Chapter 197
**Chapter 195: Only New Faces Smile, While Old Ones Weep**
Shen Wei had long noticed that the Empress was almost indifferent to the Xie family, maintaining a cold distance.
Cai Lian frowned, puzzled. "The Empress is indeed from the Xie family, but for some reason, her relationship with them is extremely poor. Over the years, she has hardly offered any support to the Xie family."
Shen Wei made a mental note to investigate the reasons behind this. There was plenty of time ahead, and she chose to bide her time. The immediate priority was to recover her health and regain her strength.
The carriage moved slowly along the long official road, its path rarely traveled and little known.
---
Time flew by, and in early January, after the winter snow, the new Emperor Li Yuanjing officially ascended the throne, changing the era name to "Yongchang."
In the first year of Yongchang, after Li Yuanjing's ascension, the concubines of the royal residence were gradually promoted. Those without children or favor were sent to a Buddhist temple for seclusion. Concubines with children were brought into the palace as consorts.
Strangely, however, Shen Wei's name was conspicuously absent from the list of newly appointed consorts. It was only after some palace attendants inquired that they learned Shen Wei had been taken away by the Empress Dowager not long ago.
"Have you heard? Shen has been driven out!"
"But wasn't she the Emperor's favorite? How could she be sent away?"
"I know! I heard from a little eunuch in the royal residence that Shen Wei, relying on her favor, wanted to become a noble consort. With her background, how could she even think of such a position? The Empress Dowager found her behavior inappropriate and took her away to teach her some manners."
"Did the Emperor not stop her?"
"It seems he tacitly approved. After all, Shen Wei comes from a peasant background; how could she understand the dignity of the royal family?"
Rumors swirled through the palace.
The prevailing opinion was: **"Shen, the side consort, relied on having a daughter and two sons, coveting the title of noble consort, and thus incurred the disdain of both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager."**
This view gained widespread acceptance, especially since the Emperor had not conferred any title upon Shen Wei and had not mentioned her since.
It was said that Shen Wei's brother, Shen Xiuming, rushed into the palace overnight to question the Emperor about his sister's whereabouts, only to be met with ten lashes and exiled to a southern county to manage a granary.
"Ah, the imperial family is the most heartless," the palace attendants sighed in secret.
Only new faces smile, while old ones weep.
...
At the Yan Wang residence, with Li Yuanjing's ascension, the side consorts received promotions. The maids and servants busily packed their masters' belongings to send to the palace courtyard.
Zhang Miaoyu, Liu Qiao'er, and Liu Ruyan stepped out of the courtyard.
Zhang Miaoyu stretched and took a bite of a warm sweet cake, feeling frustrated. "How could Shen Wei, so clever and bright, suddenly anger the Emperor? This is just too strange."
Zhang Miaoyu had secretly sought an audience with the Emperor to plead for Shen Wei, only to be scolded harshly.
She dared not speak; the Emperor Li Yuanjing was truly fearsome, and she felt scared.
The Zhang family had also sent someone to warn Zhang Miaoyu not to defy the Emperor after entering the palace. Now, Zhang Miaoyu bore the weight of her family's future, and every action required careful consideration of the consequences.
Liu Qiao'er sneered, reveling in the misfortune. "The royal residence and the palace are not the same. Shen Wei, with her peasant background, is too shortsighted, thinking the imperial power is so simple."
Liu Qiao'er looked down on her.
Just like in her previous life, the Yan Wang smoothly ascended to the throne. Liu Qiao'er had initially thought Shen Wei would enter the palace as a consort and enjoy a period of glory. But she never expected that Shen Wei would be foolish enough to ruin herself.
Utterly foolish.
Zhang Miaoyu pouted, responding irritably, "Who knows, maybe one day Shen Wei will return to the palace."
Liu Qiao'er scoffed, "With fresh, beautiful newcomers entering the palace, how could the Emperor still remember a discarded old flame?"
Men are fickle, loving one after another.
Liu Qiao'er recalled the past, when officials gradually sent their daughters into the palace, and the harem was a vibrant battleground where consorts fought fiercely against one another.
Until the terrifying Lu family girl entered the palace, charming and well-educated, quickly becoming the favorite and giving birth to a child. Every consort who tried to steal the Lu family's favor met a tragic end.
Liu Qiao'er sighed inwardly; having lived a second life, she vowed never to tread the same path again.
Zhang Miaoyu looked up at the sky in silence, increasingly missing Shen Wei. Without Shen Wei, she and the other women had nothing to talk about!
...
As the side consorts moved, the Kunyuyuan, where the Wangfei resided, remained quiet.
The Wangfei had thought she would be trapped in that small courtyard for the rest of her life. But she never expected that the Yan Wang would ascend to the throne! And she, too, was conferred the title of Empress!
Her emotions were complex—anticipation, joy, doubt, and confusion swirled within her.
"Your Highness, Old Madam Dantai has arrived," Liu Mama entered the Buddhist hall to remind the Wangfei.
The Wangfei stood up in a daze.
In the main room, she saw her mother, now graying at the temples. Old Madam Dantai scanned the dim, oppressive Kunyuyuan, the air thick with sandalwood, and sighed deeply.
Old Madam Dantai dismissed the surrounding maids, leaving only herself and the Wangfei in the main room.
Old Madam Dantai said, "I had you wait and endure for this moment. You have endured hardships and now become Empress, bringing glory to the Dantai family."
Only today did the Wangfei understand her mother's intentions. "Mother, why didn't you tell me sooner?"
Old Madam Dantai replied, "The situation was uncertain; how could I speak carelessly?"
The Wangfei lowered her head, feeling regretful. If she had known the Crown Prince would die and the Yan Wang would ascend, she would never have allied with the Heng Wang.
How could the Crown Prince, who had clearly recovered, suddenly die?
Old Madam Dantai took the Wangfei's hand. "I told you before, there's no need to hold grudges against Shen. The imperial family is heartless; Shen once enjoyed great favor, but now she has angered the new ruler and lost even the qualification to enter the palace. So, keep your vision long-term; no one can remain in glory forever. Those who climb high will eventually fall."
The Wangfei's gaze fell.
Indeed, she had seen Shen as a thorn in her side, even going so far as to conspire with Heng Wang to assassinate Shen Wei. But in the end, Shen Wei had brought about her own downfall...
Old Madam Dantai continued to advise, "As long as you remain steady and avoid major mistakes, the new Emperor will not depose you."
With the new Emperor on the throne, he would not be harsh on the Empress for now. To appease the public, he would also pretend to be affectionate with her.
The Wangfei forced a smile, feeling guilty. She had already made a grave mistake by colluding with Heng Wang, nearly causing the Yan Wang's death...
She could only comfort herself that Heng Wang had escaped beyond the borders, and the new Emperor was currently busy with state affairs, having no time to investigate old grievances.
Her collusion with Heng Wang should remain undiscovered.
Taking a deep breath, the Wangfei looked at her mother and forced a compliant smile. "Rest assured, I... I certainly won't do anything to harm the Emperor. I will listen to you and ensure I hold my position as Empress firmly."
Old Madam Dantai was very pleased. "Now that you are Empress, stop burning incense and praying every day. Manage the harem well, and don't let other consorts take away your authority over the six palaces. The Xie and Lu families are already preparing to send their daughters into the palace; their daughters should not be underestimated. I have chosen four clever maids for you to assist in managing the harem."
The Wangfei nodded firmly. "Alright."
With the blessings of the Bodhisattva, heaven had finally favored her. This time, the Wangfei would firmly grasp the power in her hands, leaving no opportunity for other women to exploit.
Table of Contents
