Chapter 79:

This time Emperor Jing left the palace accompanied by Consort Hui and Bai Youran. Layue, due to her physical condition, did not go to see him off like the other consorts. Instead, she moved early to Empress Dowager’s Huici Palace and since then remained indoors.

Seeing her like this, the Empress Dowager couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. In the palace, no matter how foolish someone might seem, it could very likely be an illusion.

Layue’s health was extremely weak; it would have been impossible for her to recite scriptures and pray daily. Most of the time, she simply rested in the palace’s small Buddhist shrine, which had a small side room where Layue resided.

Regardless of what happened outside, she had no intention of leaving her quarters. Entrusting Tingyu Pavilion to Guo’er was the most suitable decision.

After all, not only was Guo’er well-trained and unlikely to fall into traps, even if she did, Emperor Jing would certainly trust her character more.

At this moment, Layue felt relieved that she had earlier discovered the secret agent the emperor had placed in her quarters; otherwise, she wouldn’t have felt so at ease.

After this incident, Jinxin seemed to have matured a lot. Layue barely needed to say anything before she arranged everything meticulously.

As for Tao’er and Xing’er, Layue had also given them careful instructions. The few of them basically did not leave the premises.

Every day, the Empress Dowager had someone deliver meals to Layue.

Layue moved to Huici Palace on the day the emperor departed, and the reason for her move was made public.

Many scoffed at her, thinking it unnecessary.

But there were others who thought more deeply.

Layue’s behavior didn’t seem like a sincere act of fulfilling a vow; it seemed more like she was avoiding something. Could it really be that falling into the water had frightened her this much?

Perhaps Jinxin had warned them, because Xing’er and Guo’er seemed to have understood something.

Both of them were now extremely cautious.

Layue didn’t know whether moving to this place had deprived the hidden adversary of a target. Would Chen Yulan still encounter problems? Or would the enemy wait until the emperor returned to continue framing her?

Thinking further, it probably wasn’t the case. After all, if Chen Yulan only had an incident after the emperor returned, the purpose of making Layue fall into the water would be lost. Also, with the emperor present, there would likely be fewer opportunities to act.

Sure enough, on the sixth day after the emperor’s departure, Layue received news from Madam Gui: Chen Yulan had miscarried.

She couldn’t help but feel it was exactly as she had expected.

“What happened?”

Regardless, Chen Yulan was still her cousin, so she needed to inquire properly.

Madam Gui patted her hand gently, “I know you have a kind heart. Even after what she did to you, you still can’t bear to ignore her. But in my opinion, that Lady Chen is no saint; she might even be capable of turning the tables. So don’t get involved.”

Regardless of Madam Gui’s motives, Layue understood the good intentions behind her words and nodded.

Graciously, she said, “Thank you, Madam, for your advice. I do understand that things are different in the palace. I’m just a little moved.”

Madam Gui continued, “Speaking of you two sisters, you really don’t get along with Lian Xiu Yun.”

“Oh?” Could it be that failing to frame her, they had turned their attention to Lian Xiu Yun?

“I don’t know what Lady Chen was thinking. She was already pregnant and should have taken care of herself, yet she went to visit Lian Xiu Yun in the cold palace. Can a person with such a deranged mind be visited casually? That’s exactly why she had an accident. Consort Song lives there too, always acting strangely. Seeing the visibly pregnant Lady Chen, she must have gone mad.”

It turned out to be the former Virtuous Consort.

Layue was genuinely surprised.

Sometimes things were always connected by cause and effect. In her previous life, the death of her child had been the last straw for the Virtuous Consort. In this life, the Virtuous Consort had fallen from grace early, becoming Consort Song, and was later confined to the cold palace.

Yet the loss of Chen Yulan’s child was due to her.

Sometimes, things really came full circle in inexplicable ways.

“Consort Song has already gone mad. How will this matter be handled?”

Madam Gui snorted coldly, “How to handle it? Whether or not she truly is mad, harming a royal heir is an undeniable fact. The Empress Dowager’s intention is to deal with her tonight. As for any other issues, someone will investigate thoroughly.”

Although Madam Gui said this, she secretly observed Layue’s reaction. Seeing that she only showed surprise and no other excessive response, she couldn’t help but sigh. Sometimes, one truly couldn’t ignore fate.

She and the Empress Dowager had deduced that the incident involving Lian Xiuyun wouldn’t be straightforward. The initial scheme was probably intended to frame Noble Consort Chun, but unexpectedly, before the emperor even departed from the palace, Layue had already relocated to the small Buddhist shrine in Huici Palace. Though not luxurious and somewhat modest, it had enabled her to steer clear of numerous troubles.

It seemed that her fragile body couldn’t withstand any extra strain.

Heaven itself seemed to be helping her.

“When she was at home, my cousin wasn’t like this. I never expected that entering the palace would change her so much,” Layue said casually. Her tone showed neither sorrow nor schadenfreude.

“In the palace, everyone is competing for the same man. How can they remain the same as before?”

Madam Gui, like the Empress Dowager, favored those the Empress Dowager liked. And that included Shen Layue.

Layue nodded in agreement.

After speaking briefly, they noticed Layue showing signs of fatigue. Madam Gui, having said all she needed to say, didn’t stay any longer and got up to leave.

After Madam Gui left, Jinxin whispered, “The young lady has really run into trouble.”

Layue wasn’t surprised, “I just wonder if the Empress Dowager has fully investigated the matter.”

“Please don’t think too much, my lady. In my opinion, this matter isn’t over yet. Since you are safe, you should focus on resting and let them carry on with their schemes. Can anything happen beyond the emperor and the Empress Dowager’s control?”

Layue smiled and agreed, “Yes, you’re right. I’m just a bit curious. I keep thinking about who devised this chain of schemes.”

“When the emperor returns, we’ll see his reaction. That’ll tell us everything,” Jinxin’s words hit the nail on the head.

Since Layue’s fall into the water, Jinxin had been deeply remorseful, blaming herself for not protecting her mistress well. Now, she always thought things through carefully, trying to anticipate problems and help her mistress in every way she could.

“She had the schemes, but unfortunately, she acted too hastily.”

In her heart, Layue already suspected someone. If she wasn’t mistaken, it was likely Bai Xiaodie. After all, both Chen Yulan and Lian Xiu Yun were close to her, and their unusual behavior was obvious.

Alternatively, there might be a more cunning person manipulating Bai Xiaodie.

Such things were common in the harem, and Layue understood this well. No matter who was behind it, it shouldn’t be surprising.

Making such a sudden request, as long as the emperor had the slightest suspicion, he would realize she was avoiding disaster. And the emperor wasn’t foolish; the combined schemes of all the palace women wouldn’t match his wisdom.

In that case, she needed to think about how to behave toward the emperor in the future.

Besides, if she continued like this, others might start targeting her, thinking her weak and easy to manipulate.

She wasn’t afraid of trouble, but this time her weak health wasn’t suitable for conflict.

But… Layue clenched her fists.

Since they had schemed against her so thoroughly, she would be letting down their “kindness” if she did nothing in return.

Seeing her mistress fall silent and deep in thought, Jinxin asked, “My lady, shall I contact someone?”

Layue shook her head as she fiddled with her fingers, “The palace is already tense. The Empress Dowager might have found something. We shouldn’t act rashly for now. Let’s wait until the emperor returns and things calm down a bit.”

Each palace had its own network of informants or allies, and Shen Layue was no exception. However, she had hidden her connections well and rarely contacted them. Even if it meant the emperor might suspect her of having ulterior motives, she preferred not to reveal all her cards and expose herself to scrutiny.

Time passed quickly. She remained secluded, and others didn’t dare to approach her.

It was only about ten days later that the emperor returned to the palace with Consort Hui and Bai Youran.

By then, Layue’s health had fully recovered.

Dressed in a long jade-green dress, a silver-trimmed coat, and adorned with a golden hairpin that shimmered with every movement, she looked fresh yet subtly elegant.

During the emperor’s absence, the palace had not seen Shen Layue for quite some time.

No matter how much they secretly hoped she would appear frail and worn, nothing could compare to the moment they saw her again.

She looked fine, but seeing her so well made others feel quite uneasy.

Finding it somewhat amusing, Layue couldn’t help but feel genuinely cheerful, her eyes curving into crescent moons as she smiled.

As the emperor stepped off his palanquin, the first thing he saw was this scene. Among all the beauties, only Layue smiled serenely and sincerely, clearly different from the others.

“Rise. How is Consort Chun’s health? If she is still weak, she needn’t have come to greet me.”

Although Consort De and Consort Qi were both present, the emperor clearly helped Layue up, which surprised the other consorts. After all, the emperor was usually very formal and never showed favor openly in public.

“Your Majesty,” Layue replied with a smile, “these past days I have remained indoors, resting quietly and devoting myself to prayer. My health has fully recovered.”

The emperor looked her over and nodded.

Then he addressed the others, “Return to your quarters. I must go and pay respects to the Empress Dowager.”

He patted Layue’s hand gently before leaving.

Once the emperor departed, the other consorts didn’t linger to exchange greetings and gradually dispersed.

Layue glanced at the aloof Consort Hui and the indifferent Bai Youran, showing no trace of jealousy. She gave them a slight smile and gracefully took her leave.

Now that the emperor had returned, the amusing competition for favor would surely begin again.