Chapter 89:

“Taor, who do you think the real culprit is?”

During the game just now, Taor had not been present. Inside the room, only Madam Gui had been serving, while Taor had been waiting outside.

Taor tilted her head, thinking for a moment, and then mysteriously replied, “I think there are several suspects.”

“Oh?” Layue waited for her answer.

“The first one is the young lady. Don’t look at me like that. She really has been targeting Bai Gengyi. Doesn’t she seem quite suspicious? Also, I saw that she hesitated for a moment when she swore her oath.”

At that time, they had all been kneeling there, so they couldn’t see as clearly as a servant could.

Layue nodded. “Since she’s the first, there must be more.”

“Right, the second is Lady De. She might have framed herself and then pretended to investigate. The Emperor would surely treat her better to make amends.”

“The third.”

“The third is Concubine Jing. Everyone knows that the sisters don’t get along. Since Bai Gengyi is so malicious, now that Concubine Jing is pregnant, she must be afraid of Bai and worried that she might harm her child, so she might strike first.”

“The last one is Lady Hui. Now everyone knows that the child of Lady Chen was killed by Bai Gengyi. Also, the Empress Dowager said that Bai had done many bad things. Could it be that Lady Hui’s child was also involved? So Lady Hui wants revenge.”

After finishing in one breath, Taor looked at Layue, waiting for her mistress’s summary.

However, Layue only smiled faintly.

“Taor, your observation and analytical skills are very strong.”

Taor grinned. “I entered the palace at a young age, doing boring chores every day, which I found very dull. Later, I found this interesting and started liking to gossip about the affairs of the palace mistresses. Of course, I know it’s not good, but I can’t break the habit. Besides, occasionally it might even provide some amusement for you.”

Layue also smiled. It was hot weather, and no one went out. On their way back, they only saw some young eunuchs and maids, no one else.

“Actually, the suspects you just suspected weren’t all.”

“Eh?” Taor was puzzled.

Layue smiled. “Actually, you forgot one person, that is—me.”

Taor stopped, but quickly regained composure. “Of course I know my mistress didn’t do it.”

Layue nodded. It was no secret that she disliked Bai Xiaodie, and Chen Yulan was her cousin. So she could also be considered a suspect.

“You know, others don’t. But no matter what they do, we should just live our own lives peacefully.”

The Empress Dowager did not wish to involve her, so she would not disappoint the kind intentions.

Sure enough, after today’s incident, Lady De launched a thorough investigation. It made sense—if she had really been framed, how could she accept it calmly? Many palace servants were summoned for questioning, even the Listening Rain Pavilion was no exception.

However, they were only minor palace maids, not even second-class ones.

Layue didn’t care. Perhaps precisely because of this attitude, combined with the Empress Dowager’s consistent favor towards her, people gradually stopped suspecting her.

The second day of Lady De’s investigation, Chen Yulan came to visit Listening Rain Pavilion, but Layue refused to see her. The same happened on the third day.

She wouldn’t meddle in what shouldn’t be her concern.

She wasn’t the kind of person who would give others chances after repeated attempts to harm her.

Although she cherished her aunt’s affection and wouldn’t harm Chen Yulan, it didn’t mean she would help her. What others did to Chen was none of her business.

In these days, many things happened in the palace. Lady De’s investigation caused unrest and made people resentful.

In addition, two other incidents, big or small, also occurred.

One involved Concubine Jing, Bai Youran, who was Bai Xiaodie’s sister and had a complicated relationship with her. Her attendants were taken away for questioning, and even Concubine Jing herself was interrogated several times by Lady De. Perhaps Lady De had bad luck, or maybe she had ulterior motives. It was also possible that Concubine Jing had plotted against her.

Not long after returning from Lady De’s palace, Concubine Jing started bleeding. The imperial physicians were quickly summoned, and even the Emperor came. The diagnosis was overexertion and excessive stress.

Bai Youran naturally played her part well, weeping and lamenting. Although their relationship was strained, they were still sisters. Her implication was that Lady De had wronged her and deliberately targeted a pregnant concubine.

Because of this incident, Lady De was scolded by Emperor Jing.

The investigation period was limited to five days.

Upon hearing this, Layue faintly smiled. Bai Youran was indeed clever.

But Lady De had no one to blame but herself. When she was already in a precarious position, instead of quickly finding the real culprit, she tried to target Bai. How could Bai be someone easily dealt with?

Another incident involved Zhu Yuning, who was demoted again from her previous rank to Lady Li.

This caused much mockery in the harem.

Being demoted for poor service to the Emperor was a shallow excuse, yet it was heartbreaking.

After much consideration, Layue decided to visit Zhu Yuning.

Although it wasn’t the best timing.

Xiaoyu, who served Zhu Yuning, hurriedly went in to report upon seeing Shen Layue’s arrival.

Soon, the two were sitting together. Looking at Zhu Yuning now, her eyes were slightly red and swollen, and she looked very haggard.

Layue’s expression turned cold. “Did he hit you?”

Zhu Yuning was startled, then bitterly shook her head. “No, I just served him poorly, and he pushed me a bit, causing me to bump into the table corner.”

Although not beaten, it was still because of Emperor Jing.

Layue sighed. “Sister, why put yourself through this?”

Zhu Yuning sat there blankly, looking at Layue. “Actually, I envy you.”

Layue had never imagined that someone could envy her.

Seeing her puzzled expression, Zhu continued, “Perhaps you don’t realize it, but you don’t know how many people in the palace envy you. They envy how you’ve always gained the Emperor’s favor, even the Empress Dowager favors you. But I’m different. What I envy is that you entered the palace at a young age, as innocent as a blank sheet of paper, and met the Emperor. Though he has many women, he treats you well.”

Envy her?

If she knew how Layue had lived in her previous life and how lost she was in this one, she would never say such words.

Innocent like a blank sheet of paper—yes, that was exactly what she had been in her previous life. But what had that brought her? Her beauty faded before the Emperor’s affection ended.

In this life, she was merely an actress, craving power yet trying to hide it.

“Sister, perhaps my words are too blunt, but please understand: no matter who you met before, now that you’re in the palace, you must forget the past. Otherwise, you’ll harm not only yourself but also your loved ones and others.”

One can’t understand the pain of loss without experiencing it.

Zhu Yuning had helped her in her previous life and was especially kind in this one. Although Layue was cautious about trusting others now, she still carefully distinguished between people.

She only hoped she could persuade Zhu to understand: offending the Emperor in the palace would never lead to a good outcome.

“I know that very well. But doing is always harder than saying.” Zhu sighed.

But she quickly regained her spirit.

“Anyway, since the day I returned to the capital, I’ve decided to stay in this palace and live like a caged bird. I will never do anything to implicate others.”

Zhu seemed indifferent about revealing her own intentions.

“There are few people in this palace who can live happily and contentedly. Sister, just live well.”

Both were moved. After some small talk, Layue tried to persuade her a bit more before her servant Xiaodeng came looking for her.

The Emperor had arrived at Listening Rain Pavilion and was waiting for Layue to return.

This was a major matter that couldn’t be delayed. After bidding farewell to Zhu Yuning, Layue hurried back.

As soon as she entered, she saw him standing there with a stern face, clearly displeased.

“Your Majesty, I greet you.”

He didn’t speak, merely waving his sleeve, but the meaning was clear.

Layue naturally stood up.

“Why did Your Majesty come at this hour?”

It was just a polite greeting, but Emperor Jing seemed somewhat displeased. “Why? Can’t I come?”

Seeing his expression, Layue was secretly annoyed but maintained a smiling face, naturally taking his arm. “I wonder what I did to make Your Majesty so unhappy. Could it be that you came here happily to see me, but found me absent?”

Her tone was teasing, but her words softened the Emperor’s expression.

“You went to see Lady Li?”

Layue nodded, her expression half-smiling. “Last night she failed to serve you well and was demoted. It’s all over the palace now. Of course, I had to go see. Lady Li is injured.”

“Slap.” Her bottom was hit.

Emperor Jing raised his brow. “You thought it was me who hit her?”

Layue quickly smiled. “Of course not. Lady Li said it was her own accident. Actually, I was suspicious that she was covering for you, but upon closer inspection of the wound, it really didn’t look like it was caused by a hand.”

Someone else might have let the matter slide, but Layue insisted on explaining it in such detail.

Emperor Jing snorted. “There are many sisters in this palace. I see you only getting along with her.”

Upon hearing this, Layue rolled her eyes slightly. “Yes. Originally, Bai Youran and I also had a good relationship. But then, because of you, the bad guy, now we’re lucky if we don’t tear at each other when we meet.”

This remark lightened the Emperor’s previously gloomy mood.

He gently pinched her nose. “Are you implying that if I favored Lady Li more, you wouldn’t get along with her either? You’re really a little vinegar jar.”

Layue pulled him closer, facing him directly, and looked at him for a while, solemnly saying, “Jealousy comes from truly loving you. Perhaps you don’t understand now, but you will in the future.”

Her words made him chuckle.

“I also like you.”