Chapter 49:

Jin Xin was taken aback, but quickly shifted her thoughts, her eyes dimming slightly. She was the most loyal and had grown up in the Shen household from childhood, her devotion to Shen Layue surpassing her understanding of imperial authority.

“Are they someone from the Emperor’s entourage?”

Layue smiled and nodded.

After thinking carefully, Jin Xin spoke cautiously, “Blindly suspecting anyone would only mean condoning the true mole. We should investigate thoroughly.”

Seeing Jin Xin’s attitude, Layue smiled even more broadly. “Jin Xin, I’m glad you’re thinking so carefully. You must understand, this is not our Shen household. Even in our Shen family, there are rivalries between the first, second, and third branches. How much more so in the palace? Not trusting anyone blindly is indeed wise.”

“Do you have any suspicions, my Lady?”

Based on her past-life experiences and careful observations in this life, Shen Layue replied, “No, I haven’t identified who it is yet, but there are two people who definitely aren’t the mole. Apricot and Mosquito can be trusted. The mole must be either Peach or Fruit.”

Although in her previous life they hadn’t betrayed her, after her rebirth, Shen Layue had thought deeply about the matter. She had paid special attention to them upon entering the palace this time, and had increasingly felt that the Emperor’s agent placed beside her back then must have held a significant position. Considering various suspicious circumstances, Layue narrowed her suspicion down to either Peach or Fruit.

“I understand, I’ll be more cautious around them.”

“No, you mustn’t appear overly attentive. I think if they are indeed agents placed by the Emperor, they certainly won’t be simple-minded. If you pay too much attention to them, you’ll only alert them. We just need to be careful in our actions. This is no longer the time when we had just entered the palace, when we could suspect anyone. Now that we’ve had more contact with them and seem to have developed trust, we shouldn’t pay excessive attention to them.”

“I understand.”

Jin Xin was clever and quick to grasp the meaning.

As soon as Shen Layue spoke, she understood.

“As for Xiao Anzi, you needn’t interfere. He knows what to do. Just let others believe he’s not particularly favored by me.”

Jin Xin acknowledged.

Xiao Anzi was a chess piece placed by the Shen family for her. Unexpectedly, others had also tried to win him over. This actually worked out well. She could play along with the situation. During the recent interrogation of the palace staff, Xiao Anzi had deliberately revealed information as bait. Unexpectedly, these people were rather stubborn.

***

For several consecutive days, Emperor Jing had been staying at Zhu Xuan, causing murmurs of discontent throughout the palace. However, no one dared to challenge Fu Jinyao directly.

Shen Layue also received several groups of concubines, all trying to incite her to compete for the Emperor’s favor. Layue ignored them and didn’t engage in gossip with them, so naturally, fewer people came.

Every time these people left, Layue would shake her head and smile. It was no wonder she reacted this way. Emperor Jing naturally wouldn’t sleep with anyone else. The phrase “staying at” merely meant he spent a few hours at Zhu Xuan before leaving.

She really didn’t believe that Emperor Jing would disregard Fu Jinyao’s health and engage in intimate relations with her.

She just couldn’t understand why these people couldn’t bear it when he simply visited Fu Jinyao every day.

Trying to incite her? Did they really think she was impulsive?

The weather was cold, so Layue didn’t go around visiting others much. When people came to see her, she would just go through the motions of hospitality. When no one came, she would chat with several palace maids or occasionally read medical books.

This day was no different. Layue put down the book she was holding and yawned, causing the palace maids nearby to laugh.

Jin Xin, slightly less restrained, remarked, “If the imperial physicians knew that my Lady uses medical books as a sleep aid, they’d probably be so angry their mustaches would stand straight up.”

“You’re quite bold, daring to tease me like this. It was just a yawn, and you managed to associate it with so much.”

Layue pretended to be angry.

The others laughed even harder.

Peach, standing nearby, supported Jin Xin, “Every day I tidy up these books, I’m afraid I’ve already learned to read them. A few days ago, my Lady even mixed up the herb Platycodon.”

Her words were full of teasing.

Layue’s face turned red as she scolded, “Alright then, you’re all rebelling against me now, bullying me like this. Just wait until I deal with you…”

“Deal with what?” A male voice with a hint of laughter interrupted.

Layue was startled and quickly stood up. By then, Emperor Jing had already entered the room. He had a habit of appearing like this.

“This concubine greets Your Majesty.”

“Stand up.”

The palace maids, quick to catch on, discreetly withdrew.

Layue personally brewed tea for Emperor Jing.

“Why aren’t you using the palace maids?” His yellow robe was slightly speckled with snowflakes. It was snowing heavily outside, and even with an umbrella, it was hard to avoid getting some snow on him.

While pouring the tea, Layue noticed the state of his clothes and quickly brushed off the snow on his outer garment before replying, “I’ve instructed them that whenever you come, I will personally serve you. There’s no need for them.”

Emperor Jing smiled ambiguously, “What? Are you afraid that the Emperor will take a liking to your palace maids and keep them for himself?”

Layue stamped her foot in protest, pouting, “How can you say that, Your Majesty? Could it be that you have such intentions? This concubine won’t allow it.”

Emperor Jing burst into laughter, “You’re such a little vinegar jar.”

“I’m not!” She turned his face toward her and declared solemnly.

Emperor Jing wasn’t annoyed at all. In fact, he seemed rather pleased.

“Alright, alright.” Although he said this, his tone was somewhat dismissive, which caused Layue to protest again.

After playing around enough, Layue pulled Emperor Jing onto the heated brick bed and they sipped tea while keeping warm.

“You seem quite close with your palace maids.” His tone was neutral, revealing neither pleasure nor anger.

Layue knew he had overheard their conversation.

She didn’t pretend or act coy, simply nodding with a smile, “It’s cold, so this concubine is too lazy to go out. Keeping company with the palace maids and having some fun makes time pass quickly.”

“I haven’t seen you for these past few days, and I feel like you’ve gained some weight. Staying indoors all day must mean you’re fattening up. With the New Year approaching, I think this little piggy of mine will soon be ready for slaughter.”

She widened her eyes, clenched her little fist, and pounced on him.

Emperor Jing hadn’t expected this. Unprepared, he was pushed down by her and fell back with the momentum.

Layue hadn’t expected Emperor Jing to be unguarded either, and now she was lying on top of him, the two staring at each other wide-eyed.

Layue’s face suddenly turned bright red. She struggled to get up but was too nervous, her movements uncoordinated.

As she moved again, his large hand landed on her bottom.

“What… what are you doing?” she asked in a soft, coquettish voice.

Emperor Jing replied seriously, “You want it? Alright then, go ahead.”

Layue’s eyes widened. He had completely misunderstood her meaning.

That wasn’t what she meant at all. Besides, how could the emperor of a great nation speak like that?

It was too… indecent.

“That’s not what I meant. You’re making things up. How can you bully me like this…”

Emperor Jing laughed and kept his hand moving, “Oh my, you only know how to say that one sentence. You keep saying I’m bullying you. Well then, what can you do about it, my little Yue’er?”

Layue was furious and gently bit his nose. Of course, she carefully controlled the force, making sure not to leave a tooth mark that would embarrass the emperor when he went out. Even if he didn’t blame her, others wouldn’t let her off easily.

For a moment, Emperor Jing stiffened, but then he quickly flipped over, pinning her beneath him.

He kissed and nibbled her lips.

Before long, low breathing and soft moans filled the room…

After their intimate moment.

The two lay naked together under the covers, Layue resting her head on his chest, grumbling, “Daytime lovemaking. It’s so improper.”

“You little enchantress, you were the one who tempted the Emperor, yet you pretend to be innocent. Among all the women in this palace, you’re the best at putting on an act.”

Layue bit his chin again, “Don’t compare me with others.”

Emperor Jing lightly patted her bottom, “Alright, alright, the Emperor won’t say it anymore. You’re always denying your jealousy, yet you’ve become quite skilled at biting people.”

“I don’t bite others.” She lifted her small chin proudly.

Emperor Jing especially loved seeing her lively expressions, as if it made him feel younger.

“You, always causing trouble.”

“Have not, have not.” She wriggled again, but quickly stilled when she heard his heavier breathing.

Emperor Jing chuckled lowly, “If you keep misbehaving, the Emperor will have to discipline you.”

She immediately behaved herself.

“Did you go to the Empress Dowager to complain about something the other day, Yue’er?” He brought it up casually.

“Hmm.” Layue’s voice was muffled.

“You didn’t come to tell me about it,” his tone was ambiguous.

Layue gave him a light punch, “How could I bring such matters to you? You’re busy with state affairs every day. How could I trouble you with this?”

Actually, Layue herself had noticed that the more she broke the rules and occasionally acted recklessly, the happier Emperor Jing seemed to be. She didn’t quite understand why, but since he liked it, she would make sure to maintain the appropriate boundaries.

Emperor Jing lightly touched her nose and gently kissed her delicate cheek.

“You’re quite considerate. You’re cousins, yet your cousin is so foolish and dull.”

“I’ve truly given up on her completely.” Layue sighed.

“Yu Lan has a better family background than me, a harmonious family, a gentle disposition, and many friends. Unlike me, my mother passed away early, I have a restless personality, and few close friends. Back then, she was always better than me, overshadowing me. But now that we’ve entered the palace, the situation has reversed. I suppose she couldn’t bear it. Tell me, how could she tolerate others gaining your favor, yet not tolerate me? Why must she constantly try to harm me?”

Hearing the sadness in her voice, Emperor Jing gently caressed her hair with a hint of tenderness.

“Don’t be sad. She’s not worth your sorrow. In this palace, you still have me.”

Upon hearing these words, Layue looked up at him. Seeing his clear eyes, she kissed him directly…