Chapter 282
**Chapter 280: Li Yao's Plea**
The Empress stood before the Buddhist altar, lost in thought as she gazed at the misty sky.
How ruthless the Emperor was! It was only with the support of the Dantai family that he had secured his throne. Now, as his power grew, he began to eliminate the very old families that had once aided him.
With their downfall, the Empress had become utterly isolated.
She leaned against a pillar, contemplating the imminent decree of her deposition. Once she fell, the throne of the Six Palaces would be vacant. Shen Wei and Lu Xuan would undoubtedly fight tooth and nail for the position, and the harem would soon be engulfed in turmoil once more.
Wild chrysanthemums swayed in the breeze, their fragrance mingling with the rich scent of incense from the altar.
The Empress tightened her grip on the prayer beads, suddenly smiling: “The position of the Six Palaces is not an easy one to hold. Shen Wei, Lu Xuan, and Lan Pin will inevitably become the next me.”
Despite the Emperor's current favor towards Shen Wei, it was merely a facade.
When the Shen family inevitably crossed paths with the interests of the throne, the Emperor would not hesitate to eliminate Shen Wei without mercy.
In the face of imperial power, there was no room for familial love or romantic affection.
...
Autumn was the season for indulging in crabs.
Shen Wei had the kitchen steam a few plump crabs, packing them into a food box. She made her way to Cining Palace to treat the Empress Dowager and the children to a taste of the season's delicacies.
Today was a day off, and the children had no lessons.
Le You and Li Nanzhi sat around a stone table, diligently crafting Mid-Autumn lanterns under the guidance of Zhang Miaoyu.
Cheng Tai and Cheng You, dressed in neat short garments, wielded small wooden swords, playfully sparring in the courtyard, practicing the martial arts taught by their instructor.
Li Wan'er accompanied the Empress Dowager, admiring the blooming chrysanthemums in the garden.
As soon as Shen Wei arrived, the children rushed towards her. She looked around but didn’t see Li Yao and asked Le You, “Is your sister still unwell?”
Le You, clutching a crab, furrowed her little brows: “Sister Yao is better now, but she doesn’t like to go out. Once I finish the lantern, I’ll take it to her.”
Shen Wei gently caressed her daughter’s cheek, offering a few words of praise before turning towards Li Yao’s chamber.
The door was ajar.
Li Yao’s room was tidy and neat. At that moment, she sat by the window, her pale, thin face staring blankly outside. It seemed she had just been crying, her eyes rimmed with red.
Shen Wei approached and teased, “What’s my little princess thinking about?”
Li Yao turned her head, dazed.
Her nose tinged with sadness, she lowered her head and mumbled, “N-nothing.”
Shen Wei placed the food box on the table and took out the fattest crab. Skillfully, she snipped off the crab legs and offered the succulent meat to Li Yao.
Li Yao held the crab leg in her hand, whispering a soft “thank you.”
Shen Wei sat beside her, quietly watching as Li Yao ate. However, Li Yao’s appetite was poor; after a few bites, she stopped.
Finally, Shen Wei spoke gently, “You’re feeling sad about the Empress, aren’t you?”
Since the Dantai family had been implicated, rumors had spread in the harem that the Emperor was about to depose the Empress. Li Yao, being a sensitive girl, had naturally heard these whispers.
Li Yao lifted her small head. At thirteen, she was already quite pretty. In two years, she would come of age, and the Emperor would begin to consider her marriage.
With a heavy heart, Li Yao said, “Empress Chen... Mother has made mistakes... She harmed my brother and caused you to be poisoned... Recently, there have been rumors in the palace that Father wants to kill Mother.”
Her voice began to choke with emotion.
With red-rimmed eyes, tears welled up: “I know it’s not right to say this... but I hope Mother can live.”
No matter how flawed the Empress was, she was still Li Yao’s biological mother.
With her brother and other siblings gone one after another, Li Yao couldn’t bear to see her mother leave this world too. Her heart ached with sorrow.
Shen Wei smiled softly, her tone gentle: “You’re a dutiful child, and that’s a good thing.”
Li Yao’s eyes glistened with tears.
Shen Wei wiped the corners of Li Yao’s eyes with a handkerchief, speaking softly, “Don’t cry. Go change your clothes. Later, I’ll take you to see the Emperor and plead for the Empress.”
Li Yao seemed to have heard something unbelievable. Her expression turned incredulous as she stammered, “B-but Mother has harmed you.”
Shen Wei stroked her hair: “I’m standing here just fine. There’s nothing wrong with me. Now hurry and change.”
Li Yao’s face brightened, and she dashed into the inner chamber. The maid Xiaoyan entered, helping Li Yao change into a new outfit and styling her hair simply.
Half an hour later, Li Yao emerged in a light golden autumn dress made of Shu brocade, adorned with a small gold hairpin, standing before Shen Wei.
Shen Wei took her delicate little hand: “Let’s go to Chang'an Palace and plead with your father.”
Li Yao nodded vigorously: “Okay!”
...
The autumn air was crisp, and beautiful chrysanthemums were arranged along the palace paths.
Lu Xuan’s pregnancy was quite evident. She had dressed up carefully and was heading to Chang'an Palace with her one-year-old son.
“Remember to greet your father when we see him, okay?” Lu Xuan reminded once more.
Li Chengjue, not yet two, was already quite nimble on his feet. He obediently followed Lu Xuan, his round little face chubby, his voice sweet and childish: “Got it!”
Upon arriving at Chang'an Palace,
Eunuch Deshun entered to announce their arrival. After a while, he emerged with a beaming smile: “Noble Consort, little prince, please follow me into the palace.”
Today was a day off, and there weren’t many memorials for Li Yuanjing to handle, so he had some leisure time.
Lu Xuan, with her pregnant belly, entered gracefully and paid her respects. Li Yuanjing granted her a seat.
“Your Majesty, Chengjue has been asking to see you, and I had no choice but to bring him along,” Lu Xuan explained with a smile, her gaze filled with affection for the Emperor seated at the head of the table.
Li Yuanjing set down the memorial he was holding and beckoned to the little Li Chengjue: “Come here to your father.”
Fearless and bold, Li Chengjue waddled over with his chubby little legs.
Li Yuanjing picked him up: “You’ve gained quite a bit of weight.”
Li Chengjue giggled, happily calling out, “Father, hug!”
Lu Xuan sat on a nearby rosewood chair, smiling as she watched this tender scene between father and son, her heart swelling with warmth.
Though the Emperor’s feelings for her had gradually faded, he was still very fond of their child.
Once Chengjue grew older and began his studies, he would surely be no less than the two sons of Consort Chen.
Lu Xuan gently asked, “Your Majesty, since today is a day off, you should rest well for your health.”
Li Yuanjing replied, “After the Dantai family’s downfall, there are still many remnants to deal with.”
Lu Xuan’s heart stirred. Fanning herself with her silk fan, she casually remarked, “I’ve heard that the Dantai family was rife with corruption, disregarding the Emperor’s authority. The people praise you for your wisdom in eliminating them. As the mother of the nation, the Empress has indeed made mistakes by indulging her family.”
Li Yuanjing’s expression suddenly turned dangerous.
Since the fall of the Dantai family, the atmosphere in the harem had become restless, with concubines vying to kick the Empress while she was down.
Clearly, Noble Consort was also eyeing the position of Empress.
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