Chapter 363
**Chapter 361: The Empress?**
The dark bed curtains were thin, allowing light to filter through. The glow of the palace lanterns spilled in, outlining Shen Wei's beautifully curved face. Her eyes sparkled like black gemstones, and her rosy lips curled into a smile as she nestled close to Li Yuanjing, warmth radiating through the fabric of their nightclothes.
Shen Wei's gaze shimmered with the ripples of spring water.
Li Yuanjing felt a dryness in his throat.
Ever since Shen Wei fell ill, his emotions had been a rollercoaster, caught between the affairs of state and caring for her. He had no time to indulge in the pleasures of the bed.
Now that Shen Wei was recovering, her beauty seemed to have blossomed even more. Her silky black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her light nightgown had slipped down, revealing shoulders as pale and smooth as jade—simply irresistible!
“Your Majesty, it’s time to rest,” Shen Wei yawned delicately, intentionally leaning into Li Yuanjing’s embrace. Her soft fingers brushed against his chiseled jawline, and her supple body nudged closer.
Li Yuanjing felt as if he had been struck by lightning, his body stiffening.
In the past, he would have pounced on Shen Wei, devouring her completely, and would have kept going until dawn.
But then he remembered the physician’s warnings—Shen Wei was still recovering, and they absolutely could not engage in intimacy.
In his arms, Shen Wei had already fallen asleep, her long eyelashes gently resting against her fair cheeks, her rosy lips looking utterly tempting.
Li Yuanjing felt a surge of desire.
Ultimately, he managed to suppress his urges with immense willpower. Expressionless, he thought to himself that once Shen Wei was fully recovered, he would reclaim everything he had missed, with interest. No matter how much she pleaded, he would not relent.
...
...
In the Xiangyun Hall.
As soon as the new clothes from the Neiwufu arrived, Liu Qiaoer eagerly changed into them. Ever since the Consort Chen took charge of the harem, order had been restored. Even the less favored concubines received their monthly allowances and rewards.
The spring dress sent by the Neiwufu was beautifully designed. Liu Qiaoer twirled in front of the bronze mirror, satisfied with her appearance.
She was determined to seize the opportunity, find a way to regain favor, and ascend to the throne of Empress. She would eliminate the children of Consort Chen and support her own son to rise to power.
“Master! Master!” a palace maid rushed in, flustered.
Liu Qiaoer asked, “What’s got you so worked up?”
The maid wiped the sweat from her forehead. “Consort Chen has recovered. I heard from the Imperial Medical Institute that Physician Mo worked wonders and brought her back to life. Now the Emperor visits Yongning Palace every day, and there are even rumors in the palace…”
As she spoke, the maid noticed Liu Qiaoer’s expression darkening and hesitated to continue.
Liu Qiaoer’s nails nearly dug into her flesh as she closed her eyes to steady her breathing. “Go on.”
The maid lowered her head and whispered, “There are rumors that the Emperor plans to depose the current Empress and make Consort Chen the new one.”
Liu Qiaoer’s knuckles turned white, her body trembling with indignation. After years of low-key endurance, she had thought her time to rise was finally at hand. Who could have imagined that Shen Wei would be so fortunate to survive?
Liu Qiaoer returned to her vanity.
As she pulled a jade hairpin from her hair, she struggled to recall memories from her past life. In her previous life, Shen Wei had merely been a lowly maid in the Yan Wang Manor, receiving fleeting affection before quickly fading away.
Liu Qiaoer couldn’t understand why the Shen Wei she encountered after her rebirth was so formidable.
“Master, will you still wait for the Emperor at the palace road today?” the maid asked softly.
Liu Qiaoer shook her head. “No need.”
She knew she could never compete with Shen Wei.
The Emperor was in his prime, and Shen Wei’s son was only five years old. The future held many uncertainties, and new faces would inevitably appear in the harem.
With a long sigh, Liu Qiaoer decided to continue her low-profile existence, avoiding any unnecessary attention.
She murmured to herself, as if trying to comfort her own heart, “Don’t be fooled by Consort Chen’s current glory. One misstep, and she could fall into the abyss. The Shen family is at its peak, but the Emperor is suspicious. Sooner or later, he will deal with them.”
...
...
In the Kun Ning Palace.
Bang! A loud crash echoed.
A vase filled with willow branches was shattered by the Empress. The water spilled out, extinguishing the incense on the altar, and a hissing sound filled the air as acrid smoke spread.
The Empress glared at the statue of the Buddha she worshipped day and night, her heart heavy with sorrow. “Why did Shen survive? I refuse to accept this! I refuse!”
The Empress had nothing left.
She could only rely on the divine.
Yet the Bodhisattva she devoted herself to did not heed her earnest prayers. Not only had Shen Wei returned from the brink of death, but there were also rumors in the harem that the Emperor intended to make her the Empress.
“I am the only true Empress! How can a peasant girl like Shen Wei deserve it?” The Empress pointed at the statue, spewing forth her indignation.
Amidst the smoke and chaos, the Bodhisattva remained silent.
The Empress, filled with rage and despair, stepped out of the hall, gazing at the square courtyard walls. The yard was overgrown with yellow grass, wild chrysanthemums blooming fiercely—this was her prison.
She collapsed onto the ground, her face etched with hopelessness.
...
...
In the garden of Yongning Palace, the flowers and plants quickly flourished. In the small vegetable patch, Li Yuanjing had recently planted some greens, and the seedlings were thriving.
Zhang Miaoyu admired the garden for a moment before turning back to the water pavilion to chat with Shen Wei.
During Shen Wei’s recent “serious illness,” all the burdens of the harem had fallen on Zhang Miaoyu’s shoulders, causing her to lose three whole pounds!
Zhang Miaoyu was in agony, praying fervently at night for Shen Wei’s safety. Perhaps her prayers were effective, for Shen Wei had indeed recovered.
Overjoyed, Zhang Miaoyu sought out Shen Wei to chat.
As she cracked sunflower seeds, she curiously asked, “Sister Shen Wei, there are rumors that you’re going to be the Empress. Is that true?”
Shen Wei leisurely sipped her tea, dispelling the rumors on the spot. “Not at all.”
Since Shen Wei returned from the brink of death, Li Yuanjing had been exceptionally attentive, treating her like a precious gem. He had even mentioned several times wanting to make her the Empress.
Shen Wei politely declined.
Being a Consort was much more comfortable.
First, as Empress, she would be bound by the myriad rules of the royal family. The constraints of being Empress were too much; Shen Wei wasn’t accustomed to it.
Second, if she became Empress, the power of the Shen family would swell even more, making them more conspicuous in court. The Shen family was still in the process of strengthening its foundation and needed to remain low-key.
After much contemplation, Shen Wei concluded that being a Consort was the best option; too much of a good thing could lead to overflow.
In a few years, when Li Yao married, the Empress of Kun Ning Palace would no longer hold any value, and with the Shen family’s foundation solidified, Shen Wei could then consider advancing her position.
In truth, as long as her son could ascend the throne smoothly and she could retire early to enjoy a peaceful life, Shen Wei felt that whether or not she became Empress was inconsequential.
The title of Empress was merely a name.
True power lay in having it in one’s hands.
“Let’s not talk about the Empress. Let’s discuss the princess’s coming-of-age ceremony. Wan’er will turn fifteen in two months; we need to start preparing for the ceremony,” Shen Wei continued chatting with Zhang Miaoyu.
From the other end of the courtyard, Cailian approached slowly, reporting to Shen Wei, “Master, there’s news from Changxin Palace. Consort Shu wishes to see you.”
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