Chapter 296
**Chapter 294: Clearing Mei Fei's Name**
The two stared at each other, wide-eyed.
Li Yuanjing raised an eyebrow lightly, his arm like a steel clamp, gripping the slender waist of the "little palace maid." He feigned seriousness, "The regulations in the Da Qing Palace are strict. You, little maid, are disrespecting the imperial authority."
Shen Wei pretended to tremble in fear.
Stammering, Shen Wei's delicate fingers brushed lightly against Li Yuanjing's arm, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "This servant... is willing to accept any punishment from Your Majesty."
...
Outside the tent, Gonggong Deshun stood dutifully at the door.
He instructed the palace servants in the training grounds, "Quickly prepare some hot water and bring over some clean clothes. Hurry up!"
The servants hurried off to do their tasks.
As the sun tilted, the sky darkened, and only then did Li Yuanjing's voice call for someone to attend to him from within the tent.
The tent flap was lifted, revealing Shen Wei already dressed in fresh garments, a faint weariness on her face. Li Yuanjing, looking refreshed, took her hand and helped her into the palanquin heading back to Yongning Palace.
After dinner, Shen Wei still felt uncomfortable, her arms and legs sore.
Having been apart for three days, she returned to the palace early, disguised as a little maid to get closer to the emperor, indulging in a bit of role play with Li Yuanjing to add some spice to their lives.
Li Yuanjing enjoyed it, but Shen Wei was the one suffering.
She crawled into bed early, planning to sleep sooner that night. Li Yuanjing lifted the light-colored bed curtain, seeing Shen Wei lying there, weary, her hair spread across the pillow, her lips slightly swollen.
Li Yuanjing smiled and joined her in bed, still dressed.
Shen Wei hadn’t fallen asleep yet; her big eyes gazed at Li Yuanjing for a long time. He asked, "Is your waist still sore?"
Shen Wei complained, "I stayed at Anguo Temple for three days, and I missed you so much that I returned early—Your Majesty, you were a bit too rough."
Li Yuanjing recalled the scene in the tent earlier; he had indeed lost control and used too much strength.
It was just that Shen Wei was too alluring, leaving him parched and utterly captivated.
In the harem, which concubine was not proper? Only Shen Wei dared to break the mold, bringing him endless freshness and joy.
Shen Wei was a treasure, one that could never be fully explored.
Li Yuanjing pulled her into his embrace, patiently massaging her waist. Having practiced martial arts for years, his hands were strong, and Shen Wei winced, quickly pushing him away. "No, no, no! Your Majesty, you’re too strong. I’d rather rest on my own."
Li Yuanjing withdrew his hands and held her close again.
On that quiet autumn night, Li Yuanjing listened to the steady rhythm of her breathing. He lowered his gaze, illuminated by the candlelight filtering through the bed curtain, and saw Shen Wei's peaceful sleeping face.
She looked lovely, like a well-behaved little kitten.
He admired her sleeping face for a long time, and only when sleepiness overtook him did he finally drift off, satisfied.
...
...
The next day, when Shen Wei woke up, the emperor was already gone.
Li Yuanjing hadn’t disturbed her; he had gone to attend the morning court.
Shen Wei dragged her sore body out of bed, slowly got up, and after breakfast, practiced a set of Tai Chi in the courtyard to exercise.
Cai Lian came to report, saying that Yu Fei requested an audience.
Before long, the plump Zhang Miaoyu rushed into the courtyard, her skirt held up.
Zhang Miaoyu opened her arms and gave Shen Wei a big hug, her voice trembling with excitement. "Good sister! You’re finally back! Oh, you have no idea how I’ve spent these past few days! Time dragged on like years, and I could only eat two bowls of rice!"
Shen Wei patted her back. "Sister Miaoyu, please let go; I can hardly breathe!"
Zhang Miaoyu reluctantly released her embrace.
Her eyes sparkled as she held Shen Wei's hands. "You must have heard about Mei Fei. The rumors in the harem are rampant, and court officials are eager to make a fuss about it. Shen Wei, you have to take care of this mess!"
Mei Fei had the support of the Liu family, who were loyal to the emperor and had never committed any heinous acts.
If the Liu family fell, other noble families would surely feel threatened, leading to widespread panic.
Shen Wei nodded with a smile. "I have my own plans."
Zhang Miaoyu sighed in relief. "For some reason, hearing you say that makes me feel so reassured."
The harem was in chaos, and Zhang Miaoyu couldn’t handle the rumors. But somehow, with Shen Wei back, it felt like a stabilizing force had returned.
With Shen Wei around, the sky wouldn’t fall.
...
In the afternoon, at Changxin Palace.
The maid Xiao Qin approached Lu Xuan, whispering, "My lady, Chen Guifei has summoned all the concubines to Yuxiu Palace. Given your condition, I’ve declined for you."
Counting the days, Lu Xuan was already seven months pregnant, her belly growing larger, and her legs starting to swell.
Lounging lazily in her guifei chair, she sipped the fine tea sent from the south. "Is she trying to clear Mei Fei's name?"
Xiao Qin replied, "It seems so. I’ve sent someone to keep an eye on things and will report back if anything happens."
Lu Xuan stroked her protruding belly, a smirk crossing her lips. "Chen Guifei is truly foolish. If I were her, I wouldn’t get involved in this matter at all."
In the harem, many concubines were backed by powerful families. Anyone daring to frame Mei Fei would surely have a formidable background.
If Chen Guifei helped Mei Fei, she would offend the true culprits and their families; if she couldn’t help Mei Fei and instead exacerbated the Liu family's troubles, she would also earn a bad reputation among court officials.
Either Mei Fei would fall, or she would offend the noble families. In any case, Chen Guifei would gain nothing.
Lu Xuan coldly said, "Let them make a fuss. I’ll focus on nurturing my baby."
Xiao Qin nodded eagerly. "My lady is wise."
...
At Huayang Palace.
Lan Pin was at her mirror, applying makeup. She donned a brand new light purple lily gown and turned around in front of the bronze mirror, her eyes filled with doubt. "Chen Guifei just returned to the palace and has summoned all the concubines to Yuxiu Palace. What is she up to?"
Lan Pin was puzzled.
Perhaps feeling guilty, she couldn’t help but ask the maid beside her, "Could it be that Chen Guifei has discovered who slandered Mei Fei?"
The maid shook her head. "I’ve been meticulous; I buried that copper plate at the base of the plum tree. Chen Guifei just returned, and it’s too soon for her to uncover the truth."
Lan Pin temporarily suppressed her worries and stood up. "Well then, let’s go see what the fuss is about."
On this cool autumn day, Yuxiu Palace was quiet. As Lan Pin entered, the other concubines had already gathered.
Chen Guifei sat at the head seat, dressed splendidly, like a blooming peony. Lan Pin envied the precious brocade fabric on Chen Guifei and, with a slight pout, greeted her before taking a seat.
Before long, Liu Ruyan also arrived at the main hall. She scanned the room full of dark-clad women, her brows furrowing slightly. "I prefer peace and quiet. Why disturb my tranquility?"
Zhang Miaoyu felt a jolt in her eyelids and helplessly explained, "Sister Mei Fei! Something strange was unearthed in your courtyard. If we don’t discuss countermeasures in your main hall, should we run to the emperor’s palace instead?"
Liu Ruyan fell silent.
She gracefully took her seat and lowered her head to sip her tea.
Shen Wei cleared her throat and spoke, "I’ve gathered everyone here today to clear Mei Fei’s name. This matter has been a misunderstanding from the start, and Mei Fei has been wrongfully implicated."
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