Today, upon learning that Le You had mistakenly consumed contaminated medicinal soup, Li Chengtai was beside himself with worry.
Rumors in the palace claimed that insects had accidentally gotten into the herbs.
Li Chengtai didn’t believe it.
He secretly made his way to the front courtyard, where he happened to overhear his mother and the Empress Dowager in conversation. To his horror, he discovered that not only had Le You narrowly escaped poisoning, but his mother had also been subjected to a slow-acting toxin.
A chill ran down Li Chengtai’s spine. His mother had only returned to the palace a month ago, and already someone was trying to harm her.
The inner palace was truly terrifying.
Heartache, fury, and helplessness churned within the young prince’s chest. But all he could do was clench his small fists—powerless to act.
Noticing her grandson’s reddened eyes, the Empress Dowager sighed softly and pulled him close. "Be at ease, child. Your mother will be fine."
Li Chengtai lowered his head, his voice trembling with suppressed emotion. "Grandmother, please don’t lie to me. I know everything... I must return to my studies. In a few days, Scholar Yang Xuanji will test my knowledge, and I need to prepare."
The Empress Dowager had previously issued an edict appointing the retired scholar Yang Xuanji as Li Chengtai’s tutor.
However, the old man had repeatedly declined, citing illness.
Unfazed, the Empress Dowager sent two imperial physicians to examine him. Realizing he could no longer feign, Yang Xuanji finally agreed to visit the palace soon to assess the young prince’s aptitude. If Li Chengtai proved hopelessly inept, Yang Xuanji would rather defy the decree than waste his time as a tutor.
Determined to prove himself, Li Chengtai had been studying diligently in preparation for the assessment.
The Empress Dowager smiled warmly. "Such diligence at your age brings me great joy."
Her expression then softened with melancholy as she gently stroked his head. "Your late uncle was just like you in his youth—studying day and night, pushing himself to exhaustion. It weakened his constitution and led to his early demise... My dear child, you must not follow in his footsteps."
Li Chengtai nodded solemnly. "Do not worry, Grandmother. I understand."
After offering a respectful bow, he turned and headed toward the study in the rear courtyard.
...
...
Shen Wei left Cining Palace beneath the warm glow of the late spring sun. Rather than taking her palanquin, she chose to walk back to Yongning Palace.
The exercise would do her good.
Physician Moxun followed dutifully behind her. After recent events, the entire Imperial Medical Bureau now knew that the newly appointed physician was under Consort Chen’s patronage.
"Your Highness, I must return to the Medical Bureau. I shall visit Yongning Palace tomorrow to check your pulse," Moxun said with a bow.
Shen Wei smiled. "You’ve worked hard."
Moxun waved a hand. "Not at all. Compared to being hunted and chased, life in the palace is practically paradise."
With that, she turned leisurely and strode off in the opposite direction. Cai Lian frowned and called out, "Physician Moxun, you’re going the wrong way. The Medical Bureau is to the east."
Moxun was heading south.
Shen Wei arched a delicate brow. Moxun had served in the palace long enough—how could she still get lost?
"Ahem..." Moxun scratched her head sheepishly. "Before returning, I thought I’d take a stroll through the southern courtyards."
The southern quarters were largely abandoned—home to dilapidated palaces and the cold, forgotten halls of disgraced consorts. The pathways were worn, the tiles cracked. There was nothing to see.
Shen Wei studied her intently.
Realizing she couldn’t hide the truth, Moxun admitted, "To be honest, I intended to visit Qiuliang Palace. The other day, I passed by and saw the most magnificent silk tree in full bloom behind its crumbling walls. I’ve been meaning to return to admire it."
Qiuliang Palace had once been the residence of Princess Taihua a century ago.
Now, it lay in ruins.
Only the towering silk tree remained, its pink blossoms blooming in lush abundance each year.
When Moxun first glimpsed those flowers through the broken walls, she had slipped inside. Though the palace was overgrown with weeds and its beams sagged with age, something about the courtyard, the steps, and that grand silk tree struck her with an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
As if she had been there before, long ago.
"The silk flowers are indeed beautiful," Shen Wei conceded. "But be cautious. Don’t let others see you there."
After all, Qiuliang Palace was a historical site. Princess Taihua, Li Qingxun, had founded the Southern Chu Kingdom and was revered by its people. Every year, envoys from Southern Chu came to pay their respects at the palace.
Moxun bowed. "I shall take my leave now."
As she walked away, her tall, graceful figure seemed almost ethereal against the sunlight.
Cai Lian frowned and whispered to Shen Wei, "My lady, Physician Moxun is skilled and trustworthy, but... he is still a man. If rumors spread, it could tarnish your reputation."
Shen Wei’s eyes curved with amusement. "I know what I’m doing. Physician Moxun makes excellent bait."
Only Shen Wei and Li Yuanjing knew Moxun’s true identity as a woman.
To Li Yuanjing, Shen Wei and Moxun were merely close friends.
If anyone sought to use Moxun against Shen Wei—well, they would be playing right into her hands.
...
...
Changxin Palace.
The courtyard was alive with blooming roses, their crimson petals like scattered clouds. Holding a slender bamboo ladle, Lu Xuan personally watered the flowers, droplets glistening on the petals like morning dew.
Her chief maid, Little Qin, approached with quick, light steps. Setting aside the ladle, Lu Xuan accepted the proffered handkerchief and dabbed her hands. "What news from Cining Palace?"
Little Qin replied, "The Empress’s schemes were no match for the Empress Dowager’s discernment. Princess Wan has been taken back to Cining Palace. Consort Chen was also summoned and reportedly made to kneel in punishment."
Lu Xuan’s delicate brows knit together. "Kneeling?"
Little Qin smirked. "The Empress Dowager stripped Consort Chen of her children’s custody and now humiliates her with such penalties. Clearly, she doesn’t truly favor her."
Lu Xuan shook her head slowly. "Appearances can deceive. The Empress Dowager raises Consort Chen’s three children yet allows them to visit their mother freely. This suggests she is shielding them."
It was precisely because of the Empress Dowager’s protection that no one dared harm Consort Chen’s children.
Little Qin puzzled, "Then does the Empress Dowager genuinely care for Consort Chen?"
Lu Xuan plucked a rose, her slender fingers toying with its petals. "The Empress Dowager comes from an illustrious lineage, while Consort Chen’s family are newcomers to power. Her kindness is likely calculated."
Though the Empress Dowager maintained distance from the Xie Family, blood ties ran deep.
When it came to the interests of her clan, she would always stand with them.
Little Qin nodded in admiration. "As wise as ever, my lady."
