Lady Wu was brought into the palace to recuperate, where the Empress Dowager arranged for her to stay in the Tranquil Heart Pavilion and ordered imperial physicians to attend to her without delay.
However, the poison had already seeped deep into Lady Wu’s lungs, leaving no hope of recovery. She clung to life by the faintest thread.
When Concubine Lan learned that her mother had been brought into the palace, she rushed to the Empress Dowager’s quarters without even pausing to dress properly, begging to see her. This time, the Empress Dowager did not refuse and permitted the visit.
The Tranquil Heart Pavilion was thick with the pungent scent of medicine, as palace maids brewed herbal concoctions in the small kitchen. Concubine Lan stumbled inside, her steps slowing as she gently pushed open the door.
The chamber was sparsely decorated, with dull gray bed curtains hanging from silver hooks. When Concubine Lan saw the frail figure lying on the bed, she covered her mouth in shock—she could hardly believe the emaciated woman before her was her mother.
In her memories, her mother had been gentle, graceful, and dignified, the very picture of a noble matriarch.
Now, Lady Wu was little more than skin and bones, her face sallow and sunken, resembling a skeleton draped in flesh. Her eyes remained shut in unconscious slumber.
Concubine Lan fell to her knees beside the bed, weeping uncontrollably. Clutching her mother’s bony hand, a surge of bitter hatred coiled in her heart, refusing to dissipate.
...
...
Night fell over Yongning Palace.
Dish after dish of delicacies was laid out on the table as Shen Wei and Li Yuanjing shared their evening meal. Perhaps it was the autumn chill or the exhaustion of recent days, but Shen Wei had little appetite and set down her bowl after only half a serving.
A tickle rose in her throat, and she coughed softly into her handkerchief.
"My lady, please drink a bowl of pear soup to soothe your lungs. The weather is turning cold—we mustn’t let you catch a chill," Cai Lian urged with concern.
Shen Wei waved her off. "The pear soup is too sweet. I don’t want it. Instead, have the kitchen send a pot to Concubine Lan at Huayang Palace. She’s been weighed down with grief lately—perhaps something sweet will lift her spirits."
Cai Lian had no choice but to comply, turning to the kitchen to prepare the pear soup for delivery.
Li Yuanjing arched a brow, setting down his jade chopsticks. "You worry about others but neglect yourself. Since I’m here, you’ll drink a bowl of pear soup tonight—no arguments."
Shen Wei shook her head. "I don’t want to."
Li Yuanjing feigned sternness. "Be good. You’re not a child to be picky. What would the children think if they knew their mother refused her medicine?"
Shen Wei huffed. "Then Your Majesty must drink with me. We’ll share the burden—sweet or bitter."
Li Yuanjing chuckled. "Very well, I’ll join you."
Two bowls of cloyingly sweet pear soup arrived, garnished with red dates and bird’s nest. Shen Wei sipped slowly, her face twisted in displeasure.
After the meal, Shen Wei tried to drag Li Yuanjing out for a stroll in the courtyard. But the autumn night was too cold, the wind biting against her cheeks. Li Yuanjing touched her chilled face and promptly ushered her back inside.
The bedchamber was warm.
So was the bedding, and Li Yuanjing radiated heat like a living furnace. Shen Wei nestled comfortably against him and murmured, "Your Majesty, Lady Wu was brought into the palace today by Her Majesty the Empress Dowager... I went to see her. She’s gravely ill."
Li Yuanjing pulled her closer. "The imperial physicians are doing all they can."
Shen Wei sighed heavily. "When I first returned to the palace, the Empress secretly poisoned me. If not for timely discovery, the consequences would have been dire. Seeing Lady Wu... it’s like looking at another version of myself."
Li Yuanjing’s expression darkened, his arm tightening around her waist.
Had Shen Wei’s poisoning gone unnoticed, her fate might have mirrored Lady Wu’s. The thought sent a sharp pang through his chest, and a flicker of cold fury passed through his eyes.
Shen Wei, drowsy, drifted off against him. But Li Yuanjing remained awake until De Shun’s hushed voice came from outside: "Your Majesty, urgent news—Minister Wu Ming has arrived at the palace under cover of night."
Wu Ming—head of the Wu family and Lady Wu’s elder brother.
Li Yuanjing’s interest piqued. He carefully disentangled himself, tucking the blankets around the sleeping Shen Wei before drawing the bed curtains and leaving Yongning Palace.
In the depths of the night, lanterns illuminated Chang’an Palace.
Li Yuanjing summoned Wu Ming for an audience.
The doors swung open, and the travel-worn Wu Ming dropped to his knees, his forehead striking the cold floor with a thud. "This humble servant, Wu Ming, greets Your Majesty!"
Li Yuanjing was mildly surprised.
The Wu family resided in the eastern reaches of Jiangnan, far from the capital. Judging by Wu Ming’s disheveled appearance, he had ridden day and night without rest to reach the palace.
Li Yuanjing took his seat. "What brings you here so urgently?"
Wu Ming kowtowed. "Your Majesty, I willingly surrender control of the three eastern river trade routes to the imperial court, along with half our family’s landholdings. We will pay taxes as mandated by the prefecture and live quietly henceforth in Jiangnan. I beg Your Majesty’s mercy—spare my clan. I pledge unwavering loyalty as Your Majesty’s blade!"
Pale moonlight spilled over the eaves as candlelight flickered in Chang’an Palace.
Li Yuanjing’s lips curved faintly. "Are you certain of this, Minister Wu?"
Wu Ming replied, "My clan’s lives outweigh wealth and power. Your Majesty is wise—I dare not defy the tide."
Wu Ming was no fool.
Since the new emperor’s ascension, he had keenly observed the sovereign’s decisive reforms—uprooting corruption, prioritizing agriculture while fostering commerce, steadily strengthening the nation.
The emperor was systematically eroding noble families’ influence, plucking their power piece by piece.
Wu Ming had no desire to follow the tragic fate of the Dantai family, exiled in disgrace. He chose to surrender his assets and authority, hoping to safeguard his kin.
After receiving his sister’s desperate plea for help, Wu Ming had raced to the capital, exhausting three horses in his haste.
His eyes reddened. "Your Majesty, my sister has suffered unbearable cruelty at the hands of the Xie family. I beg Your Majesty to punish Xie Ji and grant her a divorce."
Li Yuanjing nodded. "Granted."
...
...
Shen Wei slept until dawn, rising sluggishly. Pressing her temples, she felt dizzy and faint.
She managed only a bowl of red rice porridge for breakfast before pushing it aside. After reviewing palace accounts and dressing for the day, she boarded her palanquin to visit the Empress Dowager and Lady Wu at Cining Palace.
As the bearers carried her through the long palace pathways, Shen Wei leaned against the cushions, her head swimming with discomfort.
"My lady, you look pale. Should we summon a physician?" Cai Ping fretted, sensing something amiss.
Shen Wei pressed a finger to her brow. "After seeing the Empress Dowager."
Passing the imperial gardens, she spotted a familiar figure amidst the autumn chrysanthemums, crimson maples, and withered phoenix trees. Xie Fanghua, clad in a pale golden gown, strolled through the blossoms, admiring a rare flower.
Hearing the procession, Xie Fanghua turned gracefully and curtsied. "This humble girl pays respects to the Noble Consort."
Her gaze flickered toward the consort’s entourage.
Eight eunuchs carried the palanquin, with palace maids flanking it in a grand procession. Xie Fanghua watched with secret envy, her eyes alight with longing—once she entered the palace and won the Emperor's favor, she would surely outshine even the illustrious Consort Lan in splendor.
Seated inside the palanquin, Shen Wei asked, "Why are you in the palace?"
