Li Yuanjing spoke hoarsely, "Let me hold you, so you won't run off."
Shen Wei's lips twitched imperceptibly as she silently leaned into his embrace.
Uncertain what had gotten into him, she could only resort to a universally diplomatic response, murmuring softly, "Your Majesty, I am right here."
The two remained locked in an intimate embrace for a long while.
Drowsiness soon overtook Shen Wei, and she drifted off to sleep in his arms. Li Yuanjing, however, found sleep elusive. He gently clasped Shen Wei's pale hand.
Her palm was empty, holding nothing.
Li Yuanjing tenderly traced the lines of her fair palm—he couldn't restrain his adoration for her, yearning every night to share a bed with her. Yet, an emperor's exclusive favor would only invite trouble for Shen Wei, stirring jealousy and malice in others.
Her recent poisoning had sounded an alarm in his heart.
Li Yuanjing wanted to entrust Shen Wei with authority over the imperial harem.
With power filling her empty palm, she could protect herself and their child, ensuring a peaceful life.
...
Deep in the night at Kunning Palace.
The study was brightly lit as the Empress meticulously checked the ancient texts on the shelves before reviewing Li Chengzhen's recent lessons. His progress had been remarkable, particularly in horsemanship and archery, much to her satisfaction.
"My lady, please have some tea," a palace maid offered, presenting a cup.
The Empress took a few sips of Biluochun tea, her mood lifted.
The maid glanced around, ensuring no outsiders were present, then lowered her voice. "My lady, Imperial Physician Shen asked me to inform you—the medicinal ingredients sent to Yongning Palace have been sufficiently tampered with. Within half a year, the one consuming them will surely succumb to the poison."
This maid, gifted to the Empress by Madam Tantai, was shrewd in her own right.
Setting down her teacup, the Empress smirked triumphantly. "Consort Chen may have the Emperor's favor, but alas, she lacks the fortune to enjoy it."
The scheme had unfolded quite serendipitously.
Imperial Physician Shen, a protégé of the Tantai family, was responsible for preparing medicines for the imperial consorts. By chance, he noticed that Yongning Palace had repeatedly requested a specific batch of herbs.
The quantity was substantial, and the medicinal effects were complex—various combinations could produce different results, making it unclear at first what purpose they served.
But one thing was certain: Consort Chen was the one consuming them.
Imperial Physician Shen reported this to the Empress, who then instructed him to surreptitiously increase the dosage of key ingredients. Medicine was inherently toxic, and prolonged overconsumption would inflict severe damage.
"Once Consort Chen is poisoned, will other imperial physicians be able to diagnose the cause?" The Empress still harbored some unease.
The maid reassured her, "Imperial Physician Shen said even the most skilled physicians in the palace won’t detect the cause immediately. By the time they do, it will be too late—beyond any remedy."
The Empress relaxed.
No matter how cautious Shen Wei was, she had been away from the palace for three years, lacking connections and manpower.
Open attacks were easy to evade, but hidden schemes were harder to guard against. Within half a year, Shen Wei’s meridians would wither, leading to her demise.
The mere thought filled the Empress with exhilaration.
First Shen Wei, then Lu Xuan—soon, the entire harem would be hers.
Outside the study, the moon cast a bright glow over the courtyard. In the shadows where its light didn’t reach, Granny Liu stood frozen in shock, having overheard every word.
Clutching her sleeves nervously, she muttered to herself, "The Empress is poisoning Consort Chen..."
How naïve the Empress was! This assassination plot was riddled with flaws.
Consort Chen was far too clever—once she noticed something amiss with her health, she would spare no effort to uncover the truth.
Only a handful of people handled the medicinal ingredients. A simple investigation would quickly expose the scheme.
"This is digging her own grave..." Granny Liu shook her head in dismay, realizing she could no longer remain by the Empress’s side.
The Empress was courting disaster, and when she fell, her attendants would suffer the consequences—casualties in the ruthless harem struggles.
Granny Liu was too old for such games. She only wished to leave the palace, using her savings to retire in peace.
Silently, she slipped away from the study, resolved to warn Consort Chen Shen Wei in exchange for a safe departure.
...
The next morning, Shen Wei saw Li Yuanjing off to court.
At the gates of Yongning Palace, he clasped her hand and reminded her, "The antidote prescribed by Physician Mo must be taken daily."
Shen Wei nodded obediently. "I will, Your Majesty."
Once the imperial palanquin disappeared from sight, she returned wearily to her chambers. Cai Lian had already prepared the bitter detoxifying brew. Fighting back nausea, Shen Wei forced down the foul-tasting medicine.
Before long, Nanny Rong entered to report, "My lady, Granny Liu sought me out this morning, asking to see you in private. I arranged for her to enter through the rear gate—no one noticed."
Shen Wei showed no surprise. "Bring her in."
In the main chamber, the gilded bronze incense burner emitted the luxurious scent of Thousand-Step incense. Amid the fragrant haze, Granny Liu entered with her head bowed.
She knelt and kowtowed respectfully. "This humble servant greets Consort Chen."
Shen Wei personally helped her up, smiling warmly. "Granny Liu, you are a revered elder of the palace. There’s no need for such formalities."
After seating Granny Liu on a stool brought by Cai Lian, Shen Wei waited.
Granny Liu nervously twisted her sleeves, her gaze lingering on the medicine bowl beside Shen Wei.
The odor was peculiar.
"My lady, you’re taking medicine... are you unwell?" she ventured cautiously.
Shen Wei’s lips curved slightly, her knowing eyes seeming to pierce through all secrets. "I was careless upon returning to the palace and was poisoned. This is just an antidote."
Her light tone carried undeniable weight.
Granny Liu’s mind reeled.
Consort Chen already knew about the poisoning!
Her knees buckled, and she dropped to the floor, confessing everything—the Empress’s orders, Imperial Physician Shen’s tampering—holding nothing back.
She pressed her forehead to the cold tiles, trembling. "My lady, I swear I had no part in this! Please spare this old servant! I only wish to leave the palace and live out my days in peace."
The room fell silent, the incense curling lazily from the burner.
Shen Wei tapped the rim of the medicine bowl idly before speaking. "There’s a quiet two-courtyard house in the eastern market. I’ll grant it to you for your retirement."
Granny Liu kowtowed repeatedly in gratitude. "Thank you, my lady!"
Shen Wei continued, "But before you leave, there’s one more thing I need from you."
"Anything within my power, my lady!"
A faint smile played on Shen Wei’s lips. "Li Wan’er is the daughter of the late Crown Prince. I want the Empress Dowager to know... that she is suffering. Do you understand?"
