Chapter 378
**Chapter 376: Life After Retirement**
...
Nan Chu.
A few years ago, Nan Chu was embroiled in internal strife. Emperor Li Yuanli spent several years sorting out both domestic and foreign affairs, restoring peace within the realm and firmly reestablishing his throne.
As time quietly flowed on, whispers and rumors about the neighboring Qing Kingdom gradually reached Li Yuanli's ears.
With summer approaching, the air grew increasingly sultry, and the roses in the Nan Chu palace bloomed with fervor. Dressed in a dark black imperial robe, Li Yuanli dismissed the extra palace attendants and made his way through the layers of blooming roses to a hidden prison deep within the imperial garden.
The prison was discreetly located underground, in a half-abandoned cave. It was extremely cold and damp inside, with the water in the central pool frozen solid, the chill lingering for years.
In the center of the pool lay a crystal ice coffin, eerily still and empty, as if waiting for a destined soul to arrive.
Around the ice coffin were etched numerous strange symbols and incantations.
“Your Majesty,” a slightly excited voice called out from the other end of the cave. Lu Yun, her face aged but joyful, approached and respectfully bowed to Li Yuanli.
Li Yuanli remained impassive. “Are you ready?”
Lu Yun nodded eagerly. “Rest assured, within three months, this matter will be settled! You will embrace your beloved, and I will have my chance for revenge against my sister’s enemies.”
Li Yuanli’s gaze swept over the coffin, his eyes flickering slightly. Two years ago, after capturing Mo Xun, who had secretly infiltrated Nan Chu, Li Yuanli had, by chance, unraveled the secrets left behind by the female emperor of Nan Chu—mysteries concerning time and space.
Soon, Shen Wei would awaken within this ice coffin.
A smile tugged at the corners of Li Yuanli’s lips.
Even a fleeting moment with Shen Wei would be enough to fulfill his life.
He turned and left the hidden underground cave, the warm summer breeze greeting him as he stepped into the courtyard, where the roses bloomed like clouds at dawn.
“Chirp, chirp, chirp…”
A plump white fox lay beneath the rose bushes, blissfully closing its eyes to bask in the sun. Time had passed, and it was no longer the lively young fox of years past. With a limited lifespan, it had become an old, frail creature.
Upon seeing Li Yuanli emerge from the cave, the white fox called out a couple of times before resuming its nap beneath the roses.
Li Yuanli crouched down, his large, knuckled hand gently stroking the fox’s fur.
“Your Majesty, news from the Qing Kingdom,” a shadowy figure approached silently, respectfully presenting a letter.
Li Yuanli opened it and frowned slightly.
The new emperor of Qing had ascended the throne?
Li Yuanli was taken aback.
He had always thought that Li Yuanjing would remain on the throne for at least another decade. Who would have guessed that, in the prime of his life, Li Yuanjing would use “ill health” as an excuse to pass the throne to the eighth prince, Li Chengtai, despite the opposition of his ministers?
It was utterly illogical.
Li Yuanli had a nagging feeling that Li Yuanjing’s inexplicable decision to abdicate in favor of a regent was undoubtedly influenced by Shen Wei.
Any bizarre occurrence linked to Shen Wei seemed perfectly reasonable.
Because Shen Wei was, in herself, a miracle.
She always managed to achieve her goals.
“Whether he abdicates or not, it won’t affect my plans,” Li Yuanli said coldly, his gaze resolute.
...
In the underground cave.
Lu Yun was in high spirits, humming a tune as she made her way through the cave back to the stone chamber deep within.
“Sister, I will avenge you. I will kill the Qing emperor and destroy Shen Wei,” Lu Yun murmured to herself.
After years of patience, her efforts had finally borne fruit; she had the chance to take revenge on Li Yuanjing and Shen Wei!
A smile crept onto Lu Yun’s lips as she strolled through the inner stone chamber. The innermost room was sealed with a massive stone door, blocking the exit completely, leaving only a narrow passage for food delivery.
As Lu Yun passed through the passage, a cold voice echoed from within the stone chamber: “When will Li Yuanli let me out? It’s damp and cold in here; staying too long will give me rheumatism! I am his ancestor; his blood runs through my veins! How can he treat his ancestor this way?”
Inside the stone chamber was the unfortunate Mo Xun.
Mo Xun continued to rant, “Tell Li Yuanli not to activate the device lightly! It’s still in the testing phase, and the elemental energy is very unstable. One wrong move could cost lives!”
Mo Xun was frustrated.
Years ago, influenced by the *Taihua Records*, she had given up her position as the female imperial physician of the Qing Kingdom to come to Nan Chu and investigate her origins. After years of searching, she finally found a clue in the tomb of the female emperor of Nan Chu.
Her memories returned swiftly.
She recalled her identity—an advanced researcher at the 49th Bureau of Physics. Due to an experimental mishap, she had become the princess Li Qingxun of the Qing Kingdom a century ago.
After the establishment of Nan Chu a century ago, her health had deteriorated, and she had passed away young, leaving Zhang He’an to govern. Logically, she should have returned to the research institute after her death, but somehow, she had transformed into an ordinary woman of the jianghu, Mo Xun.
Before she could uncover the truth, she was discovered by Li Yuanli.
That ungrateful descendant! How dare he imprison his own ancestor! And he wanted to use the devices she had left behind!
“You should say less; the emperor won’t see you,” Lu Yun said mockingly from outside the stone chamber before drifting away.
Mo Xun banged her head against the stone wall, feeling agitated.
Where did Li Yuanli get that stubborn, twisted nature from?
For years, the Nan Chu royal family had been rife with violence, perversion, obstinacy, and obsession, often giving rise to madmen. Mo Xun thought angrily that it was likely the result of the inferior genes left by Zhang He’an!
Mo Xun rubbed her temples, gazing helplessly at the stone chamber. The room was fully equipped, and she had already been imprisoned for two years.
If this continued, she would truly develop rheumatism!
...
...
At Luoyue Lake.
At the lakeside royal villa, the palace attendants were busily tidying up, ensuring everything was spotless inside and out.
From now on, this would be the temporary residence of the Taishang Huang and the Empress Dowager.
A gentle summer breeze wafted over Luoyue Lake, where the scenery was delightful, with endless green lotus leaves stretching to the horizon and vibrant lotus flowers blooming among them. Shen Wei was in high spirits, instructing the lotus gatherers to set out fine wine and snacks at the pavilion in the lake’s center.
Shen Wei was determined to enjoy a good drink!
To celebrate the beginning of her retirement!
In the palace, Shen Wei had always restrained her drinking to avoid making mistakes while intoxicated. Occasionally, she would indulge, but only for the sake of a little fun.
Now that she had successfully retired, Shen Wei was ready to drink thirty cups!
The wine was rich and sweet, and the snacks were delicious. Shen Wei held the white jade wine pot, her cheeks flushed from drinking.
“Your Highness, the Taishang Huang is here,” the lotus gatherer whispered.
Shen Wei instinctively set down her white jade cup.
But then she suddenly remembered—she was retired now!
No more pretense; it was time to be honest!
Shen Wei ignored Li Yuanjing and continued to drink happily.
Seeing Shen Wei thoroughly intoxicated, Li Yuanjing helped her up. “You’re not well; you should drink less in the future.”
Shen Wei, tipsy, looked up with a blissful smile. “My greatest wish has been fulfilled; I’m in a good mood, so let’s celebrate with a few drinks.”
Li Yuanjing’s face was filled with affection and emotion.
Who would have thought that returning to a simple life with him, Li Yuanjing, would be Shen Wei’s greatest wish?
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