Chapter 216
**Chapter 214: Shen Wei is Almost Tired of It**
Shen Wei personally went to the entrance of Yongning Palace to greet them.
As soon as Zhao Yang appeared, she joyfully opened her arms to embrace Shen Wei, beaming, “You’re finally back! It seems my royal brother has a bit of conscience after all.”
Shen Wei invited the two of them inside.
Zhang Miaoyu curiously looked around, noticing that the familiar layout of Yongning Palace was almost identical to the Liuli Pavilion of the Yan Wang Mansion.
Rumors had spread throughout the palace, claiming that Shen Wei’s return was due to her brother, a general with military power. But seeing the familiar decorations of Yongning Palace, Zhang Miaoyu realized the rumors were false.
The Emperor had long wanted to bring Shen Wei back to the palace; otherwise, he wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to arrange Yongning Palace.
Genuinely happy for Shen Wei, Zhang Miaoyu leaned in and chattered, “Sister Shen, do you have lotus seed pastries, fried meatballs, mint tea, and ice cream?”
Compared to the Emperor’s ethereal affections, Zhang Miaoyu preferred the delicious food in Shen Wei’s courtyard.
Love couldn’t hold a candle to good food.
Shen Wei smiled, “Of course, but don’t overindulge.”
With the spring air feeling stifling indoors, Shen Wei led Zhang Miaoyu and Zhao Yang to the pavilion by the water, where Cai Lian and Cai Ping brought over exquisite snacks and tea.
A gentle breeze rustled the gauzy curtains of the pavilion, and the lotus leaves in the pond had begun to peek above the surface, with fish occasionally darting by. The scenery was beautiful; Zhang Miaoyu savored the snacks while Zhao Yang contentedly sipped her tea.
Zhao Yang sighed, “It’s always most comfortable here with you.”
There seemed to be a magical charm in Shen Wei’s courtyard; every time Zhao Yang stepped in, she felt her soul relax.
Shen Wei asked, “How have you been these past three years, Princess?”
Zhao Yang set down her delicate white porcelain teacup, her face lighting up as she told Shen Wei, “Three years ago, I took your advice and began to understand the people’s plight, helping the common folk. I feel so happy to be able to bring them some relief.”
Little romances and fleeting affections paled in comparison to the welfare of the people.
In Zhao Yang’s heart, the common folk were her priority.
Now it was Shen Wei’s turn to be taken aback. She asked in confusion, “Did I... give the princess advice?”
She couldn’t recall that at all.
Zhao Yang excitedly replied, “You’ve forgotten! Three years ago, I sneaked off to Donghua Mountain to find you, searching for the meaning of life. You told me to immerse myself among the people and understand their hardships.”
Shen Wei vaguely remembered this and wondered aloud, “I suggested you go to the market to buy eggs... and you took that as a lesson in the people’s livelihood?”
Zhao Yang nodded, “Yes!”
Shen Wei was speechless.
She hadn’t meant it that way; she had just casually suggested it to send Zhao Yang on her way.
Just think about it: you’re toiling away in the deep mountains, exhausted and struggling to plan for your future. Suddenly, a top-tier rich girl comes to you, complaining about how boring her life is and how she’s troubled by having too much money.
What would you think?
You’d probably feel she’s too idle...
Shen Wei had said, “If you’re bored, go to the market and buy some eggs.”
Who would have thought that Zhao Yang, that silly girl, would actually go to the market to buy eggs? And from that experience, she grasped the responsibilities of being a royal princess.
Zhao Yang sighed, her brow furrowed with sorrow. “In these three years, I’ve helped hundreds of orphans, sending them to school. If any of them succeed in the future, it’s a way to provide talent for the Great Qing. I used to think the Great Qing was prosperous and strong, but who would have thought the common people suffer so much... Sigh, I can only do what little I can; if I can help even one, it’s worth it.”
The hardships of the common people are many, yet her power is limited.
Shen Wei sincerely praised her, “Princess, you’ve done wonderfully.”
At that moment, Zhang Miaoyu, who had been enjoying the snacks, leaned in with a worried expression. “Have you heard about the envoy from Yue Kingdom? The Emperor of Yue wants to marry a princess from the Great Qing.”
There were many princesses in the Great Qing, but of suitable age, there was only Zhao Yang.
Zhao Yang took a small sip of tea, her eyelashes fluttering slightly. “I’ve heard a bit.”
The new Emperor of Yue had ascended the throne and was said to be quite capable and ambitious. He had voluntarily called for a ceasefire and was willing to sign a hundred-year peace treaty with the Great Qing.
Marrying a princess would be the icing on the cake.
Seeing Zhao Yang silent, Zhang Miaoyu kindly reassured her, “You don’t need to worry. There are plenty of suitable young women in the royal family who can be chosen to replace you as a princess and marry off in your stead.”
Marrying off to a foreign land didn’t necessarily mean she had to be the eldest princess.
Zhao Yang was the biological daughter of the Empress Dowager, the sister of the Emperor, and was beloved by the people. For her to marry the Emperor of Yue would be quite a sacrifice.
The court was abuzz with discussions, and it was generally accepted that “a suitable girl from the royal family would be chosen to marry in her place.”
Zhao Yang gently set down her teacup, gazing at the lotus leaves just breaking the surface of the pond, murmuring, “All of us are daughters cherished by our parents. It feels so wrong to have someone else marry in my place.”
Many of the orphans Zhao Yang had helped had lost their parents to border wars.
War had robbed children of their families and left the common people homeless.
Zhao Yang thought, if a marriage between the two countries could bring peace and reduce the number of orphans and widows in the Great Qing, then it would be worth it.
She enjoyed the support of the people and had to shoulder the responsibilities of a princess.
As they chatted in the pavilion, time flowed like water.
By dusk, Zhang Miaoyu and Zhao Yang reluctantly took their leave. Before leaving, Zhang Miaoyu discreetly took several boxes of delicious snacks, leaving with a satisfied smile.
...
That night, the Emperor stayed at Yongning Palace as usual.
For the next ten days, the Emperor continued to stay with Shen Wei. This favor left the harem in shock.
When the gentle Consort Lu Xuan had first entered the palace, the Emperor had only stayed with her for six days in a row, which had already caused quite a stir. Now, the Emperor’s affection for Shen Wei showed no signs of waning, making the other consorts feel uneasy.
Shen Wei was almost tired of it, while the Emperor seemed insatiable.
Shen Wei was beginning to feel overwhelmed.
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but after more than ten days, any novelty should have worn off. Yet, Li Yuanjing was clearly lost in it, tirelessly seeking Shen Wei’s company at night, and sometimes even coming over to sleep with her during the day...
If this continued, Shen Wei felt her bones might fall apart.
If this continued, she might develop an immunity to the contraceptive medicine.
If this continued, the Consort and the Empress would likely join forces against her, and Shen Wei would become a target in the harem.
Shen Wei didn’t want Li Yuanjing’s exclusive affection; she only wanted to receive his utmost care.
Li Yuanjing had come to Yongning Palace seven or eight times in a month, which was just the right frequency. As for the rest of the time, she didn’t care where the Emperor chose to go.
She needed time alone to think about expansion plans for the shops in Yanjing and to familiarize herself with the various aspects of managing the harem.
Shen Wei stood up, supporting her still sore waist. “The Empress Dowager’s birthday is approaching. I’ll go to Cining Palace to accompany her and copy the Buddhist scriptures for her blessings.”
By actively avoiding him, the Emperor surely wouldn’t go to the Empress Dowager to demand her presence.
Cai Lian frowned slightly, noticing the dark circles under Shen Wei’s eyes and the fading bruises on her fair neck. In the end, she nodded, “I’ll arrange it right away.”
...
...
As dusk fell, Li Yuanjing habitually headed toward Yongning Palace, but Eunuch Deshun gently informed him that Shen Wei had been summoned by the Empress Dowager to copy Buddhist scriptures.
Li Yuanjing felt a pang of melancholy; he hadn’t had enough time with Shen Wei.
But after all, it was the Empress Dowager, and he couldn’t just go to Cining Palace to demand her back. After a moment’s thought, Li Yuanjing decided to return to Xuanming Hall to rest.
After taking a few steps, he paused, recalling that he hadn’t seen Consort Lu Xuan in quite some time. Lu Xuan, along with the Empress, was managing the harem, and overall, things seemed relatively calm. Li Yuanjing was somewhat satisfied.
Lu Xuan came from a noble family, and her family’s influence had rapidly expanded in the past two years. Li Yuanjing couldn’t afford to ignore Consort Lu; he should occasionally visit her palace.
As the imperial sedan moved along the palace path, Li Yuanjing sat inside, contemplating the envoy from Yue Kingdom. As the sedan passed a certain palace, he casually glanced out and saw two children playing in the courtyard.
Li Yuanjing spoke, “Stop the sedan.”
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