Chapter 264
**Chapter 262: The Reputation of the Virtuous**
Shen Wei told Li Chengtai, “I accidentally burned myself with hot soup. I’ve applied medicine, and it’s nothing serious now.”
Cai Ping, filled with indignation, muttered, “The Empress is truly excessive. She’s bedridden, and the Consort often goes to visit her, yet she still managed to spill the medicine bowl and burn the Consort!”
Li Chengtai’s eyes widened in shock.
The Empress intentionally burned Mother?
A bitter smile crossed Shen Wei’s lips as she glanced at Yang Xuanji not far away, gently reassuring Li Chengtai, “There’s no need to worry; Mother is doing well.”
Li Chengtai lowered his head, anger boiling within him.
Mother had been so forgiving, putting aside past grievances to visit the Empress. Yet the Empress was so malicious, deliberately burning Mother.
Li Chengtai was furious. Seeing his younger brother still munching on watermelon nearby only fueled his anger further. Mother was being bullied by the Empress, and this brat was just sitting there eating watermelon!
Eating, eating, eating—he only knows how to eat every day!
Li Chengtai snatched the watermelon from Li Chengyou’s mouth, puffing up with indignation as he asked, “Chengyou, did you memorize the poetry Mr. taught you today?”
Li Chengyou looked up blankly, his mouth still smeared with red watermelon juice. He replied, “No. Mr. just needs to understand the meaning; there’s no need to memorize it.”
Li Chengtai was speechless.
Silly brother, you have no ambition at all!
Inside the Guangwen Pavilion, many officials responsible for compiling, writing, and researching policy theories were gathering. It turned out there was a meeting of civil officials today, where they would discuss ancient and modern topics with Yang Xuanji.
Shen Wei felt it was inappropriate to linger. She said, “I’ll take the two children away first. Cai Ping, please cut the remaining half of the watermelon and send it to the gentlemen.”
The officials all bowed in farewell.
Watermelon was a rare fruit introduced to the Kingdom of Qing from the Western Regions in recent decades, mostly enjoyed by the royal family and high-ranking officials. The royal watermelon was of the highest quality and best flavor.
The half watermelon Shen Wei gifted to the officials of the Guangwen Pavilion was indeed precious. After she left with her two sons, the crowd gathered around, carefully sharing the watermelon.
On a scorching summer day, a bite of the crisp fruit was refreshing and delightful.
“Consort Shen is so generous. Every time she comes to the Guangwen Pavilion to pick up her two little princes, she brings food for us to enjoy.”
“My wife is seriously ill and needs a rare medicinal herb. Consort Shen just happened to have it and sent it over. My wife keeps praising her every day.”
“I just heard outside that the Empress burned Consort Shen’s hand?”
“Ah, Consort Shen possesses the virtues of a secondary wife. The Empress is truly... Recently, those treacherous officials from the Dan Tai family have been attacking Consort Shen, claiming she has lost her virtue. It’s pure slander.”
“Keep your voice down; don’t speak recklessly.”
The officials munched on watermelon, discussing among themselves.
Yang Xuanji set down the ancient text he was holding, stroking his beard, his cloudy old eyes filled with confusion. “I’ve been retired for a long time and haven’t inquired about court affairs. Today, I hear you discussing someone attacking Consort Shen?”
With Yang Xuanji’s esteemed reputation, many of the officials present were his former students.
As soon as he asked, someone immediately replied, “Teacher, you may not know, but since the Empress fell ill, the Dan Tai family has been targeting Consort Shen and General Shen. Not long ago, that old scoundrel Li Guangzhong joined forces with a dozen officials to petition the Emperor, accusing Consort Shen of seducing the Emperor.”
“Isn’t that just nonsense? Consort Shen has been diligently caring for the sick Empress in the palace, managing the harem with great order, and even showing compassion to the officials’ families, taking care of the orphans at An Guo Temple for Princess Zhaoyang. She is a rare and virtuous consort.”
After returning to the palace, Consort Shen treated everyone with kindness, adhering to the virtues expected of a secondary wife, and had never acted out of line.
Her brother was still stationed in Liangzhou, safeguarding the peace of Da Qing. Yet, some in the court couldn’t stand the Shen family and deliberately targeted them, which was truly lamentable.
Yang Xuanji frowned. “What did the Emperor say?”
One official shrugged. “The Emperor reprimanded those ten or so people and demoted most of them. The Dan Tai family no longer dares to speak recklessly, and they’ve quieted down.”
Yang Xuanji clenched the ancient text in his hand, revealing a hint of a satisfied smile. “The Emperor is wise.”
...
...
Shen Wei left the Guangwen Pavilion with her two children. Her hand wasn’t burned; it was wrapped in cotton cloth purely for show to the gossiping officials.
The afternoon sun blazed, and the floor was scorching hot.
The sedan chairs for the palace ladies had yet to arrive.
Shen Wei held onto her two children, waiting in the shade. Li Chengyou touched his forehead and complained, “Mother, I’m all sweaty from the heat.”
Shen Wei crouched down and pulled out a handkerchief. “Here, let Mother wipe your sweat.”
Li Chengyou obediently tilted his little head up, presenting his sweaty forehead, his big, shiny eyes sparkling.
Li Chengtai saw this and quietly moved closer; he wanted Mother to wipe his sweat too.
Shen Wei smiled and gently wiped the sweat from both of her sons. Li Chengyou, who ate more, was chubbier and often ran under the sun, his little round face tanned. Li Chengtai was slightly thinner, with a sturdy build, and his small face bore a hint of maturity that belonged to an older brother.
Li Chengtai’s eyelids lifted as he noticed the white cotton cloth wrapped around Shen Wei’s right hand. He took the handkerchief she offered and said, “Mother’s hand is still hurt; I’ll wipe my own sweat.”
Li Chengyou paused for a moment, then took the other handkerchief from Shen Wei. “Then I’ll wipe my own sweat too.”
Li Chengyou’s method of wiping sweat resembled washing his face, his chubby little hands clutching the embroidered handkerchief as he smeared it all over his dark, round face.
“Who’s there?” Cai Ping suddenly scolded, looking warily at the stone lion at the entrance of the Guangwen Pavilion.
Shen Wei looked up in confusion.
From behind the stone lion, a thin figure slowly emerged. It was Li Chengzhen, looking gaunt and frail.
Shen Wei was quite surprised; it had been a while since she last saw him, and Li Chengzhen seemed even thinner. His face was pale, with dark circles under his eyes, and he appeared lifeless, as if he had been burning the midnight oil.
“Second Brother?” Li Chengyou asked, puzzled. “Shouldn’t you be at the Guozijian today? Why are you here?”
When princes reach a certain age, they all go to the Guozijian and An Guo Temple to study. Li Chengyou and Li Chengtai were still young and currently receiving elementary education; they wouldn’t go to the Guozijian for another two or three years.
Today wasn’t a holiday, so Li Chengzhen should be studying at the Guozijian, not hiding at the entrance of the Guangwen Pavilion.
Li Chengzhen pursed his lips. “It’s none of your business.”
Li Chengyou’s eyes lit up, teasing, “You’re skipping class! If Father finds out, he’ll definitely be angry.”
Li Chengzhen let out a long sigh, not answering. The weather was hot, and the Guozijian was stifling; feeling irritable, he had slipped back to the palace and wandered around.
Wandering aimlessly, he didn’t know why he ended up at the Guangwen Pavilion.
At the entrance of the Guangwen Pavilion, Li Chengzhen saw Consort Shen and his two younger brothers. Consort Shen, with a loving expression, gently wiped the sweat from the children, and that warm, beautiful scene deeply pierced Li Chengzhen’s eyes.
Long ago, the Empress had also been a good mother, tenderly wiping the sweat from him and his brother. But then, his brother was forced to death, and he fell into an endless abyss...
At that moment, two palace maids came running from the palace path, drenched in sweat. “Your Highness, how did you end up here? The teacher is still waiting for you!”
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