Chapter 182:

Although Shen Layue did not say much, she indeed gave Consort Hui a stern warning.

Fu Jinyao was not so foolish as to create a serious conflict with Shen Layue. Leaving aside other considerations, judging from the prevailing sentiment in the palace, both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager greatly favored this girl. If Fu Jinyao acted too aggressively, she would certainly displease the Emperor.

Fu Jinyan, sitting quietly on one side, mused that her second elder sister was indeed no match for Shen Layue. If the two ever truly clashed, even without the Emperor’s support, Shen Layue would definitely not come out worse. Her scheming alone made this clear.

Thinking further about the past year since she entered the palace, watching Shen Layue’s many actions, there was not a trace of innocence in her. Even when she acted audaciously, she always did so with perfect control.

Even Fu Jinyan herself felt she couldn’t gain any advantage over Shen Layue.

When some concubines mentioned the impropriety of Princess Diwa living in the palace, Shen Layue responded with a seemingly reasonable explanation, chatting casually and handling the situation with ease. Considering that Shen Layue was barely two years older than herself, Fu Jinyan couldn’t help but marvel.

Of course, Layue had her own thoughts.

She had many thoughts regarding this princess, but jealousy was not among them. Although she didn’t understand why Princess Diwa obeyed Emperor Jing, Layue deeply knew that the Emperor had his own purposes for Diwa, and she would never interfere with his plans.

The Emperor was sharpening his sword against the aristocratic families, and Princess Diwa might be a crucial move in that strategy.

That night,

Emperor Jing caressed Layue’s bare back and casually asked, “How was today?”

Layue looked up at him in confusion, “Good? What do you mean good?”

The Emperor smiled mischievously, leaned close to her ear, blew gently, and whispered, “What do you think? Whether I was good or not? Whether what we did just now was good.”

Layue’s face immediately flushed red, what a scoundrel.

“How can the Emperor say such things?”

Emperor Jing laughed heartily, unbothered, “What’s wrong with that? Yue’er isn’t someone else. Besides, you’re my beloved, of course I want you to be happy.”

Layue turned over and lay on top of him.

Emperor Jing fixed his gaze on her.

“The Emperor treats me so well.” Saying that, she directly kissed him.

Emperor Jing deepened the kiss.

As they kissed, Emperor Jing became more and more aroused, his hands roaming up and down her body restlessly.

Seeing her already bare body, Emperor Jing bent his thigh, placed his hand on her buttocks, and with a little force, lifted her small body slightly.

Layue let out a soft moan, using her hands to support herself on the bed, her body straightening up.

“Come here, let me kiss you,” Emperor Jing looked at her, his eyes darkening, murmuring.

Layue blushed and shyly said, “Don’t do this.”

With a sudden move, Emperor Jing pressed her down.

Seeing her obediently accepting him, both Emperor Jing and Layue let out a low groan. Though they had been together for years, such a situation had never occurred before.

Emperor Jing moved vigorously up and down. Although Layue was passive, she soon became breathless and tired.

Soft pleas for mercy escaped her lips.

For a moment, the room was filled with panting.

After another round of passion, seeing Layue looking like a delicate flower after the rain, Emperor Jing pulled her into his arms and gently kissed her.

“Rest more tomorrow. Let them wait when they come to pay their respects. You’re the Empress, no one can say anything about that,” Emperor Jing said, looking at her.

Yet in just one day, Emperor Jing felt that Layue was even busier than he was.

In the morning, she had to wait for the concubines to pay their respects, and then she had to accompany the Empress Dowager. By the end of the day, she looked somewhat tired.

Layue smiled and traced circles on his chest, “Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty, but there are some things I cannot do too openly. Now that I’m the Empress, I should set an example.”

Emperor Jing smiled faintly, “Since you’re the Empress, you naturally deserve more authority. Otherwise, why be the Empress when you could just be a concubine?”

Despite trying to maintain her composure, Layue couldn’t help but smile. Emperor Jing seemed to become increasingly skilled at pleasing her.

Every word he spoke brought her great joy.

“You always like to act recklessly,” Layue said.

Emperor Jing laughed and pinched her little bottom.

“I’ve done even more reckless things. Otherwise, how could Princess Diwa have moved into the palace?”

Layue looked up in surprise, then smiled, realizing he already knew about the day’s events.

“Your Majesty’s spies are truly everywhere.”

Emperor Jing showed no embarrassment, “Today was the first time. I was just worried you might feel wronged. But it seems things went fine. I didn’t expect our little Yue to be so eloquent.”

Layue laughed and playfully hit him.

Emperor Jing caught her small fist, kissed it, and said, “Tomorrow, tell them that you and I discussed it, and that Princess Diwa living in the palace is indeed inconvenient. Let her move to the outer palace guesthouse.”

Layue looked at him with some confusion.

Seeing his calm expression, she wrinkled her small nose and asked, “Your Majesty, please don’t worry about what we think. Just follow your own plans.”

Emperor Jing couldn’t help but laugh more broadly at her cute expression, “What are you saying? Silly girl, I naturally have my own considerations. Do you think I would really act according to their preferences? Princess Diwa will definitely move to the guesthouse. How else can the next step of the plan proceed? She can’t seduce anyone while staying in the palace.”

Emperor Jing spoke as if it were perfectly natural.

Layue smiled and said, “Your Majesty is such a sly old fox.”

Emperor Jing raised an eyebrow and asked, “If I’m a fox, then I must like to sneak around for delicacies.” Saying that, he flipped over and mounted her again.

…

Actually, Emperor Jing had originally planned to arrange Princess Diwa at the Zhu family’s residence. However, upon further consideration, since he had already abandoned the plan involving Zhu Yuning and the Zhu family had remained obedient, he decided to let them be for now.

Compared to the Zhu family, dealing with the An family was more urgent.

Once Princess Diwa left the palace, she would have the opportunity to seduce Minister An. He never doubted this.

These old scholars who always talked about righteousness and morality were actually very easy to seduce. Truly, they were hypocrites.

After receiving Emperor Jing’s instructions, Layue didn’t formally announce anything. She casually mentioned the matter of Princess Diwa’s arrangement.

All the concubines were delighted.

Not only were they happy, but they also praised the Empress’s efficiency. Although she had spoken nicely the day before, they still took it to heart.

Sure enough, Princess Diwa had already moved to the guesthouse. Thinking of the Empress’s influence, everyone became much more obedient.

Layue also understood that the Emperor had intentionally done this to let everyone recognize her capability and thus dare not underestimate her.

Thinking about everything he had done for her, she felt a warmth in her heart.

“I told you so. It was indeed inappropriate for Princess Diwa to stay in the palace. As a foreign princess who had divorced, living in the palace would inevitably cause trouble. It’s better for her to move to the guesthouse where she can be freer and others can avoid gossip,” Consort An said.

Regardless, they were all legitimate women in the palace, but what was Princess Diwa?

Layue sipped her tea and smiled without saying much.

“Princess Diwa has a cheerful personality and probably isn’t used to the many rules of the palace. It’s better for her to leave,” Fu Jinyan replied with a smile.

Others nodded in agreement.

As long as she left, anything said was good.

Of course, there were those who felt regretful. They thought since they themselves were not favored, it would have been better to let this beautiful and seductive princess stay. Perhaps then, the Emperor could be drawn away from the Empress. If one opportunity arose, more chances might follow.

But now, all that seemed impossible.

Previously, when Shen Guifei had no reaction, it was because there was no need. Now that she was Empress, she naturally wouldn’t tolerate such a situation. As they say, one does not allow others to snore under one’s own bed. She was indeed not an easy person to deal with.

As the women were chatting about Princess Diwa’s departure from the palace, they saw Xiaodengzi rushing in, stumbling as he approached Jin Xin and whispering something in her ear.

Consort Hui sneered; this was how the servants of Fengqi Palace behaved, so undisciplined.

Jin Xin’s expression changed after hearing the message, and she immediately returned to her mistress.

“The Empress Dowager isn’t feeling well. I must go see her. You all should come with me,” Shen Layue didn’t delay for a moment and quickly stood up.

The Empress Dowager’s health had been deteriorating for some time, with many instances where her condition was extremely poor. Originally, they had hoped there was still a chance.

But now Layue knew, it was probably… not looking good.

Layue didn’t even acknowledge them, moving extremely quickly. At a time like this, of course, the others understood immediately.

They naturally hurried to follow.

Upon arriving at Huici Palace, they saw many imperial physicians coming in and out of the room, busy with the situation. Layue, fearing that others might interfere with the physicians’ work, forbade anyone from entering the room and waited in the courtyard herself.

Not long after, they heard the announcement, “The Emperor has arrived——”

Layue turned around and saw Emperor Jing looking extremely anxious, with the Sixth Prince following closely behind, both dressed in court attire.

“How is Mother?” Emperor Jing grabbed Layue.

“She is being resuscitated.” Though deep down she knew the Empress Dowager was probably beyond saving this time, Layue couldn’t bring herself to voice it. She stood there with red-rimmed eyes, utterly distraught.

Without hesitation, Emperor Jing rushed into the inner chamber, followed closely by the Sixth Prince.

Layue didn’t move, waiting anxiously.

At this moment, every second felt like a year.

Thinking of the kindness the Empress Dowager had shown her over the years, Layue wiped away her tears, tightly clenched her hands, and could only hope for a miracle.

All the palace concubines waited here. Some, like Shen Layue, were sad and hoping for a miracle, while others secretly wished for the Empress Dowager’s death.

Fu Jinyan glanced at Consort Hui Fu Jinyao, deeply fearing that she might reveal any signs of happiness, which could lead to their family’s doom.

Regarding this elder sister, she had completely given up. Now she could only hope that she would stay obedient, and even if she occasionally became jealous, she wouldn’t go too far.

As if sensing Fu Jinyan’s gaze, Fu Jinyao glared at her, then turned away.

Fu Jinyan let out a sigh of relief. At least there was no expression of schadenfreude, which was fortunate.

Suddenly, a cry erupted from inside the room.

Then they heard a young eunuch shout, “The Empress Dowager has passed away…”