Chapter 181
**Chapter 180: Concern for the Prince of Yan**
As the red plums bloomed, Shen Wei and Zhao Qing strolled beneath the plum trees. After a while, Shen Wei furrowed her delicate brows and gently pressed her hand against her belly.
Beside her, Cai Lian quickly supported Shen Wei, asking, “My lady, are you feeling unwell?”
Shen Wei nodded weakly, “My stomach feels a bit uncomfortable.”
Only then did Zhao Qing notice that Shen Wei’s lower abdomen had begun to swell. In the winter, Shen Wei dressed warmly, always draping a fox fur cloak over herself, concealing her pregnancy from the outside world.
“So, Shen Fei has already conceived. Had I known, I would have invited you inside for tea,” Zhao Qing said politely.
Shen Wei smiled brightly in response, “I’m just a bit tired. The pearls have arrived, and it’s getting late. I’ll head back to the Wangfu now.”
After parting ways with Zhao Qing, Shen Wei left the Hou residence.
Zhao Qing returned to her chamber, excitement bubbling within her. The purple sandalwood box sat on her vanity. Unable to contain herself, she opened it, revealing a collection of lustrous pearls.
These precious pearls from the South China Sea, if set into a wedding crown, would surely outshine all others.
“Ah Qing.” A gentle voice called from outside.
Shangguan Xuan, having finished his official duties, rushed to visit Zhao Qing. He skillfully pushed the door open and saw Zhao Qing sitting by the vanity, her eyes immediately drawn to the box of pearls on the table.
Zhao Qing didn’t hide anything; she pointed to the pearls and cheerfully told him, “This afternoon, the side consort from the Prince of Yan’s residence came and gifted me this box of pearls.”
Shangguan Xuan pondered for a moment, a smirk playing on his lips, his tone self-satisfied, “It’s not just a gift of pearls; she’s trying to win us over for the Prince of Yan.”
Now, the Hou residence was at its peak, with both the Prince of Yan and the Prince of Heng vying for their favor. However, the Prince of Heng’s sincerity was more substantial.
Ten thousand taels of silver were worth far more than a box of pearls.
...
As winter deepened, the streets of Yanjing grew quieter. The carriage from the Prince of Yan moved slowly, and Shen Wei took a sip of hot soup to warm herself, asking Cai Ping, “Have you clarified the matter?”
Cai Ping nodded eagerly and informed Shen Wei about the sheep-skin book in the corner.
Shen Wei set down her soup bowl, murmuring, “Taihua Zhaiji...”
It turned out that the modern weapon blueprints drawn by Zhao Qing were derived from this mysterious sheep-skin book. The book was old, at least a century in age, perhaps left behind by some time traveler from a hundred years ago.
After a moment of thought, Shen Wei instructed Cai Ping, “You have a good memory and skilled hands. Tonight, go to the storeroom and fetch an old sheep-skin to create a similar book.”
Cai Ping, always diligent, nodded vigorously, “Of course, I’ll take care of it right away.”
Returning to the Liuli Pavilion, Shen Wei sat down to rest for a while and then asked Cai Lian to bring over the maid sent by the Hou residence.
The maid, named Xiao Yan, was only thirteen, thin and dark-skinned, with bright, round eyes. She was the spy Cai Ping had sent to the Hou residence.
Cai Ping had her own criteria for selecting people. Xiao Yan came from a poor family; after her father passed away, she had no money for a proper burial and was forced to sell herself into servitude. Cai Ping had given her some money to bury her father, and Xiao Yan was wholeheartedly devoted to serving her.
Xiao Yan was quite clever. Upon entering the Liuli Pavilion, she knelt before Shen Wei, respectfully bowing her head and cheerfully greeting, “I am Xiao Yan, here to pay my respects to my lady!”
Shen Wei, holding a bronze hand warmer, scrutinized Xiao Yan carefully, “You’re quick-witted and skilled. From now on, you’ll serve beside Yao’er. If you do well, you could even become a first-class maid.”
Xiao Yan bowed again, sincerely saying, “Thank you for your promotion, my lady. I have no family to rely on, and it’s only with your help that I could bury my father. I will serve Young Miss wholeheartedly. I won’t touch what I shouldn’t say or do.”
Shen Wei nodded in satisfaction.
She enjoyed dealing with smart people who didn’t need much reminding; they knew when to keep quiet.
Cai Lian took Xiao Yan away, first to familiarize her with the rules of the Wangfu before sending her to serve Li Yao.
Winter nights fell quickly, and as darkness enveloped the world, the temperature dropped sharply, with tiny snowflakes beginning to fall.
Outside it was cold, but inside it was warm and cozy. Shen Wei, as usual, sat at her vanity, removing the hairpin from her hair, letting her dark locks cascade over her shoulders.
The candlelight was gentle, illuminating her beauty like a painting.
The Prince of Yan enjoyed watching Shen Wei remove her hairpin. Without the adornment of gold, silver, or jade, Shen Wei appeared as pure as a lotus emerging from the water, naturally captivating in her charm.
His gaze swept across the vanity and noticed a vacant spot where the pearls had been. The Prince of Yan had an excellent memory; he raised an eyebrow, “Wei Wei, where have the South China Sea pearls I gifted you gone?”
He had never been the type to pay attention to the jewelry of his wives and concubines, but after spending time with Shen Wei, he had gradually begun to notice her changes.
Shen Wei tilted her head, her dark eyes sparkling with mischief as she moved to the soft couch beside him, wrapping her arm around his sturdy one, her tone a mix of playful and reproachful, “I gave the pearls to the Princess of Pingyang.”
“Why would you give them to her?” the Prince of Yan asked, puzzled.
Shen Wei replied earnestly, “Zhao Qing is quite skilled in weapon-making. Previously, the blueprints she drew for the composite bow were rough and unclear. It took you and the craftsmen from the Ministry of War several long nights to successfully create the weapon. I thought, if I could build a good relationship with Zhao Qing, when she draws new blueprints in the future, I could ask her to be more detailed, so you wouldn’t have to struggle with the designs.”
Look at her, how virtuous she is.
Listen to her, how much she cares for the Prince of Yan.
Is he happy? Is he touched?
Today, a box of South China Sea pearls given to Zhao Qing was, in fact, “killing three birds with one stone.”
First, it brought the spy Xiao Yan back to the Wangfu, resolving a potential leak crisis; second, it uncovered information about the sheep-skin book; and third, it helped the Prince of Yan win over the Hou residence.
Naturally, the Prince of Yan was deeply moved.
He sighed, pulling Shen Wei into his embrace, inhaling the faint fragrance of her hair, and a wave of soft happiness washed over him.
His Wei Wei always thought of him.
However, Shen Wei, being a woman, didn’t see the bigger picture. The glory of the Hou residence wouldn’t last long; it would only become a sharpening stone for the shifting tides of imperial power.
The Prince of Yan patiently told Shen Wei, “There’s no need to win over the Hou residence. A mere Hou residence is beneath my notice.”
Shen Wei looked up in surprise.
Seeing the innocent and naive look in her eyes, the Prince of Yan pinched her nose playfully and laughed, “Ten Hou residences aren’t worth a single Shen Mieyue.”
Table of Contents
