Chapter 81:

It was on the fourth day after his return that the Emperor summoned Layue to his chamber. On the first night, no one attended him; on the second night, it was Virtuous Consort De; on the third night, it was Consort Qi; and on the fourth night, it was actually Layue. Layue felt rather surprised and honored.

However, she was increasingly convinced that the Emperor intended to elevate her status.

Still, even though she had been summoned to his chamber, nothing happened between them, as the Emperor was considerate of her health after her recent near-drowning incident.

Although she appeared to have recovered, the Emperor always worried that he might harm her. Layue secretly thought, perhaps he was afraid of catching some illness from her? But all these thoughts remained in her heart, never showing even a hint on her face.

They talked together, and time passed quickly. If it were just to sleep beside him without doing anything, Layue wouldn’t have minded. But the Jing Emperor couldn’t handle that.

After the second watch, the Emperor sent Lai Xi to escort Layue back to Tingyu Pavilion.

Regardless of whether or not he had truly taken her, the honor bestowed upon her was unique.

As for Chen Yulan’s miscarriage, the Emperor did not even bother to visit her. Others might think she had been neglected and sent to the cold palace, but Layue knew all too well that this also indirectly revealed the cold-hearted nature of this man.

It was truly unnecessary to speak of feelings with him.

As for Bai Xiaodie, it was somewhat strange. Layue didn’t know what exactly the Emperor had said to Lady Hui, but he had moved Bai Xiaodie to a side room in Zhuxuan.

Layue was puzzled.

Sometimes, even with a second chance at life, one couldn’t know everything.

But considering how the Emperor always acted mysteriously, Layue decided not to sit idle. If others dared to provoke her, she couldn’t just do nothing—it wasn’t in her nature.

“Jinxin, inform Cuiwen. We’re going to visit my cousin.”

“Eh?” Jinxin was stunned.

Layue smiled: “How can I know the truth without seeing Yulan?”

Jinxin suddenly seemed to understand and nodded.

If she wasn’t mistaken, Yulan must already know that the one who framed her was Bai Xiaodie. But while Yulan could know, Layue shouldn’t. If she were to confront Yulan openly, she needed a solid reason, or else she would displease the Emperor.

Now that she had gained the Emperor’s attention, this innocent little girl needed to transform. She should now possess at least a little cunning.

If she learned from her cousin Yulan who had truly pushed her into the water, what kind of reaction would please the Emperor the most?

Layue’s delicate face blossomed into a smile.

Wasn’t it exactly the kind of impulsive and slightly scheming personality that would please him?

Whether or not Yulan had told her anything, if Layue returned changed, then regardless of what was actually said, everyone would assume Yulan must have revealed something.

Was this a subtle betrayal of her cousin? Clenching her small fist, Layue smiled happily, then adjusted her expression as she saw Cuiwen entering the room.

Layue instructed: “Help me find out what’s wrong in her quarters.”

“I understand,” Cuiwen replied, not talkative and never boasting about her medical skills, but indeed very capable.

If Bai Youran’s words were correct, then Bai Xiaodie must have used some kind of drug to alter their personalities.

The obvious irritability and impatience—if she hadn’t known Yulan well and hadn’t heard Bai Xiaodie’s words, she would never have suspected this.

This was the second time Layue had visited Yulan’s quarters. The young eunuch waiting outside hurriedly came forward to kowtow upon seeing her arrival.

Who didn’t know that the current Noble Consort Chun was in the Emperor’s favor?

Upon hearing that Layue wished to see her mistress, the eunuch quickly ran inside to report.

It wasn’t long before Lan, Yulan’s maid, came out to greet her.

“Greetings, Noble Consort Chun. My mistress has instructed me to invite you in immediately.”

This was certainly not her usual manner.

Still in her postpartum recovery period, Yulan looked tearfully at Layue upon her entrance: “Dear elder sister…”

This was completely different from the last time Layue had come.

Layue did not move closer but instead instructed Jinxin to place the items she had brought aside. Yulan glanced at them—they were all things that couldn’t be tampered with, so she assumed her cousin was cautious even of her.

Yulan’s expression turned even sadder.

“I heard about your accident the other day, but I myself have been unwell, worrying that my cold condition might affect you or that you might misunderstand, so I didn’t come to visit earlier. Now that I’ve recovered, I thought I’d come see how you are. Are you still unwell?”

Yulan’s long hair was draped over her shoulders, her eyes filled with resentment.

“Unwell? What could possibly be wrong with me? Poor my child, never even had the chance to see the grand palace.”

Layue stood aside as Yulan continued to bitterly recount her hopes and dreams for the child.

After a while, noticing that Layue remained silent, Yulan felt uneasy.

“Dear elder sister, please sit down…”

“Now that things have come to this, don’t dwell on it too much. I just came to see you. Since you seem fine, I’ll take my leave. I wouldn’t want others to say anything if I stayed too long.”

The “others” clearly referred to Yulan herself. Layue’s meaning was obvious—staying longer would only invite further accusations.

Yulan’s face changed slightly: “Dear elder sister, these past days, I admit I was wrong. But I was truly framed and provoked. Think back before I entered the palace—we were so close as cousins. How could I possibly turn against you once I entered the palace?”

“Oh?” Layue raised her eyebrows.

Yulan bit her lip: “Sister, I believe you already know why I acted so out of character—it was because of drugs. I never expected Bai Xiaodie to be so wicked. If it weren’t for her, how could our sisterly bond have come to this? She drugged me and kept provoking me. Dear elder sister, I truly feel guilty toward you.”

Layue shook her head: “What are you saying, dear cousin? I haven’t heard of any such thing, and no one has told me anything either. As for this drug you mentioned, I don’t understand—how could such a miraculous substance exist that can control a person’s mind?”

Yulan paused, then continued with her pitiful expression: “Look at me—am I not proof of being controlled? Otherwise, how could I have treated you that way?”

Layue couldn’t help but laugh: “Dear cousin, don’t make that expression—it doesn’t suit you. As for this matter, I’ll make my own judgment. You should rest well now. I’ll take my leave.”

She had no intention of reconciling with Yulan. As Jinxin had said, who knew when she might be betrayed again.

Even if she wasn’t betrayed, others might still consider them allies, and she would end up bearing the blame for Yulan’s misdeeds.

Seeing Layue’s reaction, Yulan’s face briefly showed anger, quickly concealed.

After Layue left, she asked casually: “Did you notice anything unusual?”

Cuiwen hesitated slightly before speaking: “There was nothing unusual in the room. I suspect the cause of her abnormal behavior has already been eliminated.”

After a moment’s thought, she continued: “A few years ago, I heard of a flower called Suran that grows near the borders. If its stamen is ground into powder and consumed over a long period, it can cause irritability, anger, and emotional instability. Listening to Concubine Chen’s symptoms, they do resemble this condition. However, I suspect she wasn’t ingesting it but was affected in another way. Otherwise, after this much time, her symptoms wouldn’t be this mild.”

Jinxin was somewhat shocked—this was considered mild?

“So this flower can change a person’s temperament?”

Cuiwen shook her head: “Not exactly. As I said, it causes irritability and emotional instability. Long-term use leads to addiction. But to change someone’s personality entirely—I don’t think so. Rather, I believe the person was already emotionally unstable, and someone else’s provocation merely triggered the latent malicious thoughts. My Lady, think carefully—how accomplished are the palace physicians? They’ve studied medicine for years. If there were truly a drug that could control the mind, wouldn’t they have discovered it? There’s no such thing as mind control. Rather, the malicious thoughts must already exist within the person, and with provocation, they simply act on them.”

Layue fell into deep thought and nodded.

Yes, there was no such thing as mind control. What seemed like uncontrollable behavior was likely the result of one’s own inner darkness.

As Layue left, Yulan inside angrily threw her pillow to the ground.

“Underestimating me, always underestimating me. One day, one day I’ll crush you all beneath my feet. What makes you, Shen Layue, better than me?”

Lan, standing beside her, tried to soothe her gently: “My Lady, please don’t anger yourself. As the physician said, you still have some poison in your body. You mustn’t keep harming yourself. We need to rest and recover. Whether it’s Bai Xiaodie or Shen Layue, one day you will surely take your revenge and rise above them.”

Yulan seemed to realize her physical condition as well.

She was filled with resentment.

“I can temporarily let Shen Layue go, but Bai Xiaodie—I will never forgive her. How difficult was it for me to conceive this child? She destroyed my child, my future. If she hadn’t drugged me, I wouldn’t have been so irritable and wouldn’t have ended up in this situation.”

Lan also looked resentful. Who wouldn’t want her mistress to rise in rank? Who would have expected her to be framed upon entering the palace? Originally, her mistress had planned to manipulate Bai Xiaodie, using her as a tool, but now the hunter had been outwitted by the prey.

Even as a servant, she felt deep hatred.

“My Lady, we cannot let Bai Xiaodie off easily. We must find a way to eliminate her.”

“Indeed, that goes without saying.”