Li Yuanjing pondered carefully and realized it was indeed true. The women of the inner palace employed endless tactics to vie for favor, disturbing the peace and breeding discontent in his heart.
Shen Wei tugged at Li Yuanjing’s hand, speaking gently, "Pregnancy is already arduous for women. The slightest discomfort during this time could lead to a miscarriage. Your Majesty, let this humble consort accompany you to Changxin Palace to visit Consort Shu."
Li Yuanjing met Shen Wei’s hopeful gaze and nodded. "Very well."
The palace maid Qi was stunned.
Consort Shu had instructed her to bring the Emperor over but hadn’t mentioned inviting Consort Chen as well. As the palanquin was lifted, with Consort Chen and the Emperor seated together, Qi could only grit her teeth and hurry after them.
The night was deep, the stifling summer heat giving way to a cool breeze.
Seated in the palanquin, Shen Wei deliberately turned her face toward the chilly wind. Soon, her delicate skin grew cold, her lips paling. She let out a small sneeze.
Li Yuanjing, sitting beside her, frowned slightly and draped his cloak over her shoulders. "Do not fall ill."
Shen Wei rubbed her petite nose, her face flushed from the wind, lips still pale. She smiled and shook her head. "After visiting Consort Shu, this humble consort will drink two bowls of ginger soup. I won’t fall ill."
Li Yuanjing touched her cheek—her skin was cool.
His eyes betrayed his concern.
...
...
Changxin Palace was brightly lit.
Before the dressing mirror, Lu Xuan scrutinized her reflection. Clad in a thin, milky-white nightgown, her silky black hair cascaded over her shoulders. Her face bore light makeup, deliberately arranged to appear haggard.
"Your Highness, why apply such a weary look?" Little Qin asked, puzzled.
Lu Xuan caressed her face. "I want His Majesty to see how much I suffer while carrying his child."
To move a man’s heart with hardship.
His sympathy and pity would keep him by her side in Changxin Palace.
Just then, a servant entered to announce, "Your Highness, the Emperor has arrived."
Lu Xuan’s heart leapt with joy, and she rose with the maid’s support. But instead of going out to greet him, she quickly lay back on the bed, feigning such distress from morning sickness that she couldn’t even rise.
Footsteps echoed outside, followed by the rustling of beaded curtains as Li Yuanjing’s tall figure appeared. Lu Xuan clutched her chest, pretending to be in agony, weakly attempting to sit up. "Your Majesty, you’ve come—"
Her words caught in her throat.
Lu Xuan spotted Shen Wei beside Li Yuanjing.
Why was Consort Chen here?
Her surprise flickered briefly before she resumed her act. "Cough... Your Majesty, this humble consort is tormented by nausea and cannot rise to greet you properly. Please forgive me."
Li Yuanjing approached the bed, his gaze resting on Lu Xuan’s pallid face. "Rest well. There’s no need to rise."
Lu Xuan’s eyes reddened. "Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty."
Just as she prepared to further play the victim, hurried footsteps sounded outside. Shen Wei stepped forward, her expression sympathetic. "Pregnancy is difficult. His Majesty has summoned all the attending imperial physicians to examine you thoroughly and prescribe medicine to safeguard the child."
Lu Xuan: "..."
The physicians entered, taking turns to check her pulse behind the bed curtains.
They diagnosed her with "excessive worry," which had destabilized the pregnancy and caused relentless vomiting. After prescribing remedies, the maids went to prepare the medicine.
Li Yuanjing offered a few comforting words before preparing to leave. Lu Xuan couldn’t bear to let him go. Struggling to sit up, she pleaded weakly, "Your Majesty, tonight, this humble consort wishes—"
"Achoo!"
A sneeze interrupted her.
Shen Wei sneezed again nearby.
Li Yuanjing’s brows furrowed. Recalling how Shen Wei had accompanied him through the night’s chill, he ordered the servants to tend to Consort Shu and took Shen Wei back to Yongning Palace.
In Changxin Palace, Lu Xuan sat alone on the bed, watching helplessly as the man she loved most doted on another woman. Her heart felt as though it had been slashed by a sharp blade.
A maid brought the freshly brewed medicine. "Your Highness, the physicians’ new prescription. Please drink it while it’s warm."
Lu Xuan raised her hand—and the bowl shattered on the floor.
The bitter scent of medicine filled the air.
"That vile woman!" Lu Xuan seethed. "She came here to humiliate me on purpose!"
Little Qin knelt, urging patiently, "Your Highness, do not anger yourself. The child in your womb is what matters most. His Majesty favors Consort Chen now, but once the child is born safely, we will have our chance."
"The Duke and the entire Lu family—hundreds of lives—depend on you. Our house was in decline until you elevated it. You must remain composed."
Lu Xuan closed her eyes, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Yes. She had entered the palace not just for the Emperor’s love but for her family’s sake. She had to stay rational, to fight Shen Wei with a clear mind.
"Keep watching Doctor Mo," Lu Xuan murmured, her eyes darkening. "He may be the key to bringing down Consort Chen."
Little Qin bowed. "This servant understands."
...
...
Yongning Palace.
Shen Wei waved her hands, retreating hastily. "Your Majesty, I can’t drink any more!"
The moment they returned, Li Yuanjing had forced nearly a full bowl of ginger soup down her throat. The pungent taste was unbearable, and she refused another sip.
Li Yuanjing felt her forehead—her temperature seemed normal. "I won’t take you out in the cold night again."
They lay side by side in the dark, still clothed.
Exhausted from the day’s affairs and the evening’s events, Li Yuanjing held Shen Wei close, ready to sleep. But she squirmed restlessly in his arms.
He gripped her slender waist, his voice husky. "Stop moving."
Shen Wei teased, "This humble consort dares not sleep. What if another sister comes seeking Your Majesty’s company? I’ll have to open the palace gates for her."
Li Yuanjing opened his eyes slowly, pinching her smooth chin. "Nonsense. I smell vinegar."
Shen Wei buried herself in his chest, feigning jealousy. "Three sisters poured their hearts out to you tonight. Of course I’m sour."
Li Yuanjing chuckled, amused by her unabashed pettiness.
It meant she cared.
He held her tighter. "Enough. Sleep."
Shen Wei quieted, drowsiness soon claiming her.
...
...
The next morning, Li Yuanjing awoke at his usual hour. Shen Wei, stifling her sleepiness, helped him dress and crown himself.
Her own movements were sluggish as she donned her robes. Watching her struggle, Li Yuanjing sighed and tied the ribbons for her.
He rather enjoyed dressing her.
Obedient in his hands, she was like a beautiful doll for him to adorn—a pleasing sensation.
After breakfast, Li Yuanjing left for court as always. Shen Wei jogged a few laps in the courtyard. Cai Ping brought her a towel and reported, "Your Highness, as you instructed, I investigated the Second Prince’s daily affairs. I’ve noticed that one or two eunuchs serving him die every month."
Shen Wei paused mid-wipe. "How?"
Cai Ping sighed with a heavy heart, "The palace servants from the Second Prince's side claimed publicly that the young eunuch died from an illness. Ji Xiang and I secretly went to examine the bodies of those young eunuchs and found them covered in wounds, a truly pitiful sight—it seemed they had suffered abuse. Unfortunately, before we could inspect them further, the bodies were taken away."
