Chapter 207
**Chapter 205: The Proposal for the Princess**
Lu Xuan supported her maid as they walked to the window. The spring sunlight poured into Changxin Palace, where the courtyard was adorned with vibrant roses, their countless blooms bowing low under their own weight.
Lu Xuan didn’t particularly like roses; she preferred the fragrant gardenias. But since the Emperor favored roses, she had no choice but to indulge him, filling her own garden with them.
The Emperor enjoyed drinking lotus flower tea, so Lu Xuan had prepared plenty of it in her chamber. He loved fresh fruits, and she had the imperial kitchen gather the ripest ones, cut and ready for his enjoyment.
She had learned all the Emperor's preferences and did her utmost to please him. Yet, gazing at the sea of blooming red roses, Lu Xuan couldn’t help but wonder, “I’ve worked so hard to win the Emperor’s favor, striving for perfection in every way. Why, then, does his heart seem to drift away?”
All she could hope for was that the child growing within her would rekindle his affections.
...
The news of Shen Wei’s imminent return to the palace reached the Empress in Kun Ning Palace. The Ruyao teacup in her hand clattered to the floor, shattering into pieces, tea spilling everywhere.
“Shen’s brother is actually Shen Mieyue?” The Empress exclaimed, her eyes wide with shock.
Liu Mama lowered her head. “The news is accurate. The Emperor has already sent someone to fetch the Empress Dowager and Shen back to the palace.”
The Empress slowly sank back into her chair.
For three years, she had been busy in the harem, raising children, managing palace affairs, and contending with Lu Xuan. So much so that she had nearly forgotten about Shen Wei.
“She’s lucky to have a general brother; that gives her a solid backing.” The Empress clenched her handkerchief, recalling the old grievances from her time at the Yan Wang’s residence, where Shen Wei had nearly trapped her for life.
Back then, it was just Shen Wei who almost confined the Empress to a small courtyard for eternity.
With Shen Wei’s return, the harem was bound to be stirred up once more.
Having witnessed Shen Wei’s cunning, Liu Mama advised the Empress, “Everyone should mind their own business. Let Shen return to the palace; you don’t need to engage with her. Just let things unfold naturally.”
Liu Mama firmly believed that Shen Wei was a difficult adversary. The best way to protect oneself was to keep a distance from her and avoid provoking her.
The Empress shot Liu Mama an irritated glare. “I am the mother of the nation; she is merely a concubine. I couldn’t best her in the past, but now that I control the six palaces, why should I fear her?”
To be afraid of a mere concubine would be a blow to her dignity.
Liu Mama sighed deeply, trying to reason with her. “Shen has spent three years living with the Empress Dowager on Donghua Mountain. Three years is a long time; even a stone can develop feelings. The Empress Dowager will surely favor Shen more.”
The Empress raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Liu Mama, I think you’re getting old and confused. The Empress Dowager hails from the Xie family, and Xie Fanglan is her own niece. Do you think she will favor her own niece or someone with no blood relation like Shen? Speaking of which, Lan Pin is probably overjoyed, eagerly awaiting the Empress Dowager’s return to support her.”
The Empress Dowager, from the prestigious Xie family, had been sent to Donghua Mountain for recuperation three years ago.
The Empress believed that upon her return, the Empress Dowager would undoubtedly assist her own niece, leaving Shen’s fate to the winds.
Seeing the Empress so stubborn, Liu Mama felt as if she were looking at the headstrong princess from the Yan Wang’s residence, who refused to heed advice.
Just as Liu Mama was about to speak again, the Empress impatiently interrupted, “I’m not foolish; I won’t act against Shen for now. With Shen back, Lu Xuan won’t sit idly by. I’ll watch the two of them fight it out and reap the benefits.”
Since Lu Xuan entered the palace, she had been the most favored among the six palaces, with the Emperor spending the most nights with her.
The Empress was convinced that she wouldn’t need to lift a finger; Lu Xuan would surely engage Shen in a battle.
Silently, she prayed that the two would fight to the bitter end, each harming the other’s child.
Having lost interest in Shen’s affairs, the Empress changed the subject, instructing, “Liu Mama, the time for the Guozijian to dismiss classes is approaching. Take someone to fetch Cheng Zhen.”
To prevent any palace concubines from plotting against Cheng Zhen, the Empress had assigned palace attendants to follow him closely, ensuring he was never alone, even accompanying him to the restroom.
With her eldest son dead, the Empress had only one son left.
She pinned all her hopes on her youngest.
...
Yongchun Palace was the residence of the favored concubine, Zhang Miaoyu.
The spring sun was warm, and Zhang Miaoyu lounged in the courtyard, soaking up the rays, a table beside her laden with fruits and snacks.
Zhang Miaoyu loved lively company; sunbathing alone was dull, so she invited Liu Ruyan and Princess Zhaoyang over for a chat. She also called for Li Yao, Li Nanzhi, and Li Wan’er (the late Crown Prince’s daughter) to join in the fun.
In the courtyard, the three little princesses were happily picking flowers to make garlands in the garden.
“I told you, Shen Wei would definitely return to the palace,” Zhang Miaoyu said, stretching her chubby arms and smiling at Zhaoyang and Liu Ruyan. “I’ve missed the ice cream she makes, along with the brown sugar jelly, lotus pastries, hot pot, and red date yam cake.”
Three years had passed, and Zhang Miaoyu felt like she was growing stale in the harem.
She looked forward to Shen Wei’s return, eager for someone to chat and gossip with.
Liu Ruyan leaned against the favored concubine’s chair, fanning herself with a silver gauze fan, her expression cool. “Leaving the capital is hard, but returning to the palace is just as tough. Life is full of suffering. If I were Shen, I’d gladly spend my life in the mountains, accompanied only by the flowing streams and gentle breezes.”
What was so great about the palace?
High walls and a heartless emperor—Liu Ruyan didn’t like it here, but she had no choice but to stay.
Zhang Miaoyu rolled her eyes, reminding her, “Sister Liu, while there may be gentle breezes and flowing streams in the mountains, there are also bandits and thieves. Don’t just think about romance; consider the dangers of the world too.”
Liu Ruyan replied, “As long as there’s a gentle breeze, I’d gladly accept death.”
Zhang Miaoyu: ...
At a loss for words!
Zhang Miaoyu turned away and sought out Princess Zhaoyang for more gossip, chattering excitedly, “The Empress Dowager’s return has made Lan Pin in Huayang Palace extremely happy. Lan Pin isn’t favored, and she’s been hoping for the Empress Dowager’s return to support her—Zhaoyang? What are you looking at?”
Princess Zhaoyang hadn’t been paying attention, her gaze fixed on the three little girls in the garden.
Li Yao’s personal maid, Xiao Yan, had nimble fingers, able to weave rabbits and cats, as well as flower garlands. She worked quickly, crafting three beautiful peach blossom garlands, which she placed on the heads of the three little princesses.
The three girls, adorned with their garlands, frolicked joyfully in the courtyard, creating a warm scene. Zhaoyang watched, her lips curling into a tender smile.
“Zhaoyang, what are you smiling about?” Zhang Miaoyu poked her arm.
Zhaoyang snapped back to reality. “Children are so carefree and adorable.”
Zhang Miaoyu leaned in, grinning. “I know you like kids. Over these three years, you’ve used your allowance to open several courtyards at Anguo Temple to shelter orphans from Yanjing. The people of Yanjing and the officials in court all praise you as a kind-hearted princess.”
In these three years, Princess Zhaoyang had matured significantly.
She had used her allowance to care for orphans in Yanjing, distributing porridge to the poor in the outskirts, and even suggested to the Emperor to reduce taxes for farmers. The once willful and headstrong Princess Zhaoyang had transformed into a beloved princess among the common folk.
Zhaoyang smiled. “It’s just a small effort; it’s nothing. Shen Wei taught me all of this.”
Three years ago, the political landscape had turned upside down. Her father and the Crown Prince had died, Prince Heng rebelled, and the Empress Dowager left the capital—her closest family members scattered or gone, Zhaoyang suddenly felt lost, unsure of what to do or what her life meant.
She secretly went to Donghua Mountain to seek guidance from Shen Wei.
At that time, Shen Wei was out jogging, breathless as she told her, “If you have nothing to do, go to the market and grab some eggs.”
Zhaoyang was baffled but took Shen Wei’s advice and went to the market to buy eggs.
In the crowded market of Yanjing, the princess, born with a silver spoon, saw homeless orphans for the first time, along with ragged beggars, witnessing the harsh realities of life.
It was then that Zhaoyang understood the deeper meaning behind Shen Wei’s words: “While the wealthy indulge in luxury and idleness, the common people struggle in dire circumstances.”
As a princess, enjoying the support of the world, she should do something to care for the people.
Thus, Zhaoyang began to help the common folk, and she continued for three years.
Seeing the orphans fed and the beggars clothed, an unprecedented sense of fulfillment surged within her, more satisfying than any romantic love.
Zhang Miaoyu had no idea of Zhaoyang’s compassion for the people; she thought Zhaoyang simply liked children, and teased, “If you like kids so much, you can always have your own. Yan Yunting hasn’t returned to the capital yet, but he’s already submitted a petition to the Emperor asking to marry you.”
Zhaoyang’s expression changed abruptly. “Marry me?”
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