Li Yuanjing frowned and gave a sharp tug, snapping the thorn, though a thread from his robe was left caught on the bush.
"Your Majesty, were you scratched?" Lu Xuan gasped, her voice laced with concern.
Li Yuanjing replied calmly, "It's nothing."
Yet inwardly, he thought: Shen Wei was right—roses have thorns, and they do cut easily.
Perhaps fewer roses should be planted in the palace from now on.
Night had fallen, and Lu Xuan attended to Li Yuanjing as he prepared to retire.
She personally helped him change into his sleeping robes, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink as her gaze traced the firm lines of his chest and abdomen.
The Emperor was undeniably handsome, his vigor unmatched.
In the past, their intimate moments had often left her overwhelmed to the point of fainting, but at least she had found joy in them.
However, Lu Xuan was now with child and could not serve him tonight. A soft smile curved her lips as she prepared to share the news with Li Yuanjing.
But when she glanced up, she found him already lying down, his eyes closed in slumber.
"Never mind," she mused. "I'll announce the happy news on the Empress Dowager's birthday. It will be doubly joyous and earn her favor."
With this decision made, she settled beside him, her eyes lingering on the sleeping Emperor—his stern brows, his proud nose, the faint curve of his lips.
She gazed at him with longing, secretly wishing she could wake to this sight every morning for the rest of her life.
Yet the Emperor's heart had drifted away, his affection waning.
Over the past six months, his visits to her palace had become routine—meals, chess, admiring flowers, idle chatter, rest—all dull and lifeless, like stagnant water without a ripple.
Lu Xuan rested a hand on her still-flat belly, hoping this child might bring some spark back into their monotonous days.
---
Moonlight bathed Cining Palace.
Shen Wei sat in the pavilion, enjoying the cool breeze that carried a refreshing chill.
Cai Ping hurried over, whispering that the Emperor had chosen to stay with Consort Lu that night.
Shen Wei wasn’t surprised. Lu Xuan had enjoyed the most favor over the past two years; naturally, the Emperor still held some lingering affection for her.
Cai Ping hesitated, then added in a hushed tone, "Mistress, when I checked the kitchen menus these past few days, I noticed the dishes sent to Changxin Palace have changed—less oily and spicy food, replaced with nourishing medicinal soups. And the laundry sent from Changxin Palace hasn’t shown any bloodstains for a month. Yet the imperial physicians’ records claim Consort Lu’s condition is normal."
Lu Xuan was meticulous. Her maids and eunuchs kept tight lips, making it impossible for Shen Wei to gather direct information from inside Changxin Palace.
But as long as Lu Xuan ate and changed clothes, clues could be found in the kitchens and laundry.
"Bloodless sleeping robes, lighter meals..." Shen Wei pondered, then concluded, "She’s pregnant."
After conception, a woman’s monthly courses ceased, so no blood would stain her garments.
Lu Xuan was being cautious, keeping the pregnancy secret. Shen Wei guessed she was waiting for the right moment—likely the Empress Dowager’s birthday—to announce it, making the occasion doubly celebratory.
Cai Ping said, "But the imperial physicians’ records don’t mention Consort Lu’s pregnancy."
Shen Wei smiled. "She has eyes in the medical bureau."
This was a warning to Shen Wei as well—she needed her own loyal physician in the imperial hospital.
She would have De Shun arrange it.
As the night deepened, Shen Wei entered the main hall of Cining Palace to bid the Empress Dowager farewell. The children were already asleep, but the Empress Dowager remained in the storeroom, selecting fabric for Le You’s new clothes.
"Mother, still choosing fabrics?" Shen Wei called out warmly.
The Empress Dowager pointed to a fine piece of rain-patterned cotton. "The weather is warming. This fabric is light and breathable—perfect for Le You’s summer sleeping robes."
Shen Wei sighed in amusement. "Mother, Le You already has more clothes than he can wear. You should make some for yourself instead."
The Empress Dowager doted on Le You, showering him with the finest food, toys, and fabrics.
The Empress Dowager chuckled. "At my age, I can’t wear such bright fabrics anymore."
Shen Wei ran her fingers over the cotton and remarked casually, "Consort Lu of Changxin Palace is with child. When she gives birth, you might pick some fabrics for her."
The Empress Dowager’s hand stilled. She glanced at Shen Wei—no news of Lu Xuan’s pregnancy had spread yet. Clearly, Shen Wei had her own sources.
With a teasing smile, the Empress Dowager said, "You’ve only been back in the palace for half a month, yet you’ve already unraveled its secrets."
Shen Wei smiled sweetly. "All thanks to your guidance, Mother."
They shared a knowing look.
After selecting fabrics for her grandchildren, the Empress Dowager added two rolls of Shu brocade for Li Wan’er in the Pearl Pavilion.
Li Wan’er, the orphaned daughter of the late Crown Prince, was gentle and obedient. The Empress Dowager planned to bring her to Cining Palace soon, raising her until her marriage.
Shen Wei helped the Empress Dowager to her chambers and prepared her for bed.
When an elderly maid brought the Empress Dowager’s favorite Biluochun tea, Shen Wei frowned gently.
"Mother, tea before bed will keep you awake. You must take care of your health now."
The Empress Dowager tapped Shen Wei’s forehead playfully. "You’ve grown bold, daring to lecture me."
Though her tone was scolding, her eyes sparkled with amusement. Shen Wei’s concern pleased her.
Shen Wei said earnestly, "I pray for your long life, Mother."
As she drew the heavy bed curtains, the Empress Dowager suddenly asked, "Yuanjing favors you lately, yet you flee to my palace instead. Are you pushing him away?"
Most favored consorts would cling to the Emperor’s attention. Yet Shen Wei seemed to avoid it.
With a sigh, Shen Wei rolled up her sleeve, revealing faint bruises on her pale wrist in the candlelight.
"Mother, His Majesty... lacks restraint. I’d like to keep my life intact."
The Empress Dowager fell silent, reminded of this complication.
Li Yuanjing had trained in martial arts since childhood, spending his youth among soldiers. Even as Emperor, he maintained his strength through archery and riding.
Delicate women could hardly endure a warrior’s vigor.
"Very well, as long as you’re mindful," the Empress Dowager conceded.
Before leaving, Shen Wei summoned Nanny Qian and gave meticulous instructions:
"Air out Mother’s chambers for half an hour daily. As the seasons shift, fumigate the doorway with vinegar every three days to ward off illness."
"Her shoulders ache—I’ll send a gold-threaded pillow tomorrow. And though she loves sweets, discourage her from overindulging. Too much harms the teeth and bones."
Nanny Qian nodded, committing each detail to memory.
Nanny Qian's eyes were filled with admiration: "Consort Shen's genuine filial piety is truly rare."
When the Empress Dowager returned to the palace, many concubines sought to curry favor with her, offering extravagant gifts and empty words of concern.
But only Shen Wei paid meticulous attention to the Empress Dowager's daily needs—her food, clothing, and well-being.
Shen Wei smiled warmly. "Nanny Qian has served Her Majesty for many years with great dedication. It is truly a blessing for the Empress Dowager to have such a devoted attendant by her side."
After exchanging pleasantries, Shen Wei left Cining Palace with her entourage. The moonlight shimmered like water, and the night breeze was refreshingly cool.
Instead of taking a palanquin, Shen Wei chose to walk back to Yongning Palace.
A night free from serving a man was truly liberating.
The closest yet most distant of relationships—husband and wife. Shen Wei had no desire to spend every moment clinging to Li Yuanjing. Keeping some distance now and then maintained a sense of novelty.
Even the most cherished company could grow tiresome with constant proximity.
Walking beside her, Cai Lian reported, "My lady, word has come from outside the palace. General Shen is escorting the Yue Kingdom's envoy and is expected to arrive in Yanjing City in about two days."
