Chapter 293
**Chapter 291: A Chance Encounter at Anguo Temple**
Xue Mei considered herself a qualified servant.
Having followed Liu Ru Yan for many years, she had endured Liu Ru Yan's eccentric personality with unwavering determination, diligently handling every task.
Today, as she fervently defended Liu Ru Yan, how could Liu Ru Yan disregard her life?
Xue Mei's hand clutched the snowy white collar of Liu Ru Yan's garment, tears streaming down her cheeks like heavy raindrops.
Her hands were muddy, leaving dark fingerprints on Liu Ru Yan's pristine hem.
Liu Ru Yan replied coolly, "Xue Mei, the innocent will clear their name. You are my maid; I doubt those in the inner prison would go so far as to harm you."
Resilient as a rock, she believed that as long as she and Xue Mei had clean consciences, no matter how severe the punishment, the innocent would not be coerced into false confessions.
As soon as Liu Ru Yan's words left her lips, the other concubines exchanged looks of shock.
This was too cold-hearted.
Xue Mei had been pleading for Liu Ru Yan, yet when it came time for Xue Mei to be sent to the inner prison, Liu Ru Yan not only failed to plead for her maid but also uttered words that chilled the heart.
After years of companionship, even stone could develop feelings.
Lan Pin clenched her handkerchief in anger, cursing inwardly. How could someone like this deserve to sit in a position of power?
Xue Mei felt as if she had swallowed a cold stone, choking on her emotions. Slowly, she released her grip, letting go of Liu Ru Yan's skirt.
Her heart was filled with desolation.
What innocence? It was laughable.
The punishments in the inner prison were brutal and bloody, and it was Xue Mei who would suffer. Liu Ru Yan maintained an attitude of indifference, even encouraging Xue Mei to be strong and endure the punishment.
Zhang Miao Yu pursed her lips and stood up, saying, "Your Majesty, I truly cannot manage the harem. The case of the copper talisman is bizarre and complex... Perhaps we should wait for Consort Chen to return and let her handle it. She is clever and perceptive; she will surely uncover the truth."
"Before Consort Chen and the Empress Dowager return, Sister Mei and all the palace maids will be detained in Yuxiu Palace. It’s getting late, Your Majesty, and you’ve been busy with state affairs all day. You should have dinner first."
Zhang Miao Yu brought up Shen Wei.
Li Yuan Jing had never liked meddling in the affairs of the harem. A dignified emperor should not be trapped in the trivialities of women’s quarrels.
He said, "Very well, let’s do as you suggest. Everyone, step back."
Lan Pin was unwilling to let it go and wanted to incite more words. Zhang Miao Yu shot her a cold glare, warning her to stop fanning the flames.
Lan Pin immediately fell silent, her delicate hands twisting the handkerchief in frustration, rolling her eyes in secret.
Li Yuan Jing was already famished and quickly left, asking De Shun to summon the children from Le You to join him for dinner.
The other concubines gradually departed as well.
Before Lan Pin left, she cast a glance at the maid Xue Mei, who was slumped on the ground, and said sarcastically, "You’re so loyal, but it’s a pity you have such a heartless master."
Xue Mei wiped away her falling tears, remaining silent.
As everyone left, Yuxiu Palace fell into an instant chill. The cold wind swept into the inner hall, causing the white drapes to flutter.
Liu Ru Yan felt no joy in surviving this ordeal. She stood under the eaves, watching the emperor's indifferent figure as he walked away, his steps steady and purposeful, never looking back.
Her heart ached, and she lowered her gaze, tears falling. Her eyes caught sight of the stains on her dress; the hem had been marred by dirt. Liu Ru Yan instructed Xue Mei, "Xue Mei, go fetch me a new dress; this one is dirty."
Xue Mei opened her mouth, but the words remained unspoken.
Liu Ru Yan was the master, and Xue Mei was the servant. In the harem, how many masters treated their servants as equals?
In Liu Ru Yan's heart, human life was worth less than a few plum blossoms.
Xue Mei turned away, her expression cold as she entered the room to fetch a new garment.
In the courtyard, a burnt plum branch snapped with a crack, falling into the muddy ground.
...
...
That night, at Anguo Temple.
The maple leaves of Anguo Temple were famous far and wide. As night fell, the red leaves under the moonlight exuded a unique charm.
Beside the maple grove flowed a quiet river. The moonlight spilled over, casting a shimmering silver glow on the water's surface.
The palace maids waited by the river, and Shen Wei, dressed in a light red autumn dress, held a small paper lantern, joyfully exclaiming, "Mother, I’ll set the lantern afloat first!"
The Empress Dowager smiled, "Don’t forget to make a wish."
Setting lanterns on the water and making wishes for health and safety was a tradition for the people of the nation.
During the day, they prayed for blessings at Anguo Temple, and at night, Shen Wei brought the Empress Dowager to the river to release the lanterns. Inside the paper box, a small candle flickered, casting a hazy light.
As Shen Wei held the lantern, she silently made her wish:
*“May I prosper year after year,
And may I retire early, year after year.”*
After making her wish, Shen Wei placed the lantern in the water. A gentle breeze blew, and the lantern floated slowly down the river, gradually drifting away.
Once she had released her lantern, Shen Wei accompanied the Empress Dowager to set hers afloat as well. Naturally, the kind-hearted Shen Wei did not forget the accompanying palace maids, allowing them to release their lanterns and make wishes too.
As night deepened, Shen Wei and the Empress Dowager returned to the meditation room at Anguo Temple to rest.
Inside, Cai Ping helped Shen Wei remove her hairpin. "Your Highness, news has come from the palace. Yuxiu Palace has unearthed a copper talisman suspected of being used for witchcraft, and Yu Fei wants to wait for your return to handle it."
Once the hairpin was removed, Shen Wei stifled a delicate yawn. "Let Cai Lian and the others investigate quietly. I’ll deal with it when we return to the palace."
Cai Ping nodded, attending to Shen Wei as she prepared for bed.
The night at Anguo Temple was quiet and comfortable, nestled by the mountains and water, with the sound of crickets chirping in the courtyard. Shen Wei rolled around in the bed of the meditation room, closed her eyes, and drifted contentedly into a dream.
She slept soundly until dawn.
The chirping of birds outside the window woke Shen Wei. Drowsily, she opened her eyes, pulled back the bed curtains, and was greeted by the blinding sunlight flooding the room.
"Your Highness, there’s more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading; it gets even more exciting!"
Shen Wei was startled, and as she slipped on her shoes, she exclaimed, "Cai Ping, why didn’t you wake me up! I still have to accompany Mother to pray!"
Cai Ping entered with a fresh outfit, smiling to reassure her, "Your Highness, there’s no need to rush. The Empress Dowager said it’s rare for you to leave the palace, so you should sleep a little longer. She will pray alone, and you can stroll around and enjoy the maple leaves."
Shen Wei slowed her movements as she put on her shoes.
After freshening up and having breakfast, she stepped out of the meditation room, and the day was already bright.
The autumn air was crisp, and the maple leaves on the back mountain of Anguo Temple blazed red. The temple grounds were vast, with part designated for the princes to practice archery and another for royal relatives and dignitaries to pray. The newly opened courtyard on the back mountain was used to care for orphans.
While the Empress Dowager prayed, Shen Wei did not disturb her, instead taking a few palace maids to admire the vibrant red maple leaves on the back mountain.
Seeing Shen Wei’s fondness for the maple leaves, Cai Ping smiled and said, "Your Highness, the Emperor mentioned a few days ago that he wanted to transplant some maple trees to Yong Ning Palace. By the time we return to the palace, the trees should be planted."
Sitting in a rattan chair in the autumn pavilion, Shen Wei sighed inwardly. If Cai Ping hadn’t casually mentioned Li Yuan Jing, she might have almost forgotten about him these past few days.
Out in the world, one could easily forget their home and their boss.
In the autumn pavilion, Shen Wei sipped rich Meng Ding tea and enjoyed delicious pastries sent by Wei Yan Ji, continuing to relish the beauty of the maple scenery.
After a while, Cai Ping came to report, "Your Highness, Madam Yan, the wife of the Vice Minister, requests an audience."
Shen Wei paused mid-sip, "Who?"
Cai Ping reminded her, "Madam Yan, the wife of Yan Yun Ting, the Right Vice Minister. She came to Anguo Temple to pray and learned you were here, so she specifically came to pay her respects."
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