Inside the room filled with a faint fragrance, Emperor Jing gazed at Shen Layue, who was sleeping very restlessly on the bed. She was already lying in the main palace’s sleeping quarters by now.
The emperor frowned. She had been fine for two days, yet she had remained unconscious for two entire days.
Looking at the three infants, they were crying with sniffling sounds, as if sensing their mother’s condition.
“Mm…” a weak voice sounded.
Seeing this, the emperor quickly called out, “Physician, come quickly and check on her.”
Physician Wan swiftly approached the bedside. Just then, Layue woke up.
Layue was confused. One moment she was thinking about killing someone, and the next, she had fainted. Seeing the emperor’s concerned gaze and Physician Wan’s face, Layue remained puzzled for a while.
“What’s wrong? Is there something amiss?” she asked slowly, regaining her composure and looking at the emperor with a complicated expression.
“You’ve woken up? Are you feeling unwell anywhere?” the emperor asked, relieved.
Layue blankly shook her head.
The emperor sighed in relief. “Good, as long as you’re fine. Physician Wan, thoroughly examine Noble Consort Shen. You almost scared this emperor to death by not waking up for two days.”
After a thorough examination, Physician Wan concluded that Noble Consort Shen had no major issues. If there was any reason for the coma, it was likely due to extreme exhaustion from childbirth.
“There is no serious issue with Noble Consort Shen’s body. Later, I will prescribe some tonic remedies for her. It is always better to rest more during the postpartum period.”
Upon hearing this, the emperor nodded. Beside him, Xing’er followed Physician Wan out to fetch the medicine.
The emperor sat on the edge of the bed and held her hand. “What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that, as if you’ve suffered some great injustice?”
Layue couldn’t believe she had returned again. She truly didn’t understand what had just happened to her.
Indeed… it was like Zhuangzi’s dream of being a butterfly.
Injustice? How could she not feel wronged? Everyone around her had their own grievances. Yet the one who caused their suffering was sitting beside her.
Even though she knew he wasn’t the one who had harmed her family, the knowledge that he had been aware of everything still made her heart ache.
If it hadn’t been for his faint whisper of “I can’t bear to let you go,” perhaps she would have been even colder and more heartless today. But precisely because of that one sentence, she felt even more distressed.
This life… this life…
Thinking of her children, Layue asked, “Your Majesty, may I ask… where are my children?”
The emperor smiled. “So that’s what’s troubling you. You miss your children? I’ll have them brought here. I suppose you haven’t had a proper chance to see these little ones yet.”
Knowing she had given birth to triplets, Layue looked eagerly at the emperor.
The emperor waved his hand, and Lai Xi hurried out immediately to relay the order.
Soon, three nannies entered the room carrying the infants.
Seeing her children arrive, Layue tried to sit up.
But the emperor would not allow it. He gently pressed her back down, scolding, “Your body is still weak. Don’t get up. You never know how to take care of yourself.”
Seeing the genuine concern in his voice, Layue bit her lip.
“I want to see the children. How can I do that like this?”
Zhou Nanny, standing nearby, thought for a moment before speaking, “Your Majesty, although the noble consort’s body is weak after childbirth, the physician did say there’s nothing serious. A mother’s heart is tied to her children. I suppose she just wants to see them more closely.”
The emperor glanced at Zhou Nanny, who had spoken out of turn. She immediately felt a surge of anxiety, knowing she had overstepped her bounds.
However, before Zhou Nanny could react further, the emperor looked back at Layue, who was watching with longing eyes. Finally, he nodded.
“You, come and support your mistress. Bring the young masters here.”
The three infants were newly born and had not yet grown fully. Because they were triplets, they were all quite small.
These were the three children she had fought so hard to bring into the world.
Looking at her three little ones, although they were tiny, Layue felt a rush of emotions and began to cry.
Seeing Layue crying, Zhou Nanny quickly said, “My lady, you mustn’t cry like this. crying during the postpartum period can harm your eyes.”
The emperor, not minding the presence of others, directly pulled her into his arms. “Don’t cry. Look at my eldest daughter, how pitiful she looks.”
Layue hadn’t reacted at first, but upon hearing his words, she looked toward the children. Then she realized belatedly that he was actually referring to her. Her face flushed.
“My Layue. You are the bravest and most capable girl. Look at these three little treasures you’ve given me. Don’t worry about their small size. The physician said they’re all very healthy. With proper care, they’ll grow strong.”
Layue looked at her three whimpering babies.
She wanted to hold them, but the emperor wouldn’t allow it.
“You’re still weak now. Be good and wait until you’ve recovered more before holding them.”
Layue gazed longingly at her children. The three little ones looked quite similar. Perhaps sensing their mother’s presence, they seemed calmer now than they had been before Layue had awakened.
Layue gently reached out and touched one of the babies’ cheeks. She didn’t know which one it was, but the little one let out a soft “hmm” and moved its tiny mouth.
Finding it amusing, Layue looked up and asked, “Your Majesty, can you tell them apart?”
The emperor raised an eyebrow, looking at Layue with a smile. “Testing me?”
Layue shook her head slightly with a smile. “Of course not.”
“The one in the pink swaddling cloth is your longed-for little princess, the eldest sister. The one you just touched is Xiao Si’er, our fourth prince. The one on the side is Xiao Wu’er.”
She pinched herself. Ouch, it hurt!
Everything was real! All of it!
How wonderful! How wonderful!
Seeing her eyes redden again, the emperor pleaded, “Didn’t I just say not to cry? You’ll make my heart ache. Crying will harm your eyes. No more tears.”
But how could he possibly understand Layue’s thoughts?
This happiness felt incredibly precious to her.
“Your Majesty, please be good to me. Be good to me and our children, please, please?” Layue wrapped her arms around his waist, whispering her plea.
In her previous life, things might have happened. But in this life, perhaps they wouldn’t.
She had originally thought that without Bai Xiaodie, things might be better, that she could avoid everything. Now she knew that wasn’t the case. Whether what had just happened was a dream or not, she needed to be fully prepared.
She needed to be cautious around the Empress Dowager, but the real culprit was the Sixth Prince.
Layue would be careful.
In her previous life, she had no support, but this time it was different. She had her children, and she was favored by the emperor. In this life, since her family was still alive, she would protect them at all costs.
As for the Sixth Prince, a glint of coldness flashed in Layue’s eyes.
“How could I not treat you well? How could I treat you this way if I didn’t care for you?” The emperor saw her looking lost and helpless but didn’t understand why. Then he thought, perhaps she was just frightened from giving birth. Whatever the case, she was only sixteen.
“I’m always afraid.”
“You silly girl. You’re obedient and understanding, so of course I’ll cherish you.”
Layue inwardly sneered. See? There was always a condition. If she wasn’t obedient and understanding, would he still cherish her?
But in the end, she simply buried her face in his chest, silently.
…
Late at night.
Though Layue’s body was weak, she was wide awake.
She had already learned that she had been granted the title of Noble Consort.
She was the highest among the Four Noble Consorts and the only one among them. Unless someone was appointed as Empress or Imperial Noble Consort, no one could surpass her.
Though the Four Noble Consorts were all ranked as first-class, the Noble Consort was traditionally regarded as the highest among them, a long-standing unwritten rule.
It seemed that Emperor Jing had indeed treated her quite well.
As for the coma after childbirth, Layue couldn’t be sure exactly what had happened. But she believed it was the truth.
Perhaps… perhaps this was a chance given by heaven for her to know the truth.
And more importantly, it had given her an opportunity to prevent such harm from happening again.
Since she had been reborn, she would not allow her family to be harmed again.
In her previous life, the incident happened ten years later, but this time, it was hard to say. She couldn’t just sit and wait for disaster to strike. She must act.
Her cousin— in her previous life, the Sixth Prince wanted to marry her cousin. This time, knowing that she resembled her mother, he would naturally do the same.
Layue forced herself to sit up. What if this time, his intentions emerged earlier?
For the sake of seizing the throne, he would kill his own brothers. Layue sneered coldly.
Regardless of whether this was true or not, she had her suspicions.
Even if someone loved another deeply, they might not do such a thing. That was just an excuse to justify their pursuit of ultimate power.
Thinking further, Layue narrowed her eyes. The Sixth Prince had once attempted to assassinate Emperor Jing in the past.
Was it because of that incident that the emperor had developed the habit of not sleeping with anyone?
Because she had risked her life to save him, he trusted her and was willing to sleep beside her?
Then, could she use this to her advantage?
Since the Empress Dowager was still alive, it was unlikely that Emperor Jing and the Sixth Prince would come to open conflict. Layue was caught in this tangled mess, thinking deeply.
Since heaven had sent her back to her youth and revealed the truth at the moment of childbirth, things would surely take a different course this time.
She had never plotted to harm others, but that didn’t mean she was foolish.
“Jinxin,” she whispered softly.
Tonight, Jinxin was on night duty.
Hearing Noble Consort Shen’s voice, Jinxin quickly lifted the curtain and entered.
“Is there anything my lady needs?” Seeing Layue sitting up, Jinxin quickly approached.
Layue shook her head and glanced at the door.
Jinxin understood immediately. “There is no one else outside.”
Layue nodded. “There are many people around me, so it’s not convenient for Qiaoning to come. Tell her that the Sixth Prince has ill intentions and that she must be extremely cautious. It would be best to send my cousin to a distant place.”
The Sixth Prince would not easily leave the capital, but if her cousin went to a distant place, it would temporarily prevent provoking him. And if he failed to get what he wanted, he would not target the Shen and Yue families so soon.
Though this was not a long-term solution, it was worth trying.
As for the idea of marrying her cousin to the Sixth Prince to ensure safety, Layue would never consider it.
Even though her cousin resembled her mother, she was not her mother. If he succeeded in his desires, it would only accelerate the unfolding of events.
Jinxin nodded in understanding. Although she was puzzled, she was loyal. If her mistress didn’t explain, she wouldn’t ask.
After a pause, Layue lay back down with Jinxin’s assistance.
She couldn’t afford to act hastily. In the palace, which woman didn’t make mistakes when she was impatient?
Her cousin would leave, and the Sixth Prince, unable to get what he wanted, would have to wait.
Moreover, the situation would not erupt in the short term. Now that she knew the truth, there was no need to be anxious. She could proceed cautiously and gradually.
After more than a month of recovery, Layue’s body was already much improved.
However, Zhou Nanny said that it was best to complete the full forty-day postpartum period.
After giving birth to triplets, her body had suffered a great deal.
Layue nodded in agreement. Only with good health could she have the energy to handle many matters.
It was always better to rest more.
Motherhood had changed her. Perhaps in the past, Layue would have been anxious and troubled by such matters, but now she was calmer and more composed.
The Sixth Prince wouldn’t act rashly in the short term. That was certain.
In her previous life, it had taken so long before things happened. This time, only three years had passed. There was still time to plan carefully.
Layue calmed her mind and devoted herself to caring for her children.
She had always lived in the present moment.
At this moment, the three little babies lay together. Triplets were always different from a single infant. They were small and even softer.
Although Layue was still in her postpartum period, she still had the nannies bring the children to her every day.
As for the wet nurses Emperor Jing had chosen for the children, Layue had them thoroughly investigated. After all, throughout history, many people had used wet nurses as a means of manipulation.
Seeing her being so cautious, the emperor was not offended but rather very pleased.
Layue didn’t understand why at first, but later she thought perhaps it was because he preferred strong and capable women, so she no longer dwelled on it.
The three children had not yet been formally named, but at Layue’s request, they had been given pet names.
The little princess was called Jiaojiao. As for the two sons, the emperor thought since the other princes didn’t have such names, there was no need to be special. They could just be Xiao Si’er and Xiao Wu’er for now. They would be formally named later.
Because the triplets were relatively weak, the emperor did not hold a full-moon banquet.
Their names were postponed.
Although Jiaojiao was the firstborn, her constitution was the weakest. Not only was she frail, but she also had a strong temper and was very attached to her mother.
Whenever she was with her mother, she behaved well. But as soon as she was taken away, she would cry hysterically. At first, Layue looked at the nursemaid with suspicion.
But after a few days, Layue realized it wasn’t the nursemaid’s fault. Jiaojiao was simply a delicate little princess.
The two sons, however, were very obedient. They didn’t cry or make a fuss. Within a month, the children’s personalities had already become apparent. Xiao Si’er was the most voracious eater. After eating, he would either sleep or play by himself, not even noticing when he soiled himself.
As for Xiao Wu’er, Layue felt that her son was too inactive. Even without prior parenting experience, she knew that Xiao Wu’er ate normally but did almost nothing, just lying there for long periods, only reacting when he needed to urinate or defecate.
“His Majesty is here——” the little eunuch’s voice wasn’t loud.
But even so, the little delicate princess Jiaojiao began to cry.
Her crying wasn’t like Xiao Si’er or Xiao Wu’er, who would just snivel a few times and then stop.
This little girl wailed at the top of her lungs!
“Wahhhhhhh——” Her loud cry startled her two little brothers awake. Seeing Xiao Si’er starting to pout slightly, Layue immediately decided to pick up Jiaojiao.
“Good girl, Jiaojiao, be a good girl, Mama loves you…”
Perhaps it was because during her pregnancy, Layue often whispered to her belly in December, these children were more sensitive to her voice.
Upon hearing her soft voice, little Jiaojiao pitifully sobbed but eventually stopped crying.
With Jiaojiao quieted, Xiao Si also returned to normal, his lips un-pursed, humming a bit before falling asleep again.
As for Xiao Wu, she just lay there, neither crying nor sleeping. No one knew what she was thinking.
These three little ones indeed each had their own unique characteristics.
Upon entering, Emperor Jing saw this scene: Layue, disheveled, sitting on the heated brick bed, two younger children beside her, and the one in her arms was undoubtedly Jiaojiao.
“Did she trouble you again?” The Emperor took off his shoes and stepped onto the heated bed as soon as he entered.
If there was anything in Qing’an Palace that particularly pleased Layue, it was this large heated brick bed, which was incomparable to the smaller one in Tingyu Pavilion.
Even though it was late April, sleeping warm was still necessary.
By this time, the Emperor had already returned from the sacrificial ceremony to heaven.
This time, he took with him Concubine Qi and Concubine Xu, but Layue didn’t care at all.
She was too busy to bother about whom he brought.
As long as she herself was safe, that was enough.
Naturally, the Emperor wasn’t irresponsible either. Knowing Layue was in the postpartum period and the three children were so young, he had made thorough arrangements before leaving, further solidifying Layue’s belief.
If the Emperor wanted to, he could accomplish anything. Therefore, she must cling tightly to him.
Layue rolled her eyes: “You’re talking nonsense again. My Jiaojiao may be delicate, but she doesn’t trouble her mother. It’s clearly your voices that startled the children.”
As a good mother, Layue naturally stood up for her baby.
Seeing her expression, the Emperor smiled and leaned in to look at the child.
“Jiaojiao only behaves well with you.”
That was the truth.
“The child is so young; of course, she needs her mother.” Layue’s face was full of tenderness.
The Emperor looked at her like this. Ever since giving birth, she had indeed changed, exuding a gentle tenderness that made her even more endearing. Yet, the Emperor felt a slight discomfort.
He didn’t know why, but since the day she woke up, she had become somewhat distant toward him. Although she still acted as she always had, her eyes lacked their former warmth whenever she looked at him.
Since then, she had been preoccupied with the children and no longer attended to him as before.
In the past, when he entered the room, she would greet him with a smile, fluttering around him like a devoted wife.
Layue was originally holding and soothing Jiaojiao when she happened to look up and noticed the Emperor’s slightly furrowed brows.
Having been with him for many years, she immediately knew something must have displeased him.
Continuing to soothe the child while looking down, she pondered, everything was fine just now, so why did he suddenly frown?
Thinking further about recent days, Layue, being clever, quickly identified the crux of the issue.
Since she had regained consciousness, she had subconsciously developed a slight aversion toward him. Although it was very subtle, he was perceptive and might have sensed it.
Fortunately, she discovered it early enough.
Otherwise, it wouldn’t be good for herself.
Seeing Jiaojiao already asleep,
Layue gently laid her down. The Emperor smiled as he watched the three children lying side by side.
Whenever the Emperor arrived, everyone else in the room naturally had to leave.
Layue bit her lip.
Recalling his whispered words of reluctance that day, she looked at him again.
Feeling her gaze, the Emperor turned to meet her eyes.
After carefully examining himself, Layue bit her lip and asked, “Your Majesty, please don’t come anymore.”
The Emperor hadn’t expected her to say that.
Seeing her expression, he asked, “Why?”
Layue blushed, lowered her head, and after a long pause, she released her grip on her dress corner, speaking softly, “During the postpartum period, one naturally neglects personal hygiene. I can even smell the odor on myself. Your Majesty, are you disgusted with me? Please don’t despise me, okay? In another ten or so days, I will complete the postpartum period and will make myself presentable properly.”
The last few sentences carried the urgency of a young girl.
The Emperor looked at the crumpled corner of her dress and took her hand, his voice softening, “What nonsense you’re saying. I love you, naturally I don’t care about those things. I would never despise you.”
Layue knew that the Emperor had a slight obsession with cleanliness, so his treatment of her was indeed rare. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have brought up this topic.
She bit her lip again, “Even I despise myself…”
The Emperor lifted her chin, “Why do you belittle yourself so much? Why despise yourself? Am I such a superficial person? Yue’er, you can rest assured.”
Leaning into his embrace, Layue said, “I can’t rest assured. These past days have been filled with anxiety. This situation is indeed quite unsettling. When I hear the announcement of your arrival, I feel ashamed!”
This speech indeed made the Emperor feel much better, dispelling many of his doubts.
After leaving Qing’an Palace, the Emperor thought about what had just happened and chuckled, calling her a little fox.
This little fox must have noticed his displeasure and thus spoke those sweet words. Looking at her little appearance, she was truly enchanting.
If she were truly that simple and endearing, he would find her boring.
It was precisely by observing how she handled matters around her, and her strict scrutiny of the wet nurses, that he could tell she was definitely not an inexperienced girl.
Inside the room, Layue noticed the Emperor seemed to leave with a smile, and her heart felt somewhat relieved.
She needed to adjust her attitude.
Now she could still say it was because of the children, neglecting the Emperor, but in the long run, she might lose favor.
There was also the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager had come to visit Layue, and at that time, Layue did her best to act as usual, but she wasn’t sure whether the Empress Dowager had any suspicions.
In the palace, pretending could never last long.
Thinking of a saying she had heard before, Layue smiled.
The best actor is the one who treats the stage as life itself.
Since she had already made up her mind, continuing to wear this expression of discomfort and anxiety would only make people dislike her.
If that were the case, she might as well live well.
What about the Empress Dowager? In her previous life, she had no interaction with the Empress Dowager, who could be ruthless. But in this life, it might not be the same.
Since entering the palace, although she had experienced various plots and attacks, now she had come to this point, knowing the truth and giving birth to children, what was there to be anxious about?
She would deal with whatever came her way.
Everything would move in a better direction.
As long as she worked hard!
She playfully poked Xiao Si’s cheek and saw the little one open his eyes.
Layue quickly patted him a few times, “Go to sleep, sweetheart. Mama is here.”
Sure enough, Xiao Si blew a bubble and continued sleeping.
Layue found it extremely amusing, this little guy!
“My little treasures, all of us will be okay, right? Although your father might be a bit unreliable, as long as we behave well, he will protect all of us properly, won’t he?”
Seeing Jiaojiao seem to smile in her sleep, Layue also slowly smiled.
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