Zhao Yang frowned slightly.
The warm scene before her eyes suddenly made Princess Zhao Yang feel a twinge of disgust.
How could she have been so blind to fall for such a fickle man?
Her eyes brimming with revulsion, she flicked her sleeves and left the Yan family’s estate, swiftly boarding her carriage back to the princess’s residence.
As the carriage rolled slowly along, Zhao Yang grew increasingly frustrated with her own foolishness. It was as if her mind had rusted over, leading her to such an idiotic decision.
She muttered to herself, "I must have been sleep-deprived last night—how could I have thought of coming here to see him?"
A dignified princess, visiting the home of a mere official? It was an embarrassment to the royal family.
She turned to Yun'er and instructed, "If I ever act this foolishly again, you must stop me. Bar the gates if you have to—don’t let me leave."
Yun'er hesitated before replying, "...Understood."
Zhao Yang pressed her fingers to her temples. The sleepless night had left her with a throbbing headache. She resolved to return to her residence, rest properly, and clear her mind of these chaotic emotions. No more foolishness—she would focus wholeheartedly on her impending marriage.
...
...
Several days later.
Yongning Palace buzzed with activity as Shen Wei directed servants to pack crates of medicinal herbs. Emperor Li Yuanjing had issued a decree allowing her to return to the Shen Family to visit her relatives.
A royal consort’s homecoming was no small matter.
Yet Shen Wei preferred to keep it low-key, avoiding unnecessary extravagance. She knew that grand displays would only invite criticism. She instructed Cai Lian to carefully pack precious herbs, fine fabrics, and some gold and silver trinkets into chests to bring back to the Shen Mansion.
Accompanied only by Cai Lian, De Shun, and two guards, her carriage departed the palace gates without fanfare.
The streets of Yanjing bustled with life.
Seated inside the carriage, Shen Wei listened to the lively cries of street vendors outside, her mood lifting. The palace was magnificent, but it was also a gilded cage—she much preferred the vibrancy of the mortal world.
As her carriage moved quietly along the wide road, another coach bearing the insignia of the Duke of Lu’s household pulled to the side, its servants bowing their heads to make way.
Lu Yun lifted the curtain of her own carriage, catching sight of the luxurious royal coach. She pursed her lips in disdain. "For a consort, her homecoming procession is pitifully small."
Clearly, the Emperor didn’t hold Consort Shen in high regard.
She turned to the Duke of Lu with pleading eyes. "Father, I don’t want to return to Yunzhou. Let me stay in the palace—I want to accompany my sister during her pregnancy."
Though Lu Xuan’s pregnancy had not yet been publicly announced, close family members were already aware.
The Duke of Lu scoffed. "Nonsense! An unmarried girl like you has no place lingering in the palace—it would invite ridicule."
Lu Yun pouted. "With my sister in this condition, she won’t be able to attend to the Emperor. The other consorts will surely seize the chance to steal his favor. If I were to enter the palace as a consort, I could help her."
She longed to become an imperial consort—she refused to go back to Yunzhou.
The Duke of Lu’s expression darkened. "Enough of this foolishness! Your sister is currently favored—why would you meddle?"
Lu Yun lowered her head resentfully, secretly wishing for her sister’s downfall.
If Lu Xuan fell out of favor, their father would surely send Lu Yun into the palace to uphold the family’s prestige.
...
The Shen Mansion was vast, a recent gift from Li Yuanjing. Located in an excellent district near the imperial city, it was now adorned with lanterns and decorations.
At the entrance, Shen Mieyue, Shen Xiuming, Shen’s Mother, and Shen Qiang stood waiting, along with a dozen newly purchased servants, all eagerly anticipating Shen Wei’s arrival.
Before long, a palace eunuch arrived to announce that Consort Shen was approaching.
Shen Xiuming craned his neck anxiously, watching as two palace carriages appeared at the end of the street. He frowned inwardly—his sister’s homecoming was far too modest.
He had heard stories of Consort Lu Xuan’s grand procession the previous year, when she returned to Yunzhou with nearly a hundred attendants, guards, and eunuchs, lighting up the streets with fireworks.
Yet here was his sister, a consort of equal rank, arriving with barely any fanfare.
A dull ache settled in Shen Xiuming’s chest.
The Shen Family’s servants set off firecrackers in welcome. Once the last crackle faded, Shen Wei’s carriage rolled over the scattered remnants, stopping before the mansion’s gates. Cai Lian lifted the curtain and helped her mistress step down.
"Greetings to Consort Shen."
The gathered crowd knelt in unison.
Though she was family, royal protocol dictated that they must bow before her.
Shen Wei smiled warmly. "There’s no need for formalities—we are family."
Surrounded by her loved ones, she stepped into the Shen Mansion. The estate was spacious, its courtyards freshly decorated, though the newly planted flowers had yet to fully bloom.
Once inside, she dismissed the servants.
Shen’s Mother could no longer hold back her tears, which fell like broken strings of pearls. She gazed at Shen Wei with watery eyes, choking out, "My child… you’ve suffered so much all these years."
Shen Wei shook her head. "Mother, I haven’t suffered."
But Shen’s Mother wept uncontrollably.
With no outsiders present, they exchanged heartfelt words before Shen Wei turned to serious matters. She addressed Shen Mieyue first. "Elder Brother, you mustn’t stay in Yanjing for long. Return to Liangzhou City as soon as possible."
Only with Shen Mieyue back in Liangzhou, commanding the family’s hundred thousand troops, would the Shen Family remain secure.
Many in the court coveted their military power.
Shen Mieyue nodded solemnly. "I understand. The Emperor has tasked me with escorting the princess to her wedding. Once that duty is complete, I’ll return to Liangzhou immediately."
Shen Wei then turned to Shen Xiuming. "Most children of noble families remain in Yanjing as officials, but it’s difficult to distinguish oneself here. Younger Brother, you’re still young—you should gain experience in regional offices. Though remote, those postings offer the best opportunities to prove yourself. Once you’ve built a reputation, returning to the capital will secure you a high-ranking position."
Shen Xiuming was taken aback, but he couldn’t deny the wisdom in her words.
Shen Mieyue clapped him on the shoulder. "Listen to Consort Shen. A few more years of experience, and you’ll have a bright future ahead—perhaps even a ministerial post."
Privately, Shen Mieyue admired Shen Wei’s foresight. She was the true guiding force behind the Shen Family’s rise.
Shen Xiuming hesitated. "But… I wanted to stay in Yanjing…"
Shen Qiang, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "Younger Brother, go serve elsewhere. I’ll take Mother to live at the estate by the mountains. The fresh air and scenery will suit her well."
Over the years, Shen Qiang had grown resilient from managing vast farmlands in the southern hills. Her eyes sparkled with vitality—she was no longer the abandoned woman she once was.
Her crops and orchards flourished year after year, and she found joy in her work.
After a long pause, Shen Xiuming finally nodded. "Very well. I’ll petition the Emperor tomorrow."
Shen Wei smiled. Her visit home wasn’t merely for family reunions—it was to chart the Shen Family’s future.
A family’s rise often required a visionary.
As noon approached, the household prepared a lavish feast.
At the table, Shen’s Mother fretted over Shen Wei’s thin face. "Eat more. I’ve heard the palace chefs are exceptional—how have you grown even thinner?"
Shen Wei nibbled on her braised pork ribs without a word.
She couldn’t eat too much in the palace—it would make her gain weight too easily.
Shen's Mother piled all the best dishes in front of Shen Wei, then glanced over at Shen Mieyue, who was devouring his meal heartily.
With a worried sigh, Shen's Mother said, "Eldest son, you’re almost thirty. When will you finally marry?"
