Princess Zhao Yang remarked, "The Southern Chu Kingdom pays tribute every year, requesting Qing State to preserve the courtyard where Princess Taihua once lived. Thus, this Autumn Cool Palace has been maintained, and envoys from Southern Chu still come annually to sweep its grounds."
The carriage had already left Autumn Cool Palace behind.
The wind blew, rustling the green leaves of the century-old silk tree, its pink blossoms blooming under the midsummer sun.
Wild grass grew tall before the courtyard, swaying in the breeze, but the people of the past were no longer there.
The carriage reached the end of the palace path. As they approached Kunning Palace, they could no longer ride in the carriage. Princess Zhao Yang and Shen Wei alighted and, guided by palace maids, entered Kunning Palace.
The Empress had not yet returned.
She and the Emperor were still receiving envoys from Southern Chu, and the ceremony had not concluded. The palace maids of Kunning Palace respectfully served tea. Shen Wei drank half a cup before turning her gaze to her daughter, peacefully sleeping in her swaddling clothes.
Kunning Palace was quiet, the servants moving about with hushed efficiency. Sunlight streamed in brightly, and as Shen Wei's eyes swept over the busy attendants, they seemed like lifeless machines in motion.
After about half an hour, greetings sounded outside Kunning Palace.
The Empress had returned.
Dressed in full regalia—a court robe embroidered with golden phoenixes and a heavy crown—the Empress bore traces of exhaustion in her eyes. She waved off Shen Wei and Princess Zhao Yang’s formal greetings and retreated to her chambers to remove her ornaments and change.
Once in casual attire, the Empress returned to the main hall. Two maids massaged her shoulders as she pressed her fingers to her temples, offering Princess Zhao Yang a tender smile. "Southern Chu has presented ten boxes of eyebrow pigment. His Majesty granted me six. Zhao Yang, I shall give you three."
Princess Zhao Yang was overjoyed. She leaned in affectionately, wrapping her arms around the Empress’s arm. "Thank you, Mother! You are the kindest to me."
The Empress chuckled. "So grown, yet still clinging to your mother like a child—your father still has an inkstone from Southern Chu, far more precious than the pigment."
Princess Zhao Yang’s eyes sparkled. "Mother, I shall go pay respects to Father at once and return to keep you company later!"
She had long coveted that inkstone. Lifting her skirts, she dashed out of Kunning Palace, eager to seek the Emperor’s favor.
With Princess Zhao Yang gone, Shen Wei sat alone in the main hall, her mind racing as she pondered how to ask the Empress for help in resolving the issue with the Princess Consort.
The Empress set down her teacup, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "Youth and beauty are best adorned with fine pigments. Nanny Qian, give the remaining three boxes to Shen Wei."
Shen Wei’s pupils dilated in shock. Such precious pigment—three boxes for the Empress’s own daughter, and now three for her!
This meant the Empress held Shen Wei in high regard.
Shen Wei quickly rose, politely declining. "This humble one thanks Your Majesty for the generous gift, but such treasures are too precious—"
The Empress smiled warmly. "You are Prince Yuan Jing’s consort, thus like a daughter to me. You may call me Mother."
Shen Wei’s lips parted, but after a long pause, she still dared not utter the word.
The Empress continued, "Yuan Jing has been assisting the Crown Prince with state affairs. During this time, you have managed Prince Yan's Mansion well. I did not misjudge you. You are exceptional, and I will naturally protect you."
As long as Shen Wei proved her irreplaceable worth, the Empress’s favor would remain.
With these words, the weight in Shen Wei’s heart lifted.
At least the Empress was on her side. She wouldn’t have to poison the Princess Consort after all.
"Bring the child to me," the Empress said, her mood still pleasant. The wet nurse carried in Little Leyou, still asleep.
Wrapped in soft swaddling, the infant clutched a cloth tiger, her delicate skin, long lashes, and rosy lips making her look like a porcelain doll.
The Empress’s expression softened.
"She resembles Yuan Jing in the eyes," she murmured. "But she is far more well-behaved, not a fussy child."
The bond between grandparent and grandchild grew as the Empress held her, charmed. Little Leyou stirred awake but did not cry, instead gazing at the Empress with wide, dark eyes before giggling.
Cradling the child, the Empress glanced at Shen Wei. "You have Yuan Jing’s favor. While you are young, you should bear more children. To secure your place in the mansion, one child is not enough."
Shen Wei sighed inwardly.
No era spared women from the pressure to bear children.
To truly solidify her position, she needed a son of her own. But Shen Wei was not anxious—children were a matter of fate, and given how often Prince Yan visited her chambers, another pregnancy was inevitable.
"Your Majesty, Prince Yan has arrived," a maid announced.
The reception for the Southern Chu envoys had concluded, and now Prince Yan came to pay his respects.
Seated regally with Little Leyou in her lap, the Empress said, "Let him in."
Under the blazing sun, Prince Yan strode inside. Dressed in magnificent court robes, he moved with the imposing grace of a dragon or tiger, his presence commanding.
"Your son greets Mother," he said, bowing before his gaze settled on Shen Wei. Their eyes met, and Shen Wei’s lips curved in a tender smile.
The Empress gestured warmly. "Sit. Try the camellia tea from the south—"
Before she could finish, Little Leyou suddenly grew excited in her arms. The infant stretched out her chubby hands toward Prince Yan, babbling eagerly.
The Empress blinked in surprise.
Prince Yan grinned. "Mother, let me hold her."
He took his daughter expertly, his hold practiced and secure. Little Leyou clung to his collar, giggling with delight.
"Mother, Leyou adores me most," Prince Yan declared, pride evident.
The Empress saw through it—Prince Yan’s affection for the child was surely nurtured by Shen Wei’s efforts.
This woman was truly clever. If Shen Wei bore him a son, Prince Yan would undoubtedly dote on the boy just as much.
Prince Yan did not linger long. With his daughter in his arms and Shen Wei by his side, he departed Kunning Palace.
The Empress watched the family of three leave, a faint smile lingering on her lips.
After a moment, her expression cooled. "Nanny Qian, send word to the Old Lady of the Tantai Family. The inner affairs of Prince Yan's Mansion are not for the Tantai family to meddle in."
The Tantai family, a centuries-old noble house, had produced the incompetent Tantai Shuya, who nearly ruined Prince Yan’s prospects. The Empress had long been displeased. Imperial authority was supreme—what power did the Tantai family have to challenge it?
Nanny Qian bowed. "At once, Your Majesty."
...
Along the long palace path, the guards and wet nurses followed respectfully at a distance. Prince Yan still carried his daughter, reluctant to let go.
Walking beside him, Shen Wei chided softly, "Your Highness, give the child to the wet nurse. There are too many eyes in the palace."
Prince Yan laughed. "Just a little longer."
After the day’s formalities with the Southern Chu envoys, he was weary. But the sight of his daughter’s cheerful face eased his fatigue.
As she walked on, an unexpected figure suddenly appeared around the corner ahead. Prince Heng, dressed in a magnificent court robe embroidered with python patterns, held a white jade fan in his hand. He was tilting his head slightly, speaking to the guards beside him, his gaze as cold as frost.
Then, in a fleeting moment, his eyes shifted and inadvertently met Shen Wei’s.
