Chapter 200:

It had only been a few days when Empress Layue summoned the female members of the Shen family to the palace for a chat.

Naturally, she had already discussed this with Emperor Jing beforehand, a practice Layue always handled most appropriately.

No matter when, no matter how favored she was or how high her position, she always kept Emperor Jing’s thoughts in mind. She would never act recklessly without his approval.

As for the new ideas Emperor Jing had mentioned a few days ago regarding the selection of concubines, discussions were already underway. Since there was still a year to go, Emperor Jing seemed genuinely engaged rather than merely placating her.

Layue also thought that Emperor Jing had no reason to placate her. As the ruler of the nation, why would he need to deceive her?

Since he had arranged it this way, it must be real.

In a good mood, Layue arranged early in the morning for everyone to prepare delicacies and snacks that the family members liked. Although it wasn’t necessary, she always felt something was missing if she didn’t do something.

“My dear mistress, please take a rest. Don’t be so busy. Old Lady, Miss Yiyi and the others will be here shortly,” Jinxin smiled and pulled her mistress to sit down.

Hearing this, Layue seemed to recall something: “That’s right, Jinxin. Tell Qiaoning to prepare some of the pastries she made during the New Year. Yiyi really likes those.”

She had eaten so much and even took the leftovers home!

“Alright, alright! My good mistress, please sit down quickly.”

When Layue had everything arranged properly, she heard Jinxin announce that the Shen family had all arrived.

They knelt down in unison to greet her, and Layue hurriedly asked them to rise.

Although Layue was now the Empress, she couldn’t act recklessly or summon the Shen family to the palace at will. She could only see them once a year at New Year, so she was especially delighted.

Carefully observing her sister-in-law Min Shi, Layue smiled and asked, “Sister, you look very well.”

Min Shi quickly replied, “Since I learned of my pregnancy, I’ve been constantly taking nourishing foods. The supplements Your Majesty bestowed upon me a few days ago, Grandmother and Mother didn’t use any of them, they all went to me.”

She looked rather embarrassed after saying this.

Layue smiled. This time visiting the palace included Grandmother Shen, Min Shi, Shen Yiyi, and Lin Shi.

“Grandmother and Mother naturally care for you, sister.”

Grandmother Shen looked at her eldest granddaughter. She had never imagined that Layue would rise so high. Back then, she had only wished for Layue to live peacefully in the palace, but she ended up becoming Empress, and the Shen family had also regained its former status.

This was something she had never dared to imagine before. She knew her family’s children well. The boys lacked significant ability and were rather blunt in character, making it extremely difficult for them to achieve high positions.

Although today’s status wasn’t extremely prestigious, the Shen family was still quite unique.

“Where are the younger masters?” Grandmother Shen asked, thinking of the little ones.

The three children were so adorable that everyone loved seeing them.

“Grandmother, the three children are still asleep and haven’t woken up yet. When they do, I’ll have someone bring them over,” Layue replied.

“I really miss those little ones,” Shen Yiyi said, holding her handkerchief and sitting there properly, though her lively nature was still evident.

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Shen gave her a sideways glance: “You’re already a grown young lady, yet your temperament is still so undignified.”

Shen Yiyi still wore a sweet smile.

But what she said next seemed to contradict this impression.

“Big sister is just as undignified. If all of them were the same kind of beauty, what would be special about them?” Shen Yiyi tilted her head.

Hearing this, Layue laughed, but then she thought of the upcoming concubine selection next year. She didn’t hide anything from Yiyi and looked at Grandmother: “Grandmother, next year is the concubine selection!”

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Shen naturally looked at Shen Yiyi.

Both girls entering the palace at the same time was seen as a good thing by many families, as it could help consolidate favor. However, Grandmother Shen had her own concerns. Over the years, there had been constant intrigue in the palace. It was not easy for sisters to serve the same man.

Many sisters ended up estranged. Grandmother Shen sighed deeply.

It seemed that Grandmother Shen’s worries were already evident at home. Lin Shi and Min Shi didn’t speak much, their faces not showing joy, nor did they say anything more.

“That’s right, next year is the concubine selection, and we don’t know what it will be like. I’ve heard that some things about the selection might change. Before, someone came to our house and casually asked about it. We didn’t know anything about it. Since we happened to come to the palace this time, we wanted to hear Layue’s opinion.”

The news that Emperor Jing wanted to adjust the concubine selection had already spread, but the specific details had not yet been finalized. However, even before the results were out, everyone was very anxious to know what the outcome would be.

After all, this concerned many families and many young ladies.

With one year to go, people were still worried that if there were any changes, many families’ plans would be in vain.

Layue smiled: “Until the last moment, no one can say for sure what it will be like. But from what the Emperor said, he might adjust the age to fifteen and change the time frame to five years.”

The others were all surprised upon hearing this.

The Emperor wouldn’t do this without reason. When the news of the adjustment was first spread, there were secret rumors outside that it must be because the Empress had done something.

Such things had never happened before. Now that there’s an Empress, the rules have changed. Isn’t it the Empress who is behind this?

However, although this was the case, no one dared to directly say anything to Emperor Jing. Just as Emperor Jing had said before, everyone had seen how several noble families had declined previously.

If the adjustment really happened, then Yiyi wouldn’t have the opportunity to enter the palace.

Grandmother Shen sighed in relief, looking at Layue: “I don’t know if it’s true or not. Yiyi will be of the candidate age next year.”

Layue looked at her younger sister, thought for a moment, and asked: “Yiyi, what do you think?”

Shen Yiyi held her handkerchief, her eyes clear: “I like being free and unrestrained. I don’t want to enter the palace. Entering the palace is extremely boring.”

Seeing her like this, Layue laughed heartily. Indeed, she was her sister.

“I’ve already discussed this with the Emperor before. He has already agreed to me. Under any circumstances, Yiyi will not be selected into the palace. Yiyi, don’t think that your sister is unwilling to share this glory and wealth with you. Although you haven’t entered the palace many times over the years, you should be able to see that the palace is not as simple as you might think. I can’t bear to let my younger sister enter the palace and walk the same path I have.”

She had the advantage of a second life, but Yiyi had nothing. If she preferred a life of freedom, then what reason did she have not to protect her sister well?

Upon hearing Shen Layue’s words, Grandmother Shen was not surprised. She thought that Layue’s character was always like this, never dragging her feet, and not allowing other girls from the Shen family to enter the palace, which was the best for everyone!

Layue’s stepmother, Lin Shi, and her sister-in-law, Min Shi, were both astonished by Layue’s influence over the Emperor.

All these years, she had not only not fallen out of favor as she aged, but had become even more beloved by the Emperor. This kind of character was something they could never match.

Grandmother Shen spoke up: “That’s really the best. Anyway, I don’t hope for all the children to enter the palace, where even meeting face to face is difficult. Marrying into an ordinary family is not bad either. Take Wanru, for example; she can come back once a month.”

The old lady laughed as she spoke, but she also understood in her heart that indeed, Wanru’s marriage to a loyal family was fortunate, but if it weren’t for Shen Layue’s increasing favor in the palace and her current position as Empress, coming back once a month would be absolutely impossible.

Layue nodded with a smile: “Yes, I can’t serve you, my elders, personally, so I can only rely on my brothers and sisters to take care of you.”

Min Shi interjected with a smile: “Since our little sister won’t be entering the palace, we can’t neglect her either. We should start looking for a suitable family now. After some consideration and preparation, it will take about two years.”

Lin Shi agreed.

Layue naturally agreed with this point: “In the past, I stayed in the palace and didn’t know much about eligible young men. It will be up to the elders to take care of this.”

“That’s natural, but even though Layue is in the palace, you might not be completely unaware. We’ll definitely come to you for advice when the time comes!”

Grandmother Shen patted her hand.

“Speaking of which, the other day I mentioned this to the Emperor, and he actually brought up someone. I was surprised to hear it was Zhou Nan, and I immediately refused. Xiaoyi is my most beloved younger sister; how could I marry her off casually, especially to such an old man.”

Thinking of the Emperor’s words, Layue smiled and said, and these were all family members, so she wouldn’t say such things if there were outsiders present.

They were all stunned there. In fact, they knew who Zhou Nan was.

Compared to Layue, they were more familiar with Zhou Nan. In recent years, Shen Shuping had been under Zhou Nan’s command.

Min Shi hesitated and muttered, “Zhou Nan is indeed too old. He must be about fourteen or fifteen years older than Yiyi!”

“Exactly! I naturally want the best for my sister.” Layue pouted.

“The best is Zhou Nan.” Shen Yiyi, who hadn’t spoken before, suddenly said.

Everyone was surprised.

Grandmother Shen thought about the meaning behind her words and immediately gave her a slap.

“You naughty girl, what are you saying!”

If this were to get out, she wouldn’t be able to live anymore.

Shen Yiyi looked at everyone with innocent blinking eyes: “But, I really think marrying Zhou Nan would be quite good! I’ve seen him and know him.”

Layue looked up at the sky helplessly, “Knowing him doesn’t mean he’s a good match?”

Shen Yiyi wasn’t shy: “I like him. I’ve seen him many times, though I think he hasn’t noticed me. He’s very capable, and I would be very, very happy if I could marry him!”

Hearing Shen Yiyi say this, Layue felt her whole world was crumbling.

Why did her sister have to like an older man!

Fifteen years older!

“Sister, will you help me fight for it? Sister——”