Chapter 208
**Chapter 206: Return to the Palace**
If it weren't for Zhang Miaoyu bringing it up, Zhao Yang would have almost forgotten about the figure of Yan Yunting.
In her youth, she had loved Yan Yunting with a passion that felt all-consuming, even lowering her noble status as a princess to compete with a common girl for his affection.
Over the years, Zhao Yang had matured significantly, shedding the trivialities of youthful love. As she reflected on her past, she realized just how naive and ridiculous she had been.
“I will never marry him,” Zhao Yang said calmly.
Zhang Miaoyu tilted her head, “But didn’t the princess once say she would marry no one but him?”
At twenty-three, Princess Zhao Yang remained unmarried, which was quite astonishing. The Emperor had tried several times to arrange a marriage for her, even selecting suitors, but she had turned them all down.
Rumors circulated that Princess Zhao Yang was waiting for Yan Yunting’s return, which was why she hadn’t married yet.
Resting her chin on her hand, Zhao Yang gazed at the three little girls playing in the garden, her tone wistful. “I think helping the common people is far more meaningful than getting married. Sometimes, I wish I could remain unmarried for life.”
Zhang Miaoyu silently munched on her snacks, thinking that Yan Yunting’s plans might be misguided.
...
...
On Donghua Mountain, just before dawn, a white mist rose over the fields. At the royal villa on Donghua Mountain, luxurious royal carriages lined up at the entrance, while palace servants busily loaded boxes of luggage onto the carriages.
The golden sun peeked through the clouds as Shen Wei climbed into her carriage.
The heavy wheels of the carriage rolled forward, and the long line of carriages slowly made their way along the royal road toward Yanjing City.
The royal road was smooth, and the carriage moved steadily. Inside the spacious carriage, Shen Wei sat with her two sons. Le You was with the Empress Dowager, seated in the carriage ahead.
Shen Wei stifled a yawn; waking up so early made her eyelids heavy. Li Chengyou was sprawled on the soft couch beside her, sleeping like a little frog with its belly up.
Shen Wei tucked a soft blanket around Chengyou and prepared to lean against the soft pillow for a light nap. Before dozing off, she turned to her eldest son, “After such a long journey, why don’t you take a break with me instead of reading?”
Li Chengtai, holding a copy of the Three Character Classic, shook his head. “Mother, I’m not tired.”
Shen Wei didn’t press further; she knew her son had a good sense of balance. She leaned back against the soft pillow and closed her eyes. The gentle rocking of the carriage soon lulled her to sleep.
Li Chengtai set down his book and quietly draped a wool blanket over Shen Wei.
His little face was troubled; they were about to return to the palace, and his oblivious mother and brother were still sound asleep.
The palace of the Qing Kingdom was a den of tigers and dragons, a place that devoured people without a trace.
Li Chengtai glared at his sleeping brother—how could he be so carefree? At his age, how could he sleep so soundly? Didn’t he have any ambition?
Worry gnawed at Li Chengtai, and he quickly flipped through a couple of pages of his book. Anxiety was useless; he needed to focus on his studies and become strong enough to protect his mother and siblings.
Shen Wei slept until noon, only waking when the caravan stopped for a break. At this pace, they would reach the imperial city by dusk. Tonight, she might share a bed with Li Yuanjing.
She needed to make the most of this time to rest, gathering her strength for the evening’s encounter with the Emperor.
“Your Highness, lunch is ready,” said Cai Lian, bringing the prepared meal into the carriage.
The carriage was spacious enough to accommodate a resting couch and a small table for dining.
The three of them shared lunch together.
Shen Wei recalled something; during this return to the palace, the Emperor had sent her a heartfelt letter. Yet, he had yet to grant her a title, and even her palace accommodations were not arranged.
“Have you heard what title the Emperor has conferred upon me?” she asked Cai Lian.
Having given birth to a daughter and two sons, with her elder brother being a general, she didn’t dare to hope for the title of Guifei (Noble Consort) just yet, but she should at least have a title.
Titles were usually chosen from the four characters “Hui, Shu, Xian, De” (meaning “kind, virtuous, wise, and moral”), like how Lu Xuan was given the title of “Shu Fei” (Virtuous Consort); or the Emperor might personally bestow a title, like how Liu Ruyan was named “Mei Fei” (Plum Consort).
Cai Lian shook her head. “The Emperor has not yet issued a decree for your title.”
Shen Wei stroked her chin, knowing Li Yuanjing was not the type to overlook such matters.
She murmured to herself, “He must not have decided on a title for me yet…”
As Li Chengtai was eating his egg custard, he suddenly found it unappetizing. His father was so ungrateful; after Shen Wei had given him three children, the Emperor hadn’t even granted her a title.
And his naive mother still believed that the Emperor just hadn’t figured out what title to give her.
“Brother, if you’re not going to eat your egg custard, can I have it?” Li Chengyou, noticing his brother hadn’t touched his spoon, eagerly leaned over, hoping to finish it himself.
Li Chengtai glared at him, fuming. “Eat, eat, eat! All you ever think about is eating! You haven’t even finished reciting the Three Character Classic, and you can still eat? How can you sleep so soundly?”
Li Chengyou lowered his head silently, feeling intimidated by his brother.
He was scared.
...
The royal caravan continued its journey safely. As dusk approached, they finally arrived at the bustling Yanjing City.
The Empress Dowager’s return to the palace was of great importance to the Emperor. At the East City Gate, the royal road was lined with the Imperial Guard and ceremonial troops waiting. As the caravan entered the city, their pace gradually slowed.
Shen Wei lifted the carriage curtain and saw the majestic Da Qing Palace in the distance, its green tiles and soaring eaves exuding an air of solemnity. She thought of the undulating Donghua Mountain, its peaks like delicate brows, the gentle breeze carrying a thousand miles of fresh air.
Donghua Mountain was now just a memory of the past.
“Wow, Mother, the palace is even bigger than in the paintings!” Li Chengyou exclaimed, peeking out of the carriage.
Li Chengtai grabbed his brother’s arm. “Remember what the nurse taught you about etiquette; don’t run around.”
The royal caravan came to a stop.
Shen Wei stepped down with her two children.
At the grand entrance of the Qing Kingdom Palace, the courtyard was vast, with armored guards stationed everywhere.
As the Empress Dowager returned, Emperor Li Yuanjing, accompanied by civil and military officials and palace consorts, awaited them in the courtyard. Black and gold banners fluttered in the air, emblazoned with the character “Qing.”
The scene was incredibly grand.
Shen Wei gazed at the towering palace gates, her eyes sweeping over the banners and walls, finally landing on a familiar figure in front of the white jade arch bridge.
It was Li Yuanjing, clad in a black and gold imperial robe. His demeanor was even more composed and stern than before, like a sharp sword, exuding an air of authority that surpassed his days at the Yan Wang Mansion.
The golden sunset bathed him in light, radiating the regal dignity of an emperor.
A gentle breeze rustled the black and gold banners. Across the distance, Shen Wei’s gaze met Li Yuanjing’s.
Tears glistened in her eyes, and her lips curled into a soft smile, the love in her eyes seemingly unchanged. Li Yuanjing’s pupils constricted slightly, and his body swayed imperceptibly.
Separated by a long distance and three long years.
Their eyes met, just like before.
“Mother, is that Father? He’s even taller than in the paintings,” Li Chengyou said, holding Shen Wei’s left hand, peering curiously.
Li Chengtai held her right hand, feeling a mix of fear and curiosity as he saw his father for the first time, but mostly he felt wary.
There were many beautiful consorts behind his father; once Mother returned to the palace, she would surely be bullied by them.
Thinking of this, Li Chengtai lowered his head, hiding his worries.
Shen Wei held her children’s hands and followed the Empress Dowager toward the palace gates. Her gaze quickly swept over the civil and military officials bowing on the left, noting many new faces, likely those appointed by the Emperor after his ascension.
After glancing at the officials, she turned her attention to the ten or so consorts on the right, all dressed in elegant robes.
At the forefront stood the Empress, her sharp features more pronounced than during their time at the Wang Mansion, and no amount of makeup could hide her wrinkles.
Beside the Empress were Mei Fei Liu Ruyan and Shu Fei Lu Xuan, both equally beautiful. One resembled a plum blossom in the cold winter, while the other was like a peony blooming in spring.
Lu Xuan’s makeup was exquisite and alluring, her gentle eyes scrutinizing Shen Wei as she assessed her.
Further back were the plump Zhang Miaoyu, Lan Pin Xie Fanglan, and other consorts.
“Your son greets you, Mother,” Li Yuanjing stepped forward, leading the officials and consorts in greeting.
The Empress Dowager smiled broadly, helping Li Yuanjing up. “Get up quickly.”
Little Le You, standing beside the Empress Dowager, blinked her big eyes, excitedly gazing at the tall man before her. In a soft voice, she awkwardly curtsied, “Father, Le You pays her respects to you.”
Le You wanted to hug her father but remembered the etiquette lessons from the nurse, which forbade her from being too playful in such a serious setting.
So she could only look up at her father with wide, adoring eyes, filled with curiosity.
Li Yuanjing’s hand trembled slightly as he looked at his delicate little daughter, his heart softening. He took her tiny hand, and all his unspoken words condensed into one: “Le You has grown up.”
Le You beamed with a sweet smile.
The Imperial Guard cleared the way, and palace servants lit the path as Li Yuanjing and the Empress Dowager entered the grand palace together.
Night was approaching, and since the Empress Dowager was weary from the journey, the welcome banquet would be held the next day. To show filial piety, Li Yuanjing personally escorted the Empress Dowager to Cining Palace.
...
After the welcoming ceremony concluded, the consorts and officials gradually departed. Each consort had her own thoughts and considerations.
In Kun Ning Palace, the Empress, fuming, drank two cups of tea to calm her anger.
“That Shen family hasn’t changed one bit!” The Empress had expected Shen Wei’s beauty to fade after giving birth to three children, thinking she would wither like a flower losing its petals.
Having given birth herself, the Empress knew how much a woman’s vitality could diminish after childbirth, leading to rapid aging.
But upon seeing Shen Wei today, not only had she not aged, but her face seemed even more radiant, like a silver plate, with dark, lustrous eyes, exuding a captivating vitality that the consorts in the inner palace lacked.
Vibrant and full of life.
The Empress even began to suspect, “Could it be that Shen is a fox spirit in disguise?”
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