Chapter 253
**Chapter 251: The New Emperor of Nan Chu**
The Empress had always placed great importance on her son's education.
In the past two years, she had issued several imperial edicts appointing Yang Xuanji as Li Chengzhen's tutor. Reluctantly, Yang Xuanji entered the palace, but after testing Li Chengzhen, he shook his head in disappointment, declaring he would not accept mediocre talent.
Furious, the Empress demanded severe punishment for Yang Xuanji.
When this reached Emperor Li Yuanjing's ears, he sent someone to escort the irritable old man out of the palace without punishment. After all, those with true talent often had peculiar temperaments.
Now, hearing that the old master Yang Xuanji was to return to the palace to assess the young Li Chengtai, Li Chengzhen wore a smug expression.
“Second Brother, don’t speak too confidently. Who knows, Yang Xuanji might just take you on as a student,” Li Chengyou said, always trusting in his older brother.
Li Chengzhen snorted dismissively, not taking Li Chengtai seriously at all. “Just don’t come crying when the time comes.”
With that, he turned and resumed his archery practice.
...
On the other side, after leaving the training grounds, Dantai Yinxue strolled slowly through the Imperial Garden. The begonia flowers bloomed like brilliant clouds, but Dantai Yinxue had no heart to admire them.
Her mind was consumed with thoughts of how to gain favor and secure her position.
“Your Highness, you needn’t worry too much. The Emperor hasn’t summoned any concubines these past few days; it’s likely due to state affairs weighing on his mind,” a palace maid whispered comfortingly.
Dantai Yinxue furrowed her delicate brows. “Do you know what state affairs have distracted the Emperor?”
The maid glanced around to ensure no one was eavesdropping before replying in a hushed tone, “Word from home says that the new Emperor of Nan Chu has ascended the throne. That new Emperor is none other than Prince Heng, Li Yuanli. It’s said that the late Concubine Qian was of the Nan Chu royal bloodline, and somehow, Li Yuanli managed to bring the Nan Chu royal family under control and ascended smoothly.”
Dantai Yinxue was taken aback.
Prince Heng had actually become the new Emperor of Nan Chu!
A few years ago, the two kings of Da Qing had fought fiercely for the throne, leaving the heavens dark and the earth in chaos. In the end, it was Yan Wang Li Yuanjing who ascended, while Prince Heng Li Yuanli fled south to Nan Chu. But the enmity between them had been thoroughly established.
The maid continued, “After ascending, the new Emperor sent a state letter to the Emperor a couple of days ago. I imagine the Emperor is upset about that letter.”
Dantai Yinxue pondered for a moment before saying, “Very well, I’ll wait a little longer.”
With her beauty, the Emperor would eventually summon her to his side.
As the heat of the day lingered, Dantai Yinxue didn’t linger in the garden for long and returned to Huayang Palace with her maid.
...
The news of Prince Heng’s ascension also reached Shen Wei.
It was already dark, and the moonlight enveloped Yongning Palace. After her bath, Shen Wei, with her damp hair cascading over her shoulders, leaned back on a soft couch, flipping through the palace’s old accounts. Upon hearing of Prince Heng’s ascension, she nearly dropped the account book in shock.
Prince Heng had become the Emperor of Nan Chu?
Clutching the account book, she realized how long it had been since she had seen Prince Heng’s face. After a moment of reflection, his handsome, flamboyant visage slowly emerged in her mind.
Who would have thought that the seemingly reckless Prince Heng possessed such extraordinary capabilities?
Shen Wei felt a wave of concern wash over her.
Prince Heng and Li Yuanjing were sworn enemies; it was possible that Nan Chu would go to war with Da Qing in the future. Fortunately, Li Yuanjing was diligent and held military power, commanding many strong soldiers and generals.
If the two nations truly went to war, Da Qing would likely hold its ground.
Well, let the complex matters of the court be handled by Li Yuanjing, the Emperor. Shen Wei shook off her worries, reminding herself that her priority was to manage the harem well and use her power there to expand her business empire.
If the sky were to fall, Li Yuanjing would be there to hold it up.
And if he couldn’t manage, Shen Wei had legs to run away.
“Your Highness, you should dry your hair first,” Cailian said, bringing a cloth to help Shen Wei.
Shen Wei set the account book aside. “Tomorrow, Yang Xuanji will come to assess Chengtai. Have someone keep an eye on the situation and inform me immediately if there’s any news.”
Cailian nodded eagerly. “Don’t worry, Your Highness. The Eighth Prince is exceptionally clever; he will surely win Dr. Yang’s favor.”
Shen Wei smiled. “We’ll do our best and leave the rest to fate. If Yang Xuanji refuses to take him as a student, we’ll find Chengtai another tutor.”
As the night grew cooler, Shen Wei’s damp hair was finally dried, and she prepared for sleep. Without the Emperor’s interruptions, she had been sleeping well these past few days.
Five days ago, Shen Wei had exhausted herself, nearly risking her life, to secure these peaceful days. If Li Yuanjing was a plump grape, that night had turned him into a raisin, unable to regain his moisture anytime soon.
Outside, the sound of soft footsteps approached, and Cailing rushed in to report, “Your Highness, the Emperor has gone to Changxin Palace tonight.”
Shen Wei was not surprised.
With Lu Xuan pregnant with the Emperor’s child, it was only natural for Li Yuanjing to visit and keep her company.
Stretching, Shen Wei yawned and sank into her soft bed, closing her eyes and quickly drifting into a sweet slumber.
...
As Shen Wei slept soundly, the lights in Changxin Palace were bright.
Lu Xuan stood at the palace gate, dressed in a delicate apricot-colored gown, looking charming in the night breeze. With a bright smile on her lips, she joyfully welcomed Li Yuanjing into the palace.
Since the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, Lu Xuan had felt a lingering sadness after losing her power over the harem.
Li Yuanjing had only visited her twice during the day, never staying overnight, which left her heartbroken. But remembering that he hadn’t stayed at Yongning Palace either, she felt somewhat better.
As night fell, the moonlight shone brightly. The newly planted begonia trees in Changxin Palace were thriving, heavy with pink buds.
Seeing the begonia in the courtyard reminded Li Yuanjing of Shen Wei.
Five nights ago, they had been playfully reckless, causing a vase to topple and shatter on the table, scattering freshly picked red begonias everywhere. Shen Wei had been soft against him, her face flushed, the red of the flowers mirroring her beauty, creating a captivating scene that stirred his heart.
Every time he recalled that moment, Li Yuanjing felt a tightness in his throat, but his waist still ached, forcing him to take a break.
Lu Xuan followed Li Yuanjing’s gaze and noticed the begonias in the courtyard. “It’s the season for begonia blooms. I’ve transplanted a few; do you like them, Your Majesty?”
Li Yuanjing nodded. “They’re beautiful.”
Lu Xuan beamed with delight, pleased that her transplanting had been successful.
The palace lights were bright, and Lu Xuan led Li Yuanjing inside to rest, while the palace maids efficiently served tea and water. Soon, the lights in the inner courtyard of Changxin Palace were extinguished, and the surroundings fell silent as the imperial city drifted into slumber.
...
The next morning, as dawn broke, an inconspicuous carriage stopped at the palace gate. The curtain was lifted, and a young servant helped the elderly Yang Xuanji down from the carriage.
The morning breeze was cool, causing Yang Xuanji’s beard to sway slightly.
The servant hurriedly presented a cloak from inside the carriage. “Sir, the lady said the morning wind is strong and prepared this cloak for you.”
The servant helped Yang Xuanji put on the cloak.
He then added cleverly, “The lady mentioned that the Eighth Prince is the nephew of Lord Shen Xiuming, who is your beloved student. Every year, he sends you and the lady preserved meat, cotton cloth, and fruits. The lady asked you to be a bit more patient with the Eighth Prince, considering Lord Shen’s reputation, and not to be too strict.”
Yang Xuanji stroked his beard. “I want to see just how capable that Eighth Prince is. It’s precisely because he’s Xiuming’s little nephew that I must test him rigorously.”
Yang Xuanji felt a surge of frustration.
That Eighth Prince, Li Chengtai, was still quite young; how many books could he read? How many characters could he recognize? As a well-read scholar, it felt beneath him to teach a mere child.
The servant handed the identification token to the guards at the palace gate.
Yang Xuanji, accompanied by the servant, stepped through the palace gates. Upon entering the first gate, the servant suddenly whispered, “Sir, look ahead.”
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