Clearly, Moxun had not come here for chicken legs, but to sound out Shen Mieyue.
Shen Mieyue replied steadily, "Nothing unusual detected."
Moxun let out a slight sigh of relief, glanced up at the bright moon overhead, muttered a few curses under his breath, then yawned widely before heading back to the posthouse to rest.
Shen Xiuming scratched his head and whispered, "Brother, these Yue Kingdom officials are quite peculiar."
Shen Mieyue didn’t respond. Instead, he stood up, picked up the sword beside him, and began patrolling around the posthouse.
His hawk-like gaze swept over every corner, searching for any possible pursuers.
...
The next morning, Shen Wei woke up early for her morning exercise, jogging slowly around the courtyard. Cai Lian and Cai Ping waited nearby, ready to attend to her.
After running a dozen laps, Shen Wei finally stopped, accepting the handkerchief Cai Lian handed her to wipe the sweat from her forehead.
Cai Lian said, "My lady, there’s news from Kunning Palace. The Empress requests your presence. Tomorrow, General Shen will escort the Yue Kingdom envoy into the capital. It’s likely regarding this matter that the Empress has summoned the imperial consorts."
Shen Wei paused in wiping her sweat and instructed Cai Lian, "Prepare my attire."
After a brief hesitation, she added meaningfully, "Have Nanny Rong accompany me as well."
Once dressed and groomed, Shen Wei made her way to Kunning Palace.
The Empress had many flaws, but there was one quality Shen Wei had always admired—she disliked holding morning assemblies.
Perhaps to show consideration for the harem, or perhaps because she didn’t want to see those radiant faces every day, the Empress had exempted the consorts from daily morning and evening greetings.
Kunning Palace was solemn and grand.
By the time Shen Wei arrived, many consorts were already waiting outside the main hall. As she stepped over the threshold, those beautiful women turned their gazes toward her.
Some looked envious, others indifferent, some harbored silent resentment, while a few appeared genuinely pleased... Shen Wei subtly observed their reactions before curving her lips into a smile. "Good morning, sisters."
One by one, they returned her greeting.
Concubine Lan approached with a bright smile, her eyes sweeping over Shen Wei’s embroidered silk dress before lingering on her fair complexion. She deliberately remarked, "Consort Shen looks radiant this morning. It seems you had a restful night."
On the surface, she was complimenting Shen Wei’s glow.
But beneath lay a hint of mockery. Since her return to the palace, Shen Wei had enjoyed the Emperor’s favor—until last night, when he had chosen to stay in Lu Xuan’s quarters instead.
Clearly, the Emperor’s fascination with Shen Wei was waning.
Unfazed, Shen Wei studied Concubine Lan in return, her rosy lips curving. "Concubine Lan also looks splendid. It seems the past two years in the palace have treated you well."
The implication was clear: ever since Lu Xuan entered the palace two years ago, Concubine Lan had fallen completely out of favor.
As expected, Concubine Lan’s pretty face twisted in anger. She glared at Shen Wei but dared not continue her taunts.
A concubine was still a concubine, while a consort held higher status.
Moreover, with Shen Wei’s brother, General Shen, returning to the capital tomorrow, her influence would only grow. Concubine Lan could only grit her teeth in secret, scheming in her mind how to regain her former position.
Topple Consort Mei and rise again.
Only then, when she stood on equal footing with Shen Wei, would she have the courage to confront her openly.
"All mistresses are invited inside," Granny Liu announced as she stepped out of the hall, clearing her throat.
The consorts filed into the main chamber.
Cai Lian followed Shen Wei inside to attend to her, while Nanny Rong remained outside.
Nanny Rong was the oldest and most experienced among Shen Wei’s attendants, efficient and capable. She and Granny Liu, the Empress’s attendant, had once been on good terms back in the prince’s mansion.
"Granny Liu, your complexion looks sallow. Did you stay up late again last night?" Nanny Rong struck up a conversation.
Granny Liu replied tersely, "Indeed."
She offered no further details, remaining cautious.
Nanny Rong smiled warmly. "We’re both old bones now. Let the younger ones handle the work—why tire ourselves out? A few days ago, Consort Shen gifted me two ginseng roots. I’ll bring one over for you later to replenish your energy."
Granny Liu’s heart soured with envy.
The Empress’s rewards were meager—occasional tea or pastries, for which the servants were expected to kowtow in gratitude.
Despite their similar seniority, Granny Liu’s life was far more taxing. She assisted the Empress in managing palace affairs, escorted Li Chengzhen to and from the imperial academy, and stayed up late helping the child with his studies.
Her days were exhausting, yet she received little in return.
Granny Liu stole a glance at Nanny Rong. Though two years older, Nanny Rong appeared younger, her complexion glowing.
Nanny Rong wore a gold-embroidered jacket, her wrists adorned with heavy Hetian jade bracelets, her face lightly powdered to soften the lines of age.
Her attire was understated yet exuded luxury.
Granny Liu couldn’t help but resent her own fate. Nanny Rong had been fortunate to serve a generous and capable mistress.
Though Consort Shen was shrewd, she treated her servants well and never acted recklessly with their lives. Unlike the Empress, who appeared benevolent but was, in truth, a hopeless mess, constantly making foolish decisions despite warnings.
Nanny Rong sighed, as if speaking casually. "We’re both old now, with few years left. Without children, we have nothing but our service to our mistresses. We ought to plan for our twilight years."
Granny Liu remained silent.
The wind rustled through the courtyard of Kunning Palace, stirring the flowers and grass in the corners.
...
Inside the main hall of Kunning Palace, the Empress sat in her dark-colored casual robes, a string of emerald prayer beads in her hand. Her gaze swept over the assembly of consorts, each as beautiful as a flower, each stealing the Emperor’s affection.
How she longed to set them all ablaze, reducing them to ashes.
But she couldn’t. She was the Empress.
Countless eyes watched her throne, waiting for her to falter, eager to drag her down.
She had to be virtuous, magnanimous. The palace was not the prince’s mansion—she couldn’t silence these venomous women as she once had.
The Empress took a sip of tea, her voice calm. "Consort Lu, the spring nights are chilly. You must take care while attending to His Majesty."
She had decided to let the tigers fight among themselves, deliberately stirring conflict between Shen Wei and Lu Xuan, so she could reap the benefits.
Since Shen Wei’s return, she had monopolized the Emperor’s favor. Lu Xuan would surely resent her and scheme against her.
Let them fight—the fiercer, the better.
Lu Xuan’s lips curved into a practiced smile. "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. This humble one will remember your advice."
Inside, she scoffed. Such clumsy attempts at sowing discord—did the Empress truly think she’d fall for it?
Lu Xuan glanced at Shen Wei, who sat across from her, sipping tea with undisturbed composure.
"She doesn’t feel the slightest jealousy..." Lu Xuan murmured under her breath.
Last night, the Emperor had stayed in her quarters, yet Shen Wei showed no trace of anger.
Did she truly not fear losing the Emperor’s favor?
What gave her such confidence?
The empress set down her white porcelain teacup and spoke again: "General Shen is escorting the envoys of the Yue Kingdom back to Yanjing. His Majesty will host a banquet tomorrow in Qinghua Hall, and all palace consorts of concubine rank or above must attend in formal attire."
"Remember the rules of the inner court—no breaches of etiquette in the palace hall."
The concubines replied in unison: "Understood."
The morning assembly soon concluded, and the consorts departed after paying their respects.
Standing beneath the eaves of Kunning Palace’s inner hall, the empress watched the graceful, radiant figures retreat into the distance, her prayer beads tightening silently in her grip.
After silently reciting a Buddhist scripture, the empress felt her restless emotions gradually dissipate.
She turned and instructed Granny Liu: "Go to the kitchens and ensure all ingredients for tomorrow’s banquet are prepared. Until the banquet begins, keep a close watch. Also, the nourishing tonic for Chengzhen—have it delivered to Anguo Temple later."
Granny Liu forced a smile, masking the exhaustion in her eyes. "This servant obeys."
...
Shen Wei returned to her palace.
With some rare free time today, she retrieved her archery equipment, intending to practice.
"Your Highness, didn’t you dislike archery?" Cai Lian asked with a frown.
Indeed, Shen Wei’s interest in archery had waned recently.
But Li Yuanjing was enthusiastic, often embracing her while eagerly teaching her to shoot. Their lessons frequently ended with lingering touches and tumbling into bed...
Shen Wei had many ways to stay fit, and archery wasn’t the most effective. Her practice was merely a ploy to lure Li Yuanjing into personally teaching their two sons instead.
She didn’t enjoy archery at all.
Shen Wei rubbed her chin—she needed a way to make Li Yuanjing give up on coaching her.
...
At dusk,
Li Yuanjing, having finished his duties, made his way to Yongning Palace. The spring sunset cast a golden glow, gilding the palace in warm light.
He entered without announcement.
Since returning, Shen Wei had redesigned Yongning Palace’s gardens, replacing the original flora with vibrant red crabapple blossoms.
She had also cleared a small vegetable plot.
But she neglected to tend it, leaving the patch overgrown with weeds. Passing by the barren garden several times, Li Yuanjing felt an inexplicable irritation.
He had seedlings delivered and planted them himself. Only when the empty plot bore a few sprouts did his unease ease.
"Where is Consort Shen?" he asked a maid.
The servant bowed. "Her Highness is in the rear courtyard."
Shen Wei was practicing archery.
Her sleeves were rolled up with armbands, revealing pale wrists as she drew the bowstring taut.
Li Yuanjing paused to watch. Her form had improved—the arrow flew straight, landing firmly on the target’s edge.
Yet her aim was still off.
Seeing her persistence, a quiet satisfaction filled him. He stepped forward, embracing her from behind and guiding her hands. "Your stance is crooked again."
Shen Wei turned as if surprised, her eyes bright with adoration. "Your Majesty, you’ve returned."
Li Yuanjing’s lips curved, ready to resume the lesson—until a glimpse of dark bruising on her inner wrist caught his eye.
He set the bow aside, gripping her arm with a frown. "Why weren’t you wearing guards?"
