Chapter 348
**Chapter 346: Cracks in the Relationship**
Shen Wei left Chang'an Palace.
The side hall fell silent once more, the tea on the table now cold. De Shun entered with a kettle of hot water, skillfully changing the tea set, while stealing glances at Li Yuanjing, who was leaning over the desk, reviewing memorials.
De Shun felt anxious.
What had happened between the Emperor and the Imperial Concubine? Had the Emperor begun to waver in his affections? Was the palace about to welcome a new face?
Just as De Shun's mind raced with these thoughts, he heard Li Yuanjing's voice. "De Shun, cut down the two peach trees in front of Chang'an Palace."
"Yes, Your Majesty," De Shun replied.
De Shun was quick to act. He soon found two young eunuchs and had them chop down the two peach trees that were in full bloom.
The young eunuchs were puzzled. "Master, why are we cutting down these beautiful peach blossoms? The Emperor must have his reasons."
De Shun flicked his dust brush and raised his chin. "The Imperial Concubine is still suffering from pollen allergies. The Emperor is just being considerate."
...
...
Shen Wei returned to Yongning Palace, her heart ablaze with anger.
She dismissed the palace attendants and sat alone in the spacious, bright study, furiously downing a large pot of tea.
"What a petty man, so jealous!" Shen Wei cursed under her breath.
With the noble families falling one after another, Shen Wei thought her good days had finally arrived. Who would have thought that the unexpected arrival of Prince Heng would ruin the relationship she had painstakingly built over the years?
Li Yuanjing was a proud man, an ambitious ruler. He could have many women, but he would never allow his woman to harbor feelings for another man, nor would he tolerate any man getting close to her.
Over the years, Shen Wei had played the role of a devoted lover, pretending that her heart, body, and soul belonged entirely to Li Yuanjing.
She had played her part too well.
Li Yuanjing believed it.
In his eyes, Shen Wei was wholly his. But now, out of nowhere, Li Yuanli had jumped into the fray, even risking his life to save Shen Wei.
Li Yuanli was flaunting his intentions, maliciously encroaching upon Li Yuanjing's treasure.
Even if Shen Wei and Li Yuanli were innocent, a deep mark would remain in Li Yuanjing's heart, a thorn that could not be easily removed. Shen Wei was a flawless gem, but with a chip taken out, a crack formed. Over time, that crack would grow into a chasm.
The more Li Yuanjing cared for Shen Wei, the deeper that crack would become.
Kings are often suspicious.
Without the beautiful filter of affection for Shen Wei, Li Yuanjing would start to notice Shen Mie and Shen Xiuming lurking behind her, and the rising power of the Shen family.
"What a petty man, always giving me problems," Shen Wei sighed, rubbing her temples.
Once doubt creeps into a relationship, it signals the beginning of its unraveling.
Even if Shen Wei tried every possible way to reconcile with Li Yuanjing, the crack would always remain. Moreover, Li Yuanli was still alive, and as long as he was around, he would continue to stir trouble, adding salt to the wound and creating endless complications.
Frustrated, Shen Wei tugged at her hair. Since arriving in this world, she had never faced such a troublesome dilemma.
"I can't just sit here and do nothing; I need to find a way to break this deadlock." Shen Wei slapped her cheeks, trying to calm her tumultuous emotions.
Leaning against the rosewood bench, her eyes flickered as she began to devise a plan.
...
...
As night fell, Shen Wei dined alone in Yongning Palace. With spring in full bloom, the variety of dishes on the table had increased.
The imperial kitchen prepared a delicious stir-fried tender bamboo shoot dish. The chef, with a keen sense of taste, avoided complicated frying and stewing, simply selecting the tenderest parts of the spring bamboo, slicing them thinly, and stir-frying them with Sichuan salt.
The spring bamboo was exceptionally fragrant and crisp.
Shen Wei loved it. She instructed Cai Lian, "Reward the chef who made this dish. Tell him to prepare another stir-fried tender bamboo shoot for tomorrow's dinner."
"Yes, I’ll remember," Cai Lian replied.
Shen Wei was about to indulge in her meal when she suddenly heard the sound of bells outside.
Li Yuanjing had arrived.
Shen Wei quickly signaled to Cai Lian, using her chopsticks to rearrange the dishes on the table, making it appear as if she had hardly touched her food.
The door curtain lifted, and Li Yuanjing entered with steady steps. Shen Wei set down her chopsticks and greeted him with a sullen bow. Li Yuanjing glanced at the untouched dishes on the table.
Clearly, Shen Wei hadn’t eaten much that evening.
The palace attendants brought in a set of royal utensils, and Li Yuanjing sat across from Shen Wei, separated by the dining table.
In the past, when they shared dinner privately, they would sit close together.
Sitting across from each other was indeed rare.
Shen Wei's eyes flickered, her face betraying a clear sense of sorrow and grievance. The meal was consumed in silence, the sound of white jade chopsticks clinking against the bowls echoing in the quiet room.
Shen Wei, burdened with thoughts, set down her chopsticks after only a few bites.
Li Yuanjing followed suit.
Gathering her courage, Shen Wei cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, would you like to go to the pavilion for some fresh air?"
Li Yuanjing glanced at Shen Wei's barely touched bowl of rice, his voice low. "Stay and rest with me."
The night had deepened, and the moonlight spilled into the secluded courtyard of Yongning Palace, filtering through the window of the sleeping chamber. After the spring season, Shen Wei had redecorated the chamber, replacing the drapes and bedcovers with deep green silk, and the incense in the room was now a more elegant peach fragrance.
Her pollen allergy had not yet healed, and on the small table beside the bed, a white jade vase held a bouquet of willow branches, looking quite unique.
The palace lanterns glowed brightly as Li Yuanjing stood at the head of the bed, his dark eyes fixed on her. "Help me out of my clothes."
Shen Wei stepped forward silently, untying Li Yuanjing's black jade belt. She then stood on her tiptoes, her delicate, fair fingers reaching to loosen his collar.
They were very close.
As Li Yuanjing looked down, he could see Shen Wei's round, delicate face, her eyelashes fluttering like crow feathers, and her lips full and rosy. No matter the angle, Shen Wei always appeared more beautiful than the flowers.
Beautiful flowers often attract bees and butterflies.
Suddenly, Li Yuanjing grasped Shen Wei's right hand, his voice tinged with an uncontainable bitterness. "Wei Wei, have you ever helped Yuanli out of his clothes?"
Shen Wei: ...
Are you out of your mind?
Do you really want to wear the green hat?
Tears welled up in Shen Wei's eyes, spilling down her cheeks. It seemed she could no longer hold back, and she looked up at Li Yuanjing. "In your heart, am I just a promiscuous woman?"
Li Yuanjing noticed her tears, and his heart ached. He tried to soften his tone. "Yuanli is cold-hearted, yet he risked his life to save you—"
Shen Wei grew angrier, shaking off Li Yuanjing's hand. "Your Majesty, I bore you Le You and two sons, spent three years in the wilderness, and stood by you through countless storms! I have loved you with my life, yet a prince who just appeared out of nowhere makes you doubt me? Do you only see me as a plaything? Is your love for me just a facade?"
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