Qing State, Imperial Manor in Yanjing City.
When Shen Wei awoke, it was already the late spring season, a full month later. As consciousness returned, she felt an ache in every bone of her body. Glancing down at her palms, she noticed how much thinner she had become—her knuckles protruded sharply under her skin.
"Mother Empress!"
"Mother Empress!!"
A startled cry reached her ears.
Shen Wei lifted her gaze and saw Le You, who had also visibly lost weight, her eyes brimming with tears as she threw herself into Shen Wei's arms.
Shen Wei patted her daughter's back gently. "I'm fine. Tell me, what's been happening in Yanjing City lately?"
Between sobs, Le You recounted the major and minor events of the capital.
Li Yuanjing and Li Chengyou were still on their way back, rushing from the southern seas of Chu to Yanjing City—a journey that would take at least a month. They were already pushing their horses to the limit.
