Even though everyone was unwilling, how could their thoughts count for anything?
When Emperor Jing slightly pondered and then laughed, he said, “Noble Consort Shen is dignified and virtuous; she shall be promoted two ranks and addressed henceforth as Lady Shen.”
Hearing that Shen Layue had been promoted two additional ranks, the other concubines ground their teeth in frustration. Yet what could they do? The Empress Dowager was clearly telling everyone that she supported Shen Layue. It seemed that Shen was indeed fortunate; she managed to charm the Emperor, and in just one day, even the Empress Dowager favored her. Truly, she was a sly enchantress.
Moreover, the Emperor’s words—calling Shen dignified and virtuous—were a heavy slap in the face to Consort Song. She had just lost the title “virtuous,” and now the Emperor was praising someone else for their virtue. Wasn’t this clearly meant for her ears?
In the Kingdom of Nanqin, customs were always thus: the highest compliment for a woman lay in her virtue and morality. Even praising a woman’s beauty was considered a lesser form of flattery. Hence, the most beautiful woman in the capital, who received the honorific “Li,” caused jealousy among others, but not extreme anger.
Although Shen Layue had not been bestowed an honorific title, the fact that she had been promoted four ranks in such a short time made her someone not to be underestimated.
This farce ended there. Although the fault lay with Consort Xian, everyone could see that Shen Layue was no gentle soul either. Among this batch of selected maidens, she was not among the most outstanding, yet she had risen the fastest. Even the daughter of Chancellor Fu, who had the backing of the late Empress and noble lineage, had not advanced as swiftly as Shen.
In just a short time, she had risen from a lowly seventh-rank Lady to a sixth-rank Lady Shen. This Shen Layue was by no means simple.
The palace had always been this way—supporting the high and oppressing the low. After this incident, even the usually calm Consort De was somewhat astonished. She was surprised not only by the Empress Dowager’s moves but also by how things had unfolded. Still, she was pleased that Shen Layue had been promoted.
Although Shen Layue indeed had her own skills, this was only because the Empress Dowager was backing her. She was not as troubling as Consort Xian. Now among the four top-ranking consorts—Grace, Virtue, Goodness, and Morality—only Consort De remained. Though not the Empress, she was the highest-ranking among the Emperor’s favored consorts and also had a son. Consort De was delighted.
Because Shen Layue had been injured, each palace sent gifts to her, but the Empress Dowager had specifically instructed that Lady Shen must not be disturbed due to her severe allergies. Presumably, like any woman, Shen cared about her appearance and would not want others to see her pitiful state.
Though Tingyu Pavilion was crowded with visitors, Shen Layue remained relatively undisturbed.
Even Chen Changzai, who claimed sisterly affection, was barred from entering. Whispers spread that Lady Shen, having suddenly risen in rank, had forgotten her sisterly bonds. Chen Yulan felt wronged, but Layue did not come out to meet anyone, and even though she knew of this, she merely smiled without comment.
By staying silent and taking no action, others would deal with those spreading rumors. Did they really think the palace was their domain?
Although the Empress Dowager had not managed affairs for years, she still held everything under her control.
Jinxin recounted the events of the past two days to Layue and concluded, “Wisdom and Mercy Palace has subtly let it be known that anyone who disturbs the Empress Dowager’s rest next time will be severely punished.”
The implication was that this time’s punishment had not been harsh.
Layue smiled, satisfied with how things had unfolded and even more pleased with the Empress Dowager’s attitude.
Though she did not know the Empress Dowager’s true intentions, she would benefit from the Empress Dowager’s favor in the short term.
“Everyone outside is spreading rumors that Your Highness is lucky. Although you offended Consort Song, you had great fortune and accidentally exposed Consort Song’s use of forbidden flowers,” Jinxin said without much expression.
“Getting slapped twice—do you call that lucky?” Layue replied with slight sarcasm.
Jinxin sighed, glanced around, and lowered her voice: “My Lady, what you did was far too reckless. Just look at your face…” Her tone was laced with worry. Though they were mistress and servant, Jinxin was two years older and had grown up alongside Shen. To put it plainly, her mistress was like a younger sister to her—how could she not feel heartbroken?
Layue shook her head: “It was only two slaps. What does it matter? I achieved the result I wanted because of this. Through this incident, everyone should now understand that provoking Shen Layue comes at a cost.”
Consort Xian had become merely Consort Song, and everyone present was demoted one rank. Even Courtesan Zhou had become Attendant Zhou. How amusing.
No one knew that she was not allergic to the rare flower at all. To her, even blooming rare flowers were no different from ordinary roses or peonies. The reason her body showed an allergic reaction was simply because she was allergic to mangoes.
Eating dried mangoes at night naturally led to an allergic reaction the next day. Due to her family background, Consort Xian had become increasingly arrogant and hot-tempered over the years. Even if she had not wanted to provoke Shen, her followers would have incited her to do so.
Hadn’t Layue seized the opportunity perfectly?
Even if Consort Xian had not come forward, she had other plans.
But Consort Xian indeed lived up to her expectations. The cinnabar on Consort Xian’s fingernails contained the rare flower. In her previous life, this had been exposed by Consort De. In this life, she had skillfully used this knowledge to her advantage.
Because the late Emperor had been allergic to the rare flower, many people in the capital had developed similar allergies. Therefore, all she needed to do was act accordingly. Even if the doctor who came today had not been Doctor Wan, she would not have worried. Many allergic symptoms were generally similar, and since this rare flower had caused widespread allergic reactions, many people would naturally attribute their symptoms to it.
And since it was Doctor Wan who came, she had an even greater advantage.
Madam Wan regarded her as her own daughter, and Doctor Wan had watched her grow up since childhood. Although they didn’t interact often, their bond was strong. Regardless of what caused the allergy, she believed Doctor Wan would interpret the symptoms in the simplest and most favorable way for her.
The reason Shen Layue dared to act so boldly and why things had proceeded so smoothly was another factor—Shen Layue understood the Emperor’s mind. Emperor Jing had grown to despise the Song family and, by extension, Consort Xian.
General Song, relying on his status as a general and Consort Xian’s position, had become arrogant and domineering in court, while Consort Xian was also flamboyant. People truly needed to understand reality. You might come from a noble family, but if you pose even the slightest threat to the Emperor’s authority, you are unforgivable.
“My Lady, after taking two more doses of herbal medicine, the rash on your body should heal. Combined with this cooling ointment, you will recover faster,” Jinxin said while applying the cool imperial ointment to Shen Layue’s red rash.
This cooling ointment was indeed effective. Each time she applied it, it felt refreshingly cool, seemingly reaching her very heart, yet making her even more alert.
No matter how difficult, painful, and sorrowful her past life had been, those days were gone. In this life, she would live well.
Understanding reality and proceeding cautiously, she would truly live well this time.
In her previous life, she had entered the palace a year before Consort Xian fell from power. The reason for her downfall had made Layue’s heart ache—her unborn child. Because of that child, she had completely lost all feelings for Emperor Jing…
In this life, child, could you come a little later?
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