Shen Layue had recovered, and as a result, more people came to visit her.
No matter how much these people might hate her in their hearts, they all showed her a smiling face when they met. After all, in the palace, having the emperor’s favor meant having everything.
Those of higher ranks naturally did not need to come here to see her basking in the emperor’s favor, but those of lower ranks hoped to gain something from visiting her. If they could meet the emperor here, that would be even better.
Fortunately, she had visited the Empress Dowager’s palace early the previous day to pay her respects and express her gratitude. Otherwise, with all these people sitting here now, she probably wouldn’t have been able to leave for quite some time.
Layue had only recently entered the palace this year and was barely of the required age. In fact, most of the women in the palace were older than her. Yet, dressed in bright red and seated at the main seat, she exuded a strong presence.
“Miss Shen has finally recovered fully,” said Noble Lady Xue, covering her mouth with a handkerchief and giggling as if teasingly. “Not long ago, all of us sisters wanted to come and visit, but we couldn’t.”
“Still, it seems like you’ve turned misfortune into good fortune,” said Bai Xiaodie in a soft and delicate tone, displaying a coquettish demeanor.
She didn’t know that Layue disliked her. This time, she had come together with Chen Yulan, and the two had become quite close recently.
Speaking of which, according to her status, Chen Yulan should have been inferior to Bai Xiaodie within the palace. After all, she had not yet been summoned to the emperor’s bedchamber, while Bai Xiaodie, regardless of everything, had once received the emperor’s favor. However, Chen Yulan was quite perceptive and somehow made people feel that it was perfectly natural for her not to have been summoned yet.
She appeared gentle but also carried a touch of quiet pride.
Those with simple minds thought she was noble-hearted and uninterested in competing for the emperor’s attention. Others, more suspicious, would spit in disdain, thinking she was just putting on an act.
Meanwhile, Layue felt uneasy seeing Bai Xiaodie entering her chambers and chatting with her in a seemingly intimate manner.
Hearing Bai’s comment only increased her displeasure.
The phrase “turning misfortune into good fortune” wasn’t something just anyone could say.
So far, Bai’s use of those words was something Layue definitely did not like.
Layue’s lips twitched into a half-smile, but she did not respond.
Seeing her pick up her teacup and sip it delicately without speaking further, Bai felt a bit resentful but managed to keep her expression neutral.
“This tea is truly excellent,” she imitated Layue and began to savor her tea as well.
Rou Changzai smiled lightly, “Of course. This tea is called Midan Lanxi. Its growing environment is extremely rare, and only three to five hundred jin are produced each year, all of which are sent to the palace. Even if people outside wanted to buy it, they couldn’t.”
Although Layue had been reborn, she wasn’t all-knowing. She only had a basic understanding of tea, as she wasn’t particularly fond of indulging in delicacies. Although this tea was indeed valuable, it was still just tea meant for drinking.
However, after what Rou had said, it seemed as if Layue were deliberately showing off. Her fingers lightly tapped the teacup. It seemed these people weren’t exactly the innocent type.
Since others thought she was showing off, she might as well live up to their expectations.
With a bright smile, Layue casually remarked, “The emperor specifically mentioned when he gifted it to me that if I liked it, he would send more. I must admit, I’m not very knowledgeable about tea. I didn’t realize it was so valuable.”
Rou’s expression changed slightly. She bit her lip and looked displeased but quickly lowered her head, hiding her reaction.
“You’re always so careless, dear cousin,” Chen Yulan interjected to smooth things over between the two, her words directed at Shen Layue.
Several concubines covered their mouths and laughed.
Layue wasn’t angry; she smiled as well.
“When my cousin was ill, I was very worried. Now that I see you’ve fully recovered, I feel relieved. You should take better care of yourself in the future and avoid falling ill again,” Yulan continued with sincere concern, appearing genuinely affectionate.
“It was just an accident. Nothing serious.”
Bai Xiaodie interjected, “Just now, Yulan was saying how careless Miss Shen was. I still have those words ringing in my ears.”
Chen Yulan carefully observed Shen Layue. She wasn’t sure if she was mistaken, but it seemed that every time Bai Xiaodie appeared, her cousin’s eyes would briefly flash with a hint of dislike—an expression she reserved for no one else. She wasn’t certain if she had imagined it.
Others might not have noticed, but she was different. Having grown up together with Layue, she was familiar with many of her reactions.
Was there something she didn’t know?
Chen Yulan lowered her head in thought.
Seeing this, Layue finally smiled genuinely.
Yulan was perceptive, thoughtful, and skilled at reading people. Naturally, she must have noticed Layue’s behavior. Layue understood Yulan well enough to guess that she probably wouldn’t bring Bai Xiaodie to visit again anytime soon.
Although neither Yulan nor Bai Xiaodie had yet committed the same acts they had in their previous lives, could those past wounds truly be forgotten?
After all, she was only human. She didn’t plot revenge simply because they hadn’t acted yet, but that certainly didn’t mean she could accept them.
Without Yulan to mediate, the atmosphere grew quiet again.
Seeing that Shen Layue wasn’t particularly enthusiastic in entertaining them and sensing the previous awkwardness, Rou Changzai stood up to take her leave. Once someone had departed, the others followed suit, including Chen Yulan.
Layue understood that she would surely return to ponder why she disliked Bai Xiaodie so much.
People who overthink things always live a tiring life.
Seeing the group of scheming women leave, Layue stretched lazily. She really felt a bit tired.
Jinxin, noticing Layue’s fatigue, quickly approached to give her a gentle massage with just the right amount of pressure.
Layue closed her eyes in contentment: “They came so early in the morning, as if hoping to meet the emperor. How ridiculous. They clearly have no real affection for me, yet they still put on this act.”
Jinxin naturally understood who the last sentence referred to.
Looking around to ensure no one was listening, Layue, knowing Jinxin’s cautious nature, wasn’t blind to things herself.
“Has everything been peaceful around here lately?”
Although the Shen family had relatively simple interpersonal relationships and few conflicts, Jinxin had grown up observing people’s expressions and had been further trained by Madam Yu, which made her much sharper.
Jinxin spoke softly, “At present, the senior palace maids and two senior eunuchs around you seem fine. As for the younger, less experienced ones, some might have been sent here from other quarters. I’ve already warned them, but I’m not sure if it was effective. I’m keeping an eye on them.”
Layue nodded and advised Jinxin, “You don’t have to be the bad one in every situation. It’s also wise to use others’ strength to achieve your goals.”
Jinxin was momentarily taken aback but quickly understood and nodded with a smile, “I understand, my lady.”
“Xiao Dengzi is the Empress Dowager’s man. Keep a slightly closer watch on him. I intend to cultivate him as a trusted aide,” Layue’s smile deepened.
Jinxin wasn’t entirely in favor of this. Xiao Dengzi was from the Empress Dowager’s side, and it would be difficult to win him over.
As if sensing Jinxin’s thoughts, Layue explained, “Won’t others be even happier if they think so?”
Jinxin thought for a moment and then agreed.
Whether or not they truly regarded him as a confidant wasn’t important. What mattered was that he believed himself to be one.
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