Chapter 128:

There were many candidates for the upcoming selection of concubines, even more than the previous round.

Even Layue, who rarely went out during these cold winter months due to taking care of the children, would still hear discussions among the others when she went to pay her respects.

Now she held the highest rank, had the favor of both the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, and most importantly, had the rare treasures of a Princess and two young Princes. At this point, jealousy was no longer even an issue.

Sometimes, when a person reaches an extremely high position and gains much that others cannot attain, people instead find it natural.

Their conversations now often included compliments toward Layue.

Sometimes, one really had to believe in fate.

Of course, even others, like Li Pin who had previously been favored, were not attacked by others today.

Compared to the fresh, young faces about to enter the palace, these older faces were actually more pleasing to the eye.

Now holding the highest rank, Layue naturally sat in the first seat.

Looking at Hui Fei with a cold expression, Qi Fei appearing gentle and warm, Bai Youran expressionless, and Zhu Yuning with a worried look.

Layue gently touched the jade bracelet on her wrist and smiled faintly.

Today, Consort An seemed the most excited. How could she not be? Her younger sister was participating in the selection this year, and in recent years, she herself had become increasingly reckless. Her sister’s beauty was widely praised in the capital, so how could she not feel upset? It was likely that her family no longer placed all its hopes on her alone.

Among these concubines of high rank or status, nearly all had family members participating in this year’s selection, though the closeness of the relationship varied.

Layue had pleaded with Emperor Jing, who agreed but did not make it public. Since the Emperor did not announce it, Layue herself would not mention it either.

Only a few families had no one participating in the selection, and they were naturally secretly delighted. However, no matter how happy they were, no one dared to cause trouble at this critical moment, especially since most high-ranking families had someone entering the palace.

This year, besides Consort An’s highly praised younger sister, there was also the daughter of Minister Li, known for her literary talent.

In recent years, this young lady’s reputation had grown even greater.

After the previous literary talent, Lian Xiuyun, had disappointed everyone so greatly, this Miss Li was naturally held in higher regard.

“Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has arrived—” Today, the Empress Dowager was fashionably late.

Since discovering the truth, Layue had many grievances against the Empress Dowager. Yet despite this, she still behaved as usual, repeatedly reminding herself that past-life matters had nothing to do with this life.

If she allowed past events to affect her current mindset, she would easily lose her balance.

All the concubines bowed gracefully.

“Rise.” The Empress Dowager seemed to be in a good mood today.

Indeed, since the selection had officially been scheduled, the palace had become much more harmonious, with former grudges and jealousies set aside. They were now united, ready to face the newcomers together.

Thinking of this, Layue couldn’t help but smile, wondering if the same would happen during their own selection years ago.

“Since you are all here paying your respects, I also have some words to share with you.” The Empress Dowager sipped her tea.

Everyone knew exactly what this was about, though their smiling faces masked inner frustrations.

Seeing everyone watching her, the Empress Dowager continued, “You all know that the triennial selection is approaching. Time passes quickly; some of you still seem like fresh-faced newcomers just yesterday, and yet three years have already passed.”

There was a hint of nostalgia in her voice.

Consort An, ever quick-witted, smiled, “Indeed, I still remember how envious I felt watching all the younger sisters back then. Who would have thought three years would pass so quickly?”

Though Consort An was merely echoing the Empress Dowager’s sentiment, her words subtly irritated the others. Yes, soon there would be fresher, younger girls entering the palace.

Layue smiled slightly without saying much. Consort An had not always been like this; perhaps the years of hardship and the Emperor’s waning favor, followed by her miscarriage, had changed her.

The Empress Dowager naturally caught the undertone in Consort An’s words but simply smiled without further comment.

Looking around, she continued, “The triennial selection is meant to enrich the Emperor’s harem. However, there are some things I must say.”

She paused, glancing at them all, “Many of you have eligible young daughters in your families. Some are outstanding, others less so. You should know that if they are outstanding, they will one day enter the palace to serve the Emperor. I must remind you all, regardless of your familial relationships outside, once inside the palace, you are all the Emperor’s consorts. I do not wish to see the conflicts that occurred among the previous selection candidates.”

Everyone nodded obediently.

Qi Fei smiled, “Your Majesty can rest assured. We sisters entered the palace to serve the Emperor well and would never commit any violations of palace rules. The previous incidents were merely accidents, and the troublemaker has already received her due punishment. We are all behaving properly now.”

The Empress Dowager nodded, “Qi Fei speaks wisely. She has been in the palace for many years and understands palace rules best. She conducts herself appropriately, and you should all learn from her.”

At the Empress Dowager’s words, the others quickly nodded in agreement.

Layue smiled faintly.

How interesting that the Empress Dowager would praise Qi Fei’s proper conduct. Wasn’t it Qi Fei who had once desperately tried to frame her?

Besides, Qi Fei could afford to speak so freely since her family had no candidate this time. Even with new entrants, she wouldn’t be involved in any complications.

Since the selection focused on daughters of officials, it was common for multiple family members to be chosen.

Having several family members in the palace might seem advantageous, but it was not necessarily so. Regardless of their previous relationships at home, once in the palace and sharing the same man, many sisters would turn against each other. Their familial bonds made it easier to exploit each other’s weaknesses, making this arrangement far from ideal.

Layue understood this, and so did the others. Seeing Qi Fei’s calm demeanor, they felt somewhat annoyed.

Smiling warmly, the Empress Dowager scanned the group.

“Layue previously petitioned the Emperor?” she asked, smiling at Layue.

Layue was momentarily surprised but quickly realized she was referring to Wanru.

Thinking quickly, she smiled, “Yes, Your Majesty.”

The others were puzzled, watching Layue curiously.

“This morning, I heard from the Emperor that you were too accommodating to your family,” the Empress Dowager continued.

Layue immediately understood that the Empress Dowager wanted to publicize this matter. Reflecting further, she grasped the Empress Dowager’s intent.

Though the Empress Dowager spoke of harmony, her actions were quite different, as seen in her questioning Layue. She wondered if the Emperor’s silence was also a deliberate move to let the Empress Dowager reveal the matter.

Since discovering the Empress Dowager’s past betrayal of the Shen family, Layue still treated her normally but now maintained a cautious distance.

The Empress Dowager’s question was clearly meant to expose the matter, and the other concubines naturally hoped their families would do the same for them. This was a blatant attempt at division.

Layue quickly understood and smiled, “My family recently sent a message saying my second younger sister is unremarkable and does not aspire to serve the Emperor. They hoped I might speak to the Emperor on her behalf. As an elder sister, I naturally understood her feelings. Since she has no desire to enter the palace and our family also prefers to keep her nearby to care for our elders, though it breaks protocol, I still dared to mention it to the Emperor. The Emperor, ever compassionate, considering our Shen family’s small numbers, kindly agreed.”

After Layue’s explanation, expressions among the others shifted unpredictably.

Whether her words were true or not, the outcome was clearly in her favor.

No one expected the Shen family to go to such lengths for Layue. If the second daughter did not enter the palace, there would be no rivalry. Thus, Layue could remain untroubled.

Some speculated whether Layue had acted on her own, but considering the Emperor’s recent behavior and the Empress Dowager’s spies throughout the palace, even if she had been promoted to Noble Consort, she likely wouldn’t dare act recklessly.

This made them think of their own families. If the Shen family could do this for Layue, why couldn’t their families do the same for them?

At this, some began to consider their options.

Seeing the changing expressions, the Empress Dowager smiled slightly.

“I have already heard the Emperor’s account. He pities you and the children. Given that the Shen family is small, it is understandable to wish to keep the second daughter nearby for care. This matter shall be resolved accordingly. However, this must not set a precedent. Strictly speaking, it does violate protocol, but since the Emperor has consented, I shall raise no further objections. Noble Consort, you must continue to serve the Emperor diligently.”

Layue bowed respectfully, “Your Majesty, I understand. The Emperor treats me with great kindness, and I shall serve him with all my heart, never failing to live up to his grace.”

Her demeanor was humble.

The Empress Dowager nodded in satisfaction.

In a way, this was a tacit performance between them.

“These past few days, I’ve felt unwell and haven’t visited the children. Have they grown?”

Layue nodded, “I spend every day with them and haven’t noticed much change, but the Emperor mentioned they’ve grown quite a bit.”

“This morning, the Emperor told me the little ones were blowing bubbles and amusing themselves. I felt anxious to see them but regretted my poor health.”

The triplets were naturally delicate, and the Empress Dowager feared infecting them with her cold, so she refrained from visiting them. She always exercised caution in this regard.

Layue naturally did not suggest the Empress Dowager visit the children now. As their mother, she had to be extra cautious.

“When Your Majesty recovers, I will bring the little rascals to visit you.”

The others waited for the Empress Dowager to react negatively, interpreting Layue’s words as disdain for her illness.

However, the Empress Dowager simply nodded with a smile, showing no displeasure.

Actually, Layue’s words pleased the Empress Dowager. In her view, the imperial children were extremely important. If their mothers treated them carelessly, how could others protect them properly?

A good mother must devote herself entirely to her children.

The Empress Dowager herself had always done so, placing her child above all else, no matter what happened.

Seeing Layue maintain this dignified yet caring attitude, the Empress Dowager nodded, feeling deeply satisfied.

That’s how a mother should be.

Seeing the Empress Dowager’s expression, the others sighed inwardly. Whether favored or not truly made a difference. Even Hui Fei did not have such luck!

Of course, these were trivial matters. Whether it was the young princes and princesses or the Empress Dowager reprimanding the Noble Consort, none of it held much significance for them. What truly concerned them was the earlier exchange between the Empress Dowager and the Noble Consort.

Since the Empress Dowager had said this was a one-time exception, they knew that if they tried to bother the Emperor with similar requests, the Empress Dowager would certainly disapprove, and the Emperor might not agree either. One request might be granted easily, but multiple requests would likely annoy the Emperor.

Those of lower rank or with families of lesser status naturally dared not think too much, but those who had access to the Emperor might consider it.

If their family elders made such a request to the Emperor, it might also be granted.

After all, the Emperor had plenty of concubines and didn’t necessarily need any particular one.

Seeing others, especially those like Consort Hui and Consort An whose families had candidates in the selection, already showing signs of restlessness.

The Empress Dowager smiled in satisfaction.