Chapter 45 The arrival of the concubine's son, a beauty as exquisite as jade, and deep, tender affection.
The beauty traveled a thousand miles to find him, her affection deep and unwavering. She asked for no title or recognition, and took the initiative to propose marriage. Yuan Yan, of course, would not betray Shen Lianzhou's sincere devotion.
So he ordered his servants to decorate the courtyard and prepare for the ceremony of taking a concubine.
The servants of the Prince's mansion immediately sprang into action. Furthermore, since Shen Lianzhou had brought many male attendants with her as part of her dowry, it wasn't long before everyone in the mansion learned that the Prince of Qin was about to take concubines.
"Young Master." Hengwu had just returned from outside and seemed preoccupied. He looked at his young master, who was quietly painting, and hesitated for a long time, unsure of how to begin.
"Hengwu, what's going on outside? Why is it so noisy?" Lu Lingyue heard the commotion outside and only put down her brush after finishing the last stroke, then looked up and asked him.
“Young Master… the manor is preparing for the ceremony of taking in a concubine, saying that His Highness is going to take in a concubine.” Hengwu observed the young master’s expression and said cautiously.
"A junior official?" Lu Lingyue seemed surprised by his words and paused for a moment.
Seeing that the relationship between her young master and His Highness had not yet improved, how could His Highness be about to take a concubine without any warning... Hengwu felt a wave of worry.
"Which family's young master did you take as a concubine?" Lu Lingyue's eyes were deep and her voice was devoid of emotion.
"I heard he is a man surnamed Shen from a merchant family in Tanzhou. He even saved Your Highness when you were in Tanzhou. I heard that Your Highness seems to treat him differently."
Hengwu was also very anxious about this suddenly appearing concubine.
The other party was the first new person to enter the inner palace after His Highness took the young master as a concubine. Moreover, her rank was even higher than the young master's, which made Hengwu feel quite threatened.
Upon hearing this, he immediately tried to find out some information by asking people to come back.
Upon hearing that Shen Lianzhou had saved Yuan Yan, Lu Lingyue couldn't help but recall the assassination attempt on Yuan Yan, and her feelings became complicated.
"Let her take servants if she wants; it's none of my business," Lu Lingyue said in a low voice.
“Young Master, that Shen Shuqing has been kind to His Highness and holds a high position. He is not an ordinary servant. How can they be the same?” Hengwu became increasingly worried when she saw that her young master still did not change his mind, and earnestly advised him.
Furthermore, there was already a rift between the young master and His Highness that had not been mended, and now His Highness has taken in a new concubine, which is like adding insult to injury.
If the minor officials gain favor in the future, Your Highness will never see the young master again.
Hengwu thought with some concern.
However, Lu Lingyue remained expressionless and silent.
He has already reached this point, and Yuan Yan despises him and is unwilling to let him leave behind any bloodline. What does it matter to him whether he is favored or not?
Lu Lingyue's expression was unreadable. She lowered her eyes, dismissed Hengwu, and said, "Hengwu, I'm tired. You can go now."
Seeing that the young master was full of resistance and unwilling to talk any further, Hengwu had no choice but to retreat.
However, after he left, Lu Lingyue stared blankly at the window, lost in thought, her eyes filled with melancholy.
...
Within two days, everything was ready.
Although it was only a concubine's wife, Yuan Yan took it very seriously and had Shen Lianzhou brought into the mansion according to the standards for marrying a secondary wife.
"Shuqing Shen is overjoyed! His Highness's acceptance of a concubine today was conducted with the rites befitting a secondary minister, which shows that in His Highness's heart, a Shuqing's status is different from that of an ordinary person. I will need Shuqing Shen's guidance in the future..."
In the backyard, the eunuch of the Prince's Mansion was beaming with joy as he congratulated Shen Lianzhou.
"Father-in-law, you're too kind."
Shen Lianzhou smiled slightly and winked at Yu Lu, "This is a small amount of silver, please take it and have a cup of tea, don't think it's too little."
Upon seeing this, Yu Lu immediately smiled and stepped forward to slip her father-in-law a red envelope. The father-in-law secretly squeezed it, feeling its weight, and his face lit up with joy.
"Not at all... I thank you, Master Shuqing. Thanks to Master Shen, I am also sharing in the joy on this auspicious day." Eunuch Liu tucked the red seal into his sleeve and smiled, his eyes crinkling.
Thinking to himself, Shen Shuqing truly lived up to his reputation as a son of a merchant family, being incredibly generous and exactly the kind of generous master that servants would love to have.
Eunuch Liu smiled and said, "If you need anything in the future, please feel free to give me your orders, and I will do my best to fulfill them."
"What a coincidence, I happen to have something I'd like to ask you, Father-in-law," Shen Lianzhou said, her expression unchanged.
"I am new here and not very familiar with the young masters in His Highness's inner court. I wonder if you could explain it to me in detail so that I may not be impolite due to my lack of understanding."
But when Eunuch Liu heard this, he shook his head and said, "Your concern about this is unnecessary."
"His Highness's courtyard is extremely deserted; there are hardly any other men there. Apart from the Junior Minister and Attendant Lu, there is no one else."
Yu Lu looked astonished. "How could this be? Does His Highness Prince Qin's residence not have any other servants or attendants...?"
Your Highness is a princess, how come there are only one or two men in your harem? Although this shows that Your Highness is not interested in men, it's still far too few! Yu Lu couldn't believe it.
Even Shen Lianzhou was slightly surprised and asked, "Eunuch Liu, are you saying that there was only one person in His Highness's backyard before?"
“What Lu Cai said is all true. Your Highness and Lu Shifu were once engaged. In order to marry Shifu, Your Highness dismissed the two or three servants in the backyard from the palace. That is why the backyard of the palace is empty and deserted to this day.”
"To be frank, I'm afraid you won't find a woman in the entire capital who cherishes her husband as much as Your Highness does, and whose inner quarters are as clean. If the Lu family hadn't suddenly done that thing back then... Your Highness wouldn't be all alone at marriageable age, without a caring man by your side."
Eunuch Liu sighed, his words revealing his dissatisfaction with Madam Lu and Lu Lingyue.
Shen Lianzhou was no stranger to Lu Shifu, whom her father-in-law had mentioned.
This was all because Yuan Yan's previous public abduction of a bride had caused such a stir. Although His Majesty forbade officials to discuss the matter, it still spread among the common people.
It was common knowledge that the Lu family was opportunistic and broke off their engagement, and that Young Master Lu had abandoned his fiancée and intended to marry the Prince of Qi instead.
Therefore, Shen Lianzhou actually harbored a hidden aversion to the young master Lu, whom she had never met before.
Just imagining the humiliation His Highness must have suffered because of him made Shen Lianzhou frown.
Upon hearing this, Yu Lu couldn't help but inquire on behalf of her young master, "Father-in-law, I wonder if that Lu servant is favored?"
After all, they were once engaged. Could His Highness the Prince of Qin still harbor feelings for him and treat him differently?
“Previously, only Attendant Lu was in the back courtyard, and His Highness would occasionally spend the night there. But I imagine things will be different after you, Shuqing, enter the household. With your appearance and temperament, His Highness will surely dote on you,” said Eunuch Liu.
"Then I'll take your kind words, Father-in-law."
After listening, Shen Lianzhou felt reassured and instructed Yu Lu to escort Eunuch Liu away.
That night.
When Yuan Yan entered the room, Shen Lianzhou was sitting on the carved bed, dressed in silver-red clothes and with a crimson silk veil on her head, quietly waiting for her to approach.
[Host, Shen Lianzhou is waiting for you. Congratulations, host, another top-grade handsome man has been added to your harem. Reward: 100 collection achievement points.]
This time, there were far fewer achievement points than last time. According to the system, achievement points are not given out every time; they only appear at certain important junctures.
For example, when Yuan Yan first took Lu Lingyue into his backyard, the system rewarded him with 500 achievement points.
However, unless you complete the collection, the rewards you get for achieving the same elements will only decrease over time.
"I won't disturb your days of serving others. I'm leaving now." The system then logged off without warning.
The system is at least perceptive.
Yuan Yan stopped communicating with the system, came to Chen Lianzhou, and gently lifted his veil.
Beneath the veil, the beauty was as lovely as jade.
His skin was as smooth as silk, his eyes were clear, and his long eyelashes fluttered gently in the candlelight. He wore light makeup, with a touch of rouge spreading out, adding a touch of beauty to his jade-like face.
“Your Highness…” Shen Lianzhou faced her, their breaths mingling, and a hint of shyness involuntarily crept into his eyes.
"Lian Zhou looks beautiful today." Yuan Yan admired the picturesque scene of the beautiful woman, sat down by the bed, and reached out to stroke her silky black hair.
Shen Lianzhou was already a rare beauty, and now, dressed in her finest attire, she was even more radiant.
"Does Your Highness like the appearance of the lotus boat?"
When Shen Lianzhou saw Yuan Yan sit down beside her, her breathing became lighter.
Hearing her words, a flutter rose in his heart, and he tilted his head back and whispered back.
Although he always knew he was good-looking, he was a little older than usual in the Shen family and not as fresh and beautiful as those young men who had just come of age.
When Shen Lianzhou was drawing his eyebrows in front of the mirror earlier, he was worried that His Highness might think that his appearance was not as good as others. Only now, Yuan Yan's words have put his mind at ease.
“Of course, Lianzhou was beautiful in my heart, and she is even more beautiful tonight.”
Yuan Yan smelled the faint fragrance emanating from him, and gazed at the blush creeping up his neck. His eyes deepened, and his voice became hoarse.
The way His Highness looked at him was filled with both affection and desire; it was undoubtedly the way a woman looks at a man.
Just being stared at like that made Shen Lianzhou's body gradually heat up.
"Zhou'er, let's settle down here." Yuan Yan stared at his crimson lips and gently pushed the beauty down.
The red candles flickered, and the night was filled with joy.
...
After the clouds dispersed and the rain stopped, Yuan Yan embraced Chen Lianzhou, and the two nestled together.
Above Shen Lianzhou's collarbone, where the virginity mark used to be, her skin has returned to its fair color.
"Lianzhou, the ceremony was rushed tonight, I'm sorry to have troubled you."
Yuan Yan gazed at his still flushed cheeks, slowly savoring the lingering sensation in his body, and spoke softly.
“This marriage was arranged by Lianzhou. I am of lowly status, yet His Highness treats me with the respect due to a concubine, showing his affection. Lianzhou understands this in his heart, so what grievance could he possibly have?”
Shen Lianzhou looked tired as she leaned against Yuan Yan.
He gently stroked the scar on Yuan Yan's waist and abdomen, gazing at it with tenderness in his eyes as he spoke softly.
"Your Highness's scar seems to have faded considerably."
“I have been using the medicine from the Lotus Boat, and it works very well,” Yuan Yan said.
"I was worried that Your Highness would forget because you're busy. From now on, I'll apply the medicine for Your Highness."
Shen Lianzhou leaned closer, her moist lips gently pecking at Yuan Yan's scar.
Yuan Yan's waist and abdomen twitched slightly. Her gaze towards Shen Lianzhou deepened, and a surge of heat rose within her, giving her an urge to take him a few more times.
However, considering that Shen Lianzhou was receiving the emperor's favor for the first time, Yuan Yan finally let out a slight sigh and did not move again. He simply held Shen Lianzhou even tighter and asked him about his plans for the future.
"Lianzhou, now that you've arrived in the capital, what are your plans for the business in Tanzhou?"
Shen Lianzhou felt a warmth in her heart. "Your Highness need not worry. I have already arranged for the shopkeepers and others to manage the business."
Yuan Yan pondered for a moment upon hearing this. However, her next words surprised Shen Lianzhou.
"Does Lianzhou still have any intention of continuing to engage in commerce?"
Shen Lianzhou was stunned: "...Can I still continue to manage the Shen family's business?"
"According to the rules of the Prince's Mansion, it is not permissible. The servants in the mansion are not allowed to leave the mansion. Tanzhou is far away, and it would be very inconvenient to manage the business there."
"However, I don't know if Lianzhou has any plans to shift the Shen family's business focus to the capital."
“Shen’s silk is unique, and when paired with Tanzhou Xiang embroidery, it has a distinctive style. I think it would be popular with many customers in the capital. If Lianzhou is interested, perhaps we could give it a try.”
Yuan Yan had inspected the goods at the Shen family's silk shop; the silk was supple and lustrous. Its quality was in no way inferior to that of the silk shops favored by high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital.
If such a shop is located in the capital, and it is well-promoted, it may be able to compete with those established shops.
Upon hearing this, Shen Lianzhou pondered Yuan Yan's words carefully, finding them increasingly feasible, and a clear light appeared in her eyes.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
He said, "I'll try it out on the lotus boat another day."
Yuan Yan then said, "The expenses of setting up shops in the capital are considerable. I wonder if Lianzhou has enough silver on hand right now? If not, I have some here. You can ask the steward for it and use it as you see fit."
Money is also very important if you want to seize power as quickly as possible.
Although Yuan Yan possessed a considerable fortune, including possessions left by his father, bribes from Chu Prefecture, and rewards from his mother, it was negligible in the struggle for the throne.
This is because Yuan Yan not only has a huge royal residence to support, but also faces enormous daily expenses if he wants to cultivate his power and even raise an army in the future. Relying solely on the current money and existing shops is clearly not enough; other sources of income are needed.
Therefore, Yuan Yan recognized Shen Lianzhou's business acumen and intended to entrust him with managing a portion of his funds to open a silk shop in the capital, thereby increasing the income of the Prince's Mansion.
Shen Lianzhou understood Yuan Yan's meaning, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart again at her trust in entrusting him with managing her private funds.
Although the Shen family was extremely wealthy and Shen Lianzhou actually had enough money to spare, he still readily accepted his wife's kindness.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony with Your Highness. I'll have someone check the shop tomorrow. If you need too much, Your Highness shouldn't ask Lianzhou for help."
The system detected the keyword "money" and was forced to go online. Seeing that the two had already reached an agreement, he began to complain speechlessly.
[Host, I'm speechless. How come you're still discussing business with Shen Lianzhou on your wedding night?!]
"Other systems are always pushing their hosts to work. But you're different. I'm the one who's making me rest while I'm actively completing tasks. Given our relationship, who's the system and who's the host?" Yuan Yan thought to himself.
【Oh, that's not what I meant. I just wanted you to balance work and rest. Since your husband is by your side, you should get some rest!】
"Um?"
[Alright, I'm outta here. Host, do whatever you want...]
The system had already learned to read the room. Afraid of being rebuked by Yuan Yan, it quickly logged off.
After the two discussed this point, Shen Lianzhou received His Highness's approval and had a plan in mind.
However, considering that if he continues to run his business, he will probably have less time to spend with His Highness, and what if Lu Shifu takes over then?
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