Chapter 191
**Chapter 189: The Beauty of Retirement**
The Yan Wang lay back on the bed, quietly regulating his internal energy. He was seriously injured and would need at least three days of rest before he could get out of bed. There might still be assassins searching outside, so for now, he had no choice but to stay in this Liu family village.
His mind was hazy as he pondered how to contact his subordinates, his eyelids drooping, and soon he drifted back into a deep sleep.
Thanks to his robust constitution, after two days of recuperation, the Yan Wang surprisingly found he could get out of bed. One afternoon, he leaned against the wall and slowly made his way out of the cramped wooden house; he needed to find a way to reach his men.
The farmer's home was modest, consisting of just two earthen rooms and a small courtyard.
The sun shone brightly, and under a lush green tree, Shen Wei was sitting in the yard with an elderly woman with white hair, both of them picking beans together.
“Er Niu went fishing; he’ll make fish soup for your husband tonight,” the old woman said kindly.
Shen Wei smiled, her eyes crescent-shaped. “Thank you, Liu Po Po.”
Liu Po Po chuckled, “No need to mention it. Once he’s healed, you two should head south; no one will be able to find you. Back in the day, my husband and I also snuck away. Now we have three sons.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Shen Wei caught sight of the Yan Wang at the door of the wooden house. She pretended not to see him and continued chatting with Liu Po Po, her words laced with helplessness and a hint of bitterness: “My husband is always so busy and tired, never able to take a moment to rest. I don’t care for wealth or status, nor do I like the pomp and circumstance. I just want to grow old with him, living like an ordinary couple... sigh, it’s just a dream.”
The Yan Wang stood there, stunned.
Wei Wei, she doesn’t like the riches of the royal palace?
Watching Shen Wei’s slightly bitter smile, the Yan Wang felt an inexplicable flutter in his heart. His earlier urgency to return to the capital suddenly quieted. Since the Crown Prince had fallen gravely ill, all his thoughts had been consumed by power struggles, plotting with his advisors, and strategizing with his subordinates.
A peaceful life, free from burdens, seemed out of reach for him.
But hearing Shen Wei’s words today, a flicker of hope ignited within him. If, in the future, great matters were settled, and both he and Shen Wei had aged, they could escape the court and live a tranquil life like ordinary folk.
“You’re a good girl; your husband will surely cherish you,” Liu Po Po said with a warm smile.
Shen Wei nodded, “Yes, my husband is the best man in the world.”
The Yan Wang couldn’t help but smile to himself.
He remained silent, leaning against the door, quietly observing Shen Wei in the yard. It was an ordinary afternoon, in a shabby courtyard, with Shen Wei dressed simply, and green vines climbing the walls, creating a sense of serene beauty.
“Mother, I caught two big fish with my brother!” The courtyard door swung open, and two tall hunters burst in, beaming with joy.
They held two large fish in their hands.
Seeing the Yan Wang standing at the door, Liu Er Niu’s jaw nearly dropped in shock. “Whoa, brother, you’re up! Get back inside and rest!”
Liu Er Niu felt a pang of guilt; it was his fault for mistaking the Yan Wang for a deer that night, nearly shooting him. He stepped forward, wanting to help the Yan Wang. “Brother, you’re really tall and strong! Did you serve in the army like my little brother?”
A couple of years ago, when the enemy troops invaded, the Liu brothers had all wanted to enlist. Despite the dangers of battle, they argued over who would go. In the end, the youngest, Liu Xiao Niu, packed his bags and enlisted overnight, leaving the eldest and second to care for their parents.
The Yan Wang replied calmly, “Yes, I served in the army.”
Liu Er Niu’s face lit up with a simple smile as he patted the Yan Wang’s shoulder, cheerfully saying, “No wonder! You’re as strong as an ox!”
He enthusiastically helped the Yan Wang back inside to rest.
After delivering the fish home, Liu Da Niu and Liu Er Niu didn’t take a break. They drank from the well to quench their thirst and then headed into the mountains with their bows and hunting gear.
As dusk approached, the Yan Wang got out of bed and began to move around. He wasn’t the type to rest easy; lying in bed all day made him feel uncomfortable.
Stepping outside, he found Shen Wei staring blankly at the water tank, a kitchen knife in her hand. Liu Po Po, being too old to wield a knife, had left the task of killing the fish to Shen Wei.
Of course, Shen Wei knew how to kill fish; she could handle wild boars, let alone a fish.
But she couldn’t reveal her other side. Shen Wei feigned helplessness as she gazed at the tank, where the two fish swam provocatively. She reached in to grab one, only to get splashed in the face. Undeterred, she tried again, but the fish wriggled in her hands, its tail nearly slapping her face.
The scene was simply adorable, and the Yan Wang couldn’t help but laugh.
Shen Wei feigned anger, “I... I’ve never killed a fish before! Back home, it was always my brothers and sisters who did it. You used to tease me about it, husband!”
The Yan Wang walked over, enjoying the way she called him “husband.” He teased her, “Call me ‘husband’ a couple more times; I want to hear it.”
Shen Wei fell silent.
The Yan Wang took the knife from her hand and reached into the tank. His large, strong hand easily grasped a seven-pound fish. He placed it on the cutting board and struck its head with the back of the knife, knocking it out instantly.
With practiced ease, he opened it up and cleaned it.
Shen Wei watched, wide-eyed, seemingly seeing a new side of the Yan Wang for the first time. “That’s amazing...”
The Yan Wang smiled, a hint of pride in his voice. “I used to kill chickens and sheep in the army.”
If it weren’t for the Crown Prince’s failing health, the Yan Wang would never have stepped into the treacherous court; he would have preferred to be a prince leading troops into battle.
With the fish prepared, Shen Wei took the initiative to handle the cooking, gently pushing the Yan Wang aside. “You go rest, husband; I’ll cook the fish.”
The farmer’s kitchen was simple, nothing like the well-stocked kitchens of the royal palace. Shen Wei planned to make a simple boiled fish with some greens.
She rolled up her sleeves and busied herself in the cramped kitchen.
The Yan Wang didn’t leave immediately; he stood under the eaves, quietly watching Shen Wei skillfully boil water and cook the fish. Her movements were deft, her expression focused and serious, her dark hair wrapped in a coarse cloth, simple yet beautiful.
A wave of indescribable emotions surged within the Yan Wang. In that moment, he was no longer the prince of Da Qing, and Shen Wei was no longer a concubine. They were just an ordinary couple living a simple life.
Shen Wei was busy in the kitchen.
Occasionally, her gaze would inadvertently sweep over the Yan Wang watching from outside, and a smile would curve her lips—wasn’t rural life beautiful?
Shen Wei had a knack for breathing life into every mundane situation, turning ordinary moments into something valuable. Now that she and the Yan Wang had unexpectedly found themselves in Liu family village, these days couldn’t be wasted; she had to create some value.
She wanted to plant a long-lasting secret seed in the Yan Wang’s heart, a psychological suggestion that would help him appreciate the beauty of “retirement”—what was so great about being a prince? Spending all day serving the Crown Prince, busy to the point of exhaustion. Retirement was far better—soaking up the sun, picking beans, cooking fish, living carefree.
This was also part of Shen Wei’s plan for the future.
After all, the Yan Wang was in good health and should live a long life. Years from now, when Shen Wei’s children grew up, the long-lived Yan Wang would still be clinging to his title, unwilling to step aside and pass the torch. That wouldn’t be good at all.
Now, by planting the seed of “the beauty of retirement” in the Yan Wang’s heart, it would slowly take root over time. The busier he became with court affairs, the faster this seed would sprout and grow stronger.
When the children were finally able to shoulder the responsibilities of the royal household, the Yan Wang would willingly shed the heavy burden from his shoulders and retire early with Shen Wei.
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