Chapter 160:

Huici Palace.

The Empress Dowager’s health remained weak, though she was not in immediate danger.

Looking at Shen Layue, who was stirring her spoon ready to feed her some porridge, she sighed softly and asked, “Has everything regarding Virtuous Consort been settled?”

Although she no longer managed affairs directly, she remained well-informed about many matters.

“Reportedly to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, everything has been handled.” Though spoken confidently, there was a hint of hesitation in her tone.

The Empress Dowager naturally noticed, “Speak freely if there is anything.”

Layue hesitated, unsure how to respond.

After a moment, she said, “Perhaps due to the passing of his mother, Prince Jia has not been in good spirits lately.”

It was only natural; after all, he was merely a child who could not possibly understand much. All he knew was that he would never see his mother again.

Hearing this, the Empress Dowager sighed once more. How could she not? Regardless of the adults’ affairs, the children were always innocent.

Prince Jia was so young and fragile; undoubtedly, his days ahead would be difficult.

“Do you have any good ideas?”

Layue shook her head. If she had any solutions, she would not be in such a dilemma now.

Observing Layue’s genuine concern for Prince Jia, the Empress Dowager silently approved.

“Let Yu and Jia move into your Qing’an Palace for a while during these days. My health is poor, and I cannot attend to them constantly. I feel reassured knowing you are there.”

Upon hearing this, Layue nodded in agreement.

Both Prince Yu and Prince Jia had a fondness for the younger children. Letting them play together often might benefit them.

After their discussion, the Empress Dowager claimed fatigue, and naturally, she would inform the Emperor of the arrangement.

Indeed, the Emperor did not oppose the Empress Dowager’s suggestion. Not only did he not oppose it, but he also found it quite suitable.

He had already learned of Qi Consort’s intentions. That poisonous woman would not spare Prince Jia.

Narrowing his eyes, he only needed to hold out for a few more days before he could resolve everything.

The harem truly had too many women already.

Old sayings warned that too many women would bring trouble, and indeed, recent years had seen one incident after another caused by the consorts, who fancied themselves highly.

If that were the case, he would deal with the affairs of the harem appropriately.

One day, noble families and ministers would no longer believe that their daughters’ favor in the palace determined their future.

Those malicious individuals stirring up trouble would all be dealt with accordingly.

By placing the two young princes in Qing’an Palace, the Empress Dowager invited various opinions from others.

The Emperor did not voice any objection to the Empress Dowager’s arrangement, which seemed unusually strange.

Perhaps this was a sign that Consort Shen was about to rise even further?

If Shen Layue could advance from Chun Zhao Yi to Consort Shen, it was not impossible for her to become Noble Consort or even the position no one dared to imagine or speculate—Empress.

Regardless of others’ thoughts, Layue was currently directing Jin Xin and others in arranging the rooms. Even if they were staying only briefly, she would not allow anything careless.

Prince Yan Yu and Prince Yan Jia learned of the news from their attendants after leaving the study.

Prince Yan Yu pressed his lips tightly, clearly delighted.

Glancing at Yan Jia beside him, he appeared indifferent, though he had been absent-minded lately, prompting only sighs from others.

Their belongings were properly arranged in Qing’an Palace.

Layue smiled at the two boys: “Yu’er and Jia’er have arrived. Quickly see if you are satisfied with what I have prepared for you. If there is anything you dislike, be sure to tell me, and I will have it redone.”

The two boys shared a room, unlike their usual separate arrangements in Huici Palace.

This was a novel experience for them.

Layue always believed that no matter how adults tried to comfort children, it could never replace the children comforting themselves.

Children could communicate more easily with one another.

Recalling her own childhood, after her mother’s passing, even with her grandmother’s care, it could never match the companionship of her elder brother and younger sister—something fundamentally different.

For these reasons, Layue arranged for the two boys to share a room.

Yan Yu, being older and having better understood the grief of losing a mother from an early age, was especially considerate toward Yan Jia.

Holding Yan Jia’s hand, he looked around. Finding nothing unsatisfactory, he finally relaxed his tightly pressed lips into a faint smile.

“It’s… acceptable.”

Seeing him almost smiling but unwilling to admit it, Layue teased, “Well then, if anything becomes unacceptable, just let me know.”

Yan Yu nodded like a little adult.

“Has Jiaojiao woken up yet?”

He adored his younger sister dearly and often visited her.

“Yes! Wash your hands first, and I’ll take you to see Jiaojiao.”

Layue cheerfully pointed the way. It was amusing—among the three little ones, Jiaojiao had the worst temper, was extremely spoiled, and cried the loudest. Yet everyone loved her the most.

Layue carefully observed the children, placing them on the heated kang bed.

Relaxed, the children started chattering away. Upon hearing her brother’s voice, Jiaojiao began reaching out for a hug.

Layue looked at the two boys and asked, “Would you like to hold Jiaojiao?”

Yan Yu happily showed his gums and nodded.

Yan Jia seemed to want to as well, but he did not speak, biting his lip instead.

Layue thought for a while before placing Jiaojiao on Yan Yu’s lap.

Then she picked up the youngest, Xiao Si’er, and held his little hand waving it, mimicking a child’s voice, “Second elder brother, second elder brother, hug me, okay?”

Her imitation amused Yan Jia.

Not only Yan Jia and Yan Yu, but even the bystanders couldn’t help laughing.

Yan Jia’s face turned red. After thinking for a moment, he nodded: “He mustn’t soil me.”

This was a concern both little boys shared.

Layue nodded seriously, “Of course.”

Xiao Wu’er held his tiny hands together, turned his head with bright eyes toward his older siblings, hummed, and then slowly turned his head to the other side like a snail, gazing at his mother.

“Wua, yiyi a a, mm…”

Observing her youngest son’s antics, Layue raised her eyebrows.

She smiled and pinched Xiao Wu’er’s cheek: “Does Xiao Wu’er want Mama to hold him?”

“Wua wua a a…”

Layue smiled and picked up the youngest boy, who was waving his arms anxiously.

Among the three children, Xiao Si’er was the largest and strongest.

Once held by Yan Jia, he kept squirming, making it a bit difficult for Yan Jia to hold him, though he seemed happy.

Layue felt she had made the right decision. Only children could truly understand the world of children.

“Wua wua—” Xiao Si’er kept trying to get close to Yan Jia’s face, attempting to kiss him.

This was his favorite new game lately. Ever since Mama Layue kissed the children before bedtime, Xiao Si’er had developed a fondness for kissing others.

Even Layue often ended up with Xiao Si’er’s drool on her face.

Yan Yu and Yan Jia often visited the little ones and naturally understood the child’s habit.

Watching Xiao Si’er persistently drooling all over Yan Jia while Yan Jia tried to dodge awkwardly,

Yan Yu laughed with his eyebrows curved.

Observing the children, Layue smiled.

“Yuan’er, Jia’er is younger and might find it hard to hold his little brother. Why don’t you switch?”

She intentionally suggested this.

She had expected Yan Yu to hesitate, given his known affection for his sister.

Surprisingly, he showed a bit of an older brother’s demeanor, thought for a moment, and gently nodded.

Seeing this, Layue smiled and switched the two boys.

Yan Jia also preferred holding Jiaojiao, and seeing her in his arms, he sighed in relief.

Jiaojiao cooed, adjusted to a more comfortable position, and began playing with her little hands—just like her younger brother.

Only Xiao Si’er remained unchanged in his mischief, wriggling energetically in Yan Yu’s arms, making grunting sounds—quite amusing.

Unable to endure Xiao Si’er’s squirming, Yan Yu finally held him upright.

This suited Xiao Si’er’s preference, and he cooed happily, moving his little mouth closer.

Before Yan Yu could dodge, his face was soon covered in drool.

Yan Yu kept wiping his face in mock disgust, but Xiao Si’er didn’t care. This was how he showed affection!

He became even more enthusiastic.

At this moment, Yan Jia was also extremely happy, giggling loudly.

Observing the children, Layue finally felt relieved.

Children with emotional wounds could be gradually guided. Fortunately, Jia’er was a simple child.

Regardless of Virtuous Consort’s character, she had raised her child well.

Though Yan Jia was not as clever or perceptive as Yan Yu, he was a simple and harmless child.

Laughter filled the room.

When the Emperor entered, he witnessed this scene.

Layue’s hair was slightly disheveled due to Xiao Wu’er’s movements.

The children were all happily playing, while the palace maids stood by respectfully, allowing the children to interact freely and joyfully.

Seeing the Emperor arrive, Layue did not rise to greet him, instead playfully tilting her head and giggling, “Your Majesty, here, hold him.”

She then handed Xiao Wu’er to the Emperor. Seeing her antics, he smiled and scolded gently, “You are indeed crafty. Yu’er and Jia’er haven’t even given their children to me yet, and here you are.”

Layue clapped at Xiao Si’er, who immediately leaned backward. The Emperor was startled, but Layue was unfazed, having grown accustomed to Xiao Si’er’s mischief.

Taking Xiao Si’er, she raised her eyebrows, “Your Majesty is the one who always misunderstands me. I was merely trying to take Xiao Si’er back.”

As they were talking, Jiaojiao heard her father’s voice but didn’t see anyone coming to hold her, so she started to fuss.

In an instant, the room became a chaotic scene with all the lively little ones. The Emperor smiled helplessly yet affectionately.

“I remember Yu’er and Jia’er were not this mischievous when they were young.”

Hearing what seemed like praise from their father, the two boys happily curved their lips into smiles.