Chapter 135:

Nowadays, among all the selected maidens who entered the palace, only Li Yanran has had the honor of spending a night with the emperor. Others have not been given such an opportunity. The empress dowager does not intervene, and Concubine Shen ignores the matter.

The scheming and rivalry among everyone proves useless.

Since the conversation with the emperor in the twelfth lunar month, Emperor Jing appeared deeply moved.

As for managing palace affairs, he leaves it to her mood. He also frankly admitted that even if she occasionally neglects duties, he would not mind, for he is also the father of the children.

For three consecutive days, Emperor Jing rested in Qing’an Palace.

However, if the empress dowager says nothing about this, even if they tear their handkerchiefs to pieces, there is no way to change things. Besides, the empress dowager has always favored Shen Layue.

This year, Emperor Jing went to worship the heavens a bit later than usual, but since this ceremony occurs twice a year, no excessive preparations are necessary.

Everyone knows it is a great opportunity. In the past, both Concubine Jing and Consort Qi had become pregnant on the journey to the sacrificial ceremony, so naturally, others rush to seek similar fortune.

Although it is only about ten days, it is indeed exclusive favor.

Unexpectedly, Emperor Jing chose only Concubine Shen, and no one else.

Layue heard this news from the emperor last night. After the announcement, no matter how others looked at her, she did not care.

Jinxin, however, asked her mistress with concern: “My lady, I still feel worried. The young prince and princess are still very young. Moreover, such exclusive favor—His Majesty…”

Lowering her voice, Jinxin hesitated before speaking: “Could this favor actually be a hidden trap?”

Seeing Jinxin’s genuine concern, Layue smiled gently, her face blooming like a flower.

“A hidden trap? Is there really a need for that? Even if it were true, I wouldn’t care. If it meant being someone he likes but who can only watch silently as he showers affection on others, then I would rather be the one pushed to the forefront, enjoying the respect of others, the emperor’s favor, and the endless power within the palace.”

Jinxin sighed, “But isn’t it dangerous?”

Layue smiled, “Dangerous? There is nowhere in this palace that is truly safe. Jinxin, you don’t understand. Although the emperor may seem somewhat capricious in other matters, I am certain that everything in the palace is under his full control. The struggle for succession was fierce back then—even if we didn’t experience it ourselves, we’ve heard of it. Besides, I believe in the emperor’s character. He wouldn’t stoop to childish games like setting up targets or orchestrating hidden traps.”

Hearing this, Jinxin had no further words.

Their mistress always saw things more clearly and further than they did.

Thinking again about the young prince, Jinxin suggested, “Then, should we send the young prince and princess to the empress dowager’s palace?”

Layue nodded. That would be the right thing to do.

“Tomorrow I will go to speak with the empress dowager. However, even though they will be staying in her palace, we must still be extremely cautious. Call Cuiwen here; I have some instructions for her. You and Tao’er will accompany me when I leave the palace. Nurse Zhou, along with Xing’er, Cuiwen, and Qiaoning, will go to the empress dowager’s palace to take care of the young masters. Guo’er will remain in the palace to manage affairs.”

Jinxin raised a question, “My lady, wouldn’t taking Qiaoning along raise suspicions about her identity?”

Layue explained calmly, “No problem. She has always been one of my senior maids. Besides, the three children occasionally eat some supplementary food, so having her around for the children’s sake makes perfect sense. Everyone knows that I and the children are accustomed to her cooking. If we are overly cautious, it might instead seem suspicious.”

“I understand.”

“Be vigilant during this period. If anyone tries to cause trouble, show no mercy. These newcomers are like young calves unafraid of tigers; they might try to trip us. If someone dares to provoke Qing’an Palace, the punishment bureau will be the perfect place for them to end up.”

“Yes,” Jinxin replied firmly.

In truth, Layue did not wish to leave the palace to accompany the emperor to the sacrificial ceremony.

She instinctively resists the idea of the ceremony, as it reminds her of the previous accident, which still makes her heart race with fear.

But that wasn’t the most important issue—the real concern was her children. The three little ones still needed their mother very much. Even though she would only be away for about ten days, she still felt uneasy.

Not only because of the dangerous intrigues within the palace, but even the thought of not seeing her beloved children for ten days made her anxious.

However, the emperor insisted everything would be fine and had arranged sufficient attendants.

He had always wanted an opportunity to take her out alone—wasn’t this a good chance?

Though reluctant, Layue ultimately did not refuse.

After all, among the newly selected maidens, the emperor chose only her to accompany him to the sacrificial ceremony—this was indeed an honor.

Even if she did not particularly value such honor.

But now, such thoughts are useless.

Layue was deep in thought, while others were equally filled with resentment.

Consort Hui, as usual, was tearing handkerchiefs and throwing objects about in her chambers.

Her maids, Yunlan and Yunxue, kept trying to stop her. With so many people around, such behavior would only invite mockery.

Moreover, the emperor dislikes jealous women. Wouldn’t this only make him more displeased?

“Where exactly am I inferior to her?”

“Your Highness is excellent in every way, but sometimes people’s relationships depend on fate. Perhaps the emperor and Concubine Shen simply share a special bond?” Yunlan didn’t know how else to comfort her.

“Slap!” A slap landed hard on Yunlan’s face.

Yunlan staggered back, her face burning red.

She quickly knelt down: “Forgive me, my lady! I spoke out of turn. Please forgive me, I was wrong…”

Fu Jinyao pointed her slender finger at Yunlan, shouting: “She has fate? Do you mean I have no fate with the emperor? Say another word like that, and I’ll rip your mouth apart.”

Yunlan dared not speak further, only repeatedly kowtowing in apology.

Seeing her like this, Fu Jinyao seemed to recall something else and kicked Yunlan hard.

Despite being a delicate woman, Fu Jinyao’s kick was strong enough to send Yunlan sprawling to the ground.

Yunlan cried out in pain, even more terrified.

Yunxue had no idea why her mistress was so furious.

“You wicked girl! If it weren’t for you tripping me, my child wouldn’t have been lost! How could my child be gone, how could it be!” Fu Jinyao even blamed Yunlan for the miscarriage.

Yunlan’s body trembled.

Yet she dared not defend herself, only continuing to kowtow.

Seeing this, Yunxue hurriedly tried to stop her: “My lady, please be careful with your words. Walls have ears.”

After much persuasion, Fu Jinyao finally calmed down a little. Yunxue gave Yunlan a meaningful look, and Yunlan quickly went out to prepare water—by now, it was time for the mistress to bathe and rest.

But Yunlan’s heart was heavy. Back then, the physician had already diagnosed that the child could not be carried to term. Her mistress had thought it over for a long time and decided to use the situation to frame Virtuous Consort. Yunxue took responsibility for saving the plan, while she secretly set traps.

She had felt uneasy about this at the time, but regardless, she was a servant, and whatever her mistress said was law.

She had even discussed it with Yunxue before, and Yunxue insisted on taking the blame herself, saying she was older and better suited for dangerous tasks. But now, looking at the moon, Yunlan felt a deep sadness.

As she had feared, this matter had become a thorn in her mistress’s heart.

“Yunlan, what are you doing?” Yunxue came out and scolded her for standing there blankly.

“Hurry up and prepare the water. Do you want the mistress to get angry again?”

Normally, they spoke this way—Yunlan being younger, Yunxue often took care of her like an older sister. But today, the words felt especially sharp.

Even then, had Yunxue known all along that this would happen? Had she known that she would be the scapegoat?

“I understand,” Yunlan replied as usual, quickly walking away.

Behind her, Yunxue couldn’t see, but a little maid hiding in the shadows witnessed everything clearly. On Yunlan’s face was a mixture of sadness, loss, and even a hint of resentment.

Late at night, at midnight.

The little maid who had spied earlier quietly slipped out of the door.

Looking around cautiously, she made sure it was safe before heading to the most desolate part of the palace.

Her footsteps were light, making no sound.

Who would be tending to the Cold Palace at this hour? The few guards were already asleep.

She gently pushed open the door.

Inside, Virtuous Consort had been sleeping lightly. Hearing a sound, she asked warily, “Who’s there?”

Her voice was not loud.

It was more of a cautious inquiry.

“Your Majesty, it’s me. Xiao Ru.”

Hearing her voice, Consort De quickly got up. She did not light a lantern but approached the figure, and under the moonlight, confirmed it was indeed her.

“Why are you here?”

Xiao Ru remained extremely respectful: “Your Majesty, I have some news to report.”

Since entering the Cold Palace, Consort De had become more composed than before: “What is it?”

She no longer showed much excitement. She had already given up hope of leaving the Cold Palace and had carefully reflected on everything that had happened. She realized she had given others many opportunities.

To put it bluntly, it was her own impatience that allowed others to manipulate her. Otherwise, how could her senior maid have confessed to deliberately pulling down Consort An? Her plans had already been exposed under someone else’s watchful eye.

They not only used her but also poured even more blame onto her.

Now, within the palace, she harbored the greatest suspicion toward two individuals: Consort Hui Fu Jinyao and the miraculously surviving Bai Youran.

Fu Jinyao had always been at odds with her, while Bai Youran harbored deep resentment. She had indeed arranged for someone to harm Bai, but unexpectedly, Bai was fortunate enough to survive, and her caution had saved both herself and her child.

“Did you find something important?”