Shen Wei understood the situation clearly.
Since the Empress currently favored her, Shen Wei naturally couldn’t remain idle. She needed to offer some "repayment" to win the Empress’s goodwill.
Strengthening the bond between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law and finding a way to make the Empress one of her pillars of support would solidify her standing in the royal manor and ensure her private coffers grew even fuller.
After a moment’s thought, Shen Wei feigned deep emotion and told Nanny Qian, "Her Majesty’s grace is beyond measure, and this humble one has nothing worthy to offer in return. However, I have a beauty recipe called **[Jade Beauty Powder]**, which helps diminish wrinkles, resist aging, and enhance one’s appearance. I would like to gift it to Her Majesty."
Earlier, Shen Wei had discreetly observed that the Empress already had faint fine lines at the corners of her eyes, and her skin had begun to sag.
Offering her a skincare remedy was something the Empress would undoubtedly accept. No woman was indifferent to beauty, and the Empress was no exception.
Shen Wei handed the **[Jade Beauty Powder]** recipe to Nanny Qian, her expression innocent and earnest. "This is a recipe passed down in my hometown. It’s quite miraculous."
Nanny Qian studied Shen Wei intently, admiration flickering in her eyes. "You are most thoughtful, Mistress Shen."
After personally seeing Nanny Qian off, Shen Wei returned to Liuli Pavilion.
She inspected the Empress’s lavish rewards—gold and silver jewelry, jade ornaments, bolts of silk, and costly tonics—all packed in a heavy wooden chest.
"Mistress, shall we store Her Majesty’s gifts in your treasury?" Nanny Rong inquired.
Shen Wei trailed her fingers over the smooth silk, pondering for a moment. "Not yet. Once the Princess Consort returns, have this chest delivered to her."
Nanny Rong looked puzzled.
...
Meanwhile, in the rear courtyard of the Princess’s residence, Zhao Yang Princess intercepted Yan Yunting.
Yan Yunting stood with his hands behind his back, his refined features unreadable as the wind lifted the hem of his robe.
Zhao Yang lifted her delicate chin and declared in a coy tone, "This Princess merely wishes to tell you that I won’t force anyone’s hand—I won’t use an imperial decree to bind you to my side."
Yan Yunting bowed slightly. "This lowly official is unworthy and could never presume to match Your Highness. I am grateful you refrained from requesting an imperial marriage decree today."
Zhao Yang huffed indignantly. "But mark my words, Yan Yunting, I like you now, but that may not always be the case."
She had pursued him for years.
She was flesh and blood, and even she grew weary. Having her heart wounded time and again, she too felt the pain.
A faint smile flitted across Yan Yunting’s lips.
He knew Zhao Yang was speaking in anger. She had loved him for years—that love had seeped into her bones. How could she give up so easily?
Yan Yunting cupped his hands respectfully. "Official duties await. This lowly official must take his leave."
Zhao Yang remained in the garden, watching Yan Yunting’s tall, composed figure recede into the distance. The breeze stirred his robes, making them ripple like water, his silhouette elegant and unshaken.
Zhao Yang’s mind wandered. Ever since falling for Yan Yunting, all she ever saw was his retreating back.
He left her nothing but his back.
Zhao Yang pressed a hand to her chest, willing away the sharp ache. She turned to her maid, Yun'er. "Fetch my farming tools. This Princess will tend to her vegetable garden! And prepare several batches of the beauty recipe Shen Wei gave me."
Only by keeping busy could she stave off the endless tide of sorrow.
Perhaps Shen Wei was right—she loved Yan Yunting only because she was ill. Once she recovered, perhaps the love would fade too.
...
As Yan Yunting left the Princess’s residence and prepared to board his carriage, his gaze caught a figure in pale green standing at the street corner.
It was Tantai Rou.
Clad in a light green silk dress, her hair adorned with a white jade plum blossom hairpin, she wore no makeup. The wind buffeted her fragile frame, making her seem as though she might collapse at any moment.
"Rou'er, why are you here?" Yan Yunting hurried over, then noticed the package of herbs in her hand. "Are you unwell?"
Tantai Rou offered a weak smile, her beautiful eyes brimming with unshed tears as she gazed at him. "Father caught a chill last night. I went to the apothecary for medicine and happened to pass by the Princess’s residence."
The entrance to the Princess’s estate was crowded with luxurious carriages, noble guests coming and going in a steady stream.
Tantai Rou sighed wistfully. "Brother Yunting, the Princess’s birthday banquet must have been splendid."
Yan Yunting nodded. "With His Majesty and Her Majesty in attendance, it was indeed lively."
Tantai Rou lowered her head, a bitter smile curling her pale lips. "How wonderful. When I was a child, drifting with Father, I spent my birthdays alone."
Yan Yunting’s heart ached for her.
Yes, Zhao Yang Princess was born to privilege, her birthday graced by the Emperor and Empress. Tantai Rou, of modest origins, had no one to celebrate her—she had grown up in solitude.
"Don’t worry. From now on, I’ll celebrate every birthday with you," Yan Yunting promised tenderly.
Tantai Rou’s eyes shimmered with emotion. Her delicate fingers brushed his sleeve as she whispered, "Brother Yunting, having you is such a blessing."
She looked fragile and pitiable, her eyes rimmed with red—utterly heartrending.
Yan Yunting, moved, drew her into his arms. He would never fail such a gentle, devoted woman.
...
After the Princess’s birthday banquet concluded, the Empress summoned the Princess Consort of Yan to Kunning Palace.
Once the attendants withdrew, only the Empress seated on the throne, the elderly nanny at her side, and the kneeling Princess Consort remained in the vast hall.
The Empress took a sip of cooled tea and spoke indifferently. "Tantai Shuya, do you know your mistake?"
The Princess Consort knelt on the icy white jade floor, anxiety gnawing at her as she racked her brain for any misstep.
Every word and action today had been within propriety.
What had she done wrong?
Then it struck her—Shen Wei’s pregnancy. Perhaps the Empress was reprimanding her, as the manor’s mistress, for failing to notice a concubine’s condition?
But Shen Wei was only a month along, and the Princess Consort had only just learned of it. She protested meekly, "Mother, I truly did not know of Shen Wei’s pregnancy earlier. Had I known, I would never have allowed her to leave the manor today."
The Empress slammed her teacup down. "We will discuss Shen Wei’s pregnancy later. Are you truly unaware of your blunder?"
The Princess Consort’s eyes reddened. "I... genuinely don’t know..."
The Empress’s temples throbbed. How had she misjudged so badly, allowing such a fool to marry the Prince of Yan?
Her voice turned stern. "For Zhao Yang’s birthday, every noble family in the capital presented carefully selected gifts. And what did you send?"
The Princess Consort thought of the jade ruyi scepter.
Crafted from the finest Hetian jade, its clarity unmatched—it was a rare treasure. What could be wrong with gifting such an exquisite piece to Zhao Yang?
The Empress sighed at her denseness. "When you were first with child years ago, the summer heat made you lose your appetite. I had the Imperial Household Department fashion a jade ruyi to soothe your pregnancy, first consecrated in the Guanyin Temple for two days before being delivered to you. Its cool touch brought relief in the sweltering heat."
Inside the ruyi, the auspicious phrase **[Peach Blossoms Herald Prosperity, Paired Flowers Bloom]** was engraved.
A jade ruyi blessed before Guanyin was meant only for married women or brides.
Zhao Yang was unwed. Giving her a used ruyi—what message did that send? Was it appropriate?
