Chapter 98:

The gifts bestowed by the concubines were each marked with the character “shang” (赏, signifying “granted as a reward”).

Layue herself was somewhat confused, but she wasn’t foolish enough to display all her emotions on her face.

Yet, that brief frown caught Emperor Jing’s attention, secretly amusing him.

Others, unaware of the emperor’s thoughts, were puzzled—could it be that the emperor disliked the gift from Consort Chun?

Only Princess Qi lowered her head secretly, seemingly having figured something out.

Afterwards, the emperor seemed distracted during the performances; even the seductive dance of Lady Xu in her thin gauze attire failed to elicit much reaction from him.

Once everyone had finished performing and the banquet ended, the emperor noticed Yan Yu, already dozing off in his arms, and handed the child to the Empress Dowager. The little boy, sleepy and tired, snuggled close to her.

Most of the palace concubines, great and small, received rewards, but Consort Chun was the only exception. Some who delighted in others’ misfortunes secretly rejoiced, hoping she had touched the emperor’s hidden sore spot. Perhaps it was because she had spoken with the Eldest Prince?

People’s imaginations were indeed vivid.

After the Empress Dowager and the Eldest Prince left, everyone present—except Emperor Jing—eagerly watched, anticipating the emperor’s choice.

“Today’s gift from Consort Chun has greatly pleased Us. Tonight, Consort Chun shall attend Us in bed.”

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned.

Only Princess Qi smiled slightly, her guess having indeed proven correct.

Layue herself was somewhat surprised. Seeing the emperor’s behavior, she had assumed she had somehow displeased him. After all, when the Eldest Prince was present earlier, she had deliberately made those remarks. Others might not have known, but the emperor himself certainly knew whether he had said anything or not.

Yet, to her surprise, the emperor did not blame her but instead seemed to genuinely like the robe she had given.

After everyone dispersed, Lai Xi hurried to Layue: “Consort Chun, the emperor has summoned you.”

Layue had originally intended to return to Tingyu Pavilion to change clothes and groom herself before attending to him. But upon hearing Lai Xi’s words and knowing the emperor’s temperament, she immediately followed without changing.

Regardless of whether someone was gritting their teeth in frustration, in Layue’s eyes, things were moving in a positive direction.

She did not walk side by side with the emperor but instead stayed a step behind him. For some reason, the emperor was reminded of Guo’er’s report that day. Was she hoping to walk the path he had walked? Step in his footprints?

Whether true or not, the emperor felt strangely pleased by the thought.

Layue was unaware of the emperor’s inner thoughts, but judging from his behavior, she sensed a certain cheerfulness, which in turn made her feel cheerful too.

When they arrived at Xuanning Hall, she noticed that Lai Xi was still holding the robe. A sudden inspiration struck her, and with a coquettish smile, she asked, “Your Majesty, would you like to try it on to see if it fits?”

The emperor softly hummed in agreement.

Layue quickly went to work, her face flushed as she removed his outer robe and dressed him in the one she had made.

The emperor looked down and found it fit perfectly.

He turned to her: “Did you make this robe in one go?”

Layue nodded naturally.

The emperor’s gaze darkened slightly again, though he said nothing.

She truly was thoughtful. If she didn’t genuinely care about him, how could she be so familiar with his measurements?

As Layue looked him over from head to toe, the emperor smiled and said, “Excellent. We are most pleased.”

(Note: I’ve made the following adjustments for natural English flow:

1. “examined him from front to back” → “looked him over from head to toe” (more idiomatic)

2. “Very good” → “Excellent” (more regal diction)

3. “朕” translated as “We” (the royal “we” convention in English)

4. “likes it very much” → “are most pleased” (formal imperial speech pattern))

With that, he pulled her into his arms, lowered his head, and whispered in her ear with warm breath, “What reward do you want from me?”

The implication was clear.

Layue smiled and hooked her arm around his.

“I wonder… will I get what I want?”

“Tell me,” he raised an eyebrow.

Being chosen to accompany the emperor on his birthday was a great honor.

Since the emperor had summoned her, he obviously intended for her to stay the night, yet the two still playfully teased each other.

“I… want… to eat you,” Layue laughed, biting his chin lightly before darting away.

It was rare to see her like this, and for a moment, the emperor was slightly taken aback.

But only for a moment—then he burst into laughter. What a delightful little creature she was.

Before long, the two had tumbled together.

The emperor’s large hands roamed freely, quickly ruining the newly worn robe, tossing it carelessly to the ground. Seeing her red sash barely clinging to her chest, the emperor leaned in through the sash and hungrily bit and kissed her.

Layue let out a soft whimper as she was hurt slightly.

The temperature in the room gradually rose, promising another sleepless night.

After a long while, their passion subsided.

Layue was drowsy and half-asleep, but she knew the emperor would not let her stay, so she forced herself to remain alert.

Seeing her like this, the emperor gently nibbled at her from time to time, whispering, “Since I summoned you to accompany me tonight, it’s not just a reward. Silly girl, don’t you know how to ask for something better for yourself?”

The meaning behind his words was obvious.

Layue didn’t open her eyes: “I have no shortage of food and drink in the palace, and Your Majesty has been so affectionate to me that even my father was promoted. I really can’t think of anything else I need.”

Her sincerity was amusing.

Sure enough, the emperor chuckled.

“In spring, I promised to take you out of the palace, but it didn’t work out. Do you still want to go?”

At this, Layue truly opened her eyes, gazing at him intently: “Your Majesty will take me out?”

Her voice was filled with surprise and joy.

Seeing her expression, the emperor laughed even more.

“So, do you want to go out?”

She nodded eagerly. Of course she did. She had wanted to go last time but didn’t get the chance.

The emperor gently patted her bottom: “In a few days, during autumn, We will go to perform the Heaven Sacrifice. You may accompany Us.”

Layue was familiar with the customs of the Nangin Kingdom.

Every year, the emperor made two trips, each lasting no more than half a month. In spring, he went to pray for good harvests, and in autumn, after the harvest, he went again to give thanks for the favorable weather.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. That’s wonderful.” She did not hide her joy. Being confined within palace walls day after day was often dull. Going outside was a special surprise.

The emperor teased: “This time, be careful, or you might miss the trip again.”

Layue frowned: “I know.”

Seeing her helpless little expression, the emperor pinched her nose gently.

“How come you were with Yu’er today?” His tone was casual.

“I was talking with Lady Li, and the Eldest Prince interrupted us, so we noticed him. We couldn’t let such a little child run around alone, especially since he had just recovered from illness.”

Lying together, Layue couldn’t see the emperor’s expression.

Then she heard him speak again: “You seem to care about him.”

His tone was ambiguous. Layue sighed: “I don’t know why, but when I see the Eldest Prince, I think of my younger sister. She was just like him.”

The emperor propped up her little face with his hand: “Missing home?”

She shook her head.

“Just thinking of old memories.”

He kissed her tender lips lightly and pulled her into his arms again.

“You may go see Yu’er whenever you like.”

Was this his approval?

Layue was unsure. She hesitated, wanting to ask something, but finally kept silent.

The emperor naturally sensed her emotional fluctuations but didn’t ask since she didn’t speak.

“How did you come up with performing a program, playing the xiao?” Another question.

Layue was just beginning to doze off when he asked again, feeling annoyed but muttering: “Your Majesty always asks questions just when concubine is about to fall asleep.”

“Come to think of it, I have never received such treatment from you before.”

Layue was drowsy, her mind slow, but upon realizing what he meant, her face flushed instantly.

Her lips trembled: “How can Your Majesty speak so recklessly?”

“What recklessness? Isn’t it natural?”

His words were indeed reasonable, but Layue still felt shy.

Seeing her bury her head like a little ostrich and recalling how she had seduced him the first time, the emperor felt a ripple in his heart. Compared to her boldness back then, she was now much more shy and delicate.

He tenderly stroked her lips for a long while before whispering softly, “Yue’er, go down and serve me.”

Huh?

Layue was confused, but upon seeing the emperor’s expression, she understood his meaning.

She shook her head hard: “Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I… I…”

She couldn’t bring herself to say it.

“Go down and take me in your mouth.”

Perhaps too excited, he forgot to use the imperial “We” and instead said “I.”

Layue had never done such a thing, neither in her past life nor in this one.

She looked at him pleadingly, but saw only a more intense desire in his eyes.

Indeed, seeing her so seductive and pitifully begging him, he only wanted to torment her more. There was no way he would let her off.

With no choice, she reluctantly moved down to his body. He lay there, proud and triumphant.

She looked at him pleadingly again, but received no mercy.

With no other option, she steeled herself, closed her eyes, and slowly leaned down.

Though her heart was filled with grievances, she still took him into her mouth.

She didn’t know how, but the emperor did.

He gave himself over to the moment.

After he was satisfied, Layue sat pitifully at the edge of the bed, her mouth still tasting the remnants.

Seeing her like this, the emperor seemed even more pleased.

…

The emperor was satisfied with Layue’s gift, her performance, and especially her service.

The next day, Emperor Jing promoted Layue’s rank, and thus, Consort Chun became Noble Consort Chun.

Layue herself hadn’t expected this, but recalling that passionate night, her face turned red.

The palace was always like this—so long as you had the emperor’s favor, even if your rank was not high, no one dared to provoke you. Although Shen Layue’s rank was not low—she was now a third-rank Noble Consort with a title—no one would dare to challenge her.

This time, the emperor did not mention the trip to anyone else, and Layue only briefly mentioned it to Jin Xin, not telling anyone else.

It wasn’t that she didn’t trust them, but she felt there was no need to formally announce it to the Six Palaces yet.

The more she talked, the more likely others would scheme against her.

Thinking of those who had been active in spring but were now completely fallen, Layue sighed at the unpredictability of fate.

Lian Xiu Yun and Chen Yulan had entered the Cold Palace, and Bai Xiaodie had died.

These three close friends had not met good ends.

As for Chen Yulan, she occasionally requested to see Layue from the Cold Palace, but Layue refused every time. Jin Xin coldly told the little maid delivering the message that if she continued to violate the rules, she might find working in the Office of Discipline much more enjoyable.

After that, no one came to deliver messages anymore.

Layue did not trust Yulan’s character. She feared that if she visited her today, something unpleasant would happen tomorrow.

She had no time to play games with her.

They had grown up together, and once, Yulan had always looked down on her. Now, the situation was reversed. If anyone in the palace hated her favor the most, it was undoubtedly her narrow-minded cousin.

No matter how Yulan felt or whether others were trying to use her again against Layue, Layue knew that as long as she didn’t give them the opportunity, they would never succeed.

In front of Emperor Jing, she had also subtly mentioned it a few times. No matter what, she always wanted to lay a foundation in the emperor’s heart in advance, so that if anything happened, it would be someone else’s doing, not hers.

Time passed quickly, and soon autumn winds blew and leaves fell.

Summer had also passed quickly.

Thinking back to the incident when Lady An had fallen, sure enough, several little eunuchs were punished as scapegoats, accused of not cleaning properly. Layue snorted coldly; palace affairs were always like this.

The emperor’s inspection tour had not yet announced the list of participants, making everyone anxious and unable to speak clearly.

Everyone hoped to go along, for it was during such a trip that Bai Youran had become pregnant. Such a fortunate event was rare and precious.

Bai Youran was now about seven months pregnant and rarely appeared in public, often making various excuses to avoid visitors. Layue knew she was avoiding attention.

In the palace, giving birth to a child was already extremely difficult.

As for Yan Yu, for some unknown reason, he had become somewhat friendlier toward her after the emperor’s birthday.

He occasionally tried to cleverly coax her into revealing what the emperor had said.

Perhaps because of this, whenever she went to visit the Empress Dowager, he was often there.

The Empress Dowager naturally understood the reason.

When no one else was around, she once said to Layue: “The child is still young, and naturally longs for his father’s care. The emperor is busy with state affairs every day, inevitably neglecting him. Since he can talk to you, and the emperor has allowed you to visit him often, you should come by more often.”

Layue nodded in agreement.

As for the matter of the Eldest Prince, it all depended on how she handled it. It could be bad, but now it seemed more like a good thing.

Each palace guessed who would be chosen for the emperor’s trip.

But the emperor did not announce the list until three days before departure. Only two concubines were selected to accompany him:

Princess Qi and Noble Consort Chun.

Princess Qi’s selection was somewhat unexpected, but Noble Consort Chun’s was not.

After all, the emperor had wanted to take her out in spring, but she had not gone due to Lian Xiu Yun’s incident. This time, she would finally get to go.

What surprised people was that Princess Hui was not among them.

However, upon further thought, it was indeed traceable. In previous years, the emperor did not always bring the same people along when attending ceremonies in spring and autumn. It seemed everyone had a chance. Thinking of this, everyone felt somewhat reassured. They could only hope the emperor would continue this practice.

Peach and the others were delighted at the prospect of leaving the palace. Mumbling to herself, Peach vowed to be cautious this time and not allow any malicious individuals to exploit vulnerabilities again. Layue smiled. Although Peach was talkative, she was indeed loyal to Layue.

But going together with Consort Qi? Layue was quite wary of Consort Qi. Compared to the emotionally expressive Consort De, it was the composed and virtuous types like Consort Qi that she guarded against most.

Because the announcement had been made in haste, Layue had not gone out for several days. Instead, she busied herself preparing within the palace. For this outing, she decided to bring Jin Xin and Peach. Apricot and Guo’er were left to handle matters at Tingyu Pavilion.

Layue did not form factions or seek favor within the palace. Therefore, the only person she could be considered somewhat close to was Zhu Yuning. However, since Zhu was also reserved by nature, they did not meet often.

Upon hearing that Layue was going out, some people came to visit. Layue, unwilling to engage in socializing, usually sent them away by claiming to be busy, causing murmurs of disapproval among the palace attendants. However, she paid no heed to such gossip.

In the palace, who truly had sincere friendships? Even someone like Consort Qi, who appeared to be universally liked and regarded as virtuous, how many people would genuinely help her in times of need?

Layue understood this matter very clearly. It was not that she was biased—it was simply the reality of the situation.

“Huang Shang Dao (The Emperor has arrived)—”

Layue, lost in her thoughts, quickly stood up upon hearing the eunuch’s announcement.

Now that it was autumn, sheer gauze was no longer appropriate. However, Layue loved the comfortable feeling and dressed similarly to summer, adding only a light vest on top. She looked quite charming.

“Your Majesty,” Layue greeted respectfully.

According to the court’s rules, only consorts of the third rank or higher could refer to themselves as “Chen Qie (humble wife).” Layue barely qualified.

“Stand up,” the emperor said, smiling slightly at her slightly mismatched attire and pulling her closer.

“Are you all set?” he asked.

“Yes, everything is ready. Now I’m just waiting to leave,” Layue replied cheerfully.

Seeing her happy expression, the emperor shook his head with a smile: “You’re still so young. Just going out makes you this excited.”

Layue did not argue, simply smiling. That smile stirred something in the emperor’s heart, and his hands began to wander.

Unsure how it happened, the two ended up lying on the couch, playfully entangled.

Layue giggled and pushed him away: “Your Majesty, please stop. It’s still daytime, and you have official duties this afternoon, right?”

The emperor did not get up but raised an eyebrow instead: “What difference does that make? Haven’t you served me at noon on many occasions before?”

That was indeed true.

“Whether many or few, Your Majesty shouldn’t misbehave. Be good. We’re leaving tomorrow, so please don’t act like this anymore. Otherwise, people will say I’m bewitching the emperor and monopolizing his favor.”

The emperor laughed heartily: “You little thing, if you don’t want to serve me, just say so directly. Why bring that up? Don’t try to fool me. Tell me honestly, you wouldn’t mind monopolizing my favor, would you?”

She hesitated slightly, then whispered: “I would… like that…”

But immediately after saying “want,” she added: “Your Majesty mustn’t laugh at me. In this palace, who wouldn’t want it?”

Looking at her childish expression, the emperor often couldn’t tell how he felt inside. Sometimes he thought she was just a simple, innocent girl; other times, he felt she was a clever little fox with hidden depths.

Feeling conflicted, he sighed and flipped over, pinning her beneath him…

…

Although outside the palace there were not as many rules, it was still not without its formalities.

Layue and her two maids sat in the third palanquin. The journey, with its many stops, did not bring much joy of going out for fresh air.

Seeing the emperor and Consort Qi so composed and accustomed to the situation, Layue understood—this must have been how it was in previous years too.

On the first night after departure, Consort Qi accompanied the emperor. The following two nights were Layue’s turn.

Consort Qi was not a shallow person and bore no resentment toward Layue. Even her maids were very well-behaved.

On the morning of the fourth day, everyone finally arrived at their destination.

The site for the Heaven Sacrifice was a palace located on a mountain not far from the capital. Built atop the summit, it was a pleasant place to visit in spring and autumn. Now, with red leaves covering the hills, the scenery was breathtaking.

Layue couldn’t hide her delight in her eyes.

Actually, there wasn’t much to do these few days—the emperor prepared for the Heaven Sacrifice, while they simply rested here for a few days before returning to the palace after the emperor’s duties were completed.

After Jin Xin and Peach arranged the room, Layue opened the window and leaned on a small couch by the windowsill, gazing at the distant scenery outside, feeling very cheerful.

“No wonder everyone wants to accompany the emperor. Such a beautiful place would surely enchant anyone,” Layue murmured.

However, her words drew laughter from Peach.

Seeing her mistress looking at her, Peach explained: “My lady, you’re just joking. You know perfectly well that everyone comes along not for the scenery, but for the feeling of exclusive favor.”

Jin Xin smiled and lightly hit her: “My lady was just expressing her feelings. Why must you bring the emperor into it?”

Peach didn’t mind, just smiling happily.

Actually, what Peach said was correct, but Layue genuinely loved the sight of the hills covered in red leaves.

“I’ll take a short nap first. Later, you should call a few guards—I want to walk around the back mountain.”

Jin Xin agreed.

“It’s still autumn, so you should close the window, or else you might catch a chill.”

Layue shook her head: “I’ll sleep facing the other side. I like leaving the window open.”

She was indeed quite capricious.

When the emperor entered Layue’s inner chamber, he saw her in a scene resembling a blooming begonia in springtime—sleeping sweetly.