Chapter 165
**Chapter 165: The Emperor is a Good Man**
Since the time of the Heng Wang's memories, he had noticed that every early autumn, his mother, the Qian Guifei, would secretly visit the Qiuliang Palace to burn yellow paper beneath the tall hehuan tree.
It was a ritual to honor the late Princess Taihua, who had passed away a century ago.
The Qian Guifei carefully placed the folded yellow paper into a box and gently set it on the table. Then, she stretched her arms in a grand yawn, pulled out her smoking pipe, took a couple of puffs, and downed a full cup of wine in one go.
Her demeanor resembled that of a bold tavern girl on the streets, completely at odds with her lofty status as a noble consort.
Exhaling a ring of smoke, the Qian Guifei said leisurely, “In my youth, I lived in Nanchu for ten years, so I consider myself half a Nanchu person. Every year, we honor Princess Taihua to seek her protection for your safety.”
The risks of vying for the throne were too great.
The Qian Guifei hoped that the Empress Taihua would bless her son, ensuring his safety.
Heng Wang sighed, “Mother, we’re fighting for the Da Qing throne, not the Nanchu throne. Is it reasonable to seek the protection of the Nanchu Empress?”
The Qian Guifei spread her palms, her expression calm, “Well, since I have the time, why not burn incense for a few more ancestors? Surely one of them will look out for you.”
Heng Wang had no retort.
The Qian Guifei set down her exquisite smoking pipe and poured herself another glass of rich liquor.
Heng Wang’s eyelids twitched as he reached out to dissuade her, “Mother, the imperial physician said your health isn’t what it used to be. You should use the smoking pipe less and drink less wine!”
The Qian Guifei held her white porcelain cup, her face still charming but now a bit defiant, “With the Emperor ill, I don’t have to attend to him. Sneaking a drink won’t hurt—look at the Yan Wang, he’s had another daughter this year. And here you are, with a yard full of women, yet not a single child to show for it.”
Among the three princes of Da Qing, the Yan Wang had the most offspring.
The Qian Guifei felt quite envious.
Unfortunately, her own son was not ambitious, and despite the throng of women in the courtyard, none were pregnant. The Qian Guifei, filled with worry, hesitated before asking, “Yuan Li, tell your mother the truth—are you unable to have children?”
Heng Wang’s temples throbbed; he gritted his teeth and insisted, “Mother, I’m in good health.”
Disappointed, the Qian Guifei took another sip of wine to drown her sorrows, “Then why don’t you have a child? I’m stuck in this dreary palace every day, longing for a child to keep me company. If it weren’t for your father’s serious illness preventing him from performing the rites, I would have wanted to have a chubby baby myself.”
Heng Wang rubbed his temples and patiently replied, “Mother, the situation is still uncertain. A child would only be a burden.”
If he were to become emperor in the future, he could have as many children as he wanted.
If he failed in his bid for the throne, having no children would spare them from being implicated.
So, not having children was the best choice.
Yet, despite his reasoning, a small, adorable face of a baby suddenly floated into his mind. It was Shen Wei’s daughter, a tiny bundle, chubby and fair, utterly charming.
Heng Wang couldn’t help but think, having a daughter like that wouldn’t be so bad.
The Qian Guifei, disappointed, took another drink, “Your father is gravely ill, and the Crown Prince is also unwell. Yuan Li, our time is running out. Your father is a good man; he has treated me very well. He doesn’t mind my humble origins and has brought great honor to my family, caring for us both with great attention. Last winter, when I fell ill, your father even gifted me the only five-hundred-year-old ginseng in the harem to help me recover.”
After a pause, the Qian Guifei shifted her tone, “If you just say the word, your mother will go poison your father tomorrow to clear the way for you.”
Heng Wang replied, “... There’s no rush; the timing isn’t right.”
The Qian Guifei shrugged, a hint of disappointment in her eyes, “Alright then. I’m still rather reluctant to poison your father right away.”
After exchanging a few more words, Heng Wang stood to take his leave. As he exited the Qian Guifei’s palace, he walked along a side path instead of the main one.
His guards reported beside him, “My lord, the Nanchu envoys wish to meet with you privately.”
Heng Wang halted, looking up to find he had unknowingly arrived at the dilapidated Qiuliang Palace. The palace door was locked, the iron lock rusted, and the tall hehuan tree stretched out its lush green branches, with clusters of pink hehuan flowers blooming vibrantly.
The founding Empress of Nanchu had lived in this small, run-down courtyard for over a decade.
Heng Wang plucked a pink hehuan flower.
The flower wasn’t particularly beautiful; its petals resembled thin pink whiskers. Heng Wang casually tossed the flower to the ground, his gaze growing cold. “Tell the Nanchu envoys that I’m willing to have a chat with them.”
...
...
Time passed, and the moonlight enveloped the Liuli Pavilion. After a night of deep, bone-wearying exertion, Shen Wei and the Yan Wang changed into clean nightclothes and fell asleep.
Shen Wei rubbed her sore waist, a dull ache in her lower abdomen.
She cast a glance at the Yan Wang beside her, full of energy. Thankfully, she often exercised and could withstand such exertions; otherwise, she would have surely met her end in bed.
Leaning her head on the pillow, Shen Wei softly asked, “My lord, tomorrow the princess will return to her family to celebrate her birthday. Will you accompany her?”
The Yan Wang, feeling relaxed, habitually took Shen Wei’s delicate, fair hand in his, his voice lazy yet magnetic, “Tomorrow, I’ll be going to the East Palace.”
Implying he wouldn’t be accompanying the princess to the Dantai family.
However, the Dantai family was a century-old clan with deep roots in the court. The Yan Wang reminded Shen Wei, “Tomorrow, you should fetch two gold-inlaid jade ruyi from the storeroom and give them to the princess as a birthday gift from me to the old lady Dantai.”
Shen Wei nodded eagerly, “Alright.”
The next day at dawn, the Yan Wang went to court. After finishing her breakfast, Shen Wei received word that the princess was already preparing to return to her family for the birthday celebration. Naturally, Shen Wei wanted to see her off in person.
At the entrance of the Kunyuyuan, Shen Wei smiled brightly and blocked the princess’s path, “For the birthday banquet of the old lady Dantai, I’ve prepared two gold-inlaid jade ruyi. I’d appreciate it if the princess could take them along.”
Cai Lian and Cai Ping each held a delicate box containing the jade ruyi mentioned by the Yan Wang.
The princess thought Shen Wei was trying to show humility, and her tone grew increasingly disdainful, “My Dantai family is one of the four great families of Yanjing, with countless treasures. You, Shen, don’t even have the qualifications to step into the Dantai family’s threshold. Your birthday gift doesn’t even qualify to enter the family treasury.”
The Dantai family was a wealthy household, with many members holding positions in the court, wielding significant power.
Shen Wei wanted to send a gift to the old lady Dantai? She didn’t deserve it.
Shen Wei patiently explained, “This is from the Wang—”
Before she could finish, the princess interrupted, “Bringing up the Wang is useless. Shen, cherish the last days you have in charge of your household.”
The princess turned away, accompanied by her maids and servants, leaving without a backward glance.
Confident, the princess believed that before her marriage, the old lady Dantai had spoiled her in every way. As long as she returned to her family seeking help, her mother would surely pressure the Empress to restore her household authority.
“My lord, should we still send this birthday gift to the Dantai family?” Cai Ping asked from the side.
Shen Wei supported herself on her waist; her abdomen was still aching today. It seemed the Yan Wang had been too vigorous last night, inadvertently injuring her waist and belly.
Shen Wei instructed Cai Ping, “Since the princess won’t accept it, I won’t bother sending it. Cai Ping, go fetch the physician.”
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