Cining Palace.
While rumors swirled outside, Shen Wei, the very subject of those whispers, remained utterly unperturbed. Dressed in new robes gifted by the Empress Dowager and sipping fine West Lake tea, she recounted her conflict with the Emperor as if narrating a story.
By the end, Shen Wei spread her snow-white palms and lamented to the Empress Dowager, "Your Majesty, this humble consort has long resided deep within the palace and has only met Prince Heng a handful of times. The Emperor's suspicions are truly an unwarranted calamity."
The Empress Dowager was taken aback. After a long pause, she said, "This old one naturally believes you."
Having spent much time with Shen Wei, the Empress Dowager knew her character well.
Yet, recalling her son's peculiar reaction, she mused, "Yuanjing deliberately distanced himself from you, as if bereft of reason—lacking even basic judgment. It’s truly baffling."
With even a sliver of thought, Li Yuanjing should have realized that during their time at Prince Yan's Mansion, Shen Wei had rarely left his side.
There was simply no opportunity for her to conspire with Li Yuanli!
The more the Empress Dowager pondered, the less she understood Li Yuanjing’s behavior. She murmured to herself, "Back when this old one had disagreements with the late Emperor, he never acted like this..."
Li Yuanjing and Shen Wei’s cold war had lasted a full month. Yet, he had neither revoked her authority over the six palaces nor stripped her of her title as Imperial Concubine. Nor had he shown favor to any other consorts.
His true intentions remained inscrutable.
The Empress Dowager took a sip of tea to soothe her throat before asking Shen Wei, "If this stalemate continues, trouble is inevitable. Do you have a way to break the deadlock?"
Shen Wei traced the rim of her teacup, her expression serene. "Your Majesty need not worry on my behalf. When the cart reaches the mountain, a path will appear. I have my own methods."
Her tone was calm, her demeanor unruffled.
Clearly, she had long devised a strategy.
The Empress Dowager chuckled helplessly. "This old one knows you’re clever. Still, I must remind you—even a mended mirror bears cracks."
The strange possessiveness in a man’s heart was not so easily dispelled.
After sharing tea for a while longer, the hour for the midday rest arrived. The Empress Dowager retired to her chambers, while Shen Wei made her way to the study in the rear hall of Cining Palace to visit her two sons.
The study was spacious and bright, filled with the scent of ink.
Li Chengtai sat at a small desk, his small frame upright as he pored over a book with rapt attention.
Li Chengyou was also reading, though far less focused than his elder brother. His chubby hands propped up his chin, his eyelids drooping slowly until his plump cheeks nearly met the pages.
"On days of rest, one ought to rest properly," Shen Wei said softly as she lifted the curtain and stepped inside.
Li Chengtai set down his book obediently. "Mother."
Li Chengyou, fighting off sleep, chimed in, "Mother, why have you come? Is it time for dinner? Will there be stir-fried bamboo shoots tonight?"
Shen Wei pinched her younger son’s chubby cheek. "Of course there will be bamboo shoots. And if you’re tired, go take a nap. You can read again after you’ve slept."
With his mother’s permission, Li Chengyou immediately scampered to the small bed by the bookshelf. He deftly removed his outer robe and boots, pulled a thin blanket over himself, and promptly fell asleep.
"Mother, younger brother ought to study diligently. How can he sleep all day?" Li Chengtai grumbled. His foolish little brother had no sense of urgency—eating, drinking, and sleeping like a lazy piglet.
Shen Wei smiled. "Reading while drowsy won’t help him retain much. Better to sleep first and return to his books refreshed."
Li Chengtai pressed his lips together.
With her younger son napping, Shen Wei tidied the bed to make space. She motioned for Li Chengtai to join. "You should rest too. At your age, you need at least five hours of sleep daily."
Proper sleep was essential for growing bones.
Li Chengtai had always obeyed Shen Wei without question. He climbed onto the bed obediently, gazing at his mother, who sat close by. In a subdued voice, he asked, "Mother... do you sleep well these days?"
Shen Wei smiled. "Of course I do."
Without Li Yuanjing disturbing her, she slept four or five hours nightly, waking refreshed and full of energy.
Li Chengtai lowered his head, his tone troubled. "Mother, you don’t have to lie to me... I’m not three years old anymore. I’m five."
The entire harem saw how the Emperor had been neglecting her.
Though he didn’t understand the reason for their quarrel, his heart ached for his mother.
Shen Wei ruffled her elder son’s round head, soothing him gently. "Chengtai, I truly am fine. Your task now is to rest well and grow up strong."
Li Chengtai wrapped his small arms around Shen Wei’s neck. After holding her quietly for a moment, he mumbled, "Mother, when we lived in the mountains, you protected me. When I grow up, I’ll protect you. No one will ever bully you again."
After a pause, he added, "Not even Father."
Shen Wei patted his back.
The spring afternoon was warm and drowsy. Shen Wei sat by the bed, watching as Li Chengtai gradually drifted into slumber.
...
As dusk approached, Shen Wei finally left Cining Palace.
Her procession as Imperial Concubine remained as ostentatious as ever. Leaning against the ornate palanquin, she flipped through a porcelain catalog sent by the Internal Affairs Office. When the procession passed the imperial gardens, she heard two voices greeting her.
"Greetings to Noble Consort Chen."
"Greetings to Noble Consort Chen."
Shen Wei closed the ledger and glanced sideways, spotting Consort Mei, Liu Ruyan, by the flowerbed. Beside her stood Consort Qiao, Liu Qiao'er, who had been absent from court for some time.
Shen Wei was mildly surprised.
Among the harem’s many consorts, none were more reclusive than Consort Mei and Consort Qiao.
Had the sun risen in the west today? The palace’s two most notorious homebodies had actually ventured outside?
Liu Qiao'er spoke politely, "Noble Consort Chen, your complexion has seemed rather poor lately. Forgive this humble one’s presumption, but you ought to worry less and take better care of your health this spring. Your well-being is paramount."
Shen Wei studied Liu Qiao'er coolly.
In her memory, Consort Qiao had always been an exceedingly low-profile woman. Back in Prince Yan’s Mansion, Liu Qiao'er had avoided the Emperor’s favor at every turn, prioritizing self-preservation. After entering the palace, she had secluded herself in her chambers, dressing plainly, never competing for favor, and never mingling with other consorts.
Her presence in the harem was negligible.
Yet today, under the radiant spring sun, Shen Wei noticed that Liu Qiao'er had shed her usual simplicity. She wore delicate, understated makeup, her hair adorned with new ornaments, her robes a freshly delivered spring gown embroidered with cranes from the Internal Affairs Office.
The corners of Shen Wei’s lips curved. "How kind of you."
Liu Qiao'er said no more, subtly pursing her lips as she retreated behind Liu Ruyan.
Shen Wei prepared to leave.
Then, the previously silent Liu Ruyan spoke softly, "Noble Consort Chen, there’s no need to conceal your sorrow."
Her tone carried a hint of pity.
Seated atop her lavish palanquin, Shen Wei replied plainly, "In truth, this consort feels no sorrow at all."
Liu Ruyan let out a light laugh.
Shen Wei sighed inwardly. With a wave of her hand, her procession carried her away from the gardens.
The spring breeze rustled, and to Liu Ruyan’s eyes, Shen Wei’s retreating figure bore an absurd trace of "fleeing in defeat."
Liu Ruyan sighed faintly, her misty eyes dimming. "I once believed that among all the women in the harem, Noble Consort Chen was the most extraordinary. But now, it seems she is merely... ordinary."
