Chapter 133:

Layue’s words had indeed touched the Empress Dowager to some extent.

Just as Layue had analyzed, the Empress Dowager had still gone in a more complicated direction with her thoughts.

After watching Shen Layue leave, the Empress Dowager looked at Madam Gui: “Tell me, why can’t he just settle down? How long will this continue?”

Madam Gui tried to comfort her: “Your Majesty shouldn’t think too much. Now that we know about this matter, we can simply find a way to handle it.”

The Empress Dowager sighed. Both sons were born of her, and naturally, she had no particular favoritism toward either. Yet she never expected that her failure in handling things would lead her sons to such a state.

“Shen Layue thinks Yue Feng is special and is worried that the Emperor might fancy her. This clearly shows she cares more about the Emperor. Concern for oneself clouds judgment. Yet with other matters, she sees things clearly. Take, for example, Lian’er pursuing Yue Feng—she understood it perfectly. She came to me today, not without the intention of having me persuade Lian’er to stop. She must have seen clearly that the Yue family, while not having official titles, is extremely wealthy and can offer great financial support to Lian’er. Moreover, the Yues are related to the Shens. If I say that Lian’er has no ulterior motives, I wouldn’t believe it myself.”

Madam Gui nodded and added her analysis: “Then perhaps we should assign a princess for Prince Six? But that wouldn’t make much sense either. Didn’t Prince Six refuse the Princess Diwa previously?”

The Empress Dowager sneered: “Princess Diwa? If it were truly the Princess Diwa, do you think he would refuse?”

Madam Gui was startled by the implication in the Empress Dowager’s words, but wisely refrained from asking further about the princess.

She glanced at the teacup where a few emerald-green Longjing leaves floated.

The Empress Dowager’s expression hardened, no longer showing hesitation as before.

“I promised the late Emperor that I would wholeheartedly support Che’er. Even if it weren’t for Che’er, just considering their personalities, Che’er is far more suitable to be Emperor than Lian’er. Even without considering other factors, I still know right from wrong.”

Seeing the Empress Dowager’s expression, Madam Gui knew her mistress had already made up her mind.

“As for Lian’er not marrying, I won’t force him. However, if he won’t marry, Yue Feng can still be married off.” The Empress Dowager said emotionlessly.

Madam Gui didn’t say much in response. She was the most loyal to the Empress Dowager, and once given orders, she would carry them out without hesitation.

“Go see Noble Consort Shen and have Yue Feng return. No need to explain much—Noble Consort Shen is a perceptive woman; she will understand.”

“Yes.”

To the eyes of those in the palace, Noble Consort Shen was truly favored by the Empress Dowager. Indeed, right after her morning courtesy, she was asked to stay by the Empress Dowager to play chess, and later, the Empress even sent her most respected servant, Madam Gui, to deliver gifts for the young princes and princesses.

Layue hadn’t expected Madam Gui to come so soon. She adjusted her mood and welcomed her in.

Although her status was much higher than Madam Gui’s, the latter was the most capable and trusted servant close to the Empress Dowager.

“Your Highness.” Madam Gui, who had served in the palace for decades, was composed and dignified.

“Quickly, take a seat. Jin Xin, bring tea.”

Once Jin Xin served the tea, Layue waved her hand, and everyone quietly filed out.

“Madam Gui, do you have any instructions?” Layue asked seriously, getting straight to the point.

Madam Gui nodded: “Indeed. The Empress Dowager has sent me to deliver a message to Noble Consort.”

Layue smiled, her expression calm on the surface, though her heart was beating with tension.

Observing Noble Consort Shen’s demeanor, Madam Gui couldn’t help but admire her. Indeed, after years in the palace, Noble Consort Shen had become even more enigmatic and hard to read.

“The Empress Dowager says that Yue Feng can’t keep hiding in Diwa. That won’t be a sustainable solution. It’s better for her to return. The Empress will personally arrange a good match for her.”

At this moment, Layue was genuinely surprised.

Was the Empress really planning to marry off her cousin?

“I understand. I thank the Empress for arranging for my cousin,” Layue replied with a faint smile.

Madam Gui nodded and didn’t stay long before rising to take her leave.

However, before leaving, she frowned slightly and sighed, offering a warning: “There are no secrets that won’t eventually come out. Noble Consort, by doing this, you have truly angered Prince Six. In the future, your father and brothers may face some difficulties in court.”

Within the palace, Noble Consort Shen had the power to suppress the Shen family.

Even without real authority, Prince Six was still a respected prince.

Feeling that Madam Gui’s warning was sincere, Layue smiled: “I trust the Emperor.”

After nodding again, Madam Gui hesitated briefly before leaving.

Once Madam Gui was gone, Layue’s expression changed. She truly wasn’t suited for scheming, was she? The matter had succeeded, but it had also dragged her cousin into it.

Closing her eyes briefly, Layue asked herself: Hadn’t she already considered this possibility from the beginning?

Hadn’t she deliberately avoided thinking about it?

“Jin Xin.”

Upon hearing her mistress’s voice, Jin Xin quickly entered. Seeing Layue’s troubled expression, she asked with concern: “Your Highness, is something wrong?”

Layue opened her eyes: “Be careful. Tell Qiao Ning to contact Uncle and say that the Empress intends to arrange a marriage for my cousin. I need to know if my cousin has someone she favors. If she does, I will do everything I can to help. If not, I will also find her a good match. I owe her this much.”

Jin Xin, who had never seen her mistress like this, impulsively took Layue’s hand.

“Your Highness, please don’t be upset. everything will be alright.” Jin Xin naturally didn’t know what had happened, but seeing her mistress so distressed, she felt deeply uneasy.

“You may leave.”

After everyone had left, Layue stood by the window, watching the desolate falling leaves, her heart filled with bitterness.

What had she done?

She had ended up involving others.

“Thinking about something?” A sudden male voice broke the silence.

Layue didn’t turn around. In fact, she had already heard the Emperor’s entrance. But at this moment, she couldn’t control her emotions.

No matter what, no matter when, she had to show him her most beautiful side.

Smiling gently, she slightly curved her lips, the small dimples barely visible.

The sight was heartbreakingly tender.

“Your Majesty.”

The Emperor embraced her and led her to the bed, gently lifting her face.

“Why are you unhappy?” He had noticed.

Layue looked at the Emperor. His eyes were deep, his face thin, his lips thin. She had heard before that men with thin lips usually had cold hearts. It seemed to be true!

She gently touched his face, appearing dazed, while her mind raced rapidly.

Why had the Emperor come?

Tonight, wasn’t he supposed to summon the new concubine to his chamber?

Or had he already learned of her conversation with the Empress Dowager?

In an instant, Layue quickly adjusted her previous thoughts.

She lowered her head.

“What’s wrong?” Layue’s head was down, so she didn’t see the Emperor’s fleeting look of scrutiny.

Gathering her courage, Layue looked up: “Your Majesty, why did you tell me about my cousin before?”

The Emperor looked at her and smiled: “What’s wrong? Haven’t I told you? She’s your relative, so I told you when I found out.”

Layue bit her lip: “I know. I know my cousin went to Diwa, and I know why. Today, I went to see the Empress. She said she hopes my cousin will return and will arrange a marriage for her.”

Her words were not complicated, and she left out much, but the Emperor understood.

“You don’t like this?” The Emperor sensed the hidden meaning in her words.

She shook her head: “Not that I don’t like it, but I’m worried—deeply worried. Your Majesty, you will never know what I’m thinking, never.”

Layue gazed out the window, her expression sorrowful.

The Emperor hated seeing her like this and pulled her into his arms.

“What’s wrong? Why are you suddenly like this? Are you trying to break my heart?”

“Would I? Would I really break your heart?” Layue murmured.

At this moment, a fleeting illusion passed over her, as if she were asking this question on behalf of her past self.

“You don’t need to give me all your love. Will you still keep a place for me in your heart and truly protect me?”

Seeing her vulnerability, the Emperor lifted her chin and said earnestly: “I will.”

A single tear slid down her cheek as she buried her face in his chest.

She began to sob.

The Emperor said nothing else and simply held her.

Besides Layue’s weeping, there was no other sound.

She cried with a mix of grievance and despair.

The Emperor remained expressionless.

Whether it was Lai Xi outside the chamber or anyone else, they all heard Noble Consort Shen’s weeping but said nothing, simply lowering their heads silently.

After she had cried enough, Layue felt slightly embarrassed.

She wiped her tears and stole a glance at the Emperor.

Seeing her like this, the Emperor smiled: “Well then, have you finished crying? How could you be so upset? Whatever it is, I will handle it for you. Do you want to talk about it now?”

Layue nodded shyly: “Prince Six has been pursuing my cousin. She felt something was strange and asked the family to contact me. I also found this very strange. Previously, Prince Six had met my cousin but showed no unusual interest. Why would he suddenly pursue her after I was promoted to Noble Consort? Even though I may seem foolish, I still doubted his intentions. That’s why I went to see the Empress. I didn’t expect the Empress to arrange a marriage for my cousin. I feel guilty toward her, so I’m very upset.”

The Emperor gently rubbed her head: “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Layue bit her lip and finally said after a long pause: “I was afraid he would hurt you, but I was also afraid you might fall for my cousin.”

The Emperor couldn’t help but laugh after hearing this.

“Falling for your cousin? How could that be possible?”

Layue blushed and looked up: “My cousin is very special.”

The Emperor shook his head: “I don’t like her. I only love a little girl like Layue—soft and sweet.”

Hearing this, Layue pouted: “Your Majesty always flatters. Yesterday, even softer and sweeter ones entered the palace.”

Seeing her jealous expression, the Emperor felt an inexplicable joy.

“I truly only care for you—” With that, he kissed her on the face.

After a pause, the Emperor continued: “I will arrange for someone to bring your cousin back from Diwa. Don’t worry. I won’t let you feel even the slightest sadness over this.”

Smiling, Layue gently kissed the corner of his lips.

Her eyes sparkled.