Chapter 158:

Layue ultimately did not involve herself in the affairs of the Chen family. There was something eerie about the entire matter, and having listened to the Emperor’s words, she dared not meddle further.

Whether the Chen family truly had colluded with the enemy or not, this matter carried the gravest of accusations. Layue imagined that if not for her current position, her own Shen family and the Yue family would certainly have been implicated as well.

Thinking of this, she felt another wave of fear.

Layue had a clear understanding of her own limitations and would never strive for things beyond her reach.

Thus, everything was left as it was.

Sometimes she would recall this matter, yet remain puzzled by it.

It was not until many, many years later, when she and Emperor Jing had become inseparable, that she finally uncovered the truth behind the fall of the Chen family from a hidden compartment in the Emperor’s chambers.

So… it turned out to be like this.

By then, although Layue felt some regret, she was no longer overly distressed.

As the New Year approached, she was heavily occupied with preparations. Moreover, since the Empress Dowager’s health was poor, Layue frequently visited her.

Over time, she began to exchange a few words with Lady Wan.

Although their master-apprentice relationship had not lasted long, Lady Wan had watched Layue grow up from childhood. The two could vaguely understand each other through their conversations.

Knowing Lady Wan’s character, Layue quietly warned her that it was best not to get too involved in the Chen family matter.

Lady Wan naturally understood.

Perhaps because of everyone’s joint efforts, or perhaps because her two sons had become harmonious, the Empress Dowager’s health gradually improved.

Seeing this, Layue was genuinely delighted.

As the Empress Dowager regained some strength, Layue often consulted her about matters she did not understand, but surprisingly, the Empress Dowager no longer seemed interested in such things.

Instead, she directed Layue to Nurse Gui, telling her that if she had any questions, she should ask Nurse Gui.

Layue nodded in agreement.

She was not pretending; she genuinely believed that since she was newly involved in palace affairs, it was better to ask more questions and be cautious.

Her behavior coincidentally pleased the Empress Dowager, who thought her considerate and grew even fonder of her.

Layue, however, remained unaware that the Empress Dowager’s lack of interference was entirely due to her trust in Emperor Jing. Although the Emperor had assigned palace affairs to Layue, he had also arranged many assistants for her, for the Empress Dowager was a deeply calculating person.

To her, it seemed as though the Emperor was merely using Layue’s hands while retaining control over everything himself.

Seeing Layue’s earnest but naive inquiries, the Empress Dowager genuinely wished to help and instructed Nurse Gui to provide more assistance.

Thus, everything turned out to be a fortunate coincidence.

Yet within this fortunate coincidence, there was much of Emperor Jing’s design.

As the New Year approached and everything was prepared accordingly, Layue finally felt a sense of relief.

At this time, Noble Consort Fu came to report that she had found the culprit and wished to inform Noble Consort Shen.

Layue was not one to meddle in affairs unnecessarily, and she wasn’t sure how to assess Fu Jin Yan. However, compared to Consort Hui, Fu Jin Yan now appeared to be more scheming, prompting Layue to be even more cautious around her.

Layue did not take the matter upon herself but instead instructed Fu Jin Yan to request an audience with Emperor Jing.

Since this matter had been assigned by the Emperor, it was only appropriate to inform him first, and any subsequent actions could be decided later.

Seeing Shen Layue’s manner, Fu Jin Yan understood that she was a clever woman.

Without lingering unnecessarily, Fu Jin Yan bowed slightly and took her leave.

News traveled quickly within the palace, and soon everyone knew that Noble Consort Fu had uncovered the culprit, though no one knew the identity of the criminal.

Emperor Jing gazed at Fu Jin Yan below him with a blank expression: “Have you confirmed everything?”

Fu Jin Yan replied confidently: “Your Majesty, I have fully investigated the matter. I have compiled all the evidence and testimonies; please review them at your convenience.”

She was indeed very thorough, knowing well that facts spoke louder than words.

Presenting everything directly to the Emperor was the best approach.

As Emperor Jing flipped through the documents, his expression remained unchanged.

After a long while, he set the documents down and asked, “Does Consort Hui know about the problem with her palace maid?”

Fu Jin Yan quickly shook her head: “Consort Hui was unaware. This maid had been placed there by Consort De when Hui first entered the palace. She had received favors from Consort De and regarded her as a savior. She remained in Zhuxuan with the intention of secretly stirring up conflicts between Consort Hui and other consorts.”

“Where is she now?” Emperor Jing asked casually, assuming that since Fu Jin Yan had handled the matter so competently, she would not have killed or otherwise harmed the maid.

“Your Majesty, I have already handed her over to the Department of Careful Punishment, awaiting your decision.”

Emperor Jing glanced again at the documents. Consort De had previously placed spies in various palaces, but due to repeated purges in the palace, most of them had been eliminated. However, the maid in Consort Hui’s palace had escaped notice because of her low rank and seemingly obedient nature, and had gradually risen to the position of a second-class maid.

She had secretly met with Consort De at night, using information obtained from Consort Hui to attempt to create discord among the higher-ranking consorts.

That night, Li Yanran happened to encounter her and sent Dan’er to follow.

However, the matter was discovered, and Consort De and her accomplice, in a desperate move, killed Dan’er and disposed of her body behind the back gate of Qing’an Palace, intending to frame Shen Layue.

Originally, they had planned to throw the body inside the palace, but due to the tight security of Qing’an Palace and the Emperor’s presence there, they had no choice but to discard the body at the back gate.

Knowing that Consort Hui and Consort Qi had poor relations with Noble Consort Shen, Consort De had reasoned that even placing the body at the back gate would certainly cause a commotion. As expected, Consort Hui acted precisely as she had anticipated.

After setting down the documents, Emperor Jing narrowed his eyes, seemingly deep in thought. Finally, he spoke: “You may withdraw for now. Keep this matter confidential until I handle it later.”

Fu Jin Yan showed no surprise, simply acknowledging and leaving.

As he watched her retreating figure, Emperor Jing turned his gaze away. He had no intention of letting Consort De off easily.

At this point, Consort De had already gone too far and had to be dealt with.

However, the question remained how to deal with her.

Thinking of how Chen Yulan had committed countless atrocities and how her father had sought vengeance, Emperor Jing’s expression darkened slightly.

He would not allow such an incident to happen again.

After a moment’s thought, he called out, “Lai Fu.”

…

What Emperor Jing instructed remained unknown. However, the palace was now filled with anxiety and uncertainty. No one knew what had happened or what Noble Consort Fu had uncovered. Many also resented Fu Jin Yan—if she had insisted on handing the matter over to Shen Layue for public resolution earlier, perhaps the current unease wouldn’t have arisen.

But everyone was familiar with the Emperor’s temperament by now.

He had taken the matter into his own hands and remained silent, leaving everyone anxious about what he might be plotting.

With the Emperor so clearly protecting Noble Consort Shen, many feared what he might do to them.

That evening, the Emperor summoned no one.

For many, it was a sleepless night.

The next morning, after court, Emperor Jing sent Lai Xi to inform all the consorts.

The culprit behind the past crimes was revealed to be Consort De, and Fu Jin Yan’s findings were made public.

Layue sat on the heated brick bed, her face pale due to her monthly cycle, hugging a warming pot.

As Jin Xin explained everything, Layue nodded. She believed this outcome.

It was not surprising that Consort De had done such a thing.

Now she only needed to watch how the Emperor would handle it.

Since the Emperor had chosen to announce the matter publicly, he must have planned to deal with it accordingly, otherwise he could not maintain order among the court.

Ever since Consort De had entered the palace, she had repeatedly harassed Layue, openly scheming against her more than once. Even now, confined to the cold palace, she still plotted against Layue. Layue felt no sympathy for such a person—only a sense of justice fulfilled.

If there was anything unsettling about this matter, it was only regarding little Jia’er.

No matter how wicked Consort De was, she had always been devoted to her son.

It was likely that the only one truly hurt would be young Jia’er,

the child who had quietly followed Yu’er since his mother’s downfall, hoping that if he behaved well enough, he might get a chance to see his mother again.

“Your Highness, do you think the Emperor will do?”

Jin Xin also thought of the young child.

Layue shook her head. She did not know, nor could she fathom the Emperor’s intentions.

Though she did not understand the final punishment, she knew that by making the matter public, the Emperor intended to make an example of Consort De.

***

The cold palace was silent.

Consort De sat there, dazed. She already knew that her scheme had been exposed. What concerned her most was how the Emperor would deal with her.

Thinking of her son, she felt that perhaps things would not be as complicated as she feared. The Emperor would surely consider the child, surely take him into account.

Although it had snowed two days ago, today the sun was bright, and the snow had mostly melted.

Only in the cold palace, in its dark and shaded corner, did the snow still remain.

“Crunch, crunch”—the sound of footsteps on snow.

Consort De quickly stood up and rushed to the mirror, hastily tidying her appearance. She thought the visitor might be the Emperor, and before him, she wanted to present her best self.

Perhaps then he would remember their past affection and spare her this once.

“Bang”—the door was pushed open.

Consort De looked up. The visitor wore a gray cloak, but even so, from the figure, it was clearly not Emperor Jing, but rather a woman.

The cloaked figure lifted her head, and Consort De stared, stunned—it was Consort Qi.

Then she regained her composure, smirking coldly: “What do you want?”

For a moment, Consort Qi’s face twisted: “You killed my child, ruined my chances of ever having another child. Tell me, what do you think I’m here for?”

Her tone was sinister.

Seeing her expression, Consort De felt a moment of fear but forced herself to remain calm: “I have committed a crime, and the Emperor will deal with me accordingly. But what are you doing here? I advise you to leave quickly, lest the Emperor arrives and sees you in such a despicable state.”

Upon hearing this, Consort Qi let out a chilling laugh.

“You’re still as powerless as ever—”