Moxun rested her chin on her hand and sighed, "Imperial Concubine, though I also dislike men, I think your guard is up too high."
Over the past dozen or so days, Shen Wei had been in a drug-induced coma, while Moxun secretly observed Li Yuanjing.
It was clear that Li Yuanjing truly loved Shen Wei.
But Shen Wei's attitude toward Li Yuanjing was nothing short of cold and ruthless. Moxun had never seen such a callous, calculating woman before.
Shen Wei wrapped herself in a thick shell of defense. She had never fully trusted anyone, viewing the world with suspicion—no one could ever reach her heart.
"Being defenseless only leads to a miserable end," Shen Wei murmured, the corners of her lips curling slightly.
Bright sunlight streamed in through the window.
The world was beautiful.
But Shen Wei did not belong to this world. Even if she stayed for years or decades, she would never truly be part of it.
She could never let her guard down in an unfamiliar place.
Moxun sighed. "In my opinion, from now on, His Majesty will undoubtedly devote himself wholeheartedly to you. He truly adores you."
This "feigned illness" of Shen Wei's, she believed, would buy her five more years of affection. But Moxun disagreed.
Moxun was convinced that Shen Wei underestimated Li Yuanjing's love. The depth of his feelings for her could only be described as "steadfast as gold."
Shen Wei pressed her lips together and said slowly, "The word 'adoration' is laced with irony. The imperial harem is filled with beautiful birds, and when the emperor takes a fancy to one, amusing himself with it, outsiders call it 'adoration.' But no matter how favored that bird is, it remains caged—unable to escape the palace, easily crushed to death by the emperor's hand."
What did it matter if Li Yuanjing loved her?
With such an imbalance in status, how could Shen Wei dare speak of love?
Moxun pondered Shen Wei's words and found them reasonable.
After chatting for a while longer, Moxun crooked a finger. "Imperial Concubine, what about the reward you promised me?"
Moxun had taken a great risk to help Shen Wei stage an elaborate act.
There was no such thing as a free lunch—Shen Wei had promised her a reward.
Moxun was a free spirit, indifferent to wealth and power. Ordinary temptations hardly moved her. Shen Wei had gone to great lengths to win her cooperation.
"Wait a moment, I’ll fetch it for you." Shen Wei set down the ledger in her hands and opened a hidden compartment in her desk.
She retrieved a book titled The Taihua Notes and handed it to Moxun.
Shen Wei said, "This is a book left behind by Li Qingxun, the Empress of Southern Chu. I came across it by chance—it’s extremely rare. I’ll lend it to you for three days."
Moxun accepted the manuscript with both hands, carefully placing it in her medicine box. "Thank you. I’ll return it once I’m done. Don’t worry, no third party will lay eyes on it."
With that, Moxun took her medicine box and left the chamber.
Shen Wei watched her retreating figure, knowing full well that Moxun had a keen interest in the Taihua Princess. Thus, Shen Wei had played to her interests by lending her the parchment.
The contents of the book were obscure and difficult to decipher, filled with modern script, Roman letters, English, and even physics and chemistry formulas.
Shen Wei thought to herself—Moxun, a woman of ancient times, would at most recognize a few characters and simple weapon designs. Even if she borrowed The Taihua Notes, she wouldn’t glean much from it.
...
...
Dusk settled, the lingering warmth of the day still in the air.
Shen Wei, having just recovered from her "illness," found that the pollen allergy that had plagued her for so long had miraculously vanished. Delighted, she ordered the Imperial Household Department to deliver an array of beautiful flowers and plants. She even personally sketched a layout for the garden and sat under the eaves, supervising the palace servants as they planted them.
Flowers in full bloom always lifted one’s spirits.
Just as Shen Wei was engrossed in her horticultural pursuits, De Shun’s announcement echoed from outside Yongning Palace—"His Majesty has arrived!"
Li Yuanjing strode into Yongning Palace beneath the setting sun.
The moment he stepped through the moon gate, his eyes fell on Shen Wei sitting beneath the corridor. She was wrapped only in a thick sable cloak, its crimson fur stark against her snow-white complexion, making her look like a lazy white kitten.
Li Yuanjing’s expression darkened instantly. He strode forward, took her icy hands in his, and scowled. "It’s windy out here. Go inside and rest."
Shen Wei was speechless.
Ever since her return from the brink of death, Li Yuanjing had been excessively attentive. The mighty emperor, in private, had turned into a nagging old woman.
He forbade her from eating heavily seasoned or oily foods, so her daily meals consisted of bland but nutritious fish soup, medicinal stews, and boiled greens.
Shen Wei had been swallowing medicine and medicinal dishes until her mouth tasted bitter. She longed to sneak into the vegetable garden, pluck a couple of red chilies, and savor something with actual flavor.
Apart from strictly monitoring her diet, Li Yuanjing also kept a close eye on her clothing. Shen Wei, prone to chills after her recovery, loved sitting outside in the breeze. Fearing she might catch another cold, Li Yuanjing watched her like a hawk.
Sometimes, while reviewing memorials, he would suddenly turn and send someone to Yongning Palace just to check if Shen Wei was wearing warm clothes.
Shen Wei was thoroughly exasperated.
As night fell, it was time for dinner. The dining table held none of Shen Wei’s favorites—stir-fried bamboo shoots, crispy duck, or spicy meatballs.
Instead, there was only the same old crucian carp and tofu soup, wolfberry and red date stewed black chicken, detoxifying vegetable meatballs, sautéed red spinach with pork liver, and a bowl of revoltingly green vegetable and donkey-hide gelatin juice!
Who in their right mind cooked vegetables with gelatin? Pure culinary horror!
"Red spinach and pork liver replenish blood. Try some." Li Yuanjing pushed the plate of crimson-stained sautéed pork liver toward Shen Wei.
She nearly gagged at the sight.
Red spinach, also known as blood vegetable, carried a pungent, metallic stench. Paired with the overpowering odor of pork liver, the dish was downright nauseating. Shen Wei forced down two bites before setting down her chopsticks. "I’m full."
Li Yuanjing glanced at the barely touched dishes and frowned. "Be good. Eat a little more."
After a brief internal struggle, Shen Wei reluctantly obliged, swallowing two more pieces of pork liver out of respect for the emperor.
After surviving the torturous meal, she downed another large bowl of bitter medicinal brew.
That night, after soaking her feet, Shen Wei changed into the thick, warm sleeping robes Li Yuanjing had prepared for her. Though it was late spring and the weather was warming, the heavy fabric soon had her sweating. She lay in bed, glaring resentfully at Li Yuanjing.
"The transition between spring and summer is when colds strike easiest. Better to be overdressed than under." Li Yuanjing lay beside her, clasping her hand.
Shen Wei’s palms were warm, her face flushed.
Li Yuanjing was satisfied.
His warm, lively Weiwei had finally returned to him.
Shen Wei scooted closer, wiggling a finger in front of his face as she tried to negotiate. "Your Majesty, could we add a plate of spicy chicken tomorrow for lunch?"
Li Yuanjing recalled the imperial physician’s orders and replied, "No."
Shen Wei cursed inwardly.
"Don’t even think about sneaking any. I’ll have people watching." Li Yuanjing pulled the now-toasty Shen Wei into his arms, contentedly closing his eyes. "Sleep early."
Shen Wei gritted her teeth in silence.
Li Yuanjing feasted on delicacies every day, indulging in rare delicacies, yet he restricted her diet. Though it was for her own good, Shen Wei couldn’t help feeling a little indignant.
Her eyes flickered mischievously as she deliberately nestled against Li Yuanjing, her fair, delicate fingers "accidentally" brushing against certain dangerous areas.
Like a feather’s graze.
Tantalizingly light.
Li Yuanjing’s eyes flew open, the last traces of sleep vanishing instantly.
He caught Shen Wei’s wandering hand, his dark gaze smoldering as he warned in a low voice, "Shen Wei, it’s time to rest."
Shen Wei blinked innocently. "This concubine’s nightgown is too heavy—I’m rather warm. I merely turned over and happened to touch Your Majesty. Please, go back to sleep. I’ll be more careful."
