Chapter 105:

Until returning to the palace, Layue still appeared restless. Seeing her like this, Emperor Jing asked, “What’s wrong? Why are you so uneasy after going home?”

Layue shook her head, wrapping her arms around his waist pitifully.

“Your Majesty, do you think I’m a foolish worrier? Why do I feel uneasy seeing the prosperity of the Shen family?”

Unexpectedly thinking this way, Emperor Jing gently stroked her hair.

“Nonsense. Today is your brother’s wedding day. Perhaps you’re just feeling resentful because your brother is now taken by his bride, right?” He glanced at her sideways.

Seeing him like this, Layue pretended to hit him a couple of times, “You always talk nonsense. It’s not that at all.”

Emperor Jing naturally knew it wasn’t that, but seeing her low spirits, he said it anyway, thinking it would cheer her up.

“Alright, we’ve been busy all day, you must be tired. How about resting at Xuanning Palace today?”

The suggestion suited Layue’s wishes. She was usually lazy, and today’s trip outside the palace had left her particularly exhausted. If she could soak in the hot spring at the back room of Xuanning Palace, it would be both pleasant and refreshing.

“Mm, okay.” She happily clung to Emperor Jing’s arm, looking truly adorable. He gently pinched her soft cheek.

“You look exactly like my eldest princess now.”

Thinking of their playful words, Layue blushed.

This time, Lai Xi did not accompany the emperor. Upon seeing Emperor Jing’s return, Lai Xi hurried forward and said, “Your Majesty, Consort Chun.”

“Rise.”

“Yes.” Lai Xi stood up, shifting the dust brush in his hand. He glanced at Shen Layue. Though he said nothing, Emperor Jing knew something had happened in the palace.

“Is there something wrong?”

Since Lai Xi was so obvious, the matter must also be something Shen Layue would know. Emperor Jing thought and asked directly.

“Your Majesty, this afternoon, Consort Qi felt unwell and summoned the imperial physician for a pulse check. She was diagnosed as one month pregnant.”

Lai Xi’s voice remained steady and official.

Layue paused briefly but quickly resumed her usual demeanor.

Wasn’t this something she should have known already?

Bai Youran had followed the original path and given birth to the third prince. Then, Consort Qi’s fourth prince was likely to be born soon as well.

Emperor Jing thought for a moment, “Alright, you may go now. We’ll discuss this tomorrow. I’m a bit tired.”

Holding Layue’s hand, he entered the inner chamber. Emperor Jing opened his arms and pulled Layue into his embrace. Seeing her expressionless face, he felt an indescribable emotion, a sense of depression creeping in.

“What’s wrong, Your Majesty?” Seeing his behavior, Layue smiled and turned around to wrap her arms around his neck.

Looking at her smiling face, Emperor Jing tried to find any pretense, but found none, which made him even more annoyed.

For some reason, seeing her like this, he felt she didn’t love him as much as he had imagined. He pinched her face and stared.

Layue was confused, not knowing what was wrong with him. Shouldn’t he be happy about Consort Qi’s pregnancy? Why was he acting like this and looking at her like this?

Feeling a bit annoyed inside, she still managed a smile, which was somewhat perfunctory.

Surprisingly, this perfunctory smile somewhat calmed Emperor Jing’s restless mood.

She cared, which made him feel she truly loved him.

Looking at the slight annoyance in her eyes, Emperor Jing felt more at ease. It turned out she did care, she just hid it.

Holding her tightly, he comforted, “Don’t be angry with me. I love you.”

Layue didn’t understand why he was acting like this. He was indeed moody, but since he said so, Layue naturally played along, “Your Majesty truly loves me?”

Her voice was soft, carrying a hint of grievance.

But Emperor Jing was the kind of person who trusted only subconscious reactions. He could see her subtle intentions now.

However, a woman having subtle intentions towards him also meant she truly loved him.

He pecked her lips and then picked her up in his arms.

In this misty hot spring room, both of them were lying there.

“I truly love you.”

Layue was just drowsy when she heard him say something out of the blue.

“Eh?” She looked at him confused.

Seeing her not understanding, he thought of her previous question and realized she had probably already forgotten it. Feeling a bit resentful, Emperor Jing said nothing more. Truly, this little heartless girl.

Layue, seeing his expression, belatedly realized he was answering her earlier question.

She moved closer, leaning against him. Both were completely naked. He let out a soft sound.

“I know Your Majesty treats me well.”

Looking at her leaning closer, Emperor Jing felt a different emotion rising. Looking at this seemingly innocent little girl, why did he sometimes fail to understand her? Sometimes naive, sometimes shrewd. Which one was the real her, or were both parts of her?

Perhaps they were both tired, or perhaps they had too many thoughts. That night, they didn’t even engage in intimate activities and fell asleep in each other’s arms.

Layue slept comfortably that night. When she woke up, the emperor was already gone. She sighed, surprised she could sleep so soundly.

Thinking about the emperor from last night, Layue shook her head, not knowing what was wrong with him again.

After getting ready, she returned to Tingyu Pavilion.

Layue thought for a moment and then instructed Jin Xin to prepare a gift. Since Consort Qi was pregnant, they naturally needed to send something.

Jin Xin said, “Yesterday, when Consort Qi was diagnosed as pregnant, the Empress Dowager was extremely delighted and sent many gifts. I have already prepared the appropriate gift according to our standards. Would the lady like to go personally or have someone deliver it?”

Jin Xin hadn’t followed Layue out of the palace yesterday, which was natural, as the emperor had his own considerations.

She was considerate and, upon hearing of Consort Qi’s pregnancy, had already prepared the gift without needing much instruction from Layue.

Layue thought for a moment, “Did Consort Qi go to pay respects to the Empress Dowager today?”

Today was neither the first nor the fifteenth day of the lunar month, but Layue knew that since Consort Qi had received gifts from the Empress Dowager yesterday, according to her character, she would likely go to thank her today.

Thinking about it, there were again several Chen Yulan-like figures in the palace who became arrogant and conceited due to pregnancy. It was precisely because of her lack of propriety that her child was never born.

“I’m not sure about that. Let me ask Tao’er to find out.”

Layue nodded.

After summoning Tao’er and inquiring, it turned out to be exactly as expected.

Smiling slightly, Layue cheerfully got up, “Help me change clothes. Since she’s paying respects, I shouldn’t fall behind others! Leave the gifts here for now. After I pay my respects, I can have them delivered directly to Consort Qi’s quarters.”

Jin Xin bowed and agreed.

Layue didn’t really want to visit Consort Qi’s quarters. Consort Qi was a very cautious person. She wouldn’t be easily taken advantage of, and instead, she might use this opportunity to frame others.

However, since Consort Qi was already a concubine of high rank, if she didn’t go, it might make her seem suspicious. But if there was another reason, it would be different.

Smiling, Layue looked at the maids, “Xing’er, Tao’er, come with me.”

The two maids saw that their mistress seemed particularly cheerful, which puzzled them a bit. However, they also knew that their mistress would never put herself in a disadvantageous situation, so they followed her lead and smiled slightly.

At Huici Palace.

Madam Gui was quite warm upon seeing Layue’s arrival.

“Madam Chun, please wait a moment while I go in and report.”

Not long after, she came out with the announcement.

“Yue girl has come?”

The Empress Dowager was in a particularly good mood today.

Layue smiled and bowed slightly, “Your servant greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager and Consort Qi.”

Indeed, Consort Qi was there.

“Quickly rise, quickly rise.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager.”

Layue sat to one side, smiling at Consort Qi, “Last night I heard that Consort Qi is with child, and I wanted to visit to offer my congratulations. However, it was too late, and I heard that those who are expecting tend to be sleepy. I wouldn’t dare disturb your rest. I had planned to visit you after paying respects to the Empress Dowager this morning, but I didn’t expect to meet you here.”

Then she giggled, looking quite innocent.

Consort Qi also smiled, “My younger sister always thinks of me. I’m truly delighted.”

“Earlier, I was saying how my younger sister should take good care of herself and strive to give birth to a princess for the Emperor. Unexpectedly, my elder sister managed to get pregnant first. Elder sister must give birth to a little prince and mustn’t compete with my younger sister for the eldest princess.”

Hearing Layue’s words, the Empress Dowager laughed, “You little girl, do you think having children is something you can control at will? Everyone wants to have a little prince, but you keep talking about the eldest princess. I think, if you don’t have an eldest princess, you won’t be satisfied.”

Layue pouted, “Your Majesty the Empress Dowager is making fun of me.”

Both the Empress Dowager and Consort Qi laughed. Consort Qi teased, “My younger sister won’t compete with you. You’re still such a child.”

“Indeed, look at her behavior. Isn’t she just a child?”

Layue covered her face with her handkerchief, seemingly very embarrassed.

The scene was quite harmonious.

After some laughter and teasing, Layue pretended to be serious and said, “Elder sister must rest more. I’ve heard that those who are expecting should rest more. Also, you shouldn’t use things carelessly, especially incense and other fragrances. Even food should be carefully considered. Elder sister must be very careful with everything you eat, wear, and use.”

What Layue said were all things everyone already knew, but she said them with such seriousness.

The Empress Dowager nodded with a smile, “This Yue girl is indeed thoughtful.”

Consort Qi also showed a grateful expression, but Layue naturally knew how much sincerity was behind it.

But she didn’t care about that.

She came here merely to make a show in front of the Empress Dowager. As for Consort Qi’s Qingxiang Palace, she definitely wouldn’t go.

Seeing the Empress Dowager looking at her, Layue appeared somewhat shy but still answered, “I was thinking about giving the Emperor more children, so I made some preparations in advance.”

She then twisted her handkerchief with her small hands, looking pure and harmless with a hint of expectation.

The Empress Dowager smiled knowingly.

Looking at Consort Qi, she said, “You are older than Yue, so you should understand these things well. It’s not easy to get pregnant after so many years, so you must be very careful to avoid harming the fetus.”

“Your Majesty the Empress Dowager can rest assured. Your servant will definitely be careful.”

“I was originally planning to visit Consort Qi later. Since I’ve already seen her here, I won’t go to Qingxiang Palace to disturb her. I wouldn’t want to affect her rest.”

Layue smiled.

Consort Qi understood her intentions perfectly. Shen Layue was not as harmless as she appeared.

If she had no schemes at all, how could she have risen from a mere servant to become the favored Chun Zhao Yi in just a year and a half?

Smiling slightly, Consort Qi looked at that delicate face.

Today, you may be favored, but one day the Emperor will forget your past kindness, and newer, fresher faces will enter the palace. Then, I’ll see how you handle yourself.

“Alright, since Consort Qi is fine, you may return to rest. The early stages of pregnancy are the most unstable. You mustn’t be careless.”

Consort Qi quickly stood up and slightly bowed, “Yes, then Your servant will take her leave.”

A senior palace maid from Consort Qi’s side hurried over to support her. Although there was no visible sign of her pregnancy yet, she still walked with difficulty, her stomach slightly protruding.

Layue couldn’t help but smile inwardly. It made sense; no matter how restrained she had been in the past, this situation was different.

After all, a mother’s status was elevated by her child.

Seeing Consort Qi leave, the Empress Dowager smiled at Layue, “Come, sit here with me.”

She patted Layue’s hand, seemingly quite satisfied with her.

“Don’t be envious. One day, you’ll give the Emperor a healthy baby boy.”

Layue smiled with her eyes and mouth curved.

“Okay. I’ll try my best.”

Seeing her like this, the Empress Dowager couldn’t help but laugh.

This girl was indeed endearing.

“What good is it for you to try alone? You little girl.”

Layue’s face turned red.

Her lips moved slightly, hesitantly, “The Emperor really likes me…”

In the palace, no one would say such things in front of others. Not only would other concubines be jealous, but even in the Empress Dowager’s presence, no one would dare to speak like this. After all, since ancient times, which mother-in-law would like to hear her daughter-in-law say such things?

But Layue, being so shy and delicate, actually said it like that.

Seeing her like this, the Empress Dowager affectionately tapped her head, “You silly child, you’re far too naive. Look at you—without mine and the Emperor’s protection, you’d be swallowed whole by those vixens.”

“The Emperor has arrived——”

It was unusual for the Emperor to come to the Empress Dowager’s place in the morning.

When Emperor Jing entered, he happened to see the Empress Dowager looking at Layue like that, which puzzled him a bit.

He smiled warmly, “What’s going on? Has this girl made another mistake again?”

Hearing the word “again,” Layue pouted slightly.

Seeing her pout, the Empress Dowager laughed again.

“Does this girl often make mistakes?”

Seeing Layue’s indignant pout, Emperor Jing had the urge to go over and kiss her. However, since this was Huici Palace, he restrained himself.

“She doesn’t commit major mistakes, but she’s always making small ones, often worrying me. She even claims to be my eldest princess, as if I’m raising her like a delicate flower, which makes her even more likely to anger me.”

Seeing Layue’s ashamed expression, the Empress Dowager teased her son while smiling, “If you keep talking like this, Yue girl’s face might catch fire.”

Emperor Jing looked at her and didn’t say much, just smiling slightly.

Layue lowered her head, looking very embarrassed. But in her heart, she was imagining sticking needles into a little figure of the emperor. What a fool he was, talking nonsense in front of the Empress Dowager like that. How could she face people in the future? From now on, whenever she saw the Empress Dowager, she would think of today’s incident.

The girl’s face, already flushed with embarrassment, was as red as an apple.

Perhaps seeing that Layue was truly embarrassed, the Empress Dowager changed the subject, “Alright, you shouldn’t tease Yue girl just because she’s young. Look how embarrassed she is.”

Emperor Jing’s expression was calm, “If I were teasing her, I wouldn’t be here.”

After Emperor Jing spoke, even the Empress Dowager felt awkward.

But he didn’t care at all.

Men and women naturally had different perspectives on such matters.

However, the Empress Dowager was older and soon returned to her usual self. Thinking about his unusual timing, she asked, “Why did the Emperor come at this time?”

Emperor Jing looked at the teacup, and Layue quickly went over to refill it for him.

“It’s just that Consort Qi is pregnant now. I was thinking that the early stages of pregnancy are the most unstable. There are many trivial matters in the palace. No matter what, the child is the most important. Perhaps it would be better to let Consort Qi hand over her palace duties to Consort De and Consort Hui so she can focus on resting and protecting the pregnancy. What do you think, Mother?”

The Empress Dowager smiled, “The Emperor and I are thinking the same thing. Sigh, if only Yue girl weren’t so young, she could help manage some affairs. Now it seems we’ll have to rely on Consort De and Consort Hui to take on more responsibilities.”

Emperor Jing thought for a moment and tapped the table with his finger, “Then Mother can handle it as you see fit.”

The Empress Dowager nodded.

Layue sat quietly on one side, observing the two of them and pondering her own thoughts.

Sure enough, within two days, Consort Qi handed over the public affairs she managed.

However, to Layue’s surprise, most of the affairs were handed over to Consort Hui, Fu Jinyao, which was something Layue hadn’t expected.

Looking at the harmonious expressions on everyone’s faces, Layue clicked her tongue a few times.

Now was definitely not the right time to get involved.

But it was also clear that Consort Qi was taking this pregnancy very seriously. Since becoming pregnant, she had been extremely cautious in everything she did.

According to the time calculation, Consort Qi had conceived on the day they went to the resort palace. This made everyone in the palace even more eager to go to the resort palace. Some malicious people even lamented that people should believe in fate. Look at Consort Hui, she had gone to the resort palace twice but still hadn’t gotten pregnant, while Consort Qi was different.

Hearing these words, Layue shook her head secretly. The methods used by those who did such things were indeed too obvious.

Trying to create conflict between Consort Hui and Consort Qi would not be easy.

If it were Consort De, such provocation might have some effect, but with Consort Qi, it was simply impossible.

In Layue’s opinion, Consort Qi was the most skilled at enduring.

As for Consort Hui, although her temperament was not good, her noble background meant she wouldn’t stoop to such lowly actions.