Chapter 43:

Perhaps it was because of Zhu Yuning’s loss of composure, but the Empress Dowager waved her hand and said, “Enough, everyone, leave now. I wish to have a word with Prince Liu in private.”

“Yes,” everyone replied in unison.

They stood up, bowed slightly, and left one after another.

There was a certain etiquette to exiting the room, of course. The senior consorts, led by Consort De, walked ahead. Consort Li, who held a rank equal to Layue’s and also had a title, left alongside her. Just then, Prince Liu cast another glance.

Layue appeared outwardly calm, but her heart was pounding. It seemed that not only she, but everyone else, was filled with suspicion. After all, no woman in the harem lacked perceptiveness.

Prince Liu’s gaze had certainly caused many to speculate inwardly, and Consort Li’s reaction was indeed somewhat strange.

Consort Li, Prince Liu, and the Shens could, in fact, be connected. And even though Consort Li had lost her composure just now, Layue still felt that the glance had been directed at her.

Back when the Shens had fallen into misfortune, both Consort Li and Prince Liu had played a role in helping them, forming a subtle link between them. As these thoughts raced through her mind, Layue had already stepped outside.

After bidding farewell to the senior consorts, Layue left with Xing’er.

Even as she departed, Layue caught something unusual from the corner of her eye. Bai Xiaodie glanced at her figure, then walked to Chen Yulan’s side, and the two seemed to be whispering something.

Layue smirked with a hint of mockery; the two of them had indeed managed to find each other.

Indeed, Bai Xiaodie was no ordinary woman. Despite the way Chen Yulan had treated her, she had managed to forgive her. Not only that, the two seemed to be on good terms. Layue recalled how Chen Yulan had offered advice when she arrived earlier, and how Bai Xiaodie had arrived even later than them.

Layue quietly murmured to Xing’er beside her, “Once we get back, summon Xiao Dengzi to see me immediately.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Layue’s eyes flickered. She hoped it wasn’t what she suspected. If they had indeed set up some kind of trap, even if she hadn’t fallen for it, she would certainly not let it slide.

Glancing back, she saw the two looking her way at the same time. Perhaps because there was no one else around, Layue gave them a meaningful smile, and both of their expressions changed.

As for the matter between Prince Liu and Consort Li, she would need to keep an eye on it, though there was no need to rush. But these two—she had no idea when they had become allies.

Could it be that her dear cousin really thought she wouldn’t dare to act?

***

Hui Ci Palace.

“My child, you’ve been back in the capital for over a month. It took you so long to come see your mother. As the old saying goes, children are nothing but debts—how true that is.” The Empress Dowager complained, looking at Prince Liu sitting below her.

Prince Liu’s expression was extremely indifferent, only the corners of his lips slightly lifted. “Your son had just returned to the capital, and my concubine Song suddenly went mad. There was no one suitable to take care of things around me, so I was rather busy. Now that everything has been sorted out, I hurried here to pay my respects to you, Mother.”

The Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes, a look of disappointment in them. How could she not understand such an excuse? Her son’s obvious insincerity sent a pang of sadness through her heart.

“With no one suitable by your side, I can find someone for you. There were many noble and virtuous young ladies in the recent selection.”

Prince Liu lowered his head, rubbing the jade ring on his finger, as if in thought. Then he looked up. “Thank you for your kind thoughts, Mother, but I do not need anyone.”

If it weren’t for their similar appearances, watching their mannerisms, no one would believe they were mother and son.

Seeing that he remained indifferent, the Empress Dowager sighed, her heart stirred. “Lian’er, why must you do this to yourself?”

A slight smile touched Prince Liu’s lips. “Mother is thinking too much. I have always been used to living alone. It took me a long time to become close to Song. Now that she has gone mad, it seems I really am as I was once said to be—an ill-omened person. If that is the case, why should I bring misfortune to any good young lady?”

“Lian’er?” The Empress Dowager slowly closed her eyes. After a long while, the pain passed, and she softly called her youngest son’s childhood name.

“Mother need not worry. I am fine.” Yan Lie showed a faint, almost imperceptible smile, as if nothing had happened.

Seeing his demeanor, the Empress Dowager sighed deeply. Nothing was as simple as it seemed, nor could everything be resolved immediately.

“You’ve been in Xiangnan so long, you’ve gotten darker.” The Empress Dowager changed the subject.

“Mother hasn’t changed at all.”

After some small talk, Yan Lie stood up to take his leave.

The Empress Dowager silently watched his back as he left.

“Ah Gui, do you think I made a mistake back then? If I hadn’t ignored him all the time, how could Lian’er have ended up this way? And how could he have done that thing, causing Che’er to hate him so deeply now?”

Seeing her mistress’s sorrowful expression, Ah Gui sighed too, but still tried to comfort her. “My lady, why do you take all the blame upon yourself? With all due respect, if Prince Liu did commit that deed back then, he should now have the strength to bear the consequences.”

Standing there for a long while, the Empress Dowager seemed to have made up her mind and raised her head. “Investigate Consort Li for me.”

“Yes.”

Though Consort Li was known as the most beautiful woman in the capital, she had never been favored. She herself seemed indifferent to such matters. The Empress Dowager had originally thought she was feigning composure, but seeing her lose her composure today had changed her mind.

Her eyes darkened, revealing a sharp glint.

“Your Majesty, could it be that the Emperor had his own reasons for summoning Prince Liu at this hour?”

At this, the Empress Dowager gave a faint smile. “When it comes to imperial affairs, among the sons of the late Emperor, none is more suitable than Che’er. A mother knows her son best. So, investigate Consort Li thoroughly.”

Before long, snow began to fall again.

Prince Liu walked straight ahead, letting the snow fall on him. In the distance, he saw the Emperor’s palanquin approaching.

“Your humble servant greets Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor, long live him forever.”

He knelt as soon as he saw the palanquin from afar.

When the palanquin drew near, Emperor Jing remained expressionless. “Rise. Has my younger brother seen Mother? Why didn’t you stay to have dinner with her?”

Prince Liu stood aside and did not look at the Emperor.

“Your servant has some official matters to attend to at home. I will not stay.”

“Official matters are not as important as Mother. My younger brother has become quite amusing these years.” The Emperor raised his eyebrows.

Prince Liu fixed his gaze on the Emperor. “Your servant is foolish.”

Seeing his demeanor, the Emperor’s expression turned slightly more amused.

“My younger brother is always like this.”

With a wave of his hand, the Emperor did not dwell on the matter and left directly.

Prince Liu watched the palanquin for a while, then looked down at himself, gave a cold laugh, and walked away.

Their meeting had been utterly uneventful, but Lai Xi knew that the Emperor was furious. After all, he had served him since childhood, and knew him better than anyone else.

After Prince Liu left, Emperor Jing arrived. The Empress Dowager was not surprised.

The mother and son entered the palace happily.

Lai Xi followed behind them with his eyes lowered, performing his duties with great care.

The two did not mention Prince Liu’s visit at all, as if nothing had happened.

Emperor Jing cheerfully accompanied the Empress Dowager through dinner, and left with a warm smile. But the moment he stepped outside, his expression turned cold.

Back in the Xuanning Hall, the Emperor entered his private chambers and submerged himself in the hot spring, sinking low into the water. Yet even so, he still felt surrounded by a sea of red blood. He suddenly emerged from the water, his face pale.

“Lai Xi.”

“Your servant is here.”

“Summon Lai Fu.”

When Lai Fu arrived, the Emperor was already sitting there in black robes, his hair still wet and loose, giving him a strangely seductive air.

“Your servant greets Your Majesty.”

“Was there anything unusual today?” He tapped the stone table with his index finger rhythmically.

“Prince Liu glanced to the left, and Consort Li knocked over her teacup. Later, when the Empress Dowager dismissed the consorts, Prince Liu looked again.” Though Lai Fu had not been present in the hall, he described the scene as if he had been there himself. Many careless consorts probably knew less than he did.

“Consort Li? Was she seated with Consort Chun?”

The Emperor did not stop his actions, nor did his expression show any emotion.

“Yes, Your Majesty. However, Consort Chun showed no unusual behavior, seeming as if she did not even know Prince Liu. On the contrary, Consort Chun seemed more concerned about Attendant Chen and Bai Wujian. The servant we placed in Consort Chun’s quarters reported that Xiao Dengzi left Tingyu Pavilion after she returned.”

Since Prince Liu had rushed back to the capital to visit the Shen family’s ancestral grave, Emperor Jing had added surveillance at Tingyu Pavilion.

Xiao Dengzi?

The Emperor smiled. “Is he under the Empress Dowager?”

“Yes.”

The Emperor nodded. That was even better.

“Add another person to watch Consort Li. These people are getting quite interesting.” His gentle smile was merely a mask; in truth, his moods were unpredictable.

“Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is also investigating Consort Li.”

Lai Xi and Lai Fu always had their own roles, yet complemented each other well. Others thought Lai Xi was closer to the Emperor, but few knew that Lai Fu was in charge of the Emperor’s darker affairs.

One in the open, one in the shadows, yet working seamlessly together.

“I will see what Mother can uncover. As for Consort Chun, we must keep a closer watch on her from now on.”

If Shen Layue did not know Yan Lie, then Yan Lie’s actions would be worth considering.

The Shen family’s ancestral grave? As if recalling something, Emperor Jing looked up. “Investigate every woman buried in the Shen family’s ancestral grave for me.”