Chapter 163:

Since Layue had rejected Zhu Yuning in the twelfth lunar month, she often visited the Empress Dowager. However, the Empress Dowager disliked Zhu Yuning and refused to see her repeatedly. Despite this, Zhu Yuning persisted without fail.

At this point, Layue began to understand—Zhu Yuning was determined to take this path. Since she couldn’t get through to Layue, she had turned her attention to the Empress Dowager. Honestly speaking, seeking the Empress Dowager’s help was indeed a better approach.

Layue had a feeling that the Empress Dowager and Emperor Jing were aware of Zhu Yuning’s past with the Sixth Prince. Otherwise, why would they act this way?

Yet, despite knowing the truth, they took no action. Often, Layue couldn’t comprehend their reasoning.

Perhaps it was simply because they stood in different positions, their perspectives naturally diverged.

“His Majesty the Emperor has arrived—”

Though lost in thought, Layue quickly rose to greet him. Emperor Jing still looked as charismatic as ever—full of vigor and vitality.

“Your Majesty,” Layue greeted.

“En. Get up, Yue’er.”

Recently, due to her heavy workload, Layue had become noticeably thinner. Feeling reluctant, Emperor Jing caressed her face and murmured, “You’ve always loved Qiaoning’s cooking. How come you’ve grown so thin now?”

Smiling, Layue leaned on his arm and playfully scolded, “Does liking food mean I must become fat? That doesn’t make sense. Don’t tease me, Your Majesty.”

Seeing her charming expression, Emperor Jing’s heart stirred with desire.

He pulled her into his arms, his hands wandering restlessly.

Layue giggled and playfully evaded, yet subtly rubbed against his body. Having spent so much time together, she knew well that such teasing would only inflame his passion further. Still, she continued.

Their playful intimacy carried its own unique charm.

“Your Majesty, after all these years, you haven’t changed one bit…”

Layue gazed at his still-handsome face and sighed.

Her delicate hands gently stroked his cheeks.

Though deeply moved, Emperor Jing still indulged in the tenderness.

“You must have been a fox in your previous life, coming to my side in this life as a human. You delight me endlessly. You say I haven’t changed—could it be that you have? From my perspective, it’s you who remains unchanged. Truly a fox spirit.”

Emperor Jing often said such things, yet Layue never understood why she was likened to a fox spirit.

Was there ever a fox spirit like her?

“Your Majesty saying such things, I naturally won’t accept it. If you spoke of someone else, I might not be able to argue. But if it’s about me, I feel deeply wronged.”

Layue pouted.

Her hands pushed gently against his shoulders, her body slightly leaning back, exuding a charming grace.

Unable to resist, Emperor Jing leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

Such affectionate gestures were rare from Emperor Jing, so Layue looked at him in confusion.

Yet she soon smiled, her faint dimples tempting him to steal another kiss.

Emperor Jing carefully examined Layue today. Perhaps due to the cold weather, she wore a golden-thread peony-patterned brocade robe, paired with a green-trimmed brocade vest. Her long hair was styled into two buns adorned with golden butterfly hairpins, complementing the peonies on her robe.

Her delicate features, fair skin, bright eyes, and white teeth captivated him.

“When you first entered the palace, Yue’er was merely of moderate beauty. Now, you’ve become a peerless beauty. Indeed, it’s I who have cherished and nurtured you.”

He smacked his lips, feeling a sense of pride.

Hearing his teasing words, Layue pouted at him, her eyes sparkling with allure.

He suddenly scooped her up and swiftly carried her to the bed. Emperor Jing was always like this—eager and impulsive in their intimate moments, hastily tearing at Layue’s clothes regardless of anything.

Winter clothing, of course, wasn’t as easily torn as summer silk dresses.

Seeing his repeated failures, Layue giggled.

Seeing her mischief, Emperor Jing gave up on the clothes and directly pulled down her pants. Soon after, passionate sounds echoed within the room…

Recently, Emperor Jing had been busy with state affairs, and they hadn’t been intimate for a while.

Both had been deprived for a long time, and the intense encounter left them trembling and clinging to each other.

Emperor Jing whispered in her ear, “Was I good?”

Layue’s ears turned red instantly.

Even though they had been intimate countless times, she remained shy in these moments.

There was always something about her that made her feel shy and embarrassed.

Yet Emperor Jing adored precisely this side of her. Thus, they were perfectly attuned.

Sometimes, human relationships indeed revolve around fate. Such was the case between Layue and Emperor Jing.

Layue’s small gestures and personality quirks deeply pleased Emperor Jing.

And Layue, always trying to please him, naturally made him even more smitten.

Seeing her not respond, Emperor Jing playfully pinched her bottom—not hard, but enough to send a tingling sensation through her.

“My sweet Yue’er, tell me, was I good?”

Emperor Jing wouldn’t let it go. Layue, seeing his persistence, felt annoyed but helpless. He was always like this—the more annoyed she got, the happier he became. She couldn’t understand how he had such a personality.

“Fine, you were the best, the most capable.” Her tone carried a hint of perfunctory flattery.

How could Emperor Jing, so perceptive, not notice? He chuckled, then moved his hand to her fullest chest.

“My beloved consort, you’re trying to brush me off? Do you really think I’m easy to fool?”

Smiling seductively, he let his hands roam up and down, clearly signaling that unless she said something pleasing, he would take her again.

They had already made love twice earlier, and Layue had no strength left for another round.

Seeing this, she naturally resorted to sweet words, showering him with flattery until he beamed with satisfaction.

Seeing him so content, Layue finally exhaled in relief.

Yet, thinking again, she felt he was truly bullying her. She playfully stepped on his leg with her delicate foot.

It was almost a challenge.

Emperor Jing felt a tingling sensation from her foot on his leg, feeling pleased inwardly but hiding it on his face, encouraging her to continue.

After stepping for a while and seeing his eyes closed as if enjoying it, Layue pouted and refused to continue.

Emperor Jing tried to coax her, earning a glare, then she pinched his waist.

Laughing, Emperor Jing held her hand. Layue looked at his old scars again—after half a year of treatment, they had indeed faded significantly. She slid her hand to his abdomen and looked up at him.

“Your Majesty’s scars have indeed faded.”

In the palace now, everyone knew that aside from Concubine Shen, Emperor Jing didn’t summon any other concubines for company. Hui Concubine’s only attempt had caused an irreparable scandal. Compared to Shen Layue’s exclusive favor, Hui Concubine had become despised.

Although there was no official announcement, everyone understood—had it not been for Consort Hui’s aversion to Emperor Jing’s scars, why would she have behaved in such a manner?

“My scars have faded, yet why do you seem melancholy?” Emperor Jing held her hand and moved it downward.

When she felt the hardness, Layue tried to pull back, but Emperor Jing firmly held her, smirking as he watched her.

This Emperor Jing was indeed seductive.

Layue playfully scolded, “Of course I’m melancholy. Once Your Majesty’s scars are gone, all the other women will swarm around you. How can you remain as devoted to me as now?”

Emperor Jing tightened his grip, a pleasurable moan escaping his lips.

Kissing her again, his words merged into her mouth.

“As long as you’re willing, I will love only you, favor only you…”

Layue didn’t respond, losing herself in his passionate kiss.

Such words were meant to be heard, not taken seriously.

Naturally, Emperor Jing didn’t wait for her reply but intensified his actions…

No need to elaborate on their second round.

That night, Layue had no idea when she finally fell asleep. Yet the next morning, Emperor Jing didn’t let her rest further—he gently patted her face.

Layue drowsily opened her eyes.

Previously, even when exhausted, she never slept so soundly. But since having their three children, her light sleep had improved.

Now, even Emperor Jing getting up wouldn’t wake her.

“Uh?” Seeing Emperor Jing calling her, Layue looked at him sleepily and confused.

Seeing her in such a delicate and charming state, Emperor Jing pulled the blanket up to cover her better before speaking, “I originally had something important to tell you, but as soon as I came in, you started seducing me.”

He was accusing her while doing exactly the same. Layue, lacking strength to argue, looked at him with soft eyes, waiting for him to speak before she could go back to sleep.

Seeing her indifferent attitude, Emperor Jing smiled.

This was good.

Day by day, she was revealing her true self more and more in his presence.

“Summon Fu Jinyan today. Tell her that earlier, the Imperial Medical Institute discovered abnormalities in Virtuous Consort De’s death. To allow everyone a peaceful New Year, we kept it quiet. But now the New Year has passed, this matter cannot be ignored. To kill someone in the Cold Palace is a grave crime. Say from me, since she handled the previous case well, this one is also entrusted to her. Let her go to Laifu to collect the evidence and clues.”

If Layue could still fall asleep after hearing this, she would truly have a heart of stone.

She became more alert now, looking at Emperor Jing and asking, “What if she refuses to investigate?”

Who would willingly step into such dangerous territory?

Emperor Jing sneered coldly, unaffected, “She will agree. Tell her that to establish herself in the palace, she needs something that makes her stand out, and she must have her own abilities. Fu Jinyan is no fool; she will understand.”

Seeing Emperor Jing’s confidence, Layue nodded.

The death of Virtuous Consort De had anomalies, yet Emperor Jing had concealed it until now. Why entrust this matter to Fu Jinyan?

Though doubtful, Layue said nothing more, only replying, “Your Majesty, I understand. I will handle it properly.”