Chapter 37:

It rained in the early hours of the morning, and today the temperature dropped further. Layue wasn’t wearing much, and even though it was cold in the palace, concubines usually didn’t dress heavily. After all, there was underfloor heating in the rooms, and wearing too many layers would make one appear bulky, which would certainly not please the emperor.

Now that it was only the beginning of winter, many of the underfloor heating systems in the palace had not yet been turned on, including those in Layue’s quarters.

Seeing that she was dressed so lightly, Jinxin closed the window and advised her mistress, “My lady always likes to keep the window open, but it’s so cold outside. You should take care of your health.”

Xing’er brought over the prepared herbal medicine, which was meant to nourish the body.

The previous day had seen an unpleasant incident, and the imperial physician had prescribed many supplements.

Frowning in distaste, Layue quietly said, “Put it aside for now.”

Following Layue’s instructions from the previous night, Xing’er curtsied and left to go to the storeroom to select some golden silk gauze for making new clothes for her mistress. The Bureau of Apparel was responsible for making clothes for the palace concubines, but some concubines preferred to have their skilled palace maids sew garments for them personally.

After Xing’er left, Layue picked up the herbal medicine and walked to the potted plants inside the room. Tilting the bowl slightly, she poured the nourishing medicine into the green foliage.

She didn’t want to get pregnant so soon.

Smirking bitterly, she placed the bowl on the table. Jinxin, as usual, busied herself tidying up, pretending she had seen nothing.

Although Xing’er had been loyal in her previous life, in this life, Layue could not afford to take any chances.

“Has the emperor gone to Jiaoyun Palace?”

“Yes.”

The emperor had originally planned to spend the night at Tingyu Pavilion, but in the afternoon, Consort Fu had felt unwell and he had gone directly to her palace instead. This was how things were in the palace. Fu Jin’ao, relying on her pregnancy, always tried to attract the emperor’s attention, but what could she do? Just like last night, even though the emperor had gone to Jiaoyun Palace, he had not stayed there overnight.

Perhaps Fu Jin’ao did not yet understand, but Layue, having served the emperor for ten years, naturally knew he would not change. She imagined that it would take Fu Jin’ao another three or five years before she realized this truth.

She remained composed, always puzzled about why the emperor refused to sleep with anyone. What hidden reason could there be?

Seeing Layue lost in thought, Jinxin assumed her mistress was upset about the emperor’s visit to Jiaoyun Palace.

“My lady, since the emperor has gone to Jiaoyun Palace, he probably won’t come here tonight. The situation may change in the future. We will surely have our chance again. Please don’t be too upset, or you will harm your health. Allow me to prepare some water for you to wash up and rest.”

Layue shook her head, “The emperor will definitely come.”

She was very certain. Seeing her so confident, Jinxin did not speak further. She continued tidying the bed while watching Jinxin’s back. Suddenly, Layue thought of something and smiled.

“Jinxin, prepare some water for me to wash up.”

Jinxin thought her mistress had come to her senses and went to the outer room to give the task to Tao’er.

Hearing this, Tao’er hesitated slightly before reminding her, “Jinxin sister, the emperor had announced he would come to Tingyu Pavilion tonight. Should we prepare so early?”

“Consort Fu is unwell, and the emperor has already gone to Jiaoyun Palace. He probably won’t come to our palace tonight. My lady is in a bad mood, so it’s better for her to rest early. Oh, and Guo’er, prepare some warm milk for my lady to help her sleep better before bedtime.”

Tao’er and Guo’er followed Jinxin’s instructions and went out to get busy. Although the four of them were all senior palace maids, it was clear that Jinxin held a higher status among them.

The other three did not feel any resentment about this, after all, Jinxin was the personal maid that their mistress had brought from home, naturally more reliable and more trusted by their mistress.

All they could do was gradually earn their mistress’s trust.

After giving instructions, Jinxin returned to the inner room.

Before long, the water was ready. Only Jinxin remained in the inner room to serve.

The emperor would definitely come, so how could she let him not know her sincerity and sadness?

Beneath the dim moonlight filtering through the window lattice, she sat on the bed. Her small frame draped in a large robe made her appear even more delicate and fragile. She held the warm milk in her hands, sipping it slowly while occasionally sniffing.

“Jinxin, do you think the emperor is a big liar?”

Jinxin was taken aback, “My lady, don’t say such things. This is the palace, not our Shen household. You…”

Her words were interrupted as Shen Layue firmly continued, “He is a big liar.”

There was a strong sense of grievance in her tone.

“When I was bullied, he didn’t come to see me. I know that Sister Fu is pregnant, so he has to go to her, but he didn’t even stay there all night! He said he would come today, but he didn’t. He’s the biggest liar in the world.”

Jinxin didn’t dare to respond to such words, and the room fell into silence.

Layue blinked her eyes and continued murmuring to herself, “To punish him, tomorrow I will go and play chess with the empress dowager, and then I will stay for dinner, so he won’t be able to find me when he comes. Hmph.”

The person eavesdropping outside heard this and finally couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Upon hearing the sound, Layue’s hand dropped the cup with a loud “thud.”

Her expression was one of shock and confusion.

Seeing her like this, Jinxin quickly picked up the cup that had fallen to the floor.

The curtain was lifted, and who else could it be but the emperor?

Jinxin hurriedly knelt to greet him.

Layue couldn’t even remember to kneel. Her face turned red and then pale, clearly feeling ashamed, and she mumbled in a daze, “Y-Your Imperial Majesty… h-how did you come here?”

The emperor stood there, looking at her lowered head, her slightly damp hair, and that adorable little hair whorl.

“Lift your head and look at me,” the emperor commanded.

Layue naturally did not dare to resist. She pursed her lips and obediently, yet somewhat dazedly, lifted her head.

Her lips trembled slightly, “…”

“What did you say?”

Her voice was barely audible, like a mosquito.

Layue seemed to finally gather her courage and gave him a coquettish smile.

“Your humble concubine greets Your Imperial Majesty…”

“Oh?” His tone rose slightly, as if in confusion.

Although he had smiled earlier outside the door, he now appeared somewhat cold.

Layue continued to fidget with the hem of her robe, which had already become wrinkled from her nervous grip. Yet, despite this, she still wore a sweet, innocent expression, slightly trying to please him.

“When did Your Imperial Majesty arrive?” Her voice was soft.

The emperor raised his eyebrows, “Hmm? It seemed like you were saying I was a big liar.”

His tone was still somewhat cold, and Layue’s face turned even redder. She pouted slightly.

“Your humble concubine was only joking. Your Imperial Majesty is wise and mighty, surely wouldn to hold a grudge against a small woman like me, right?” She tried to please him by grabbing his arm, and the emperor followed her pull to sit down on the bed.

Seeing him sit, Layue quickly knelt on the bed and quickly leaned forward to kiss his face, then shyly said, “Your Imperial Majesty must be tired from your duties. Allow your humble concubine to massage your legs.”

At this moment, Lai Xi and Jinxin wisely stepped out. Both of them knew that although Concubine Chun had offended the emperor with her words, the emperor’s current demeanor did not seem angry. Moreover, Concubine Chun was now serving the emperor with such tenderness and care, so this matter probably wasn’t that serious.

The emperor was slightly satisfied and curled the corner of his mouth, glancing at her.

“You’re actually quite considerate.”

He brushed a strand of hair from her cheek behind her ear and hugged her.

“Did you feel wronged?”

It was fine not to mention it, but when it was brought up, Layue’s eyes turned red. She timidly looked up, her alluring eyes gazing at him trustingly, saying nothing, just looking at him, making him feel heartbroken.

“You little child, are you trying to break my heart to death?” The emperor was already in his twenties, while Layue was merely a thirteen-year-old girl. It was precisely because she entered the palace that she was married off at such a young age, which would have been uncommon otherwise.

“I thought you wouldn’t come,” she said without thinking, sitting on his lap, her fluffy head rubbing against his neck, answering something else.

His hand slowly moved upward, and she felt a tickle, squirming slightly.

But then he heard a sob.

He flipped her over and gave her bottom a couple of light smacks, “You little vixen.”

He pressed her onto the bed and captured her lips with his.

Layue relaxed her body, softly clinging to him, responding to his aggressive kiss.

When they finally broke apart, gasping for breath, Layue naturally felt his member pressing against her.

Although the small couch was not small, it was somewhat inconvenient for two people. The emperor stood up, picked her up in his arms, and carried her to the bed.

“Help me change.”

Layue obediently nodded. He was wearing a bright yellow dragon robe today, with a dark gray belt around his waist. Such a jade-like man was truly blessed with good looks. His handsome face, paired with the exquisite clothing, made one’s heart tremble.

Her soft, delicate little hand reached out nervously to undo his clothes. Although her body had developed well and her face was delicate and lively, she was still only a thirteen-year-old girl. Her slightly chubby cheeks and plump little hands made her seem like a little girl.

After taking off his clothes, she looked at him as her fingers hesitated at the edge of his undergarments. Seeing that he wouldn’t “let her off the hook,” she shivered slightly, closed her eyes, steeled herself, and pulled down his pants.

Although she often tried to seduce him, she always ended up backing down at the crucial moment. This time was no different.

They had been intimate many times, but she had never seen his body.

He was already naked, while she still had her clothes on. The emperor smiled wickedly, “My little girl, take off your clothes.”

To him, wasn’t she just his little girl?

Layue was only wearing a thin robe. Seeing his expression, and to protect her robe, she finally took it off.

Her tender body was flushed pink.

“Did you just bathe?” His voice was low.

“Mm.”

He pulled down the bed curtains and leaned over her.