Chapter 146:

After considering everything carefully, Emperor Jing’s expression turned cold as he spoke, “Lai Xi.”

“I am here, Your Majesty.”

“Help me change clothes.”

Fu Jinyao, seeing the Emperor’s icy attitude, hurried to salvage the situation, “Your Majesty, I don’t know where I have displeased you. Please don’t act like this, alright? Punish me if you wish?”

When Lai Xi entered, he saw Consort Hui standing on one side while the Emperor stood on the other, disheveled.

He quickly went over to help tidy up the Emperor’s clothes.

Fu Jinyao, seeing the Emperor remained unmoved, realized she had touched upon his taboos.

She hurriedly knelt down.

The Emperor did not even glance at her.

“Return to the palace.”

Others didn’t know exactly what had happened, but since the Emperor had initially decided to stay in Zhu Xuan, only to leave abruptly, it was clear that Consort Hui had angered him.

Those who disliked Consort Hui secretly rejoiced at the news.

Layue also heard about it, like everyone else.

However, she merely paused briefly before dismissing it from her mind. Who the Emperor favored or ignored was beyond their control. She only needed to live peacefully and stay out of trouble.

At this time, the Shen family was attracting unwanted attention like a tall tree drawing the wind. She needed to be cautious.

“Your Highness, Master Lai Xi is coming.”

As Shen Layue was preparing for bed, Guo’er reported at the door.

Layue quickly put on an outer robe.

Shortly after, Master Lai Xi entered.

“Your humble servant greets Her Grace.”

“Master Lai Xi, you came so late, is there something important?”

“Your Majesty has sent me to inform Her Grace that he will summon your family tomorrow. If you have any other plans, you should put them aside.”

The surprise came so suddenly that Layue was genuinely delighted.

“Thank you for making this trip, Master.”

Jinxin understood the cue and handed over a bag of golden melon seeds.

Lai Xi did not pretend to refuse; it would have been strange if he had not accepted. After exchanging a few auspicious words, he hurried away.

Just as Lai Xi was about to step out the door,

Layue spoke again, “Master Lai Xi, please wait a moment.”

Hearing this, Lai Xi smiled slightly.

“Is the Emperor alone in the Xuanning Hall?”

Upon hearing this, Lai Xi couldn’t help but smile even more broadly as he replied, “Indeed, he is! Is Her Grace considering going there?”

Layue understood everything from Lai Xi’s smile and nodded.

Earlier news had spread that Consort Hui had failed to properly attend the Emperor, who then left in anger. Now the Emperor had sent Lai Xi to deliver this message late at night, so his intentions were quite obvious.

Layue sat before her mirror. She had already removed her makeup and was preparing for sleep, but now she had to dress up again.

Before the golden-edged mirror, her bare face looked unusually clean and pure.

Perhaps due to being “nurtured” so often, Layue looked at her reflection. Her skin remained consistently smooth and fair, but now there was a more noticeable charm in her eyes and brows.

Originally, her features were delicate, but now they had become even more striking.

Looking at her delicate eyebrows, small and perky nose, and moist cherry lips, although she might not rival the beauties of the capital, she was certainly a charming beauty.

She lifted her head and looked at Xing’er, who was preparing to help her dress up.

“Tonight, I won’t put on makeup. Just tie up my hair with the green jade comb and add a coral tassel.”

“Your Highness, dressed so plainly, might not be appropriate?”

Xing’er had her concerns. Although it might seem fine at a glance, if she didn’t dress up, the Emperor might think she was being disrespectful. Normally, it wouldn’t matter, but tonight the Emperor had left Zhu Xuan angry. If she didn’t dress up to please him, she might end up being affected as well.

Seeing Xing’er’s worried expression, Layue smiled.

“It’s fine. Since they always dress up elaborately, I’d rather go against the grain. Besides, I naturally have a seductive look in my eyes. Now, dressed like this, I appear fresh and pure while still exuding a hint of allure. I think the Emperor will like it more.”

In reality, these were just excuses Layue made up. She was simply too lazy to dress up and thought this way was better, so she said so. Otherwise, those maids would surely insist on dressing her up elaborately before letting her go out.

Sure enough, after hearing her mistress speak, Xing’er hurriedly nodded.

She tied up Layue’s hair as requested. Layue had a very fair complexion, not only on her face but also on her body, looking like the finest porcelain.

Her black hair was tied up, highlighting the whiteness of her neck even more.

Layue’s face was bare, but she wore a bright red dress.

Surprisingly, this didn’t seem jarring at all; it was as if she was naturally a gorgeous flower of prosperity.

Smiling slightly, Layue knew that tonight the Emperor had stormed out from Fu Jinyao and she was going to him to please him.

Without waiting for tomorrow, Fu Jinyao would already hate her tonight.

But so what? Layue instinctively lifted her chin.

The Emperor had sent Lai Xi to inform her, clearly intending for her to go there to express her gratitude. If she didn’t go, the Emperor would certainly be displeased.

Compared to Consort Hui’s hatred, she cared more about the Emperor’s displeasure.

Moreover, even if she didn’t go, Consort Hui would still dislike and resent her.

She clearly saw which path was best for herself.

After a slight bow, she entered the inner chamber.

The Emperor was soaking in a hot spring at this moment. Layue thought for a moment and entered the back room uninvited.

The Emperor already knew she would come, so he wasn’t surprised. Instead, he relaxed and lay there. Only by her side could he feel completely at ease.

Layue stood there, charming and graceful, without speaking or moving.

After a long while, the Emperor finally couldn’t help but let out a deep chuckle.

“Have you looked enough?”

The words were teasing.

Layue recalled the times when she had just entered the palace, often seducing and teasing him playfully.

Playfully, she replied, “Your Majesty is indeed incomparably handsome.”

Indeed, she was a girl who never let herself be at a disadvantage.

The Emperor raised his eyebrows, smiling seductively, “Since I’m so handsome, why haven’t you come down yet, Miss?”

Actually, Layue had already washed up and originally intended not to get into the water, waiting for him to come out. But when he teased her a bit, she immediately moved her hands to her waist.

Soaking in a hot spring during winter was even more pleasant.

Seeing her snow-white skin tinged with a hint of red, the Emperor waved his hand.

Obediently, Layue went over, and the two of them barely squeezed onto a stone seat, hugging each other tightly.

Holding her close, the Emperor’s lips began to wander along her neck.

“My darling, why did you come?”

Well, the way he said it was a bit upsetting.

Still, Layue playfully pouted, “Your Majesty doesn’t know why I came? When you sent Master Lai Xi to say those things, weren’t you thinking of me coming to express my gratitude?”

Seeing her as if she didn’t understand the mood but actually deliberately revealing his intentions,

The Emperor didn’t get angry but continued nibbling.

“Shouldn’t you thank me?”

Truly… she should.

“Your Majesty, I thank you.”

The Emperor chuckled again, “Since you want to thank me, how about thanking me with your body?”

This made the atmosphere become romantic.

Layue playfully hit his shoulder with her little fists.

“You always give favors just to expect something in return.”

Upon hearing this, the Emperor laughed.

He grabbed her legs without any warning or hesitation, and plunged in fiercely.

Layue let out a cry of “Ah—” as she felt her body completely filled.

With the smoothness of the water, the two of them engaged in passionate lovemaking.

At first, Layue felt uncomfortable and whimpered, clinging to his shoulders and begging him to stop nicely. However, he only punished her even more fiercely.

She realized that this only excited him more. Layue bit her hand, and her dazed expression delighted the Emperor even more, making him want to torment her to death.

After a long while, the passion in the room finally subsided.

Layue, drenched in sweat and weak in his arms, leaned on him.

But her little mouth couldn’t stay quiet, “Is Your Majesty satisfied?”

Seeing that she still wanted to tease him like this, the Emperor smiled, “Just now you said I was handsome. Looking at you now, it’s actually you who is the real beauty. You’re a little fox that steals men’s souls. Every time I’m with you, I never want to leave.”

He blamed her for his own lust, and Layue wouldn’t have it.

“Your Majesty, saying such words is truly unfair to me.”

She pouted with grievance, prompting the Emperor to kiss her again.

After some playful teasing, they got down to business.

“Tomorrow, your grandmother will bring your sister-in-law and cousin to visit you.”

Layue knew the Emperor had something important to tell her.

“The Empress Dowager will meet them. Don’t worry. Regarding your cousin’s matter, I won’t act recklessly. Your family is also my family.”

Layue was genuinely surprised to hear this.

She hadn’t expected the Emperor to say such words.

Her family is also his family?

Was it really like that?

Seeing the Emperor’s expression didn’t seem to be pretending, Layue finally voiced her concerns, “I’m worried about my cousin and Fu Jinyu. How could the Fu family treat my cousin well? Moreover, my cousin may not even like a man like Fu Jinyu.”

The Emperor smiled and shook his head, “You always worry about unnecessary things. I won’t harm your family. You need to learn to trust me.”

Layue flipped over and straddled him, her long hair cascading down, covering her chest, as she playfully pouted, “Your humble servant has always trusted you. Could Your Majesty think I don’t trust you? Today was just a moment of nervousness.”

Seeing her so seductive, the Emperor’s eyes darkened slightly.

“Your cousin will marry into the Fu family with dignity, and no one will dare to treat her poorly. Rest assured. Moreover, Fu Jinyu will never let his beloved suffer.”

Upon hearing this, Layue was truly astonished.

Fu Jinyu’s beloved?

Her cousin?

Why did that image seem so shocking?

“Fu Jinyu likes my cousin?”

“Exactly.”

“Why?” she asked, puzzled.

The Emperor chuckled.

“There’s no need for so many whys. It’s just love. He volunteered himself when he heard I was looking for a suitable match for Yue Feng. Actually, this works out well. Everyone is satisfied.”

The Empress Dowager was satisfied, feeling she had humiliated the Fu family. Fu Jinyu was satisfied, getting his beloved. And he himself was satisfied, achieving the desired outcome.