Chapter 209
**Chapter 207: The Emperor Arrives**
Only fairies remain untouched by the ravages of time.
Liu Momo said, “The Shen family resides on Donghua Mountain, where the spiritual energy of the wilderness is abundant. That’s why her beauty hasn’t changed a bit.”
The Empress, filled with worry, wearily rubbed her temples. The faces of Shen Wei’s three children floated before her eyes, each one a delicate masterpiece, lively and healthy. The Emperor’s gaze towards them was filled with paternal affection.
Those two boys, so young yet robust, showed no signs of fear in the face of grandeur.
A sense of vigilance stirred within the Empress.
Shen Wei had two sons. If the Emperor were to pass the throne to one of them in the future... The Empress dared not think further.
She had to suppress Shen Wei and find a way to eliminate her children. After a moment of contemplation, she instructed Liu Momo, “In a couple of days, have Shen Wei bring her three children to pay their respects to me.”
Liu Momo felt a pang of distress. Was the Empress planning to take action against Shen Wei again?
She had advised the Empress time and again, but the Empress refused to listen. Shen Wei was not someone to be trifled with!
Liu Momo could only say, “Your Majesty, I’ve already sent someone to inquire. The Empress Dowager favors the three children and has taken them to Cining Palace.”
With the Empress Dowager’s protection, who in the palace would dare to harm Shen Wei’s children? If the Empress wanted to see them, she would have to go to Cining Palace herself.
The Empress was seething with anger, gripping the jade prayer beads tightly. “Mother is truly foolish! I am the Emperor’s rightful wife. How can she ignore her legitimate grandson and favor a child born of a concubine?”
Liu Momo lowered her head, remaining silent.
The Empress pressed on, “Has the Emperor not conferred a title upon Shen Wei yet? Where is she staying tonight?”
Liu Momo replied, “In Yongning Palace.”
The Empress tightened her grip on the prayer beads, jealousy gnawing at her heart. “The Emperor has even granted her Yongning Palace. It seems General Shen Mieyue’s influence is quite significant.”
Liu Momo poured a cup of tea and presented it to the Empress. The Empress didn’t touch the teacup, her fingers unconsciously pinching the prayer beads.
Since moving to Kun Ning Palace, the Empress had almost stopped burning incense and praying, and she had lost the habit of handling prayer beads. Today, with Shen Wei’s grand return to the palace with her three children, an inexplicable fear gripped her heart.
She found herself unable to resist pinching the beads again.
The Empress’s eyes were filled with coldness as she said sharply, “I have been Empress for three years, and even Lu Xuan couldn’t suppress me. How can a newcomer like Shen Wei do so? Liu Momo, have the servants in Yongning Palace keep a close watch on her!”
Among the original servants in Yongning Palace, there were the Empress’s spies. She needed to stay informed about everything happening there, not allowing Shen Wei any chance to rise again.
Liu Momo sighed inwardly; every time the Empress encountered Shen Wei, she lost her composure.
Some people are determined to fly into the flame, no matter how much you try to dissuade them.
...
It wasn’t just the Empress who felt threatened by Shen Wei; Consort Lu Xuan of Changxin Palace felt the same way.
As dusk fell and the sun sank below the horizon, the dark night crept in. Lu Xuan sat by the window, removing the ornaments from her hair, her brows furrowed tightly.
Her personal maid, Xiao Qin, entered, helping Lu Xuan with her makeup while reporting, “Your Majesty, we’ve found out that the Emperor has settled Shen Wei in Yongning Palace, and her three children are staying in the Empress Dowager’s palace. Tonight, the Emperor will be lodging in Yongning Palace.”
Lu Xuan’s frown deepened. “It seems the Emperor still has lingering feelings for Shen Wei.”
Xiao Qin comforted her, “After a long separation, the Emperor’s novelty towards Shen Wei is still there. Just wait and see; once that novelty wears off, Shen Wei’s favor won’t compare to yours. You’ve been in the palace for two years, enjoying the Emperor’s exclusive affection, unmatched by anyone.”
Lu Xuan sighed softly.
Indeed, the Emperor’s feelings for Shen Wei were merely the excitement of a reunion after a long time apart.
But if the Emperor truly liked Shen Wei, why hasn’t he conferred a title upon her yet? Thus, the Emperor’s love has its time limit; he is not a man of enduring affection.
Watching the Emperor favor other women still made Lu Xuan’s heart ache.
“That Shen Wei is quite unexpected,” Lu Xuan said slowly, pulling out a white jade hairpin from her hair. “Coming from a peasant background, she possesses such beauty; she hardly looks like a woman who has borne three children. She could easily pass for an untouched maiden.”
Before giving birth, Lu Xuan had also outshone the other ladies in the palace. But after having children, she could feel her beauty fading—her cheeks hollowing, her eyes losing their luster.
Even after taking numerous beauty tonics, she couldn’t reclaim her lost youth.
Seeing the radiant Shen Wei today, Lu Xuan felt overshadowed.
In fact, at first glance, both Lu Xuan and Liu Ruyan were more beautiful than Shen Wei. But Shen Wei exuded a vitality that radiated from within, vibrant and full of life, like tender sprouts breaking through the soil in spring.
Xiao Qin muttered, “Your Majesty, why do you keep praising Shen Wei? That only boosts her confidence and diminishes your own.”
Lu Xuan smiled lightly, playfully poking her maid’s forehead. “Recognizing an opponent’s strengths allows one to see their own weaknesses clearly.”
Xiao Qin nodded, somewhat understanding.
Lu Xuan smirked, “Let’s hold our ground for now. I want to see just how capable Shen Wei really is.”
...
...
Meanwhile, Gonggong Deshun, following the Emperor’s orders, personally led Shen Wei to Yongning Palace.
“Yongning Palace? Isn’t that where the Emperor goes fishing?” Shen Wei asked, surprised.
Yongning Palace had quite a history.
Originally, there was a clear pool of water called “Yongning Pool.” Beside it stood the Emperor’s private Xuanming Hall.
Whenever Li Yuanjing had some leisure time, he would come to Yongning Pool to fish. Eventually, he had the Ministry of Works build a spacious palace along the pool, naming it “Yongning Palace.”
Deshun smiled brightly, “The Emperor has arranged everything for you to stay in Yongning Palace.”
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Deshun opened the door to Yongning Palace.
Inside, the architecture of Yongning Palace resembled the Liuwang Pavilion of the Prince of Yan, with the waterside pavilion almost identical. However, the courtyard lacked a vegetable garden, filled instead with vibrant red roses.
As Shen Wei stepped into the hall, she found the furnishings complete, with elegant incense burning in a gilded bronze burner, and the bedding in the sleeping quarters neatly arranged.
As night fell, lanterns were lit one by one in Yongning Palace.
After a long absence, Cai Ping and Rong Momo appeared, tears glistening in their eyes. The eunuchs and palace maids from the days of Liuli Pavilion were all present, respectfully kneeling on the ground, excitedly greeting Shen Wei.
“Welcome back to the palace, Your Majesty!”
Shen Wei smiled, “Please, rise.”
Rong Momo, who managed the palace maids, was well-respected. Cai Ping, serving as a lady-in-waiting in the kitchen, had her ear to the ground for gossip. With Shen Wei’s return, Li Yuanjing had sent them back to serve her.
As for Deshun, he was diligent in his duties and now served as the deputy chief eunuch in the palace, unable to return to Shen Wei’s side.
After chatting for a bit, Shen Wei wasted no time and got straight to business. “Cai Ping, send away all the original eunuchs and maids in Yongning Palace, not leaving a single one behind. Rong Momo, personally select a few clever and capable palace maids to serve in Yongning Palace.”
“Jixiang, tomorrow take a few young eunuchs and pull out the roses in the courtyard. From now on, Yongning Palace is not to have any roses. Set up a vegetable garden and a flower bed to plant vegetables and flowers. Install two archery targets in the back courtyard and have the Shanggong Bureau send over a bow and arrows.”
“Tomorrow, take down the lanterns on the courtyard walls and replace them with decorative lanterns. Check the front and back of the house, the roof, and even the pool three times to ensure there are no suspicious or harmful items. Change the bedding in the house to green satin... As long as you do your jobs well, I won’t treat you unfairly.”
Shen Wei issued her orders methodically, and Cai Lian and Cai Ping listened attentively, jotting down notes with excitement glimmering in their eyes.
Cai Ping thought excitedly, the familiar feeling of striving for success has returned!
In the dreary harem, only by following Shen Wei could one feel the thrill of blood boiling and the satisfaction of overcoming obstacles!
A new journey was beginning!
As night deepened, the crescent moon hung high, and the stars twinkled. The lanterns of Yongning swayed in the night breeze, and the copper bells on the eaves chimed sweetly.
After her bath, Shen Wei leaned over her rosewood desk, practicing her calligraphy slowly. Just then, a voice came from outside:
“The Emperor has arrived.”
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