Chapter 180:

June 6th, the sky was clear and cloudless.

In the early morning of the twelfth lunar month, everything had already been tidied up and prepared.

The elderly nursemaids from the palace had already been waiting there.

Today was not only the day for the Empress’s investiture, but Fengqi Palace was also ready for occupancy that very night.

The Empress, naturally, should reside in such a palace.

Fengqi Palace and Qing’an Palace were located on either side of Emperor Jing’s Xuanning Hall.

Moving from one side to the other, though seemingly a simple relocation, carried vastly different implications.

Though it had only been three days, Emperor Jing had already given Lady Layue everything he could possibly think of.

Watching the woman in imperial robes approach from afar, Emperor Jing slightly curled his lips into a smile, and even the Empress Dowager, who was sitting nearby with forced alertness, weakly smiled.

Although Layue had tried to treat the event as ordinary, she still felt a tinge of nervousness at this moment.

She never imagined, never even considered, that she would ever have the chance to become Empress. At seventeen, she had gradually climbed to the highest position of power in the Nanshun Empire and now stood before the man who had once wronged her.

To become his Empress.

As Emperor Jing gazed at her delicate face, his thoughts ran deeper.

Undoubtedly, he liked her.

More than that, he loved her dearly.

He had long decided that he would make her his Empress, and treat only her with utmost care for the rest of his life.

After so many years, he had grown weary of other women.

He had tired of the “sincere” affections of the so-called beauties vying for his attention.

He had always known that since he cherished Yue’er, for her own good, he must find the most appropriate opportunity to formally invest her as Empress. Only then could she avoid unnecessary troubles.

But before he could wait for that moment, his mother had provided it for him.

At this moment, Emperor Jing couldn’t suppress his emotions.

Thinking back to his first wedding, he hadn’t felt such excitement or such a deep sense of fulfillment.

It felt as if everything was just too perfect!

Afterward, both of them remained in a daze.

It wasn’t until Layue sat inside Fengqi Palace’s inner chamber that she slowly regained her senses. Everything had happened so quickly, almost surreal.

From this day forward, she, Shen Layue, would be the Empress of Nanshun.

“Is the mistress still daydreaming?” Apricot whispered softly to Jin Xin standing beside her.

Jin Xin nodded.

Layue raised her head blankly, glancing at them, then at the sleeping quarters.

Finally, a blooming smile appeared on her face.

Originally, she had only thought she must gain favor and climb the ranks, but she had no idea how far she could actually go. Now, gazing at this magnificent palace, something stirred inside her, making her feel as though everything had changed.

In this life, she had seized everything.

In her previous life, she had believed that after the Emperor broke her heart, living coldly and independently in the palace was noble and pure.

But now she realized, it truly felt different.

The feeling of being in control of everything—how wonderful it was!

“Has everything in the palace been arranged properly?” Layue finally came to her senses and asked.

“Your Majesty, yes. Please rest assured,” one of the attendants replied.

At first, when she was assigned to serve the then Lady Shen, many were reluctant and resentful. But as their mistress steadily climbed to her current position, the servants came to understand that many things are indeed within one’s own power to shape.

“Your Majesty, let me help you change clothes and take a bath. You must be exhausted today.”

It was already evening. After changing, having dinner, and resting early, their mistress had indeed been worn out lately.

Layue nodded.

She stood up and was about to enter the bath chamber when a loud announcement rang out: “His Majesty the Emperor has arrived!”

Turning her head, she saw the Emperor already stepping through the door.

“Your Majesty, I greet you, long live the Emperor, long live, long live, ten thousand times long live.”

Emperor Jing smiled and gently pinched her nose: “Your little mouth is so sweet. If I live forever, will you stay with me forever?”

He helped her up as he spoke.

Layue smiled and wrapped her arms around his waist: “Whatever the Emperor asks of me, I shall do.”

As if no one else were present, Emperor Jing kissed her eyes.

“I want you to see only me, to love only me.”

Layue leaned her head against his chest: “Let me hear if you have me in your heart.”

“Smack!” A gentle slap landed on her bottom.

Emperor Jing laughed: “I’ve had only you in my heart all along, yet you never seem to take me seriously. You ungrateful little thing. But it’s okay. Yue’er, this feels so right. You’re finally my Empress, finally my Empress.”

The last words were almost whispered.

Layue bit her lip and leaned into him.

“Your Majesty, may I serve you in taking a bath?”

They hadn’t been intimate for many days now.

Emperor Jing smiled knowingly: “What? Have you missed me after all this time?”

Layue pouted and stomped her foot: “Your Majesty, don’t twist my words. These past days have been so busy with preparations, I’m completely exhausted. And still, you tease me like this. I feel so wronged.”

Emperor Jing burst into laughter and scooped her up in his arms.

“Let’s go. We won’t bathe here. I’ll take you to Xuanning Hall. We’ll soak in the hot springs.”

With that, he carried her out.

Totally disregarding the gazes of others.

Of course, no one dared to stare, as the Emperor was laughing unrestrainedly.

Before long, the two were already wrapped in each other’s arms, completely naked, immersed in the warm water.

Layue felt her entire body relax. The hot springs were the best remedy for fatigue.

These past days had been exhausting—first with the Empress Dowager’s illness, then the Empress’s investiture ceremony. She had been drained.

“It feels so good.”

“If it feels good, come here every day. Even if you live here with me, I won’t mind.”

Layue lifted her head and bit his chin playfully, pouting: “Your Majesty, you’re making things up again. How could I possibly live here? You’ve already been too kind to me. I can’t let you be criticized by the officials over such a small matter.”

Though her actions were kitten-like, her words were considerate, making Emperor Jing feel warm inside.

“If they dare to speak ill, I’ll make sure they’re punished. I keep them to serve the country, not to scheme against me. If they do, why should I keep them at all?”

Layue poked him with her finger: “Your Majesty, you’re being authoritarian.”

She looked so adorable, completely free of pretense.

In the palace, if anyone else had spoken to Emperor Jing in such a way, the consequences would be predictable.

Yet when Layue did it, Emperor Jing found it endearing—so much so that it melted his heart.

“You really are an ungrateful little thing. I’d go to war for you, and yet you speak to me like this. Let me show you what happens.”

With that, he pinned her beneath him and kissed her passionately.

They kissed for a long time before Emperor Jing finally let her go. He was indeed tired.

Otherwise, he would never have stopped at this moment.

Breathless, they leaned together.

After a while, Emperor Jing spoke: “In a few days, I’ll arrange for craftsmen to bring the hot springs here. That way, no matter which palace you’re in, you can still bathe comfortably. How does that sound?”

Layue hadn’t expected such thoughtfulness from him. She bit her lip and murmured: “You’re so good to me.”

Emperor Jing smiled smugly: “If I don’t treat you well, who should I treat well?”

Seeing his self-satisfaction, Layue felt a stir in her heart, but quickly looked down, alarmed.

She mustn’t fall for him so easily—she had told herself countless times.

Her reaction was too quick. She didn’t notice the fleeting look of contemplation and pain in the Emperor’s eyes after she looked away.

Yet even so, he still wore a gentle smile.

His Yue’er would surely come to love him in time.

***

The Nanshun Empire welcomed their new Empress.

Meanwhile, Zhuxuan Palace had been reduced to a mess.

Elsewhere, Fu Jieyu’s chambers were brightly lit.

Fu Jin Yan slumped in her chair, drained of energy, and her maid Xiu’er was the same.

Everyone in the palace was busy with the Empress’s investiture ceremony, unaware that since yesterday, they had been working nonstop.

Now that everything had gone smoothly, they finally allowed themselves to relax.

They had hoped Fu Jin Yao wouldn’t go too far, but fate had other plans. A servant reported that someone had indeed acted.

Consort Hui had claimed to be unwell and summoned Grand Physician Zhu.

Fu Jin Yan naturally knew that Zhu would be approached for something. After all, the physician had received favors from Minister Fu in the past and had always supported the Fu sisters.

Thankfully, Fu Jin Yan had met Fu Jin Yu beforehand; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

Though she had people watching Zhuxuan Palace, she couldn’t completely restrict movement in and out.

Fu Jin Yu quickly figured out that Fu Jin Yao would seek help from the physician.

Indeed, who else in the palace could be more suitable for such a task?

Physician Zhu, having been warned by Fu Jin Yu, managed to avoid giving Consort Hui any opportunity.

Later, Fu Jin Yan learned of this and, to prevent her sister from doing anything rash, went directly to Zhuxuan Palace, making small talk and lingering there.

Even when Fu Jin Yao tried to send her away, she refused to leave.

Though the method was crude and stubborn, it worked.

At the very least, with her present, Fu Jin Yao couldn’t leave to cause trouble.

At night, the watch was even tighter.

Sighing, Fu Jin Yan looked at her maid Xiu’er.

“Xiu’er, are you tired?”

Xiu’er nodded: “Of course I’m tired, but I’m glad that Consort Hui didn’t cause any major disaster.”

Even a lowly palace maid understood this, yet Fu Jin Yao, despite her noble upbringing and education, did not.

Was she really so in love with the Emperor that she was willing to risk her entire family?

Had she never considered the consequences if her plans were exposed?

Thinking about Fu Jin Yao’s personality, she probably believed that her schemes would never be discovered.

But in this world, there are no walls without cracks.

Not to mention the secret guards who were everywhere yet invisible, posing dangers they couldn’t even imagine.

Thinking of her recent unusual behavior, it was certain that reports would reach the Emperor later. But all was well—for now.

Fu Jin Yan exhaled deeply. She could easily claim she was only worried her sister might disrupt the ceremony.

As long as nothing had happened, everything could be explained.

She had been so exhausted these past two days.