Chapter 39:

The Empress Dowager dismissed everyone but deliberately kept Shen Layue behind.

This act stirred resentment among the concubines, though they maintained gentle smiles on their faces.

Song was already in the Cold Palace and thus beyond reproach, but Chen Yulan was present here. If not for her using despicable means to harm Shen Layue, how could such an outcome have occurred?

The Emperor had elevated her status to make amends, and now the Empress Dowager was treating her this way too.

The glances cast toward Chen Yulan were as sharp as knives.

After keeping Layue behind, seeing her calm expression, the Empress Dowager nodded and said, “The sunlight is quite nice today. Accompany me for a walk.”

Layue quickly stepped forward to support the Empress Dowager: “This morning when I came over, it felt a bit chilly. Your Majesty should wear an outer robe.”

Madame Gui naturally understood and draped a sapphire-blue velvet cape over the Empress Dowager.

Looking at the Empress Dowager’s attire, Layue smiled slightly and said, “When I first entered the palace, I heard that the Emperor favored the color blue most. Many sisters wore blue garments to please His Majesty.”

The Empress Dowager said little, just gazing at her.

“But just now I suddenly thought perhaps everyone was mistaken.”

The Empress Dowager laughed: “You are indeed clever.”

Layue did not avoid the topic and chatted casually with the Empress Dowager.

She pouted: “I’m not clever at all.”

Seeing her like this, the Empress Dowager patted her hand.

“How are you getting along with the medical books these days? If you like, I can grant you a few volumes,” the Empress Dowager said casually.

Without thinking deeply about the meaning behind her words, Layue politely declined with a smile: “Thank Your Majesty for your grace. However, I merely read to pass time, and I’ve barely gone through a few pages of this book. If Your Majesty grants me books, I would feel rather ashamed. After all, books also need a kindred spirit.”

The Empress Dowager laughed again: “So books have feelings now? You’re still young, always thinking about things in such a way.”

Although they were walking, they did not go far, just strolling around the courtyard. Looking at the trees that were already somewhat bare, the Empress Dowager continued smiling: “Last night’s heavy rain left these trees suddenly bare.”

Layue understood that the Empress Dowager must have been thinking about Chen Yulan’s attendance last night.

“What difference does being bare make? They will bloom again next year. After all, it’s just the cycle of the four seasons.”

“Yes, just the cycle of the four seasons. One should view everything with an ordinary heart.” This was the Empress Dowager’s indirect way of comforting Shen Layue. Layue didn’t understand why the Empress Dowager had suddenly become so kind to her, even openly signaling to others that she was on Layue’s side. This had never happened in her previous life. Layue was puzzled about the reason.

“I understand, Your Majesty.”

The Empress Dowager nodded satisfactorily.

The two strolled in the garden, quite comfortably.

However, this tranquility did not last long. Madame Gui approached with a grave expression.

The Empress Dowager did not avoid Shen Layue, perhaps because although the matter was important, it was not something that needed to be hidden.

“Speak. What nonsense is happening now?”

Layue lowered her gaze to her toes, appearing indifferent.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, someone from Fu Guibin’s palace has come. They discovered a skeleton in the dry well of Jiaoyun Palace’s courtyard, which seems to have been there for quite some time. Fu Guibin was frightened and suffered a miscarriage.”

After listening, the Empress Dowager’s tone turned slightly cold: “Fu Guibin could not have discovered this herself. Go fetch De Fei. It seems Jiaoyun Palace also needs to be rectified. Since she is pregnant and unable to manage things, let De Fei take over. Why was such a despicable matter allowed to reach her presence? I have said many times that the imperial heir is of utmost importance. It seems some people treat my words as if they were passing winds.”

The Empress Dowager expressed her anger but did not mention summoning a physician.

Layue lowered her head in thought, wondering whether this was a test aimed at her. What a coincidence that such a matter occurred precisely now.

But she said nothing. If she could disappear, she would have hidden far away already.

“Chunpin, you may return first.”

“Yes.”

Layue hurried away with her maids Xing’er and Tao’er.

This matter was not something she should get involved in. Next, Fu Jin’ao would probably move to Zhuxuan.

Speaking of Zhuxuan, it was a very special place in the palace, having been so since the previous emperor’s time. The favored women would always move there. In her previous life, Fu Jin’ao moved to Zhuxuan after Virtuous Consort fell.

Although this place was not an entire palace, merely bearing the title of “Xuan,” it carried another layer of meaning.

That was the power of being the “favorite concubine.”

“Chunpin, my elder sister,” a soft voice came.

Shen Layue looked over and saw Bai Xiaodie. Though she felt some dislike, she did not show it and spoke in a calm tone: “Why are you here, Lady Bai?”

Bai Xiaodie, who was actually older than her, insisted on appearing delicate and petite.

“After yesterday’s heavy rain, the air is always fresh. I love walking after the rain and enjoying the fragrance of the earth.”

Seeing her act so affected, Layue did not wish to engage further: “Then Lady Bai, please continue enjoying the fragrance. I must return to my quarters to rest.”

After speaking, she turned to leave, but Bai Xiaodie had other intentions and hastily blocked her path.

“Why is Chunpin in such a hurry? Why not walk together?”

“I’m tired.” Her words were blunt.

Seeing her like this, Bai Xiaodie bit her lip and looked pitiful: “Chunpin, I just wanted to talk because we were both hurt by Yulan. You are her cousin, and I was like a sister to her. I used to be addressed as ‘elder sister’ by her. But she treated us this way, and my heart feels especially pained. But then I thought, perhaps we misunderstood her. Maybe she was also harmed by someone despicable?”

Hearing this, Layue’s expression did not change, but her tone became somewhat stern: “Lady Bai, you have spoken improperly. In the palace, we are all sisters, all serving the Emperor. It is normal to call each other sisters; there is no need to emphasize closeness or otherwise. As for Yulan, although she is my cousin, she is also the Emperor’s Chen Anying. As the saying goes, ‘A woman follows her husband upon marriage.’ We should all prioritize the Emperor. Matters concerning the imperial heir are of great importance; no matter what, we cannot harbor such despicable thoughts. As for being wronged or who the villain is, I ask Lady Bai to be cautious with your words. Matters of the palace are for the Emperor and the Empress Dowager to consider. We should behave ourselves and serve the Emperor well. Could it be that Lady Bai doubts the imperial physician appointed by the Empress Dowager?”

Bai Xiaodie hadn’t expected Shen Layue to say such things. She stood there in stunned silence, at a complete loss, but soon began to cry with deep grievance.

“Chunpin, I really wanted what was best for Yulan. If she had truly committed such a despicable act, why would the Emperor have visited her? We were all friends with her before. If we don’t help her now, are we going to watch her be bullied?”

Hearing this, Layue actually laughed. Bai Xiaodie was indeed not simple-minded. Was she mocking her for having Chen Yulan steal the Emperor’s visit last night?

“Lady Bai is indeed speaking out of turn. Does the Emperor’s visit to anyone require your approval? As for saying that Chen Anying was bullied, that’s even more unfounded. If it weren’t for the evidence provided by Lady Bai at the Huici Palace, the Empress Dowager would have conducted a more thorough investigation. It was precisely because of Lady Bai’s evidence that Chen Anying’s guilt was confirmed. How could you now, seeing that Chen Anying has received the Emperor’s favor, want to cozy up to her? If that’s the case, I think Lady Bai should wait at the gate of Jiaoyun Palace as early as possible.”

Layue twisted the logic and mocked Bai Xiaodie.

Her lips trembling, big tears kept falling: “I didn’t, I didn’t do anything. Why are you saying this….”

“What is Lady Bai doing, making it seem like I’m bullying you?”

“Isn’t Chunpin bullying her? Bai Anying is already crying like this. Why is Chunpin being so relentless?” A female voice sounded. Shen Layue looked over and saw Lian Xiu Yun.

Although she had been promoted after receiving the Emperor’s favor, Lian Xiu Yun’s current rank was still lower than Shen Layue’s. She performed a respectful curtsy but spoke rather impolitely.

“Does Lady Lian think Bai Anying is right? Why is Bai Anying crying? Isn’t it because she is in the wrong? The palace emphasizes etiquette the most. I wonder what Lady Lian’s intentions are with such behavior.”

“Whether she is right or wrong is not for Chunpin to decide. As for me, I simply cannot stand by and watch someone take advantage of the Emperor’s favor to bully others.”

Shen Layue raised her eyebrows: “If Lady Lian does not clarify your intentions today, I will certainly go to the Empress Dowager or Lady De Fei to seek justice. Whether someone is right or wrong is not for me to decide, certainly not for you, Lady Lian, or this Bai Anying who feigns innocence with tears. If crying could solve problems and make others think you are innocent, then I wouldn’t mind giving it a try either. Lady Lian, to accuse me without understanding the truth, I wonder what you are relying on! People say Lady Lian is the most talented woman in the capital. But from what I see, you are nothing but a fraud with a false reputation.”

“You…” Lian Xiu Yun was so angry her face turned red.

“I remember clearly that Bai Anying is even older than me,” Shen Layue said with slight mockery. Did she think she was easy to bully?

Her principle in this life was always: if others do not provoke me, I will not provoke them. But if someone slapped her left cheek, she would not only slap back on the left but also on the right.

Bai Xiaodie continued to cry pitifully.

“Why must Chunpin be so heartless?” Bai Xiaodie covered her face, looking even more aggrieved.

“Don’t cry. We have the truth on our side and can go anywhere in the world. Let’s go find the Empress Dowager to seek justice.” Lian Xiu Yun put her arm around Bai Xiaodie’s weeping shoulder and glared at Shen Layue.

“Can someone tell me what exactly is happening here?” A sudden male voice rang out. A man in a golden dragon robe stood there, his expression unreadable.