CHAPTER 30: 30. EMPRESS DOWAGER NEW ORDER

AT THE SAME TIME

THIRD PERSON POINT OF VIEW:

The morning light poured through the towering palace windows, catching on gold filigree and crimson banners as the halls buzzed faintly with hushed voices. Every servant, every official, and even a few minor nobles had been summoned to the grand hall by the empress dowager herself. It was rare, unheard of, even—for her to call such a gathering without her son, emperor Lianwei, present. But today, she stood tall at the top of the dais, clad in regal silks of deep jade and ivory. The sharpness in her gaze silenced the room with a single sweep.

"Listen well." She began, her voice carrying effortlessly through the vast chamber. "As you are all aware, my son the emperor has returned after five years. He has not come alone."

There were a few muffled whispers at that, which she ignored.

"Lady Mei Shen, the woman he has chosen to stand at his side, and their son, Huan, are now residing in the imperial wing. Let it be clear, she is no mere guest, no passing fancy. She is the future empress of this realm, and she will be treated as such."

A low ripple of surprise ran through the crowd, though none dared speak.

"From this day forward." The empress dowager continued firmly. "Any words or actions of disrespect toward her will be treated as imprtant to the imperial family. You will address her with the deference due her station. Servants will obey her as they do me. Guards will protect her as they would the emperor himself. Any violation of this decree will be punished severely."

Her eyes narrowed slightly as they swept the rows of attendants.

"And do not think I am blind to muttering tongues. I have already overheard gossip about her origins and station. Let me remind you all, it is my son’s will that she ascend to the throne. That alone makes her worthy. To doubt her is to doubt him."She said.

The words struck with precision, leaving the gathered crowd with heads bowed and throats tight.

"Furthermore." She added, her tone softening ever so slightly. "The child Huan is to be regarded as the crown prince. Lessons, tutors, and all resources befitting his position will be provided. He is to be addressed with full honors."

As she turned to leave, her silks whispering against the marble, no one dared move until she was gone. In the corridors outside, two young maids glanced nervously at each other.

"Did you hear? Future empress..." One whispered.

"Better not say more," the other hissed. "The Dowager meant every word. It’s her palace now, too."

And so, the rules were set. By the time emperor Lianwei returned later that day, the entire palace was humming with wary efficiency. Servants bowed deeply when Mei Shen passed. Guards straightened and called her "Your Grace". The kitchen staff had already sent over delicacies, and her chambers had been refitted with silks, fresh flowers, and all the finery of a consort on the brink of becoming empress. Lianwei noted all of this with a faint smile as he entered his wing. His mother’s doing, of course. He’d expected no less.

"Good." He murmured to himself as he caught sight of Mei Shen playing with Huan by the window. "They’re learning."

And for the first time in years, the imperial Palace no longer felt like a cold cage, but the beginning of something alive, and warm. The days that followed were a whirlwind of adjustment, both for Mei Shen and the palace. The palace staff, once whispering behind closed doors, now bowed low and moved with quiet urgency whenever she appeared. The air around her shimmered with a new weight, a delicate mix of awe, respect, and something like cautious hope.

Mei Shen sat by the large window of her chamber, cradling Huan in her lap as the boy’s dark hair caught the sunlight. His small hands fidgeted with the embroidered silk of her sleeve, eyes wide as he watched the servants bustle by. Outside the room, footsteps approached measured, familiar.

Emperor Lianwei entered, his presence instantly calming the restless energy in the room. He knelt beside Mei Shen, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.

"The palace is changing." He said softly. And so must we."

Mei Shen’s gaze flicked to him, worry still lingering in her tired eyes.

"It’s a lot." She admitted quietly.

He smiled, a gentle, knowing smile reserved just for her.

"They will learn. I’ve made sure of that. No one will question you, not now, not ever."Lianwei said.

Meanwhile, beyond their private chamber, the palace was abuzz. The empress dowager moved with calculated grace, overseeing every detail. She spoke to the stewards and captains of the guard, emphasizing the importance of the new rules.

"Remember." She reminded them firmly. "Lady Mei Shen is the future empress. She must be treated with the utmost respect, as befits the mother of the crown prince."

Her words settled like stone on the shoulders of those present, carrying the weight of imperial command.

Even the usually stern-faced officials softened slightly when they passed by Mei Shen’s quarters. There was a cautious warmth in their nods, a glimmer of acceptance. Back inside, Mei Shen closed her eyes briefly, letting the faint sounds of the palace wash over her, the rustling silks, the distant murmur of voices, the soft steps of her son playing nearby. The system, ever present, hummed quietly in her mind, alongside the god’s mischievous teasing.

"New status confirmed: Future Empress. All social interactions upgraded to ’Highest Respect.’"System said.

"Watch the palace change its colors around you, Mei Shen. You’ve woven yourself into the fabric of their world. Intriguing..."Zeyrith said.

Mei Shen exhaled, a small smile touching her lips despite the exhaustion. The palace was no longer a prison or a battlefield, it was home. And she was ready to claim her place.

A FEW DAYS LATER

MEI SHEN’S POINT OF VIEW:

I step into the garden, my heart pounding like a drum in my chest. The scent of jasmine and earth fills the air, but instead of calming me, it only makes me more aware of how many eyes might be on me. I clutch the edge of my sleeve, my fingers twisting nervously. The stone bench where I usually sit is just ahead. It looks the same, yet everything feels different now. What if someone’s watching? What if they don’t want me here?

I take a shaky breath and move forward, each step heavy with doubt. The sunlight filters through the leaves, warm and soft, but my mind races with the whispers I’ve heard lately, the sideways glances and quiet murmurs. Just as I’m about to sit, I hear a small voice beside me.

"Mommy, don’t be scared. You’re safe here." Huan’s hand slips into mine, steady and warm.

I squeeze back, grateful for the comfort.

"Thank you, Huan. I’m just... nervous. It feels like everyone is watching." I said.

He looks up at me with wide eyes.

"They all like you, mommy. They just don’t know how to say it yet."Huan said.

I smile weakly, the tightness in my chest easing a bit.

"I hope so."I said.

A gentle ping sounds in my mind, the system, always teasing.

"Feeling nervous? Relax, you’ve got this."System said.

"This is only the beginning."God smirked.

I take another breath and finally lower myself onto the bench, feeling Huan’s hand still holding mine. Maybe, just maybe, I can find peace here again. A month later, the garden had become my little refuge a place where the world outside softened, even if only for a while. The flowers were blooming brighter, and the air smelled sweeter than before. Huan sat beside me on the bench, his curious eyes flicking up to me.

"Mommy." He asked, his voice full of wonder. "When is your birthday again?"

I smiled, a soft warmth spreading through me despite the lingering weakness in my bones.

"In just a few days, Huan."I said.

He grinned wide, eyes sparkling.

"Can we have a party? With cake and music?"He asked.

I laughed quietly.

"Maybe. We’ll see."I said.

As if on cue, the dowager empress appeared from behind a cluster of cherry blossoms, her face lighting up when she heard our conversation.

"A birthday, you say?" She asked, her voice tinged with excitement. "We must celebrate properly! This calls for a grand feast and music from the best minstrels in the capital."

Her enthusiasm was infectious, and soon word spread through the palace like wildfire. Servants whispered excitedly in the halls, and even the usually stern courtiers exchanged smiles. Huan jumped up, practically bouncing with joy.

"Mommy! It’s going to be the best birthday ever!"Huan said.

I watched him, my heart swelling with a mix of gratitude and nervousness. The system chimed softly in my mind.

"Birthday celebrations increase happiness +10%"System said.

And then, in a rare moment, the god’s voice joined in, chuckling.

"A perfect plan unfolding. Let’s see how the family bonds grow."God said.

The garden seemed brighter that day, filled with hope, laughter, and the promise of new beginnings.