Chapter 74:

Layue was actually very curious to know who in her quarters was the Emperor’s informant, so she decided to test them.

As expected, the person was indeed Guoer. She probably never imagined that the one assigned to monitor her was not Jinxin, but rather Qiaoning, an unremarkable servant in the kitchen.

Everyone knew that Jinxin and Xinger were the trusted maids of Concubine Chun, so how could Layue be so naive?

“Master, even if we now know Guoer’s identity, there isn’t much we can do about it,” Jinxin said, though her expression did not show discouragement.

Layue smiled. “That’s fine. In that case, I can let her know about some of my plans.”

The Emperor was suspicious by nature, so having someone she could use was quite beneficial.

Of course, she did not elaborate further to Jinxin.

“You needn’t concern yourself with these messy affairs. Prepare well instead. This time, the Emperor has decided to bring me along to the Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony. Get yourself and Taor ready.”

In the Kingdom of Nanqin, it was customary that each spring after Qingming, the Emperor would perform the Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony. Although the trip lasted only about ten days, it was still a highly sought-after opportunity for the concubines.

This time, only three concubines were accompanying him: herself, Bai Youran, and Consort Hui.

She and Bai Youran had already been decided upon during their visit to Chen Yulan’s quarters. It was not surprising that Consort Hui would also be going.

“Understood, I’ll go tell Taor right away. That girl always likes to get involved in everything.”

Thinking of Taor’s personality, Layue smiled again.

“Go bring Qiaoning here. I have something to discuss with her.”

“Yes.”

In no time, Qiaoning entered, carrying a bowl of sweet rice porridge with red dates.

Layue had a sweet tooth, so upon seeing the delicacy, she did not immediately discuss business but instead began eating the porridge, praising it enthusiastically.

“Glutinous rice can strengthen the middle jiao and nourish the body. Eating it during the cold early spring can warm the spleen and stomach, nourish the blood, and calm the mind. Red dates are also good for the spleen. Women often suffer from blood deficiency due to menstruation, so red dates are especially suitable. I specially prepared this porridge for you. However, since glutinous rice is hard to digest, my lady should not eat too much.”

“Sweet but not greasy, truly delicious.”

“In spring, it’s appropriate to eat more sweets. Spring is the season when liver qi is strong, so it’s better to eat less sour food and more sweet food. Only in this way can the spleen and stomach be protected,” Qiaoning explained carefully.

After finishing the sweet porridge in the delicate small bowl, Layue finally got down to business.

“You had something to report to Jinxin this morning?”

Qiaoning nodded in agreement and proceeded to relay the information she had received.

“The Master has already assigned people to investigate thoroughly. Due to the sensitivity around Prince Six at the border, we haven’t been able to investigate freely and have not yet found any results. However, we have completely uncovered the matter regarding the Bai family.”

“Oh?” Layue raised her eyebrows with interest.

“Minister Bai was once a poor scholar from a destitute family. On his way to the capital to take the imperial exams, he coincidentally met the daughter of Minister Lian from the Hanlin Academy while she was visiting a temple. Impressed by his talent, Minister Lian married his daughter to him. With the Lian family’s support, Minister Bai achieved his current status. They were married for two years before Minister Lian passed away. The new head of the Lian family, Bai’s brother-in-law, was not a good person, and their relationship became distant. At that time, Minister Bai brought his cousin from the countryside into the family. She became the concubine Mei Yeniang. Bai Xiaodie is Mei Yeniang’s daughter. Over the past decade, Lady Bai has not lived well. Bai Youran, though the legitimate daughter of the Bai family, has been treated poorly at home—even the servants can scold her. Moreover, the Lian family no longer supports Lady Bai and Bai Youran. All affairs of the Bai household are controlled by Mei Yeniang.”

“Is it really so bad?” Layue frowned.

She despised such men the most—those who used their wives’ family connections to rise in status but then forgot their gratitude once they succeeded. It was despicable.

Qiaoning was thoughtful and did not show her emotions outwardly, but her disdain was still visible.

It was clear that although only a few words were spoken, the actual situation must be even worse.

“There’s another matter I believe you would be interested in. The concubine-born daughter of the Bai family, Bai Xiaodie, was drugged the day before the selection. If it hadn’t been for Mei Yeniang drinking the porridge meant for her, Bai Xiaodie would have had little chance of being selected. By a twist of fate, the two sisters ended up entering the palace together. Now Bai Youran holds a higher rank than Bai Xiaodie, and Minister Bai, being a calculating person, has also improved his treatment of Lady Bai.”

“If all men in the world are as heartless as dogs, then women might as well shave their heads and become nuns,” Layue said coldly.

Seeing that her mistress was truly angry, Jinxin quickly tried to comfort her: “My lady, don’t say such silly things. Don’t get angry, or you’ll harm your health. I think although Bai Youran is pitiable, she might not be a simple person either.”

Layue naturally understood that Bai Youran was no ordinary person. In such an environment, whatever thoughts she had were understandable.

Speaking of the porridge that Bai Xiaodie nearly drank, she recalled her past life. Was it because Bai Xiaodie drank the porridge that she failed the selection back then? This time, by a twist of fate, she also entered the palace. The two sisters would likely be entangled in an inescapable feud.

“Master,” Qiaoning gazed earnestly into Layue’s eyes.

“The Master has a message: be cautious around the Bai sisters. Do not meddle out of sympathy.”

Layue smiled. Yes, in her uncle’s eyes, she was still an impressionable and naive girl. Otherwise, why would he have arranged for Qiaoning to enter the palace?

But her relatives did not know that although she might have a kind heart, it was always based on her own safety and well-being. She was no longer the person she used to be.

She truly enjoyed the warmth of this familial care.

“I understand Bai Youran and Bai Xiaodie well. Please reassure my uncle. Qiaoning, you are a clever person. You should be able to tell what kind of person I am. Just report the truth to my uncle.”

Qiaoning remained expressionless: “Understood.”

“Alright, you may go.”

After Qiaoning left, Jinxin asked somewhat puzzled: “My lady, is your uncle really trustworthy?”

Everyone knew that Layue’s mother, Yue Qingcheng, was a concubine-born daughter of the Yue family, while Master Yue was the legitimate son. If speaking of closeness, it should be Chen Yulan who is closer, after all, her mother Lady Yue was the legitimate daughter.

Layue nodded. “He is my real uncle, naturally trustworthy.”

Jinxin furrowed her brows in confusion but did not ask further. Some matters in large families were always complicated. She only needed to know that her master’s uncle truly had her best interests at heart.

Jinxin did not ask further, but Layue’s thoughts had already drifted. In fact, not many people knew this: at that time, her maternal grandmother had been diagnosed as barren. She was a concubine and because of this, the son she had just given birth to was taken to the main house. It was said that this boy brought good fortune, and only many years later did she become pregnant again, giving birth to a daughter—Chen Yulan’s mother.

Thus, the current head of the Yue family was actually her legitimate uncle.

Her uncle, mother, and aunt had always had a good relationship since childhood. However, in their generation, things had turned out so strained.

She and Yulan would never be able to reconcile. Not only because of what she had done in her past life, but even in this life, Yulan had already planned to harm her early on. Reborn, Shen Layue had already learned to be cold and detached.

Perhaps her uncle might also protect Chen Yulan, but she knew he would never harm one for the sake of the other. That was good enough.

Being a businessman, he naturally knew what should be done and what should not.

“I suppose by the time we return from the Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony, this child of my cousin will no longer be around,” Layue murmured.

Jinxin, who was tidying things beside her, was startled upon hearing this.

“My lady, please be cautious with your words,” Jinxin, only in moments of urgency, called Shen Layue “my lady.”

“Even if the Emperor and the Empress Dowager wish for this child to be born safely, it still depends on whether its mother has the fortune. I always feel that from the moment my cousin repeatedly insisted on going out and the Emperor agreed, the fate of this child was already decided. The Emperor has already abandoned it.”

Layue had been thinking carefully about this matter these past few days. Wasn’t every detail hinting at exactly this meaning? If the Emperor truly wanted this child to be born safely, he wouldn’t have allowed Chen Yulan to go out during his absence for the Heaven Sacrifice.

Hearing her mistress’s words, Jinxin felt momentarily disheartened, but quickly regained her composure: “Everyone walks their own path. If she wants to die, should we hold her back? Even if we do, we can’t prevent her from dragging us down with her. My lady, after all, is not a kind and grateful person.”

Thinking about how she had been reborn, she realized she hadn’t considered things as thoroughly as Jinxin.

Layue smiled and nodded: “You’re right. But I was wondering, should I let my cousin know the truth behind her increasing irritability?”

Jinxin was puzzled but could guess something.

“What do you mean?”

“You said Bai Xiaodie drugged her, but why couldn’t the imperial physicians detect it? How did she manage it?”

This was what puzzled Layue.

“Should we notify…” Jinxin asked in a low voice.

“No. Unless it’s a major matter, we must not contact her.”

This was a hidden card, a favor from her master, Lady Wan. Although her medical skills were mediocre, her master liked her as a disciple very much and found her the most capable assistant—the younger apprentice sister of Lady Wan, who was also Layue’s younger aunt in medical arts.

However, Layue also knew that unless it was a major matter, she must minimize contact with her. That was the necessary caution.

If it hadn’t been for her younger aunt, how would she have known about the trick in that incense?

Bai Youran had said such things, and Guoer would certainly report it to the Emperor. She need not interfere in this matter, nor should she involve any key personnel for help.