Chapter 84:

The atmosphere in the palace was always like this: whoever gained the emperor’s favor would have an easy life.

Even without the emperor’s favor, having a child would make a difference.

The former case was like Shen Layue; the latter case was like Bai Youran.

Indeed, just as Layue suspected, Bai Youran was indeed pregnant, and it happened during the emperor’s inspection tour. She was already two months pregnant. In principle, if there was no special summons, each palace would have a routine medical check-up every month. However, the imperial physician had failed to detect her pregnancy, and she herself had not claimed any discomfort. Thus, it had dragged on until the second month.

Compared with Chen Yulan back then, Bai Youran was much smarter. The first three months of pregnancy were usually unstable, after which things improved significantly. Bai Youran had managed to conceal her condition for two whole months.

Layue couldn’t help but sigh; Bai Youran was definitely no simple woman. Thinking about it, Bai Xiaodie was no pushover either. Could these two sisters really be so different? Besides, in the Bai family, Bai Xiaodie’s mother was the head of the household, so Bai Youran’s life might not have been easy either. Her scheming mind might not be any less than Bai Xiaodie’s.

The emperor usually treated pregnancies equally. As long as a concubine was pregnant, there would always be some rewards. Bai Youran had already been promoted to the rank of pin (a title for imperial concubines) with the honorific “Jing,” hence known as Jingpin, or the Tranquil Concubine.

“Your Highness, the gifts have been arranged and sent over. You can rest assured,” Jinxin had always been reliable in handling such matters, never doing anything that could raise suspicion or be exploited.

Layue naturally trusted Jinxin.

“What have the other palaces sent?”

As Jinxin massaged Layue’s shoulders, she detailed the situation.

No one had expected this pregnancy from Bai Youran. Sometimes things were just inexplicable.

“Your Highness, what do you think about this pregnancy of hers?”

Now everyone in the palace was watching Bai Youran’s pregnancy. She was, after all, the third among the new concubines to become pregnant. However, neither Fu Jin’ao nor Chen Yulan had successfully given birth. Judging from that, Bai Youran’s pregnancy also seemed uncertain.

Layue looked at Jinxin and asked, “Jinxin, what do you think of Bai Youran as a person?”

Since Bai Youran’s pregnancy, there had been whispers in the palace that it was originally Lian Xiuyun who had harmed Shen Layue, supposedly for Bai Youran’s benefit. Naturally, since Shen Layue couldn’t accompany the emperor, there was one less person competing for his attention. Given Shen Layue’s favored status, if she had gone, there would have been no room for Bai Youran.

It was precisely because of that pilgrimage outside the palace that Bai Youran had the opportunity to conceive.

The causal relationship seemed straightforward.

Jinxin wasn’t unaffected by these external factors, but she tried her best to remain objective.

“As for Jingpin, I also find her somewhat enigmatic. Before going outside the palace, she came to Tingyuge, seemingly to show goodwill. If it hadn’t been for her, we wouldn’t have discovered Bai Xiaodie’s issues. However, one can’t be sure whether there were ulterior motives. According to our investigations, the two sisters harbored extreme hatred for each other. Yet, if we consider the possibility of Jingpin’s involvement in Lian Xiuyun’s actions, I think it’s unlikely. Lian Xiuyun had been close to Bai Xiaodie years ago and had a poor relationship with Bai Youran. Could they have started plotting so far back? Moreover, upon closer examination, Lian Xiuyun had a better chance of advancement than Jingpin. So even though they were close cousins, I don’t think Lian Xiuyun would have done this for Jingpin.”

“Putting aside these intrigues and schemes, think carefully about Bai Youran’s character. What do you think of her?” Layue prompted gently.

Jinxin paused, carefully considering her words: “I think she is deeply scheming. Whether or not she has malicious intentions, she definitely has ulterior motives. The matter with Lian Xiuyun is still inconclusive, but she managed to indirectly expose Bai Xiaodie. Looking at all the incidents since entering the palace, I sense that she is not a simple person.” After summarizing, Jinxin seemed to understand her mistress’s intention.

“Your Highness means that Jingpin is calm by nature and scheming, so this child might have a better chance of survival than the previous two?”

Layue smiled faintly: “Nothing is certain yet, but I do think this child has a higher chance of being carried to term than not.”

Jinxin nodded: “Your Highness, could this news at this time be another attempt by someone to use us as a tool?”

It seemed that every time someone else was pregnant, such situations arose.

Layue shook her head: “It’s fifty-fifty. Not entirely, but it might also be someone’s genuine speculation. However, aside from that, do you remember what Bai Youran said back then?”

Jinxin looked puzzled.

Layue smiled, enunciating clearly: “She said that becoming allies might not necessarily be the best choice. Jinxin, I’m thinking that perhaps she was right.”

“Eh?” Jinxin was confused.

Layue didn’t explain further but fell into thought.

“Reporting to Your Highness. Lady Lirong requests an audience.” A crisp voice from outside the curtain announced.

Zhu Yuning had been keeping a low profile lately, no one knew why.

In fact, Layue also knew that some people had already started secretly mocking her. After all, she was the most beautiful woman in the capital, yet she only had the reputation without the corresponding status. Although her rank had been promoted since entering the palace, it was still far from matching her reputation as the most beautiful woman.

She had almost no favor from the emperor, so how could people not laugh at her?

But according to Layue’s observation, lacking favor wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially for someone like Zhu Yuning.

She could tell that Zhu Yuning looked at the emperor as if he were a stranger. Her feelings towards the emperor were probably not deep.

Thinking back to herself, Layue felt differently. No matter what, she wanted to rise in rank and status. Therefore, the way she looked at the emperor was filled with many things. Zhu Yuning, on the other hand, didn’t even bother to pretend.

The emperor always complained about this one being too delicate or that one being too temperamental, but wasn’t he himself like that?

Why would he waste time on such a woman? Moreover, Layue couldn’t help but wonder if the emperor’s preference for a certain type of beauty was not in line with the current trend.

Thinking about the emperor’s strange habit of never sleeping with anyone, Layue maliciously speculated: could it be that he had been betrayed in his sleep by someone of this type of beauty?

But such thoughts were just fleeting. After all, such an idea itself was quite bizarre.

How could the emperor possibly encounter such a situation?

When Zhu Yuning entered, she saw Layue looking somewhat dazed.

Smiling, she teased, “What are you thinking about so intently?”

Layue snapped out of her thoughts and smiled, “I was just thinking about you, dear sister. It’s been so long since we’ve had a chat alone.”

If she had to choose between Bai Youran and Zhu Yuning, Layue preferred to be closer to Zhu Yuning. Why? Well, their past friendship was one reason. Another reason was probably Zhu Yuning’s eyes. There was a kind of detachment in Zhu Yuning’s gaze that others lacked.

Whether it was herself, Bai Youran, or even the noble concubines like Hui Fei and De Fei, and even the seemingly calm Qi Fei, everyone had their own desires. No matter how calm they pretended to be, their ambitious eyes gave them away, herself included.

But Zhu Yuning was genuinely indifferent.

Even though there had been no news from her maternal uncle’s side, Layue was beginning to suspect in her heart that Zhu Yuning might already have a beloved lover. And that person was very likely the most inappropriate one.

Upon hearing Layue’s words, Zhu Yuning gently pushed her, “You cheeky girl. Thinking about me? I think you’re probably thinking about the emperor. Otherwise, why would you be so absent-minded? If you were really thinking about me, you would have come to visit me. I don’t believe this talk for a second.”

Layue laughed and pulled Zhu Yuning to sit on the couch.

Jinxin was also quick-witted and promptly brought out the Yuxian Longjing tea that Layue had stored.

Zhu Yuning was also well-versed in tea. After taking a sip, she nodded in surprise and said, “Brewed with morning dew and Grain Rain water, this tea is the freshest of the season. The aroma must be from this year’s Yuxian Longjing.”

“I don’t know much about tea; I just drink it casually.” If she had said this in front of others, they might have thought Layue was showing off. However, with Zhu Yuning, it was fine, as she seemed indifferent to such things.

“When brewing this Yuxian Longjing tea, one can see the tea buds standing upright in the water, the tea liquor is clear and refreshing, with a delicate fragrance. The best is when it is picked as one bud with one leaf, commonly known as ‘one flag and one gun’.”

Layue picked up a handkerchief, covered her mouth, and giggled, “Others say that you, dear sister, are cold and indifferent, but I think that’s just because nothing has caught your interest yet. If they saw you like this, they would surely be surprised.”

Zhu Yuning, upon hearing this, paused and then laughed.

“I don’t have many interests in my life, but appreciating tea is one of my pleasures.” There was a hint of bitterness in Zhu Yuning’s smile. If Layue hadn’t been paying close attention, she would have missed it.

“Jinxin, divide half of the Yuxian Longjing given by the emperor and let your sister take it with her,” Layue said generously about some things.

Zhu Yuning did not decline, obviously genuinely fond of the tea: “Then I shall thank you, dear sister. I won’t refuse such a favorite of mine at all.”

Hearing her words, Layue still smiled.

“Pouting, she said, ‘It was meant for you from the start. If you refuse, it would seem insincere.'”

The two looked at each other and laughed, adding a bit of joy.

“Oh, by the way, why did you come today, dear sister?” Layue didn’t think Zhu Yuning had come merely for a visit.

Zhu Yuning tilted her head, a rare girlish gesture.

“I smelled the tea fragrance from your Tingyuge from afar, so I followed the scent here.”

The two laughed and joked again, and after that, Zhu Yuning’s expression turned serious.

“Dear sister, please listen to me.”

Layue looked at her.

“Even though your rank is higher than mine, you are still younger than me. I deserve the title of elder sister. I came here today just to say one sentence to you.”

Zhu Yuning’s face was sincere.

Layue said, “Of course, you deserve it.”

“No matter what others say, don’t fall for any provocations.”