Chapter 149:

The affairs of this world are always so strange. In the blink of an eye, Concubine Shen actually turned out to have some familial ties with Consort Hui.

Thinking about it is indeed amusing; the saying that nothing in the world is absolute has truly proven itself.

Layue didn’t pay much attention to it, but Consort Hui appeared to be more sensitive on this matter. Every time it was brought up, her expression would darken. In truth, when you think about it, the Fu family was clearly the disadvantaged party in this situation.

When the news of the royal marriage was announced, many young ladies were greatly shocked.

For a time, more people went to the Yue family’s shops to purchase goods.

Actually, this was mainly to catch a glimpse of Yue Feng and to find out what kind of woman could marry Fu Jinyu.

However, it seemed that the young women who had met Yue Feng were not as shocked anymore.

Moreover, they even developed a liking for her. Compared to Fu Jinyu’s coldness, Yue Feng, dressed in men’s clothes, with a cheerful smile and a gentle and considerate personality, seemed to gain favor more easily among women.

Upon hearing this outcome, Layue found it quite amusing while she was in the palace.

But this wasn’t necessarily a bad thing; at the very least, it was good for her cousin. Being rejected by others was never a pleasant experience.

“What are you laughing at?” the Emperor asked as he entered the room, seeing Layue laughing strangely.

Seeing the Emperor, Layue laughed even harder.

“What’s going on?” Holding Layue close, the Emperor’s hands roamed playfully up and down.

Layue pulled his hands away and told him what she had learned: “It’s just about my cousin…”

Layue recounted the news she had heard before, finding it quite amusing.

Although the Emperor found it entertaining, his mind wasn’t really on it. In his opinion, little Yue was much more tempting.

When Layue turned her head, she saw his somewhat dark gaze and felt puzzled. She also knew that during these days, he hadn’t summoned anyone else.

Because of this, she, Shen Layue, had not become the target of everyone’s jealousy. On the contrary, that person was Fu Jinyao.

There were already rumors in the palace that it was because the Emperor’s scars were despised by Consort Hui, which made the Emperor leave angrily.

As for the truth of these rumors, Layue didn’t know, nor did she know who had spread them. But more likely, she thought it was the Emperor himself.

In the palace, besides the Emperor, it seemed there was no one else daring to spread such rumors. Because of these rumors, the Emperor no longer summoned anyone else to his bed.

Layue pouted, but inwardly she sneered. If this man was really that afraid of being mocked by others, then in the future, he would only have her as his woman. After all, she had already seen even more embarrassing scenes of him.

While she was lost in these thoughts, the Emperor, without hesitation, began to kiss her passionately.

Before long, Layue was pushed onto the bed by him.

…

From other people’s perspective, the Emperor summoned Concubine Shen every day, and she seemed to be the sole favorite in the palace.

The morning of winter was slightly chilly. Layue dressed herself properly, her expression still dazed, but today was the day for paying respects, so she would not be late.

After getting ready, Layue got into her palanquin. With her current status, she naturally could use it. On such a cold day, no one liked to walk through the snow.

Perhaps because of the palanquin, she arrived at Huici Palace very quickly. As Layue got off the palanquin, she happened to see Zhang Lan.

Zhang Lan quickly bowed slightly: “This concubine greets Her Imperial Highness, the Noble Consort.”

Layue smiled slightly: “Stand up. It’s such a cold day, my younger sister arrived quite early.”

Walking behind Shen Layue on her right side, Zhang Lan also smiled faintly: “It is only proper.”

As the two entered the room, the concubines and consorts who were already present hurriedly paid their respects.

Nowadays, even the most foolish person knew not to provoke Concubine Shen easily, as she was currently favored by the Emperor. Looking at her delicate and charming face, it was truly enviable and jealousy-inducing.

Isn’t it different when one has the Emperor’s favor compared to those without it?

It was strange today; she had arrived early, yet these people were even earlier.

But thinking about it, it was probably to leave a better impression on the Empress Dowager, after all, climbing up through the Empress Dowager’s favor was also a path.

There weren’t many old-timers in the palace, but the newcomers were all dressed joyfully and sitting there properly.

Layue looked at Fu Jin Yan. Speaking of Fu Jin Yan, she was indeed different from Fu Jin Yao. She seemed more composed and only spoke a few words to cover up her sister’s mistakes.

It seemed as if she was trying to save face for her elder sister, but Layue felt that there must be a bad relationship between Fu Jin Yan and Fu Jin Yao.

Fu Jin Yao did not appreciate her efforts at all.

Since the Emperor had followed Zhu Yuning away from the entrance of Qing’an Palace that day, Layue had become somewhat cold towards Zhu Yuning, and Zhu Yuning was also a perceptive person. Thus, she did not go to Qing’an Palace excessively.

Layue indeed had her own thoughts. She originally thought that with the Emperor’s personality, he shouldn’t have done something so humiliating to her at the entrance of Qing’an Palace. Yet he did exactly that. Thinking about past events, she had a feeling that the Emperor did not want her to have a deep relationship with Zhu Yuning.

And she was precisely the most considerate concubine. Since the Emperor disliked it, she would definitely not insist on maintaining a good relationship with Zhu Yuning.

Among the newly entered high-ranking women in the palace, only Zhang Lan had not yet been favored by the Emperor.

Everyone knew this. Seeing that Noble Consort Shen treated her with a relatively pleasant expression, some people secretly sneered. Indeed, who was she showing off her generosity to? She didn’t show such a good face to those of us who had some favor.

Because Fang Ci had previously offended Shen Layue, she now sat quietly at the back, keeping her head down and speaking little.

Although she was like this, there were still people who couldn’t bear to see her in peace.

Lady An spoke up: “By the way, Fang Attendant, when will Consort Qi arrive?”

Fang Ci looked up and smiled: “When Consort Qi will arrive, she certainly won’t tell me, younger sister. Elder sister An is joking.”

Lady An giggled and covered her mouth with a handkerchief.

“This is not a joke, you know. Who in the palace doesn’t know that you, younger sister, are the closest to Consort Qi?”

While speaking, she glanced at Noble Consort Shen, and the meaning was obvious.

The incident that happened in Huici Palace had offended the Empress Dowager. Thinking about it, it was really amusing!

Fang Ci’s expression changed slightly, but she still tried to maintain her composure: “Consort Qi is considerate of my youth and inexperience and has given me extra care. Speaking of which, Consort Hui has also been very kind to me.”

Speaking of Consort Hui’s “kindness,” it was truly something that made Fang Ci clench her teeth in anger.

When she first entered the palace those days, Fang Ci had once had the opportunity to meet the Emperor, but Consort Hui intercepted her halfway. Although it was not certain that he would come to her palace, Fang Ci believed that at that time, she was the only one, and if she had slightly tempted him, she was sure it would have worked.

But she didn’t expect that Consort Hui also went there.

In the palace, Fang Ci hated two people the most: one was Consort Hui, who had taken the Emperor from her, and the other was the high and mighty Shen Layue.

She looked down on the way these two looked at others.

She mentioned Consort Hui just now, hoping that these high-ranking women could confront each other. In her opinion, after the Emperor left Consort Hui’s bamboo pavilion, Noble Consort Shen went to pay her respects, which was a slap in Consort Hui’s face, not to mention the subsequent royal marriage.

If there was no fuel between these two, she would be willing to add some.

She had already completely offended Noble Consort Shen. Rather than that, she might as well let her know that Consort Hui also favored her, which might make her target Consort Hui even more.

How could Noble Consort Shen not see through her petty intentions?

She didn’t bother to respond and whispered with Zhang Lan beside her.

Logically, Zhang Lan shouldn’t have been sitting next to Noble Consort Shen, but because the two of them entered together, someone had given up these two seats.

In fact, Zhang Lan herself didn’t know why Noble Consort Shen treated her so well.

Among those present, only Layue herself knew that in her previous life, Zhang Lan, although they didn’t interact much, appreciated each other. She was a strong-willed and genuine woman, and precisely because of her unique personality, the Emperor had a bit of affection for her.

However, this also caused her subsequent tragedy, as Chen Yulan and Fang Ci colluded to frame her.

To prove her innocence, Zhang Lan jumped into the icy lake and drowned.

What Layue saw at that time were those two people, but how many others were actually pushing her behind the scenes, she didn’t know.

As Fang Ci and Lady An were talking, she noticed that Noble Consort Shen wasn’t even looking at her, which made her even more furious in her heart.

But when she thought that Noble Consort Shen had gained favor and even brought her family honor, her determination to climb higher grew even stronger.

“Your Majesty, I wonder if I could go see the young prince and princess. I’ve been in the palace for quite a while but haven’t seen them yet!” A sweet, childish voice suddenly interrupted.

Layue looked up and saw it was Lady An’s younger sister, Lady An Shuyuan.

In fact, not a single person in the palace had genuinely gone to Qing’an Palace to see the young prince and princess. After all, they were being kept away from them! They also didn’t want to go see those children who would only bring them distress.

Upon hearing Lady Shuyuan’s words, everyone turned their eyes toward Shen Layue.

Layue hadn’t expected anyone to bring this up, but without hesitation, she smiled and said: “Of course you can. But as you know, the children are very young and cannot be disturbed in the slightest. We don’t even dare to use scented incense. If you want to come and see them, you must first bathe and change clothes in the side hall of my Qing’an Palace. This is better for the children and for you as well. It will prevent someone from taking advantage of you since you are newly entered into the palace.”

This statement was somewhat blunt.

But it was also straightforward, and indeed, it was good for her.

If she were a straightforward person, she would naturally think this was better. Although it showed some suspicion, if there were any problems, she wouldn’t be blamed. But for some people, it was different. She would feel that saying this was an insult to her and that it showed a lack of trust in her.

Coincidentally, Lady Shuyuan belonged to the latter category.

Her face turned pale and then flushed, seeming somewhat wronged.

Seeing this, Lady An did not feel sympathy for her younger sister but instead sneered coldly.

This sound wasn’t loud, but it wasn’t hard to hear. Lady Shuyuan’s eyes reddened, appearing quite wronged.

“Does Noble Consort not trust this concubine? I would never do such a thing.” Her voice trembled as if she were about to cry.

Layue disliked such delicate and fragile women. Compared to Fang Ci’s cruelty, Lady Shuyuan’s pitiful appearance was equally disliked by her.

“You look as if I were bullying you,” Layue said coldly.

Seeing her like this, everyone was somewhat surprised, as in the past, Noble Consort Shen would not have acted this way.

So now she was truly becoming arrogant because of the Emperor’s favor?