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

Seeing Mi Jieyu lean back, Xiao Yu quickly helped her up. She used the momentum to hug Xiao Yu, her voice trembling as she said, "Your Majesty, I twisted my ankle..."

Xiao Yu looked at the woman in his arms, who was holding him tightly with her head buried in his cloak, and his hands hung down stiffly.

Consort Mi raised her eyes and looked at Xiao Yu with a seductive gaze, her voice sweet and soft: "This concubine can't walk anymore."

Everyone looked at Xiao Yu, and the Empress hurriedly said with concern, "Your Majesty, please send Consort Mi back."

Mi Jieyu struggled to her feet and put her arms around Xiao Yu's shoulders.

Xiao Yu frowned slightly, glanced down at Mi Jieyu in his arms, and picked her up.

"Summon Imperial Physician to Yunhua Palace."

Mi Jieyu wrapped her arms around Xiao Yu's neck and pressed herself against his chest triumphantly.

Xiao Yu placed her on the sedan chair but then got off. Mi Jieyu quickly grabbed him, saying, "Your Majesty, won't you accompany me back to the palace?"

Xiao Yu said calmly, "I still have state affairs to attend to." After saying that, he turned and left.

Consort Zhuang glared fiercely at Consort Mi's retreating figure, her anger blazing: "Is this befitting a princess? Is this befitting a concubine? What kind of woman clings to a man like this? So coquettish and affected. Doesn't the Empress care?"

Ning Shuyan was greatly surprised and found it amusing that Consort Zhuang would use such words, and in her opinion, these words were especially suitable for her.

When Consort Zhuang questioned her, the Empress was immediately displeased: "What's wrong with it as long as His Majesty is pleased?"

The Empress adjusted the phoenix hairpin at her temple, a faint smile playing on her lips as she departed.

Consort Ying stepped forward and said gently to Consort Zhuang, "Why bother arguing with her at this time, Consort Zhuang? We all know why she is favored."

Yes, everyone knows that Consort Mi is just a pawn in the alliance between the two countries. Since she has just entered the palace, Xiao Yu will give her some favor out of consideration for the Rong Kingdom.

Consort Ying spoke softly and gently, which softened Consort Zhuang's expression slightly. She rolled her eyes and said, "I just can't stand her."

Consort Rong chuckled: "It's not just Consort Zhuang who disapproves of her." She raised her handkerchief, pursed her lips slightly, and turned away with her head tilted back.

The garden party ended just like that. On the way back to the palace, Consort Xi said, "What Consort Zhuang said is quite right. After all, all the concubines in the palace were there, and Consort Mi was acting coquettishly and charmingly in front of the Emperor. It was really improper."

After saying that, she looked around again, then leaned close to Ning Shuyan's ear and said, "And I heard that she often dresses provocatively and dances seductively in her palace."

Ning Shuyan's almond-shaped eyes widened: "Who told you that?"

Consort Xi chuckled lightly: "She and Consort Ye live in the same palace, so Consort Ye naturally knows more or less about it. Many concubines know about this matter."

Ning Shuyan nodded. No wonder some people say that every woman in Rongguo is like a fairy.

"Don't worry, the Emperor won't dote on her too much." A faint smile played on her red lips.

"Why?" Xi Jieyu turned to look at her.

Ning Shuyan smiled faintly, gazing leisurely ahead, and said, "If she were only a little alluring and seductive in private, it wouldn't matter. But if everyone in the palace knew that Consort Mi was vixen and frivolous, yet the Emperor still doted on her..."

Ning Shuyan didn't finish her sentence, and Xi Jieyu gradually understood.

If Consort Mi were like that, and the Emperor still favored her, others would only say that the Emperor was infatuated with Consort Mi's beauty and was not a wise ruler.

Xiao Yu, however, is someone who places great importance on his reputation and adherence to rules.

Take Ning Shuyan herself for example. No matter how charming she is in front of Xiao Yu, at least in public, her words and actions are always proper and there is nothing wrong with her. No one would say that she serves others with her "lust".

When she paid her respects the next day, Mi Jieyu acted as if nothing had happened, and her gait was even lighter than usual.

Consort Zhuang toyed with the bracelet on her wrist, her beautiful eyes rising coldly: "Didn't Consort Mi injure her foot? Why do I see you walking faster on two legs than on four?"

Consort Mi's lips curled into a cold smile: "Your Highness, you shouldn't have stepped on my skirt yesterday. You should have given me a push. Then I wouldn't have disappointed you today."

Consort Zhuang scoffed, "You're lying through your teeth! When did I ever step on your skirt? What proof do you have?"

Consort Mi laughed lightly and delicately: "Why is Your Highness in such a hurry? I haven't told the Emperor about this."

Ning Shuyan and Xi Jieyu exchanged a glance, feeling like they were watching a fight between two tigers from the sidelines.

Consort Mi was fearless and immediately clashed with Consort Zhuang upon arrival.

The two stopped arguing after the Empress arrived.

The next day, at Yunhua Palace, in Feiyan Hall.

With the Emperor's personal arrival, Consort Mi was already waiting for Xiao Yu at the palace gate. Since the Emperor had finally agreed to come in person, she was determined to find a way to charm him.

As Xiao Yu entered, he saw the woman standing in the wind, her clothes thin and light, which made her look delicate and charming. She smiled and bowed to him, and for some reason, a familiar scene flashed through his mind.

Xiao Yu stepped forward and slightly raised his hand: "No need."

After saying this, he walked towards the inner palace. After Consort Mi helped Xiao Yu take off his cloak, she said softly, "Your Majesty, my foot is healed. I have prepared a dance for Your Majesty and am waiting for you to come and enjoy it."

Xiao Yu sat down on the couch, casually taking a sip of tea. "Then I must carefully appreciate Consort Mi's dance."

Consort Mi smiled brightly and radiantly: "Your Majesty, please wait a moment while I go change my clothes."

Xiao Yu nodded, narrowed his eyes slightly, and rubbed his temples wearily.

After a while, he heard footsteps and lazily raised his head. He saw that Mi Jieyu had changed into a begonia-colored dress. To be precise, the top only covered her ample bosom. She had a wide, matching shawl draped over her arm, making her walk light and graceful.

The skirt is embroidered with golden birds spreading their wings and is inlaid with chains with crystals, making it shimmer and sparkle when you walk.

Seeing Xiao Yu look up, Mi Jieyu swayed her waist and used her slender hands to lift a shawl to cover her beautiful face, giving people a hazy, picturesque feeling, like a flower hidden in the mist.

Her waist swayed gracefully, every movement exuding allure.

Looking at her exposed waist, Xiao Yu's originally bright eyes dimmed a bit. Mi Jieyu was considered beautiful, charming and alluring, especially her eyes, which were naturally captivating. She had all the right features, but there was always something lacking about her.

Xiao Yu stared intently at her. Yes, if her waist were a little thinner, her legs a little longer, and her eyes a little more innocent and clear, then she would be flawless.

Thinking about this, Xiao Yu himself felt a little strange. In the past, he doted on Consort Rong not only because of her appearance, but also because he liked her voluptuous figure. He didn't know when his preferences had changed.

Mi Jieyu gently flicked her shawl across Xiao Yu's face, and the tingling sensation vanished instantly. She walked with an alluring grace, her eyes captivating him.

Upon seeing this, the palace servants quickly and silently retreated, and even after walking a short distance, they could still hear their mistress's sweet voice.