Shen's Mother's eyes flashed with disgust as she said coldly, "My daughter has already divorced you. Do not appear before me again."
Liu Boyuan smiled ingratiatingly. "Mother-in-law, you speak too harshly. I have dismissed all my concubines—from now on, I will love only Qiang'er. Mother-in-law, please allow me to see her."
Shen's Mother spat at him in irritation.
Liu Boyuan remained unbothered, still wearing that same fawning expression.
An official in charge of the imperial highway approached and bowed politely to Shen Xiuming. "Lord Shen, it is getting late. Please depart soon."
Shen Xiuming returned the gesture. "Understood."
Ignored by everyone, Shen's Mother and Shen Xiuming returned to their carriage. Shen Wei handed over prepared provisions and silver. "Mother, younger brother, the journey to Jiangnan is long. Take care."
Shen's Mother hastily pushed the silver back. "Child, I still have money. Keep this for yourself. The Prince's Mansion is treacherous—protect yourself well."
After some back-and-forth, Shen Wei failed to give them the money. The coachman cracked his whip, and the carriage carrying Shen's Mother and Shen Xiuming departed.
Shen Wei stood at the edge of the highway for a long while before finally turning back to her own carriage. Liu Boyuan, still undeterred, rubbed his plump hands together. "Sister-in-law, I’ve spent all my silver in the capital. As the esteemed Prince's concubine, won’t you spare me some—"
Shen Wei lifted the carriage curtain, her cool gaze sweeping over the merchant. "Leave the capital within ten days. If you ever set foot here again, you will die."
The midday sun blazed overhead, yet Liu Boyuan felt a sudden chill as he stared at the composed woman in the carriage.
Only when the carriage vanished from sight did Liu Boyuan snap out of his daze. He spat on the ground and cursed, "A mere woman dares to threaten me!"
Now that the Shen family had risen in status, he was determined to find Shen Qiang and win back her affection by any means necessary.
...
The carriage moved discreetly through the bustling streets of the capital.
Cai Ping bought two freshly made sesame candies. Inside the carriage, Shen Wei wiped off her makeup and leisurely nibbled on the sweets, instructing Cai Ping, "Have someone keep an eye on Liu Boyuan. If he’s still in the capital after ten days, break his legs and throw him outside the city to fend for himself."
Dealing with a petty troublemaker like Liu Boyuan was worse than facing a king of hell. Once such a person latched on, trouble was inevitable.
Shen Wei had to crush potential threats before they could take root.
The carriage passed through the lively main streets and entered a quiet district of official residences. Most of the mansions here belonged to capital officials, and at the end, closest to the imperial city, stood Prince Yan's Mansion.
Shen Wei continued eating her sesame candy. She never used to have a sweet tooth, but after giving birth, she inexplicably developed a craving for desserts—especially the capital’s variety of candies. Prince Yan, doted on her so much that he even hired a skilled pastry chef to make all kinds of sweets for her.
Clang—
The carriage jolted slightly as if it had hit something. Cai Ping quickly lifted the curtain and asked the coachman, "What happened?"
The coachman replied, "Miss Cai Ping, Prince Heng's main carriage is ahead. I must yield the way."
The carriage moved to the side, clearing the main road. Shen Wei, still holding a piece of sesame candy between her lips, peeked through the open curtain and caught sight of an opulent, gilded carriage drawn by four horses.
Only Prince Heng could ride in such extravagance.
Prince Heng's carriage slowed to a halt beside Shen Wei’s. The precious silk curtain lifted, revealing the prince’s exquisitely handsome face. His languid gaze settled on Shen Wei.
Shen Wei still had a thin sesame candy in her mouth, her cheeks slightly rounded, her dark eyes gleaming like polished black stones.
Vibrant, beautiful, and full of life.
When their eyes met, Shen Wei quickly swallowed the candy and greeted him politely. "Your Highness, Prince Heng, I hope you are well."
Prince Heng smirked coldly. "This prince is not well."
Shen Wei: "Oh."
Whether he was well or not was none of her concern.
Prince Heng’s features were flawlessly refined—his eyes sharply upturned, his skin pale as jade. But at this moment, his gaze was filled with malice. "You peasant girl, scheming through and through—you truly have talent."
Outsiders believed Shen Wei was simply lucky.
She had given birth to a daughter, her brother had passed the imperial exams, and she had miraculously become Prince Yan’s concubine. But only Prince Heng knew the truth—Shen Wei was no lucky fool. She was a master manipulator.
Shen Wei never acted without certainty. Her clever mind was packed with schemes. From the very beginning, she had aimed for the position of concubine, meticulously planning every step to achieve her goal.
Even if Shen Xiuming had failed the exams, Shen Wei would have found another way. A smart woman never pinned her hopes on a single path—she always had multiple strategies ready.
"Your Highness should mind your words. This humble concubine does not understand what you mean," Shen Wei replied with an innocent expression.
Prince Heng gritted his teeth. Still pretending!
Were you a sack in your past life? So good at putting on an act!
With a sharp flick, Prince Heng dropped the curtain. The grand carriage rolled away.
Inside the luxurious compartment, Prince Heng’s expression darkened, a faint pang of jealousy creeping into his heart. Why was his elder brother so fortunate to have such an intriguing woman?
His own mansion was filled with beauties, yet none of them combined could match the wit of Shen Wei, a woman of humble origins.
Prince Heng recalled the image of her just moments ago—her glossy black hair, simple yet elegant robes, striking brows and fair skin. The corner of her rosy lips had held a tiny sesame candy, a few white sesame seeds clinging to them...
Objectively, Shen Wei was not the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Yet for some reason, she possessed an inexplicable allure.
"Steward," Prince Heng called out sharply.
The steward hurriedly responded, "Your Highness, what are your orders?"
Prince Heng: "Buy a pack of sesame candy."
Steward: "Oh... Pardon?"
The prince despised overly sweet treats—why the sudden craving for sesame candy?
After a while, a guard outside the carriage reported, "Your Highness, we spotted a man following Lady Shen’s carriage."
Prince Heng’s eyes gleamed with interest. "Capture him. This prince will interrogate him later."
Guard: "As you command."
At a street corner, Liu Boyuan—who had been stealthily trailing Shen Wei’s carriage—suddenly felt a sharp pain in his back. Before he could scream, darkness swallowed his vision, and he collapsed unconscious.
...
Shen Wei returned to the Glazed Pavilion, where she tended to her little daughter in the cradle. Little Leyou had grown chubbier, drinking milk voraciously and even attempting to crawl.
Shen Wei planned to have a large bed made soon so the child could move freely and strengthen her limbs.
A commotion arose outside—Granny Liu, the Princess Consort’s attendant, arrived at the Glazed Pavilion with an air of arrogance.
Shen Wei did not let her enter, meeting her instead at the moon gate.
"This old servant greets the concubine," Granny Liu said, her tone reluctant, her bow perfunctory.
Not long ago, Shen Wei had been a lowly serving girl. Now, she was an official concubine of the Prince's Mansion, her name recorded in the imperial registry—a true noble.
Having served the Princess Consort for years, Granny Liu considered herself superior. Yet now, she had no choice but to bow to Shen Wei, which fueled her resentment.
Shen Wei’s voice was indifferent. "What is it?"
Granny Liu said imperiously, "From now on, Madam Shen must come to Kunyu Courtyard at mao hour every morning to pay respects to the Princess Consort. Morning and evening courtesies are traditions passed down by our ancestors—Madam Shen would do well not to forget."
