Shen Wei slowly shook her head: "Tantai Yinxue isn’t foolish—she would have destroyed any evidence. Concubine Lan won’t find anything. Cai Lian, go and give Concubine Lan a hint—she holds the rank of concubine, while Tantai Yinxue is a senior concubine."
Cai Lian understood immediately: "This servant understands. Your Majesty wants them to fight amongst themselves."
Shen Wei’s expression showed approval. Having stayed by her side for so long, Cai Lian had become even shrewder than the palace concubines.
In the afternoon, Shen Wei continued her busy schedule. Managing the imperial harem might sound prestigious, but the workload was immense. She inspected the progress of repairs on the palace walls, reviewed the ceremonial robes newly tailored by the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau for the concubines, selected the flowers to be replanted in the imperial gardens, examined porcelain samples delivered by the royal merchants, and audited the expenditures of each palace...
By nightfall, Shen Wei finally took a breath. The hard work now didn’t matter—she would have plenty of time to enjoy herself after retirement.
As an exquisite dinner was served, Shen Wei dug in heartily. Just then, De Shun’s voice announced from outside: "His Majesty has arrived."
Shen Wei stepped out to welcome him.
Li Yuanjing arrived under the cover of night, exchanging a few pleasantries with Shen Wei before joining her for dinner. At the table, Shen Wei devoured two large bowls of rice and gulped down two bowls of soup, making Li Yuanjing’s eyebrows twitch in amusement.
After the meal, the two strolled through the courtyard to aid digestion. Under the silvery moonlight, Li Yuanjing paused, cupping Shen Wei’s face in his hands. "You seem thinner, yet your appetite has grown."
Shen Wei pouted. "Your Majesty, I’ve been exhausted today."
She poured out every detail of her busy day like spilled beans.
Li Yuanjing couldn’t help but chuckle, pinching her cheek. "When the Empress and Noble Consort managed the harem, they never complained to me."
Shen Wei retorted matter-of-factly, "I’m not complaining either—just mentioning it in passing."
Li Yuanjing adored this candid side of her.
In the past, Shen Wei would hide her hardships and grievances. But as their relationship deepened, she became more open with him, sharing everything in private.
Before him, Shen Wei had no secrets.
They retreated to the waterside pavilion to cool off. The wicker chairs were comfortable, and the night breeze carried a faint fragrance from the rippling pond.
Shen Wei picked up a loquat from the table, peeling it as she spoke. "Yang Xuanji refused to teach Chengtai. I discussed it with Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, and we agreed to find him another suitable tutor. But I know nothing about the court officials—it’s hard to decide who would be best."
Li Yuanjing pondered for a moment. "Chengtai is exceptionally bright and discerning. I intend to assign Zhang Fenghua as his tutor."
Shen Wei remembered Zhang Fenghua. During the imperial examinations years ago, her younger brother Shen Xiuming had placed second, while Zhang Fenghua took first. Later, Zhang Fenghua married the daughter of Tantai Shuqin, the Empress’s elder sister, thus tying him to the Tantai family.
Zhang Fenghua came from the declining Zhang clan. A century ago, the family had produced Prime Minister Zhang, but misfortune struck when Princess Taihua whisked him away to become her imperial consort, leading to the family’s downfall.
Now, Zhang Fenghua had risen to the position of Grand Tutor, earning the Emperor’s deep trust.
Shen Wei grew anxious, forgetting the peeled loquat in her hand. "Your Majesty, Zhang Fenghua is connected to the Tantai family..."
Li Yuanjing reassured her. "Don’t worry. I would never harm Chengtai."
Zhang Fenghua had always been Li Yuanjing’s blade—a tool to dismantle the noble families.
The night breeze rustled, and Shen Wei suddenly let out a long sigh, resting her head on Li Yuanjing’s shoulder.
Li Yuanjing was puzzled. "Weiwei, why the sigh?"
Shen Wei gazed at the lotus leaves floating on the pond, her voice subdued. "Managing just the harem exhausts me. You govern the entire empire—your burdens must be far heavier than mine."
Li Yuanjing’s heart skipped a beat, his dark eyes widening in surprise. He turned to look at Shen Wei leaning against him.
Indeed, Li Yuanjing had been overwhelmed lately. Being Emperor was no easy task. No sooner was one problem resolved than another arose—endless natural disasters, foreign diplomacy, power struggles between old and new court officials. Every morning, stacks of memorials awaited him.
As Emperor, every decree he issued could alter the fate of the people. A single misstep could bring unimaginable consequences.
He had always borne the pressure and toil alone. Only Shen Wei understood the weight of his duty and sought to share his burdens.
"Weiwei..." Li Yuanjing murmured.
Shen Wei sat up straight, her beautiful eyes meeting his. "To each their role and responsibility. Though I cannot assist you in court affairs, I will manage the harem diligently, so you need not worry about it."
Li Yuanjing governed the empire, while Shen Wei maintained harmony in the harem. Together, they worked in tandem to stabilize the court and the inner palace.
Li Yuanjing pulled Shen Wei into his embrace, his heart rippling like spring water stirred by the wind.
...
...
Under the shroud of night, Kunning Palace stood eerily cold.
Li Chengzhen paused at the entrance, eyeing the two towering phoenix trees flanking the gate. Despite it being late spring, their leaves were riddled with insect holes, devoid of life.
With a tight-lipped expression, Li Chengzhen reluctantly stepped inside. The Empress was gravely ill, and as her only son, he was obliged to visit—if only to uphold filial piety.
Inside Kunning Palace, only a few maids swept fallen leaves in the courtyard. The air was thick with the pungent scent of incense from the shrine, smoke curling ominously. Li Chengzhen frowned. This was no residence for an Empress—it resembled the cold palace.
"Mother, I’ve come," Li Chengzhen announced as he entered the side chamber, his disdain fleeting but unmistakable.
The Empress had converted the side chamber into a small shrine, housing a newly enshrined statue of Guanyin. Under the cold moonlight, the merciful goddess’s face appeared twisted and menacing.
The Empress placed a stick of incense in the burner before rising slowly. Though her embroidered robes were still ornate, they seemed dull and lifeless. "That vile Consort Chen invited Yang Xuanji to tutor Li Chengtai—is it true?"
The Empress was deeply troubled.
Yang Xuanji was renowned for his erudition. If Shen Wei’s son received his guidance, Li Chengzhen might face a formidable rival.
The Empress would never allow it. The throne belonged to her son alone!
Li Chengzhen lowered his head, unable to mask his glee. "The Eighth Prince is young and ignorant. He quarreled with Yang Xuanji, who stormed off in anger."
The incident had spread throughout the palace—Yang Xuanji’s abrupt departure, Li Chengtai chasing after him to apologize.
The Empress relaxed slightly.
The peasant woman’s son was coarse and unrefined—no match for her Chengzhen.
She gripped Li Chengzhen’s hands, her eyes burning with fervor. "Chengzhen, your mother is useless now. You are my only hope. My child, remember—you have the Tantai family behind you. Excel, and they will place you on the throne. Do you understand?"
