Chapter 181:

The courtyard was drenched in heavy rain.

Jingdi stood there as if in a dream, feeling utterly hollow.

He wanted to walk over, to reach his beloved Yue’er, but he could not move closer, no matter how hard he tried.

He could only watch helplessly as the rain poured down on her, her already frail body growing paler and more haggard.

How could Yue’er be like this? His Yue’er had always been plump and never so thin and weak.

Where was this place? What was going on?

“Your Majesty, I beg you, save the Shen family. Please, give the Shen family a way to survive. Please, Your Majesty, please…” Layue cried desperately, but no one answered. Jingdi tried to approach, but again, he could not.

At this moment, he suddenly felt a surge of anger. He wanted to find out who had caused his beloved Yue’er so much pain and suffering.

What had happened to the Shen family?

Unexpectedly, he found himself entering a room—a place he was very familiar with—his Xuanning Hall.

Looking at the person who was reading and replying to memorials, Jingdi was shocked. It was himself.

Yet this “Jingdi” remained indifferent to Layue’s weeping and pleading.

He wanted to rush over, but once again, he could not get close. Standing beside him was Lai Xi.

“Is Shen Wanyi still at the door?” the “Jingdi” at the table suddenly asked.

Lai Xi replied, “Yes, she is.”

Jingdi inwardly snorted. How could he be so deaf as to not hear Yue’er’s cries? He wouldn’t even need to ask others.

“Let her keep kneeling. When she’s had enough, she’ll leave. The Shen family is expendable. If their death brings more benefits and pleases the Empress Dowager, then so be it.”

At these indifferent words, Jingdi gritted his teeth in hatred. Yet deep in his heart, he understood—he might have acted the same way before truly loving Layue.

As he was lost in thought, the scene suddenly shifted.

He was now by a pond, watching helplessly as Yue’er was pushed into the water by Consort Xian. She thrashed about, but no one came to save her. And the “himself” stood quietly by, murmuring, “Yue’er, my child, we will have more, but Consort Xian must be removed…”

Another scene appeared.

Jingdi was holding a beauty in his arms, laughing joyfully. Someone asked, “Who is Shen Layue?”

Jingdi shook his head repeatedly. He felt he had merged completely with that “Jingdi.” He knew deep down—it was definitely himself.

This dream was truly a nightmare—a dream that kept hurting and tormenting Layue.

A real nightmare.

Jingdi struggled desperately to escape this torment.

He waved his arms wildly, “Ah—”

Layue, struck by him, quickly woke him up, “Your Majesty, Your Majesty, what’s wrong with you?”

Finally free from the nightmare, Jingdi abruptly sat up.

Sweat had already soaked his forehead. Layue looked at him with concern, “Your Majesty—”

Before she could ask more, Jingdi pulled her tightly into his arms.

His voice trembled slightly. Then he pushed her back slightly, carefully examining her face. She was still plump, her little face full of worry.

Jingdi’s voice was filled with anxiety, “I had a nightmare. I dreamed I hurt you, that I let you lose our child, that I didn’t care about you anymore. In my dream, my beloved was so thin, kneeling in the rain. I was so scared…”

He didn’t say more, only held her tightly in his arms.

Perhaps he was too anxious, he didn’t notice the brief stiffness and tension in Layue at that moment.

Her eyes widened.

Could it be… did he dream of their past life?

Was he worried about her?

In an instant, tears streamed down Layue’s face.

Feeling the wetness on his shoulder, Jingdi lifted her chin and saw her tear-streaked face.

His heart ached, “Why are you crying, Yue’er? Hush, hush, don’t cry. You’ll make me even more heartbroken.”

Layue nestled in his arms, “I just thought about what Your Majesty said, and I felt so pitiful. I was so afraid you wouldn’t like me anymore or be kind to me.”

Seeing her so vulnerable, Jingdi murmured soothingly, “No, I won’t. I will never abandon you, Layue. Perhaps even you yourself don’t know how deeply I love you.”

At this moment, he said “I,” not “this emperor.” In fact, in their casual moments together, Jingdi sometimes slipped into using “I,” but this time, he was fully aware of what he was saying.

He loved her—as a man loves a woman.

Not as an emperor “favoring” his concubine.

“Yue’er, do you know? I can feel your fear of me.”

Layue looked up at him, stunned.

“Foolish girl, you’re just such a foolish girl.”

“Then why do you like me, Your Majesty?” Layue asked, gazing at Jingdi, puzzled.

Jingdi just smiled.

He said nothing, only pulled her into his arms again, “Hush, go to sleep. I’ll give you time. Take a lifetime to find out, okay?”

They both fell asleep again.

This night was destined to be extraordinary for both of them.

Jingdi was deeply affected by the suffering Layue endured in the dream. He couldn’t forget how pitiful she would be without his protection. As for Layue, she never expected Jingdi to dream of their past life. Though she didn’t know if it was truly their past, the similarities were overwhelming.

She was even shocked by his tenderness, his confession, his sincerity.

Yan Che truly liked her, didn’t he?

Layue thought uncertainly. She dared not let her heart hope too much. She could only suppress her feelings tightly, afraid her heart would beat too fast.

…

The next day.

Previously, without a queen, they only needed to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, who, due to poor health, rarely met with them.

But now, things were different. Shen Guifei had become the Empress.

Not long after Layue returned to Fengqi Palace in the morning, she heard someone coming to pay their respects. She was slightly taken aback, but soon understood—it was only natural.

According to the old ancestral rules, if they did not come to pay their respects, it would seem disrespectful.

Although she had become the Empress, Shen Layue did not dress overly solemnly.

She was only seventeen, in the prime of her youth. If she didn’t dress beautifully now, when she grew older, even if she did dress up, no one might appreciate it anymore.

As for those more dignified styles, she could save them for when she was older.

Layue didn’t care about such things. She dressed as she liked, adorned herself with her favorite hairpins, and then went out.

“Your Majesty, we greet the Empress.”

They all bowed.

Layue smiled and sat down, “Rise.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The palace concubines had already paid their respects the previous day.

But yesterday was the coronation ceremony, when she was dressed very formally. Today, she wore a red robe with large crimson peonies embroidered on it, her hair pinned up with a green jade hairpin.

She was radiant.

Indeed, a flower of wealth and beauty.

Over the years, everyone had noticed that Emperor Jingdi did not favor the traditionally slim beauties of the Nanqin Kingdom. He preferred women who were slightly plump, with youthful faces and full figures.

And the newly crowned Empress was exactly this type.

Some might have previously told themselves that it was only the Empress Dowager’s decree, and the Emperor had no choice but to comply. But now, thinking like that would be self-deception. Rather, it was simply his preference in women.

Even before, Shen Layue had enjoyed exclusive favor in the imperial harem.

For half a year, the Emperor had not favored anyone else.

Those comforting words they told themselves were nothing but self-deception.

Those with sharp insight immediately realized that the right path now was to flatter the Empress.

If one truly had no favor from the Emperor, having the Empress’s favor would at least make life easier.

The palace was always one to judge by status. They needed to plan carefully.

“Her Highness, Princess Hui has arrived—”

Fu Jinyao was also dressed exceptionally beautifully today, standing out among the rest. Seeing everyone already present, she remained expressionless, then gave a slight bow, “Your Majesty, I have not been in the habit of paying morning respects before. This morning, I nearly forgot. If not for my maid’s reminder, I might have been late.”

Her implication was clear—she wasn’t really late.

If she had said nothing, Layue wouldn’t have said anything either. After all, in her view, this was indeed the first time, and she herself was not yet accustomed to it. But Fu Jinyao was clearly provoking her, her bow was perfunctory, and her tone was defiant. Clearly, she wanted to intimidate the Empress.

Shen Layue had never been easy to provoke. Now that she was the Empress and had just ascended the throne, she naturally would not allow such behavior. Otherwise, others would follow suit, and her authority as Empress would be greatly diminished.

Without calling her to rise, Layue smiled faintly, “I thought Princess Hui was unwell and wouldn’t come. I heard she was very ill the day before yesterday and summoned Doctor Zhu for treatment. It seems Doctor Zhu is indeed skilled. Looking at Princess Hui today, there is not a trace of fatigue.”

Since Shen Layue had not called her to rise, Princess Hui had to remain half-bowed.

Though furious inside, she dared not show it.

“Your servant merely had a slight discomfort. A good rest is all that’s needed. Thank you for the Empress’s concern.”

Layue looked at her with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile.

This attitude made others realize that even in the busiest of times, the Empress was fully aware of every movement within the palace. And her words carried double meanings.

First, that Princess Hui had pretended to be ill and summoned the physician. Second, that Doctor Zhu was likely one of her allies.

Thinking this, the others exchanged wary glances. Doctor Zhu often visited the palace to check on the health of the concubines. If he was indeed on Princess Hui’s side, then it would be difficult to guard against any schemes she might plot.

Thus, their gazes toward Fu Jinyao became more guarded.

“Alright, alright, rise quickly. Your body has just recovered. How can you keep kneeling like this?”

Layue smiled gently, yet it was clear she was not someone to be trifled with. Remembering how she had first entered the palace as a mere concubine, she had never been gentle then. Now that she was Empress, she was naturally more assertive.