Chapter 178:

Fang Ci’s disappearance from the palace was no secret to anyone inside, yet no one dared to mention it, as if she had never existed there at all.

This was only natural; nobody was foolish, and even those who seemed foolish had eyes to see.

Not long after a maid from Concubine Shen’s palace was sent to the Discipline Department, Fang Ci vanished. Naturally, others could not fail to suspect the connection.

As a result, the palace women became even more obedient, though whispers circulated in secret, hinting that only by complying with Concubine Shen’s wishes could one live peacefully, otherwise one might face a lifetime of loneliness and die forgotten in the palace.

Layue naturally heard of these rumors and dealt severely with those spreading them. Seeing that Concubine Shen had grown increasingly unrestrained, others became even more cautious in their behavior.

Of course, there were also those waiting to see her downfall. Throughout history, those who acted arrogantly rarely ended well.

The Virtuous Consort had been the same, and so had the De Consort. Today’s Concubine Shen might not escape the same fate.

Layue herself was well aware of this. Although she appeared increasingly domineering, she knew she still exercised restraint.

The Emperor would not be angered by this.

Or rather, the Emperor might even prefer to see her this way, as was evident from their previous conversations.

Layue even didn’t know how the Emperor had explained things to the Empress Dowager, but as a result, the Empress Dowager had not inquired about these matters.

At this time, Layue increasingly believed that the Empress Dowager’s condition must be worsening and that she probably wouldn’t last much longer. Recently, the Empress Dowager had appeared in better spirits and with improved vitality, but Layue felt a sense of dread—wasn’t this more like a final flicker before death?

Every day, Layue visited the Empress Dowager to pay her respects, even bringing the three children along, which delighted the Empress Dowager greatly, who would often play with them for a long time.

Today was no different; after playing with the children for a while, the Empress Dowager looked very tired. Layue quickly helped her lie down and prepared to leave.

“Layue?” the Empress Dowager murmured, watching her figure.

“Does the Empress Dowager have anything to say?” Layue tucked the quilt in carefully and sat by the bed.

“Am I… about to go?” Her tone was devoid of sadness, as if she had long accepted that this was inevitable.

Layue smiled and replied, “What is the Empress Dowager saying? You will live to a ripe old age. You must see these children grow up!”

The Empress Dowager gazed at Layue for a long time before smiling faintly, though her smile carried a hint of uncertainty. “You don’t need to hide from me; I understand that I must die. Otherwise, how could he come to visit me? How could Che’er and Lie’er reconcile?”

Layue dared not delve deeper into the meaning of her words and tried to comfort her: “Empress Dowager, please don’t speak like this. You will recover—you will definitely recover.”

The Empress Dowager shook her head: “No need to hide from me. Layue, I have one question for you. I hope you will answer truthfully. Promise me you won’t lie.”

Layue didn’t know what the Empress Dowager wanted to ask, but she nodded quickly.

Seeing her nod, the Empress Dowager asked, “Did you know the Sixth Prince before you entered the palace?”

Layue immediately shook her head; indeed, she had not.

Seeing her shake her head, the Empress Dowager understood. After all, she shouldn’t have known Lie’er.

“Did anyone else in your family know him? I mean before you entered the palace.”

Layue shook her head again and replied, “No, absolutely not. Although perhaps I was simply unaware; back then I was very young, and adults wouldn’t have told me anything. Empress Dowager, is there something wrong?”

Seeing Layue’s expression and hearing her words, the Empress Dowager found them reasonable and let the matter drop. She spoke earnestly: “Never mind. Whatever happens, after I am gone, Layue, you must take good care of the Emperor and the children—not just the three little ones, but Yu’er and Jia’er are also pitiable children. You are kind-hearted. No matter what others say about your arrogance, I know in my heart that you are good. Che’er often says that whenever danger arises, you are always there to protect him. The children also love you dearly. I think perhaps it really was fate that you and the Yan family were so deeply connected. Cough… cough…”

“Empress Dowager, please rest now,” Layue couldn’t bear it any longer.

The Empress Dowager weakly waved her hand: “No problem. Let me finish. In the past half year, the Emperor has favored you exclusively, and I haven’t said a word. It’s because this child has some inner burdens. Perhaps his childhood experiences affected him too greatly. But that you have won his heart makes me extremely happy. I don’t want him to be alone when I am gone. You are clever and considerate. I can see clearly that among all the women in the palace, he trusts only you, and I trust only you as well. Whether it’s the Emperor or the children, I entrust them all to you. My dear Layue, you must stay by the Emperor’s side and properly protect the children and manage the harem. Only then can he bear his responsibilities without hesitation.”

“Yes. I understand. I will certainly do my best to fulfill this responsibility.”

The Empress Dowager nodded and looked at Madam Gui, then spoke again: “If I am gone, let Madam Gui go to your palace to assist you. She has much experience, is skilled at judging people, and is adept at handling affairs. She will help you resolve many difficulties.”

“Empress Dowager…” both Layue and Madam Gui said at the same time, both with tears in their eyes.

“Hear me out. This will be better for both of you. There aren’t many children in the palace, and there may be more in the future, but these few are the ones I cherish most. Their grandmother can no longer care for them as before. You must work hard. The harem is not simple.”

At this moment, Layue finally burst into tears. Seeing her weeping, the Empress Dowager managed a faint smile: “There, there, silly girl, why are you crying? Since you entered the palace, I have loved you. Seeing you rise step by step to a high position, I feel it is a kind of fulfillment. Alright, go back to your palace now. The little ones are waiting for you outside.”

Though deeply saddened, Layue eventually left.

When she first learned that the Empress Dowager had been the one who had harmed her, she had been heartbroken. Consequently, she had developed some resentment toward the current Empress Dowager. Later, she finally understood that with different experiences in past and present lives, people would also change. Therefore, she still maintained her sincerity. But today, she was about to leave forever.

Thinking about the Empress Dowager’s final words, Layue bit her lip and wiped away her tears.

After Shen Layue left, the Empress Dowager summoned the Emperor.

The palace was already in a state of high alert, but seeing Concubine Shen leave in tears and the Empress Dowager summoning the Emperor immediately afterward, many people speculated.

However, no one dared to speak openly now.

This suspicion lasted until the next morning, when it was resolved.

No one had expected that the Emperor would publicly announce in court that he would formally elevate Concubine Shen to Empress.

As soon as the words were spoken, the court was thrown into an uproar.

Minister An immediately objected, stating that although Concubine Shen had given birth to a prince, she had already been greatly honored before, and it was inappropriate to elevate her so suddenly.

The Emperor was furious and ordered him to be dragged out and beaten with twenty strokes.

The Empress Dowager’s health was poor, and although this imperial decree was issued in the Emperor’s name, it was actually at the Empress Dowager’s request. More accurately, it was her final wish.

Even if the entire court opposed it, he would not care. This was an announcement, not a request for opinions.

Shen Layue would not only become Empress but would be officially crowned in three days.

Such haste made even those with average intelligence realize the reason.

More surprisingly, even Chancellor Fu and the Sixth Prince openly supported the decision.

Chancellor Fu had two daughters holding high positions in the palace, yet he was still willing to see Shen Layue ascend to the throne. What more could others say?

Not only Chancellor Fu, but the Sixth Prince, who rarely agreed with the Emperor, surprisingly did not oppose him, which astonished many.

The news from the court quickly spread to the harem.

Even Layue was stunned; she had never expected the Empress Dowager to treat her this way.

Indeed, she had always lacked the strongest reason to ascend to the throne.

She could have been Concubine Shen, even Imperial Concubine Shen, but becoming Empress was extremely difficult.

Yet the Empress Dowager had helped her this far.

Layue closed her eyes, feeling as if everything was destined by fate.

In her previous life, the Empress Dowager had done so much harm to her family, yet in this life, it seemed all that was being repaid to her, Shen Layue. Since she entered the palace, the Empress Dowager had supported her all the way. Even the Emperor had not visited any other palace for half a year, and the Empress Dowager had not questioned this at all.

Moreover, despite her critical condition, the Empress Dowager had chosen a crucial moment to push her into the Empress position.

Layue could not describe how to relieve her complex emotions and only stood there, stunned.

Just as she was lost in thought, Lai Xi hurriedly arrived with a group of young eunuchs.

…

“By the decree of the Emperor, following the will of the Empress Dowager: The foundation of moral influence must rely on the inner virtue of the Empress, and the basis of human relationships primarily emphasizes the dignity of the Empress. This is the natural order of heaven and earth and the established principle for emperors. Concubine Shen has displayed noble character by nature and has long been known for her virtuous conduct. She has shown utmost filial piety and kindness to all. Therefore, she is worthy of ascending to the highest rank of the inner court and being publicly honored as the Empress. She shall be established as Empress to promote the moral teachings of the palace. I respectfully follow the Empress Dowager’s instruction. Regarding the ceremonies for elevating Concubine Shen to Empress, the relevant department shall carefully review and report.”

…

Now even a fool could see that Shen Layue was truly about to ascend to the throne.

At that time, she had also thought that perhaps one day she might take another step forward, but this sudden elevation from Concubine to Empress still surprised many. Not only were they surprised, but they also marveled at the Empress Dowager’s favor.

There were many concubines in the palace, and many were skilled at flattery. Even with the Empress Dowager’s illness, many still visited daily, trying to amuse her.

But all these schemes eventually came to nothing. No one had expected that the Empress Dowager trusted Concubine Shen the most.

No, she was no longer just Concubine Shen. In just three days, Concubine Shen would become the new mistress of the harem.

In three days, she would no longer be Concubine Shen, but the Empress.

Thus, the palace was inevitably entering a new era.

Shen Layue, who had initially been unknown and came from an unremarkable family, had ultimately ascended to the position of Empress without relying on any favor from her family.