As autumn grew colder, Shen Wei always enjoyed drinking nourishing duck soup during the season.
Cai Lian carried the food box, hesitating for a long while.
...
After some time, Cai Lian entered the room with the food box, joining the other palace maids in serving their mistress.
With the change of seasons, palace affairs had become hectic. Shen Wei had been busy for days and had little appetite. During dinner, she barely touched her food—just a few bites of rice and some stir-fried bamboo shoots—before setting down her chopsticks.
Li Yuanjing sat across the table, his handsome brows slightly furrowed as he observed Shen Wei’s slightly thinner face. Unable to hold back, he said, "Eat a little more."
Shen Wei pouted and shook her head like a picky child. "I can’t."
Li Yuanjing raised an eyebrow. While he indulged her occasional whims, he wouldn’t stand by and watch her grow thinner.
After a moment’s thought, he suddenly set down his ivory-white jade chopsticks.
As expected, Shen Wei looked up in surprise. "Your Majesty, aren’t you eating?"
Li Yuanjing replied with a faint smile, "Shared joys and sorrows."
The meaning was clear—if she didn’t eat, neither would he.
Shen Wei grumbled inwardly: What does it matter if you don’t eat? Starve for all I care. Tomorrow, I’ll just crown my son emperor, and retire the day after.
Outwardly, she pretended to relent, picking up her bowl and chopsticks again. "Then this humble consort will have another bowl of duck soup."
Only then did Li Yuanjing look satisfied.
His Weiwei truly cares for him.
The small victory of coaxing her pleased him immensely.
The two resumed their meal. Cai Lian lifted the lid of the lily and duck soup tureen, steam rising in wisps. She fetched an exquisite white porcelain bowl and ladled a spoonful of soup.
Distracted by her worries, Cai Lian’s grip slipped, and the bowl fell from her hands.
Splash—
Warm soup spilled across the floor, soaking the hem of Shen Wei’s skirt.
Li Yuanjing coldly rebuked, "How careless!"
Shen Wei, ever gentle, spoke kindly, "You’ve been running around for me all day. You must be tired—go rest for now."
Cai Lian clenched her teeth, then suddenly dropped to her knees, tears streaming down her face.
She kowtowed heavily, her voice choked with sobs. "Your Majesty, Noble Consort Shen, I beg you—please save my family!"
Shen Wei looked startled, as though unaware of what had happened.
Li Yuanjing, sharp as ever, demanded, "What is the matter?"
Kneeling, Cai Lian tearfully recounted how Tantai Yinxue had threatened her, embellishing slightly by claiming the concubine intended to poison Shen Wei and her three children.
By the end, Cai Lian was nearly fainting from grief. "Noble Consort Shen has been so kind to me—how could I commit such a vile act? But my grandmother is old, and those villains have taken her... I didn’t know what else to do but beg for your help..."
She pressed her forehead to the floor, trembling.
Heart aching, Shen Wei urged her to rise, but Cai Lian remained kneeling, pleading desperately, "She’s all I have... We’re lowly people—Concubine Tantai could crush us like ants... My lady, I beg you..."
Unsure, Shen Wei glanced at Li Yuanjing.
His expression was dark with anger.
He knew this wasn’t just petty scheming—Tantai Yinxue belonged to the Tantai Family. If she dared attempt such a crime, it must be under their orders.
The Tantai Family has grown too bold!
Shen Wei tugged lightly at Li Yuanjing’s sleeve. "Your Majesty, perhaps I should visit Huayang Palace and confront Tantai Yinxue directly... If this is true, I’ll find a way to rescue Cai Lian’s grandmother."
Li Yuanjing had already made up his mind. "Stay out of it. I’ll handle this."
He set down his chopsticks and left Yongning Palace.
Knowing he would work late into the night, Shen Wei thoughtfully handed him his cloak, watching as his tall figure disappeared into the darkness.
The night wind rustled as she returned inside, picking up her chopsticks to finish her meal. Glancing at Cai Lian, she murmured approvingly, "Well done."
Cai Lian wiped her tears and kowtowed again. "Thank you, my lady."
Earlier, when Tantai Yinxue had threatened her, Cai Lian had immediately informed Shen Wei.
She was no fool—poisoning her mistress would be suicide. Her only hope was to seek Shen Wei’s help.
Shen Wei hadn’t disappointed her, instructing her to wait until evening to plead before Li Yuanjing.
He would assume Tantai Yinxue was acting under her family’s orders to harm Shen Wei and the princes.
After dinner, Shen Wei took a short stroll in the courtyard. Autumn had brought blooming osmanthus and chrysanthemums, filling the garden with life. As usual, she exercised lightly before retiring for the night.
Burrowed in her soft, fragrant blankets, she slept soundly—until the faint chime of a bronze wind bell stirred her awake.
She pinched her thigh hard, forcing herself alert through the pain.
Pretending to toss and turn, she waited.
Soon, Li Yuanjing entered quietly, preparing to change into sleepwear. Shen Wei lifted the bed curtains and whispered, "Your Majesty, you’re back."
Pausing as he undid his belt, Li Yuanjing seemed surprised. "Weiwei, you’re still awake?"
Shen Wei rose and helped him change into dark sleeping robes.
"I slept for an hour but woke up thirsty," she said, stifling a yawn.
It was true—she had slept blissfully for an hour. If not for the bell, she would’ve slumbered peacefully till dawn.
But Li Yuanjing didn’t believe her.
He took her slender hand. "I know you’re afraid."
Shen Wei lowered her head, as if caught in a lie, and stayed silent.
The warm glow of the lantern cast shadows on her delicate profile, her long lashes fluttering slightly with unspoken sorrow.
Li Yuanjing pulled her into his arms. "The Imperial Guards investigated. The maid’s grandmother was kidnapped by Tantai servants and left in an abandoned temple. She’s been rescued—unharmed."
He had planned to dismantle the Tantai Family gradually, but their attempt on Shen Wei’s life crossed a line.
Now, he would crush them swiftly.
Resting her head against his chest, Shen Wei murmured, "With you here, I’m not afraid."
Once changed, they lay down together.
Exhausted but committed to her act, Shen Wei feigned restlessness—sighing softly, staring blankly at the canopy.
Li Yuanjing wrapped an arm around her waist, drawing her close. "Don’t overthink it. Sleep."
Like a quiet kitten, Shen Wei nestled against him.
The bed curtains enclosed them in stillness, while autumn insects chirped outside.
After a long silence, Shen Wei whispered, as if to herself, "When I lived at Donghuang Mountain Imperial Manor, far from the palace’s schemes, I never had such worries..."
Li Yuanjing said nothing.
He knew the endless intrigues of the harem wore her down.
His Weiwei didn’t crave wealth or power, nor did she enjoy these battles. Yet for his sake, she endured it all in silence.
