Chapter 195
**Chapter 193: The Lethality of the White Moonlight**
Zhao Qing trembled as he nodded, “I swear, I’m not lying! I was burned by Shangguan Qian!”
Li Yuanli asked, “You found this book in the cave outside Liangzhou City?”
Zhao Qing replied, “Yes…”
Li Yuanli clicked his tongue and slowly stood up. After days of interrogation, he had concluded that Zhao Qing was nothing but an empty-headed fool.
He always seemed to lack the luck that Li Yuanjing possessed.
Li Yuanli didn’t ask any more questions. Stretching against the cool night breeze, his blood-red robe billowed around him. The guards moved in, tossing the nearly crippled Zhao Qing into the burning bonfire.
The wind carried Zhao Qing’s terrified whimpers and pleas, which gradually faded into silence.
Li Yuanli gripped his white jade fan, gazing northward toward the Daqing Kingdom. His pet white fox yipped a couple of times, trotting over to lie at his feet.
Li Yuanli stared at the white fox. Though he had no evidence, he couldn’t shake the feeling that the burning of the sheepskin book was somehow connected to Shen Wei.
But he had already suffered defeat and was forced to flee Daqing. It seemed he would never see Shen Wei again in this lifetime.
The palace was not the same as the Wang residence. Would the newly crowned Emperor Yan still dote on Shen Wei as he once did? Perhaps it wouldn’t be long before Shen Wei was swallowed whole by the towering palace walls, her beauty extinguished...
“Why marry him of all people? Li Yuanjing will eventually be devoured by the women of the harem,” Li Yuanli sighed, feeling sympathy for Shen Wei.
But after a moment of sympathy, his expression stiffened. Every time he thought Shen Wei was about to stumble, she always managed to slap him in the face with her actions.
Shen Wei was not the kind of weak woman who could be easily trampled. She could effortlessly control the inner workings of the Wang residence and even rise above the concubines in the harem.
Li Yuanli inhaled sharply, a wave of intense resentment surging within him as he cursed into the pitch-black night sky, “That dog Li Yuanjing, his luck is just too good!”
...
...
In the Daqing Palace, the servants of the Neiwufu were bustling about, sweeping away the palace’s long-standing grime, repairing the palace walls, and arranging flowers and plants.
Inside Kun Ning Palace.
The Empress handed her chubby little granddaughter to the old wet nurse, repeatedly instructing, “Make sure the bird’s nest is at the right temperature before feeding it to the child. It mustn’t be too hot. After she finishes, send her for a nap.”
The old wet nurse took the child and left.
After seeing off her granddaughter, the Empress walked to the back courtyard of Kun Ning Palace. There, the noble Consort Qian was kneeling on the cold marble floor, her graceful face betraying little emotion.
“The Prince of Heng has emerged from seclusion,” the Empress said, looking at her former rival with a calm tone. “It’s time for you to set out.”
Consort Qian’s expression remained unchanged. “Can my ashes be sent to Nanchu?”
The Empress replied, “Yes.”
Only then did Consort Qian let out a sigh of relief.
A servant brought in a cup of poisoned wine.
Consort Qian held the cup, looking up at the lofty Empress, and coldly mocked, “Your plan won’t succeed. That Shen will follow my old path, becoming a stepping stone for the new Emperor’s legitimate son.”
Years ago, Consort Qian had entered the palace, winning the Emperor’s favor and successfully giving birth to the Prince of Heng. The Emperor had been indifferent to the Empress, leading everyone to believe she was sidelined, powerless.
Consort Qian thought her child would ascend the throne.
She had outmaneuvered many concubines, enjoying the highest favor in the harem, only to later realize she was merely a shield the Emperor used to protect the Empress and her son. The Emperor’s deliberate promotion of the Prince of Heng, granting him military power and allowing him to form factions, was merely a way to sharpen the Prince for the role of Crown Prince.
“That Shen really is pitiful,” Consort Qian sneered. “She thinks she has the new Emperor’s favor all to herself, believing that giving birth to a child will ensure her a worry-free life.”
The heartless Emperor, in order to secure his reign, would sacrifice favored consorts and their sons.
Consort Qian raised the poisoned wine and drank it all in one go.
The Empress quietly watched, and after a moment, she spoke, “Yuanjing is not his father, and Shen is not you. Shen is smarter than you.”
A palace maid entered the back courtyard, respectfully informing the Empress, “Your Majesty, Consort Shen has arrived.”
The Empress smiled, as if she had anticipated this. “Let her wait in the front hall.”
As the maid left, a look of astonishment crossed Consort Qian’s face.
The Empress chuckled, “Shen is smarter than you; she won’t follow your old path.”
Consort Qian slumped to the ground, a trickle of dark blood escaping her lips. Unable to contain herself, she burst into laughter, but as she laughed, the poison took effect, and she collapsed.
The servants, having prepared in advance, placed Consort Qian’s body into a coffin that had already been readied and carried it out through the back door.
Thus, a favored consort met her tragic end.
...
...
The Empress returned to the main hall.
It had been several months since the Empress had seen Shen Wei. From a distance, she noticed that Shen Wei had lost a significant amount of weight; her face was pale, as if a gust of wind could blow her away.
Upon seeing the Empress, Shen Wei immediately knelt on both knees, pleading, “I beg for your protection, Your Majesty.”
The Empress raised an eyebrow.
After dismissing the other palace maids, the Empress personally helped Shen Wei to her feet, her eyes filled with kindness. “Yuanjing is about to ascend the throne. You will soon be elevated to a consort position, with a bright future ahead. Why would you need my protection?”
Shen Wei replied, “When flowers bloom at their most beautiful, it means they are not far from withering.”
The Empress’s lips curled into an appreciative smile as she asked, “How would you like me to help you?”
Shen Wei spoke, “I’ve heard that you plan to go to the Donghua Mountain villa for some rest and to pray for the late Emperor and the Crown Prince. I would like to accompany you with my three children to serve you.”
In recent months, Shen Wei had been contemplating a way to break the deadlock.
Ultimately, she devised an excellent plan—spending a few years accompanying the Empress at the villa outside the palace, gaining a buffer period.
First, being away from the palace for a few years would allow her to recuperate, restoring her vitality lost from childbirth. She could also exercise and take care of her skin, elevating her beauty to a new level.
Second, raising her young children outside the palace, under the care of the Empress and Shen Wei, would keep the palace concubines at bay, allowing the children to grow up safely. The Empress and the three children would deepen their bond through daily interactions.
Third, being absent from the palace would prevent her from becoming a target for the concubines, lowering their guard against her.
Fourth, her brother Shen Xiuming should be able to continue rising through the ranks during these years. With Shen Xiuming’s promotions, when Shen Wei returned to the palace, she would have more confidence.
Fifth, she would have the opportunity to expand her business in Yanjing, continuing to earn money outside. Shen Wei feared poverty; only with enough wealth could she feel secure.
In short, temporarily leaving the Yan Wang was the best way to break the deadlock.
“I beg for your approval, Mother Empress,” Shen Wei earnestly looked at the Empress. “The children are still young; without your protection, they might not survive within the palace walls.”
The room fell silent for a moment, the incense burning in the gilded bronze burner.
The Empress’s lips curled up, her eyes betraying admiration and appreciation. “With Yuanjing’s ascension, which woman in the Wang residence isn’t overjoyed, eager to enter the six palaces and bring glory to their families? You are clever, knowing when to take a step back.”
A timely retreat can lead to greater progress.
The Empress stepped forward, kindly taking Shen Wei’s hand. “I have a fondness for Le You and the two little grandsons. Let’s raise the children well and give Daqing a bright future.”
Shen Wei nodded in agreement.
The matter was settled.
Both Shen Wei and the Empress were intelligent women, needing little explanation to understand each other’s intentions.
Shen Wei looked at her three children. Le You had grown chubbier, his face round like a water-filled balloon, soft to the touch. The twin sons were lively and healthy, their little chubby hands clutching at Shen Wei’s clothes, babbling happily.
She didn’t linger in the nursery for long, rising to return to the Wang residence to prepare for her upcoming departure from the palace.
Just as she reached the door, she suddenly heard a soft, sweet call, “Mother... Mother Consort...”
The voice was tender and not very clear.
Shen Wei turned back to see Le You propping himself up on the edge of the wooden crib, clumsily trying to stand. Little Le You had just learned to stand, his big, shiny eyes looking at Shen Wei as he called out, “Mother Consort... Mother Consort...”
In that moment, Shen Wei felt a sudden pang in her nose.
...
Shen Wei returned to the Liuli Pavilion in the Wang residence.
She summoned Rong Mama, Cai Lian, Cai Ping, and Ji Xiang De Shun. These five were her trusted confidants, loyal to Shen Wei.
“Lord Wang is about to ascend the throne. I plan to go to Donghua Mountain to serve the Empress,” Shen Wei did not hide her intentions. “This is a strategy of retreating to advance.”
The five listened quietly, each with a serious expression.
Shen Wei continued, “Rong Mama, Cai Ping, De Shun, you three will enter the palace with Lord Wang. I will recommend you to the Empress, so you can hold high positions in the palace and serve as my eyes and ears for information from the six palaces.”
She planned to be away from the palace for a few years, but she needed to leave her people behind. When she returned, she could rely on them to quickly secure her position.
Cai Ping’s eyes turned red, unwilling to part. “My lady, I also wish to accompany you to Donghua Mountain.”
Shen Wei reassured her, “You excel at gathering information; you can uncover all the gossip in Yanjing. Staying in the palace will allow you to utilize your strengths.”
Cai Ping lowered her head, accepting her orders.
De Shun knelt, bowing his head to Shen Wei. “Rest assured, my lady, I will not forget your kindness. I will work diligently in the palace to clear the obstacles for your return.”
A few years ago, De Shun’s mother had fallen gravely ill, needing precious medicinal herbs for treatment. It was Shen Wei who generously provided the rare herbs gifted by the Empress, saving De Shun’s mother’s life.
The debt of saving his mother weighed heavily on De Shun’s heart.
After arranging everything, Shen Wei finally felt a bit relieved, preparing to return to her room to feign illness.
Cai Lian supported Shen Wei as she entered the room. With a long-term perspective, Cai Lian furrowed her brow and reminded, “My lady, I understand your good intentions. But once Lord Wang ascends, new faces will flood into the palace. What if he grows tired of you and the little ones?”
With young, vibrant, and beautiful newcomers entering the palace, it was unlikely that the Yan Wang would remain faithful to Shen Wei.
Shen Wei’s red lips curled slightly, “Do you know who is the woman a man finds hardest to forget?”
Cai Lian shook her head in confusion.
Shen Wei replied, “Of course, it’s the white moonlight.”
When the Yan Wang loved Shen Wei the most, she had left him.
Now that the Yan Wang was ascending to the throne, he would face the complexities of court politics and the ambitions of numerous concubines in the harem. In his high position, he would undoubtedly feel immense pressure and turmoil.
In a world so tainted, the Yan Wang would increasingly yearn for the beauty of the past. Shen Wei would become the indelible white moonlight in his heart.
Since ancient times, the lethality of the white moonlight has always been the strongest.
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