Chapter 132:

When the Empress Dowager came out, she saw such a scene.

She coughed lightly and sat in the main seat.

“Your Majesty, we greet you and wish you eternal happiness and safety,” everyone kowtowed.

She glanced at the women. The palace had more and more women, but how many of them were truly worthy?

Adjusting her gaze slightly, she said, “Rise.”

Everyone returned to their seats, smiling at the Empress Dowager.

“This is the first time you newcomers have come to pay your respects. I suppose you don’t yet know the palace rules. Madam Gui—”

The Empress Dowager’s face was expressionless, her tone indifferent.

Madam Gui, ever considerate, spoke up, “Her Majesty is feeling a bit tired. You need only come to pay your respects on the first and fifteenth of each month. Other than that, there’s no need to come. No matter which lady you are or which batch you belong to, you must serve the Emperor well. Don’t cause trouble. Always remember the Emperor comes first, followed by the royal family. Pray for the birth of a young prince soon. If you make a mistake, no lady will show any favoritism.”

“We understand, Your Majesty.”

Looking at their smiling faces, the Empress Dowager knew they didn’t truly comprehend.

That was fine for now; the palace would teach them everything in time.

In the past, everyone had seen the Emperor’s favor toward Concubine Shen, but no one had noticed her conduct. In the palace, understanding matters properly was the most important.

She nodded slightly at Madam Gui, who then stepped aside.

The Empress Dowager said, “No matter how well or poorly you behaved at home, once you entered the palace, you must abandon your former ways. I don’t want to mediate any disputes among you.”

This warning made everyone’s expressions more cautious.

Afterward, she didn’t delay them long, as her health had been deteriorating.

She dismissed them without lingering.

As they were about to leave, the Empress Dowager spoke, “Layue, why don’t you stay and play a game of chess with me?”

Layue, seeing the Empress Dowager speak, smiled sweetly and agreed.

Even though she had risen to her current rank, Layue had not changed her attitude toward the Empress Dowager.

Upon approaching her, Layue gently supported the Empress Dowager into the inner chamber.

The palace’s older attendants were accustomed to this scene, but the new beauties naturally did not understand. Their envious gazes prompted Qi Concubine to smile even more warmly.

Regardless of others’ thoughts, Layue cheerfully recounted amusing stories about the three children to the Empress Dowager.

This caused the Empress Dowager to laugh heartily.

Naturally, the Empress Dowager often saw these three children. Layue had her own private intentions; the higher their status in the Empress Dowager’s heart, the safer they would be in the future.

She heard that Xiaojiaojiao still couldn’t sit up and always threw tantrums, which made the Empress Dowager laugh even more.

“This girl is indeed a delicate one; her name certainly fits. She’s such a troublesome child, yet she always gets her way. You see how the Emperor and those two boys constantly say ‘how is Jiaojiao’ this and ‘how is Jiaojiao’ that.”

Although she said this, the Empress Dowager continued to laugh joyfully.

“Indeed, they spoil her too much. I’m afraid she’ll grow up to be just as willful. When all three children wake up at once, if we don’t pick her up first, she’ll surely cry and cause a scene.”

Seeing Layue’s slightly worried expression, the Empress Dowager gave her a sidelong glance.

“Jiaojiao is the eldest princess of our Nan Qin; a bit of willfulness is only natural. You always worry about unnecessary things.”

Look, without even saying much, another one was already being protected.

Layue smiled bitterly, “You just keep protecting her.” Her tone wasn’t very respectful, but this familiarity, like a family’s casual intimacy, made the Empress Dowager feel even more at ease.

Since she had summoned Layue to play chess, they truly played chess. Madam Gui set up the board, and except for herself, dismissed everyone else.

As Layue played, she pondered her recent thoughts.

Because her mind was somewhat confused, she suffered consecutive losses and soon was in a desperate situation.

The Empress Dowager naturally noticed her distraction and feigned sternness, “Are you going to let me win too?”

Layue bit her lip and smiled, “Of course not. Your Majesty knows very well that Layue would never do such a thing.”

“If you wouldn’t do that, then tell me what’s on your mind. You’re so distracted.”

Layue hesitated briefly before speaking, though she first got off the couch and knelt down.

“What are you doing?” The Empress Dowager’s expression changed slightly upon seeing this.

The Empress Dowager knew there was nothing wrong with Qing’an Palace. Although Xiao Dengzi rarely entered the inner chamber, he was a first-class eunuch and highly trusted by Shen Layue. These days, he had carried out many tasks according to her instructions.

If there were any problems, he wouldn’t have been unaware.

So why was this happening?

Madam Gui hurriedly curtsied and prepared to leave.

The Empress Dowager shook her head, “You don’t need to go. Layue, speak your mind. You know Madam Gui would never spread rumors carelessly.”

Layue didn’t hesitate this time, “Your Majesty, it’s not that I mind Madam Gui, I was just deliberating how to phrase it.”

As if adjusting her thoughts, Layue continued, “Your Majesty, there’s something I’ve been thinking about for some time, and I’ve decided to report it to you.”

The Empress Dowager was puzzled, “What is it? Get up first and speak properly.”

Madam Gui, following the Empress Dowager’s words, went to help her up.

Layue didn’t rise but continued calmly, “Your Majesty, you probably remember that previously I was falsely accused by my cousin Chen Yulan of having an affair with my cousin from the Yue family. My cousin was summoned to the palace to clear his name. It was precisely because of this incident that my cousin revealed his true identity as a man.”

The Empress Dowager frowned, “That’s indeed true. What’s next?”

Layue summoned her courage, “A few days ago, I received a letter from my elder cousin. I learned that previously, my cousin dressed as a man and often conducted business outside. It was during that time that she met Prince Six. They were merely casual acquaintances. However, for reasons unknown, upon discovering my cousin was a woman, Prince Six sought her out and proposed to marry her as his future princess.”

Seeing the Empress Dowager’s expression darken significantly, Layue hurriedly quickened her pace, “My cousin naturally understood that as a merchant’s daughter, she could never marry a prince. Moreover, according to my cousin, Prince Six doesn’t love her, yet insists on marrying her. This situation seems suspicious. Coincidentally, there was an issue with Yue family’s goods passing through the customs with Diwa, so my cousin promptly left the capital for Diwa.”

“Since she’s already in Diwa, why do you bring this up now?” The Empress Dowager’s voice gave no indication of her thoughts.

“Your Majesty, I originally didn’t want to say anything, but I couldn’t pretend this never happened. One day, my cousin will return. If I don’t inform Your Majesty in advance to prepare for the unexpected, what if Prince Six still insists on marrying her when she returns? Won’t we be caught off guard?”

Layue’s large, expressive eyes looked directly at the Empress Dowager.

Likewise, the Empress Dowager continued to stare at her. After watching for a while, she seemed to finally believe her, “You may rise and speak properly.”

This time, Layue didn’t feign reluctance but accepted Madam Gui’s assistance to sit beside the Empress Dowager.

“Does the Emperor know about this?”

Layue shook her head.

“Your Majesty, I haven’t told the Emperor. This is a matter concerning a woman’s affairs. Besides—” Layue’s face turned slightly red.

With a hint of jealousy in her expression, she continued, “Although my cousin is a merchant’s daughter and grew up like a boy, in our Nan Qin, she’s quite unique. I’m afraid, I’m afraid—”

She didn’t finish her sentence, but the Empress Dowager took over.

“You’re afraid the Emperor might also take a liking to her?”

Layue hurriedly looked up, anxious to explain, “My cousin once told me that if no one could marry into the Yue family to support the household, she would remain dressed as a man for life and never marry. However, imperial edicts are hard to defy—”

If the Emperor insisted on taking her into the palace or Prince Six persisted, the Yue family would have no choice but to comply!

But such words didn’t need to be spoken; the Empress Dowager understood perfectly.

Sure enough, the Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes slightly, “That’s what your cousin meant?”

Layue nodded.

The Empress Dowager huffed, “A beauty causing trouble.”

Layue gripped the handkerchief in her hand, murmuring, “Men always seek novelty, Your Majesty. I’m just afraid.”

Layue knew that this explanation would suffice.

She wasn’t telling the Emperor but informing the Empress Dowager, not because she feared the Emperor might have such intentions. She knew that wouldn’t happen. If it were to happen, it wouldn’t have waited until today.

For some unknown reason, she always felt that Emperor Jing knew the truth. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have acted unusually when she met Prince Six.

Therefore, such words could only be spoken before the Empress Dowager. Moreover, Prince Six, for better or worse, was the Empress Dowager’s own son. The Empress Dowager would naturally be concerned and wouldn’t allow the Emperor to become furious enough to kill him. Thus, this matter would remain hidden.

By revealing this to the Empress Dowager in advance, Layue wanted to ensure the Empress Dowager would form a preconceived notion. Even if Prince Six, as in the past life, made those accusations again, the Empress Dowager would have doubts because of today’s conversation and wouldn’t believe it completely.

Shen Layue held a high rank, had two princes, and the Shen family was honest and low-key.

If Prince Six married a girl from the Yue family, wouldn’t his next step be to use the Yue family against the Shen family? This was how normal people would think.

Although a mother usually favors her own son, Layue firmly believed that the Empress Dowager couldn’t fully trust Prince Six after his previous assassination attempt.

If he had been capable of such an assassination before, it was highly possible he might do similar things again for the throne.

Layue spoke these words because she had accurately judged the Empress Dowager’s character. The Empress Dowager was always suspicious by nature, calculating and thoughtful, making her more likely to believe Layue’s account. Moreover, this life was different from the previous one, with many more entanglements. The Empress Dowager wouldn’t think the matter was so simple.

And indeed, Layue’s prediction was correct. The Empress Dowager’s thoughts on the matter were indeed more complicated. She had already viewed the incident as a conspiracy.

Especially after the previous assassination attempt, the Empress Dowager was particularly sensitive to such matters.

The current Emperor had five sons.

The eldest prince was born to the Empress, but Yan Lie had always known of his dislike for the Fu family.

The second prince was born to Concubine De, whose family was full of scholars. Because of Concubine De’s situation, they had already withdrawn from court affairs, and Concubine De herself was in the cold palace. Thus, it wasn’t a good situation.

The third prince had his mother, but her rank was low, and she could no longer attend to the Emperor.

The fourth and fifth princes were both born to Shen Layue, who had already become the highest among the four consorts, and the Yue family was the Shen family’s in-laws.

Oh dear, what exactly are you planning, my son? Are you eyeing the power of the maternal relatives?

Are you trying to harm the Shen family or use them?

Could it be that after all these years, you still can’t forget about the throne?

Layue lowered her head slightly but still subtly observed the Empress Dowager’s emotional changes, calculating her next move.

“Your Majesty, if you don’t believe me, you may summon my cousin back to the palace when she returns. I have not spoken a single false word.”

“Does she look down on my son?”

Layue hurriedly shook her head, “Your Majesty, you’re being too harsh. How could my cousin dare? But people should know their place. My cousin grew up as a boy and has never considered herself a girl. She would never have feelings for Prince Six.”

The Empress Dowager pondered for a while and sighed, “If I hadn’t asked you to stay today, when were you planning to tell me?”

Layue was stunned and smiled bitterly while shaking her head, “I don’t know either! To be honest, I was afraid that speaking this way might implicate my cousin. However, this matter couldn’t be left unmentioned.”

Seeing Layue’s sincere expression, the Empress Dowager waved her hand, “You may go now. Let me think about this matter further.”

Layue had already planned to reveal this matter exactly like this. It wasn’t a gamble for Layue; she had calculated it precisely. The Empress Dowager wouldn’t harm Yue Feng because there was no need.

The Empress Dowager’s position didn’t require her to do anything to Yue Feng. Moreover, when Layue spoke, she constantly implied that Prince Six didn’t love Yue Feng. This would naturally make the Empress Dowager suspicious of his true intentions for doing these things. Then, this Yue Feng was just a stepping stone; her importance wasn’t significant.

Previously, Layue had already carefully considered this matter and written a letter to her uncle. Although this matter posed some risk to her cousin, from another perspective, it wasn’t necessarily bad. At the very least, even if she refused Prince Six in the future, it would be justified and proper.

Her cousin certainly couldn’t stay in Diwa forever.

Layue couldn’t reveal those truths, but she attributed everything to palace intrigues. Her uncle Yue was a reasonable person who knew Layue wouldn’t harm her own family and thus agreed.

This agreement might also be an opportunity for Yue Feng.

Today’s reaction from the Empress Dowager wasn’t unexpected for Layue. It seemed that the three years they had spent together hadn’t been in vain.

Since she had taken the first step, Layue’s expression was somewhat helpless, but her heart was filled with joy.

After pondering for many days, she had finally taken this first step today. She deeply knew what state she should be in for the days ahead. Since the Emperor disliked Prince Six, he probably already knew about his mother’s matter.

Therefore, she couldn’t use this set of reasoning to appease the Emperor; she would have to think of another plan.

Although both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager were cautious about this matter, she was more concerned about the Empress Dowager, after all, she was the one who truly framed her family.

In her previous life, whether the Emperor’s actions had other implications, she wouldn’t dwell on that now. In this life, as long as she did the right thing, she would be extremely safe.

Shen Layue, whether for the Shen family, for the three children, or for herself, must become the Emperor’s most trusted person.