December truly knew that in times like these, there was no such thing as divine intervention. Everything happening today must have been orchestrated by someone; it’s just that she herself was not the target of those machinations.
Thinking about it, it made sense. An Jieyu was naturally more deserving of such scheming.
She carefully recalled everything that had transpired today, and couldn’t blame the Empress Dowager for suspecting her earlier. Logically speaking, she indeed appeared to benefit the most. However, they were all shrewd individuals who should have realized that although she seemed to gain the most, she actually hadn’t.
At the very least, she had gained three enemies—apart from them, the animosity of all the other concubines in the palace, as well as the suspicions of both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.
It seemed as though she had benefited, but in reality, she hadn’t.
She imagined that the three of them would come to hate her bitterly from now on. After all, who in this palace wouldn’t want to vie for the Emperor’s favor?
However, someone capable of deceiving An Jieyu and orchestrating everything so smoothly definitely couldn’t be one of the newly entered concubines. None of them possessed such capability—not even Fu Jinyao.
Of course, the Fu family must have had someone within the palace. However, Hui Xian Empress had passed away three years ago, and the Emperor would have already purged whatever needed to be eliminated. Not to mention, there were also the schemes of Virtuous Consort De and Xian Consort.
To target merely An Jieyu and herself, they wouldn’t have gone to such great lengths.
After all, although every family might have someone hidden deep within the palace, not everyone would be willing to use them. Even her own Shen family had prepared suitable people for her, hadn’t they?
December smiled.
Suddenly, her smile froze on her face. Slowly, she stood up and walked to the window, furrowing her brows in deep thought…
So it was… like this?
“Your Highness, what’s wrong?” Jinxin had been tidying things inside the room.
December shook her head with a bright smile.
“Nothing. Alright, girls, hurry up and pack. We’re moving. Once we arrive at Tingyu Pavilion, there will be more tidying to do.”
Since Tingyu Pavilion had long been unoccupied, it naturally required thorough cleaning.
The senior maids like Jinxin and several eunuchs heard December’s instructions and responded cheerfully in unison.
December nodded, her face beaming with delight as she directed this and that.
The attendants from An Jieyu’s quarters witnessed this and grew even more furious, though they could do nothing about it.
December fiddled with the fabrics bestowed by the Emperor, sighing inwardly.
Your Majesty, you truly played this move well.
It turns out we were the ones being manipulated all along. Even after returning to the palace, I still fall far short of you.
It turns out you didn’t merely strike two birds with one stone, but launched multiple arrows at once!
It was precisely because December possessed memories from her past life that she could understand today’s events, no matter how clever she might be.
If the Emperor was willing to support her, did that mean she still had some usefulness?
December smiled.
Before long, Lai Fu, one of the Emperor’s attendants, arrived with several young eunuchs.
Lai Fu and Lai Xi were brothers, bearing some resemblance to each other, although they were easily distinguishable. Lai Xi was more reserved and meticulous, while Lai Fu was cheerful and talkative. However, December naturally knew that both Lai Xi and Lai Fu were no simple characters.
“Greetings to Noble Lady Shen. The Emperor is slightly concerned about your relocation to Tingyu Pavilion, so he has sent me to assist you.” Lai Fu’s expression was smiling, his attitude extremely humble.
“Thank you, Master Lai Fu. It’s fortunate that you came. I’m new here and know absolutely nothing about Tingyu Pavilion.” This was merely flattery, for even if she were new and unfamiliar, there would always be maids and eunuchs around her. Of course, both understood each other implicitly.
“Your Highness need not worry. Tingyu Pavilion was originally the residence of Consort Zhu during the reign of the previous Emperor. After His Majesty ascended the throne, Consort Zhu moved to Qing’an Hall. Since then, Tingyu Pavilion has remained unoccupied. After Noble Lady Shen settles in, there will be no need to worry about others.” Lai Fu explained in detail.
Tingyu Pavilion was different from Chaolu Hall. There was an essential distinction between a pavilion and a hall. Although it might seem like a mere difference in terminology, only those of third rank or higher could reside in a palace hall.
Tingyu Pavilion was entirely different. Naturally, it was still suitable for her to live there given her current low rank. At the very least, she wouldn’t have to visit the main hall daily to pay respects or be subjected to others’ control.
“Thank you, Master Lai Fu.”
Lai Fu did not leave but instead accompanied them, personally helping Shen Layue move to Tingyu Pavilion. This act further enraged many concubines, tearing their handkerchiefs in frustration. Who else could command Lai Fu except the Emperor himself?
Thinking about how Shen Layue had seduced the Emperor and gained his favor, everyone felt resentful.
First, Bai Xiaodie had prayed in the garden, and now Shen Layue had bewitched the Emperor at the pavilion.
Looking at the two of them, they had both gained some benefits. It was evident that both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager were indifferent to such matters. Many concubines grew restless.
Regardless of others’ reactions, Layue successfully moved into Tingyu Pavilion.
Looking at her new residence, December twirled her hair, while a drizzle continued to fall.
The senior maids couldn’t contain their joy, even the usually composed Jinxin shared in the excitement. Everyone in the palace knew how important it was to serve a good mistress. Without favor, although one wouldn’t necessarily be trapped in the palace, they would still face bullying.
“Even if I receive favor, I am merely a lowly Noble Lady, and it is still too early to speak of favor.” She didn’t say much else, but the maids were clever enough to grasp her meaning.
Their mistress disliked ostentation, and this was a reminder, urging them not to forget their place.
Still, they understood their mistress’s words were correct.
“We understand, Your Highness.”
December nodded with a smile. It was good that they were so perceptive. Even after being reborn for so long, she still vividly remembered the people who had been kind to her in her previous life. She wouldn’t recklessly return their kindness with emotions, but she would certainly treat them with extra care.
As for those who had harmed her, in this life they hadn’t acted against her yet, so she wouldn’t retaliate or do anything. After all, being reborn meant that many things would be different. Regardless of what had happened in the past, in this life they hadn’t committed those acts. However, if anyone dared to bully her, she certainly wouldn’t respond with kindness.
Seeing that Noble Lady Shen had everything settled, Lai Fu left respectfully to report back to the Emperor.
Meanwhile, the Emperor was playing a game of chess with the Empress Dowager in Huici Palace.
They exchanged moves, neither showing the slightest mercy.
Listening to Lai Fu’s report, Emperor Jing nodded slightly.
The Empress Dowager gave a slight snort of amusement. “I thought Chen Changzai seemed more suitable. I didn’t expect you to choose this Noble Lady Shen.” As if recalling something, she added, “You chose her for the second night’s attendance. I should have realized.”
Emperor Jing’s expression remained unchanged. He was extremely handsome and often wore a smiling face, leading many to believe he was approachable. However, only those close to him knew that royal offspring were never truly approachable; that amiability was merely a façade.
The Emperor’s heart was exceptionally ruthless.
“Other than lacking Chen Changzai’s depth of scheming, she meets all other requirements. Besides, if I am to show favor, I should choose someone pleasing to my eyes. Noble Lady Shen has done exceptionally well in certain aspects.” He said this while effortlessly capturing one of her pieces.
“She also seems fortunate. Everyone knows you dislike lotuses the most, yet she managed to encounter you by the lotus pond. It seems she indeed shares some fate with you.” The Empress Dowager’s position was already weakening.
Emperor Jing raised his eyebrows slightly. He was naturally suspicious by nature and always harbored doubts about how Noble Lady Shen had coincidentally met him. However, he also knew that very few people in the palace were aware of his fondness for lotuses, and those individuals would never have told Shen Layue.
Recalling how surprisingly lucky Shen Layue had been since the beginning of the selection process, Emperor Jing’s eyes darkened slightly.
“Mother, you’ve lost.”
Looking at the one-sided game board, the Empress Dowager sighed, casting a slightly resentful glance at her son.
Emperor Jing silently cleared the board with a faint smile.
They say old people become like children, and indeed, that was true. The Empress Dowager was no exception. She enjoyed playing chess but strongly disliked others deliberately losing to her. When she lost, her expression would sour greatly. Now, in the palace, the only one daring to play chess with her was her own son.
Looking at her son’s sharp features, his eyebrows like swords, and his eyes like stars.
The Empress Dowager seemed to recall something. “Among the late Emperor’s sons, you are the most like him—both in appearance and in temperament.”
It was rare for the Empress Dowager to show such sentimentality, though it was only a fleeting moment.
“Ah Gui, tomorrow summon Noble Lady Shen to accompany me for a game of chess.”
Ah Gui was the most capable among the Empress Dowager’s attendants.
Emperor Jing did not comment on the Empress Dowager’s words but merely smiled and asked, “Mother, shall we play another round?”
The Empress Dowager glared at her son unwillingly.
“No. It’s no fun at all when you never let me win.” This was her way of expressing dissatisfaction with her son’s refusal to let her win.
The Emperor did not respond, simply continuing to smile. He naturally knew that losing made his mother unhappy, but if she won unjustly, she would be even more displeased. He remembered how Virtuous Consort De had once played with the Empress Dowager and was later severely reprimanded precisely because she had deliberately lost.
As people aged, their thoughts became simpler.
Seeing that the two had stopped playing chess, Lai Xi quickly prepared water for hand-washing for the master. The Emperor had a mild obsession with cleanliness.
The Emperor’s expression remained unchanged. Without lifting his head, he casually spoke.
“Mother, the Sixth Brother will return to the capital in a few days…”
The Empress Dowager was momentarily stunned, looking at the Emperor in surprise. She hadn’t expected him to bring this up.
“Your Majesty…”
The Emperor smiled as he looked up. “We are still blood brothers. Could it be that I must guard against him…”
“Of course not. But still, you must be cautious,” the Empress Dowager said, her tone softening slightly.
The Emperor nodded slightly, his expression unreadable. “I understand, Mother. I will handle it properly.”
The Empress Dowager looked at her son for a moment before turning her gaze to the chessboard. The pieces were scattered, just like the complicated emotions in her heart.
Outside, the drizzle continued to fall, draping the palace in a veil of mist. In Tingyu Pavilion, December stood by the window, watching the raindrops fall. Her heart was calm, yet filled with determination. She knew that from this day forward, every step she took would be crucial. The palace was a battlefield, and she was ready to fight.
The wind carried the scent of rain and distant flowers into the pavilion, mingling with the faint aroma of incense. December inhaled deeply, her mind already racing with plans and possibilities. She had been given a second chance, and she would not waste it.
In the days to come, she would need to tread carefully, balancing between favor and suspicion, between allies and enemies. But she was no longer the naive girl who had entered the palace before. She had learned from her past mistakes, and this time, she would ensure that she emerged victorious.
The sound of raindrops hitting the window pane was soothing, almost like a lullaby. December closed her eyes for a moment, letting the sound wash over her. She had survived the first round of this deadly game. Now, it was time to prepare for the next move.
Meanwhile, in the depths of the palace, whispers and rumors were already spreading. The sudden rise of Noble Lady Shen had caught everyone’s attention. Some were envious, others were curious, and a few were already plotting in the shadows.
But December was ready. She had the memories of a past life guiding her, and the determination of someone who refused to be a pawn in someone else’s game. The palace might be a dangerous place, but she would find her way through it.
As the rain continued to fall, the palace stood silent, unaware of the storm that was about to unfold. And in the heart of it all was December, a woman reborn, ready to reclaim her destiny.
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