Chapter 218
**Chapter 216: The Emperor's Indifference**
Li Yuanjing frowned, pulling hard until the thorn snapped, leaving a thread pulled from his robe.
“Your Majesty, are you hurt?” Lu Xuan exclaimed, startled, and quickly inquired with concern.
“It’s nothing,” Li Yuanjing replied calmly.
Yet in his heart, he thought, Weiwei was right; the rosebushes are full of thorns and can easily cause injury.
From now on, fewer roses should be planted in the palace.
As night fell, Lu Xuan attended to Li Yuanjing as he prepared to rest.
She personally helped him change into his nightclothes, and upon seeing the strong lines of his chest and abdomen, a faint blush crept onto her cheeks.
The Emperor was handsome, and his physique was robust.
In the past, during their intimate moments, Lu Xuan often fainted from overwhelming pleasure, but at least she was happy.
However, now that she was pregnant, she couldn’t share the bed with him tonight. Lu Xuan lifted her lips, ready to tell Li Yuanjing about her pregnancy.
But when she looked up, she found him already lying on the bed with his eyes closed, fast asleep.
“Never mind, I’ll wait until the Empress Dowager’s birthday to announce the good news,” Lu Xuan thought for a moment, deciding to reveal her pregnancy on that auspicious day.
Double happiness would surely earn the Empress Dowager’s affection.
Lu Xuan lay on the bed, gazing longingly at the sleeping Emperor, studying his stern brows, his high nose, and the slight curve of his thin lips.
She was captivated.
In her heart, she secretly fantasized that if she could see him by her side for the rest of her life, how wonderful that would be.
Yet, alas, the Emperor’s heart had already drifted far away, and his love was waning.
In the past six months, Li Yuanjing had come to Lu Xuan’s palace to dine, play chess, admire flowers, chat, and rest... The days passed in dull monotony, like a stagnant pool without a ripple, boring and tedious.
Lu Xuan caressed her still-flat belly, hoping that the child within her would bring some excitement to these mundane days.
...
The moonlight enveloped the Cining Palace.
Shen Wei was enjoying the cool breeze in the pavilion when Cai Ping hurried over to inform her that the Emperor was staying with Shu Fei.
Shen Wei wasn’t surprised; Lu Xuan had received the most favor over the past two years, and the Emperor naturally held some lingering affection for her.
After a moment’s thought, Cai Ping added quietly, “My lady, I went to the imperial kitchen to check the menu these past two days and noticed changes in the meals sent to Shu Fei’s palace. The greasy and spicy dishes have been replaced with two nourishing herbal soups. The clothes sent from Changxin Palace to the laundry haven’t seen blood for a month. Yet, the Imperial Medical Bureau shows that Shu Fei’s pulse is normal.”
Shu Fei Lu Xuan was cautious in her dealings; the eunuchs and palace maids in Changxin Palace kept their mouths tightly shut.
Shen Wei couldn’t gather any news from within Changxin Palace, so she had to rely on external sources.
As long as Lu Xuan was eating and changing clothes, she could always glean some clues from the imperial kitchen and laundry.
“Clothes without blood, light meals,” Shen Wei pondered, reaching a conclusion, “She’s pregnant.”
After pregnancy, a woman’s menstrual flow decreases sharply, so her clothes naturally wouldn’t be stained.
Lu Xuan was indeed cautious, not announcing her pregnancy. Shen Wei speculated that she must be waiting for the right moment to reveal her news.
If she were Lu Xuan, she would choose to announce it on the Empress Dowager’s birthday, doubling the joy.
Cai Ping said, “But the Imperial Medical Bureau hasn’t recorded Shu Fei’s pregnancy.”
Shen Wei smiled, “Shu Fei has her own informants in the Imperial Medical Bureau.”
This also served as a small reminder for Shen Wei; she needed to have her own people in the Imperial Medical Bureau, doctors who would be loyal only to her.
She would have De Shun arrange this.
As the hour grew late, Shen Wei entered the inner hall of Cining Palace, preparing to bid farewell to the Empress Dowager. The three children had already gone to bed, while the Empress Dowager was still in the large storeroom, selecting fabrics for Le You’s new clothes.
“Mother, are you picking fabrics again?” Shen Wei called out as she approached.
The Empress Dowager pointed to a fine piece of rain silk cotton and smiled at Shen Wei, “The weather is getting warmer; this fabric is breathable, just right for making Le You a cool nightgown.”
Shen Wei sighed, “Mother, Le You already has more clothes than she can wear. You should make some for yourself instead.”
The Empress Dowager favored Le You the most, giving her the best food, the most interesting toys, and the finest fabrics.
The Empress Dowager laughed, “I’m getting old; how can I wear such bright clothes?”
Shen Wei touched the fine rain silk cotton and deliberately said, “Shu Fei in Changxin Palace is pregnant. When she gives birth, you can choose some fabrics to send her.”
The Empress Dowager paused in her actions, glancing at Shen Wei. The news of Shu Fei’s pregnancy hadn’t yet spread in the palace, indicating that Shen Wei had obtained this information through her own channels.
The Empress Dowager teased, “You’ve only been back for less than half a month, and you’ve already figured out the inner workings of the harem.”
Shen Wei flashed a clever smile, “It’s all thanks to your guidance, Mother.”
They exchanged smiles.
After the Empress Dowager finished selecting fabrics for her three grandsons’ new clothes, she thought for a moment and chose two pieces of Shu brocade to send to Qian Mama for Li Wan’er, who resided in Baozhu Palace.
Li Wan’er was the only daughter of the late Crown Prince, orphaned and gentle. The Empress Dowager planned to bring Li Wan’er to Cining Palace in the future, raising her until she married.
Shen Wei assisted the Empress Dowager back to her sleeping quarters, attending to her rest.
An old maid brought in the Empress Dowager’s favorite Bi Luo Chun tea.
Shen Wei frowned slightly and gently advised, “Mother, drinking tea before bed makes it hard to sleep. Your health isn’t what it used to be; you need to take care of yourself.”
The Empress Dowager laughed and playfully poked Shen Wei’s forehead, “You’ve grown bolder; you dare to meddle in my affairs.”
Though her tone was scolding, the smile in her eyes remained. Clearly, the Empress Dowager appreciated Shen Wei’s concern.
Shen Wei sincerely said, “I hope for your longevity, Mother.”
Shen Wei helped the Empress Dowager rest.
Just as she was about to lower the heavy bed curtains, the Empress Dowager suddenly asked, “Yuanjing has been favoring you lately, yet you still come to me. Are you trying to push him away?”
For other favored concubines, they would wish for the Emperor to stay in their palace every night.
But Shen Wei, on the other hand, had come directly to Cining Palace to avoid the Emperor’s affections.
Shen Wei sighed deeply, rolling up her sleeves. In the dim candlelight, there were bruises on her white wrist.
She complained, “Mother, the Emperor really doesn’t know how to hold back... I still want to keep my life.”
The Empress Dowager fell silent, having forgotten about this matter.
Li Yuanjing had practiced martial arts since childhood and had been strong and robust since his youth. Even after ascending the throne, he maintained the habit of riding and shooting, keeping his physical strength abundant.
A delicate girl like Shen Wei could hardly withstand the strength of a rough man.
“Never mind, as long as you know in your heart,” the Empress Dowager sighed.
Shen Wei lowered the bed curtains and quietly left the Empress Dowager’s chamber.
Before leaving, she called over Qian Mama, who served the Empress Dowager, and patiently instructed her:
“Mother’s chamber should be kept ventilated for half an hour every day. As spring transitions to summer, burn vinegar at the door every three days to ward off illness.”
“Mother has issues with her shoulders and neck; I’ll have a maid bring a soft golden silk pillow tomorrow. Mother loves sweets, so Qian Mama, please advise her; too many sweets can harm her teeth and bones, leading to illness.”
Qian Mama noted everything down.
Her eyes were filled with admiration, “Your Highness, you are truly devoted and filial; it’s rare to see.”
When the Empress Dowager returned to the palace, many concubines came to curry favor with her, bringing expensive gifts and offering a few words of concern.
But only Shen Wei cared for the Empress Dowager’s daily needs in such detail.
Shen Wei smiled, “Qian Mama has taken care of Mother for many years; her hard work is commendable. It’s truly a blessing for Mother to have such a capable lady-in-waiting by her side.”
After exchanging pleasantries, Shen Wei left Cining Palace with her attendants. The moonlight was like water, and the night breeze was cool.
Shen Wei chose to walk back to Yongning Palace instead of taking a sedan chair.
A night free from serving a man was truly refreshing.
In the complex relationship of husband and wife, Shen Wei didn’t want to be glued to Li Yuanjing every day. Occasionally keeping a distance would maintain a sense of novelty.
Being together day in and day out could become tiresome.
Cai Lian walked beside Shen Wei, informing her, “My lady, news from outside the palace says that General Shen is escorting the envoy from Yue. They should arrive in Yanjing in about two days.”
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