Chapter 94:

These past few days have been quite pleasant for Layue.

But while she feels at ease, others are not so content.

Even though she is currently favored, no one dares to target her directly. Everyone’s attention is now fixed on Bai Youran’s pregnancy. It’s no easy task to deliver the child safely.

Despite her busy schedule, Layue has heard many rumors recently, but Bai Youran is naturally cautious.

If others try to scheme against her, they may not necessarily succeed.

Layue chooses to ignore all that and focuses on living her life peacefully.

A few days ago, when she paid her respects to the Empress Dowager, the latter was in a good mood and expressed a desire to watch a play, which led to today’s banquet being arranged.

All the palace consorts, big and small, are required to attend the banquet at the Changchun Pavilion.

The weather is hot, and Layue wears a light blue silk palace dress. A jade pendant of the same shade hangs around her neck, accentuating her slender waist with a wide emerald belt.

Perhaps due to the heat, Layue has tied all her hair up, with a simple golden hairpin placed at the side of her bun, making her face appear clean and elegant.

Once she is fully prepared, Layue sets off with Apricot.

It is not long before the festivities begin in full swing.

It is the most famous play of the dynasty, a tale of a man who marries the daughter of his enemy to seek revenge for his family.

Although Layue has seen it several times, she does not particularly like the plot. However, she knows the Empress Dowager enjoys it and sometimes requests this play specifically.

While Layue appears to be watching the play, her eyes wander around the room. As expected, everyone has arrived, including Bai Youran, who is seated respectfully at one side without any special treatment.

Being arrogant due to favor has never been Bai Youran’s style.

However, as Layue glances at her from the corner of her eye, she senses something amiss. It seems Bai Youran is unwell. Although not obvious, Layue notices the weariness in her expression.

The Changchun Pavilion was originally built for watching plays and is well-ventilated, so it is unlikely to be unbearably hot.

Layue also notices that Bai Youran has not consumed any of the food on the table, indicating her cautious nature.

At this critical moment in the play, the male protagonist has avenged his family. His wife is the daughter of his enemy, but he decides to forgive her and demote her to a concubine, still advocating for her life. The woman, ashamed of her family’s actions, decides to leave and give up her place to the princess who loves the male protagonist.

Layue frowns in disapproval. She remarks that the playwrights are indeed men, as expected. Otherwise, how could the plot be so biased?

“Miss Yue, are you not enjoying the play?” Although the Empress Dowager seems to be watching the play attentively, she does not miss any expressions.

Layue smiles and nods: “Your humble concubine indeed does not particularly enjoy it.”

“Oh? Why is that?” The Empress Dowager seems intrigued.

Layue replies, “I find the plot quite contrived. What fault does the wife have? It is clearly the man who seeks to marry into royalty, and this plot must be imagined by a man.”

A few people around her cover their mouths with their handkerchiefs and laugh.

The Empress Dowager does the same: “You, my girl, certainly have different thoughts from others.”

As the Empress Dowager and Layue exchange pleasantries and enjoy their conversation, Bai Youran’s voice is heard, weak and strained.

“Your humble concubine has something to report to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager.”

“What is the matter?” The Empress Dowager turns her gaze to Bai Youran and sees a thin layer of sweat on her forehead, as if she is not feeling well.

With difficulty, she forces a smile: “Your humble concubine feels unwell. May I, may I be excused to leave early?”

Given the Emperor’s difficulty in producing heirs, the Empress Dowager naturally pays close attention. Seeing no signs of pretense in Bai Youran, she immediately orders someone to escort her back to rest and summons the imperial physician for her.

Seeing Bai Youran’s condition, someone smirks slightly. This was a perfectly good play, yet a pregnant woman insists on coming, only to feel unwell upon arrival, spoiling everyone’s enjoyment for no reason.

After Bai Youran leaves, the Empress Dowager loses interest in the play and returns directly to the Huici Palace. Observing this, Layue also rises to leave.

She had already found the play uninteresting from the beginning.

As a result, the consorts begin to leave in small groups, with only a few who genuinely enjoy the play remaining.

“Ahh——” Layue had not walked far when she heard a scream from not too far away.

Layue quickly turns around and sees An Guibin and De Fei both falling at the same time not far away.

The people around hear the sound and quickly rush over. Layue is not very close, and by the time she arrives, two or three consorts have already reached the scene.

Layue looks at the two people on the ground and senses that their conditions are not light. The palace maids and eunuchs nearby dare not directly help them up for fear of injuring their legs. One person has already run off to call the imperial physicians.

Layue’s sharp eyes catch the sight of bloodstains on An Guibin’s skirt.

An Guibin is softly crying in pain.

Not only Layue but also Hui Fei, who is by her side, sees the bloodstains.

Everyone’s hearts are startled, and they instantly understand what might have happened to An Guibin.

“Oh my, my lady, your skirt…”

An Guibin looks at the increasing bloodstains on her skirt and feels a sharp pain in her abdomen. A thought flashes through her mind.

“My child… my child… please save my child…”

It doesn’t take long for An Guibin to realize that everyone else who sees the blood also understands the situation.

The scene becomes chaotic as the imperial physicians arrive and both women are lifted onto stretchers.

Layue thinks for a moment and follows them.

Most of the consorts are present here, and both De Fei and An Guibin have fallen at the same time. If they remain indifferent, they might be disliked by the Emperor.

Both are taken to their respective quarters, leaving others uncertain about whom to follow.

Layue considers for a moment and heads straight to the Huici Palace.

It is still unknown why De Fei and An Guibin fell. No matter which side she goes to, it would be a neglect to the other. Layue quickly changes direction and rushes to the Huici Palace.

Those who have a good relationship with De Fei naturally go to visit her, while those who are close to An Guibin head to her place.

There are also a few sharp-eyed ones who notice that Chun Guiyi leaves. Although they don’t understand the reason, a couple of people follow her.

Hui Fei and Qi Fei are also leading figures in the palace.

They exchange glances, discuss for a moment, and decide that Hui Fei will stay with An Guibin while Qi Fei will go to De Fei.

Some of the lower-ranking consorts see Layue heading to the Huici Palace and abandon the idea of following her, as the Empress Dowager favors Chun Guipin, but it does not necessarily mean she favors them.

When Layue arrives at the Huici Palace, the Empress Dowager has already heard about the incident, but she remains seated in the palace without moving.

“Your humble concubine greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager.”

She slightly bows.

“Rise. How are both sides doing?” The Empress Dowager’s expression is not good.

Layue replies cautiously: “Both sisters have already been sent to their respective quarters, and the imperial physicians have arrived. Your humble concubine thought, I thought, there’s nothing I can do for either side, so I might as well come and accompany you. I suppose there will be results soon.”

The Empress Dowager sighs.

“Sit down. What exactly happened at that time? Did you see it?” As the Empress Dowager speaks, she scrutinizes Layue, as if trying to detect something from her words.

Layue naturally tells the truth and shakes her head: “Your humble concubine did not see it. I was walking ahead, and the distance was quite far. I only went back after hearing the sound. However…”

Layue hesitates for a moment and speaks: “However, I saw that An Guibin’s skirt was stained with a lot of blood…”

The implication of her words is self-evident.

The Empress Dowager sighs and falls silent.

Beside her, the nursemaid Gui Mama sees the Empress Dowager’s expression and knows that she is in a bad mood.

In fact, over the years, the Emperor’s offspring have not been plentiful. The Empress Dowager has always been wondering whether the assassination during the Emperor’s first night had caused some harm to him. Although the imperial physicians at the time repeatedly assured her that there was no major physical harm, the Emperor’s personal physician also mentioned that some psychological illnesses can be worse than physical ones.

She doesn’t know if that’s the case, but she is particularly worried.

This is also one of the reasons why she has been increasingly indifferent towards Lie over the years.

As a mother, she has been a failure.

Before long, the eunuch’s voice announces the arrival of the Emperor.

Seeing Layue here, the Emperor is not surprised. He seems to have no mood to socialize with her and goes straight to the upper seat, sitting beside the Empress Dowager.

“Mother.” He holds the Empress Dowager’s hand.

The Empress Dowager looks at her dignified son and sighs: “Have you already visited them?”

The Emperor’s lips curl into a faint smile, but Layue notices a hint of displeasure in it.

“Not yet. Mother, would you like to go with me?”

The Empress Dowager sighs and nods: “Although the specific situation is still unclear, no matter what happens, you must not worry too much.”

Upon hearing this, the Emperor lets out a slight laugh.

“Mother is thinking too much.”

Layue lowers her head and does not speak much, staying quietly.

The Emperor helps the Empress Dowager to the door, and as he passes Layue, he gives an order: “You also follow.”

“Yes.” Layue obediently follows behind.

In fact, this has nothing to do with her, but she cannot refuse to go.

As she watches the two walk in that direction, she guesses it must be An Guibin’s quarters. Layue raises an eyebrow, thinking that An Guibin’s child is likely in trouble.

After all, De Fei is one of the four consorts and currently holds the highest rank among the consorts. Yet, the Emperor has chosen to visit An Guibin first, which must mean there is something significant about An Guibin’s condition.

When the Emperor arrives at An Guibin’s quarters, he finds many people already gathered there, and even De Fei has been carried in on a stretcher. Layue is surprised but does not speak.

Layue stands in a corner, not getting too close.

“Who can tell me exactly why this happened?”

De Fei has injured her foot, but other parts of her body seem fine, while An Guibin is now unconscious.

Struggling to rise and respond, the Emperor coldly looks at De Fei until she kneels down.

His voice is calm: “What exactly happened?”

De Fei feels that she has been extremely unlucky recently, repeatedly being targeted. If she does not clarify today’s incident, the blame for An Guibin’s miscarriage might fall on her.

“Your humble concubine was preparing to leave after watching the play. As we were heading in the same direction, I was walking with An Guibin. When we reached that gravel path, I felt my foot slip, and I fell. When I fell, I might have bumped into An Guibin, or maybe An Guibin also slipped due to the path. At that moment, I was too panicked to be sure.”

In fact, De Fei could have completely omitted the possibility of her bumping into An Guibin, but she doesn’t know what An Guibin will say. She needs to leave herself a way out. Now that An Guibin has lost her child, she will surely be furious.

If she insists on blaming her and refuses to admit it, the Emperor might dislike her even more.

Having followed the Emperor for so long, she understands this. This is also why, despite making many mistakes, she remains the De Fei.

She can still grasp a bit of the Emperor’s intentions.

The Emperor’s fingers rhythmically tap on the table as he looks directly at the women around him.

“Did anyone else witness what happened?”

Everyone shakes their heads.

No one can clearly explain the situation at that time.

“Lai Xi, take someone to thoroughly investigate the gravel path. Check for any evidence.”

This is just a formality. The Emperor already knew about the incident and had already gone to investigate. This is just to increase the psychological pressure on these people. He wants to observe everyone’s emotional reactions.

This was no accident. He already knew.

As the Emperor watches everyone’s expressions, some calm and others changing, he says nothing and continues drinking his tea. As for An Guibin in the inner room, he does not ask further.

In fact, everyone knows that the Emperor is already fully aware of An Guibin’s miscarriage. Otherwise, he would not be in this state.

The sound of footsteps approaches, and Lai Xi enters with several young eunuchs.

“Your humble servant investigated the area thoroughly and found some talcum powder between the stones.”

The Emperor’s gaze quickly turns to the group, De Fei exhales in relief, while others look shocked and uncertain.

The Emperor smiles: “If someone wants to harm others, how could they leave such obvious evidence behind? De Fei, could this be your way to clear yourself?”

De Fei looks up in fear: “Your Majesty, I am innocent. I am innocent. I don’t know what happened. Besides, why would I do such a thing and harm An Guibin? I didn’t even know she was pregnant!”

Layue nods inwardly. An Guibin’s pregnancy must have been unknown even to herself. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been so careless today.

An Guibin is an experienced palace woman. If she had been pregnant, she would have taken extra precautions. But judging from her behavior today, she clearly didn’t. Therefore, she must have been unaware.

If An Guibin herself didn’t know about her pregnancy, who else could have known? And how did they find out?

Fu Jinyao stands aside and speaks softly: “Perhaps the talcum powder wasn’t even meant to harm De Fei and An Guibin.”

As soon as she speaks, everyone’s attention turns to her.

The Empress Dowager has been silent all along. Upon hearing her speak, she raises her eyebrows in question: “Oh?”

Seeing everyone looking at her, Fu Jinyao bows slightly and continues: “Perhaps the talcum powder wasn’t even intended to harm the two sisters. After all, the only publicly known pregnant woman is Jingpin.”

Yes, everyone knew that Bai Youran was pregnant, and she had suffered many schemes in recent days. If this was targeted at her, it would make sense.

Everyone fell into deep thought.

Layue was just like the others, bowing her head, but her thoughts were different. She felt intuitively that the talcum powder wasn’t aimed at Bai Youran at all. Although she had no evidence, it was just a hunch.

Someone must have known about Concubine An’s pregnancy.

Concubine An herself hadn’t noticed, but someone else had, and had planned accordingly.

“Concubine Hui’s words make sense. But how can we be certain that this was targeted at Concubine Jing?” the Empress Dowager continued to ask.

Fu Jinyao continued her analysis: “Don’t forget, Concubine Jing left early because she wasn’t feeling well. Under normal circumstances, after she left, she would have to pass through that area. Whether by palanquin or on foot, she should have been the first to arrive there. It seems the culprit must have even anticipated her illness.”

The Emperor stared at Fu Jinyao for a while before ordering Lai Xi.

“Go and ask Concubine Jing how she returned to her quarters.”

After Fu Jinyao’s analysis, everyone indeed connected this incident to Bai Youran. But then, why hadn’t she been harmed?

When Lai Xi returned with the truth, everyone learned that although Concubine Jing had felt unwell, she also felt hot and had taken a detour along a tree-lined path that was a bit longer.

Otherwise, Concubine Jing would certainly have encountered some trouble.

This explanation seemed to confirm the matter. It now appeared as though Concubine An and Consort De had been accidentally harmed instead.

After a long investigation, the Emperor entrusted the matter to the Empress Dowager and wearily rubbed his temples.

“Chun Guiyi, come and accompany me back to Xuanming Hall. The rest of you may withdraw.”

Although Layue was standing far away, once called upon, she promptly stepped forward.

Ignoring the envious or jealous glances from others, Layue accompanied the Emperor to Xuanming Hall.

“Help me bathe.”

The Emperor walked toward the inner chamber, where a hot spring pool awaited.

Layue had never bathed in it before, though she had served the Emperor during his baths previously.

Since her rebirth, she had not entered it until now—this was her first time.

The hot spring wasn’t very large, but it could comfortably accommodate six or seven people.

Sensing his low mood, Layue approached to help him undress, removing his bright yellow brocade dragon robe first, followed by the silk undergarments. Even though she had done this countless times, she still felt shy. Biting her lip, she untied his sash and, with a determined tug, pulled down his undergarments.

Once he was completely undressed, the Emperor stepped into the pool and slowly submerged his body.

Seeing that he wasn’t paying attention to her, Layue folded his clothes neatly and placed them in a dry area.

Looking at the pool, she noticed small dragon heads carved around the edges, each spraying water into the pool. The pool wasn’t very deep, with stone seats built around its perimeter. Lying back in it would surely soothe even the most troubled mind.

“Are you not coming in to serve me? What are you daydreaming about over there?”

Eh?

Layue was stunned by the Emperor’s sudden words. She hadn’t expected him to ask her to enter the pool. She knew his fastidious nature and had assumed he disliked bathing with others. She hadn’t expected him to invite her into this private hot spring.

She responded with a soft “Okay,” and slowly began to undress. The Emperor lay back, watching her openly without any sense of propriety.

Layue bit her lip, feeling shy. It was always awkward to undress in front of a man, and she felt particularly bashful.

“You’re taking so long—are you not fond of the hot spring?” the Emperor teased lightly.

At his words, Layue’s face flushed red. She quickened her pace, for she certainly did like it.

After mentally preparing herself, she finally summoned her courage, slipped off her dress, and stood there. Unlike the Emperor, who wore many layers, she wore only a white bodice and matching undergarments beneath.

She reached behind and untied the straps of her bodice, letting it slip off, followed by her undergarments.

Standing completely naked, she felt uneasy, tightly pressing her legs together and crossing her arms over her chest. Her arms were slender, barely covering her full, rosy-tipped breasts.

The sight was undeniably alluring.

The Emperor had always known of her beauty, but today, in the misty glow of the inner chamber, her snow-like skin, slender waist, and full hips were even more striking. Her delicate face resembled fine porcelain.

Indeed, a woman’s beauty blossomed with care. When she first entered the palace, her phoenix eyes had already held a hint of allure, but she had mostly been innocent, like a slightly sweet but unripe fruit. Yet, in less than a year under his attention, she had transformed completely.

Her eyes now carried even more charm, and her face had become far more radiant than before.

He extended his hand toward her.

No words were needed—just from his gaze, Layue understood what he wanted.

She stepped lightly to the edge of the pool, tentatively dipped her foot in, then pulled it back with a shy smile.

Then she stepped in again, slowly submerging her body. Noticing that his hand remained still, Layue thought for a moment and moved closer. But the moment she placed her hand in his, he pulled her into his arms with a sudden motion, sending a splash of water into the air.

“Ahh…” Layue gasped in surprise.