Chapter 64:

The brief eye contact between several people did not go unnoticed; at the very least, Zhu Yuning beside Layue had seen it. However, she smiled toward Virtuous Consort’s gaze, and her smile carried a hint of mockery.

Seeing Zhu Yuning’s expression, Virtuous Consort felt a surge of frustration but still maintained her usual gentle smile. How much sincerity was behind it, though, was unclear.

The Empress Dowager sat at the head of the gathering, speaking little, as both ministers and concubines had become accustomed. Whenever the emperor was present, she generally refrained from speaking, preferring silence. At this moment, she remained the same, but her gaze toward Zhu Yuning was particularly intriguing. Naturally, she concealed her thoughts well, but even so, they couldn’t escape her son’s sight.

Emperor Jing sensed the Empress Dowager’s gaze and smiled faintly, his mood becoming even more pleasant.

Seeing the emperor’s joy, the ministers and concubines were naturally delighted.

Because of the recent promotions, the atmosphere seemed livelier, with everyone’s faces filled with cheerfulness and happiness.

Time passed quickly with the performances, and everyone watched with great interest. Layue also revisited the dances she had seen before. The scene was harmonious, with ministers exchanging festive words while watching the colorful dances, and soon it was past midnight.

Emperor Jing led the officials to the ancestral temple to burn incense. Among the women, except for the empress, no one else had the opportunity to enter the ancestral temple. Since Emperor Jing had no empress, all the concubines waited quietly in the courtyard. Despite the cold weather, they stood properly in the courtyard, showing no signs of discomfort.

After the emperor and others completed their prayers, they went to the viewing terrace.

With the New Year comes new hope, and the Southern Qin Kingdom had a tradition: fireworks were lit to celebrate the New Year.

Under Emperor Jing’s leadership, the concubines and ministers arrived here. Although they were together, there was still a strict boundary between them, with some distance separating the two groups.

As the fireworks lit up the sky, beneath the radiant smiles of many, it was impossible to know what kind of heart lay hidden.

Layue stood in the middle according to her rank, gazing at the fireworks in the sky, her smile full of satisfaction.

She was already fourteen years old now.

Afterward, everything unfolded exactly as Layue had anticipated. The emperor did not summon anyone to accompany him for the night, saying that this night was exclusively for the empress. The implication was clear—he would not call upon anyone.

At that time, all the ministers had already left. Seeing Fu Jinyao’s expressionless face, Layue couldn’t help but feel a bit of schadenfreude, wondering how the Fu father and son would view this situation.

Once the emperor left, the concubines naturally did not need to stay any longer. Although Layue kept her gaze forward, she remained observant of her surroundings. When she noticed Chen Yulan looking from afar, Layue whispered to Jin Xin, “Let’s go back.”

“Yes.”

Upon returning to Tingyu Pavilion, Layue collapsed on the bed. It had indeed been quite tiring.

Apricot assisted Layue in washing up.

Occasionally, Layue instructed, “Prepare the gold melon seeds tomorrow. Whether sending gifts to various palaces or rewarding others, everything must be done carefully.”

Apricot replied, “I understand. I will be cautious.”

Layue nodded.

In the palace, people often used others’ gifts as a means of manipulation, which was indeed not a particularly noble practice.

Yet, even if it wasn’t noble, it didn’t mean others wouldn’t do it. It was always wise to be cautious.

On New Year’s Day.

Layue always made sure to dress herself beautifully, and today was no exception. After paying respects at Huici Palace and exchanging greetings with other concubines, she obediently sat at Huici Palace, chatting with the Empress Dowager. Naturally, she wasn’t the only one there; everyone was smiling brightly.

Beside the Empress Dowager sat the eldest prince, Yan Yu, born to the late Empress Huixian.

The child was quite young, only about five or six years old. His fair face resembled his father’s, but unlike Emperor Jing’s gentle demeanor, the boy’s expression was cold and aloof. Despite his tender age, he showed little interest in engaging with anyone.

Even his maternal aunt, Consort Hui, tried to speak with him, but received neither a smile nor special treatment. However, Fu Jinyao didn’t seem upset, instead offering a forgiving smile.

Layue naturally knew that everyone was merely performing, but Fu Jinyao’s gaze toward the eldest prince seemed genuinely forgiving, not feigned.

Internally, she chuckled at herself for judging people so superficially.

While Consort Hui was rebuffed by the eldest prince, Consort De showed even more delight in her eyes.

The second prince, Yan Jia, had already come to pay respects. Being a playful child, he left shortly after sitting down to go play outside.

Perhaps because the second prince had gone out to play while he could not, the young child’s expression grew even colder.

Yet he did not request to go out, showing no longing in his eyes, only a hint of gloom.

Layue knew that the eldest prince had always been in poor health. Many years had passed, yet he remained frail. At the slightest change in weather, he would catch a chill and become weak. He was also a solitary child, rarely speaking to anyone except the Empress Dowager and the emperor.

In contrast, the second prince, born to Consort De, was much more cheerful and carefree. Yet even so, the emperor did not seem particularly fond of him.

Regarding the children, Layue had always found Emperor Jing difficult to understand. Later, he had the third and fourth princes, yet he remained indifferent toward them. Even though those two children had not yet been born, Layue could already sense his detachment from the eldest and second princes.

It seemed that Emperor Jing disliked being overly close to anyone, and did he truly trust anyone at all?

Smiling, Layue looked toward the most honorable woman under heaven, the Empress Dowager, and thought that even she might not have the emperor’s full trust.

“Chun Wanrong is always so cheerful, smiling every day,” Consort Qi said with laughter to the Empress Dowager.

Hearing Consort Qi mention her, Layue giggled, “I must always smile and be happy, so that all my elder sisters will like me.”

After saying this, she covered her mouth with a small handkerchief, appearing mischievous and clever.

All the concubines laughed.

Consort Qi smiled, saying, “Your Majesty, look at this little girl. No wonder she is so lovable. She’s quite the talker, isn’t she? What she needs isn’t just the affection of us few elder sisters.”

Consort Qi teased.

“I do need the affection of my elder sisters. Don’t you believe me, elder sister?” Layue pouted playfully.

Everyone laughed again.

Regardless of how much sincerity lay behind it all, the scene appeared exceptionally harmonious.

“I don’t know why Father likes all of you women. You’re all so fake, smiling like hens.” Just as everyone was chatting and laughing, the eldest prince suddenly interjected, causing an immediate silence.

The Empress Dowager’s expression turned cold.

“How can you speak so disrespectfully, Yu’er?”

Hearing the Empress Dowager’s words, the eldest prince furrowed his small eyebrows, glared at everyone, and slowly said, “Yu’er was wrong.”

Although his apology was not heartfelt, seeing his response, the Empress Dowager nodded slightly: “Yu’er should always remember what your grandmother has taught you.”

“Yes.”

The child’s mood was not good, but he was obedient toward the Empress Dowager.

Looking out the window with no change in expression, he spoke flatly: “I want to go out for a walk.”

The Empress Dowager paused, seemingly unprepared for his request.

However, she didn’t think for long before nodding.

“You go out for a walk with me,” the eldest prince’s gaze turned to Fu Jinyao.

Fu Jinyao was also taken aback, but she immediately looked toward the Empress Dowager. Without her permission, she wouldn’t leave.

“Consort Hui can accompany the eldest prince on his walk. You two are different from others.”

With a wave of her hand, the Empress Dowager dismissed them. Fu Jinyao stood up and was about to go to the kang to pick up the eldest prince, but he refused. He walked ahead at a slow pace.

Although this wasn’t the first time Layue had seen the eldest prince, Yan Yu, since her rebirth, it was the first time she had truly observed him. In her previous life, she had only focused on the emperor’s attitude, not paying much attention to this rarely seen eldest prince. This time, however, she noticed that this child seemed to be no ordinary one.

He didn’t seem as simple as he appeared.

After the two left, Consort De, feigning nonchalance, remarked with a smile, “After all, she’s his dear maternal aunt; naturally, it’s different.”

“Of course,” the Empress Dowager replied calmly, though the previous joy in her tone had already vanished. If Layue hadn’t been particularly perceptive, she might not have noticed this subtle change.

It seemed the Empress Dowager didn’t really like Fu Jinyao. In her previous life, she had indeed failed to understand many things.

Gazing at the child’s adorable little face, I truly adore him,” said Noble Consort An, who had recently been promoted from Concubine An, smiling sincerely at the Empress Dowager.

As if joking, Consort De said, “If Noble Consort An likes him, you should have one soon.”

This remark touched on a sore spot for Noble Consort An. She had been with Emperor Jing for many years but had never become pregnant. Although Consort Qi also had no children, she had indeed been pregnant before, only to suffer a miscarriage due to an accident.

In contrast, Noble Consort An had shown no signs of pregnancy for years.

Noble Consort An couldn’t even hide her anger, glaring at Consort De.

Consort De, however, smiled innocently.

Hearing Consort De’s words, the Empress Dowager nodded, “Consort De is right. If you like children, you should try harder. All of you should bear children for the royal family early. Even though Chun Wanrong was injured and cannot conceive for now, how come none of the rest of you have shown any signs either?”

Layue lowered her head, remaining silent.

Everyone in the palace knew that the emperor never gave any medicine to those he summoned for the night, yet even so, few concubines had become pregnant.

“I understand,” the others replied softly.