my lady. We have eyes on their movements,” Cai Ping said with a reassuring smile.
Shen Wei took a sip of tea to refresh herself, her tone filled with envy. “Sometimes I really envy the princess. She’s in a position of privilege but doesn’t even realize it.”
With a powerful family backing her, the princess could firmly hold her position as the matriarch. Someone managed her household, someone took care of the children, and she didn’t even have to serve a man. Every day, the princess could peacefully worship Buddha in her courtyard, eat her fill, and dress warmly. It was a life akin to that of a celestial being.
If only the princess could let go of her ambitions for power and fame, her life would already be considered blissful!
This was the kind of laid-back life Shen Wei yearned for!
Unfortunately, such a life was a privilege reserved for the wealthy and noble; only those with money could afford to be carefree.
Shen Wei came from humble beginnings, her family background ordinary. If she were to relax and do nothing, a miserable end awaited her.
Only the poor are caught in the rat race; those with power and influence wouldn’t want to be the pitiful ones at the bottom.
Shen Wei silently comforted herself, reminding herself that everything has its ups and downs. If she worked hard for a few decades now, she could enjoy a laid-back life after retirement.
Shen Wei looked up and instructed, “Cai Ping, go check the small kitchen. Is the date cake for Princess Zhaoyang ready? And later, open the wine cellar and bring out a jar of last year’s fruit wine.”
Cai Ping hurried off to the kitchen to check.
A message arrived from the princess’s residence: Princess Zhaoyang was coming to visit her young niece in the afternoon. Shen Wei needed to prepare in advance to welcome the esteemed princess.
...
In the afternoon, Princess Zhaoyang arrived with a large bundle of gifts. She was particularly fond of Shen Wei’s daughter and had prepared many toys and beautiful clothes.
The gifts from Princess Zhaoyang were extraordinary: a lock made of white jade, a cloth tiger sewn by palace embroiderers, a golden rattle drum, a lion’s head inlaid with gems, a Luban lock made of golden silk nanmu, and a nine-linked ring made of gold...
A dazzling array of treasures, Shen Wei couldn’t help but smile broadly.
“She’s so well-behaved, smiling as soon as she sees me,” Zhaoyang said, leaning over the cradle and teasing the baby with the golden rattle drum.
Little Le You opened her chubby hands, giggling with delight, utterly adorable.
After playing with her niece for a while, Zhaoyang pulled Shen Wei to the pavilion to chat. Taking a bite of the sweet date cake, she sighed contentedly, “In all of Yanjing, besides Wei Yan Ji, your small kitchen makes the best date cake!”
Shen Wei lightly waved her fan. “I had the maids pack a box of date cakes for you to take with you when you leave, Princess.”
Zhaoyang was in high spirits.
She loved spending time with Shen Wei, always feeling completely relaxed. After finishing the date cake, she excitedly said, “I heard that the princess’s sister-in-law is seriously ill, bedridden, and even the imperial physician is at a loss. I wanted to visit Kunyu Courtyard just now, but they stopped me.”
Zhaoyang was puzzled.
The princess’s sister-in-law had always been in good health; how could she suddenly fall gravely ill? Moreover, the physician said she needed long-term rest and shouldn’t be overworked.
Zhaoyang picked up another piece of date cake. “Wei Wei, since you’re managing things for the princess’s sister-in-law now, if you encounter anything you don’t understand, just come to me for help. I oversee the princess’s residence, and I have several capable matrons who are excellent at managing households.”
“Thank you, Princess. There are also experienced matrons in the Wang residence. With their help, I’m not too overwhelmed,” Shen Wei replied.
Zhaoyang rested her chin on her hand, gazing intently at Shen Wei.
Shen Wei felt a bit shy under her gaze and laughed, “Do I have something on my face, Princess? You’ve been staring at me.”
Zhaoyang shook her head.
Zhaoyang looked out at the lush greenery in the courtyard, the wind blowing the delicate fragrance of flowers into the pavilion. Her tone was tinged with envy, “I think you’re amazing... Your second brother dotes on you, the Empress values you, the servants respect you, and your daughter is delightful. Even the flowers in your courtyard bloom the most beautifully. You seem unstoppable, and I’ve never seen you troubled.”
In Shen Wei, Zhaoyang saw a vibrant energy. Full of enthusiasm, proactive and positive.
Being close to Shen Wei felt like being touched by that lively spirit.
Shen Wei waved her fan, revealing a gentle smile. “Suffering is just one day, and joy is another. Since we have to live our lives anyway, we might as well enjoy it.”
Zhaoyang thought about it carefully and realized it made sense.
A maid brought in some sweet fruit wine. Last autumn, Shen Wei and Wang Ye had picked fruits from the courtyard and soaked them in low-alcohol wine, storing them for a winter and spring. Now that summer had arrived, the fruit wine had fermented beautifully.
The fruit wine tasted delightful, and Zhaoyang drank quite a bit, pulling Shen Wei to join her. Zhaoyang wasn’t very good with alcohol, and before long, she was tipsy, tugging at Shen Wei’s sleeve. “Oh, by the way, early winter is the old lady’s birthday at the Zhen Nan Marquis’s residence. Let’s go together... I heard that Shangguan Xuan is coming back. His military strategist designed these landmines, which are really impressive... Boom! The people of Yue were scared away...”
Shen Wei’s head spun, and upon hearing the word “landmine,” the fog in her mind cleared instantly.
Her thoughts sharpened.
Shen Wei set down her wine cup and leaned closer to Zhaoyang. “Landmines? You mean those weapons that explode when stepped on?”
Zhaoyang’s cheeks flushed, and she nodded drunkenly. “I think so... I overheard my father talking about it. That Master Zhao is quite remarkable; the court plans to reward him. He’ll probably return to the capital with Shangguan Xuan in early winter... Hehe, finally, Lady Sun will have her husband back.”
“Yan Yunting that scoundrel wants to come back to see me too. Ugh, I feel sick just seeing him. I hope he never comes back.”
Shen Wei’s face turned pale, her head buzzing.
A military strategist, one who creates landmines!
Could it be that Master Zhao was from the same era as her, somehow ending up in this world by a twist of fate?
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