The sun was already setting when Layue made her way back in the twelfth lunar month. She hadn’t expected that she would end up playing chess with the Empress Dowager the entire day in Huici Palace. If the Emperor hadn’t summoned her, it was likely the Empress Dowager wouldn’t have let her go so easily.
Although Layue barely won the first round, the Empress Dowager then won the next three games in a row. Eventually, neither could recall exactly how many rounds they had played. Overall, Layue lost more than she won.
Layue didn’t intentionally lose. Each time, the Empress Dowager barely managed a victory.
The Empress Dowager’s skill at chess was not exceptional, but it was decent enough for her to tell whether someone was intentionally letting her win. Clearly, Layue had made her somewhat happy. In her forties, nearing fifty, spending each day confined to Huici Palace, what joy could she possibly have?
Layue shook her head slightly and quickened her pace. She had no idea when the Emperor would arrive at Tingyu Pavilion and needed to hurry back to prepare.
Thinking she wouldn’t have to go to Xuanning Palace to attend the Emperor that night brought her a bit of relief. Of course, it had nothing to do with jealousy—it was simply because she found that place dirty. A filthy place with a filthy man.
It was rather ironic, though, that she still had to rely on that man she disliked to climb the ranks.
Perhaps she was walking too quickly, Layue turned a corner and collided with a young maid coming the other way.
The maid, realizing she had bumped into someone, immediately knelt down in panic. “Forgive me, forgive me, I was careless and disturbed the noble lady…” Her voice trembled.
Startled, Layue paused and patted her chest, while Ta’er, who was behind her, was about to scold the maid.
Layue, however, remained calm and glanced at the maid.
“Stand up. I’m fine. Just be more careful next time,” she said with a smile before walking away cheerfully, seemingly in a good mood.
Ta’er opened her mouth but ultimately said nothing. When the mistress was in a good mood, she should know how to behave appropriately.
Seeing Layue’s reaction, the servants speculated that perhaps the Empress Dowager was satisfied with their mistress.
Xing’er and Ta’er had accompanied Layue. Although Ta’er liked to gossip, she never said anything about her own mistress.
In the palace, who was truly innocent? Once she became a senior maid to a noble lady, even if her mistress fell from grace, she would not escape unscathed.
Sometimes, choosing the right side was very important.
When Layue returned, Jin Xin was burning incense. Although Layue was only average in medical knowledge and herbal studies, she had a sharp nose and smiled slightly. “You changed the incense? It smells different from before.”
Jin Xin nodded in agreement.
Without hiding anything from Jin Xin, Layue opened her hand, revealing a small note. After reading it, she smiled and dropped the note into her teacup. The paper dissolved into the hot tea, turning the water dark.
“Jin Xin, I still prefer the incense distributed by the Imperial Household Department. Change it back.”
At this, Jin Xin also smiled, unlike her anxious expression from the previous night. “Yes, my lady.”
***
Chaolu Palace.
Lady An was resting on a reclining chair inside the inner chamber. The room was in disarray, with shattered teacups scattered across the floor, and maids kneeling in fear.
Not long after, Qiqiao rushed into the courtyard in a hurry.
Before she could enter, she was stopped by Feiyue, another senior maid of Lady An.
Though both were senior maids, Qiqiao had grown up alongside Lady An since childhood, making her different from the others. She was a trusted confidante.
“Big sister Qiqiao, you’re finally back,” Feiyue whispered urgently. “The mistress just heard that the Emperor will stay at Tingyu Pavilion tonight. She flew into a rage, and no one could calm her down.”
Qiqiao nodded and quickly lifted the curtain to enter.
Seeing Qiqiao return, Lady An impatiently dismissed all the maids in the room.
“My lady, I have some clues,” Qiqiao said in a low voice.
“Hmm?” At this moment, Lady An was completely different from before. Everyone knew what had happened between her and Shen Layue. If she didn’t show some displeasure, how could she maintain her reputation as a simple and guileless woman?
“I found out that Caihe had contact with Baocan, who serves by the side of Lady Xian. Also, although it was the Empress Dowager who sent for Lady Xian and Lady De that day, Lady Xian had already prepared herself and was sitting in the hall. Because of that, she arrived before Lady De, even though Lady De lived closer.”
Qiqiao revealed all she had discovered.
“Lady Xian?” Lady An sneered.
“She’s quite the performer. I was wondering how Shen Layue, who has only recently received the Emperor’s favor a few times, could have someone go to such lengths for her. It turns out it wasn’t really about her at all—it was aimed at me. What a clever move. I never expected that it would be her who set the trap for me.”
Lady Xian, relying on her powerful family background, had long been domineering within the palace. Seeing this, Qiqiao was worried. “My lady, Lady Xian’s status in the palace is already among the highest. We have always shown her respect. Why would she target us so directly?”
Lady An stood up, gazing at the mess around the room, her eyes cold. “Lady Xian? Do you really think she deserves that title? If it weren’t for her father, General Song, the Emperor wouldn’t have elevated her to such a position—a woman who has nothing but beauty to offer. Of course, court politics influence the palace. My father recently impeached General Song. Naturally, Lady Xian now wants to harm me. If she fails once, she will certainly try again. But I’m not afraid of her. Song Yunran, do you really think your palace is an impregnable fortress?”
Lady An said bitterly.
“My lady, what should we do next?” Qiqiao wasn’t particularly cunning, but she was loyal.
“Prepare paper and brush.”
The two spoke in hushed tones, unaware that Feiyue, dressed in a pale pink robe, had silently listened at the door before slipping away.
At the same time, in the meeting hall of Xuanning Palace, she calmly reported everything to the person seated at the head.
After listening, the figure at the top gave a faint smile and waved a hand.
The woman silently left the room.
“Proceed to Tingyu Pavilion.”
Tingyu Pavilion had been quiet for many years, but since Shen Layue moved in, it had become much livelier.
Since Emperor Jing ascended the throne, Tingyu Pavilion had remained empty. This was his first visit since taking the throne. He didn’t know what it had been like before, but now it was filled with a woman’s delicate touch.
And it was this woman’s touch. He didn’t know why, but she had a particular preference for bright colors.
Yet when he saw her, he felt he might have been mistaken.
Dressed in white, Layue stood gracefully at the entrance. Perhaps because of the evening light, her usually seductive face looked unusually ethereal and delicate. Seeing the Emperor arrive, she quickly curtsied, her joy evident on her face.
“Stand up quickly,” Emperor Jing helped her up, his hand sliding to her waist as he led her inside.
The evening air was chilly in late autumn, and Layue’s arms were cold. Her fine strands of hair brushed against her cheeks as the Emperor gently tucked her hair behind her ear.
“It’s so cold in the evening. Why weren’t you inside? Are you trying to make me worry about you?” he teased.
Layue looked at him lovingly. “If standing here every day can keep the Emperor by my side, then I will do so.”
“My little girl, I can’t bear to see you like this. If you catch a chill, how will you serve me?” Emperor Jing gently lifted Layue’s hand and playfully bit it.
“You bit me,” Layue pouted slightly.
A cheerful laugh came from above.
“I just like to tease you. I’ll tease you even more later. I wonder if you’re scared now,” he said with a teasing tone.
They entered the elegantly decorated inner room, and Emperor Jing lifted her face and kissed her lightly.
Layue giggled and pushed him away.
“Your Majesty’s lips are so cold.” As she pushed him away, Emperor Jing was momentarily surprised—no one had ever treated him like this before. A slight displeasure flickered in his heart, but seeing her cheerful and playful expression, he relaxed again.
Taking advantage of her distraction, he wrapped his arms around her waist. Not only that, but his hand boldly slipped under her clothes, making her squirm.
“Your Majesty is so naughty…”
“I’m only naughty with you. I’m only naughty with you, my little mischievous girl, because you look down on me…” The two continued their playful banter.
Before long, the laughter and teasing led them to her soft couch. Layue protested.
“Your Majesty, the bed… the bed…”
At this point, he had already torn open Layue’s clothes and buried his face in her chest, kissing and nibbling, filling the room with passion.
He ignored her protests, his large hand slipping into her undergarments, his voice hoarse. “You’re such a little fox spirit, coming to the palace just to seduce the Emperor. Look at your seductive face, your slender and soft waist. That’s why I must punish you.”
“You always bully me, and you won’t even admit it,” she pouted.
Actually, Layue wasn’t a great beauty. This was the imperial palace, filled with countless beautiful women. Although Layue was above average, she wasn’t the most beautiful. However, sometimes a woman’s charm wasn’t only about looks—it was also about her personality. This was the advantage she had in this life. Emperor Jing seemed to really like her personality.
Naked, Layue’s skin was smooth and delicate. Emperor Jing placed his large hand firmly on her buttocks and squeezed hard.
“Ah… Mm…” She gasped and wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her head on his shoulder, rubbing her face against his neck, hoping for his tenderness. However, this only provoked him to become even more passionate…
“Yue’er, Yue’er… Your body feels so good. Not only your body, but your nature as well… Don’t change. Never change…” He murmured softly.
At this moment, she simply held him, unable to say anything, letting him ravish her until late into the night…
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