Chapter 353
**Chapter 351: The Difficulty of Bowing Down**
After a month of cold war, Li Yuanjing felt uncomfortable all over, as if he were out of place in his own skin.
During the day, at mealtime, the table was laden with delicious dishes, yet he found the flavors all wrong.
At night, as he lay in bed, the cold sheets felt empty, and he sensed something was missing, tossing and turning in restless sleep.
He had heard some amusing gossip about a courtier's family and wanted to share it with Shen Wei. But now, the gossip was stuck in his throat, and not being able to voice it made him feel quite miserable.
Zhang Miaoyu swallowed the last piece of green tea pastry, her expression filled with concern. “Your Majesty, your health is paramount. Perhaps we should call for the imperial physician.”
Li Yuanjing glanced at Shen Wei, his tone firm. “No need. I am in excellent health.”
Shen Wei calmly sipped her tea, offering no response, like a beautiful statue carved from white jade.
Li Yuanjing nearly crushed the book in his hands with his fingers.
Suddenly, he stood up, his voice icy. “I still have edicts to review.”
Zhang Miaoyu eagerly chimed in, “Allow me to escort you, Your Majesty!”
With a bright smile, Zhang Miaoyu accompanied Li Yuanjing out of the palace gates. As she watched the emperor’s grand procession depart, she let out a long sigh of relief.
Heaven above, the emperor has finally left!
Zhang Miaoyu felt a swell of grievance. Ever since the emperor had “distanced” himself from Shen Wei, the most favored concubine in the palace had inexplicably become Zhang Miaoyu herself.
The emperor seemed to have lost his mind, avoiding Yongning Palace and instead frequently visiting Zhang Miaoyu’s Yongchun Palace. He rarely spoke, but his imposing presence was suffocating.
Every time Shen Wei sent pastries to Zhang Miaoyu, most of them ended up in the emperor’s mouth!
Zhang Miaoyu felt uneasy; with the emperor around, her appetite had shrunk.
She had lost three pounds!
At this rate, she would starve to death.
“Shen Wei, what on earth is going on between you and the emperor? If you two are at odds, it’s me who’s suffering!” Zhang Miaoyu tugged at Shen Wei’s arm, nearly in tears.
Shen Wei patted Zhang Miaoyu’s shoulder in a gesture of comfort.
...
As night fell, in the Xuanning Hall where the emperor rested alone, Li Yuanjing summoned his two sons to dine with him.
Li Chengtai ate in silence.
Li Chengyou picked up a piece of stir-fried bamboo shoots and cheerfully told Li Yuanjing, “Father! These bamboo shoots are delicious! Mother loves them in spring and often has the kitchen prepare this dish.”
Li Yuanjing, who had little appetite, picked up his chopsticks and took a bite after hearing his son’s words.
The bamboo shoots were crisp and tender, with a rich flavor, perfectly cooked.
Indeed, they tasted great.
Just a few days ago, this dish had been served at dinner, and Li Yuanjing had found it mediocre. But today, for some reason, it suddenly tasted exquisite.
He helped himself to several more bites.
Li Chengyou watched in astonishment as his father devoured nearly half the plate of stir-fried bamboo shoots. He quickly exclaimed, “Father, save some for me! Brother hasn’t eaten yet!”
By the end of the meal, Li Yuanjing felt quite satisfied.
After dinner, he took his two sons for a stroll in the courtyard to help with digestion and to check on their studies.
The spring night was slightly cool, and as Li Chengyou chatted with his father, he became distracted and stumbled.
Thud—
He fell to the ground.
Li Chengtai quickly rushed to help his younger brother up.
“Are you hurt anywhere?” Li Yuanjing asked.
Li Chengyou, his small frame upright, proudly replied, “Father, don’t worry! I’m not hurt at all!”
His sturdy little body had fallen without a scratch.
Li Yuanjing’s expression darkened as he feigned a stern look. “You are the prince of Da Qing; a fall is not a trivial matter. Someone, summon the imperial physician!”
He led his son back inside.
Li Chengyou, confused, opened his unscathed palm and explained again, “Father, I really am fine! Last time I fell from a horse and scraped my palm, you said, ‘A real man doesn’t fear minor injuries.’”
Tonight, he had merely tripped and fallen; there was no injury, so it was hardly a big deal.
Little man, growing up through tumbles.
Li Yuanjing’s handsome face was serious as he held his son’s small shoulder, his tone unusually grave. “Matters concerning a prince are not trivial.”
After a pause, he called for Deshun, saying matter-of-factly, “Go inform Consort Chen that Chengyou has sustained a serious injury and ask her to come to Xuanning Hall to see the child.”
Deshun glanced at the lively little prince and quickly bowed his head. “Yes, I will go fetch the consort.”
Li Chengyou was left bewildered.
Does Father not understand me? I’m not hurt at all!
...
The spring night was quiet, with the crisp sound of insects chirping, and moonlight spilled over the glazed tiles of Xuanning Hall.
About half an hour later, Shen Wei arrived at Xuanning Hall with the esteemed female physician, Gao Taiyi.
The courtyard was brightly lit by palace lanterns, and Li Yuanjing sat inside, watching as Shen Wei approached under the moonlight. The night was chilly, and Shen Wei wore a soft satin cloak lined with moonlight white, the bright red exterior accentuating her fair complexion.
She looked enchanting, like a fox spirit.
Li Yuanjing’s gaze was fixed on Shen Wei.
Shen Wei lowered her eyes to greet him before turning to check on their “injured” son.
“Mother,” Li Chengyou said, a hint of grievance in his voice, “please don’t worry. I really am fine!”
Shen Wei pinched Li Chengyou’s chubby cheek, her gentle smile radiating warmth. “Let Gao Taiyi check your pulse first.”
Li Chengyou pouted. “Alright.”
Li Yuanjing silently sipped his tea from the main seat. Seeing Shen Wei’s tender smile stirred a mix of emotions within him.
It had been a long time since she had smiled at him.
Li Yuanjing felt a surge of restlessness.
He disliked Shen Wei’s coldness and distance, and he even felt an inexplicable anxiety creeping in.
As for why he felt anxious, he couldn’t quite articulate it.
Gao Taiyi, an experienced female physician skilled in treating children, expertly checked Li Chengyou’s pulse while Shen Wei patiently waited nearby.
After a moment, Gao Taiyi respectfully reported, “Your Majesty, Consort, the young prince is not seriously injured. He merely has a bit of indigestion; I will prescribe something to aid digestion.”
Li Chengyou scratched his head, feeling embarrassed.
Gao Taiyi was about to take her leave when Shen Wei called her back, saying slowly, “Gao Taiyi, the emperor has been coughing lately. Please check his pulse for peace of mind.”
Li Yuanjing’s chaotic emotions were suddenly struck by a wave of overwhelming joy.
He had pretended to cough a few times during the day, and Weiwei truly cared about him!
Li Yuanjing maintained a calm exterior, replying coolly, “It’s just a minor ailment; I’m perfectly fine.”
Shen Wei’s expression was even more composed than his. She replied calmly, “Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven. If your cough worsens, the ministers will worry, the Empress Dowager will worry, and the common people will worry.”
Li Yuanjing’s face darkened.
In the past, whenever he had a minor ailment, Shen Wei would be the one most concerned. Tonight, her words about the worries of ministers and commoners completely omitted any mention of her own concern.
Li Yuanjing’s earlier joy dissipated, leaving him quite displeased.
Even he didn’t realize that in just half an hour, his emotions had been tossed around by Shen Wei like a leaf in the wind.
After Gao Taiyi finished checking Li Yuanjing’s pulse, she reported that the emperor was in good health and had no major issues.
Only then did Shen Wei rise to take her leave, bidding farewell to Li Yuanjing.
Li Yuanjing’s lips parted, longing for Shen Wei to stay with him tonight.
A month had passed, and with reason returning, the conflicts had settled. Each lonely night, Li Yuanjing tossed and turned in bed, the proud emperor rarely reflecting on his actions, gradually realizing he had been somewhat reckless.
How could his Weiwei possibly be interested in the worthless Li Yuanli?
Li Yuanli’s looks didn’t compare to his, his actions were inferior, and his governance was lacking. Even if Shen Wei were blind, she would never fall for that fool Li Yuanli.
It must be that Li Yuanli had a vile heart and was harboring ulterior motives.
After some deep reflection, Li Yuanjing realized he had misunderstood Shen Wei and even hurt her feelings.
But… as the emperor, he could never bow his head and admit his mistakes to Shen Wei.
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