Chapter 362
**Chapter 360: Temptation**
Mo Xun rested her chin on her hand. "Your Highness, while I also dislike men, I think you’re being overly guarded."
In the past ten days, Shen Wei had been in a coma due to medication, and Mo Xun had been quietly observing Li Yuanjing.
It was clear that Li Yuanjing truly loved Shen Wei.
But Shen Wei was cold and indifferent towards him. Mo Xun had never seen such a heartless and rational woman.
Shen Wei wrapped herself in a thick shell; she had never fully trusted anyone. She was filled with suspicion towards the world, and no one could enter her heart.
"Being completely defenseless leads to a tragic end," Shen Wei said with a slight smirk.
The bright sunlight streamed into the room.
The world was beautiful.
But Shen Wei did not belong to this world. Even if she stayed for years or decades, she would still be an outsider.
She could never let her guard down in a strange place.
Mo Xun sighed. "In my opinion, from now on, the Emperor will definitely treat you well. He truly dotes on you."
Shen Wei believed that this "feigned illness" could buy her five more years of affection, but Mo Xun did not share that view.
Mo Xun firmly believed that Shen Wei underestimated Li Yuanjing's love. The feelings Li Yuanjing had for Shen Wei could only be described as "stronger than gold."
Shen Wei pressed her lips together and slowly replied, "The word 'dote' is full of irony. In the harem, there are many beautiful birds. The Emperor picks one to tease and play with, and to outsiders, it looks like 'doting.' But no matter how favored that bird is, it’s still just a caged bird, unable to fly out of the palace, and can be crushed with a single squeeze by the Emperor."
What did it matter that Li Yuanjing liked her?
With such an unequal status, how could Shen Wei dare to speak of love?
Mo Xun pondered Shen Wei's words and felt they made sense.
After chatting for a while, Mo Xun wiggled her fingers. "Your Highness, what about the reward you promised me?"
Mo Xun had taken a huge risk to help Shen Wei put on a spectacular show.
There’s no such thing as a free lunch, and Shen Wei had promised to reward Mo Xun.
Mo Xun was used to a carefree life, indifferent to wealth and power, and ordinary things rarely moved her. Shen Wei had put in considerable effort to win Mo Xun's support.
"Wait a moment, I’ll get it for you." Shen Wei set down the account book and opened a hidden box on her desk.
She took out a book, "Taihua Zha Ji," and handed it to Mo Xun.
"This is a book left by the Empress of Nan Chu, Li Qingxun. I came across it by chance; it’s extremely valuable. I’ll lend it to you for three days."
Mo Xun accepted the book with both hands, carefully placing it in her medicine box. "Thank you! I’ll return it once I’m done. Don’t worry, I won’t let anyone else see it."
Mo Xun left the palace with her medicine box.
Shen Wei watched her retreating figure, knowing that Mo Xun was interested in the Taihua Princess. Since that was the case, Shen Wei decided to indulge her and let her borrow the sheepskin scroll for three days.
The content of the book was obscure and difficult to understand, filled with modern characters, Roman letters, English, and some physics and chemistry formulas.
Shen Wei thought that Mo Xun, being from ancient times, would at most be able to recognize a few characters and simple weapon models. Lending "Taihua Zha Ji" to Mo Xun wouldn’t reveal much to her.
...
...
As dusk fell, the warmth lingered.
Shen Wei had just recovered from her illness, and miraculously, her long-standing pollen allergy had healed. She was overjoyed and had the Inner Court send a bunch of beautiful flowers and plants. She even personally drew a design for their arrangement in the courtyard, supervising the palace maids as they planted them.
With the flowers blooming, her mood lifted.
Just as Shen Wei was enthusiastically studying the flowers, a voice from outside Yongning Palace announced, "The Emperor has arrived!"
Li Yuanjing stepped into Yongning Palace, bathed in the glow of the setting sun.
As soon as he entered the moon gate, he spotted Shen Wei sitting under the eaves. She was draped in a thick, red mink cloak, her face pale as snow, looking like a lazy white cat.
Li Yuanjing's expression immediately darkened. He strode over, took her icy little hand, and his handsome face fell. "It’s windy outside; come in and rest."
Shen Wei was speechless.
Since she returned from the brink of death, Li Yuanjing had been excessively caring. A mighty emperor, yet he acted like a nagging old woman in private.
He forbade Shen Wei from eating heavy, oily foods, so her daily meals consisted of nutritious but bland fish soup, medicinal dishes, and boiled greens.
Every day, Shen Wei drank bitter medicine and ate bland meals, her mouth often tasting bitter. She longed to sneak into the vegetable garden and pop a couple of spicy peppers into her mouth for a change.
In addition to strictly monitoring Shen Wei's diet, Li Yuanjing also kept a close eye on her clothing. After her recovery, Shen Wei was still cold and enjoyed the breeze in the courtyard. Li Yuanjing was afraid she would catch a chill again, so he watched her constantly.
Sometimes, while reviewing memorials, he would suddenly send someone to Yongning Palace to check if Shen Wei was wearing warm clothes.
Shen Wei was nearly driven mad by him.
As night fell, it was time for dinner. On the table, there were none of Shen Wei's favorite dishes—stir-fried tender bamboo shoots, crispy duck, or spicy meatballs.
Only the ever-present crucian carp and tofu soup, goji berry and red date stewed black chicken, detoxifying vegetable meatballs, stir-fried red phoenix vegetable with pig liver, and a bowl of green vegetable and ejiao (donkey-hide gelatin) soup!
Can vegetables and ejiao even be made into a dish? Pure culinary darkness!
"Red phoenix vegetable and pig liver are good for blood. Try some," Li Yuanjing said, pushing the plate of stir-fried red phoenix vegetable with pig liver towards Shen Wei.
Shen Wei felt nauseous just looking at it.
Red phoenix vegetable, also known as blood skin vegetable, had a strong fishy smell, and when stir-fried with the equally fishy pig liver, the combination was truly revolting. Shen Wei picked at it for a couple of bites but couldn’t swallow any more. She put down her chopsticks. "I’m full."
Li Yuanjing glanced at the untouched dishes on the table, his expression darkening. "Be obedient and eat some more."
Shen Wei hesitated for a moment but ultimately decided to save face for Li Yuanjing. She didn’t throw down her chopsticks and leave; instead, she reluctantly ate a couple more bites of pig liver.
After a difficult dinner, Shen Wei drank a large bowl of bitter herbal medicine.
That night, after soaking her feet, Shen Wei changed into the thick, warm light-colored nightgown Li Yuanjing had prepared for her. As spring turned to summer, the weather gradually warmed, and she soon began to sweat in the thick nightgown. Lying in bed, her big, sorrowful eyes stared at Li Yuanjing.
"With the change of seasons, it’s easy to catch a chill. It’s better to wear more," Li Yuanjing said, lying beside Shen Wei and holding her hand.
Shen Wei's palm was warm, and her face felt hot.
Li Yuanjing was satisfied.
The warm and lively Wei Wei had finally returned to his side.
Shen Wei leaned closer to Li Yuanjing, wiggling a finger in front of his face, trying to communicate. "Your Majesty, could we add some spicy chicken cubes to tomorrow's lunch?"
Li Yuanjing recalled the physician's advice and replied, "No."
Shen Wei cursed inwardly.
"Don’t think about sneaking a bite; I have people watching you," Li Yuanjing said, pulling the warm Shen Wei into his embrace, contentedly closing his eyes. "Get some rest."
Shen Wei secretly ground her teeth.
Li Yuanjing feasted daily on delicacies, while he restricted Shen Wei's diet. Although it was for her own good, Shen Wei couldn’t help but feel a bit resentful.
She rolled her eyes and deliberately rubbed against Li Yuanjing, her soft, fair fingers "accidentally" brushing against some dangerous areas.
Like a feather gliding by.
It was ticklish.
Li Yuanjing suddenly opened his eyes, the drowsiness he had just gathered dissipating completely.
He grasped Shen Wei's mischievous hand, his dark eyes deepening as he warned softly, "Wei Wei, it’s time to rest."
Shen Wei feigned innocence. "I’m just too warm in this thick nightgown. I accidentally brushed against you when I turned over. You go back to sleep; I’ll be careful."
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