Chapter 257
**Chapter 255: Empathy for the Emperor**
Shen Wei slowly shook her head. "Dan Tai Yin Xue isn't foolish; she'll destroy the evidence herself. Lan Pin won't find anything. Cai Lian, you should give Lan Pin a hint—she's a concubine, while Dan Tai Yin Xue is a noble lady."
Cai Lian understood immediately. "I see, my lady. You want them to fight it out themselves."
Shen Wei looked at her with appreciation. After spending so much time with Shen Wei, Cai Lian had become sharper than many of the concubines in the palace.
In the afternoon, Shen Wei continued her busy work. Managing the inner palace sounded impressive, but there was a lot to do. Shen Wei checked the progress of the repairs on the palace walls, inspected the new ceremonial robes made by the Clothing Bureau for the palace ladies, selected flowers and plants to replace in the Imperial Garden, reviewed porcelain samples sent by the royal merchants, and audited the expenditures of the various palaces...
It wasn't until dark that Shen Wei finally took a breath. The hard work was worth it; after retirement, there would be plenty of time to enjoy life.
A delicate dinner was served, and Shen Wei buried herself in her food. Outside, she heard De Shun announcing the arrival of the Emperor.
Shen Wei stepped outside to greet him.
Li Yuanjing arrived, stepping into the night. After exchanging a few pleasantries, they sat down together for dinner. At the table, Shen Wei devoured two large bowls of rice and slurped down two bowls of soup, making Li Yuanjing's brows twitch in surprise.
After the meal, they strolled in the courtyard to help with digestion. The moonlight was as bright as mercury, and Li Yuanjing paused, cupping Shen Wei's face in his hands to examine her. "You seem to have lost weight, but your appetite has increased."
Shen Wei pouted. "Your Majesty, today has worn me out."
She poured out the details of her busy day like beans spilling from a pod.
Li Yuanjing couldn't help but chuckle, pinching Shen Wei's cheek. "Even when the Empress and the Shu Fei managed the inner palace, they never complained to me."
Shen Wei retorted confidently, "I’m not complaining! Just speaking my mind."
Li Yuanjing appreciated this honest and straightforward side of Shen Wei.
In the past, when Shen Wei faced hardships and grievances, she would hide them away. But as their relationship grew closer, she became more open with him, willing to share everything in private.
With him, Shen Wei had no secrets.
They moved to the water pavilion to enjoy the cool evening breeze. The wicker chairs were comfortable, and the night wind stirred the water in the pond, carrying a faint fragrance.
Shen Wei picked a loquat from the table, peeling it as she spoke. "Yang Xuanji refuses to teach Cheng Tai. I was discussing with my mother about finding a suitable tutor for him. But I know nothing about the previous dynasty, and I really don’t know who would be appropriate."
Li Yuanjing pondered for a moment. "Cheng Tai is exceptionally bright and has a unique perspective. I plan to have Zhang Fenghua teach him."
Shen Wei remembered Zhang Fenghua. During the spring examination, her brother Shen Xiuming was the second place, while Zhang Fenghua was the top scholar. Later, Zhang Fenghua married the daughter of Dan Tai Shu Qin, which connected him to the Dan Tai family.
Zhang Fenghua came from the once-prominent Zhang family. A century ago, they had produced a Chancellor, but unfortunately, he was taken by Princess Taihua to be her husband, leading to the family's decline.
Now, Zhang Fenghua had risen to the position of Grand Tutor and was highly regarded by the Emperor.
Shen Wei felt anxious, even neglecting to eat the peeled loquat. "Your Majesty, Zhang Fenghua has ties to the Dan Tai family..."
Li Yuanjing reassured her, "Don't worry, I won't harm Cheng Tai."
Zhang Fenghua had always been a tool in Li Yuanjing's hands, used to cut through the power of the noble families.
The night breeze rustled, and Shen Wei suddenly sighed deeply, resting her head on Li Yuanjing's shoulder.
Li Yuanjing was puzzled. "Wei Wei, why the sigh?"
Shen Wei gazed at the lotus leaves in the pond not far away, her voice low. "Managing a small inner palace makes me feel exhausted. You, Your Majesty, manage the entire realm; the burdens you carry must be far greater than mine."
Li Yuanjing's heart skipped a beat, surprise flickering in his dark eyes. He turned to look at Shen Wei, who leaned against his shoulder.
Indeed, Li Yuanjing had been very busy lately; being an emperor was no easy task. Once one problem was resolved, new troubles would emerge, one after another. Natural disasters and human calamities within the realm, diplomatic issues with foreign nations, and the power struggles between new and old officials in the court—every day, he opened his eyes to find numerous memorials waiting for him.
As the emperor, every decision he made, every edict he issued, could determine the fate of the people. If handled poorly, the consequences would be dire.
He silently bore the pressure and hardships alone. Only Shen Wei understood the burdens of his imperial responsibilities and was willing to share the weight.
"Wei Wei..." Li Yuanjing murmured.
Shen Wei straightened up, her beautiful eyes meeting his. "In your position, you must govern, take responsibility, and fulfill your duties. I can't help you with court matters, but I will do my best to manage the inner palace, so you have no worries."
Li Yuanjing handled the affairs of the state; Shen Wei managed the disputes and conflicts within the inner palace. Together, they complemented each other, working to stabilize the situation in both the court and the palace.
Li Yuanjing pulled Shen Wei into his embrace, his mood like the rippling surface of a spring day, waves of emotion stirring within him.
...
...
As night fell, Kun Ning Palace was shrouded in a chilling atmosphere.
Li Chengzhen stood at the palace gate, noticing two tall phoenix trees on either side. Despite it being the transition between spring and summer, the leaves of both trees were infested with pests, lifeless and dull.
Li Chengzhen pursed his lips, reluctantly stepping into Kun Ning Palace. With the Empress gravely ill, as her only son, he needed to visit to show filial piety.
Inside Kun Ning Palace, only two or three palace maids were sweeping the fallen leaves in the courtyard. The air was thick with the acrid smell of incense from the Buddhist altar, swirling in the smoke. Li Chengzhen frowned; this hardly resembled the residence of an Empress—it felt more like a cold palace.
"Mother, I’ve come," Li Chengzhen said as he entered the side hall, a flicker of disdain flashing in his eyes.
The Empress had set up a small Buddhist altar in the side hall, reestablishing the statue of the Bodhisattva. The cold moonlight fell upon the statue, making the compassionate visage appear grotesque and terrifying.
The Empress placed a stick of incense in the altar and slowly rose. She still wore her splendid embroidered robe, though it seemed dull and lifeless. "That wretched Chen Fei invited Yang Xuanji into the palace to teach Li Cheng Tai. Is this true?"
The Empress was deeply worried.
Yang Xuanji was renowned for his vast knowledge; if Shen Wei's son received his guidance, Li Chengzhen would likely gain another competitor.
The Empress would not allow this to happen; the throne could only belong to her son!
Li Chengzhen lowered his head, his tone barely concealing his glee. "The eighth brother is young and ignorant; he had a dispute with Yang Xuanji, who left in a huff."
Yang Xuanji's departure from the palace became common knowledge, with Li Cheng Tai chasing after him to apologize.
The Empress felt a bit relieved.
The son of a peasant woman was coarse by nature; he couldn't possibly compete with her Chengzhen.
The Empress stepped forward, grasping Li Chengzhen's hand, her eyes betraying a hint of madness. "Chengzhen, your mother is powerless and can only rely on you. My dear child, you have the Dan Tai family behind you. As long as you excel, they will naturally help you ascend to the throne. Do you understand?"
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