Chapter 377
**Chapter 375: Retirement!**
Yongning Palace.
After Zhang Miaoyu left, Shen Wei continued to sift through the items in Yongning Palace. Over the years, her little treasury had accumulated quite a stash of gold, silver, and jewels, all of which she intended to take with her as investments for her future business endeavors.
As Shen Wei busied herself, a palace maid came to report that Shen Xiuming had come to visit.
Shen Wei felt a surge of joy and personally went out to greet him.
With the new emperor ascending the throne, Shen Xiuming, as the emperor's maternal uncle, was set to take up a position in Yanjing, assisting the young ruler.
Years of experience had transformed Shen Xiuming from the reckless gambler he once was. Now, he sported a short black beard, had a dignified face, and wore a bright red official robe topped with a black cap, exuding an air of elegance and composure.
Every gesture he made radiated the aura of a powerful minister.
"Sister," Shen Xiuming said, looking at Shen Wei with concern, "How have you been feeling lately? The winds and dampness at Luoyue Lake are not conducive to recovery."
He still spoke like the caring younger brother he had always been.
Shen Wei invited him to sit down, her eyes sparkling with a smile. "I’m doing quite well. I plan to stay at Luoyue Lake for a while, then visit the Empress Dowager in Jiangnan. If I have time, I’d like to see Zhaoyang in Yue."
Shen Xiuming frowned slightly.
He had heard that Shen Wei's health had been poor for the past two years, and she could no longer manage palace affairs herself. Now that he was close by, he scanned her face and was surprised to find that his sister looked radiant!
Her cheeks were rosy, her hair glossy, her eyes bright and full of life—she seemed completely untouched by age.
Not old at all!
Shen Xiuming thought he must be mistaken and rubbed his eyes, stammering, "Sister... what kind of miraculous medicine have you been taking?"
Shen Wei smiled, taking a sip of her rose tea. "Just exercise more, keep a good mood, eat properly, and you won’t age."
Shen Xiuming was taken aback.
Living in the palace, often bullied by the emperor and the concubines, always on edge, yet his sister managed to maintain such a positive outlook.
Shen Wei continued, "Now that Cheng Tai has ascended, he’s still young. You need to look after him in court."
Li Cheng Tai was Shen Xiuming's own nephew, so he naturally intended to support him wholeheartedly, nodding repeatedly.
Shen Wei added, "But you must recognize your own position. The ruler is the ruler, and the minister is the minister; there’s a distinction. Once Cheng Tai’s position is stable, you mustn’t interfere too much, understand?"
Shen Xiuming sighed deeply. "You’re right, Sister. I understand."
There must be a boundary between ruler and minister; even as an uncle, he needed to maintain a proper distance from the emperor to safeguard himself.
The Shen family was currently at the height of power and glory. The more glorious they were, the more cautious they needed to be.
The siblings chatted for a while longer.
Out of the corner of her eye, Shen Wei noticed a tear in the sleeve of Shen Xiuming's red official robe. Despite his immense power and growing age, he remained unmarried—a rarity indeed.
A couple of years ago, their mother had even come to the palace to see Shen Wei, hoping she could persuade Shen Xiuming to marry and settle down.
But Shen Xiuming still refused to consider marriage.
Shen Wei asked, "Are you still thinking about Mo Xun?"
Shen Xiuming lowered his gaze. "To be honest, Sister, Miss Mo and I met in the mountains when she went to Nanchu. We spent half a year together before I sent her off to Nanchu."
He knew that Mo Xun was now married, yet he could never let go of her.
Over the years, many officials had tried to arrange marriages for him, but Shen Xiuming had turned them all down politely.
If he couldn’t marry the woman he loved, he’d rather remain single.
Shen Xiuming told Shen Wei, "Sister, my elder brother and sister-in-law have children. The Shen family has heirs. My marital status doesn’t affect the family’s lineage. Once the new emperor’s foundation is stable, I’ll go to the Guozijian to teach, impart knowledge, and write."
Seeing his determination, Shen Wei chose not to press further.
Everyone has their own fate; she wouldn’t interfere with her brother’s choices.
However, Shen Wei couldn’t help but wonder, "Has Mo Xun contacted you at all over the years?"
Shen Xiuming shook his head, worry evident in his voice. "No, she hasn’t."
After Mo Xun went to Nanchu, Shen Wei had never received any news from her.
She suspected something might have happened to Mo Xun in Nanchu and had sent someone to investigate, but there were no leads.
Shen Wei also wondered if the national master of Yue had taken Mo Xun back. She wrote to Zhaoyang, who investigated and reported that the national master had resigned and vanished without a trace.
There was no sign of Mo Xun anywhere in the world.
Shen Wei felt a pang of melancholy and decided that after her retirement, she would travel around to see if she could find Mo Xun.
As evening approached, Shen Xiuming stood to take his leave. With her belongings packed, Shen Wei felt elated!
Tomorrow, she would leave the palace!
Embracing the retirement life she had longed for!
...
The next day, at dawn, the new emperor Li Cheng Tai personally escorted Shen Wei and Li Yuanjing out of Yanjing.
Li Cheng Tai knew of Shen Wei’s yearning for life outside the palace. Even though he felt a deep reluctance in his heart, he accepted this brief separation.
On the royal road outside Yanjing, Li Cheng Tai dismounted respectfully and bowed to Shen Wei and Li Yuanjing. "Mother, I will keep Yongning Palace ready for you. I’ll have it cleaned daily. Whenever you and Father return to the palace, you can stay anytime."
Shen Wei smiled. "You have a busy court to attend to. Go back now. The weather is getting warmer; don’t overindulge in the cool air."
Li Cheng Tai nodded, looking somewhat sullen.
Li Yuanjing waved his sleeve. "Hurry back."
The sun shone brightly as the luxurious carriage continued on, carrying Shen Wei and Li Yuanjing toward Luoyue Lake. Li Cheng Tai sat on his horse, watching the carriage of his parents slowly fade into the distance.
In summer, the mountains and fields outside the city were lush and green. A hint of sadness crept into Li Cheng Tai’s usually steady gaze.
Thirteen years ago, a decree from his father had summoned him back from the mountains to the palace. Now, he had grown up, standing on the same road, watching his parents depart.
Li Cheng Tai felt a bit lost, but soon, a deep resolve surged in his dark eyes.
From here on, he would walk his own path.
...
The carriage rolled smoothly along.
It was a custom-made carriage by Li Yuanjing, resembling a luxurious little room, fully equipped with everything. On this hot summer day, Shen Wei changed into a light green ru skirt, her dark hair pinned up with a white jade hairpin.
She lifted the curtain, and a cool breeze swept in, lifting the strands of hair at her temples. The warm sunlight fell on her face, enveloping her in a gentle glow. Shen Wei closed her eyes, savoring the wind and the sun.
Li Yuanjing sat beside her, watching Shen Wei delight in the breeze like a child. A smile danced in his eyes. "Wei Wei, are you this happy to be out of the palace?"
Shen Wei beamed. "Of course! I’ve never been this happy before."
Li Yuanjing admired her delicate profile, his lips curling into a smile.
Over the years, Shen Wei’s appearance had hardly changed. She remained a vibrant flower, blooming forever in his palm.
Shen Wei’s joy was infectious, and Li Yuanjing felt a genuine happiness welling up within him.
He took Shen Wei away from the court, living a simple life like an ordinary middle-aged couple, and that was more than enough.
As the carriage continued along the royal road, Shen Wei reached out her hand through the window.
The cool breeze flowed through her fingers, and the warm sunlight kissed her palm.
She grasped the wind and the sunlight.
She had finally retired!
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