The empress is both charming and seductive, rising through the ranks of palace intrigue.

After about half a cup of tea's time, Yang An came in from outside.

"Your Majesty, Consort Zhuang has arrived. She says she has important matters to discuss with Your Majesty."

Xiao Yu's face immediately darkened, but he remained silent.

Yang An added, "Consort Zhuang said that if the Emperor does not wish to see her, she will kneel outside for a long time without getting up."

Ning Shuyan naturally understood what Consort Zhuang was thinking. The new consort would soon enter the palace, and if Consort Zhuang did not take this opportunity to win back the Emperor's heart, it would be even more difficult.

After a long pause, Xiao Yu finally spoke: "Let her in."

Ning Shuyan nodded and said, "Then I shall take my leave."

Xiao Yu grasped Ning Shuyan's hand and said softly, "I will come to see you again tonight."

When Consort Zhuang entered, she saw the Emperor holding Ning Shuyan's hand. She gritted her teeth, suppressed her displeasure, and stepped forward, saying, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

Ning Shuyan also curtsied to Consort Zhuang and then withdrew.

Walking to Consort Zhuang's side, she glanced at Ning Shuyan sideways, concealing the disgust in her eyes.

When Ning Shuyan stepped outside, she heard a thud. She looked at the foggy sky outside and took a deep breath.

"Your Majesty, if I have done anything wrong, you may scold or punish me as you please, but please don't neglect me."

Consort Zhuang knelt on the cold, hard gold bricks in the main hall, looking at Xiao Yu with teary eyes.

"What wrong has Consort Zhuang done?" Xiao Yu turned his head slightly, his eyes as cold as ice.

Consort Zhuang was slightly taken aback, then bowed to the ground and choked out, "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have been jealous and done something unforgivable."

Unforgivable! Xiao Yu snorted coldly. Why did he neglect Consort Zhuang? It wasn't just because she planted Green Bud in Ning Shuyan's palace, nor was it just because he was wary of Nangong Yun.

Rather, as an emperor, he could not tolerate having powerful patrons in the palace. The presence of Green Bud proved that Consort Zhuang had a second and a third person in the palace.

That's why he spared Lürui's life—to serve as a warning to Consort Zhuang and the entire palace. Making Consort Zhuang force Lürui to her death was also important; it would give him leverage over the Nangong family. He had given Nangong Yun face; if he harbored any ill intentions in the future, he wouldn't hesitate to show no mercy.

"Your Majesty, I have been with you for seven years. You know my nature. I was just confused for a moment, Your Majesty."

Xiao Yu's handsome face was cold and indifferent as he said calmly, "Consort Zhuang, I have spoiled you all these years. I have never blamed you for your petty tantrums and jealousy. As a consort, you should follow the rules, be dutiful, and not have any improper thoughts."

Consort Zhuang slumped to the ground, looking up at Xiao Yu in a daze: "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. Please forgive me, Your Majesty? For the past two months, Your Majesty has neglected me. I have been unable to sleep at night, and I miss Your Majesty every moment."

Xiao Yu sat silently, his long, slender fingers tapping lightly on the wooden table.

Consort Zhuang suddenly pulled out the hairpin from her hand, and a strand of hair on her head fell down instantly. Tears rolled down her face as she said sorrowfully, "Without the Emperor's love, there is no meaning to my life. I would rather die."

As she spoke, she placed the hairpin against her neck.

"Stop!" Xiao Yu quickly intervened.

The hairpin was sharp and had already left a shallow mark on her neck, from which bright red blood instantly oozed out.

Consort Zhuang's hand remained firmly planted, her beautiful face streaked with tears: "If Your Majesty does not forgive me, what meaning is there for me to live!"

Xiao Yu walked down, reached out and snatched the hairpin away, his tone indifferent: "Are you threatening me?"

Consort Zhuang looked up at Xiao Yu, her eyes filled with deep sorrow and pain. She gazed at him intently, her eyes filled with affection: "Your Majesty, I am not threatening you. It is my blessing to die from this hairpin."

Xiao Yu lowered his eyes to look at the pink tourmaline hairpin, and a complex expression gradually appeared between his cold brows.

"You still keep this hairpin."

Consort Zhuang looked at the hairpin and smiled slightly, as if reminiscing about the past. "Over the years, although Your Majesty has bestowed countless hairpins upon me, none can compare to this in my heart. This was the first thing Your Majesty gave me when you were a prince, and I treasure it like a precious jewel."

As Xiao Yu recalled those days, his stiff face gradually relaxed.

"Your Majesty, this hairpin was a gift from you when I entered the Prince's residence. You said that I would be your concubine from now on, and you even put it on me yourself. Do you remember, Your Majesty...?"

A pang of heartache welled up inside her; those days were gone forever.

Xiao Yu's face showed several complex expressions, with a hint of guilt. He helped Consort Zhuang up and said gently, "Get up."

Consort Zhuang slowly rose, then suddenly threw herself into Xiao Yu's arms and cried loudly, "I knew it! Your Majesty still cares for me, doesn't Your Majesty? I know I was wrong. Your Majesty, please don't neglect me anymore!"

Xiao Yu gave a deep "hmm," closed his eyes, and reached out to pat her back.

Consort Zhuang, who was sobbing in his arms, suddenly smiled with joy. She knew that although the Emperor usually seemed cold and indifferent, he was actually a person who cherished old feelings.

Inside the Moon-Viewing Pavilion.

"Your Highness, Consort Zhuang stayed in Zhaochen Palace for an hour. It seems that what you thought was true."

Ning Shuyan was serving tea, the steam rising and the aroma filling the air. She looked at the tea and said, "After all, she's a woman who's been favored for many years, and with the Nangong family as her backer, she won't lose favor in one or two times."

Qiu Le nodded.

"The princess of Rong Kingdom is coming soon, and the harem will be even more lively then. Finally, someone with a family background as illustrious as Consort Zhuang is arriving; I reckon there will be quite a show to watch."

Ning Shuyan swirled the tea in her hand and smiled faintly.

"I heard that the Rong Kingdom plans to send its princess over on New Year's Eve."

Ning Shuyan took a sip of tea: "I've heard that the people of Rong have always loved singing and dancing and have a bold and unrestrained personality, unlike the women of our dynasty who are required to be dignified and virtuous in their speech and behavior."

Liuli's eyes flickered slightly as she whispered, "I've heard that the women of Rong Kingdom are all as beautiful as fairies."

Ning Shuyan looked up. "Oh, really? Then I'm curious, just how alluring?"