Chapter 306
**Chapter 304: The Wu Family's Surrender**
The Wu family was brought into the palace for medical care, and the Empress Dowager arranged for them to stay in the Jingxin Pavilion, ensuring that the imperial physician attended to them promptly. However, Wu Shi had already been poisoned to the core, and there was little hope for recovery; she clung to life by a thread.
When Lan Pin learned that her mother had been brought into the palace, she rushed to the Empress Dowager without a thought for her appearance, pleading to see her mother. This time, the Empress Dowager did not stop her and allowed Lan Pin to visit Wu Shi.
Inside the Jingxin Pavilion, the air was thick with the pungent smell of medicine, as palace maids brewed herbal concoctions in the small kitchen. Lan Pin stumbled into the pavilion, slowly pushing the door open, her steps gradually slowing.
The room was simply decorated, with gray curtains hanging from silver hooks. When Lan Pin saw her mother lying on the bed, she covered her mouth in disbelief; the frail woman on the bed was her mother.
In her memories, her mother had always been gentle and composed, exuding the grace of a matriarch. Now, Wu Shi was nothing but skin and bones, her face pale and gaunt, resembling a skeleton draped in human skin, her eyes tightly shut in a deep slumber.
Kneeling by the bed, Lan Pin wept uncontrollably. She grasped her mother’s bony hand, a surge of intense hatred swirling within her, refusing to dissipate.
...
As night fell, in Yongning Palace, a feast of exquisite dishes was laid out on the table. Shen Wei and Li Yuanjing shared dinner together. Perhaps it was the coolness of the autumn night, or perhaps it was the stress of recent events, but Shen Wei had little appetite, setting down her bowl after only half a serving.
She felt a tickle in her throat and coughed softly into her handkerchief.
“Your Highness, you should drink a bowl of autumn pear soup to soothe your lungs. The weather is getting colder; you don’t want to catch a chill,” Cai Lian advised with concern.
Shen Wei waved her hand dismissively. “The autumn pear soup is too sweet; I don’t want any. Cai Lian, have the kitchen send a pot of it to Lan Pin. I’ve noticed she’s been troubled lately; a sweet soup might lift her spirits.”
Cai Lian, feeling helpless, complied and turned to head to the kitchen to prepare the pear soup for Huayang Palace.
Li Yuanjing raised an eyebrow and set down his jade chopsticks. “Thinking of others but not yourself. I’ll be watching; you must drink a bowl of that soup tonight.”
Shen Wei shook her head. “I really don’t want to.”
Li Yuanjing feigned seriousness. “Be obedient. You’re not a child anymore; don’t be picky. If the kids find out, they’ll tease you for being such a mother.”
Shen Wei huffed lightly. “Then the Emperor should drink with me. That’s sharing both blessings and burdens.”
Li Yuanjing chuckled. “Alright, I’ll drink with you.”
Two bowls of sweet autumn pear soup were brought in, garnished with red dates and bird’s nest. Shen Wei grimaced as she slowly finished her bowl, her face a picture of reluctance.
After dinner, Shen Wei wanted to pull Li Yuanjing out for a walk in the courtyard. But the autumn night was too chilly, the wind making her cheeks feel icy. Li Yuanjing touched her face and, without a word, led her back inside to rest.
The room was warm.
The bed was cozy, and Li Yuanjing felt like a natural heating pad. Shen Wei nestled against him comfortably and murmured, “Your Majesty, Wu Shi was brought into the palace today for treatment... I went to take a look; she’s very ill.”
Li Yuanjing wrapped his arms around her. “The imperial physician has already been sent to treat her.”
Shen Wei sighed, her voice low. “When I first returned to the palace, the Empress secretly poisoned me. Thankfully, I discovered it in time, or the consequences could have been dire. Seeing Wu Shi is like looking at another version of myself... sigh.”
Li Yuanjing’s expression grew serious, his grip on her waist tightening.
Had no one noticed when Shen Wei was poisoned, her fate might have mirrored Wu Shi’s. The thought sent a pang through his heart, a flicker of cold fury in his eyes.
Shen Wei, feeling drowsy, leaned against Li Yuanjing and fell asleep. But he remained awake, until a low voice from outside broke the silence. “Your Majesty, urgent news: Wu Ming, Lord Wu, has entered the palace overnight.”
Wu Ming, the head of the Wu family and Wu Shi’s elder brother.
Li Yuanjing’s mind raced. He quietly slipped out of bed. Shen Wei was already asleep, and he gently tucked the blanket around her, lowered the bed curtain, and left Yongning Palace.
In the deep night, Chang'an Palace was illuminated by palace lanterns.
Li Yuanjing summoned the head of the Wu family for an audience.
The doors swung open, and the weary Wu Ming fell to his knees, his forehead hitting the cold floor with a thud. “I, Wu Ming, pay my respects to Your Majesty!”
Li Yuanjing looked slightly surprised.
The Wu family was based east of the Jiangnan region, a long journey from Yanjing. Wu Ming’s disheveled appearance indicated he had traveled day and night, arriving without pause to see the Emperor.
Li Yuanjing took his seat. “You’ve come at this late hour for what purpose?”
Wu Ming bowed his head. “Your Majesty, I am willing to hand over the river transport routes of the three prefectures in Jiangdong to the court, surrender half of my family’s lands, and pay taxes according to the regulations of the prefectures. From now on, we will remain low-key and hidden in Jiangdong. I beg Your Majesty to show mercy and spare the lives of my family. I am willing to be a sharp blade in Your Majesty’s hand, loyal and unwavering!”
The cold moonlight spilled over the eaves, the candlelight in Chang'an Palace flickering.
Li Yuanjing’s lips curled slightly. “Have you thought this through, Wu Qing?”
Wu Ming replied, “The lives of my family are far more important than gold and power. Your Majesty is wise; I dare not go against the current.”
Wu Ming was a perceptive man.
After the new Emperor ascended the throne, he keenly sensed the ruler’s decisive and vigorous methods. The Emperor was reforming the old ways, emphasizing agriculture while also valuing trade, strengthening the nation’s power day by day.
The Emperor was gradually squeezing the living space of the aristocracy, stripping away their power bit by bit.
Wu Ming did not wish to follow in the footsteps of the Dantai family, who had met a tragic end of exile. He proactively surrendered his wealth and authority, hoping to preserve the lives of his entire clan.
After receiving his sister Wu Shi’s blood-written plea for help, Wu Ming had ridden hard, exhausting three fine horses, and rushed to the capital overnight.
With red-rimmed eyes, Wu Ming said, “Your Majesty, my sister has suffered at the hands of the Xie family, living a fate worse than death. I implore Your Majesty to take charge and punish Xie Ji severely, allowing my sister to divorce him.”
Li Yuanjing nodded. “Very well, I grant it.”
...
...
Shen Wei slept soundly until dawn, rising slowly. She pressed her fingers to her forehead, feeling dizzy.
For breakfast, she managed to eat a bowl of red rice porridge but could not eat another bite. After breakfast, Shen Wei first reviewed the palace’s recent accounts, then dressed and prepared to visit Cining Palace to see the Empress Dowager and Wu Shi.
The palace maids carried the noble consort’s sedan chair along the long palace path.
Shen Wei leaned against the soft cushions, feeling a bit unwell and dizzy.
“Your Highness, you look pale. Should we call the imperial physician to take a look?” Cai Ping asked anxiously, sensing something was off with Shen Wei.
Shen Wei pressed her fingers to her forehead. “Let’s see the Empress Dowager first.”
As they passed through the Imperial Garden, Shen Wei caught sight of a familiar figure in the distance. The autumn garden was filled with chrysanthemums, the maple leaves a deep red, and the phoenix trees a dull yellow. Xie Fanghua, dressed in a light golden silk gown, was strolling through the flowers, admiring a rare chrysanthemum.
Hearing the commotion from the palace path, Xie Fanghua was startled and gracefully approached, bowing to Shen Wei. “This humble daughter pays her respects to the noble consort.”
Xie Fanghua glanced at the grand procession accompanying the consort.
Eight eunuchs carried the sedan chair, with palace maids flanking it, creating a magnificent spectacle. Xie Fanghua secretly envied her, filled with dreams of the day she would enter the palace and win the Emperor’s favor, certain she would outshine Shen Wei.
Shen Wei, sitting in the sedan chair, asked, “What brings you to the palace?”
Table of Contents
