"They look like people from Donglin or Nanchu. I heard that in Donglin, men all know how to dance—they even bare their bellies while doing it."
"What handsome men! Come take a look, haha!"
The chatter continued.
Over the past decade, Qing State had grown prosperous and its people well-off. With lives of abundance, social customs naturally became more open. Crowds gathering to watch men dance was no longer considered unusual.
Shen Wei, hearing the murmurs around her, glanced curiously toward the flower boat’s deck, where four young men from Donglin were dancing.
All were sturdy lads in their early twenties, dressed in traditional Donglin dance attire, their waists adorned with tinkling bells. Their movements were fluid and graceful, their well-defined chest muscles exposed, drawing cheers and gasps from the onlookers.
As the dance ended, thunderous applause erupted.
Many spectators tossed silver coins and flowers onto the boat as rewards for the performers.
Shen Wei, thoroughly entertained, reached into her pocket for some silver, ready to throw it onto the boat—only for her wrist to be caught by Li Yuanjing.
Li Yuanjing’s expression was sour.
"Rewarding them is no different from visiting a brothel! Shen Wei, how could you behave so improperly?" His voice dripped with jealousy.
Shen Wei gave him a strange look and retorted matter-of-factly, "Back when the palace held evening banquets, the female musicians of the Music Bureau would sing and dance before the court officials. What’s wrong with women enjoying men’s performances, when men have always been free to admire women’s dances?"
Just as Li Yuanjing was about to argue, a pair of young maidens passed by.
Hearing Shen Wei’s words, one of them covered her mouth with a giggle and teased, "Uncle, everyone appreciates beauty. Though you’re not bad-looking yourself, alas, you’re getting on in years. Your wife, young and lovely as she is, naturally prefers handsome young men."
With a peal of silvery laughter, the girls flitted away.
Li Yuanjing’s face darkened further.
The passerby’s words echoed relentlessly in his mind—"alas, you’re getting on in years."
Alas, getting on in years...
For the first time, Li Yuanjing felt a deep sense of crisis about his age. The lakeside lantern festival was lively, bathed in dazzling lights, beneath which Shen Wei’s exquisite features seemed almost ageless.
Meanwhile, he, burdened by years of state affairs, though still physically active, no longer retained the youthful vigor of his prime.
"I’m tired. Let’s go home." Oblivious to Li Yuanjing’s tangled thoughts, Shen Wei turned and headed toward the imperial estate.
Li Yuanjing remained silent the entire way.
Late into the night, Shen Wei drowsily washed up and collapsed into bed, locking the door as usual.
Yet Li Yuanjing still slipped in, skillfully sliding under the covers. Half-asleep, Shen Wei kicked at him twice, but when he refused to budge, she gave up and let him be.
Though Shen Wei had revealed her "true colors," she had no intention of cutting ties with Li Yuanjing completely. Their bond ran too deep—impossible to sever entirely.
They would simply muddle along.
Half-dreaming, Shen Wei faintly heard Li Yuanjing’s voice, as if he were asking her—or perhaps himself—"Have I truly grown old?"
Too drowsy to respond, Shen Wei nestled into her pillow and drifted off.
...
The next morning.
As Shen Wei rose and freshened up, Cai Ping murmured, "My lady, the Retired Emperor woke unusually early today. He practiced a set of Five Animals exercises, then spent half a morning sparring with guards in the rear training yard before retreating to his study. He even summoned the imperial physician—very odd."
In the past, Li Yuanjing would never have bothered with exercises like the Five Animals routine.
After a moment’s thought, Shen Wei understood.
Clearly, yesterday’s blow to his pride had spurred him into action, determined to combat his perceived "decline."
For the next fortnight, Li Yuanjing maintained his rigorous routine, pushing himself relentlessly. Then, one evening, as Shen Wei finished bathing and prepared for bed, the impeccably dressed Retired Emperor once again stealthily invaded her chambers.
This time, Li Yuanjing came prepared. Boldly, he wrapped an arm around Shen Wei’s waist and began undressing her.
Seeing the fire in his dark eyes, Shen Wei gasped, "You—"
Her words were cut short.
The pale bed curtains fluttered down, and the bed creaked well into the night.
The next morning, Shen Wei awoke to find herself surprisingly free of the usual soreness, a lingering pleasure still humming in her bones.
This was entirely unprecedented.
Li Yuanjing, thoroughly satisfied, pulled her close and asked, "Well, Shen Wei? Was it good this time?"
Shen Wei stayed silent for a long moment.
Last night had been a storm of passion, and Li Yuanjing had indeed shown remarkable improvement. Unable to resist, she asked, "What tonic did you take?"
Li Yuanjing’s face darkened. "I would never resort to such aids!" he insisted. "I’m in perfect health—no need for such things!"
When Shen Wei only looked puzzled, he smirked proudly. "I’ve been training daily and spent days studying ancient texts on the art of the bedchamber. Naturally, I’ve improved."
Hadn’t Shen Wei once complained of his roughness?
So he had taken the initiative, poring over manuals to refine his technique before putting theory into practice.
His daily exercises ensured he had the stamina to rival any pretty-faced young man.
Shen Wei fell silent briefly before abruptly changing the subject. "In a few days, we’ll visit Mother in Jiangnan. After that, I plan to travel across Qing State."
She paused, then added quietly, "Alone."
Alone—meaning without Li Yuanjing.
Li Yuanjing exploded.
His earlier smug satisfaction evaporated instantly. Gripping Shen Wei’s waist, he growled, "The roads are dangerous! I’m coming with you."
Shen Wei met his gaze coolly and reasoned, "Chengtai has only just ascended the throne. The court isn’t yet stable. Your presence in Yanjing City is a deterrent—no official would dare act out of line."
"My travels won’t take long. I’ll return within three to five years."
Li Yuanjing’s voice rose sharply. "Three to five years?"
A single day without Shen Wei left him restless. Now she meant to abandon him for years?
Unthinkable.
He had worked tirelessly to shed his old flaws, striving to reclaim a place in her heart—only for her to deny him the chance, daring to leave!
Shen Wei’s cool voice cut through his thoughts. "I’m not asking for your permission. I’m informing you."
For twenty years, she had been confined to the inner quarters, waking each day to the same four walls. She longed to roam freely, to witness Qing State’s vast landscapes and immerse herself in its diverse cultures.
Li Yuanjing snapped, "No. I forbid it!"
Shen Wei gave him a pointed look. "Does the Retired Emperor mean to imprison me again?"
Li Yuanjing stiffened.
For a fleeting moment, the thought had crossed his mind.
Shen Wei continued, "Life is long. I want to see the world—"
Her words broke off as she suddenly clutched her head, a strange dizziness tearing through her, as if her very soul were being ripped apart.
