Chapter 250
**Chapter 248: Sisters**
Accompanying the pregnant Lu Xuan was merely an excuse.
Lu Yun wanted to stay in the palace, seizing the opportunity to get closer to the Emperor and earn his favor—perhaps even to be elevated to a consort or, ultimately, the new Empress.
"Sister," Lu Yun continued to plead, "the Empress is ill, and the Dantai family has sent a newcomer to compete for favor. Sister, I want to help you and share your burdens."
Lu Xuan regarded her younger sister as a child, chuckling as she playfully poked Lu Yun's forehead, affectionately saying, "You’re just a child, spouting nonsense. The palace isn’t as easy as you think."
The women in the harem appeared to bask in glory, but who among them didn’t carry the weight of their family’s future? Who wasn’t racking their brains to vie for favor?
Lu Xuan gently brushed aside Lu Yun's dark hair that fell over her temples and said softly, "It’s getting late. I’ll have Xiao Qin escort you out of the palace. Go home early, so Father won’t worry."
The family’s future was a burden Lu Xuan was willing to bear alone. She didn’t want her innocent sister to be caught up in the palace intrigues or the power struggles between noble families.
A flicker of annoyance flashed in Lu Yun's eyes.
How petty of her sister!
Suppressing her dissatisfaction, Lu Yun feigned reluctance and said, "Well... I’ll leave the palace now. Sister, take care of yourself."
The palace maids and eunuchs guided Lu Yun out of the imperial palace.
The moonlight flowed like water, and the palace path stretched long. Lu Xuan stood beneath the bright lanterns of Changxin Palace, watching her sister’s slender figure fade into the distance, her eyes betraying an uncontainable envy.
Lu Xuan envied her sister for being free to roam the world without the constraints of the palace. Since entering the palace, she felt like a caged bird, constantly scheming for favor, always cautious and never daring to be careless.
Sometimes, when Lu Xuan rose early to look in the mirror, she gazed at her still-beautiful face and felt a sense of disorientation. At just twenty-one, she had once been as vibrant as a blooming flower, full of life. Yet in less than three years, her eyes had lost their luster, becoming dull and lifeless, resembling those of a withered old woman.
A sudden night breeze stirred, causing Lu Xuan’s garments to flutter. She watched Lu Yun leave and murmured, "Little sister, I hope you stay far from strife and live a peaceful life."
A nearby maid softly said, "My lady, the wind has picked up. Let’s go inside and rest, lest you catch a chill."
Lu Xuan stepped into the cold Changxin Palace.
Inside, the elderly matron was directing the eunuchs as they methodically organized the gifts bestowed by the Empress Dowager. Lu Xuan swallowed the bitter prenatal medicine and asked her close maid, Xiao Qin, "How did the news of my pregnancy reach the Consort Shen? I thought it was kept under wraps."
Xiao Qin frowned slightly. "The people in our palace are careful, my lady, so you needn’t worry. As for how your pregnancy was leaked... perhaps someone at the Imperial Medical Bureau let it slip."
Lu Xuan sighed deeply, pressing her fingers to her forehead. "Well, it’s done now. Perhaps some trace was seen by Consort Shen’s people."
Investigating the leak now would be futile. She just needed to be more cautious in the future.
After this incident, Lu Xuan no longer underestimated Shen Wei’s cunning.
She gently caressed her still-flat abdomen, her red lips curling into a slow smile. "This child may have cost me the power to manage the harem... but I hope he will be a lively and healthy prince."
Only by giving birth to a prince could she gain more benefits.
Xiao Qin smiled brightly. "The Emperor will surely come to visit you tonight, now that he knows you’re with child."
Lu Xuan naturally looked forward to the Emperor’s visit. Ever since Shen Wei returned to the palace, the Emperor had been coming to Changxin Palace less and less, and Lu Xuan had gradually begun to feel the sting of "disfavor."
Now that she was pregnant, Changxin Palace would surely become lively again.
Xiao Qin lowered her voice again. "My lady, the Dantai family has sent a newcomer to the palace. I saw that she is exceptionally beautiful—should we strike first?"
A newcomer with both beauty and talent posed a potential threat.
Lu Xuan shook her head lightly. "No need. Dantai Yinxue has moved into Huayang Palace, and Lan Pin won’t let her have it easy."
Lan Pin, Xie Fanglan, was notoriously jealous and would be the first to deal with Dantai Yinxue.
Even if Dantai Yinxue were to somehow outmaneuver Lan Pin, there was still the Empress in Kun Ning Palace. If the Empress learned that a newcomer had been sent in by the family, she would undoubtedly go mad.
Outside, the night wind rose, rustling the flowers and plants in the courtyard. Lu Xuan set down her medicine bowl and, looking through the wooden window lattice, saw the roses in the courtyard. She instructed Xiao Qin, "The Emperor hasn’t liked roses lately; have the palace servants remove them tomorrow."
Xiao Qin asked, "My lady, you like red plums and osmanthus. Should we plant those instead?"
Lu Xuan’s beautiful eyes dimmed as she recalled the garden of her family’s estate, filled with her favorite flowers before she entered the palace. Now, to gain the Emperor’s attention, she had to hide her own preferences.
She shook her head. "The Emperor doesn’t like plum blossoms or osmanthus... Let’s transplant a few crabapple trees; he has taken a liking to them recently."
Xiao Qin made a mental note.
...
...
In Cining Palace, Shen Wei personally escorted the Empress Dowager back to her quarters. The night was deep, and the children of Le You were already asleep.
As Shen Wei helped the Empress Dowager into her chamber, a sly smile crossed her face. "Thank you, Mother, for your assistance at tonight’s birthday banquet."
With the Empress Dowager’s help, Shen Wei had successfully secured control over the harem.
The Empress Dowager asked, "Is that Ye Qiushuang one of yours?"
Shen Wei replied, "Not exactly. I’m familiar with Manager Ye. She’s quite skilled in business and is generous and righteous—a talent worth using. You know, several prominent families are also engaged in profitable enterprises, yet they pay the least taxes to the court."
"I’ve discussed with Manager Ye that if the royal family supports the Ye family’s business, their commercial reach will expand, and they’re willing to increase their tax contributions to the court by ten percent. The treasury will receive even more silver."
Noble families engaged in commerce pay the lowest tax rates.
The merchants Shen Wei supported pay the highest, thus enriching the treasury.
Li Yuanjing was a clever ruler; he suppressed the noble families with two main strategies: reducing their power and cutting their wealth.
"My lady, you certainly have a sharp mind," the Empress Dowager said, her admiration evident.
Shen Wei affectionately linked her arm with the Empress Dowager’s. "I can earn a little money for myself while also contributing a significant amount to the treasury—killing two birds with one stone."
Shen Wei assisted the Empress Dowager into the inner chamber.
Her keen eyes spotted some unfinished sugar cakes wrapped in oil paper in the storage cabinet.
With a serious tone, Shen Wei said, "Mother, you should eat less sugar. Too much sugar can harm your teeth and lead to osteoporosis."
The Empress Dowager, nearing sixty, had a sweet tooth.
She couldn’t go a day without a few pieces of sugary treats—syrups, candies, cakes, and pastries—feeling unwell otherwise.
The Empress Dowager coughed lightly, a hint of guilt on her face. "I only had two pieces of sugar today."
Shen Wei raised an eyebrow. "I’ll go ask Mama Qian later; she won’t lie."
The Empress Dowager: ...
Meanwhile, the palace servants had prepared bathing water.
As the Empress Dowager was about to bathe, Shen Wei felt it was inappropriate to linger. Before leaving, she reiterated, "I’m only thinking of your health, Mother. Don’t overindulge in sweets, or it will affect your longevity. When Le You gets married, we’ll need you to personally see her off."
The Empress Dowager sighed at the thought of that scene. "Alright, alright, I’ll eat less sugar and live to see Le You wed."
Shen Wei smiled brightly. "That’s not enough; Mother must live to see your great-granddaughter marry, and may you live a long life."
The Empress Dowager beamed.
Shen Wei left Cining Palace.
The cool spring night was refreshing, and Shen Wei felt drowsy, ready to return to her palace for a good night’s sleep. With the news of Lu Xuan’s pregnancy now public, Li Yuanjing would surely go to Changxin Palace to rest.
Such a rare moment of leisure.
Shen Wei decided to enjoy a good sleep!
As soon as she returned to Yongning Palace and entered the courtyard, she spotted Zhang Miaoyu’s chubby face. Zhang Miaoyu rushed over, grabbing Shen Wei’s hand. "Sister Shen Wei, please don’t get me into trouble! Today, I pretended to have a stomach ache to expose Consort Shu’s pregnancy, and the Empress Dowager wants me to manage the harem with you. I don’t want to work!"
Table of Contents
