The Prince's Beloved Little Wife

King Wen's residence was located in the opposite direction from King Jing's residence. Because he was a scholar and preferred quiet, he chose a residence that was quiet and far away from crowds. Therefore, his residence was the furthest among his brothers and sisters.

It took about half an hour by carriage to reach the Prince Wen's residence. Upon alighting, a very elegant mansion appeared before them. The gates were open, and a steward was waiting at the entrance. The vermilion paint on the gates shone in the sunlight, exuding an ancient and serene aura. Two imposing stone lions sat guard at the entrance, yet they also possessed a refined elegance, as if they had absorbed the temperament of their master.

The greenery on both sides of the steps was meticulously trimmed, like carefully sculpted works of art. Two servants stood in front of the door, dressed in simple cloth clothes, yet they stood tall and straight, their eyes bright and intelligent, unlike ordinary, uncouth people.

At this moment, several young scholars lingered outside the mansion gate. They held scrolls in their hands, occasionally exchanging a few words in hushed tones, their eyes filled with reverence and anticipation. One of them, dressed in a moon-white robe, possessed a handsome and refined appearance. Gazing at the plaque above the gate, he softly recited verses by King Wen, his voice clear and melodious, drawing admiring glances from the other scholars. Occasionally, passersby would glance curiously, but seeing the scholars' focused expressions, they would soften their steps, afraid of disturbing the tranquil and elegant atmosphere.

When the steward saw that Prince Jing had arrived, he quickly told the servants to come forward and pay their respects. When he saw the guards unloading things from the carriage, he quickly directed the servants to help carry them, while he led them inside.

Chen Mengyao and her group slowly walked through the quiet and secluded courtyard, where they came into view of the solemn and dignified main hall. Stepping into the main hall, a sense of elegance and grandeur immediately enveloped them. The layout of the main hall was truly ingenious, with every detail showcasing the owner's refined taste and profound cultural background.

Looking up, one sees exquisite calligraphy and paintings by famous figures hanging high on the walls. Some of these works are vigorous and powerful, while others are delicate and graceful, with a lingering charm. They depict the magnificence of mountains and rivers, portray the liveliness of flowers, birds, fish and insects, or vividly portray the expressions of people, all of which are breathtaking.

Sunlight streamed through the carved windows, casting dappled shadows on the floor, which complemented the calligraphy and paintings on the walls, creating an atmosphere that seemed to transport visitors to a world brimming with art. The neatly arranged tables and chairs stood quietly by, as if awaiting the arrival of guests. In this elegant and grand setting, everything appeared so harmonious and beautiful, adding a vibrant touch to the courtyard.

Chen Mengyao was captivated by the elegant atmosphere. As expected of a renowned scholar, even the furnishings of his residence were exceptionally refined. Upon seeing Chen Mengyao arrive, Princess Wen warmly took her hand and led her to a seat, instructing servants to prepare tea and refreshments. Compared to the Crown Prince's and Prince Duan's residences, the refreshments in Prince Wen's residence did indeed lack some of the extravagance and luxury. However, this did not mean they were inferior. On the contrary, although these refreshments appeared simple, their unique flavors were unforgettable. With each gentle bite, the delicate texture instantly blossomed on the tongue, sweet but not cloying, fragrant but not vulgar, as if one could feel the maker's painstaking effort and ingenuity. Each refreshment possessed its own unique taste, some as fresh and elegant as a spring breeze, others as rich and mellow as the warm autumn sun, offering a feast for the senses.

Ouyang Han sat next to his second brother. Chen Mengyao said, "Second sister-in-law, your hall is so elegantly decorated. You two truly are a perfect couple. I brought gifts for you today." She then had the guards bring up the gifts, which she opened one by one to show them. "These are all carefully selected gifts suitable for you, and there are also many toys for the children."

After speaking, he showed them the pens and notebooks they had never seen before and demonstrated how to use them. King Wen was fascinated by the pens that could write without ink, and the small, exquisite notebooks were perfect for carrying around. He thought they would be very convenient for writing poetry when he was traveling. He then cupped his hands in thanks to Chen Mengyao and said, "Thank you so much, sister-in-law. These gifts are exactly what I wanted. These pens and notebooks are so convenient for me when I'm traveling."

After showing her the paper and pen, she presented Princess Wen with a diamond necklace and skincare products. Princess Wen gazed at the diamond necklace with her beautiful eyes; its dazzling light was like twinkling stars in the night sky, mesmerizing and captivating. Each diamond had been meticulously cut and polished, presenting a perfect geometric shape, and they intertwined to emit a mesmerizing brilliance.

Princess Wen couldn't help but reach out her delicate hand and gently touch the necklace, feeling its smooth, delicate texture and cool temperature. Her heart rejoiced with the beauty of the jewel, and a delighted smile involuntarily spread across her face. This diamond necklace seemed tailor-made for her, perfectly complementing her noble and elegant demeanor. Princess Wen beamed, saying, "My sister-in-law has so many novelties. This necklace is just what I wanted."

Then, Chen Mengyao smiled and carefully took out the toiletries she had brought from the suitcase, gently placing them on the table. She picked up a tube of toothpaste, showed it to everyone, and said, "This is a toothpaste I carefully selected! It has a refreshing mint flavor, so it can give us fresh breath every morning!" Next, she picked up a toothbrush and continued, "And this toothbrush, the bristles are especially soft, so it won't hurt your gums, but its cleaning power is very strong!"

Then, Chen Mengyao picked up a bottle of shampoo, opened the cap, and smelled it, a look of delight on her face: "This shampoo has a light floral scent. After washing my hair, it's very smooth and silky, and it also nourishes the scalp, making my hair healthier and shinier." After saying this, she put down the shampoo and picked up a bottle of shower gel next to her, smiling as she said, "Look at this shower gel, it also smells wonderfully floral. Using it to shower is a real treat; it not only cleanses away dirt but also leaves my skin moisturized and smooth. Come back for more when you're done. I'll sell these in my future general store too." In this way, Chen Mengyao patiently and meticulously introduced each of the toiletries she had brought to everyone.

King Wen and his wife listened to Chen Mengyao's introduction, their eyes widening with each passing moment. They said, "Your general store will surely be very popular if it sells these things. We wish you great success in your business." King Wen was filled with astonishment, thinking to himself, "My sister-in-law can actually produce so many strange and wonderful items. Do such wondrous things really exist in this world? She must be no ordinary person." His gaze towards the items was filled with inquiry and curiosity.

Princess Wen was overjoyed yet slightly awestruck. She thought to herself, "This sister-in-law is like a fairy, always able to conjure up unexpected things. This toothpaste and toothbrush seem simple, yet they are incredibly useful. If one used them daily, wouldn't one feel refreshed and energized? And those shampoos and bath products—just hearing about them makes me imagine the wonderful feeling after using them." Her eyes burned as she looked at the novel items, eager to try them out immediately. She admired her sister-in-law even more and secretly hoped that she would bring out even more amazing treasures.

Chen Mengyao then took out the fruits, pastries, and toys she had brought. Some of the fruits and pastries they had eaten at Ouyang Han's residence before, so they weren't particularly novel to them. However, their eyes lit up when they saw the toys, and they all looked at her with curiosity. She smiled, her eyes revealing a hint of excitement and anticipation, and then began to describe these novel toys to them in detail.

With a smile, Chen Mengyao held several educational toys in her hands and introduced them to King Wen's children. She first demonstrated a jigsaw puzzle with a beautiful landscape painting on it, which immediately captivated the children's eyes. Chen Mengyao told them that this puzzle could improve their observation skills and hand-eye coordination.

Next, she took out a building block toy; the blocks were brightly colored and came in various shapes. Chen Mengyao encouraged the children to use the blocks to build things they liked, such as houses, castles, or animals. She said this could stimulate children's creativity and imagination.

Chen Mengyao picked up another Rubik's Cube, a smile playing on her lips, and said, "This is called a Rubik's Cube. Don't underestimate it just because it's a small combination of cubes; it's an extremely interesting and educational toy. Adults and children can both play with it." She then quickly started spinning it, instantly scrambling the previously neatly arranged colored blocks, leaving everyone stunned. "You have to spin each face to get the same color to succeed," she said, handing the cube to King Wen. King Wen fiddled with it for a few moments, looking puzzled, which drew soft laughter from those around him.

Then she picked up a yo-yo, gently winding the string around her fingers, making the yo-yo soar and perform various tricks. "This is a yo-yo. Playing with it in your spare time can improve hand-eye coordination and is also quite entertaining. Adults and children can both play with it." Everyone was captivated by this amazing way of playing. Chen Mengyao said that all the toys mentioned above could be played with by both adults and children, and that adults playing with their children together could strengthen the bond between parents and children.

Next, colorful spinning tops were introduced, their rotations as dazzling as rainbows. King Wen tried whipping one with great interest, and it spun rapidly, drawing cheers from the crowd. There were also exquisite wooden puppets; King Wen gently pulled the strings, and the puppets danced nimbly, as if they had come to life. What King Wen loved most was a little duck that could make sounds; squeezing its belly produced a clear quack, making King Wen laugh out loud. These toys added a lot of joy to the palace. Finally, picking up a doll, he continued, "And this cute little bear doll, so fluffy and soft to the touch, feels like having a close companion when you hold it. I think giving these novel and interesting toys to your children will surely bring them joy for a long time."

Those uniquely shaped and ingeniously designed toys, along with their exquisitely crafted and versatile items, seemed to possess a magical power. They were like keys that unlocked the hearts of King Wen and his wife, easily and completely winning them over. These toys were either brightly colored, catching the eye, or novel in their gameplay, eliciting exclamations of wonder. The items, on the other hand, were either highly functional, solving many problems in daily life, or beautifully designed, becoming a striking feature of their home. Regardless of their type, King Wen and his wife were captivated by them, praising them endlessly.

King Wen and his wife secretly resolved to cherish her, help her integrate into their family, and let her feel the warmth of home.