Li Yuanjing looked displeased. After considering Shen Wei's words, he waved his sleeve and said to Li Chengxun, "You may leave now. I will spare your mother's life."
Overjoyed, Li Chengxun kowtowed repeatedly in gratitude before taking his leave.
The side hall fell silent.
Shen Wei also prepared to excuse herself: "Your Majesty, if you are occupied, this concubine shall return to the palace to attend to her duties—"
Li Yuanjing caught her arm, rolled up the finely crafted Shu brocade sleeve, and retrieved six white chess pieces she had secretly pocketed.
A flicker of embarrassment crossed Shen Wei's delicate face.
Li Yuanjing smirked. "Stay and play another round with me. No more cheating or taking back moves."
Shen Wei: "..."
This man was utterly relentless!
Suppressing the urge to flip the chessboard, Shen Wei patiently played with Li Yuanjing all afternoon. After nightfall, they dined together and relaxed in the waterside pavilion.
The pavilion overlooked a lotus pond, its summer blossoms filling the air with fragrance. Once the flowers withered, Shen Wei had the servants gather the seed pods—she particularly enjoyed eating lotus seeds, especially those she peeled herself.
Li Yuanjing watched as Shen Wei popped one seed after another without pause. He stopped her hand. "Lotus seeds are cooling in nature. Too many will harm your stomach."
Shen Wei smiled, her eyes curving like crescents. "Your Majesty need not worry. This concubine is strong and healthy—a few seeds won’t hurt."
Li Yuanjing countered dryly, "Last night, when you begged me to go slower and gentler, I didn’t hear any claims of ‘strength.’"
Shen Wei nearly choked on a seed.
Though Li Yuanjing was past forty, years of horseback riding and archery had kept him fit, his stamina undiminished.
Had Shen Wei not maintained her own exercise regimen, she might not have kept up.
Fortunately, the awkward moment was interrupted by the arrival of De Shun, who bowed and announced, "Your Majesty, Empress, the Eighth Prince has arrived."
Li Yuanjing raised a brow. "Let him come."
Soon, Li Chengtai entered Yongning Palace, clad in black and gold brocade. His steps were steady, a jade crown atop his head. Though his youthful face still held traces of boyishness, his features bore a striking resemblance to Li Yuanjing.
Under the glow of palace lanterns, Li Chengtai greeted his parents.
Shen Wei smiled. "Have you eaten?"
Li Chengtai nodded. "Yes, Mother." His gaze fell on the white jade plate before her, holding three peeled lotus pods and a small pile of discarded seed cores.
With the solemnity of a schoolmaster, he admonished, "Mother, the imperial physician warned that lotus seeds are too cooling. Last summer, you overate them and fell ill—even Le You was frightened to tears. Have you forgotten?"
Shen Wei was speechless.
So young, yet so lecturing.
Li Yuanjing chuckled, removing the remaining pods. "Listen to your son."
Shen Wei sighed inwardly, picking up an unfinished folk novel instead.
Li Chengtai added, "The pavilion is windy, and the candlelight flickers. Reading here will strain your eyes."
Shen Wei tossed the book aside. "Cai Lian! Cai Ping! Bring tea—I want calming herbal tea!"
Cai Lian promptly served the tea.
Li Yuanjing nearly laughed aloud. Stubborn as she was, even he sometimes struggled to rein Shen Wei in. Thankfully, Li Chengtai could temper her whims.
Once satisfied that Shen Wei was sipping her tea, Li Chengtai turned to Li Yuanjing. "Father, today I reviewed the Ministry of Justice’s draft of the New Daqing Legal Code. Certain clauses lack precision. I wish to discuss amendments. A nation’s laws must be strict, its households orderly—only then can the people live in peace."
Li Yuanjing gestured to a seat, pleased. "Sit. Tell me your thoughts."
As steam curled from their cups, father and son delved into debate.
Shen Wei sipped her tea, occasionally glancing at the pair. The waterside pavilion had become an impromptu court—their exchange a blend of familial warmth, ruler-subject formality, and the passing of wisdom from alpha to heir.
She marveled silently. Li Chengtai was truly her son: a budding workaholic, already displaying the makings of an overachiever.
At least he balanced diligence with rest.
Once their discussion concluded, Li Chengtai rose. "Justice must spare no privilege; promotions must favor no kinship. I will confer with the Ministry of Justice tomorrow to refine the code. I take my leave now—may Father and Mother retire early."
As he turned to go, Li Yuanjing called out, "Next year, you will oversee the imperial examinations."
A summer night’s breeze stirred Li Chengtai’s sleeves. He paused, his young brow furrowing slightly. "The examinations?"
Shen Wei, too, was surprised.
To preside over the exams meant every scholar who passed would become a "disciple of the Son of Heaven"—Li Chengtai’s own protégés.
A realization dawned on her: Li Yuanjing was paving his son’s path to the future.
Li Yuanjing sipped his tea, unfazed. "In ancient times, Gan Luo became chancellor at twelve. You will be thirteen next year—this task is within your reach."
Li Chengtai adapted swiftly. With composure, he bowed. "This son accepts your decree."
The night wind whispered as he departed. Already tall for his age, his retreating figure seemed preternaturally steady under the moonlight.
In the waterside pavilion, Shen Wei wore a worried expression: "Your Majesty, overseeing the imperial examinations is no trivial matter."
Li Yuanjing replied calmly, "At his young age, he already carries himself like an old man—having him preside over the spring examinations shouldn’t be difficult. Weiwei, tell me, who does this child take after? Even in my youth, I was never so solemn."
Shen Wei spread her hands helplessly. "This concubine doesn’t know either."
As night deepened, Shen Wei and Li Yuanjing retired to their chambers.
In the four-cornered ice basin of the bedchamber, the ice slowly melted, bringing a refreshing coolness.
Shen Wei changed into a crimson silk nightgown, the fabric cool against her skin. She leaned against the bed, engrossed in a newly published novel from Yanjing City’s bookshops—a bestseller with an enthralling plot.
With the nation prosperous and the people well-fed, their material needs were met, and they began seeking spiritual fulfillment. Bestselling novels, the music halls and drum towers in the city, and the latest operas in the theaters became the people’s leisurely pastimes.
Shen Wei, sharp as ever, seized this opportunity and had Shopkeeper Ye establish an "entertainment industry," earning a hefty profit.
When Li Yuanjing entered the room, his gaze lingered on Shen Wei’s new nightgown for a long moment.
Clearing his throat, he took hold of Shen Wei’s slender hand. "Weiwei, you’ve broken your promise."
Shen Wei blinked in confusion. "What does Your Majesty mean?"
Li Yuanjing plucked the novel from her hands, displeased. "I’ve already sent Chengyou to Liangzhou. Weiwei, you promised me that Le You would stay away from that Liang Family Boy."
Yet just yesterday, Le You had sneaked out of the palace again to go boating and pick lotus seeds at Luoyue Lake.
Le You was a poor swimmer, and the Liang Family Boy, fearing she might fall into the water, had disguised himself as a guard to watch over her.
When Li Yuanjing learned of this, he was furious.
Shen Wei blinked innocently. "This concubine kept her word and did not deceive you."
Li Yuanjing lightly pinched the corner of her eye. "Lying with a straight face."
Shen Wei set the novel aside on the table. "Your Majesty, think carefully—that night, this concubine promised you that Le You would never go hunting at Nan Mountain with the Liang Family Boy again. And indeed, she didn’t go hunting at Nan Mountain. She went boating at Luoyue Lake instead."
Li Yuanjing was speechless.
For a moment, he couldn’t refute her.
Shen Wei said earnestly, "This concubine kept her promise and did not go back on her word. It’s late, and this concubine wishes to rest."
With that, she lay back on the cool jade mat.
Li Yuanjing gripped her wrist. "Weiwei, you’re splitting hairs! That Liang Family Boy is dull and taciturn—how could he ever be a worthy match for Le You? She is a princess of the highest nobility; her husband must be an exceptional man among men..."
Seeing that Li Yuanjing showed no sign of stopping, Shen Wei sighed. With a delicate flick of her fingers, she tugged at his collar and pressed her crimson lips to his.
Her ink-black hair cascaded over her shoulders.
Her lashes, dark as crow feathers, fluttered like tiny fans, sending a teasing breeze Li Yuanjing’s way.
Thanks to years of meticulous care and exercise, Shen Wei’s beauty had not faded—instead, her charm had only deepened. With just a touch, Li Yuanjing was set aflame.
Though he knew it was a honey trap, he couldn’t resist.
He pulled her close by the waist, intent on devouring her whole.
...
...
The next day, at Xiangyun Palace, where Concubine Liu Qiao'er resided.
Liu Qiao'er sat beneath a parasol tree, sewing clothes while plotting how to bring down Shen Wei.
The sound of shuffling footsteps came from outside. Liu Qiao'er looked up to see De Shun, the chief eunuch, leading a few junior eunuchs toward her.
Setting aside her needlework, she rose. "Eunuch De Shun, what brings you here?"
Liu Qiao'er despised eunuchs.
But De Shun was the palace’s head eunuch, a favorite of the emperor and highly regarded by Shen Wei. As a neglected concubine, Liu Qiao'er dared not offend someone so close to the emperor and maintained a polite facade.
De Shun announced, "This servant comes to deliver His Majesty’s oral decree."
A bad premonition struck Liu Qiao'er.
De Shun continued, "By imperial decree: Concubine Liu Qiao'er, for recklessly discussing state affairs, plotting treason, undermining the nation’s foundation, and sowing discord in the palace, is hereby demoted to Noble Lady, confined to her quarters for one year with only one maidservant in attendance. Third Prince Li Chengxun is to be relocated to the princes’ quarters."
Liu Qiao'er turned deathly pale, frozen like a puppet.
Only after De Shun left did she snap out of her daze. She hurried after him. "Eunuch De Shun! There must be a misunderstanding! This concubine must see His Majesty—someone must have framed me!"
De Shun replied impassively, "Noble Lady Liu, you must stop here. His Majesty will not see you."
With that, he departed with his retinue.
Liu Qiao'er’s mind went blank. For years, she had endured and schemed, waiting for the day she would rise to power. Yet before she could even crawl out of the mud, reality had brutally shoved her back into the abyss, leaving her no chance to recover.
Where had she gone wrong?
Just then, her personal maid rushed in, panic-stricken. "Mistress, disaster has struck! This servant heard that during this morning’s court session, His Majesty dismissed your father from his post and exiled several officials to the harshest borderlands."
Liu Qiao'er’s head spun.
She staggered to sit down, her hands unconsciously touching the half-mended garment in her lap as she muttered to herself, "Father has been dismissed from office... My father, a fourth-rank official, stripped of his position by the Emperor himself..."
Could the Emperor have discovered her plot to seize the throne?
Being demoted to Noble Lady was the Emperor’s warning to her.
Liu Qiao'er felt a chill seep into her bones.
"My communications with Father were conducted in secret—how could the Emperor have known?" she murmured.
After a moment’s hesitation, her maidservant spoke up, "Mistress, yesterday this servant saw the Third Prince entering Chang'an Palace to meet His Majesty... Perhaps it was he who informed the Emperor."
Liu Qiao'er's fury erupted. She tore the half-repaired garment apart and snapped, "Summon Chengxun at once!"
About the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Li Chengxun arrived at her palace, his head hanging low.
Liu Qiao'er sat beneath the eaves, her voice icy as she demanded, "Was it you who reported me to the Emperor?"
Li Chengxun kept his gaze lowered, not daring to meet his mother’s eyes. "Yes... it was me..."
The moment the words left his lips, Liu Qiao'er lunged forward like a madwoman, gripping his wrist. "Look at me!" she shrieked. "Look at me!"
Trembling, Li Chengxun raised his head—only to be met with the sight of his mother’s twisted, aged face.
Pointing at her own features, Liu Qiao'er cried hoarsely, "Back in Prince Yan's Mansion, I was one of the most beautiful women! If not for you, would I have endured all these years, wasting away into this haggard, wretched old woman?"
"Look at this desolate, crumbling courtyard! Look at the coarse rags I wear now! All my years of effort—gone to waste!"
Li Chengxun knew his mother had suffered greatly.
Yet he couldn’t hold back his words. "Mother! Becoming Emperor is no simple matter! The people need a wise ruler—I lack both ability and virtue. I could never be a good emperor."
Liu Qiao'er spat, "Why care about the common folk? You are of the Liu family! Our blood runs in your veins!"
Li Chengxun disagreed.
He took two steps back and bowed. "Mother, the Emperor has shown mercy by sparing your life. Thanks to Empress Shen’s recommendation, I will soon join the Ministry of Works to study southern water conservancy projects. I will be traveling frequently in the future—please take care of yourself."
Li Chengxun had no ambition for the throne. He only wished to pursue what he loved.
Liu Qiao'er stared at him as if he had spoken nonsense. "Empress Shen’s recommendation?" she sneered. "Foolish child, do you think she truly means to help you? She wants you gone from the capital so her own son faces no rival for the throne!"
Li Chengxun remained silent.
Whether Empress Shen’s intentions were genuine or not, at least this way he could preserve his fragile life—and work on the engineering projects he loved.
In the imperial family, survival alone was no small feat.
Liu Qiao'er continued, her voice certain. "The Shen woman will fall from favor eventually. She’s merely fortunate—her elder brother and sister-in-law hold military power, her younger brother is a powerful minister. That’s why the Emperor pretends to dote on her. Chengxun, I know the Emperor. One day, he will destroy the Shen family! And then your chance will come!"
She rambled on and on.
Li Chengxun didn’t hear a word.
He turned and left.
Even if he ended up shattered beyond repair, at least he had stepped out of that suffocating prison and glimpsed the open sky.
After cowering for over a decade, he wanted, just once, to be brave.
...
...
Yongning Palace.
Cai Lian entered the study and reported Liu Qiao'er’s demotion to Shen Wei.
Shen Wei set down her brush, flexing her sore wrist. "Noble Lady Qiao—ah, no, she is now simply Noble Lady Liu. How did she react?"
Cai Lian replied, "She had a fierce argument with the Third Prince, who then left resolutely. Noble Lady Liu wept for a while, then suddenly calmed down and resumed mending clothes under the eaves."
