Liu Qiao'er's behavior was truly peculiar.
She seemed mad, yet not quite mad.
Shen Wei smiled faintly as she flipped through the account books sent by the Internal Affairs Office. "Consort Liu is eagerly awaiting my fall from grace. She seems convinced I will inevitably tumble from my high position."
Cai Lian remarked, "Your Majesty shares a harmonious relationship with the Emperor. Consort Liu's schemes are bound to fail."
Shen Wei turned another page of the ledger. "The world is unpredictable—nothing is certain."
Over the years, the Shen family's influence had steadily expanded.
Shen Mieyue's prestige in the military grew ever stronger, earning the loyalty of countless soldiers. Shen Xiuming, known for his integrity as an official, frequently aided new ministers, earning an excellent reputation among the common people and wielding considerable influence in court.
Shen Wei had sent her youngest son to Liangzhou, intending for him to gradually take control of military authority while her elder brother slowly retired.
After all, throughout history, few generals who overshadowed their sovereign met a favorable end.
Though Li Yuanjing now favored Li Chengtai and paved the way for him at every turn, in the realm of imperial power, the relationship between ruler and subject came before that of father and son.
History was littered with cases of emperors executing their own kin. The mighty Emperor Wu of Han, in his later years, ordered the deaths of his crown prince and Empress Wei. The diligent Emperor Ming of Tang once executed three of his sons in a single day.
Shen Wei rubbed her temples, silently praying that such a day of father-son conflict would never come.
She resumed reviewing the account books.
Outside, Le You's lively voice rang out. "Mother! Look what I have!"
The swaying branches cast dappled sunlight into the room as Le You dashed in like a gust of wind, pressing close to Shen Wei and placing a small wooden cage on the table.
Inside the cage was a tiny calico cat, curled into a fluffy ball, peacefully napping.
Le You explained, "Today at the market, this kitten was mewing on the roof. Liang Huaichuan climbed up and brought it down for me. Mother, may I keep it?"
Shen Wei smiled warmly. "If you wish to raise it, then do so. You may pursue whatever brings you joy."
Le You wrapped her arms around Shen Wei's. "You're the best, Mother."
After a pause, Le You tilted her head, studying Shen Wei's face. Shen Wei chuckled. "Why are you staring at me?"
Le You murmured, "I feel like... Mother isn’t truly happy."
To the world, Shen Wei, Empress of Da Qing, appeared to be the most fortunate and revered woman in the empire. She had both sons and daughters, shared a harmonious marriage with the Emperor, commanded the respect of the imperial consorts, and was celebrated for her virtue among the people.
Le You had once believed her mother lived in bliss.
But as she grew older, she began to sense that beneath her mother’s serene smile lay a hidden melancholy—as if she wore a mask, concealing her true self.
Shen Wei stroked her daughter's hair, smiling faintly. "You’re too young to be burdened by such thoughts."
Le You pouted. "Fine. I’ll return to Cining Palace now and join you for dinner tonight."
With that, she skipped away, the wooden cage swinging happily in her hand.
Shen Wei picked up the account books again, continuing her work.
...
...
Summer faded into winter, and soon, spring arrived.
This year’s imperial examinations were unexpectedly presided over by the Eighth Prince, Li Chengtai! The court erupted in an uproar, with officials exchanging knowing glances, sensing the shifting tides of power.
Li Chengtai, mature beyond his years and aided by imperial tutors, conducted the examinations flawlessly, encountering no mishaps.
Li Yuanjing was greatly pleased. Shortly after the exams concluded, an imperial edict was issued, naming Li Chengtai as Crown Prince and granting him residence in the Eastern Palace. The Emperor also entrusted him with hundreds of elite guards, allowing him to cultivate his own loyal army.
Though her son had been named heir, Shen Wei’s wariness remained.
Li Chengtai was a young tiger, but Li Yuanjing was a mighty beast in his prime. Given the Emperor’s robust health, he would likely reign for another decade before considering abdication.
A crown prince who amassed too much power risked threatening the Emperor’s authority—a perilous scenario.
Shen Wei’s unease deepened.
She thought of Emperor Wu of Han. At times, she even felt she was reliving the fate of Empress Wei Zifu. A former singer who rose to become empress, Wei Zifu had a brother, the great general Wei Qing, and a son crowned as heir, all while basking in the Emperor’s favor.
Yet how had it ended?
In his later years, Emperor Wu grew paranoid, executing his own son and driving Wei Zifu to suicide.
History’s greatest rulers often began as wise and valiant, only to succumb to folly in old age. Emperor Wu grew tyrannical; Emperor Ming of Tang became decadent. Who could say Li Yuanjing wouldn’t follow suit, turning against his wife and children?
Sighing softly, Shen Wei murmured, "The old who refuse to die become thieves." She needed to find a way to gently nudge Li Yuanjing toward abdication.
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager summons you," Cai Ping announced, entering the chamber.
Shen Wei changed her attire and made her way to Cining Palace.
With her children grown and pursuing their own paths, the palace had grown quieter, leaving only Le You to keep the Empress Dowager company.
Seated in a pavilion bathed in sunlight, the Empress Dowager beckoned Shen Wei with a warm smile. "Perfect timing. There’s something I wish to discuss."
Shen Wei took her seat. "Your Majesty, please speak."
"The Jiangnan region is eternally spring-like, with breathtaking scenery," the Empress Dowager said. "I’ve acquired an estate there and plan to move south in a few days, settling permanently."
A pang of envy struck Shen Wei.
How she longed to escape to Jiangnan herself.
She understood—this was the Empress Dowager’s retirement.
With the court stable, the empire secure, and successors in place, the Empress Dowager, having devoted her life to the realm, now sought peace in her twilight years.
The Empress Dowager patted Shen Wei’s hand. "I leave the inner court in your capable hands. Should you face difficulties, write to me. I’ll shield you from any storm."
Shen Wei’s eyes stung.
The Empress Dowager had always treated her with kindness.
Initially, her favor had been strategic—Shen Wei was to be the "virtuous helpmeet," supporting Li Yuanjing and raising princes. But over time, the Empress Dowager had come to regard her as a daughter.
Even knowing Shen Wei’s cunning and calculations, the Empress Dowager never reproached her. As a woman, she understood the struggles they endured.
Shen Wei leaned against the Empress Dowager’s knees, her voice muffled. "Thank you... for your care all these years."
...
Two days later, under the pretext of visiting the ailing Ninth Prince, the Empress Dowager departed Yanjing City.
Shen Wei carried on managing the palace, her days uneventful, the court tranquil.
Another year passed.
Early spring nights still carried a chill. In the bedchamber of Yongning Palace, the warmth beneath the Furong canopy faded, leaving Shen Wei sore and drowsy as she nestled into the pillows.
Li Yuanjing, satisfied, draped an arm around her waist, his voice husky with contentment. "Weiwei, I plan to tour the southern military camps. Accompany me."
Sleep fled Shen Wei’s mind.
She opened her eyes. "A southern tour?"
Li Yuanjing grinned. "You’ve been cooped up in the palace. Let me take you south to unwind. We’ll visit Mother as well."
After a moment’s thought, Shen Wei shook her head regretfully. "I’d love to cast aside my duties and join you, but the palace affairs are endless, and Le You’s coming-of-age ceremony is next year. I can’t afford leisure."
Li Yuanjing’s smile dimmed.
Since Li Chengtai became the Crown Prince, Li Yuanjing's burdens had lightened considerably. He wanted to take Shen Wei on a trip to the south, to experience the simple life of ordinary people.
Unfortunately, Shen Wei was weighed down by countless trivial matters.
Li Yuanjing sighed, leaning down to press a kiss to Shen Wei's forehead. "Very well, I’ll bring you some novelties from the south instead."
Shen Wei nestled into Li Yuanjing’s embrace, her eyes downcast in thought.
The Emperor’s southern tour might just be an opportunity...
With deliberate longing in her voice, Shen Wei said, "The Empress Dowager wrote to me earlier this year, describing how the waters of Jiangnan are emerald green, the willow trees along the riverbanks sway gently, and even the birds sing more beautifully than in Yanjing City. I often think... if I could see it for myself someday, I’d die without regrets..."
Her wistful tone was like a fine blade slicing into Li Yuanjing’s heart. He murmured, "Don’t speak of dying without regrets."
Shen Wei forced a smile. "It was just a thought, Your Majesty. Pay it no mind."
The night deepened.
Shen Wei had deliberately planted the seed of "dying without regrets" in Li Yuanjing’s heart. Leaning against him, she drifted into a heavy slumber.
But Li Yuanjing found himself inexplicably unsettled. The howling night wind rattled the window frames, and sleep eluded him for hours.
Not long after, Li Yuanjing departed Yanjing City, embarking on his southern tour by boat. He inspected waterworks and military affairs in the southern provinces.
The scenery of Jiangnan was as beautiful as Shen Wei had described—lush and vibrant, a feast for the eyes. Yet, after a while, even the most breathtaking landscapes lost their charm.
Li Yuanjing began to miss Shen Wei.
In the past, whenever he traveled, Shen Wei would send palace attendants to care for him, delivering personal comforts. But this time was different. Days passed without any gifts or letters from her.
When he wrote to her, she replied—but her responses were brief, almost perfunctory.
A vague sense of foreboding crept into Li Yuanjing’s heart.
Two months later, Li Yuanjing returned to Yanjing City. His imperial procession raced along the official road, stopping at a courier station by dusk.
Resting at the station, Li Yuanjing gazed out the upstairs window at the pink roses blooming along the courtyard wall, swaying in the golden sunset.
Suddenly, he noticed an elderly man—dressed like a kitchen worker—approach the roses. With gentle movements, the old man plucked a single bloom, carefully removing its thorns.
"Old woman, look what I brought you," the white-haired man said, carrying the flower into the station’s kitchen.
An elderly cook set down her cleaver. "Oh, you’re picking flowers again! What if the noble guests see? I heard an extremely important person is staying here today."
The old man chuckled. "We’re not stealing or doing anything wrong. Why would the noble guest punish us? Here, let me put this on you."
He tucked the rose into the cook’s hair.
They shared a smile, their simple, warm happiness radiating softly. Watching them, Li Yuanjing thought of Shen Wei back in the palace.
When he and Weiwei grew old, he imagined it would be just like this—quiet and tender.
Now middle-aged, secure in his power, having experienced all the world’s grandeur and luxuries, Li Yuanjing found himself yearning for the peace of ordinary life.
At sunrise, the imperial procession returned to the palace, where Crown Prince Li Chengtai personally greeted him.
Li Yuanjing scanned the crowd, but Shen Wei was nowhere in sight. "Where is your mother?" he asked.
Li Chengtai, usually composed, wore an uncharacteristic trace of sorrow. "Mother is in Yongning Palace. She... has been unwell lately."
Li Yuanjing’s expression darkened.
Weiwei was ill?
And he hadn’t known?
Li Chengtai explained, "Father, she forbade anyone from telling you. She didn’t want you to worry."
Li Yuanjing hurried to Yongning Palace. The palace was as serene as ever—lanterns hung from the eaves, peach branches stretched over the walls, and bronze wind chimes tinkled softly in the breeze.
The courtyard thrived with life. In Li Yuanjing’s absence, Shen Wei had ordered the servants to tend the vegetable garden, where rows of crisp greens stood free of weeds.
Shen Wei was in the study, delegating palace affairs to Cai Lian, Cai Ping, Nanny Rong, and others. Le You’s coming-of-age ceremony was scheduled for early summer, and Shen Wei had been preparing for it since the previous year.
"Your Majesty?" Shen Wei looked up in surprise as Li Yuanjing entered.
Cai Lian and the others discreetly withdrew.
Alone in the bright study, Shen Wei set down her brush and approached him with her usual grace and warmth. "You must be weary from the journey. You should bathe and change first."
But Li Yuanjing didn’t move. Instead, he studied her face. She seemed thinner, her cheeks pale, as if recovering from illness.
He pulled her into an embrace.
She felt lighter.
"You hid your illness from me?" His voice was tight.
Shen Wei led him to sit, smiling gently. "It was just a minor chill. A few days of medicine cured it. I didn’t want to trouble you during your inspection tour."
Still uneasy, Li Yuanjing summoned the imperial physician to examine her.
The physician explained that Shen Wei was overworked, her old ailments never fully healed. Years ago, after bearing two sons, her health had deteriorated. Later, she had been poisoned, and traces of toxins lingered in her body.
With age, these past afflictions were taking their toll. If she continued exhausting herself, her lifespan... might not be long.
A sharp, nameless pain pierced Li Yuanjing’s heart.
...
That night, the fragrance of peach blossoms drifted through the courtyard. Shen Wei had arranged fresh branches in a vase by the bed, their scent lulling her to sleep.
But tonight, with Li Yuanjing returned, she stayed awake, eagerly questioning him about Jiangnan:
"The willows along the riverbanks—do they really look like ‘drunken spring mist’?"
"Your mother wrote about a southern sweet called dragon’s beard candy, delicate and sweet. I’d love to try it."
"And fishing for perch in the river—I imagine the soup must be delicious."
Her words brimmed with longing.
Li Yuanjing held her close. "If you wish to go, I’ll take you to Jiangnan next year."
He felt her tremble in his arms. "Yes," she murmured.
But her voice carried a quiet sorrow.
Late into the night, half-asleep, Li Yuanjing heard faint movement beside him. He kept his eyes closed as Shen Wei slipped out of bed.
Cai Lian entered the outer chamber with a bowl of medicine.
Shen Wei drank it.
"Your Highness," Cai Lian whispered, "the physician said you mustn’t overexert yourself. Leave the palace affairs to us and Consort Yu. You must rest."
Shen Wei shook her head. "Le You’s ceremony is too important. I must oversee it myself."
"But your health..." Cai Lian fretted.
