The news spread like wildfire, and the Empress Dowager could no longer sit still. Although she knew well that all of this was orchestrated by the Emperor, she still couldn’t help but ask her son directly.
“I always feel that whenever you two go out together, something dangerous always happens. It’s never smooth sailing!”
The Emperor sat on the opposite side of the small couch, his expression unchanged.
“Actually, I think Shen Layue is my guardian deity.”
Seeing that her son showed no particular emotion, yet spoke such words, the Empress Dowager asked, “Why do you say that?”
“These recent incidents weren’t man-made disasters but natural ones. I remember at the moment of life and death, Shen Layue, just like you, Mother, blamed everything on herself, believing it must have been her fault. But I helplessly lay there, thinking that whether it was last time or this time, without her, I wouldn’t have survived. If these incidents were caused by her, naturally I would blame her. But coincidentally, both incidents were due to me.”
The Emperor took a sip of tea and continued, “Whenever I face danger, she is always by my side. Whether it was the first time I fell off the cliff or this recent smallpox illness, without her, you probably wouldn’t have seen your son anymore. For some reason, I feel that she is my guardian deity, protecting my safety at all times.”
After hearing the Emperor’s words, the Empress Dowager sighed, “Thinking about it, it’s indeed true. Perhaps Shen Layue really has a destined connection with our Yan family. All of you, big and small, seem to be on good terms with her. I find it quite strange. Yu’er, with his personality, actually managed to get along well with her.”
The Emperor gently tapped the table with his fingers, “Mother, rest assured. Shen Layue’s character is beyond reproach. It’s fine that Yu’er and Jia’er get along well with her. I also hope that my brothers won’t end up like us.”
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager’s expression changed slightly, and she nodded bitterly.
They both fell silent.
After a while, the Empress Dowager asked again, “I shouldn’t meddle in court affairs, but I heard that you recently promoted members of the Shen family. If you think highly of this girl, just elevate her status further. Why do it this way?”
The Emperor smiled, “Mother, what are you saying. Layue is already the highest among the four consorts. How can she be promoted further? Promoting her further would make her Imperial Noble Consort. Though I think highly of her, I don’t think it’s necessary to elevate her to that position. Instead of promoting Shen Layue, I prefer to promote the men of the Shen family. I have my reasons. Although Shen Layue’s father isn’t the smartest, he is capable. His current position suits him well. As for the other members of the Shen family, it’s mostly for similar reasons. I won’t let personal matters affect official duties. Otherwise, how could Fu Jinyu become a Grand Secretary?”
The Empress Dowager thought about it and realized it was indeed true.
She knew her son well. How could he be so sentimental? Now that he had spoken, she realized it was indeed the case.
Although her son had never asked her about anything regarding the Fu family, considering how shrewd he was, how could he not understand?
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have mentioned Fu Jinyu during the marriage arrangement for Yue Feng, which truly embarrassed the Fu family.
“Regarding Yue Feng’s matter, it shouldn’t be delayed too long. What do you think?”
The Emperor narrowed his eyes slightly, “I’ll issue an order when I return. Tomorrow, I’ll summon the matriarch of the Shen family and the female members to the palace to meet Noble Consort Shen. Then I’ll bestow the marriage. How does that sound?”
The Empress Dowager nodded.
After thinking for a moment, she added, “I’d like to meet her myself, show her some respect, and ensure she won’t be mistreated in the Prime Minister’s mansion.”
The Emperor nodded, not taking it too seriously.
Seeing this, the Empress Dowager felt she had indeed thought too much.
It was her own fault for being swayed by others’ words. After all, she had raised her son herself. Didn’t she know his temperament?
How could it be possible for him to genuinely fall in love with a woman, scheming solely for her and her family?
Thinking of Shen Layue, who risked her life to protect the Emperor, the Empress Dowager sighed. Indeed, she was a devoted soul!
No wonder she had been so fond of her.
Seeing the Empress Dowager’s weary expression, the Emperor rose to leave.
As it was already winter, the wind was blowing fiercely, and the Emperor walked against the wind without using a palanquin.
He knew well that if he truly showed favoritism toward Shen Layue, how could the Empress Dowager genuinely treat her well? After all, the Empress Dowager was his mother, while Layue was the woman he cherished most. Perhaps it wasn’t just affection—it might already be love!
Between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, even in an ordinary family, harmony was hard to achieve, let alone in the royal family.
Only when the Empress Dowager realized that she had no genuine feelings for Layue, and knowing that Layue always protected him, would she feel more sympathy and truly care for her.
A faint smile curled his lips. When had he ever considered others so carefully?
Could it be that he had genuinely fallen in love with Shen Layue?
The Emperor’s thoughts churned as he stopped in his tracks.
“Go to Zhuxuan (Bamboo Pavilion).”
Lai Xi was puzzled by the Emperor’s sudden change of mind and route but dutifully followed.
Not only was he unaware of why the Emperor changed his mind, even the Emperor himself was somewhat confused, unsure why he had altered his decision. Perhaps he just wanted to confirm with another woman.
Was it really necessary for him to have Layue?
He wasn’t sure. If another woman were pregnant, would Layue be hurt? But thinking of her delicate face, he felt it better to find someone more reliable.
Thus, he chose Zhuxuan.
At the very least, Fu Jinyao could never get pregnant, right?
With a stern “His Majesty has arrived—”, the Emperor entered cheerfully.
Inside, Consort Hui, who had been wallowing in self-pity, was delighted and rushed to the door.
“Your humble servant greets Your Majesty—,” she slightly bowed, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him.
The emotions in her eyes were complex and indescribable.
“Rise.”
The Emperor wrinkled his brow as he smelled the heavy incense in the room, clearly displeased.
He didn’t favor strong fragrances, yet Fu Jinyao always claimed to be the most sincere in her affection, yet she couldn’t even notice such a small detail.
He scoffed inwardly at her so-called sincerity.
Even Fu Jinyan, who had only served him twice since entering the palace, noticed this after two nights, yet Consort Hui remained unaware.
Putting on a face of joy mixed with sadness, Fu Jinyao bit her lip and spoke, “Your humble servant thought Your Majesty had forgotten about me…”
Her expression was filled with infinite grievance.
“Come and serve me.”
This statement was straightforward.
The Emperor had not truly come here to have her accompany him in bed.
Thus, he didn’t care much.
Fu Jinyao was startled but quickly showed delight, thinking he had finally given in.
She waved her hand, and the maids hurriedly withdrew.
“Shall your humble servant help you bathe first? However, it will take some time to prepare the water. Why not let your humble servant accompany you to the hot spring?”
Except for Shen Layue, no one else had been to the hot spring. Fu Jinyao had always regarded it as a symbol of exclusive favor.
Looking at her like this, the Emperor felt even more repulsed.
“There’s no need. Take off my clothes.”
Fu Jinyao heard the lack of any hint of desire in his voice.
Knowing he disliked others’ presumptuousness.
She had always been skilled at using her beauty to her advantage, lovingly gazing at him. Her delicate fingers slowly unbuttoned his robe, inch by inch, then his undergarments.
Since returning from the sacrificial ceremony, the Emperor had not summoned anyone else to serve him in bed, except Layue. This was the first time.
When Fu Jinyao pulled off his undergarments, a flicker of shock passed through her eyes.
Indeed, the Emperor still bore the scars from smallpox, and the sight startled her into a daze.
The unmistakable look in her eyes was one of disdain.
The Emperor didn’t care about his own body, but seeing her reaction, he felt a sense of revulsion.
Before he could react, Fu Jinyao quickly regained her composure.
“Your Majesty—” she called sweetly.
Though she inwardly disliked him in this state and found him repulsive, she still managed to feign delight.
How fake!
“Did I scare you?” His voice was gentle.
Hearing the Emperor’s question, Fu Jinyao quickly shook her head, “How could that be! No matter what Your Majesty looks like, this humble servant would never dare to fear. I—I’m just heartbroken by your scars. How did you end up in such a state after going out? Did Noble Consort Shen fail to take proper care of you?”
She even shed a tear after speaking.
The Emperor originally disliked her pretense and now saw her unconsciously putting on an act again.
His expression turned cold.
“No matter what I look like, you will still love me as always?” His tone remained gentle, but his eyes were icy cold.
Fu Jinyao nodded.
“Of course, Your Majesty. There are many skilled physicians in the palace who can surely restore your flawless appearance. This humble servant’s heart aches for you—how could such perfection bear even the slightest blemish?”
(Note: I’ve slightly adjusted the phrasing to sound more natural in English while preserving the original meaning and courtly tone. Key adaptations:
1. “make you flawless again” → “restore your flawless appearance” for smoother flow
2. “心疼” translated as “heart aches for you” to convey deep concern
3. Rhetorical question restructured for dramatic emphasis while maintaining the subservient tone expected when addressing royalty)
Upon hearing this, the Emperor sneered coldly.
“So you think I’m flawed now?”
At this point, Fu Jinyao belatedly sensed the Emperor’s displeasure. Looking at his expression, she realized it was indeed bad and hurriedly tried to salvage the situation.
“No, no, Your Majesty. You have misunderstood your humble servant. My heart aches for your pain and grieves for your injuries.”
Though she said so, her gaze no longer rested on him.
Evidently, his scars disgusted her.
Then he thought of Layue’s natural reaction.
The Emperor inwardly cursed himself. How could he have been so foolish? Yes, aside from his little Layue, how could others be so unprejudiced toward him?
He didn’t mind, but they did.
Just like Fu Jinyao now, claiming to love him the most.
Yet at the slightest imperfection, she showed disdain in her eyes.
If others saw him in his smallpox-ridden state, they might faint in terror. Only his Layue didn’t despise him. She didn’t even consider the scars on his body as anything significant.
He had made a mistake. A big mistake.
No one was like Layue. None of them were Layue!
In truth, he didn’t need to test this. No one was his Layue, and he had never regarded anyone else as his Layue.
His little Layue.
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