The Empress had always placed great importance on her son's education.
Two years prior, she had issued several decrees appointing Yang Xuanji as Li Chengzhen's tutor. Forced to enter the palace, Yang Xuanji subjected Li Chengzhen to a rigorous assessment, only to shake his head regretfully and declare that he would not teach mediocrity.
Furious, the Empress sought to punish Yang Xuanji severely.
The matter reached the ears of Emperor Li Yuanjing, who instead had the eccentric old man escorted out of the palace without reprimand. After all, those with genuine talent often had peculiar temperaments.
Now, upon hearing that Yang Xuanji was returning to the palace to examine the young Li Chengtai, Li Chengzhen's face lit up with schadenfreude.
"Second Brother, don’t speak too soon. Perhaps Yang Xuanji will take our elder brother as his student," Li Chengyou said, ever trusting of his sibling.
Li Chengzhen scoffed, not sparing Li Chengtai a second thought. "Don’t come crying to me when the time comes."
With that, he turned back to his archery practice.
...
...
Meanwhile, after leaving the training grounds, Tantai Yinxue strolled leisurely through the imperial garden. The crabapple blossoms bloomed like radiant clouds, yet Tantai Yinxue paid them no mind.
Her thoughts were consumed by how to secure the Emperor's favor and be summoned to his chambers.
"My lady, there’s no need to worry. His Majesty hasn’t summoned any consorts these past few days—likely preoccupied with state affairs," her maid whispered in consolation.
Tantai Yinxue’s willow-leaf brows furrowed. "Do you know what troubles him?"
The maid glanced around, ensuring no eavesdroppers were near, then murmured, "Word from home says the new Emperor of Southern Chu has ascended the throne. It’s none other than Prince Heng, Li Yuanli. Rumor has it the late Consort Qian was of Southern Chu royal blood. Somehow, Li Yuanli subdued the Southern Chu court and took the throne without resistance."
Tantai Yinxue was stunned.
Prince Heng—now Emperor of Southern Chu!
Years ago, the two princes of Da Qing had fought a brutal war for the throne. In the end, Prince Yan, Li Yuanjing, emerged victorious, while Prince Heng, Li Yuanli, fled south to Southern Chu. The enmity between them ran deep.
The maid continued, "After his coronation, the new Southern Chu Emperor sent a missive to His Majesty’s desk two days ago. No doubt the Emperor is furious over its contents."
Tantai Yinxue pondered this before sighing. "Very well. I’ll wait a little longer."
With her peerless beauty, it was only a matter of time before the Emperor summoned her.
The heat outside grew unbearable, so Tantai Yinxue didn’t linger in the garden. She returned to Huayang Palace with her maid in tow.
...
News of Li Yuanli’s ascension also reached Shen Wei.
Night had fallen, and the moon cast its glow over Yongning Palace. Fresh from her bath, Shen Wei reclined on a soft couch, her damp hair cascading as she pored over old palace ledgers. At the revelation of Li Yuanli’s new title, she nearly hurled the ledger to the floor.
Prince Heng—Emperor of Southern Chu?
Clutching the ledger, Shen Wei struggled to recall his face, the memory faded by time. Slowly, the image of his rakishly handsome features surfaced in her mind.
Who would have thought the seemingly dissolute prince possessed such formidable cunning?
A knot of worry tightened in Shen Wei’s chest.
Li Yuanli and Li Yuanjing were sworn enemies. War between Southern Chu and Da Qing seemed inevitable. Fortunately, Li Yuanjing was a diligent ruler, commanding a powerful army with countless fierce generals.
If war broke out, Da Qing would likely hold its own.
But such weighty matters of state were Li Yuanjing’s burden to bear. Shen Wei shook off her unease—her priority was managing the imperial harem and expanding her commercial empire through her authority.
If the sky fell, Li Yuanjing would hold it up.
And if he faltered? Shen Wei had legs—she could always run.
"My lady, let’s dry your hair first," Cai Lian said, fetching a towel to pat Shen Wei’s locks dry.
Setting the ledger aside, Shen Wei instructed, "Tomorrow, Yang Xuanji will examine Chengtai. Have someone keep watch and report back immediately."
Cai Lian nodded eagerly. "Rest assured, my lady. The Eighth Prince is exceptionally bright. He’s sure to win Yang Xuanji’s favor."
Shen Wei smiled faintly. "We’ll do our best and leave the rest to fate. If Yang Xuanji refuses him, we’ll find another tutor."
The night air was cool, and Shen Wei’s hair had dried. She prepared for bed, grateful for the undisturbed sleep she’d enjoyed these past few days.
Five nights ago, she had exhausted every trick in the book—nearly sacrificing half her life—to buy these five days of peace. If Li Yuanjing had been a plump grape that night, he’d since shriveled into a raisin, incapable of replenishing his vigor anytime soon.
Footsteps rustled outside. Cai Ping hurried in. "My lady, His Majesty has gone to Changxin Palace tonight."
Shen Wei wasn’t surprised.
Lu Xuan was carrying the imperial heir. It was only natural for Li Yuanjing to visit her.
Yawning, Shen Wei stretched and collapsed into the soft embrace of her bed. Within moments, she was fast asleep.
...
While Shen Wei slumbered peacefully, Changxin Palace remained aglow.
Lu Xuan stood at the palace gates, draped in a delicate apricot gown, her lips curved in a radiant smile as she welcomed Li Yuanjing inside.
Ever since losing her authority over the harem after the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, Lu Xuan had been disheartened.
Li Yuanjing had only visited her twice in passing during the day, never staying the night. Yet the knowledge that he hadn’t lingered in Yongning Palace either soothed her wounded pride.
Under the pale moonlight, the newly transplanted crabapple trees in Changxin Palace thrived, their branches heavy with plump pink buds.
At the sight of the blossoms, Li Yuanjing thought of Shen Wei.
Five nights ago, their reckless passion had sent a vase crashing to the floor, scattering freshly picked crimson crabapple blossoms. Shen Wei had lain flushed against him, her cheeks as red as the petals—a vision so intoxicating it still quickened his pulse.
The memory tightened his throat, but his aching back reminded him to temper his desires. For now, he would rest.
Noticing his gaze, Lu Xuan gestured to the trees. "I had these crabapples planted in bloom. Does Your Majesty like them?"
Li Yuanjing nodded. "They’re lovely."
Lu Xuan preened inwardly—her strategy had worked.
Lanterns illuminated the palace as she guided Li Yuanjing inside. Servants bustled about with tea and water. Soon, the lights in Changxin Palace dimmed, and silence enveloped the imperial city as it drifted into slumber.
...
At dawn the next morning, an unassuming carriage halted at the palace gates. A servant helped the white-haired Yang Xuanji alight, the chilly wind ruffling his beard.
The servant hastily presented a cloak. "Master, the mistress said the morning breeze is sharp. She prepared this for you."
As he fastened the cloak, the servant added shrewdly, "The mistress also mentioned that the Eighth Prince is the nephew of Lord Shen Xiuming—your beloved disciple who sends you and the mistress cured meats, cotton cloth, and fruits every year. She hopes you’ll show the prince extra patience for Lord Shen’s sake."
He stroked his beard and said, "This old man wishes to see for himself just how capable the Eighth Prince truly is. Precisely because he is Shen Xiuming’s young nephew, I intend to test him rigorously."
Yang Xuanji was seething inside.
How much could Li Chengtai, the Eighth Prince, possibly know at his tender age? How many books could he have read? How many characters could he recognize? Yang Xuanji, a learned scholar, found it humiliating to tutor a mere child.
The attendant handed the identity token to the imperial guards at the palace gate.
Yang Xuanji stepped through the palace entrance with his attendant in tow. As they passed the first gate, the attendant suddenly whispered, "Master, look ahead."
