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

Inside Qingyun Hall, calming incense wafted gently from the peacock-shaped incense burner, filling the air.

"Will Your Majesty still be staying at Liuyin Palace tonight?" the Empress asked, watching the wisps of white smoke rising gently.

Du Ruo nodded: "That's right. It's rare for the Emperor to favor a concubine for three consecutive days."

The Empress felt troubled thinking about the day Yu Xiang angered the Emperor and was banished from the palace. Rubbing her eyes, she said in a deep voice, "If Consort Ning becomes capable and can take away Consort Zhuang's favor, that would be good."

Du Ruo whispered, "This Consort Ning seems to be quite capable. I noticed that the Emperor treats her somewhat differently."

The Empress raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly: "Our Emperor's favorite women have always been those who can bring him benefits and those who interest him. Over the years, Consort Ying, Consort Lin, and Consort Xu—weren't they all favored by the Emperor in the past? Now, they've all been forgotten. It's a good thing if he visits their palace once a month. As for Consort Ning, she's just a passing fancy for the Emperor. If he can favor her for a year or two, then he'll be considered capable."

Over the past nine years, she had seen all sorts of women, and the Emperor had favored countless women, yet only Consort Zhuang's favor remained unbroken. In truth, she wasn't unaware that Consort Zhuang's favor stemmed largely from her family background. But if Consort Zhuang were simply a law-abiding woman, it wouldn't have mattered; instead, she coveted what she shouldn't have and constantly opposed her. How could she tolerate that?

As long as the Nangong family remains powerful, Consort Zhuang will forever be a thorn in her side in the harem. Besides, Consort Zhuang has been by the Emperor's side for six years; it's impossible that the Emperor has no feelings for her. Otherwise, why would he have favored her for so long?

Inside the Liuyin Hall.

Ning Shuyan and Xiao Yu had just lain down when Qiu Le stood outside the curtain, hesitant to come in. Ning Shuyan noticed the figure behind her and asked, "What is it?"

Qiu Le then entered and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, a palace maid from Zhaohui Palace just reported that Consort Zhuang is feeling unwell. She requests Your Majesty to go and see her."

Ning Shuyan was slightly taken aback, then turned to look at Xiao Yu, whose face was somewhat somber. She called out, "Your Majesty..."

Xiao Yu frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then looked at Ning Shuyan: "If I leave, will Shuyan feel uncomfortable?"

Ning Shuyan lowered her eyes slightly and said softly, "How could that be? Consort Zhuang is not feeling well, so His Majesty should go and visit her."

Xiao Yu moved his lips, but said nothing, his face showing a hint of hesitation.

Ning Shuyan added, "Your Majesty, please go quickly. Consort Zhuang must be very worried about you right now."

After a while, Xiao Yu gently rubbed Ning Shuyan's cheek and said softly, "I will come to accompany you again tomorrow. Get some rest."

Ning Shuyan lowered her head and said, "Yes, Your Majesty, I understand."

After speaking, Ning Shuyan picked up the clothes from the side and helped Xiao Yu put them on. Xiao Yu took two steps, then turned back to look at Ning Shuyan, his eyes filled with a complex expression, before turning away again.

The commotion dispelled her sleepiness, so Ning Shuyan took out a book and leaned against the headboard to read.

Qiu Le said, "Your Majesty, judging from the Emperor's eyes just now, if you had tried to persuade him to stay, he probably would have. Why did you push him away?"

Ning Shuyan smiled lazily: "If he didn't want to go at all, he would have refused without hesitation. Rather than letting him feel guilty towards Consort Zhuang, it's better for me to be the magnanimous one."

Qiu Le nodded slowly: "This servant understands. His Majesty will feel some guilt towards you after leaving, and he will also feel that you are very understanding."

Ning Shuyan's gaze remained fixed on the book, the candlelight illuminating her face with a serene and tranquil expression. She said casually, "Besides, even if the Emperor hadn't hesitated today, I would have still advised him to go to Chaohui Palace. Otherwise, Consort Zhuang will definitely become hostile towards me. If Consort Zhuang targets me one day, and something happens, the Emperor might not necessarily be on my side. Why should I go against Consort Zhuang now? There's plenty of time in the future; what I should do now is bide my time and conceal my abilities."

Qiu Le's eyes were full of praise: "Your Majesty is truly wise. I haven't learned anything in the palace these past few years."

Ning Shuyan looked at her with a smile and said gently, "You came from the manor, just like Ziying. I don't need you to be too mature, as long as you're both well. After all, the only people I can trust are the two of you."

Qiu Le's eyes were brimming with emotion as she said, "Yes, this servant and Zi Ying are determined to serve our master to the death."

Meanwhile, on Xiao Yu's side, just as they were about to reach Chaohui Palace, Consort Rong's palace servants stopped the imperial carriage again.

"Your Majesty, the First Prince has a fever. Consort Rong requests Your Majesty to go and see him."

Xiao Yu's already displeased expression darkened further, as if shrouded in a stormy cloud. He roared, "Am I the imperial physician?! You come to me when you're sick? Get out!"

The palace maid couldn't help but shiver and quickly kowtowed and retreated. She felt that if she stayed even a moment longer, she might lose her head.

Yang An quickly whispered, "Your Majesty, please calm down and take care of your health."

Xiao Yu narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "Return to Chengguang Palace."

He had absolutely no desire to go to Consort Zhuang's palace at this moment. He hadn't really wanted to go in the first place, and this commotion only made him more annoyed. He usually didn't interfere with the concubines' jealous squabbles. But today, it was truly irritating.

Upon returning to Chengguang Palace, Xiao Yu still said, "Go and see. If the Crown Prince's illness is serious, then come and tell me."

Yang An quickly agreed, knowing that the Emperor still cared about the eldest prince, after all, he was his only son.

The next morning, Ziying looked at Ning Shuyan with a beaming smile as soon as she woke up. Ning Shuyan couldn't help but chuckle, "Is there some good news? You seem so happy."

As Ziying helped Ning Shuyan get dressed, she said, "Miss, you don't know, the Emperor stayed in Chengguang Palace last night."

Ning Shuyan was taken aback: "You didn't go to Chaohui Palace?"

Ziying smiled broadly: "Consort Zhuang invited the Emperor away from your side, but she didn't expect that she herself would be outmaneuvered by Consort Rong. I heard that the Emperor was furious at the time and went straight back to Chengguang Palace."

As she spoke, her eyes and brows radiated undisguised joy; after all, her young mistress had been wronged.

Ning Shuyan glared at her and said with a hint of reproach, "Take your smile off, or someone else will see it."

Ziying nodded repeatedly: "This servant knows, this servant will just smile in front of Miss."

Ning Shuyan knew from the moment she entered the palace that Consort Zhuang was notorious for intercepting others and trying to get the Emperor to leave. However, the Emperor favored her, and she almost always went.

This time, however, the Emperor did not give face to anyone. I wonder how angry Consort Rong and Consort Zhuang will be.

In truth, no matter how much a man dotes on you, if he uses that one trick too often, he'll eventually grow tired of it. She didn't believe the Emperor could tolerate Consort Zhuang so much.