An old person at home is like a treasure.
Shen Wei regarded the Empress Dowager as her mentor, humbly seeking her guidance.
The Empress Dowager, being Li Yuanjing’s birth mother, thoroughly enjoyed the process of instructing Shen Wei and patiently advised her, "It’s quite simple. If you and the Emperor are of one heart, he will naturally protect you."
The Empress Dowager hailed from the prestigious Xie family, a centuries-old noble clan renowned for its prosperity. When she married the late Emperor, it was supposed to be a cold, politically arranged union.
Yet after marriage, the Empress Dowager devoted herself entirely to the late Emperor, enduring hardships and cutting ties with the Xie family—even to the point of severing relations with them.
In the end, the late Emperor’s heart remained steadfast toward the Empress Dowager and her children, and the Xie family was never suppressed.
Holding Shen Wei’s hand, the Empress Dowager said earnestly, "It’s lonely at the top. If you can become the Emperor’s sole source of warmth, standing united with him, he will naturally treat you well."
Having spent three years together, Shen Wei often went out of her way to please the Empress Dowager. The two frequently indulged in beauty treatments, attended operas, hiked mountains, admired the moon, and took leisurely strolls. Whenever the Empress Dowager fell ill, Shen Wei would tirelessly care for her without rest.
Actions speak louder than intentions.
Regardless of whether Shen Wei harbored ulterior motives, her respect and care for the Empress Dowager were genuine—undeniable and impossible to fake.
Thus, the Empress Dowager was willing to mentor Shen Wei.
"This concubine understands. Thank you for your guidance, Mother Empress." Shen Wei’s eyes curved into crescents.
Shen Wei knew she had played her cards right!
Since ancient times, the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law has been the most challenging to navigate. By fostering a harmonious bond with her powerful mother-in-law, Shen Wei had secured the Empress Dowager as her formidable ally.
Even if Li Yuanjing were to stop loving her in the future, she would still have the Empress Dowager as her unshakable support.
"Grandmother Empress, the peach blossoms over there are so big and red!" A cheerful voice called out from nearby.
Four-year-old Le You toddled over on her chubby little legs, her sweet voice pleading, "Grandmother Empress, come look at the flowers with Le You, okay~?"
Under the Empress Dowager’s care, Le You had grown fair and plump, as lovely as a little lucky doll.
The Empress Dowager smiled warmly. "Very well, Grandmother will take Le You to see the flowers."
Le You took the Empress Dowager’s hand and reminded her considerately, "Walk slowly, Grandmother Empress—there are pebbles on the path. Little brother, come hold Grandmother’s hand too!"
Li Chengyou immediately dropped his crane-shaped kite and dashed over like a spinning top. "Coming!"
With her two grandsons holding her hands on either side, the trio strolled leisurely toward the sea of blossoms.
The scene was heartwarming and picturesque.
Shen Wei sat in the pavilion, resting her chin on her hand as she watched the three of them, a soft smile playing on her lips. The life the Empress Dowager now enjoyed was the retirement Shen Wei dreamed of.
What a pity—Shen Wei still had at least a decade or more before she could retire.
Just as Shen Wei was lost in thought about the future, a small voice called out from behind her. "Mother Consort."
Shen Wei turned to see her eldest son, Li Chengtai.
Dressed in a purple short jacket and a cream-colored hood, Li Chengtai frowned, his chubby little face etched with worry. "Mother Consort, is Father Emperor bringing us back to the palace?"
Shen Wei smiled at him. "Yes. Your eldest uncle is the renowned Shen Mieyue. From now on, no one will dare look down on our Shen family."
Li Chengtai grew even more anxious. "Father Emperor is only bringing us back because of Uncle. If not for Uncle, Father Emperor would have forgotten about Mother Consort."
In the children’s books Li Chengtai had read, there was a terrifying tale—an ancient general whose achievements overshadowed the emperor. The emperor married the general’s sister as a concubine, only to later execute both the general and his sister.
In his young mind, Li Chengtai harbored deep concerns. He feared his kind and naive mother might meet the same fate.
Shen Wei patted her son’s head, her voice brimming with trust in the Emperor. "Your Father Emperor isn’t that kind of person."
Li Chengtai was speechless.
Mother Consort, Father Emperor abandoned you for three years!
In all that time, he never once visited! Not even a single letter! How could Mother Consort still believe in him after such cold indifference?
Ah.
Gazing at his innocent mother, then at his laughing siblings in the peach grove, Li Chengtai suddenly felt a heavy sense of responsibility.
For Mother Consort, for his sister and brother, he had to grow up quickly and shield them from harm.
Though small in stature, his burden was great. Li Chengtai bid Shen Wei farewell. "Mother Consort, this child will go study with the tutor. Today, I must memorize a few more poems."
Shen Wei gently tugged his arm. "You’re still young. There’s no need to push yourself so hard. One or two hours of study a day is enough."
Children should run and play, enjoying the joys of childhood.
Being cooped up indoors reading and writing all day stifled their natural spirit.
Li Chengtai shook his head like a little adult. "As the ancients said, 'To labor without rest wears out the body; to use the mind without pause exhausts the spirit.' This child will balance work and rest."
Shen Wei blinked. "What labor?"
Li Chengtai facepalmed. "Mother Consort, you should read more books when you have time."
He had heard that most of the Emperor’s consorts came from noble families, well-read and accomplished.
But his mother, though beautiful and kind-hearted, lacked scholarly refinement.
Li Chengtai’s worries deepened. Would Father Emperor disdain Mother Consort after their return?
With a troubled heart, Li Chengtai trudged away.
Watching her eldest son’s small figure disappear, Shen Wei sighed. To sharpen her children’s vigilance, she had deliberately shown them cautionary tales like The Execution of Chen Shimei and Song of White Hair.
Li Chengtai, gifted beyond his years, had taken the lessons to heart and begun striving diligently.
Meanwhile, Li Chengyou, after reading The Execution of Chen Shimei, crafted a fake paper executioner’s blade and spent his days catching frogs to "behead" them.
Two sons from the same womb, yet their personalities couldn’t be more different.
"Madam." Cai Lian approached cheerfully, her eyes bright. "His Majesty has sent you a letter."
Shen Wei took a sip of tea and opened the envelope.
Inside was a single sheet of paper bearing just one line, the ink bold and steady.
The Emperor had written:
"The flowers by the road are blooming—you may return at your leisure."
Shen Wei smiled and tucked the letter away.
In the radiant spring scenery of Donghua Mountain’s retreat, peach blossoms bloomed like rosy clouds. The children’s laughter, bright as silver bells, drifted to Shen Wei’s ears.
She rose. "Cai Lian, we depart for the capital tomorrow."
...
...
News of the Empress Dowager and Shen Wei’s impending return soon spread through the palace.
In Changxin Palace, roses bloomed lushly in the courtyard. Consort Lu Xuan sat by a cradle, fanning herself as she and several elderly nursemaids watched over the sleeping infant.
"Shen Wei is returning?" Lu Xuan’s fan stilled.
Shen Wei—an old flame from the Emperor’s princely days, rumored to have once been deeply favored, bearing him a daughter and two sons.
Yet in the three years since her departure, the Emperor had never mentioned her. Gradually, the palace had forgotten her existence.
Little Qin said, "Mistress, that Shen woman is quite fortunate. Her elder brother is the Divine Martial General, Shen Mieyue. It is only out of respect for General Shen that His Majesty brought her back to the palace."
Were it not for the general, perhaps that Shen woman would have been forgotten on Donghua Mountain, never to return to Yanjing in her lifetime.
Lu Xuan asked, "What title has His Majesty bestowed upon her?"
Little Qin replied, "His Majesty hasn’t granted her any title yet, nor has he assigned her a palace. It’s clear she holds no real importance in His Majesty’s heart."
Lu Xuan let out a slight sigh of relief.
The Emperor was, after all, fickle—no woman could ever be an exception to him. That Shen woman was also pitiable, having spent three lonely years in exile, only to return and become a mere pawn in the Emperor’s political games.
Lu Xuan murmured to herself, "She has two sons and a general for a brother. She’s not to be underestimated."
In time, she would find a way to rid herself of Shen’s children.
And as for Lu Xuan herself—she would bear even more children.
She rested a hand on her flat stomach. Yesterday, the imperial physician had confirmed it—she was with child again. When the time was right, she would share this joyous news with the Emperor.
Lu Xuan whispered to herself, "Perhaps this child will make His Majesty reconsider his affections."
