Chen Yulan was originally conferred the title of Changzai along with Layue, but due to Layue’s recent promotion, her rank is now two levels higher than Yulan’s.
Yulan seemed to have a different mindset from Layue. From the beginning, she chose to keep a low profile and did not actively seek attention, which was not unexpected to Layue.
“Dear cousin…” Yulan wore a soft pink dress today, making her appear especially gentle and endearing.
She always knew how to highlight her strengths. Since her appearance wasn’t particularly striking, she leaned heavily into her gentle disposition, amplifying it to the utmost.
“Yulan, come sit beside me,” Layue said with a warm smile, pulling her cousin close in a display of affection.
“I cannot sit first, cousin. I must first extend my heartfelt congratulations on your recent promotion.”
Layue did not hide her happiness: “Someday, you too will earn the Emperor’s favor.”
A hint of strain appeared in Yulan’s smile. She dismissed the palace maids and sat down with Layue for a private chat.
“This smile of yours seems troubled. Are you worried you haven’t received the Emperor’s attention yet?” Layue teased gently.
Yulan looked up at Layue, hesitating as if wanting to say something, but ultimately remained silent.
“What’s wrong? Has someone wronged you?”
At this, Yulan quickly shook her head: “Cousin, you misunderstood. No one has mistreated me. Everyone has been very kind to me. It’s just… when I heard you mention the Emperor, I felt a bit uneasy.”
This remark puzzled Layue. Why would mentioning the Emperor make her uneasy?
Layue’s expression turned serious: “Cousin, you must not speak carelessly. Remember, we are in the imperial palace. If someone with ill intentions overheard you, they might twist your words into rumors. What would you do then?”
Shen Layue’s reaction was in line with her character. Yulan pouted slightly, appearing both wronged and melancholic: “I understand your concern, cousin, truly I do. But some things are beyond one’s control. For you, entering the palace might be a joyous occasion, but for me, it is a sorrowful one.”
“You’re speaking more recklessly by the moment.”
“Cousin, I already have someone I love in my heart. I never wanted to enter this palace. Alas, fate has played a cruel trick on me…” As she spoke, a tear rolled down her cheek, which she quickly wiped away with her handkerchief.
This display was undeniably pitiable.
Layue looked at her with alarm: “How can you say such things, cousin? Once you enter the palace, you belong to the Emperor. How can you speak like this? Are you trying to endanger Aunt and Uncle? I won’t ask who this man is, but you must never mention it again.”
Yulan had always been ambitious in seeking the Emperor’s favor, so it was unlikely she truly had a lover. The only possibility was that she was lying. But why would she lie? Layue grew more cautious.
As Layue spoke, she scrutinized Yulan intently. Under her gaze, Yulan appeared to recall something, momentarily revealing panic before swiftly tightening her grip on the handkerchief in her hand. Yet even so, Layue glimpsed the characters “Ping’an” (peace) embroidered upon it.
Seeing that Layue had noticed, Yulan became even more uneasy. Thinking quickly, she excused herself, claiming she had urgent matters to attend to in the palace and hastily took her leave.
Watching Yulan’s hasty departure, Layue sat expressionlessly.
Originally, Shen Layue had been a perceptive and insightful person. However, when she first entered the palace and saw the Emperor—handsome and extraordinary—she had fallen in love, only to eventually suffer heartbreak and withdraw from the palace intrigues.
Precisely because of this, in her second life, she could quickly deduce many things and find the most advantageous path for herself.
Although the nanny’s advice was helpful, the conclusions she drew from her ten years of palace experience were also the most reasonable.
She was clever—if she failed to understand Yulan’s intentions today, she would have wasted all those years in the palace.
Chen Yulan, Layue thought with a cold smile. Did she really think she was still the same easily deceived cousin? It wasn’t that she was gullible before—it was because she regarded Yulan as family, as a sister. Who would have thought that in this palace, there were no sisters.
She naturally knew that her older brother preferred to have the characters “Ping’an” embroidered on his handkerchiefs.
Was Yulan now trying to imply that she had a secret relationship with her brother?
That was absolutely impossible, and Shen Layue knew it well. Yulan was merely exploiting a blind spot in her trust.
She played it well—saying nothing, yet making it seem as if she had said everything, making it easier for Layue to believe.
If Layue hadn’t already been on her guard, she might have fallen for it in a moment of panic. Desiring a concubine in the harem—what a grave crime. If Shen Layue were wise, she would naturally separate the two.
And if she herself struggled to compete for the Emperor’s favor, wouldn’t a woman who already had someone else in her heart be safer and more reliable?
Whether for Shen Shuping or for herself, she should find an opportunity soon to introduce Yulan to the Emperor.
After all, as a Noble Lady, she had more opportunities than Yulan did.
This was exactly what Chen Yulan had in mind.
Doing nothing, yet achieving everything.
Looking out the window, Layue wore a smile, but her eyes were cold.
If there really were a secret affair, would she be so careless as to make it known?
“Xing’er.”
“Here I am, my lady.”
“You go with Xiaowenzi and Xiaodengzi to the storeroom and choose a gift suitable for my rank to send to Noble Consort Fu’s palace. If she doesn’t ask, then all is well. But if she does, say that I haven’t been feeling well.”
Xing’er looked up at her mistress, puzzled.
If she really said that to Noble Consort Fu, it would surely offend her.
Thinking of how Chen Changzai had just visited, even though they were cousins, Xing’er did not avoid mentioning it, since there were no outsiders in the room and she genuinely had her mistress’s best interests at heart.
“My lady, doing this will surely offend Noble Consort Fu. Everyone in the palace knows she’s someone not to be trifled with. She has powerful backing… If Changzai said anything to her, you should think carefully before acting.”
“If everyone in the palace follows Noble Consort Fu, someone might feel uneasy. I know this. Just do as I said.”
Xing’er didn’t fully understand Shen Layue’s meaning at first, but after a moment’s thought, she seemed to grasp it.
“Yes, my lady, I understand.”
“Xing’er…” As Xing’er reached the door, Layue called her back before she could turn around to bow.
Layue said calmly: “Since we are all in this deep palace, all vying for the same man, what room is there for real feelings? I’m glad you spoke frankly.”
Xing’er was momentarily stunned, then resumed her composure: “My lady, I understand.”
The palace maids around her—those she needed to be cautious of were not only outsiders.
“Go now. Do as I instructed.”
After Xing’er left, Jin Xin entered the room.
“My lady, they have shown no unusual behavior so far.” In the morning, after Layue decided not to send gifts, she had ordered Jin Xin to watch them.
“Not showing anything now doesn’t mean they are trustworthy. In the future, tell Xing’er as well—you two must stay alert. Among the senior palace maids, I trust Xing’er the most. But one thing is certain—I must ensure that everyone around me, whether senior palace maid or eunuch, is reliable. If not reliable, at least I must know whose side they are on, so I can prepare accordingly. After all, we are new here.”
Layue and Jin Xin had grown up together and were like sisters. Layue never kept secrets from her.
“My lady, actually, Xing’er has a point. Are you sure it’s okay to offend Noble Consort Fu?” Thinking of the order Xing’er had received, Jin Xin frowned with concern.
Shen Layue shook her head with a smile. Both Xing’er and Jin Xin had her best interests at heart. She knew this move was risky. Of course, Noble Consort Fu might not even ask, but if she did, it would be a bold gamble.
Still, she was determined to take the risk, betting that this was a move the Emperor—and even more so, the Empress Dowager—would appreciate.
She didn’t know who the Emperor had placed as a spy near her, but Xiaodengzi would surely report everything to the Empress Dowager. The Emperor and the Empress Dowager were mother and son by birth, and the Emperor had been raised by her since childhood, making their bond different from that of other emperors and empress dowagers in history.
She deduced that if the Empress Dowager found out, the Emperor would likely know as well.
Small matters would not be mentioned, but provoking Fu Jinyao—someone of her status—might catch their interest.
When would she ever reach a position like the Empress Dowager’s? Only then could she feel secure. Then she shook her head, thinking she was being too greedy, indulging in wild thoughts.
Looking at the current Emperor, he didn’t seem like someone destined for an early death. Perhaps she should not wish for his demise—after all, he was still alive and thriving.
“Xiaodengzi is the Empress Dowager’s man. Some gestures are meant for show. Between the Empress Dowager and Fu Jinyao—who do you think is more important?”
“Of course, the Empress Dowager,” Jin Xin said, suddenly understanding. “Does the Empress Dowager dislike Noble Consort Fu?” Her tone betrayed surprise.
Layue smiled without answering.
Jin Xin stopped speaking.
The Empress Dowager didn’t dislike Fu Jinyao herself, but rather the Fu family and her elder sister, Fu Jinxiu.
Although Chancellor Fu did not wield absolute power, his influence was enough to cause concern. If the Emperor disliked someone, how could the Empress Dowager favor them? It was strange, though, that even ten years later, the Emperor had not moved against the Fu family, allowing them to maintain their position in court. At that time, the Virtuous Consort had long faded into obscurity, and the powerful families of Lian, Bai, Zhu, and Cheng had all been crushed by the Emperor.
Yet, watching from the sidelines, she clearly saw the Emperor’s dislike for the Fu family but never saw him act. The reason for this was puzzling indeed.
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