Chapter 134:

To Layue’s surprise, Emperor Jing had sent Fu Jinyu to Diwa to fetch Yue Feng.

Actually, Layue felt a bit puzzled.

But Emperor Jing naturally had his own reasoning: “Actually, I just came from Mother’s place. You, this little girl, look smart, but in fact, you’re just a silly girl.”

Layue had already figured this out, but how was this related to Fu Jinyu going to fetch Yue Feng?

“One is for her safety. The other is to give them a chance to develop feelings for each other.”

Upon hearing the emperor’s words, Layue was stunned. She had never imagined that the person chosen by the Empress Dowager would be Fu Jinyu.

The eldest son of the Fu family?

Seeing Layue’s expression, the emperor laughed.

“You needn’t worry about so many things. Anyway, your cousin won’t be treated badly. Now are you reassured?”

Although the emperor said so, Layue still couldn’t feel reassured. What exactly was going on?

Seeing her puzzled expression, the emperor smiled: “Although Fu Jinyu can’t become a son-in-law, with the Empress Dowager’s support, he won’t be mistreated in the Fu family and can do what he likes.”

Seeing their determination to marry Yue Feng to Fu Jinyu, Layue couldn’t help but wonder if there was something really wrong with the Fu family.

The Empress Dowager seemed to truly despise her distant cousin; otherwise, she wouldn’t have married Yue Feng off to the Fu family.

It wasn’t that her cousin was not good. In Layue’s heart, her cousin was naturally wonderful. However, to outsiders, wasn’t her cousin seen as somewhat unconventional?

Putting away her doubts,

Layue focused on serving Emperor Jing.

“You should rest in Xuanning Palace today. I know you like hot springs best.”

Layue smiled slightly and nodded. She indeed liked them.

Before long, Qiaoning returned with a report.

“The master says that the young miss has no preferred suitor, so this matter isn’t your fault.”

Although it wasn’t her fault, Layue felt a pang of sadness. If it weren’t for her actions, her cousin would still be living freely and wouldn’t have been schemed against. Even others thought marrying into the Prime Minister’s family was a good match, but Yue Feng had to like it too.

The Yue family was originally a merchant family. How good would her cousin’s life be after marrying into a prestigious household?

In fact, many times, Layue looked down upon herself.

She had done something and yet felt sentimental and conflicted about it.

“Fu Jinyu.”

Upon hearing this, Qiaoning was also startled.

But she soon nodded in understanding.

She would inform the master.

“Reporting to the Lady—” came Apricot’s voice.

“What is it?”

“Concubine Fang requests an audience.”

Layue nodded to Qiaoning, who then curtsied and left.

Layue didn’t know what Fang Ci had come for. She smiled faintly.

“Let her in.”

Soon enough, a young lady entered gracefully.

“Your Highness, I pay my respects—”

“Concubine Fang, rise.”

Fang Ci appeared humble and gentle. If not for having witnessed her various schemes in a previous life, one might easily be deceived by her demeanor.

“Although I am new to the palace, I have long heard of Your Highness’s great reputation. As soon as I got everything settled, I hurried here without invitation, hoping Your Highness won’t mind my rashness. Your Highness is truly better in person than in stories.”

“Seeing is worse than hearing a hundred times?” Layue smiled, though her expression remained neutral.

Fang Ci quickly replied, “Where, Your Highness, you really like to joke.”

“If there’s someone whose presence truly surpasses a hundred stories, it’s you, my dear. We had all heard about you before. You are indeed gentle and virtuous.” Layue smiled, showing neither pleasure nor anger.

Fang Ci smiled shyly.

“How can I compare to Your Highness’s praise? I feel ashamed.”

“Concubine Fang, please have some tea,” Apricot brought the tea.

Fang Ci glanced at the teacup and happily took a sip: “Your Highness’s tea is truly excellent.”

Layue merely sipped hers lightly, forming a faint smile that Fang Ci noticed, causing her to feel a sudden unease.

When she drank again, she accidentally spilled some tea on herself.

Seeing this, Layue showed no expression.

Fang Ci blushed with embarrassment and hastily requested to leave.

This was understandable; after all, spilling tea on oneself would necessitate changing clothes.

Layue raised her eyebrows and smiled: “Why not change in the inner chamber? It’s fine. I’ll have Jinxin find you a dress.”

Fang Ci hurriedly declined: “Thank you for Your Highness’s kindness, but our figures differ somewhat, and the clothes might not fit. Thank you again, I’ll just go back and change.”

Seeing her like this, Layue didn’t insist.

After she left,

Jinxin scoffed: “She’s afraid we put something in the tea?”

Such a clumsy trick was hardly worth mentioning.

Layue smiled as she played with the teacup on the table: “She was too cautious. Actually, she didn’t really drink the tea; she only took a small sip. If she hadn’t seen my expression and thought she had been tricked, she wouldn’t have resorted to such a desperate measure.”

“This kind of overdoing it—if it weren’t for that, she wouldn’t have left so easily,” Jinxin laughed.

Layue had been feeling upset these past few days due to Yue Feng’s matter. This concubine Fang just happened to come by, which was actually a good thing. It would let others know not to meddle around her.

She had no interest in engaging in schemes with them or becoming someone else’s stepping stone.

“Fang Ci’s intelligence is too obvious. If she doesn’t become someone else’s tool, she’ll end up doing foolish things out of her own cleverness. She won’t last long in the harem.”

This was not a hasty judgment.

In her previous life, Fang Ci had indeed become someone else’s tool and met a tragic end.

This year’s concubines were no less competitive than their previous batch, leading to fierce struggles.

“Just the way she imitates the mistress is already annoying,” Jinxin disliked Fang Ci intensely.

Layue smiled and shook her head.

“This kind of obvious intelligence and scheming is actually the easiest to guard against. The ones who call you sister and act close in daily life are the ones who will truly scheme against you and endanger your life.”

***

These days, everyone knew that Noble Consort Shen was in a bad mood, but no one knew the exact reason.

However, many suspected it had something to do with the newly entered concubines. No one likes competition, and Noble Consort Shen, who had previously enjoyed exclusive favor, naturally had her concerns.

Yet, many others thought Noble Consort Shen was merely worrying needlessly. After all, the new concubines had been in the palace for five or six days, and the emperor had only summoned Li Yanran.

Layue remained indifferent to these rumors.

Fu Jinyu had already departed.

Her uncle had merely said to let things take their natural course. Thinking about her uncle, Layue felt that if he hadn’t chosen a life in commerce, he might have achieved even greater things.

He saw through everything clearly.

As for herself, she was overly sentimental.

Although this matter hadn’t gone beyond her control, it had indeed affected her cousin.

Now, she only needed to wait for her cousin’s return. Layue had her own considerations. Once her cousin returned, she would meet her. If her cousin was unwilling, there would still be other ways.

She couldn’t, on one hand, claim to protect her family while, on the other hand, sacrificing her cousin’s happiness.

What should she do? Layue tapped the table, thinking deeply. Emperor Jing entered and saw her in this state.

Her little habit was just like his.

Previously, she hadn’t been like this. Perhaps after spending so much time together, she had developed this habit.

Her expression was neutral, but the rapid tapping betrayed her current anxiety.

For some reason, Emperor Jing suddenly wondered if others observed him similarly when he was deep in thought, deducing his thoughts from his actions.

At this thought, Emperor Jing’s eyes darkened slightly.

If that were truly the case, it wouldn’t be a good thing.

Feeling the man’s presence, Layue looked up and saw Emperor Jing. He had become increasingly disinclined to announce his arrival.

Although he was the sovereign ruler and could do as he pleased, it indeed caused inconvenience to others!

“Your Majesty,” Layue greeted.

Emperor Jing had of course noticed Layue’s unusual behavior these past days.

He also knew what she was worrying about, but in his opinion, those were not problems.

“Rise.”

He scrutinized Layue’s expression.

True enough, Layue quickly adjusted her mood and smiled brightly.

Emperor Jing had grown increasingly fond of Layue. Over time, he naturally understood that she wasn’t as harmless as she seemed. In terms of scheming within the palace, she was no less capable than others.

Yet, Emperor Jing still liked her very much, especially her attitude.

It was fine to have some cunning, but constantly scheming against others would eventually become annoying. She, however, focused all her efforts on pleasing him.

This feeling of being flattered made Emperor Jing very comfortable.

Layue quickly fetched a towel to wipe his hands. Emperor Jing watched her take care of him like this.

Soon, the two were lying on the small couch, snuggling together and watching the falling leaves outside the window.

Emperor Jing spoke: “Layue, although our three children are still young, they don’t require your full attention. Originally, your status in the palace was the highest, but it’s not quite appropriate for Consort Hui to manage the affairs of the harem alone. I’m thinking of letting you both manage together.”

Layue looked up at his expression, trying to discern something from it. After a while, she playfully protested, “I don’t want to.”

Emperor Jing seemed to have anticipated her answer. He pinched her cheek gently.

“My little fox, are you worried that I suspect you?”

Layue shook her head.

“Of course not.”

Emperor Jing snorted. Her tone was clearly uncertain, which meant she was worried about exactly that, yet she refused to admit it.

“You think too much. I said I trust you. Yet you doubt me.”

This time, Layue really shook her head: “I really don’t. I naturally trust Your Majesty. Now that the children are still young, not only them, but also Yu’er and Jia’er. Although they aren’t my children, we get along very well. Even if Your Majesty might not like to hear it, I must speak disrespectfully: I don’t trust others. These children are my treasures. Although there are many beauties in the palace, there might be venomous ones. I dare not say if there will be another Bai Xiaodie or another Chen Yulan. Therefore, I cannot let my guard down.”

Emperor Jing looked at Layue for a long time: “You are a good mother.”