Huici Palace.
Inside the inner chamber, the sound of the guqin lingered in the air. Anyone witnessing this scene would surely be astonished beyond words—for the one playing the guqin was none other than the most honored woman in the palace.
As the melody faded, the Empress Dowager stared somewhat vacantly at the qin strings. “Agui,” she murmured, her eyes brimming with untold stories, “why do I suddenly find myself recalling events from decades past?”
Agui, having prepared some pastries, smiled and replied, “Perhaps it’s because Your Majesty saw Concubine Shen today?”
Sighing softly, the Empress Dowager continued, “Indeed, Concubine Shen does remind me of myself back then. I, too, was so naïve when I first entered the palace. Because of my lowly status, the late Emperor placed me in the position of a favored concubine. Those of high status often had no favor nor children, but their families were given important positions. Those of average status might have children without favor, and while their sons were valued, their fathers and brothers remained in mediocre posts. As for those of low status like me, we might enjoy great favor for a time, but had nothing else. The late Emperor was a master strategist. Without you, I shudder to think what would have become of my two sons.”
Perhaps also recalling those days, Agui comforted her, “Your Majesty, why dwell on such things? It’s all in the past now. Regardless of everything, the one sitting on the throne today is your son.”
“Yes, he is my son. But how many people have been hurt by that throne? My two sons are now enemies. I began life innocent and naïve, but eventually resorted to any means necessary. I’ve truly had enough of this life. Seeing Concubine Shen today made me realize—I was once young, too, just like her. Do you think I paid extra attention to her simply because of what the Emperor said? No, I merely thought of myself. What she’s going through now is merely what I once endured.”
Agui, having accompanied the Empress Dowager her entire life, naturally understood her grief and hardships.
“Concubine Shen…” As she thought of this, Agui’s heart stirred. She pursed her lips slightly and said, “Actually, Your Majesty needn’t worry about Concubine Shen. From what I’ve seen, she’s no simple person.”
The Empress Dowager shook her head with a smile. “Who in this palace is truly simple? These young people today are even more clever than we were back then. If we had to tread carefully back then, how much more so now? If Concubine Shen were really as innocent and harmless as she appears, then I would have misjudged her entirely.”
Realizing that the Empress Dowager had already seen through Concubine Shen’s façade, Agui was initially puzzled but quickly understood.
“I had originally thought Your Majesty favored Concubine Chen.”
The Empress Dowager shook her head. “That was indeed my initial thought, but now I no longer believe so. Concubine Shen is more worthy.”
“Your Majesty means to…” Agui left her sentence unfinished.
The Empress Dowager nodded with a faint smile. Even so, a glint of sharpness flickered in her eyes.
“What I hate most in my life are those noble-born ladies. As for Shen Layue, I shall watch her rise step by step to the highest position.”
Agui showed no surprise at the Empress Dowager’s words. She naturally understood the reasons behind her actions. Years of tacit understanding meant no further explanation was needed.
All she needed to do was carry out the Empress Dowager’s will. If the Empress Dowager wished to elevate Shen Layue, she would do her utmost.
Though the Empress Dowager was already in her forties, her well-preserved beauty still revealed traces of her youthful charm. Gazing at a portrait of herself in her youth hanging in the chamber, she stood before it, speaking softly as if to herself, “In this lifetime, I will never allow any woman surnamed Fu to become my daughter-in-law.”
At this moment, Agui’s expression also turned sorrowful…
***
Although Emperor Jing treated Layue well, he still did not spend the entire night in Tingyu Pavilion. Everyone in the palace knew the Emperor never spent the entire night with any woman in the same bed—not even the most favored Empress Fu Jinxiu.
Exhausted but still forcing herself to rise, Layue attended to the Emperor as he changed clothes.
The Xuanding Hall had a hot spring, and it was the Emperor’s habit to bathe there before sleep.
Noticing her drowsy eyes, Emperor Jing gently kissed her cheek. “Rest well.”
“Mm.” She accompanied him to the door, returning to her room at his urging, though she still lingered by the door, secretly watching his retreating figure.
Seeing this, the Emperor felt quite pleased.
Only after his figure disappeared from sight did Layue turn back inside, where Jin Xin had already prepared the bathwater for her.
After tidying everything up, Layue yawned. Though her body was tired, she no longer felt sleepy.
This new life had begun promisingly. She carefully reviewed her actions over these past few days—surely there had been no mistakes?
Although she was puzzled by how the Empress Dowager differed from her previous life, Layue clearly understood that with reincarnation, not everything would remain the same. Moreover, people’s fates and encounters could not be predicted.
At least, the Emperor’s preferences had not changed.
As for her own behavior today, Layue smiled faintly. Though she appeared innocent and naïve on the surface, the Emperor, being a man of deep thoughts, naturally wouldn’t fully trust her. Even the Empress Dowager likely saw through her act.
But even so, what could they do?
She had left herself some room. The Emperor could see her intentions, and the Empress Dowager could read her mind—this was actually better. A woman who possessed minor cunning, who longed for favor and loved the Emperor, was precisely the kind of person others could feel at ease with.
Now that she had received the Emperor’s favor, jealousy from others in the palace was inevitable.
The Empress Dowager had instructed her to continue playing Weiqi with her tomorrow. It seemed things wouldn’t be so simple.
Dufei and Xianfei—Layue’s eyes flickered slightly.
Knowing Xianfei’s temper, she probably wouldn’t just sit idle, would she?
Xianfei was known for her domineering nature and would certainly not tolerate anyone sharing the Emperor’s affection. The group of newly entered concubines had already disrupted the previous sleeping schedule. Although Fu Jin Yao’s status wasn’t the highest, her family’s prestige as the Fu Chancellor’s household was significant. Thus, Shen Layue had become the most likely target.
Thinking this through, Layue sat upright. “Jin Xin.”
Pulling aside the curtain, Jin Xin briskly entered the room. Tonight was her turn to stay up with the watch. Among the four senior palace maids, each took turns staying up every night.
“Your Ladyship?”
The room was softly lit by candlelight. Everyone in Tingyu Pavilion knew that Concubine Shen disliked darkness and always slept with a lamp lit. Fortunately, the Emperor had not yet spent the night here; otherwise, it would have been inconvenient.
“I couldn’t fall asleep just now, and I suddenly thought of the days back at the mansion. Back then, Jin Ling’s cooking was truly wonderful. Although you weren’t skilled in cooking, your preserved fruits were excellent. Miss Yi Yi loved them dearly.”
Jin Xin hesitated for a moment, then slightly bowed. “Your Ladyship must be missing Miss Yi Yi. I still have some preserved fruits. I’ll go fetch them for you right away.”
Layue smiled faintly.
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