Shen Wei cast her bait and finally hooked the big fish—Dr. Yang. She immediately instructed Nanny Rong to relay a message to Shopkeeper Ye, informing him that she would visit Dr. Yang the next day.
The following day, Shen Wei discreetly changed into a plain-colored gown and left the Prince's Mansion through the back courtyard with Nanny Rong.
In the rear garden of the mansion, Xiang'er, a concubine standing by the pond, watched Shen Wei with venomous eyes, like a snake lurking in the shadows.
Xiang'er muttered, "Why is Shen Wei leaving the mansion again? Could she be up to something unsavory outside?"
Her maid cautioned, "My lady, be careful with your words."
Xiang'er froze, then glared at her maid in disbelief. "You're my maid! Why are you siding with Shen Wei?"
The maid didn't respond, nor did she care to. Shen Wei was now pregnant, yet the prince's favor toward her hadn't waned in the slightest—he still spent most of his nights in Liuli Pavilion.
