Shen Wei's singing voice was like the gentle spring water of March, but suddenly it was tainted by filth; it was like the blooming lotus in a summer pond, abruptly bitten and torn by a toad; it resembled the birds on autumn branches preparing to fly south, only to be struck down by a hunter's arrow; or the red plum blossoms of winter, crushed under the weight of snow, never to rise again.
The mountains split open as if struck by an earthquake, the great river burst its banks from a torrential downpour, a bolt of lightning cracked the clear sky, and the heavens and earth seemed to collapse amidst wailing ghosts and howling wolves.
After singing a dozen lines, Shen Wei finally stopped with confidence, her large eyes gleaming brightly: "Did it sound good?"
Cai Lian and Cai Ping exchanged silent glances.
How could they tactfully remind their mistress that her singing was... less than pleasant?
At that moment, Nanny Rong rushed in, clutching a half-peeled peach. She cried out anxiously, "Has a mouse gotten into the house? I thought I heard the mistress screaming in fright!"
Now it was Shen Wei's turn to fall silent.
There's nothing difficult in the world for those who are willing to give up.
But Shen Wei didn’t want to give up. She couldn’t master the complex melodies of Kunqu opera, but she could learn some simpler tunes. She didn’t need to be an expert, but she wanted to at least be competent.
With persistent practice, she believed her singing would surely improve.
It wasn’t just singing—Shen Wei was determined to continue learning the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, to master palace etiquette, and to understand the customs and culture of this world. She would keep learning and improving for as long as she lived.
"By the way, where is Prince Yan staying tonight?" Shen Wei asked Nanny Rong.
Nanny Rong replied, "According to Fu Gui, the steward, Prince Yan will be dining at the Princess Consort’s Kunyu Courtyard tonight."
The Princess Consort was Prince Yan’s lawful wife, and he visited her several times a month to show her the respect she deserved.
If Prince Yan were to stay exclusively with Shen Wei, he would risk gaining a reputation for favoring a concubine over his wife, and Shen Wei would become a target of criticism.
With Prince Yan not coming to her tonight, Shen Wei could finally get a good night’s sleep. She stretched lazily and instructed Nanny Rong, "Tell the kitchen I’d like stir-fried spinach, shrimp and seaweed soup, and braised chicken with mushrooms for dinner."
The perks of being a favored concubine meant she could eat whatever she desired.
The royal kitchen never dared to skimp on her meals, sending her all the finest dishes. Her treatment was second only to that of the Princess Consort.
...
That night, Shen Wei enjoyed her meal with delight in the Glazed Pavilion. Prince Yan returned under the cover of darkness, exhausted from a day filled with urgent matters: border conflicts, floods in the south, and corruption scandals in the Ministry of Rites.
With the Crown Prince in poor health, Prince Yan had no choice but to shoulder the burden of handling the Crown Prince’s duties. He had been so busy that he only returned to the palace after dark, his stomach growling with hunger.
The stifling heat of the day only added to his irritability.
Prince Yan made his way to the Kunyu Courtyard to dine with the Princess Consort. Though he felt no affection for her, she was his lawful wife, and he would always show her the respect she was due.
"Your Highness, this is a plate of freshly cut peaches sent by Lady Shen. She said that since the weather is so hot, the chilled peaches might help cool you down," Fu Gui greeted him, presenting a bowl from the food box.
Inside the bowl were three fresh peach slices, peeled and skewered with toothpicks.
Prince Yan took a bite. The peach was crisp and sweet, and the chill made it even more refreshing. The oppressive heat of the summer day seemed to ease slightly.
Fu Gui watched the delicious peaches longingly. How wonderful it would be to enjoy a bite of chilled peach on such a sweltering day.
But as a servant, he had no right to such luxuries.
"Go to the Glazed Pavilion and tell Shen Wei that I will visit her tomorrow," Prince Yan instructed Fu Gui.
With that, Prince Yan entered the Kunyu Courtyard.
A strong scent of incense from the Buddhist shrine filled the air, almost overwhelming. The Princess Consort burned incense daily in the prayer hall, and over time, the entire courtyard had become permeated with the heavy aroma of incense and candles.
On such a hot day, the smell only added to the discomfort. Prince Yan couldn’t help but think of Shen Wei’s courtyard, always filled with the fresh scent of flowers and plants, and how cool and refreshing her chambers felt in the summer.
"Your Highness, dinner is ready," the Princess Consort greeted him warmly.
The Princess Consort had prepared an elaborate feast for Prince Yan. The table was laden with braised pork trotters, sweet and sour spare ribs, lotus root and ham soup, shrimp, and more, forming a lavish spread.
Steam rose from the dishes.
The room was already stiflingly hot, and the steaming food only made it worse. Eating in the summer always left one drenched in sweat. Prince Yan took a few bites, beads of perspiration forming on his forehead.
He set down his chopsticks and asked the Princess Consort, "Have you prepared the birthday gift for Princess Zhao Yang?"
The Princess Consort’s hand holding the chopsticks froze.
She had completely forgotten that Princess Zhao Yang’s birthday was approaching, and the Prince’s household was expected to present a gift. But in recent days, she had been preoccupied with overseeing her children’s studies and had neglected this important task.
However, she couldn’t let her oversight show. Forcing a smile, she replied, "Your Highness need not worry. I am already preparing a gift that will surely please Princess Zhao Yang."
Gifts for a princess were usually nothing more than gold, silver, or jade.
The royal treasury was filled with such treasures, and it wouldn’t take much time to select a few pieces.
Prince Yan didn’t press further and continued his meal. He particularly enjoyed the sweet and sour spare ribs, eating five or six pieces without pause.
Royal dining etiquette demanded that one eat slowly and chew thoroughly, avoiding excessive consumption of any single dish.
But Prince Yan had been working tirelessly all day, expending a great deal of energy, and his hunger drove him to eat quickly.
Perhaps due to her habit of disciplining her children, the Princess Consort had developed a tendency to correct others. Seeing Prince Yan’s lack of decorum, she couldn’t help but gently remind him, "Your Highness, eating too much meat can upset your stomach. Perhaps you should have more vegetables. And remember to chew slowly—servants, take the sweet and sour spare ribs away."
With that, she used a serving pair of chopsticks to place a few pieces of stir-fried greens on Prince Yan’s plate.
Prince Yan’s irritation flared.
He slammed his chopsticks down. "How I eat is none of your concern, Princess Consort."
The Princess Consort stiffened, her eyes welling with hurt.
She had only been thinking of Prince Yan’s health and hadn’t expected him to reject her well-meaning advice.
Bitterly, she said, "Your Highness, I only have your best interests at heart. As the saying goes, honest advice is hard to hear but good for the soul."
Prince Yan had no patience for her nagging. Her incessant chatter only made his head ache.
Though he favored Shen Wei, Prince Yan still made a point of visiting the Princess Consort several times a month to maintain appearances.
But every time he came, her words and actions seemed designed to irritate him.
Unable to stay any longer, Prince Yan stormed out.
As he left the Kunyu Courtyard, the cool moonlight bathed the surroundings, and the heavy scent of incense was replaced by fresh air. Prince Yan exhaled deeply in relief.
"To the Glazed Pavilion," he said, gazing toward the pavilion. Shen Wei had hung several beautiful carp-shaped lanterns from the eaves of the second floor, their glow standing out vividly in the night.
In the lifeless palace, the Glazed Pavilion was the only place that felt alive.
...
After Prince Yan’s abrupt departure, the Princess Consort set down her chopsticks, her strength drained.
The lavish feast on the table, which she had spent the entire afternoon preparing with great care, had barely been touched. Prince Yan had shown her no consideration, leaving without a second thought.
Tears welled in her eyes, her heart aching as if pierced by a knife.
Fu Gui entered the room and bowed respectfully. "Princess Consort, His Highness has left instructions. Please ensure the birthday gift for Princess Zhao Yang is prepared promptly, and do not overburden the young masters with their studies. Additionally, the spring revenue from the estate’s farmland needs to be reviewed with your assistance."
The Princess Consort took a deep breath, wiped her tears, and replied in a calm, detached tone, "The spring revenue has always been your responsibility. You may continue to handle it this year as well."
