Chapter 176:

“Yue’er, who taught you how to make pastries?”

The Emperor Jing’s sudden question caught Layue’s attention as she looked at him.

She was momentarily stunned: “Of course it was Qiao Ning.”

She didn’t particularly like the Emperor’s attention being on Qiao Ning, but not answering now would seem strange.

“Qiao Ning?”

It only took a moment’s thought for the Emperor to casually ask, “Come to think of it, she only entered the palace half a year before you did.”

Layue hadn’t expected the Emperor to even know this.

Actually, she didn’t realize that since the Emperor had become fond of her, every person in Qing’an Palace had been thoroughly scrutinized. It was merely for peace of mind.

“Seems like she became a cook only after coming to your quarters.”

Originally, she was just an ordinary maid.

Layue grew increasingly nervous, but forced herself to remain calm, smiling: “Yes. Others might not even like her cooking skills. Even Your Majesty once tasted her cooking and found it too sweet!”

The Emperor laughed.

“Layue, you probably don’t realize that now, any slight reaction of yours cannot escape my notice.”

Layue looked up at him in surprise.

“You’re nervous.”

“No, I’m not,” Layue instinctively denied, but met the Emperor’s deep gaze.

The Emperor ruffled her hair, then held her hand and softly said, “Your hands tremble slightly. You’re a little girl who likes to lie.”

Layue bit her lip, realizing she had denied too quickly.

“What’s going on with her?”

As they spoke, they had already arrived at Xuanning Hall, and the Emperor pulled her into the inner chamber.

Layue knew that since the Emperor had asked, she had to tell him. Otherwise, he would certainly investigate through others. It would be better to just tell him directly.

“Uh, Qiao Ning was arranged by my uncle to enter the palace to take care of me. She originally worked as a cook in my uncle’s restaurant.”

Indeed, there was something suspicious.

The Emperor couldn’t help laughing: “Your uncle actually trusted a cook enough to send her into the palace to take care of his niece? Not only did he arrange for her to enter the palace, but half a year earlier. He must have known for sure that you would be selected?”

Every word from the Emperor hit the nail on the head, and Layue bit her lip.

“If I hadn’t been chosen, Qiao Ning would have left after three years,” Layue looked up at the Emperor.

“She… she is my uncle’s illegitimate daughter.”

The Emperor looked at Layue and instantly understood.

He smiled slightly: “No wonder, no wonder even though your uncle seemingly didn’t show you much care, you’ve always been so kind to his family. It turns out it was for this reason. He never abandoned you and has always secretly been good to you and your brother all along?”

Layue nodded.

“Your Majesty, why are you suddenly interested in this?” Thinking of a bad possibility, Layue grabbed the Emperor’s arm: “Please don’t harm my little cousin.”

At this moment, she didn’t mention her cousin’s name, but referred to her as “little cousin,” hoping the Emperor would show mercy for her sake.

The Emperor chuckled: “Do you really think Yan Lie would fall for someone as plump as Qiao Ning? Do you think our Yan family has such low standards?”

Layue argued: “My cousin isn’t fat, just slightly full-figured.”

The Emperor shook his head and pulled her close.

“Help me bathe.”

Recently, due to the Empress Dowager’s poor health, the Emperor hadn’t been in the mood to be intimate with Layue, and even today’s shared bath was no exception.

Afterward, they lay together, and Layue didn’t return to Qing’an Palace.

“Your Majesty, may I ask what’s really going on with Prince Li,” she asked as if out of casual curiosity.

The Emperor looked at her: “Layue, you’re truly a little fox.”

Layue pouted: “Your Majesty always speaks in riddles. I don’t understand at all!”

This time, the Emperor didn’t say much more.

Logically, there was no way Layue could know about this matter, but the Emperor had a vague feeling that perhaps Layue knew something.

Regarding the events of those years, no one who wasn’t extremely close would know even a bit.

If Layue knew something, who could have told her?

Her uncle? That seemed highly unlikely.

Even if he knew, he wouldn’t talk about his sister’s affairs in front of his niece.

The two lay together, each lost in their own thoughts, and gradually fell asleep…

***

“Yue Sister, please don’t like him, okay? What’s so good about him? He’s just from a destitute family?”

“Yue Sister, please don’t get married, okay? Wait for me until I’m capable, and then I’ll marry you, okay?”

“Yue Sister, I don’t care about your children. Come away with me. I’ll take care of them, both Shuping and Yue’er. I will, Yue Sister. Please.”

“Your Lady, Lady Shen passed away last night due to complications during childbirth…”

“Yue Sister, Qingcheng, Qingcheng…”

Yan Lie abruptly sat up.

How long had it been since he last dreamed of Yue Sister?

Yue Sister.

“Yue Qingcheng, did you ever truly love me?”

Yan Lie coldly stood up, putting on his robe and standing by the window.

Gazing at the starry sky, he seemed to see Yue Qingcheng’s gentle face.

“Lie’er, Yue Sister begs you, please take care of them for me, Yue Sister begs you…”

“Lie’er, Shuping is a boy, and the Shen family will treat him well. But Yue’er is just a little girl, without a good family background. If something ever happens to me, please promise to look after her well?”

Suddenly, Yan Lie became wide awake.

All these years, he had never thought about her words until now, when doubts began to arise.

Why would Yue Qingcheng say such things?

At that time, she wasn’t even pregnant, and certainly couldn’t have known she would have complications during childbirth. Why, why did she die?

Why did she entrust him so desperately?

He clenched his fists tightly.

Had she… known beforehand that she would die?

That was why she entrusted Shen Layue to him?

“Xuanwu.”

“At your service.” Xuanwu had followed him since childhood and was the most loyal.

“Thoroughly investigate everything about the Shen family. Don’t leave out a single detail.”

Xuanwu looked at his master in surprise, not understanding why his master was thinking about the Shen family again. However, he was already accustomed to following his master’s orders and responded.

“Yes. However, Master, the Emperor has been closely monitoring us. Our investigation might not be quick.”

A cold glint flashed in Yan Lie’s eyes.

“It doesn’t matter. You don’t have to avoid his people. I will go to the palace tomorrow. If I find out that someone caused her death, I will make sure they don’t have a good end.” At this moment, Yan Lie was completely different from his usual self.

Xuanwu was puzzled: “Master, Lady Shen has been dead for so long. Even if we investigate, we might not find any clues. Besides, she died from childbirth complications. It’s unlikely that she was murdered.”

Xuanwu was merely stating the facts, hoping his master would think carefully.

“If it was an accident, why did she ask me to take care of her children a year before? If it was an accident, why did she suddenly want to take a concubine for her husband a year ago? She loved Shen Yiwen so much. Why would she do that? Investigate thoroughly for me. I want to know what really happened back then.”

Thinking back now, there were indeed many suspicious points.

Actually, when he returned this time, Yan Lie hadn’t planned to compete for the throne or oppose the Emperor. He was just living without purpose and wanted something to occupy himself.

But now, he suddenly realized that he had wasted so many years.

Yan Lie had always been an extreme person. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have cherished Yue Qingcheng in his heart for so many years.

The next day.

Early in the morning, Yan Lie was already waiting at the palace gate to request an audience, which greatly puzzled the Emperor.

However, the Emperor remained calm.

“Summon him.”

Just after court, the Emperor hadn’t changed out of his court attire.

“My humble greetings to Your Majesty.”

“Rise, my younger brother. You left abruptly yesterday, causing Mother much worry.” There was a hint of mockery in his tone.

But unlike usual, Yan Lie readily admitted his mistake: “It was my fault. I didn’t take care of Mother’s illness properly.”

The Emperor carefully observed Yan Lie, puzzled about his intentions.

Still, he spoke: “Mother’s time is likely short. I don’t wish to quarrel with you. If you behave yourself as a prince with no political ambitions, naturally I won’t bother you at all.”

Yan Lie raised his head, speaking solemnly: “I have no intention of shaking the foundation of the royal family. After all, it is the Yan family’s empire. I was merely bored with life and sought some trouble.”

Such words could only be spoken so confidently by someone like him. The Emperor felt a sense of aversion. Yet he understood that since Yan Lie was willing to say this, he likely wouldn’t cause trouble in the future. Moreover, Yan Lie seemed slightly different today than usual.

He just didn’t know what caused Yan Lie’s distraction yesterday.

“Then, my younger brother, try to avoid causing trouble. Lest I accidentally deal with you too harshly.”

“I currently have no time for trouble. I don’t mind telling Your Majesty that the old friend I mentioned yesterday was indeed the mother of Concubine Shen. She had done me a great favor. It was precisely because of that momentary distraction that I was able to think more clearly. Now, aside from Mother, I only have this one concern. I merely request that Your Majesty’s secret guards do not obstruct my legitimate investigation.”

The Emperor looked at Yan Lie’s expression. Although calm, the implication in his words was anything but calm.

That he could say these words directly in front of him, after a moment’s thought, the Emperor understood his meaning: Did the death of Yue Qingcheng not result from an accident?

If that were truly the case, the Emperor slightly changed his expression. Yue’er was someone he cherished deeply. If her mother had indeed been murdered, he would certainly not let it go.

But whether Yan Lie was simply losing his mind, that remained to be seen.

“Concubine Shen is one of my beloved consorts. If her death was indeed due to foul play, I would certainly not let it rest either. However, Yan Lie, are you merely making baseless accusations?”

“No.” Yan Lie looked straight at the Emperor.

“When I returned yesterday and recalled the past, I was shocked to discover that she had been making arrangements a year before her difficult childbirth. It seemed as if she had already foreseen her own death. She even once told me that if she were gone one day, I should take extra care of her two children.”

The Emperor observed Yan Lie’s expression, clearly not making things up.

“I will arrange people to assist you in the investigation.”

Yan Lie initially wanted to refuse, but then paused: “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The sooner the truth was uncovered, the sooner he could avenge her. As for revenge, he would never entrust it to others.