Chapter 103:

No matter what others thought, Layue managed to decline the matter.

Jin Xin followed closely behind Layue, and even someone not particularly perceptive could sense that everyone was pleased Layue had declined, including the Empress Dowager.

Back in her quarters, Layue was fiddling with some embroidery in her little basket, her expression unreadable.

Jin Xin hesitated for a moment before finally speaking, “They don’t truly wish for you to get involved in palace affairs.”

Layue nodded, “That’s natural. I don’t even know the Emperor’s thoughts on the matter. But it was right to decline. Even if I were to involve myself in court matters now, Huifei, Defei, and Qifei are no easy adversaries, and I might not even be able to intervene. Moreover, my status is inferior to theirs, so I would still be at a disadvantage regardless of the circumstances. It’s better to decline and give the Emperor the impression that I have no ambitions for power. As for the Empress Dowager, despite her current position, she’s still a woman. She’s grown accustomed to controlling the harem. Haven’t you noticed that she’s not particularly warm to any of the three senior consorts?”

Jin Xin pondered this for a moment and nodded in agreement, “Indeed, my lady thinks very far ahead.”

Layue didn’t elaborate further. Such reasoning was straightforward; anyone not blinded by ambition could see it.

“His Majesty the Emperor has arrived.”

Layue quickly stood up and saw Emperor Jing entering from outside, apparently coming directly from the Empress Dowager’s residence, Huici Palace.

Seeing Layue gracefully kneeling in greeting, the Emperor wore a warm smile.

“Quickly rise,” he said, helping her up and pulling her to sit beside him.

Looking into her big, sparkling eyes fixed on him, the Emperor examined himself, “What? Is there something wrong with me?”

Layue shook her head, “No. It’s just that you’ll be leaving in a few days, so I was thinking of getting a good look at you while I still can.”

Seeing her wistful expression, the Emperor chuckled and ruffled her hair, “My little girl, you always know how to make me feel tender-hearted. This time, you should rest well in the palace. When I return, your elder brother will likely be getting married. I’ll grant you permission to visit home.”

Upon hearing this, Layue indeed looked at him in stunned disbelief; this was a significant matter.

“Your Majesty… you’re allowing me to go home?” she stammered slightly.

Being allowed to return home for her elder brother’s wedding was something she hadn’t even dared to dream of.

The Emperor nodded, “Of course. What? Don’t you believe me?”

Layue hurriedly shook her head, her face breaking into a beautiful smile, “I do believe you. I always knew Your Majesty is the kindest to me.”

No one dislikes hearing flattery. The Emperor smiled, “You little girl, I’ve noticed you’re the best at flattering people. Now that I’ve allowed you to return home, you’re saying I’m wonderful in every way. If I hadn’t, who knows what kind of thoughts you’d be having about me behind my back.”

Layue naturally denied this, but the Emperor was just this way; she didn’t argue with him. Instead, she obediently leaned forward and kissed him. The Emperor, feeling her tenderness, had a smile in his eyes.

When she first entered the palace, she had been like a shy, unripe fruit. But in just over a year, under his attention, she had blossomed into a beauty.

He moved his hand to her chest, feeling its fullness. Even this part of her had grown larger, truly delightful.

Moved by desire, the Emperor tore open her clothes. Seeing another piece of clothing ruined, Layue pushed him away.

Interrupted at the height of his passion, the Emperor looked displeased.

Layue was panting, “You, you shouldn’t keep tearing my clothes like this.” She pouted.

If she didn’t let him know at such a critical moment, he would do it again. She really liked this outfit, and now it was ruined.

The Emperor gave her a sly smile, pinched her slender waist, and pushed her down onto the bed, “Since you still have the energy to care about your clothes, I must not have worked hard enough.”

With that, he began kissing her passionately. Although his actions were rough, he was careful not to hurt her.

Layue was breathless from his kisses, turning her head from side to side. However, the Emperor understood that this was just her instinctive reaction rather than true resistance.

This only made it more exciting. Soon, the room was filled with heavy breathing.

The servants outside Tingyu Pavilion were accustomed to this situation and silently went about their business without approaching the inner chamber.

After their passionate encounter,

Both Emperor Jing and Layue were completely naked. Since it was still chilly in spring, the Emperor pulled a quilt over the two of them. Layue leaned against him, panting softly, like a startled little animal.

The Emperor found her even more adorable in this state and kissed her neck a few more times. Her skin was delicate, and even without much pressure, clear marks were visible.

Layue herself wasn’t aware of this, but even without seeing, she could guess.

Looking at the bruises on her body, she knew how easily she bruised, and the Emperor was always like this. She had already gotten used to it.

Initially, the Emperor had frowned and asked if it hurt, and Layue, being obedient, naturally said it was fine.

Because of this, he became even more indifferent.

Layue gritted her teeth in frustration, thinking she should have acted more pitiful earlier; she wouldn’t have ended up like this.

Looking at her chest again, she bit her lip.

Just look what he had done.

Perhaps Layue’s expression was too obvious, the Emperor ruffled her hair again, “What’s wrong, little girl?”

Layue complained softly, “You’ve left bruises all over me.”

The Emperor raised an eyebrow, “But you said it didn’t hurt.”

Indeed, it didn’t hurt, but it looked terrible. Moreover, it seemed… it seemed so indecent.

Seeing her blushing face, the Emperor smiled mischievously, “What were you thinking about?”

Layue, seeing him deliberately teasing her, refused to say more.

The Emperor seemed extremely amused and burst into laughter.

Seeing this, Layue inwardly fumed and, in a huff, leaned against him. Perhaps she was too tired, but soon she fell asleep.

When she woke up again, it was already dark. She must have messed up her sleep schedule, but when she turned to her side, she saw the Emperor still sleeping soundly.

Sighing softly, she gently traced his eyebrows and eyes with her hand. Seeing that the Emperor remained peacefully asleep, unmoved by her actions.

Layue murmured, “I wonder whether our child will take after you or me. Hmm, if it’s a girl, better she looks like me. If she looks like you, she might have trouble finding a husband when she grows up. In the future, we can have another boy who looks like you.”

Her fingers gently slid to his lips.

“Ah!”

To her surprise, the Emperor suddenly took her finger into his mouth. Layue was startled.

Seeing that he had frightened her, the Emperor smiled with his eyes twinkling with amusement.

Layue lightly punched him a few times with her small fist.

In the intimacy of their private quarters, the Emperor didn’t mind these small gestures.

“We’ll have many children.”

“Mm.” Layue didn’t know what feelings the Emperor had when he said that, but she felt particularly happy inside.

“The Empress Dowager offered you the palace affairs to manage, why didn’t you accept?”

The Emperor played with her fingers as if they were a toy.

Layue shook her head, “Does Your Majesty wish me to assist the Empress Dowager?”

The Emperor’s expression didn’t change, “Not whether I wish it or not, I’m just curious about your thoughts.”

Since the Emperor asked, Layue had to answer.

“Truthfully?”

The Emperor smiled, “Of course.”

“The truth is, even if I managed it well, it would only be for a few days. Why would I want to take on such an unpleasant task?”

Indeed, it was the truth.

“Even if you continue to let me get involved in palace affairs afterward, I was already thinking that my health has improved, and we have the intention of having a child. If I do become pregnant, I will naturally have no energy for such things. If I have a child, the child will naturally come first. After she is born, I will need to take good care of her for several years. It’s better not to take it on at all than to accept and then have to give it back later.”

Layue’s mixture of truth and deception made the Emperor nod, seemingly agreeing with her.

“You’re indeed clever, knowing the importance of things.”

From the Emperor’s words, it was clear he didn’t want her to take it on either. Layue secretly smiled, just as she had expected.

Since the matter had been discussed, the Emperor didn’t speak of it further, and the two resumed casual conversation.

As if thinking of something, the Emperor spoke again, “I heard Yu came to see you yesterday?”

Yesterday, Yan Yu had come to visit her. Since her injury, with her arm in a sling, Yan Yu had reported to the Empress Dowager and visited her occasionally, not saying kind words but at least providing some company.

Now that she had recovered, he was still the same.

“Yes, the eldest prince came yesterday. He said he was visiting on behalf of the Empress Dowager to check on my health.” He was indeed a stubborn child.

The Emperor smiled, “I’ve heard he often scolds you.”

He carefully observed her reaction as he spoke. Layue wasn’t angry but smiled, “Didn’t you notice? His scolding is actually a form of hidden concern.”

Upon hearing this, the Emperor chuckled, “That’s a new one. Scolding is a form of concern? Does that mean Yu scolding everyone in the palace means he likes everyone?”

Layue shook her head, “Your Majesty is deliberately misinterpreting my words. I’m talking about scolding, not being hostile. You see, the eldest prince’s scolding actually hides deep concern. He’s just worried about us because of what happened. The child doesn’t know how to express his feelings, so he thinks if he says some harsh words, we definitely won’t go to dangerous places again.”

The Emperor sighed softly, “You really understand him.”

Layue smiled brightly, “He’s just a child. No matter how clever, he’s still a little boy. Besides, I naturally have a way with children.”

She proudly puffed out her chest as she said this.

Seeing her like this, the Emperor couldn’t help but laugh.

“Why is it that others in the palace don’t like to interact with Yu, but you’re so different?”

It seemed the Emperor had truly begun to trust Shen Layue, or else he wouldn’t have said such words.

If it were someone else, they would be eager to show loyalty, but Layue didn’t do so.

“Actually, the eldest prince does have a bit of a difficult personality; he’s a stubborn child. But when I see him, I think of my own younger sister. Their situations are somewhat similar. Whatever he does, I can understand it, after all, I’m also one of those who ‘took his father away.’ Besides, he’s your son!”

Looking at her pouting, the Emperor smiled, “Do you think you took me away?”

Layue buried her head in his arms, softly murmuring, “Of course I did. You’re mine alone…”

Seeing her like this, the Emperor’s heart tightened, and he flipped her over, pinning her beneath him.

“My greedy little girl, you’re mine alone, mine alone…”

Layue giggled as she wrapped her arms around his neck. It wasn’t long before the two were passionately entwined once again.

“You’re so greedy and sentimental, yet I can’t help but adore you. I just want to devour you bit by bit so you’ll never be able to cause me trouble again.” As he spoke, the Emperor entered her.

Soon, the room was filled with heavy breathing once more…