Chapter 14: Gaining an Opportunity, Everyone is Surprised

Shen Layue sat in her own Six Blessings Palace, laughing openly and audaciously.

Jin Xin looked puzzled and moved to shut the window, but Layue shook her head at her. Jin Xin then reopened the window.

Layue knew very well that Lady An would definitely have someone watching her. Besides, they lived in the same courtyard; it was too easy for An to learn about her movements.

She wanted everyone to know that she was ambitious and scheming. Only by displaying such a character would people feel at ease with her.

In this palace, competition for the Emperor’s favor was not the real danger—what was dangerous was not competing at all.

Once you entered the palace, no one could ever remain unscathed. Pretending to be indifferent or timid would only make others more suspicious.

Layue chose to be audacious. In her previous life, she never discovered who among her attendants had been the Emperor’s spy. In this life, she didn’t expect to uncover it either. Sometimes, when you act for too long, you might even start to believe it yourself.

Yet thinking back to what had happened earlier at Empress Dowager Huici’s palace, Shen Layue couldn’t help but smile. Indeed, Lian Xiuyun had acted exactly as she had in her previous life—arriving late on purpose to attract the Empress Dowager’s special attention and showing off her talent.

So what if she spoke eloquently? The Empress Dowager had said nothing, but the eyes of Consort Xian had been like knives.

Actually, Consort Xian had cast many sharp glances today.

There was Zhu Yuning with her beauty, Fu Jinyao who had already won the Emperor’s favor, herself dressed up elaborately, and now Lian Xiuyun who deliberately tried to stand out. Hmm, if there was anyone else, perhaps Bai Xiaodie who had drawn the short straw could count as well.

Look at that—she wasn’t as obscure at the beginning as she had been in her previous life.

The reason Layue disliked Lian Xiuyun was that she had never been able to figure her out. Lian could indeed be considered a talented woman of the age. If it came down to comparing literary talent, perhaps few in the palace could rival her. But she always preferred to take the unconventional path.

First, she had deliberately arrived late. Then she used her silver tongue to flatter the Empress Dowager, hoping to earn her favor.

So what if she could speak beautifully? Once she had established her position, she had intentionally pushed Consort De into the water. Then she cried foul, claiming someone had deliberately bumped into her. But from Layue’s vantage point, it had been clearly visible that she had done it herself.

Lian must have been aiming for a double benefit—eliminating Consort De while clearing herself. She must have prepared a contingency plan on someone else.

But the Emperor was no fool.

He had not even given her a chance to speak and had immediately sent her to the cold palace.

Even so, the Lian family still believed in Lian Xiuyun, convinced that among those present there must be a real culprit. Among these people was Shen Layue herself.

Layue was speechless at the Lian family’s logic. Thinking again about the affair between Lian family’s second master and Bai Xiaodie, this family really produced extraordinary characters.

In the past, she had admired Lian Xiuyun’s talent and interacted with her often. But now, she would never do that again.

What good was talent?

Speaking of today, she hadn’t achieved the effect she had expected. After she had laughed enough, Shen Layue realized her intuition had indeed been accurate—Lian Xiuyun had really failed today.

She didn’t know why, but seeing the atmosphere at Empress Dowager Huici’s palace today, she had felt that Lian Xiuyun might not succeed. Unexpectedly, her guess turned out to be right.

***

In the main hall of Chaolu Palace,

Lady An was reclining on a chaise lounge, the room filled with fragrant incense as she sipped tea.

Qiqiao stood behind her, fanning gently.

The two were chatting casually.

“Your Ladyship, just now Xiao Suo came back from spying on Shen Changzai and said she was in a particularly good mood, laughing nonstop in her room.”

Lady An spat, “Just another fox enchantress.”

Hearing her mistress’s words, Qiqiao’s eyes flickered, and she lowered her voice, “Then, Your Ladyship, shall we…?” She made a gesture, implying eliminating her.

Lady An glared at Qiqiao. This maid was becoming more and more tasteless, suggesting such foolish ideas.

“Qiqiao, when did it become our turn to do such things in this palace? Look at Consort De and Consort Xian who control the harem—have they ever dared to make someone disappear mysteriously? I see you’ve enjoyed too many good days and have become reckless.”

Qiqiao thought for a moment and instantly turned pale, realizing the truth. Regardless of whether the Emperor managed the affairs of the harem or not, the Empress Dowager would not tolerate anyone trampling on her authority. Each palace had the Empress Dowager’s spies, and the Empress Dowager had taken special notice of this year’s group of new concubines. If they recklessly dealt with Shen Changzai, they might soon become someone else’s target.

Lady An sipped her tea, “We cannot become a weapon in someone else’s hand. As for Shen Changzai, I have observed her and she is no quiet type. Let’s just watch her for now.”

Qiqiao, being Lady An’s most trusted maid, naturally thought for her mistress’s benefit. Lady An understood this and gave only a subtle reminder, “Tell our people to keep a close eye on Shen Changzai.”

“I understand, Your Ladyship. From what I see, Shen Changzai has a lot on her mind. Today, only she and Consort Li dressed extravagantly. If we don’t take precautions early enough, once she gains the Emperor’s favor…”

“You’re being foolish! Every woman who enters the palace wants to gain the Emperor’s favor and rise in status. Those who appear gentle and kind on the surface may not be sincere inside. The silent dog bites. Those who seem honest and obedient are the ones who deserve the most caution.” Lady An, who had been in the palace for many years, naturally understood all this.

Qiqiao obediently agreed.

Lady An put down her teacup and signaled to Qiqiao. Qiqiao waved her hand, and several people left, leaving only the mistress resting in the room. Lady An lay there quietly, thinking deeply.

Regardless of Lady An’s thoughts, Layue was already contemplating her next plan.

The Empress Dowager had issued an edict that, due to her advancing age and lack of energy, she no longer required daily visits from the concubines, and only required visits on the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month. This arrangement gave them much more free time.

The Empress Dowager was no simple character. She had risen from a lowly concubine to the position of Imperial Noble Consort, and her second prince had been immediately named Crown Prince upon birth. Her intelligence could be imagined. Although she now claimed to be old, she was barely in her forties—how could she be considered old? Layue knew that even ten years later, the Empress Dowager would still be living comfortably in Huici Palace.

She must be fully aware of every matter in the palace.

As for the Emperor, Layue dared not underestimate him at all. The Emperor expressed emotions, but more as a strategy to win people’s loyalty. Matters of the court were deeply entangled with the affairs of the harem.

Since she did not have a prestigious family background for the Emperor to exploit, she could only rely on herself. The Emperor had favored Fu Chongyi last night, so it was likely Consort Li’s turn tonight.

But judging from today’s performance, the Emperor must have already noticed her. She wondered whether her efforts in dressing up would be effective.

If she couldn’t be the one the Emperor used, then she would be the one who entertained him.

Though she had ten years of experience, entering the palace again was like starting anew. She still needed to think carefully. Her bold behavior today had probably already displeased many.

Lady An had not spoken much, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t angry.

Previously, there were only eight consorts in the palace, and the Emperor had distributed his favors evenly. But now with so many new concubines, the original balance was about to be disrupted.

Layue sat alone for a while, then ordered Jin Xin to bring a cup of hot tea, which she sipped slowly. Although it was still hot in early autumn, she disliked cold things. She had never liked them, and after reading medical texts and learning that cold things were harmful to women, she had stopped consuming them entirely.

Before long, she heard hurried footsteps outside.

Jin Xin and Apricot both looked surprised and delighted.

Noticing their expressions, Layue turned her attention.

Both of them bowed, “Your Ladyship, the Chief Eunuch Lai Xi from the Emperor’s side has arrived.”

Indeed, the Emperor’s trusted Chief Eunuch, Lai Xi, had already arrived in the hall with several junior eunuchs.

Layue tidied herself up and walked out with a charming smile, handkerchief in hand.

“Your humble servant greets Lady Shen,” Lai Xi and the junior eunuchs bowed. These were eunuchs who enjoyed the Emperor’s trust more than even the consorts. Layue naturally responded with warmth and friendliness.

“The Emperor has summoned Lady Shen to accompany him tonight in Xuanning Hall. Please prepare yourself early, Lady Shen,” Lai Xi’s expression remained neutral, but his tone was gentle. In fact, even Lai Xi himself was somewhat surprised that the Emperor had chosen Shen Changzai. However, having followed the Emperor since childhood, he naturally would not show it or speak out of turn. He knew that Shen Changzai, who had won the first night’s favor, was definitely not as simple as she appeared.

Shen Layue happily thanked Lai Xi, and Jin Xin discreetly handed him a red envelope. Lai Xi accepted it without hesitation, expressed his gratitude, and then left properly.

Though others might not understand, Layue certainly did. Whether it was the Chief Eunuch Lai Xi or the Deputy Chief Eunuch Lai Fu, both had grown up following the Emperor since childhood and shared a special relationship with him.

These were not people anyone could easily bribe. They had seen so much wealth in the palace that if he had declined her gift with excessive gratitude, she would have been truly alarmed.

Upon hearing that their mistress had been chosen by the Emperor, everyone in Six Blessings Palace was overjoyed.

This was the way of the palace—favor brought respect, and disfavor brought hardship to the servants as well. No one had expected their mistress, who did not seem to be the most outstanding among the new concubines, to be the first to win the Emperor’s attention.

At this moment, everyone conveniently forgot that Fu Jinyao had already accompanied the Emperor before. After all, Fu Jinyao’s relationship and status with the Emperor were incomparable to theirs.

But Shen Layue was different. Her family background was unremarkable, her literary talent unknown, and her beauty paled in comparison to the capital’s most beautiful woman.

This unexpected turn of events left everyone astonished.