As soon as the chief eunuch finished speaking, palace guards swiftly entered and took Concubine Qin away.
Concubine Qin was still in a daze.
By the time she realized what was happening, she let out a terrified scream: "Impossible! His Majesty would never treat me this way! I demand to see the Emperor—mmph—"
The once-arrogant concubine had fallen from grace in an instant. The guards gagged her with a cloth and dragged her out without hesitation.
The palace maids who had served Concubine Qin turned deathly pale, stumbling to their knees. The chief eunuch looked at them with pity. "You will all serve in the laundry court. Life will be hard, but at least you’ll keep your heads."
Trembling, the maids lowered their heads and filed out of Changle Palace.
A gentle breeze swept through, leaving Changle Palace in eerie silence.
Even Shen Wei hadn’t expected Li Yuanli to act so ruthlessly. Concubine Qin had served him for years, yet he had her executed without hesitation. Shen Wei held a warm bowl of medicine, sipping the bitter liquid slowly, her expression growing solemn.
Only after she finished the medicine did the chief eunuch bow respectfully and take his leave.
The palace servants gradually returned to their posts, their gazes toward Shen Wei now filled with awe. Who would have thought the Emperor would favor a mere fisherman’s daughter to such an extent—enough to execute Concubine Qin for her sake?
The morning sun glared harshly on the pages of the book, making it impossible for Shen Wei to read.
She summoned her maid, Caizhu, and asked, "Now that Concubine Qin is dead, who will raise the prince she bore?"
Having witnessed the Emperor’s favor toward Shen Wei, Caizhu no longer dared to be dismissive. She answered truthfully, "My lady, Concubine Qin never bore any children."
Shen Wei frowned. "There are at least nine princes in the palace, and Concubine Qin was favored. How could she not have a single child?"
Was this Li Yuanli’s way of suppressing the Chancellor’s faction?
Favoring Concubine Qin but denying her the chance to bear his heir?
Just as Shen Wei was lost in thought, Caizhu corrected her. "My lady, you’re mistaken. His Majesty has no children of his own."
Shen Wei was baffled. "No heirs? Then where did the Ninth Prince come from?"
Caizhu lowered her voice. "The Ninth Prince is the late Emperor’s youngest son, ranked ninth. He’s already eighteen... During the palace rebellion, His Majesty spared his life for some reason and even assigned tutors to teach him literature and martial arts."
Though the Southern Chu harem had many consorts, Li Yuanli had chosen to raise his predecessor’s son—an unfathomable decision.
Some court officials even whispered that the Emperor must have been rendered impotent during the war...
Though Li Yuanli had raised the Ninth Prince, he showed no paternal warmth. Instead, he was harsh, never hiding the fact that he had executed the prince’s birth parents.
Years of torment had twisted the Ninth Prince’s nature. He could spare an ant underfoot yet coldly behead a minister without hesitation. His relationship with Li Yuanli was volatile—he frequently provoked the Emperor, landing himself in the imperial prison, only to be released again after some time.
Caizhu warned Shen Wei gently, "My lady, the Ninth Prince has a violent temper. Best not to cross him."
Shen Wei fell into deep thought.
...
Night fell. After a satisfying meal, Shen Wei strolled through the courtyard to aid digestion. She had recently taken up the Eight-Section Brocade exercises to strengthen her body, practicing until a light sheen of sweat glistened on her forehead.
She wiped her brow with a handkerchief.
When she glanced up, she found Li Yuanli standing under the eaves, watching her with an intense, unreadable gaze.
Shen Wei: "..."
The man moved like a ghost, appearing without warning.
Wordlessly, she turned and retreated to her study, sitting at the desk. A maid brought fragrant tea, and Shen Wei sipped it quietly.
Li Yuanli strode in and sat across from her. "From now on, you are the mistress of this harem. Do as you please—even if you wish to execute a concubine, you need not ask for my permission."
Shen Wei paused mid-sip.
In two days, Li Yuanli intended to issue an edict, naming her the Empress of Southern Chu—the one and only.
If she wished to leave the palace, he would even abdicate, taking his vast wealth to wander the world with her.
Shen Wei set down her cup and analyzed coolly, "I’ve heard Chancellor Tuoba has been restless lately, scheming to put the Ninth Prince on the throne. You executed Concubine Qin today, ostensibly to avenge me—but in truth, you’re using me as a scapegoat to weaken the Chancellor’s faction."
She didn’t trust Li Yuanli.
A man who seized the throne through bloodshed could never be ruled by sentiment.
The temperature in the room plummeted.
Li Yuanli’s face darkened. He gripped Shen Wei’s wrist and laughed coldly. "Why must you reduce everything to schemes? My feelings for you are as clear as the sun and moon."
Shen Wei lowered her lashes. "I don’t believe you."
There was no such thing as unconditional love. Every kindness came with a hidden price.
She trusted no one—least of all Li Yuanli.
Candlelight flickered as insects chirped outside. Li Yuanli tightened his grip, his dark eyes burning with frustration.
He let out a humorless laugh. "You could play the role of the most devoted woman, yet in truth, you are the coldest. You weigh every emotion on a scale."
Shen Wei was ruthless, selfish, cunning—the most heartless woman in the world.
She loved only herself.
No one could breach her defenses.
Li Yuanli knew her nature, yet he was helplessly drawn to her.
Like a moth to flame.
He turned his head, studying her detached gaze.
A dull ache spread through his chest. His voice was low and rough as he vowed, "I will treat you well. Whatever Li Yuanjing could give you, I can give you more. Shen Wei, an Emperor does not lie. Time will prove my words."
"Freedom, wealth—they’re all yours. Even if I can stay by your side for just half a year... that’s enough."
The night deepened. Shen Wei retired to her chambers.
Li Yuanli left under the cover of darkness.
The palace lamps still burned as Shen Wei lay on the plush bed, his words echoing in her mind.
If she could secure limited freedom, wealth, and power in Southern Chu—and use Li Yuanli’s influence to merge the trade networks of Southern Chu and Qing Kingdom...
Her eyes drifted shut. Lately, she had been studying Southern Chu’s regional records. After the civil war, the country was ripe for commerce, with untapped markets waiting to be exploited.
Outside, the night was vast. Inside, Shen Wei’s mind whirred with calculations...
...
...
At the border of Southern Chu, several black steeds cut through the night like shadows.
"Father, there’s a city ahead. Should we rest for the night?" Li Chengyou tightened his reins, glancing at Li Yuanjing beside him.
Disguised, they led an elite squad of guards into Southern Chu territory.
The wilderness was dark, the distant city lights barely visible. Li Yuanjing’s expression was grim. "We must reach Lijing as soon as possible."
