Liu Qiaoer's behavior is really weird.

It seems crazy, but also not crazy.

Shen Wei smiled and flipped through the account book sent by the Ministry of Internal Affairs: "Noble Lady Liu is looking forward to my fall from favor. She seems to be sure that I will fall from my high position."

Cai Lian said, "My master and the emperor are on equal terms, so Concubine Liu's plan will surely fail."

Shen Wei turned a page of the account book: "Things in the world are unpredictable, so don't make rash comments."

Over the years, the Shen family's influence has been expanding.

Shen Mieyue's prestige in the army is getting higher and higher, and he is followed by the soldiers; Shen Xiuming is an honest official and often helps new officials. He has a very good reputation among the people and has considerable influence in the officialdom.

Shen Wei sent her youngest son to Liangzhou in the hope that he would slowly take control of the military power and allow her eldest brother to gradually retire.

After all, since ancient times, few generals who were so successful that they frightened their rulers had a good ending.

Even though Li Yuanjing now values ​​Li Chengtai and paves the way for him everywhere. In imperial power, there is first the relationship between the ruler and his subjects, and then between father and son.

There are many cases in history where emperors killed their own children. The heroic Emperor Wu of Han killed the crown prince and Empress Wei in his later years; the diligent and hardworking Emperor Xuanzong of Tang also killed three sons in one day.

Shen Wei rubbed her brows, hoping that there would never be a day when father and son would turn against each other.

Shen Wei continued to look through the account book.

Leyou's lively voice came from outside the house: "Mother! Look what I have in my hand!"

The branches of flowers sway, and the bright summer sun shines in. Le You ran in like a gust of wind, happily sat next to Chen Wei, and put a small wooden cage on the table.

In the wooden cage, there is a small calico cat, furry and curled up in a ball, sleeping quietly in the wooden cage.

Le You told Shen Wei: "Today I went to the market and this cat was meowing on the eaves. Liang Huaichuan climbed up the eaves and brought the cat down. Mother, I want to keep this cat, is that okay?"

Shen Wei said happily: "If you want to raise it, raise it. If you want to do anything, do it."

Le You held Shen Wei's arm and said, "Mother is so kind."

After a pause, Le You tilted his little head and looked at Shen Wei's face. Shen Wei smiled and said, "What are you looking at me for?"

Le You muttered, "I feel like the Queen Mother doesn't seem very happy."

In the eyes of the world, the current Queen Shen of Daqing should be the happiest and most noble woman in Daqing. Chen Wei has both a son and a daughter, and she is an equal to the emperor. She is respected by the concubines in the harem and has a good reputation among the people.

Leyou used to think that his mother lived a happy life.

But as Leyou grew up day by day, she vaguely realized that her mother seemed always unhappy, as if she was wearing a smiling mask to hide her true self.

Shen Wei touched her daughter's hair and smiled faintly: "You are so young, you always like to have wild thoughts."

Le You: "Okay, then I will go back to the Cining Palace first and come to have dinner with my mother tonight."

Leyou left happily carrying the wooden cage containing the cat.

Shen Wei picked up the account book and continued to read it.

...

...

Summer goes and winter comes, and soon it will be the New Year.

This year's spring imperial examination was actually presided over by the eighth prince Li Chengtai! There was an uproar in the court, and all the civil and military officials had their own thoughts, vaguely sensing the future direction of the court.

Li Chengtai was mature beyond his years and with the assistance of the imperial tutor, he presided over this year's spring imperial examination very well and basically nothing went wrong.

Li Yuanjing was greatly relieved. Shortly after the spring examination ended, the emperor's edict came down, appointing the eighth prince Li Chengtai as the crown prince and moving him into the Eastern Palace. Li Yuanjing also handed over hundreds of tiger guards to Li Chengtai, asking him to train his own trusted army.

Even though her son was named the Crown Prince, Shen Wei still felt wary.

Li Chengtai is a young tiger, and Li Yuanjing is a tiger in his prime. According to Li Yuanjing's current physical condition, he will have to be emperor for at least another ten years before giving up the throne to the crown prince.

If the prince serves as the crown prince for too long, his power will expand, affecting the emperor's status and interests, causing endless troubles.

Shen Wei was secretly worried.

She thought of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Shen Wei sometimes even thought that she was following the same path as Empress Wei Zifu. Wei Zifu of the Han Dynasty was a singer who became a queen. Her brother was the general Wei Qing, and her son was made the crown prince. She was also deeply loved by Emperor Wu of Han.

But what is the ending?

Emperor Wu of Han became senile in his later years and killed his own son. Wei Zifu also ended up tragically committing suicide.

Since ancient times, wise rulers were wise and powerful when they were young, but became foolish as they grew old. Emperor Wu of Han became confused and senile in his later years, and Emperor Minghuang of Tang lived a life of extravagance in his later years. Who knows if Li Yuanjing would also become confused and senile and kill his wife and children when he gets older.

"Ah." Shen Wei sighed softly.

An old man who refuses to die is a thief. She has to think of a way to hint Li Yuanjing to give up his throne as soon as possible.

"Master, the Queen Mother is calling you over." Caiping came into the room to report.

Shen Wei immediately changed her clothes and went to the Cining Palace.

The children grew up day by day and each pursued their own career. The Cining Palace was much quieter now, and only Leyou remained with the Empress Dowager.

The Queen Mother sat in the pavilion basking in the sun. She waved to Shen Wei and said in a friendly manner, "You've come just in time. I have something to discuss with you."

Shen Wei sat down: "Queen Mother, please speak."

The Queen Mother said, "Jiangnan is like spring all year round, and the scenery is extremely beautiful. I have already bought a house in Jiangnan, and I plan to go south in a few days and live there for a long time."

Shen Wei's heart ached with envy.

She also wanted to go to Jiangnan to enjoy herself.

She understood that the Queen Mother was preparing to retire completely.

The court is stable, the Qing Kingdom has a successor, and everything is safe and smooth. The Queen Mother has spent most of her life worrying about her country and family, and wants to spend her remaining years in the south of the Yangtze River.

The Queen Mother smiled and patted Shen Wei's hand: "I am very relieved to leave the harem to you. If you encounter any difficulties, just write to me. Even if the sky falls, I will support you."

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