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

When the two reached the koi pond, they stood in the pavilion. Consort Xi took the fish food from the palace maid and slowly sprinkled it into the pond.

The Thousand Koi Pond isn't just home to koi; there are also lotus leaves. In the clear water, red and goldfish vie for the food, with one occasionally leaping gently out of the water—their red like fire and their white like pearls—a truly beautiful sight.

Just then, Ning Shuyan saw Consort Rong walking towards them from not far away, accompanied by her maid Pei'er. Consort Rong had been lying in bed for two months and was now finally able to walk. Ning Shuyan helped Consort Rong walk step by step.

Ning Shuyan felt vaguely uneasy. When she paid her respects earlier, Consort Xi had mentioned that she would come to Qianli Pond. Consort Rong had never liked Consort Xi, so it was really bad that she would come and run into her now.

Ning Shuyan didn't want to get involved; she was afraid of getting caught up in trouble again. She quickly said, "I suddenly remembered I have something to attend to in the palace, so I won't keep Consort Xi company any longer."

Consort Xi frowned and glanced at Consort Rong not far away: "Very well, I'll return to the palace too."

When Consort Rong saw Ning Shuyan there, she was initially taken aback, but then a glint flashed in her eyes, and she said sternly, "Why don't Consort Xi and Consort Ning come to pay their respects to me?"

There was nothing they could do but stand still and bow to Consort Rong, who had already arrived.

Consort Rong did not rise, but slowly strolled to the railing, looking at the koi in the water, and said, "Doesn't Consort Xi find it boring to look at these fish every day?"

As she spoke, she slowly placed her hand on the railing.

Consort Xi, her face cold, rose on her own. Her tone was neither warm nor cold as she said, "Does Consort Rong need anything? If not, Your Highness, Consort Ning and I will take our leave."

Consort Rong gazed at the shimmering water, then suddenly exclaimed, "There's a golden koi here! Consort Xi said she prayed to the koi, she must have been referring to this golden koi. I've heard it's also called the 'lucky fish,' and this fish is so big, it's a rare sight outside the palace."

Xi Jieyu hadn't noticed any particularly large golden koi before, but this piqued her interest. She walked over and indeed saw a very large golden koi, its color beautiful and its tail long and flowing.

The sunlight shone directly on Consort Rong's face, and she seemed to be squint, raising her hand from the railing to shield her forehead. With a half-smile, she said, "Consort Xi and Consort Ning, please continue looking around. I'll go wander around elsewhere."

Ning Shuyan breathed a sigh of relief. She felt that something bad was bound to happen if Consort Rong hadn't left.

Consort Xi had no intention of paying attention to Consort Rong, so she beckoned to Ning Shuyan: "Consort Ning, come and see! There is indeed a very large golden koi here."

Ning Shuyan remained standing still, and Xi Jieyu said again, "Come and see quickly!"

Ning Shuyan then slowly stepped forward, but kept a distance from Xi Jieyu. Xi Jieyu then happily tossed a handful of fish food into the water.

Just as Ning Shuyan glanced at Consort Rong, a "thump" sound was heard.

Then, Xi Jieyu, dressed in a green dress, fell into the water.

As Xi Jieyu sank into the blue waves, her green dress disappeared from sight.

Consort Rong looked at the lake in shock and exclaimed, "Consort Ning, you actually pushed Consort Xi into the lake!"

Hearing Consort Rong's words, Ning Shuyan knew it was a trap. She and Consort Xi had both fallen into Consort Rong's trap.

Killing two birds with one stone! Frame yourself for the crime!

"Help! Our master has fallen into the water!"

Ning Shuyan couldn't hear the palace servants' shouts or Ziying's rebuttal. She leaped down from the pavilion and landed in the lake with a "thud".

Consort Rong was extremely surprised, her eyes widening in astonishment.

What is she trying to do?

Ning Shuyan knew that this was the only thing she could do. Having not swum for six years, she was extremely unaccustomed to it at first, accidentally choked on some water, and barely managed to float and cough a few times.

Consort Rong stared at Ning Shuyan in disbelief; she could actually swim! Consort Rong clutched her handkerchief tightly, hoping no one would come, and that both of them would drown!

Ning Shuyan was very glad that she was wearing a gauze dress today. Even though the fabric was soaked with water, she was still able to help Xi Jieyu swim towards the shore.

"Relax, don't move, hold your breath," Ning Shuyan said to Xi Jieyu with all her might.

Two eunuchs had already surrounded them, but unfortunately, neither of them could swim. Consort Rong just watched without ordering the eunuchs to go and help.

The fabric, soaked with water, drooped heavily. She tried her best to protect Xi Jieyu and also managed to keep herself afloat. She could no longer feel the discomfort in her mouth and nose after choking on water; she had only one thought: she had to get to the top!

Finally, a eunuch who could swim jumped down and took Consort Xi from him. Ning Shuyan felt completely relaxed and slowly swam to the shore.

The eunuchs quickly pulled Ning Shuyan up. She coughed violently several times, her eyes were hard to open, and her nose was very uncomfortable.

The Thousand Carp Pond was not far from the Empress's palace. When the Empress arrived after hearing the news, she saw Ning Shuyan being helped up, while Consort Xi was lying on the ground, both of them pale as death.

She said sternly, "Hurry up and send Consort Xi back to the palace, and quickly fetch the imperial physician."

Consort Rong quickly stepped forward: "Your Majesty, it was Consort Ning who pushed Consort Xi."

Ning Shuyan felt an extreme discomfort in her throat and was unable to speak.

The Empress narrowed her phoenix eyes slightly and said in a deep voice, "Go to Yushu Palace first."

A sedan chair arrived immediately, and they hurriedly went to Yushu Palace.

Upon arriving at Yushu Palace, the Empress looked at Consort Xi lying down, her eyes filled with worry: "Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"

Xi Jieyu was terrified and felt cold all over. She whispered, "My stomach feels a little uncomfortable."

Consort Rong glanced at her skirt sideways, noticing no blood, her brows furrowed tightly, her expression somber.

"His Majesty has arrived..." A voice announced from outside the hall, and Xiao Yu strode in. He bypassed the crowd and went directly to Consort Xi's side.

Like a leaf swaying in the cold wind that has finally found its home, Consort Xi burst into tears, her voice hoarse: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty...our child..."

Xiao Yu took her outstretched hand and said gently, "It will be alright."

He turned to look at the group of people in front of him, his gaze lingering on Ning Shuyan. Her clothes were still dripping wet, clinging tightly to her body. Her hair was completely disheveled, clinging damply to her neck, and a palace maid was supporting her tightly. Her once rosy face was now completely bloodless; she looked utterly wretched.

Xiao Yu involuntarily raised his hand, then clenched it tightly after a while, his tone revealing no trace of coldness: "All of you, no need for formalities. What kind of behavior is this, Consort Ning? Hurry up and go to the side hall to change your clothes." His tone became more serious towards the end.

Ning Shuyan curtsied again: "Yes, Your Majesty, I will go right away."

As soon as Ning Shuyan turned around, Consort Rong stepped forward and said urgently, "Your Majesty, you must do justice for Consort Xi! This Ning is truly ruthless; she actually pushed Consort Xi into the water."

Xiao Yu's expression suddenly turned serious, his eyes revealing a cold and awe-inspiring look: "We'll discuss this later."

After he finished speaking, the imperial physician arrived. Xiao Yu waved for him to take Consort Xi's pulse.

After examining her pulse, Physician Lu's stiff expression immediately softened. He respectfully reported, "Your Majesty, Consort Xi was merely frightened and suffered a miscarriage scare; the imperial fetus is unharmed. Fortunately, she was rescued in time from the water and did not ingest much water. I will prescribe some medicine to stabilize the pregnancy for Your Highness; you should rest and recuperate."

Xiao Yu nodded lightly, recalling Ning Shuyan's weak appearance just now. He moved his lips, but ultimately remained silent.