Chapter 82:

Having met Chen Yulan, the next day was the first day of the new lunar month.

The first day was the day to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.

Layue arrived at Huici Palace early in December. For some unknown reason, everyone had arrived unusually early this time. When Layue entered, those of lower ranks naturally curtsied to greet her, and Layue also bowed to those of higher ranks.

Layue sat there with a cold expression, revealing nothing.

No one could figure out why she looked so displeased, so they just stared at her without asking further questions.

If anyone lacked tact, it was certainly An Guibin, who had always had a poor relationship with Layue.

“Oh my, who upset you, dear sister? Your expression really looks terrible.”

Layue smiled, though her smile did not reach her eyes. “Sister, you’re joking. I just met a dog on the way here; it kept barking, which disturbed my mood.”

Layue spoke lightly, but everyone’s eyes instantly turned toward Bai Xiaodie.

Everyone had seen Bai Xiaodie enter together with Shen Layue just now. Whether it was intentional or not, all eyes turned to Bai Xiaodie, and at that moment, Bai’s face turned red, prompting everyone to draw their own conclusions.

Some covered their mouths and laughed.

An Guibin paused, then laughed, “How careless of the dog and cat quarters to let a dog run loose.”

“It might not even be from the dog and cat quarters—it could be someone else’s pet. Sister seems unusually concerned about this matter.” Layue’s words were not particularly gentle, unlike her usual self. Everyone thought perhaps her near-drowning incident recently had indeed changed her.

An Guibin gave a dry laugh, saying nothing more. This Shen Layue must have eaten firecrackers today, how else could she be like this? But thinking that the Empress Dowager would arrive soon, she imagined it would be amusing if Layue still wore this stern expression.

Seeing that no one spoke further, Layue began sipping her tea. On the way over, Bai Xiaodie had suddenly approached her, speaking sweetly and pretending to have just discovered Chen Yulan’s true nature. Layue had no idea what mischief Bai was up to. She suspected that Bai had visited Chen Yulan and was worried that Chen might have revealed something, so she came to feign friendliness.

But Layue disliked her greatly and ignored her.

Originally, she thought that in this life, Bai Xiaodie hadn’t yet committed those deeds, so she hadn’t retaliated yet. But now, seeing that Bai’s nature hadn’t changed, she decided to target her.

“Consort Hui has arrived—”

Since Fu Jinyao was promoted to consort, she had gradually become the most prominent figure in the harem. Although Consort De held a higher rank, Fu’s family background and the emperor’s favor gave her greater advantages.

Logically, since Bai Xiaodie lived in Zhuxuan, she should have followed closely behind Consort Hui, but she did not.

Fu Jinyao entered the room without glancing sideways, and after sitting down, she swept the room with her eyes, seeing Bai Xiaodie already inside. She smirked mockingly.

Her expression was subtle and not visible to everyone, but a few sharp-eyed individuals noticed.

Layue caught Fu Jinyao’s brief displeasure and also curled her lips slightly.

Anyone with a bit of insight could tell—clearly, Bai Xiaodie had offended more than one person. Both Fu Jinyao and Shen Layue were currently favored by the emperor, yet both disliked her, so how could her days be easy?

Bai Xiaodie sat at the back, looking pitifully at the radiant consorts before her, secretly filled with resentment and anger.

While angry, she also blamed herself for being too hasty, otherwise why would she fail at the last moment?

Regardless of Bai Xiaodie’s thoughts, Layue would never truly show displeasure in front of the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager seemed to dislike crowds more and more, and after meeting everyone briefly, she quickly appeared exhausted and dismissed everyone. Layue

glanced at the Empress Dowager with concern. Perhaps she had experienced too much in her youth, burdened with too many worries. Although there was no longer palace strife now, her health had deteriorated over the years.

Regardless of others’ feelings toward the Empress Dowager, Layue genuinely cared for her. After all, people naturally have emotions—how could she not recognize the Empress Dowager’s kindness toward her?

The emperor’s favor was certainly important, but Layue’s success today also owed much to the Empress Dowager’s support.

“I wonder what exactly this younger sister Bai did to earn the displeasure of both Lady Shen and Consort Hui,” An Guibin remarked loudly enough for everyone to hear while pretending to chat casually with someone nearby.

“What do you mean? Did An Guibin witness this herself? I’d appreciate it if you could clarify where you saw me showing any dislike toward Lady Bai,” Fu Jinyao lifted her chin slightly, her expression cold. Though still young, she carried herself naturally and regally.

One had to admit, she truly exuded noble grace.

An Guibin hadn’t expected Consort Hui to be so blunt. She hesitated, then laughed awkwardly.

“Oh, I was just speaking nonsense again, a bad habit of mine. Look at me, I’ve misspoken. I must apologize to my younger sister here,” An Guibin, having spent many years in the palace, was far from foolish. She had intentionally provoked them to embarrass the two. But she hadn’t expected Consort Hui, usually reserved, to respond so directly.

Fu Jinyao still showed no sign of a smile, coldly replying, “This wasn’t a slip of the tongue. I’m waiting for Lady An to explain herself.”

Layue glanced slightly at Fu Jinyao’s persistence. Her expression was not good, and upon closer inspection, she even looked somewhat tired. Layue tilted her head, then suddenly thought—the emperor had not summoned Consort Hui once since returning from his pilgrimage. Of course, he hadn’t summoned Bai Youran either. That was predictable, given how favored those two had been for days.

Upon returning, naturally, he would need to comfort the consorts he hadn’t visited. But why did Consort Hui look like this? Layue couldn’t help but suspect something had happened while Fu was out of the palace.

Fu Jinyao remained relentless, and Shen Layue stood aside with a mocking gaze. Even An Guibin, usually the center of attention, felt rather awkward.

Perhaps due to Fu Jinyao’s attitude, the Empress Dowager, who had just entered the inner chamber, came out again.

Madam Gui came to the door: “Your Honors, the Empress Dowager invites you all inside.”

Regardless of whether they had been involved, everyone followed in.

The Empress Dowager sat at the upper seat with a stern face: “What now? Not even a moment’s peace for me.”

Fu Jinyao didn’t hesitate and directly recounted the incident.

The Empress Dowager grew even angrier: “An Guibin, what trouble are you stirring up now? Gossiping about Consort Hui and Lady Shen behind their backs—how admirable of you. You entered the palace earlier than them, you’re older than them. You haven’t been promoted all these years for reasons you well know—it’s precisely because of your loose tongue. Now you’re spreading rumors again. How despicable.”

The Empress Dowager sarcastically reprimanded An Guibin.

“Fine, if you claim that Consort Hui and Lady Shen dislike this Lady Bai, then tell me, where did you get this idea?”

Reprimanded, An Guibin turned pale and muttered, “Your humble servant knows her mistake. I only said that because when I came in, I saw Consort Hui and Lady Shen both giving Lady Bai cold looks. Perhaps I misjudged. I was wrong.”

An Guibin, perceptive enough, knew better than to provoke the Empress Dowager further. She understood that the Empress Dowager disliked such matters and wanted to resolve it quickly.

The Empress Dowager turned to Consort Hui.

Since Fu Jinyao ranked higher than Layue, she spoke first: “Your Majesty, I indeed gave Lady Bai a cold look, but there was reason. Today, in front of everyone, I don’t mind speaking openly. Although Lady Bai moved into my Zhuxuan, she constantly sneaks around and spies on me. Though I disliked it, I thought perhaps she was just curious, being new to the place. But today is the day for paying respects, and before I, the mistress of the palace, arrived, she left on her own. What kind of order is that?”

The Empress Dowager nodded, then turned to Shen Layue, who looked pitiful.

“Your Majesty, I feel even more wronged. This morning, I don’t know if Lady Bai encountered something unlucky, but she clung to me closely, constantly slandering my cousin Yulan. Although my relationship with my cousin is distant, she has suffered greatly. Lady Bai pretends to be close to her, even dismissing the previous musk incident as trivial. Now she slanders her again. How can I possibly treat someone so fickle kindly? If I got too close or spoke too much, she might later speak ill of me to others, and then I’d be blamed for crying over it.”

Layue spoke the truth. But seeing her pitiful little face, the Empress Dowager felt she truly looked like a poor, innocent child.

Hearing these accusations, Bai Xiaodie immediately knelt down, crying out her innocence.

Layue spoke indifferently: “Lady Bai, are you saying we’re all framing you? That’s not something to say lightly.”

Bai Xiaodie shook her head repeatedly, her behavior making even the Empress Dowager frown.

Fu Jinyao coldly laughed: “Besides your coming alone to Huici Palace today, I can also find witnesses to your spying.”

Looking at Fu Jinyao’s expression, Layue suddenly understood. So that’s why the emperor had moved Bai Xiaodie to Zhuxuan, and why Fu Jinyao was being so relentless today. It seemed they had reached the same conclusion.

The emperor might not have found fault with Bai Xiaodie for past matters, but that didn’t mean he would allow things to develop unchecked.

This entire incident today felt strangely suspicious. Even without her involvement, it seemed destined to unfold this way.