Chapter 410
The palace maid was about to persuade further when the announcement of the Emperor's arrival echoed from outside. Shen Wei did not rise to greet him. Li Yuanli lifted the curtain and stepped inside, taking a seat on a nearby chair.
Noticing the medicinal soup on the table, Li Yuanli raised a brow. "Good medicine tastes bitter. If you fear the bitterness, I can have someone bring sugarcane sugar."
Shen Wei lifted her gaze to meet his. "Didn’t Moxun tell you? My condition is beyond cure."
Li Yuanli fell silent.
In truth, when Li Yuanli had first prepared to activate the device to restore Shen Wei’s soul, Moxun had repeatedly warned him—Shen Wei, in another body, would have at most six months to live.
Li Yuanli had refused to believe it.
After Shen Wei became "Yuan Xi'er," Li Yuanli had her consume the finest tonics daily, yet her body remained like a bottomless abyss, incapable of absorbing the nourishment of even the rarest herbs.
Only then did Li Yuanli realize Moxun had not lied.
"I’ll be dead in six months at most," Shen Wei muttered bitterly.
She had been living her life peacefully, only for Li Yuanli to barge in one night and shatter all her plans for the future.
Her resentment toward Li Yuanli grew.
Seemingly oblivious to her tone, Li Yuanli fixed his dark eyes on her, his voice steady. "So what if you die? I’ll die with you."
Shen Wei froze.
A chill crawled up her neck.
What a madman!
Li Yuanli continued casually, "The palace can be stifling. Where would you like to go? I’ll accompany you."
Without hesitation, Shen Wei replied, "Yanjing in Qing State."
Li Yuanli’s lips curled slightly, amused. "The southern seas are beautiful, famed for their pearls. The nearby mountains have ruby mines, and there’s even a statue of the Bodhisattva left by our ancestors. How about I take you there instead?"
Shen Wei truly didn’t want to stay in the palace.
Leaving meant a chance to escape.
So she nodded decisively. "Fine."
Li Yuanli saw right through her. His gaze deepened as he spoke in a voice thick with suppressed emotion, "Shen Wei, even if you want to run… wait a little longer."
The moon cannot be held.
But to let its light linger upon you—even for a moment longer—is enough.
...
Shen Wei had assumed Li Yuanli’s talk of traveling south was just idle chatter.
Yet a few days later, he had truly assembled a cavalry escort and prepared to journey down the imperial road.
Affairs of the court were left to the Ninth Prince, Li Mi.
Rumors said that in the council hall, Li Mi and Li Yuanli had argued fiercely. In his fury, Li Mi had even drawn a guard’s sword and cleaved the desk holding the memorials in two.
Several eunuchs had fainted from fright.
But in the end, Li Yuanli departed the palace with Shen Wei. The imperial road stretched long, and the walls of Li City stood majestic in the morning light.
Shen Wei lifted the carriage curtain and saw the young prince standing atop the battlements, his black-and-gold robes billowing in the wind.
Unable to fathom the relationship between Li Yuanli and Li Mi, Shen Wei asked, "Aren’t you afraid Li Mi will seize the throne in your absence?"
Leaning against the luxurious carriage wall, Li Yuanli countered, "Shen Wei, are you worried about me?"
Shen Wei cursed inwardly.
The carriage rolled forward, flanked by the cavalry. Once outside Li City, Moxun boldly intercepted the procession, demanding to join them.
The guards brought her before Li Yuanli.
Rubbing his temples, Li Yuanli said, "I already released you from the palace. Why follow us?"
Moxun, carrying her medicine chest, snapped, "Is that any way to speak to your ancestor? You unfilial descendant! The Southern Chu cavalry was left behind by me, and now they dare lay hands on their own forebear!"
Li Yuanli regarded her coolly.
Unfazed, Moxun declared, "I’m going to the southern seas too."
Shen Wei peeked out from the carriage, glancing between Moxun and Li Yuanli. "Let her come."
At Shen Wei’s request, Li Yuanli acquiesced.
But Moxun was barred from sharing Shen Wei’s carriage. Grumbling, she climbed into a supply wagon at the rear.
The procession continued down the imperial road, heading south.
Along the way, Shen Wei spotted the shops she had established in Southern Chu.
But Li Yuanli kept too close a watch, leaving her no opportunity to contact them.
Most of the time, he lingered quietly by her side, persistent as a shadow. His gaze lingered on her—every smile, every gesture—as if etching her into his bones.
Too weak to flee, Shen Wei reluctantly abandoned escape plans for the time being and focused on the scenery.
Winter had passed, and spring bathed the land in warmth. As the convoy traversed the countryside, Shen Wei saw mountains adorned with wildflowers. In towns, she encountered little girls selling blossoms. Aboard a river ferry, she even glimpsed dolphins breaching the water’s surface.
The journey was unexpectedly enjoyable.
After over a month of travel, the convoy halted at a bustling southern town. The finest inn at its heart was reserved for them. Under the moonlit willows, Shen Wei and Moxun, sated from dinner, pored over a map of the southern seas by lamplight.
"The sea south of Southern Chu is boundless. Escaping by boat is impossible," Moxun analyzed.
Shen Wei traced a line along the map’s edge. "I recall a maritime trade route here. Merchant ships carry pearls around the strait, reaching western Qing State."
Moxun clicked her tongue. "Difficult! Li Yuanli watches you like a hawk. Unless we kill him, there’s no chance. But his death would plunge Southern Chu into chaos. And your frail body wouldn’t survive a long sea voyage."
Shen Wei sighed inwardly.
Poor health made even fleeing a challenge.
Noticing the darkened sky outside, Moxun yawned. "I’m heading downstairs to sleep. You should rest too."
With another yawn, she left.
Still unwilling to give up, Shen Wei continued studying the map. Incense burned in the room, its fragrance subtle and lingering.
Creak—
The chamber door opened.
Without looking up, Shen Wei knew only two people would dare enter her room at this hour: once, it had been Li Yuanjing; now, it was Li Yuanli.
Heavy footsteps approached. The rich scent of wine accompanied him as Li Yuanli’s dark robes draped over the map. "Bold of you," he mused, "to plot your escape right under my nose."
Shen Wei replied lazily, "Where there’s a will, there’s a way."
Her eyes strained from prolonged scrutiny of the map. Rubbing them, she moved to wash her face. But after two steps, Li Yuanli suddenly seized her sleeve.
Perhaps the southern wine had been too heady, or Shen Wei’s escape plans too transparent—either way, the alcohol had loosened Li Yuanli’s restraint. His voice turned icy. "Is it the shops in Qing State you can’t abandon, or the people there?"
The question cut deep. Shen Wei arched a brow and yanked her sleeve back. "That’s none of your concern."
Rip—
The thin fabric tore.
Cool air brushed Shen Wei’s right shoulder as the sleeve slipped down, now clutched in Li Yuanli’s hand.
Bare skin gleamed under the candlelight—pale, smooth, untouched by sun or wind.
Li Yuanli’s gaze locked onto her, dark flames flickering in his eyes.