Chapter 91:

Thinking about this person, she couldn’t help but mutter to herself. Just a few days ago during the twelfth lunar month, she had mentioned missing her family and being concerned about her elder brother’s marriage. Yet within just a few days, news came from outside the palace that her grandmother had already chosen a suitable family for her brother, and her maternal uncle reportedly agreed enthusiastically.

A virtuous wife should be chosen. If she hadn’t blindly interfered in her previous life, perhaps her grandmother and father wouldn’t have chosen Bai Xiaodie for her brother.

It was said that her grandmother favored the daughter of her father’s former classmate, Miss Min Yunying, the legitimate second young lady.

Layue didn’t have much impression of this person. It was said that this woman had been a selected maiden in the same year as Layue, but hadn’t been chosen by the emperor.

Due to their past-life relationship, Layue didn’t know much about Min Yunying. In her previous life, she neither entered the palace nor married into a prestigious family.

However, since her maternal uncle also agreed, Layue could trust this choice to some extent.

Their family valued reputation but wasn’t overly scheming, making them relatively easy to deceive. In contrast, her maternal uncle had been in business for many years, was cunning, and quick-witted.

“Jinxin, go fetch Qiaoning. I have something to ask her.”

After much consideration, Layue remained uneasy and decided to thoroughly inquire about Min Yunying through her maternal uncle.

Jinxin slightly bowed and left.

It couldn’t be helped that Layue acted this way. Her brother’s matter had become a thorn stuck deep in her heart, causing her pain every time she thought about it.

Although Bai Xiaodie had died, there was no guarantee another woman like her wouldn’t appear. Therefore, Layue felt worried and confused, wanting to investigate thoroughly before anything happened, hoping to achieve a good outcome.

After conveying her request to Qiaoning, Qiaoning complied and left.

Layue had never asked Qiaoning how exactly she communicated with her maternal uncle, but from her observation, Qiaoning was an extremely cautious person. Precisely because of this, she felt much reassured. As for not asking, it was because she trusted Qiaoning’s loyalty.

Moreover, she believed she hadn’t asked Qiaoning to do anything inappropriate.

“If only I could meet my family members,” Layue murmured to herself.

There was only one opportunity each year to meet family within the palace. If she pleaded with the emperor, she didn’t know whether he would agree.

“Why don’t you bring it up with the emperor?” Jinxin suggested.

Layue hesitated slightly, “I want to. I’m just afraid he’ll refuse. Why must there be so many rules, hmm?”

“What won’t he agree to?” The emperor entered the room, his clothes slightly damp, likely due to the light rain outside.

Seeing this, Layue hurried forward, “This subject greets Your Majesty.”

At the same time, she instructed Jinxin beside her, “Go to the cabinet and fetch His Majesty’s casual clothes.”

Seeing Layue take care of him, the emperor’s lips curved into a hidden smile.

Lixi and Jinxin exchanged glances before quietly stepping out.

“Is it raining heavily outside?”

“Mm, not too bad.” Seeing her busily tending to him, the emperor gently kissed her forehead.

Before long, the two were squeezed onto a small chair. Though small, the emperor always insisted on sitting together with Layue. However, over time, she had gotten used to it and even found this closeness rather warm.

“Just now, what were you talking about? You haven’t answered my question yet,” the emperor pinched her chubby hand, not forgetting the topic he had overheard when entering the room.

Layue hesitated for a moment, but only briefly, “That… that, Your Majesty, actually, I, I want to see my family.” After saying this, she secretly observed his expression.

Seeing her like this, the emperor’s expression didn’t change much, but he replied, “I’m a person who highly values rules. It might not be good if I agree?”

He spoke with a serious expression.

Upon hearing this, Layue immediately understood. This fellow had overheard her words and was deliberately teasing her. However, his words indirectly indicated that there was a chance.

She happily buried her head into his chest, sweetly saying, “Your Majesty is the best to Layue. I really miss my family. I know it’s not the time for family visits, but my brother is getting married, and I don’t even know what my future sister-in-law looks like or what kind of person she is. Unless I hear from my grandmother herself, how can I feel at ease?”

The emperor hummed, “You were just saying behind my back that I value rules too much.”

“Your Majesty indeed values rules. That’s a virtue, not a flaw. Your Majesty, please? Let me meet my family, okay?” She raised her head and lightly kissed the corner of his mouth, rubbing against him like a little animal.

Seeing her like this, the emperor laughed and finally agreed, “Tomorrow I will issue an edict, and the day after, I will allow your grandmother to enter the palace to meet you.”

Layue smiled with joy, “Thank you, Your Majesty. I knew it—you’re the kindest and best emperor, and you’re so good to me.”

“You’re just flattering me. I suspect you’re merely trying to please me. However, it’s true that you and your elder brother have a close relationship.”

Unable to decipher the meaning behind his words, she still spoke truthfully, “Of course. The three of us siblings have a very close relationship. My elder brother is the oldest and always protects us younger ones.”

“I remember you mentioned that your grandmother is very protective of you, and your stepmother hasn’t targeted you either.”

Layue shook her head, “It’s not like that. Our Shen family has more than just our eldest branch. With so many children, there are inevitably some small conflicts. My grandmother can’t manage everything, although she protects us, she also can’t be too biased. You know, there are also my aunts, and grandmother can only try her best to remain impartial.”

After she finished speaking, the emperor nodded in understanding, “If that’s the case, since your brother is so important to you, why have you never mentioned him to me?”

The underlying meaning was simply why she had never asked him for favors.

Layue happily pulled his hand, intertwining their fingers.

“I won’t make things difficult for you. I know my own brother well. He’s a good person without much scheming and isn’t someone who flatters others. Even if I asked you for some favor for him, aside from whether he could handle it, his personality is such that he’d be lucky not to offend anyone. The higher one’s position, the more likely one is to attract trouble. I don’t wish for my family to be extremely prominent; I only hope they can live peacefully.”

These words came from Layue’s heart. Regardless of whether the emperor believed her or not, this was indeed her genuine thought.

Living peacefully and comfortably as a wealthy commoner, wouldn’t that be wonderful?

She also knew her brother had ambitions, but she understood his personality even better.

The emperor didn’t say anything but directly placed their intertwined hands against his lips.

Turning over, he pressed her beneath him, and his kisses gently landed on her neck.

His hand skillfully slipped under her skirt, moving in and out, causing her face to turn red.

Before long, low, suppressed breathing sounds came from within the room.

Jinxin stood with her head lowered at the door, hearing the muffled sounds from inside and feeling especially happy.

For the past couple of days, the mistress had been worried about this matter. Now, finally, her wish had been fulfilled. Within the palace, this matter wasn’t particularly significant, but it wasn’t trivial either. The emperor’s favor was a clear sign of his affection for the mistress.

…

After the intimate moment, Layue supported herself to help the emperor dress, looking very attentive.

Usually, when she was extremely tired, Layue often stayed in bed unwillingly, letting the emperor call Lixi to enter. Today, she seemed even more cooperative, happily dressing him. Seeing her joyful expression, the emperor felt somewhat envious.

“You’re indeed a considerate one. Now that you’ve just received my favor, you’re acting differently from usual.”

This wasn’t praise. It was a subtle reference to Layue’s occasional laziness in the past.

Layue stuck out her tongue playfully, casting him a coquettish glance, smiling happily, “How am I different? Your Majesty always teases me. Whatever I can do, I will certainly do everything for Your Majesty.”

The emperor laughed, teasing, “But what could I possibly need help from such a little lady like you?”

Layue tilted her head in thought for a moment, pouting, “That’s true. I really don’t seem to have anything that can help you.”

Seeing her look slightly disappointed, the emperor burst into laughter.

Before leaving, the emperor stole a kiss from Layue’s lips.

He reminded her, “You don’t need to do anything for me. Taking good care of me is what you should do the most.”

Layue slightly bowed and respectfully sent the emperor off.

After the emperor left, Layue’s face lit up with joy.

Getting what one desires is always delightful. Regardless of how the emperor felt, she would finally see her family. It seemed that only when it came to her family could she truly show genuine happiness.

“Jinxin, prepare some snacks for me. I’m a bit hungry.”

“Yes…”

Layue sat by the mirror. Having just bathed, her hair had just been dried, and Xing’er was tying her hair into a simple bun.

“Madam is so beautiful,” Xing’er sighed.

Layue chuckled, teasing, “Even if I’m beautiful, I can’t compare to Lady Li and Consort Hui, right?”

Xing’er shook her head, “You and them have different kinds of beauty. If they were truly more beautiful, why would the emperor favor you more?”

The emperor’s affection for the mistress was visible to everyone.

“You can’t really count on feelings like that, can you? Besides, don’t say things like that in front of others.”

Xing’er smiled playfully, “I’m not stupid, of course I won’t. I’m just saying this to you, Madam.”

Layue laughed too, “You’re just flattering me, right? But I’m in a good mood, so I won’t hold it against you.”

“Your servant would never dare.”

Today, the Listening Rain Pavilion was filled with laughter and joy.