Chapter 163
**Chapter 163: The Value of Shen Wei**
Princess Zhaoyang said, “The Kingdom of Nanchu sends tribute every year, requesting that the palace preserve the courtyard where Princess Taihua lived. This Qiu Liang Palace has been kept intact, and every year, Nanchu envoys come to tidy up the entrance.”
The carriage had already left Qiu Liang Palace.
The wind blew gently, causing the branches of the century-old silk trees to sway, while pink silk flowers bloomed in the summer warmth.
Wild grass grew in the courtyard, and the old friends of the past were no longer present.
The carriage reached the end of the palace path. Near Kun Ning Palace, they could no longer ride. Zhaoyang and Shen Wei dismounted and, guided by the palace maids, entered Kun Ning Palace.
The Empress had not yet returned.
She and the Emperor were still receiving the Nanchu envoys, and the ceremony was not over. The palace maids respectfully served tea, and Shen Wei sipped half a cup before going to check on her daughter, who was peacefully sleeping in her swaddling.
Kun Ning Palace was quiet, with the palace maids and eunuchs moving about with light steps. The sunlight streamed in, and Shen Wei’s gaze swept over the busy servants, who seemed like soulless machines in motion.
After about half an hour, a chorus of greetings echoed from outside Kun Ning Palace.
The Empress had returned.
Today, she was dressed in splendid court robes embroidered with golden phoenixes, her heavy crown resting atop her head. There was a hint of fatigue in her eyes as she raised her hand to dismiss Shen Wei and Zhaoyang’s greetings, heading straight to her chambers to remove her makeup and change.
Once in her everyday clothes, the Empress returned to the main hall. Two palace maids began to massage her shoulders, and the Empress, with her fingers pressed against her brow, smiled affectionately at Zhaoyang. “Nanchu has sent ten boxes of luodai (a type of cosmetic powder), and His Majesty has given me six. Zhaoyang, I’ll give you three.”
Zhaoyang beamed with delight, leaning in to wrap her arms around the Empress’s. “Thank you, Mother! You’re the best to me!”
The Empress chuckled softly. “You’re not a child anymore, yet you still act like one—your father has a Nanchu inkstone that’s far more precious than luodai.”
Zhaoyang’s eyes lit up, and she quickly said, “Mother, I’ll go pay my respects to Father right now and come back to keep you company!”
She had been eyeing the Nanchu inkstone for days, lifting her skirt as she dashed out of Kun Ning Palace, joyfully seeking the Emperor for gifts.
With Zhaoyang gone, Shen Wei sat alone in the main hall of Kun Ning Palace. Her mind raced as she contemplated how to seek the Empress’s help in resolving the issues with the princess consort.
The Empress set down her teacup, a warm smile gracing her lips. “Young and beautiful, you’re just the right person to use luodai for your brows. Mama Qian, give the remaining three boxes of luodai to Shen.”
Shen Wei’s pupils dilated in disbelief. Such precious luodai! The Empress had given three boxes to her own daughter and three to Shen Wei!
This meant the Empress valued Shen Wei highly.
Shen Wei quickly rose, politely declining, “I thank the Empress for her generosity, but this luodai is too precious; I cannot…”
The Empress replied kindly, “You are Yuanjing’s side consort, which makes you my daughter-in-law. You may call me Mother.”
Shen Wei’s lips parted, but she hesitated to speak.
The Empress smiled, “Yuanjing assists the Crown Prince with state affairs. You’ve managed the Yan Wang residence well during this time; I did not misjudge you. You are rare, and I will protect you.”
As long as Shen Wei continued to demonstrate her irreplaceable value, the Empress would always shield her.
With the Empress’s words, the weight that had hung over Shen Wei’s heart fell away.
Thank goodness, the Empress was on her side. She wouldn’t have to poison the princess consort after all.
“Bring the child to me; I want to see her,” the Empress said, her mood brightening. The wet nurse brought in the sleeping little Leyou.
Wrapped in soft swaddling, the baby, just a few months old, slept soundly. Her delicate little hands clutched a tiger plush toy, her skin fair and tender, long eyelashes casting shadows over her cheeks, and her rosy lips glimmered like a fine porcelain doll.
The Empress’s expression softened.
She said gently, “This child resembles Yuanjing. She’s more obedient than he was, not a bit fussy.”
They say grandchildren are closer to their grandparents, and the more the Empress looked, the more she liked her. She even took the initiative to hold the child. Leyou stirred awake but didn’t cry; instead, she gazed at the Empress with her big, dark eyes, giggling with delight.
The Empress held the child and looked up at Shen Wei. “You’ve won Yuanjing’s affection. While you’re still young, you should have another child. One child isn’t enough to secure your place in the Wang residence.”
Shen Wei sighed inwardly.
In any era, women cannot escape the fate of being urged to bear children.
If Shen Wei wanted to establish herself firmly in the Wang residence, she needed to have her own son. However, she wasn’t in a hurry; the matter of offspring was destined by the heavens. Given the frequency of her nights with the Yan Wang, it was only a matter of time before she became pregnant.
“Your Highness, the Yan Wang has arrived,” a palace maid reported as she entered the main hall.
The reception ceremony for the Nanchu envoys had concluded, and the envoys were settled. The Yan Wang came to pay his respects to the Empress.
The Empress sat regally in her main seat, still holding little Leyou. “Let him in.”
The sun shone brightly as the Yan Wang strode in. Dressed in splendid royal robes, he moved with the grace of a dragon and the might of a tiger, exuding an undeniable authority.
“Son pays respects to Mother,” the Yan Wang said, cupping his hands, his gaze landing on Shen Wei beside him. Their eyes met, and Shen Wei smiled at him with a hint of affection.
The Empress, her tone warm, said, “Sit down. Try the camellias sent from Jiangnan—”
Before she could finish, little Leyou in the Empress’s arms suddenly became excited. She stretched out her chubby little hands toward the Yan Wang, babbling happily.
The Empress was taken aback.
The Yan Wang smiled brightly. “Mother, let me hold the child.”
He expertly cradled his daughter, his movements precise. Leyou, feeling attached, grasped his collar, giggling with delight.
The Yan Wang proudly told the Empress, “Mother, Leyou is closest to me.”
There was a hint of boastfulness in his tone.
The Empress saw through it; the Yan Wang’s affection for this child surely had much to do with Shen Wei’s influence.
Shen Wei was indeed clever. If she bore a son in the future, the Yan Wang would undoubtedly shower him with love as well.
The Yan Wang didn’t linger long. Holding his daughter, he took Shen Wei and left Kun Ning Palace.
The Empress watched the family of three depart, a gentle smile gracing her lips.
After a moment, the smile faded from her face, and she instructed Mama Qian, “Send a message to the old lady of the Dantai family. The internal affairs of the Yan Wang residence are not to be interfered with by the Dantai family.”
The Dantai family, a century-old clan, had raised a morally bankrupt Dantai Shuya, nearly ruining the Yan Wang’s future. The Empress had long harbored dissatisfaction. The imperial power was supreme; how could a mere noble family like Dantai challenge it?
Mama Qian respectfully replied, “Yes, I will take care of it right away.”
...
On the long palace path, the guards and wet nurses of the Wang residence walked respectfully behind. The Yan Wang still held his daughter, unable to part with her.
Shen Wei walked beside the Yan Wang, saying helplessly, “Your Highness, you should let the wet nurse hold the child; there are so many people in the palace watching.”
The Yan Wang smiled, “Just a little longer.”
Today’s reception of the Nanchu envoys had left him somewhat fatigued. It was only when he saw his daughter’s adorable smile that he felt his body and mind relax.
As they walked, they suddenly encountered an unexpected guest around the corner. The Heng Wang, dressed in luxurious python-patterned robes and holding a white jade fan, was speaking to a nearby guard, his gaze as cold as ice.
As their eyes met, the Heng Wang’s gaze inadvertently collided with Shen Wei’s.
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