Chapter 295
**Chapter 293: Waiting for Consort Chen to Return to the Palace**
Liu Ruyan lowered her gaze, a hint of disappointment in her voice. “Mother, after days of not seeing you, you come back only to ask about trivial matters.”
Madam Liu, usually gentle in temperament, could no longer care for decorum. Her eyes were red-rimmed as she spoke, “Do you know that the officials of the Astronomical Bureau have predicted unusual celestial signs? They plan to report tomorrow that there are malevolent forces in the harem, and the blame is pointed directly at you!”
“Our Liu family has always been loyal to the throne, never colluding with treacherous families. We’ve offended many powerful clans. If this matter of malevolence is mishandled, the entire Liu family will be doomed!”
Throughout history, the calamities of witchcraft and sorcery have always ended in rivers of blood, haven’t they?
The Liu family is a reputable lineage, with hundreds of members in the extended family. If one Liu Ruyan were to bring about the disaster of extermination, it would be the greatest injustice.
“Mother, I have not placed any malevolent objects in the courtyard,” Liu Ruyan explained calmly.
Madam Liu pressed on urgently, “Can you appeal to the Emperor?”
Liu Ruyan’s voice turned somber. “He doesn’t believe me. Why should I bother to defend myself?”
Madam Liu was nearly fainting from anger.
Suppressing her fury, Madam Liu insisted, “The entire Liu family, young and old, is implicated. How can you not defend yourself before the Emperor? Do you want the Liu family to be wiped out before you’re willing to speak up?”
Liu Ruyan disliked her mother’s sharp and bitter attitude. She replied calmly, “The Emperor has no affection for me anymore. Why would he listen to my words?”
Madam Liu felt as if she might collapse from despair. She stared at her daughter, disappointment washing over her like a tide.
Madam Liu closed her eyes and swept her sleeve as she turned to leave.
The study fell into silence once more. Liu Ruyan returned to her desk, continuing to flip through the unfinished *Shijing* (Book of Songs).
Life is but a grand dream, and fate decides life and death. She had long lost the desire to live, waiting quietly for the decree of the discarded consort, facing her own death with calm acceptance.
...
Madam Liu left Yuxiu Palace, her spirit shattered.
Tears finally broke free, falling silently. Weakly, she leaned against the palace wall, her tears streaming down.
“Grandmother, please don’t cry.” A breathless voice called out as Li Nanzhi rushed over, supporting Madam Liu’s arm with a worried expression.
Madam Liu clung to Li Nanzhi, choking on her sobs.
Li Nanzhi gently patted her grandmother’s back, whispering, “Grandmother, I’ll plead with Father. He didn’t see me, but don’t worry. When Consort Chen returns, she will surely help clear Mother’s name.”
Madam Liu wiped her tears in confusion. “Consort Chen?”
Li Nanzhi nodded eagerly. “The Liu family is a reputable lineage, having never committed any heinous acts. Father is wise and won’t harm the Liu family. Once Consort Chen returns and uncovers the truth, the Liu family will be saved.”
Hearing the innocent words of the child, Madam Liu shook her head inwardly, not believing them.
Children speak without a filter; how could a little one understand the intrigues of the court? She was merely trying to comfort her grandmother with kind words.
Madam Liu touched Li Nanzhi’s thin little face, forcing a smile. “Alright... then I’ll go home and wait for good news.”
Li Nanzhi took Madam Liu’s hand and escorted her out of the palace.
As the sun began to set, Li Nanzhi stood on the long palace path, clenching her small hands, murmuring, “Consort Chen, please come back soon.”
...
...
In Chang'an Palace.
Li Yuanjing set down the memorial he had been reading. “Have the Empress Dowager and Consort Chen returned to the palace yet?”
Deshun smiled helplessly and replied, “Your Majesty, you’ve asked me five or six times today. An Guo Temple isn’t far. The Empress Dowager and Consort Chen had dinner before setting off, and their convoy is expected to arrive at the palace around the hour of the dog.”
It was only the afternoon, the sun shining brightly in the sky.
Li Yuanjing felt disinterested. Today was a day off, and he was eager to see Shen Wei, but the ominous matters concerning Yuxiu Palace troubled him, leaving him restless all afternoon.
Suddenly, he stood up. “Let’s go to the training grounds.”
Deshun accepted the order and sent a sedan chair to the training grounds within the palace.
Li Yuanjing changed into a more practical outfit and found two military officers to practice with.
Having trained in martial arts since childhood, he was quite skilled, and the sparring was intense. After more than half an hour of vigorous practice, he only returned to the cool pavilion when his sweat-soaked headband became drenched.
With the heat and sweat, the autumn wind felt refreshing against his face. Li Yuanjing loosened his collar, intending to take off his outer robe to cool down. Deshun quickly advised, “Your Majesty, the physician has said not to sweat excessively and then change clothes. The wind outside is strong; let’s go back inside to avoid it before changing.”
Excessive sweating and a sudden breeze were not advisable.
Li Yuanjing vaguely remembered that Shen Wei had reminded him of this several times before. She always cared for his health, remembering many wellness tips and offering thoughtful advice.
He stepped into a nearby tent to change.
A palace maid entered quietly, her head bowed, silently removing the sweat-soaked garments from Li Yuanjing. She quickly wiped his skin dry with a cloth and brought him a fresh set of clothes.
As Li Yuanjing pondered the moves he had just practiced, he was suddenly startled by a tightening around his waist.
It seemed the maid, unfamiliar with the task, had tied the belt too tightly.
Li Yuanjing frowned slightly, about to call Deshun to send in another maid, when his gaze inadvertently fell on the palace maid. He paused.
With her head lowered, from Li Yuanjing’s angle, he could only see her high-bridged nose.
A smile crept into Li Yuanjing’s eyes as he feigned anger. “Where did this little maid come from? You’re clumsy at changing clothes. Aren’t you afraid I’ll punish you?”
The maid froze for a moment, then hurriedly turned to leave the tent.
Li Yuanjing grasped her slender arm, pulling her back into his embrace. “I haven’t punished you yet. You have quite the nerve to leave without permission.”
As she drew closer, Shen Wei’s fair and radiant face came into view.
Dressed in a maid’s attire, her hair styled simply, she looked like a beautiful little maid. Her dark, sparkling eyes fixed on him as she boldly replied, “Then Your Majesty should punish me. I’m not afraid of anything.”
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