Chapter 129:

Perhaps because of Shen Layue’s matter, many people secretly began to scheme for themselves after returning to the palace.

Even Fu Jinyao was no exception.

If Shen Layue could make requests to the emperor, why couldn’t she? She wasn’t inferior to Shen Layue anywhere.

If it weren’t for having given birth to a child, she would still be beneath her rank.

This year, Fu Jinyan would also participate in the selection. If she went to make a request to the emperor, she wondered whether he would agree.

Upon further reflection, she felt that since the empress dowager had spoken so clearly, it would be inappropriate for her to act first. However, she could discuss it with the Fu family. Perhaps, if she could appeal to her father emotionally, he might abandon the idea of sending Jinyan into the palace.

After all, she had already attained the rank of consort. There was absolutely no need for the family to send another person to start from a lower position.

After thinking this through, Fu Jinyao summoned Yunxue and instructed her to deliver a letter home.

It must be handed to her mother first, who would then pass it to her father.

Fu Jinyao naturally knew that in the Fu household, her mother loved her the most. Although her mother was still resentful about her accidentally causing the death of her elder sister, she was still her mother’s youngest daughter, raised and cherished by her side—how could her mother bear to see her suffer?

As for Jinyan, she was merely a concubine-born daughter, inferior in beauty and talent to herself.

Her father was indeed rash, simply valuing someone’s “sensible” behavior as a reason to send Jinyan into the palace.

But sensibility was hardly the foundation on which to establish oneself in the palace.

Thinking of this, Fu Jinyao felt even more confident in her chances.

When the Fu family received the message and read Fu Jinyao’s letter, Chancellor Fu was both amused and exasperated.

Beside him, Lady Fu anxiously watched him, naturally hoping for a satisfactory answer.

Yet how could things go exactly as Fu Jinyao wished? Just reading her letter made Chancellor Fu doubt her character.

After burning the letter, Chancellor Fu coldly said to Lady Fu, “No.”

Upon hearing this refusal, Lady Fu became even more anxious, her tone no longer as poised as before: “Fu Yunrui, you said no? Didn’t you see what Ya’er wrote? The Shen family managed to prevent other women from entering the palace for their own Shenguifei, yet you refuse? Don’t you even consider Ya’er your daughter?”

Chancellor Fu looked at Lady Fu, weary of her constant childishness day after day.

“Is it meaningful for you to argue with me about such things every day? If you continue like this, I think you’d better go stay at a nunnery for a while,” Fu said coldly.

Lady Fu, who had been flushed with anger and ready to argue further, was startled by his expression.

Suddenly recalling that cold night more than twenty years ago, he had looked at her the same way.

A chill ran down Lady Fu’s spine. If it hadn’t been for the birth of Jinyu afterward…

She dared not dwell on it and lowered her voice: “My lord, please don’t be angry. I’m just worried about our daughter.”

Her voice carried a hint of pleading.

Fu gave a slight cold smile: “Jinyan is also my daughter. In my heart, all my children are equal. There has never been any distinction between legitimate and concubine-born.”

As Lady Fu was about to raise her head to argue, she saw the icy look in his eyes.

She shivered and finally said nothing more, sighing and leaving in dejection.

After Lady Fu left, Chancellor Fu approached a portrait in his study and gently caressed it.

He closed his eyes.

Fu Jinyao had never imagined that her father would actually reject her proposal—not only refusing her but also reminding her to know her place.

Holding the Fu family’s reply letter, Fu Jinyao bit her lip until it turned white. Two palace maids beside her looked at her with concern.

She swept all the cups off the table with a crash: “Why? Why—”

Fu Jinyao’s outburst was impossible to hide. Her furious tantrum, smashing porcelain in her inner chamber, made quite a commotion—how could others not become aware of everything that had happened?

Some secretly laughed at her failed schemes and lack of family support, further belittling her in their minds.

Besides this misguided Fu Jinyao, An Xiuyi had also sent messages to her family, only to receive no support either.

Though done in secrecy, due to the previous conversation between Shen Layue and the empress dowager in Huici Palace, everyone was paying close attention to such matters, thus allowing some to catch wind of these developments.

Seeing that neither the Fu nor An families supported their daughters in the palace, some consorts came to understand certain things and ceased sending letters home for help.

Time passed quickly, and before long, three months had gone by.

Layue was busy with her child and also listening to all sorts of rumors.

This time, indeed, Consort Hui had made a fool of herself. In Layue’s recent visits to the empress dowager’s palace, she noticed the latter’s face filled with joy.

Layue suspected the empress dowager was deliberately targeting Fu Jinyao, eager to see her lose composure.

Otherwise, what was so praiseworthy about Fu Jinyao appealing to the emperor? If anything, it might have drawn hostility, but that was unlikely. After all, new candidates would soon enter the palace, and Fu Jinyao already held a high rank—nobody would bother targeting her specifically.

It made more sense to target those young, pretty girls.

Seeing the empress dowager’s joy only strengthened Layue’s belief that this must be her way of undermining Consort Hui.

Why was Fu Jinyao so disliked by the empress dowager?

Thinking back, the previous Huixian Empress was also a Fu family girl, yet the empress dowager had never treated her this way.

The day of the selection had arrived. All officials of the first rank or above could attend, including the Zhengyi, Congyi, and Shuyi ranks.

Among the palace consorts, only three held ranks equal to or higher than that: the Congyi Guifei Shen Layue, and the Shuyi Huifei and Qifei.

Needless to say, both of them had to attend. Layue didn’t really want to go—not because she disliked the spectacle, but because she didn’t wish to witness such a moment.

However, the emperor had specifically sought her out and expressed his hope that she would go as well. Though puzzled by his insistence, she agreed.

After all, she was his consort. If the emperor wished her to attend, she would go.

Seeing her lack of enthusiasm, the Jing Emperor teased, “What? Don’t want to go? Could it be that my little Layue is jealous? Oh right, of course you’re jealous. After all, you wouldn’t even allow your own sister into the palace.”

The emperor jested.

Layue pretended to hit him playfully, laughing, “Your Majesty is so unfair.”

The emperor embraced Layue, “I thought you might be bored in the palace every day. Taking care of the baby constantly, it might be better to go see some excitement.”

Layue nodded, observing the emperor closely. He indeed didn’t seem to have any ulterior motives.

Seeing her cautiously studying him, the emperor smiled and ruffled her hair.

This little girl!

Suddenly recalling something, the emperor said, “By the way, there’s something I need to tell you.”

“Hmm?” Layue looked at the emperor, signaling him to continue.

“I heard a piece of news—you cousin from your maternal uncle’s family has gone to Diwa. I suppose you didn’t know.”

Upon hearing this, Layue was stunned but quickly responded, “Your Majesty seems to care a lot about my cousin.”

Her tone carried a hint of jealousy.

The emperor laughed, “Where did you get that idea? It’s just that previously, when you were falsely accused of having an affair with her, I paid more attention to her. Besides, Diwa isn’t Nanqin. I’m always thinking of you. Could you suspect me? Am I really a fickle person?”

Layue nodded.

The emperor was both amused and exasperated that she actually nodded in agreement.

“You little girl, how can you be so lovable? You dare to nod at what I said? Looks like I need to spank your little bottom.”

Such an openly flirtatious remark.

Layue blushed and retorted, “Don’t deny it. Did I hit the nail on the head? Are you getting angry because I’m right? Actions speak louder than words.”

The emperor indeed gave her bottom a slap: “Naughty girl. Since you’re like this, tomorrow I’ll have you help me choose. If you don’t like someone, I won’t take her.”

Such words were considerate, but Layue naturally understood their implications.

“Your Majesty, this is truly setting me up. If you act like this, the empress dowager will dislike me.”

“You, tell me—am I more important to you, or is the empress dowager?”

Layue leaned close to him, blowing gently, smiling playfully, “What do you think?”

Seeing this, the emperor felt a stir in his heart and scooped her into his arms.

Thus, they spent another passionate night together.

The next day was the selection day. The emperor left early in the morning. After getting up, Layue summoned Apricot.

Among the maids, Apricot had the best skills.

It was still warm, and even the baby wore only a small vest. Layue found the pale yellow palace dress the emperor had specially made for her and changed into it, looking at herself in the mirror.

After giving birth, her facial expressions had become gentler, no longer as childish as before, though she still looked like a young girl.

Peach, tidying up nearby, bluntly said, “My lady, the color of your dress matches the emperor’s robe very well!”

The emperor wore a yellow dragon robe, while she wore a pale yellow dress. Though vastly different, they were of the same color family—light and dark shades complementing each other perfectly.

“Today, style my hair into a peony bun.”

Such a hairstyle would make her appear more dignified and mature.

Apricot was skillful and quickly completed the hairstyle.

Layue especially liked gold accessories. In the past, to please her grandmother and the empress dowager, older people preferred such styles. After wearing them for a long time, Layue herself had grown fond of them, feeling they suited her well.

The craftsmanship of the palace artisans was also exquisite, creating golden floral decorations with great finesse.

Paired with her jade-like beauty, she truly looked like a flower of noble beauty.

Once fully dressed, Layue smiled at her reflection.

“Alright, since everything is ready, let’s go.”

She wondered how Consort Hui and Qi Fei would dress today. Thinking about the beauty contest to come, Layue curled her lips slightly.

Though many beauties would be present, not all would be favored.

It would be interesting to see how the emperor made his choices today.

There were many outstanding candidates!

Previously, portraits had already been prepared. Although Layue wasn’t involved, Peach had already gathered all the details.

From her description, these candidates were all extremely beautiful!