Zhang Miaoyu huffed indignantly, "Of course."
Two years ago, before Shen Wei had returned to the palace, Consort Shu had been the emperor’s sole favorite in the rear palace. A new concubine entered the palace then, granted the title of Concubine Rong, and was assigned to live in the side hall of Zhang Miaoyu’s residence. Concubine Rong was lively and fond of good food, getting along quite harmoniously with Zhang Miaoyu.
Later, Concubine Rong became pregnant, but her body suffered greatly during the pregnancy—her hair fell out in clumps. Strangely, Zhang Miaoyu, who lived with her, also began losing hair inexplicably, her appetite dwindled, and her spirits waned.
In less than three months, the child was mysteriously lost, and Concubine Rong, weakened by the miscarriage, soon passed away.
Recalling the past, Zhang Miaoyu seethed with resentment. "The one who schemed against Concubine Rong must have been Lu Xuan. Yet I couldn’t find any proof and had to swallow the injustice in silence."
Now, seeing Lu Xuan suffer a setback, Zhang Miaoyu felt a deep sense of vindication.
But as the saying goes, there’s always a higher mountain. With Shen Wei around, Lu Xuan would find it hard to stir up trouble again.
Zhang Miaoyu eagerly looped her arm through Shen Wei’s, her tone earnest. "Dear sister, I have no intention of competing with you. I just want to eat, drink, and live peacefully—please don’t harm me."
Zhang Miaoyu had no desire to engage in palace intrigues. The emperor didn’t favor her, and her family didn’t pressure her to vie for his affection. After much deliberation, she decided to cling tightly to Shen Wei’s coattails.
As long as Shen Wei remained standing, Zhang Miaoyu wouldn’t fall either.
Shen Wei smiled. "If you treat me with sincerity, I’ll naturally consider you one of my own. It’s still early—let’s go to Cining Palace and see the children first."
...
...
By the time they reached Cining Palace, dusk was approaching.
The golden glow of the setting sun streamed through the latticed windows, illuminating the small parlor brightly. The Empress Dowager sat in the main seat, reading a book, her gaze occasionally sweeping over the little princesses in the room. Li Wan'er was reviewing account books, Li Nanzhi and Li Yao were preparing tea, and Le You clutched a brush, drawing a kitten on rice paper.
The scene was one of tranquil contentment.
Shen Wei lifted the thin bamboo curtain, with Zhang Miaoyu following closely behind.
Noticing them, the Empress Dowager smiled and beckoned Shen Wei. "You’ve found time to visit—come sit beside me. Tonight, the imperial kitchen has prepared eight-treasure gourd duck. Stay and try it."
Shen Wei obediently took her seat.
Zhang Miaoyu, who had a lukewarm relationship with the Empress Dowager, offered a stiff curtsy before settling into a small chair nearby.
The Empress Dowager’s eyes skimmed over Zhang Miaoyu, and she frowned slightly. "Consort Yu, have you gained weight again?"
Her expression was one of exasperation. When Zhang Miaoyu first entered the prince’s residence, she had been plump and charming, her round features endearing. But over time, she had steadily eaten her way into obesity. The emperor had once sent an old matron to supervise her weight loss, but it had been utterly ineffective.
Zhang Miaoyu’s face flushed, and she stammered, "N-no, it must be the thick clothing I’m wearing today."
She regretted coming to Cining Palace to pay her respects—she should have just returned to her quarters early to enjoy a braised pork knuckle.
"I also know how to brew tea—let me see how the princesses are doing," Zhang Miaoyu said hastily, fearing the Empress Dowager would lecture her about losing weight. She scrambled up, her skirt rustling as she rolled like a meatball toward Li Yao and Li Nanzhi.
She pretended to study the girls’ tea-making skills with great focus.
The Empress Dowager shook her head helplessly.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, dinnertime arrived. Cining Palace buzzed with activity as plates of exquisite delicacies were brought to the table. The Empress Dowager presided at the head, with Shen Wei and Zhang Miaoyu seated on either side. Le You, Li Yao, Li Nanzhi, Li Wan'er, Chengtai, and Chengyou—six children in total—also took their places for the evening meal.
With so many people, the meal was lively and enjoyable.
The Empress Dowager, now advanced in years, loved the bustle and cherished dining with the children.
Zhang Miaoyu eyed the lavish spread, swallowing her drool silently, but dared not eat too much for fear of drawing the Empress Dowager’s ire.
Just as dinner began, a palace attendant announced from outside—the emperor had arrived. Le You was the first to drop her spoon, darting out like a spinning top as she called cheerfully, "Father!"
Moments later, Li Yuanjing joined them at the table. Originally, he had planned to visit Shen Wei at Yongning Palace, but upon learning she was at the Empress Dowager’s, he had redirected his steps here instead.
The entire family dined together in warm conviviality.
After dinner, Zhang Miaoyu—still hungry—was the first to slip away. Shen Wei and Li Yuanjing bid the Empress Dowager farewell and left Cining Palace together.
It was midsummer, the eighth month, and the night was sultry. Lanterns lined the palace pathways, casting a soft glow. Shen Wei and Li Yuanjing chose not to take a palanquin, strolling leisurely along the long palace road like an ordinary couple.
The night breeze brushed their faces, cool and refreshing. Shen Wei had eaten too much at dinner and now clutched her waist, complaining, "Your Majesty should have stopped me from overindulging in that eight-treasure gourd duck."
Now she was uncomfortably full.
Li Yuanjing arched a brow. "Could I have stopped you?"
Shen Wei pouted, rubbing the bridge of her nose.
"Overeating leads to weight gain," she muttered. "If I ever become fat, Your Majesty would surely disdain me."
Li Yuanjing chuckled. "I wouldn’t. Whether you’re plump or slender, I’d adore you all the same."
Shen Wei let his words go in one ear and out the other.
Men’s words were deceitful. They might claim to love you no matter your size, but the moment you grew fat and unattractive, they’d recoil.
A woman must listen to such sweet talk but never take it seriously.
Hand in hand, they walked along the smooth palace path under the moonlight. The lanterns swayed in the breeze, and the faint scent of flowers drifted from somewhere unknown. Holding Shen Wei’s hand, Li Yuanjing felt a surge of emotion.
Only with Shen Wei did he feel at home.
They strolled beneath the moon, admired flowers at dawn, and shared a bed. She understood his burdens and shared his struggles. Sometimes, Li Yuanjing marveled at his fortune—how had he been blessed with someone like Shen Wei, who matched him so perfectly in heart and soul?
As they ambled along, a melancholic yet enchanting melody from a guqin reached their ears, its notes brimming with longing.
Li Yuanjing paused. "Where is that music coming from?"
Shen Wei gazed into the distance. Under the moonlight, a pavilion in the imperial garden stood surrounded by blossoms. There, a stunning beauty in purple robes plucked the strings of her instrument.
The scene was like a painting, the music divine.
The player was Tantai Yinxue.
Shen Wei listened for a moment, nodding appreciatively before turning to Li Yuanjing. "Consort Xue plays beautifully. Her mother must have hired the finest tutor. It’s a pity I never learned—I feared the pain."
Li Yuanjing frowned. "Pain? How so?"
Shen Wei wiggled her delicate fingers before his eyes, her voice coy. "The strings are thin and sharp—they can cut your fingers. Just as when Your Majesty draws his bow, the string might snap and nick your hand."
They bantered idly by the garden’s edge, savoring the exquisite music. Inside the pavilion, Tantai Yinxue’s fingers were nearly numb from playing, yet the emperor showed no sign of approaching.
Tantai Yinxue grew anxious.
She had been in the palace for over two months but had only been summoned to the emperor’s bedchamber once. Though he had visited Huayang Palace a few times during the day, he had merely sipped tea before leaving.
With no sign of pregnancy and her family pressuring her relentlessly, Tantai Yinxue had no choice but to orchestrate this "chance encounter" in the garden tonight, hoping to lure the emperor back to her quarters.
Abruptly, she stopped playing and rose gracefully. The night wind fluttered the wide sleeves of her purple robes as she approached, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Her voice was soft as she murmured...
"This humble concubine played the zither late at night, disturbing Your Majesty. I beg for your forgiveness."
