Two days later, after finishing his official duties at the Eastern Palace, Prince Yan returned to the Prince's Mansion under the cover of night. The summer evening was stiflingly hot, with not a hint of breeze. Beads of sweat formed on Prince Yan's forehead as he dismounted and entered the mansion. His eyes immediately fell on a figure dressed in light green standing under the eaves, waiting for him.
It was Shen Wei.
In the oppressive heat, she wore a refreshing green dress, adorned with a vibrant emerald hairpin. The sight of someone eagerly waiting for him after a long day of work eased Prince Yan's fatigue.
"Your Highness, you're back!" Shen Wei exclaimed joyfully upon seeing Prince Yan's tall figure. She hurried over, lifting the hem of her skirt. Noticing the sweat on his forehead, she quickly took out a light green handkerchief to wipe it away. Then, she produced a small folding fan from her sleeve and began to fan him gently.
The handkerchief carried a faint scent of mugwort mixed with a refreshing hint of mint, instantly cooling Prince Yan and leaving him feeling invigorated.
"Why are you waiting for me at the entrance today?" Prince Yan asked with a smile.
Shen Wei's eyes curved into crescents as she replied in a sweet voice, "Your Highness had me move to the Glazed Pavilion. It's spacious and beautiful, and I've been living there comfortably these past few days. When I heard you were returning today, I wanted to come and thank you in person."
As a favored concubine, Shen Wei naturally made sure to show her care for Prince Yan, providing him with the utmost emotional comfort. When Prince Yan was happy, her own little treasury flourished.
Prince Yan held Shen Wei's hand and walked with her into the Glazed Pavilion. As they stepped inside, a cool breeze greeted them. The pavilion was adorned with exquisite pavilions and elegant water pavilions, with a small artificial mountain trickling cool water. In the courtyard, two newly cultivated vegetable plots were already thriving with lush greens.
The courtyard was larger and more picturesque, brimming with vitality.
For dinner, Shen Wei had prepared a variety of light and refreshing dishes to combat the summer heat, including her specially made brown sugar jelly.
The jelly was simple to make: glutinous rice was soaked, ground into a paste, and mixed with chopped plantain leaves. It was then slowly simmered over low heat until it thickened. Finally, melted brown sugar water was added, and the mixture was left to cool, resulting in a refreshing and delicious treat.
Prince Yan took a bite of the jelly and was thoroughly impressed. He quickly finished the entire bowl.
After dinner, Shen Wei took Prince Yan's hand, and the two strolled leisurely through the new courtyard. Eventually, they arrived at a newly built water pavilion.
Lotus flowers were in full bloom, and the air by the water was cool. Inside the pavilion was a wooden bathtub, with a few pink lotus petals floating in the water.
"Your Highness, the summer night is so hot. How about a bath to cool off?" Shen Wei asked with a charming smile, her delicate fingers lightly tugging at Prince Yan's jade belt.
Her gaze was alluring, and her smile was irresistible.
Prince Yan's breathing quickened. He swept Shen Wei into his arms and carried her into the bathtub. The two played and laughed until late into the night, when Prince Yan finally carried a drowsy Shen Wei back to bed, fully satisfied.
Prince Yan cherished these simple yet beautiful moments with Shen Wei. Being with her always helped him shed his fatigue and left him feeling deeply content.
...
After moving into the Glazed Pavilion, Shen Wei received even more favor and enjoyed a life of luxury.
One morning, Shen Wei was jogging slowly in the courtyard when an unexpected visitor arrived at the Glazed Pavilion. It was Zhang Miaoyu, the chubby concubine, who peeked through the gate with her large, curious eyes.
"Shen Wei, Shen Wei!" Zhang Miaoyu called out as she hurried in, lifting her skirt.
Shen Wei stopped jogging and took a towel from Cai Ping to wipe her sweat. She asked patiently, "Sister Miaoyu, what brings you here?"
Most of the women in the Prince's Mansion rarely ventured out, spending their days indoors.
But Zhang Miaoyu was different. She occasionally visited Shen Wei for a chat. Her residence, the Fragrant Flower Courtyard, was close to Shen Wei's Glazed Pavilion, making it convenient for her to drop by.
Zhang Miaoyu looked around curiously, her eyes filled with amazement at the vibrant courtyard. "Shen Wei, you've made the courtyard so lively! It's so cool here, and there aren't even any mosquitoes. No wonder the prince favors you."
After complimenting Shen Wei enthusiastically, Zhang Miaoyu abruptly changed the subject: "I heard you made something called brown sugar jelly. Is it delicious? Can I try some? Can I take two buckets home?"
Shen Wei was speechless.
Zhang Miaoyu was, as always, a food enthusiast.
Shen Wei instructed Cai Ping to fetch the jelly from the well. In the summer heat, storing the jelly in the cool well water made it even more refreshing.
Cai Ping took out the jelly, cut a small portion, and placed it in a porcelain bowl. She added some watermelon chunks, brown sugar water, and sesame seeds.
Zhang Miaoyu eagerly took the bowl and scooped a spoonful into her mouth.
The jelly melted on her tongue, cool and sweet. Zhang Miaoyu's eyes narrowed in bliss as she devoured the rest of the jelly in one go.
Still unsatisfied, she eyed the remaining jelly and asked, "Can I take the rest home?"
Shen Wei shook her head with a smile and explained patiently, "The prince will want some tonight."
Zhang Miaoyu wasn't deterred. She pulled out two golden leaves from her pocket. "I'll buy it with gold."
The two glittering golden leaves dangled in front of Shen Wei's eyes.
Without hesitation, Shen Wei ordered, "Cai Ping, deliver all the jelly to Sister Miaoyu's residence!"
If the wealthy sister wanted jelly, Shen Wei would give her as much as she desired!
Shen Wei had heard that Zhang Miaoyu's father was a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Revenue, overseeing finances. Officials in that department were notoriously wealthy.
Although Zhang Miaoyu wasn't particularly favored in the Prince's Mansion, her wealthy family provided her with a comfortable life and ample spending money.
Shen Wei took Zhang Miaoyu's hand, her eyes filled with admiration for the wealthy sister. "Besides jelly, I can also make ice jelly, sweet rice balls, and mint sago pudding. As long as you're willing to pay, I'll make them for you every day."
Shen Wei had always harbored entrepreneurial ambitions.
She had accumulated a considerable amount of silver in her personal treasury, but it was just sitting there, unused. As someone who loved making money, Shen Wei naturally planned to expand her capital.
When the time was right, she would open a shop in the capital, starting with refreshing summer drinks. Once her capital grew, she would venture into real estate and other businesses.
In ancient times, the foundations of success were power and money.
Shen Wei intended to achieve both, step by step.
Unaware of Shen Wei's grand plans, Zhang Miaoyu's eyes lit up. "Great! It's a deal—but what is mint sago pudding?"
Just as Shen Wei was about to explain, she noticed Granny Liu entering the Glazed Pavilion out of the corner of her eye.
Granny Liu was dressed in her usual stern gray robe, her sharp eyes scanning Shen Wei as she spoke in a cold tone, "Lady Shen, the princess requests your presence."
The atmosphere turned tense.
Zhang Miaoyu, oblivious to the gravity of the situation, asked innocently, "Does the princess also want some jelly?"
Granny Liu glanced at the naive Zhang Miaoyu but didn't respond.
Shen Wei, however, remained composed. "Please wait a moment, Granny Liu. I need to change my clothes."
Granny Liu replied curtly, "Be quick. Don't delay."
Shen Wei returned to her chambers, where Cai Ping and Cai Lian helped her change into a new purple gauze dress with emerald patterns.
As Cai Ping assisted Shen Wei, she whispered, "My lady, Fang Er from the Rose Courtyard came this morning with news. Zhang Yue has gone to the princess to accuse you of practicing witchcraft."
Shen Wei calmly inserted a white jade hairpin into her hair. "Is everything prepared?"
Cai Ping nodded. "Don't worry, my lady. Sister Cai Lian has already followed your instructions and replaced the items."
Once dressed, Shen Wei, accompanied by Cai Ping, headed to the princess's Kunyu Pavilion. Zhang Miaoyu, concerned, also followed along to see what was happening.
