The two stared at each other, wide-eyed.
Li Yuanjing raised a brow slightly, his arm like an iron clamp around the slender waist of the "little palace maid." He feigned sternness: "The Great Qing palace has strict regulations. How dare you, a mere maid, defy imperial authority?"
Shen Wei pretended to tremble in fear.
Stammering, her delicate fingers brushed faintly against Li Yuanjing’s arm as her eyes reddened: "This lowly maid... submits to Your Majesty’s punishment."
...
Outside the tent, Eunuch Deshun stood guard dutifully.
He instructed the palace servants: "Prepare hot water at once, and bring fresh clothes. Be quick about it."
The servants hurried to obey.
As the sun dipped and dusk settled, the tent finally echoed with Li Yuanjing’s summons for attendants.
The tent flap lifted, revealing Shen Wei now clad in pristine robes, her face bearing faint traces of exhaustion. Li Yuanjing, refreshed and spirited, led her by the hand to the palanquin returning to Yongning Palace.
After supper, Shen Wei still ached all over—her arms and legs sore.
Having returned to the palace three days early from Anguo Temple, she had disguised herself as a maid to approach the emperor, indulging Li Yuanjing in a playful role to spice up their lives.
While Li Yuanjing reveled in the game, Shen Wei’s body paid the price.
She burrowed into bed early, intent on sleeping soon. Li Yuanjing drew back the pale bed curtains, finding Shen Wei drowsily nestled against the pillows, her dark hair fanned out, lips slightly swollen.
He chuckled and lay down beside her, still clothed.
Shen Wei, still awake, gazed at him with wide eyes. Li Yuanjing asked: "Does your back still ache?"
She grumbled: "After three days at Anguo Temple, I missed Your Majesty so much I returned early—but you were far too rough."
Li Yuanjing recalled the afternoon in the tent—he had indeed lost control, his strength excessive.
But Shen Wei was simply too alluring, leaving him parched and enthralled.
Among the imperial concubines, all were prim and proper—only Shen Wei dared to tread bold paths, offering him endless novelty and delight.
She was a treasure, inexhaustible.
Pulling her close, Li Yuanjing massaged her waist with practiced hands. Years of martial training lent him formidable strength, and Shen Wei winced, pushing him away: "No, no—Your Majesty’s hands are too heavy. Let me rest on my own."
Li Yuanjing withdrew his hands but kept her nestled against him.
The autumn night was silent. Soon, her breathing steadied in his arms. He gazed down by the candlelight filtering through the curtains, studying Shen Wei’s peaceful sleeping face.
Lovely, like a docile kitten.
He watched her for a long while until drowsiness claimed him, content.
...
The next morning, Shen Wei awoke to find the emperor’s side of the bed empty.
Li Yuanjing had left for court without disturbing her.
Moving stiffly, she rose slowly, breakfasted, then practiced a round of tai chi in the courtyard to soothe her body.
Cailian approached with news: "Concubine Jade requests an audience."
Soon, plump Zhang Miaoyu bustled into the courtyard, lifting her skirts eagerly.
She threw her arms around Shen Wei, voice trembling with excitement: "Dearest sister! You’re back! Heavens, you’ve no idea how I suffered these days—each hour dragged like a year! I could barely eat two bowls of rice!"
Shen Wei patted her back: "Sister Miaoyu, ease up—I can’t breathe."
Zhang Miaoyu sheepishly loosened her grip.
Eyes gleaming, she clasped Shen Wei’s hands: "You must’ve heard about Concubine Mei. The palace is rife with rumors, and court officials are seizing the chance to stir trouble. Sister Shen Wei, you must handle this mess."
Concubine Mei’s family, the Lius, were loyal subjects who’d committed no crimes.
If the Lius fell, other upright families would grow fearful, breeding unrest.
Shen Wei smiled faintly: "I have a plan."
Zhang Miaoyu exhaled in relief: "Somehow, hearing you say that puts me at ease."
The harem was in chaos, and even Zhang Miaoyu couldn’t quell the gossip. Yet Shen Wei’s return seemed to steady everything.
With her here, the sky wouldn’t collapse.
...
That afternoon, in Changxin Palace—
Little Qin approached Lu Xuan, whispering: "Mistress, Noble Consort Shen has summoned all concubines to Yuxiu Palace. Given your condition, I declined on your behalf."
Lu Xuan, now seven months pregnant, reclined lazily on a daybed, sipping fine southern tea: "Does she mean to clear Concubine Mei’s name?"
Little Qin nodded: "Likely. I’ve sent eyes to monitor the situation."
Lu Xuan stroked her swollen belly, lips curling in scorn: "How foolish. Were I her, I’d stay far from this affair."
Many concubines had powerful backing. Whoever framed Concubine Mei surely came from a formidable family.
If Noble Consort Shen aided Concubine Mei, she’d make an enemy of the culprit’s clan.
If she failed, she’d be seen as complicit in the Lius’ downfall, earning the court’s disdain.
Either way, she’d lose.
Lu Xuan sneered: "Let them squabble. I’ll focus on my health."
Little Qin smiled: "Wisdom befits you, mistress."
...
In Huayang Palace—
Concubine Lan powdered her face before the mirror, donning a fresh lilac gown. Turning before the bronze glass, she frowned: "Why would Noble Consort Shen summon everyone so soon after returning?"
Unease gnawed at her.
Had Shen Wei uncovered the truth? She asked her maid: "Could she have found proof against me?"
The maid shook her head: "I buried the token flawlessly beneath the plum tree. She couldn’t possibly trace it in such short time."
Concubine Lan suppressed her nerves and rose: "No matter. Let’s see what unfolds."
Autumn’s crisp air filled Yuxiu Palace as concubines gathered. Noble Consort Shen presided in resplendent robes, radiant as a peony. Concubine Lan eyed the luxurious fabric enviously before curtseying and taking her seat.
Soon, Liu Ruyan entered. Scanning the room, she frowned: "Must my peace be disturbed?"
Zhang Miaoyu suppressed an eye-roll: "Sister Mei, with that cursed item dug from your courtyard, should we debate this in the emperor’s halls instead?"
Liu Ruyan fell silent, sipping her tea.
Shen Wei cleared her throat: "Today, we gather to restore Concubine Mei’s honor. This matter is a grave misunderstanding—she is innocent."
