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

Ning Shuyan hadn't expected him to be such an honest and upright imperial physician. Although such a person wouldn't help her harm others in the future, his character made Ning Shuyan more trustworthy.

She raised her beautiful eyes slightly: "When did I say you should do anything immoral? I just hope that if you ever fall ill in the future, you'll have a trusted imperial physician. Otherwise, in this palace, you won't even know how you were harmed."

Imperial Physician Ji looked up at Ning Shuyan and saw that her lips were slightly upturned and her expression was extremely gentle. She did not seem to be a wicked or treacherous woman.

He pondered for a moment and said, "If what you say is true, then even if you don't give me the money, it is my duty."

Ning Shuyan smiled gently and said, "In that case, Physician Ji, please accept the money. In the future, if I need anything, I will ask for your assistance, but you can rest assured that I will never frame anyone. I will not force you to do anything you are unwilling to do."

"Is what you say true, my lady?"

Ning Shuyan nodded gently in affirmation.

Imperial Physician Ji looked at the silver in Ziying's hand, pondered for a moment, and finally said, "Yes, Your Highness, this humble subject thanks you."

When Physician Ji took the silver, it was more than ten times his salary. He knew that from now on he would have to be loyal to Ning Shuyan, after all, he was bound by her kindness and would not tolerate her generosity. However, he would never do anything that crossed his bottom line.

Ning Shuyan picked up the teacup beside her and said gently, "Ziying, please see Physician Ji off properly for me."

After escorting Physician Ji back, Ziying asked in bewilderment, "This servant did not expect that Physician Ji would refuse."

Indeed, there are not many imperial physicians like this left.

Ziying thought of the gleaming silver, and a pang of heartache appeared on her face. She sighed softly, "Alas, Miss gave Physician Ji so much silver, and now there's not much left."

The main reason is that Ning Shuyan is usually very generous with her rewards. The salary of a beauty's rank is not much to begin with, and now there is even less left.

Ning Shuyan smiled faintly: "You can't catch a wolf without risking your cub. The money will come. But it's hard to find a reliable imperial physician in the palace. Besides, I'm almost out of that thing, so I need to think of a way to prepare it."

Although Qiu Le also knew medicine, it was only enough to protect herself, since only imperial physicians could use the medicines available in the Imperial Hospital.

"What's almost gone?" A familiar male voice came, startling Ning Shuyan. She tilted the teacup in her hand, spilling some tea.

Ziying reacted quickly and took the teacup from him.

Ning Shuyan quickly wiped the tea from her hands with a handkerchief and was about to curtsy when Xiao Yu walked up to her and helped her up: "No need for formalities."

Xiao Yu held Ning Shuyan's slightly damp hand and chuckled, "Look how scared you are. Am I that scary?"

Ning Shuyan was still a little uneasy. Looking at Xiao Yu's smiling face, she figured he must have only heard the last part of his sentence. Lately, he'd been increasingly fond of coming in without being announced. Luckily, she had left something out; she'd have to be more careful in the future.

Ning Shuyan's bright face immediately blossomed into a flower-like smile: "It was the Emperor's sudden arrival that startled me. I didn't expect the Emperor to come at this time."

Xiao Yu smiled and said, "I've been quite busy with government affairs lately, and I realized it's been a while since I've visited you. So I've come to have lunch with you today."

Ning Shuyan smiled gently and said sweetly, "Your Majesty, I've also missed you a bit. I was just thinking about how long it's been since Your Majesty last visited. Don't you think this is what they call being in sync?"

She smiled broadly, revealing two rows of snow-white, sparkling teeth, which made her look charming and lovely.

He had been extremely busy with government affairs these past few days because of the war, but now, looking at her charming and lively face, his eyebrows curved and his eyes filled with a gentle smile. He reached out and gently tapped her nose: "Yes, Shuyan is absolutely right."

Ning Shuyan smiled and said, "Then I'll have them bring up lunch."

"You still haven't told me what you just said about it being gone?"

Just when she thought Xiao Yu wouldn't ask any more questions, she returned to the topic. Ning Shu said, "It's because the perfume I brought from home is almost gone. I'm used to it, and it's really a bit strange to run out now."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu gently stroked her soft little hand and said, "So that's it. I think there's a bottle of tribute perfume in my storeroom. It must be of excellent quality. I'll have someone send it to you."

Upon hearing this, Ning Shuyan's eyes lit up slightly, her gaze becoming even more lively and charming. She smiled sweetly and said, "Your Majesty is so kind, giving me all sorts of precious things."

Her tone was languid and sweet, like a warm ray of light, which made Xiao Yu feel extremely comfortable: "With such a sweet tongue, of course I will remember to give you a share of all the good things."

Standing at the entrance of the palace, Yang An secretly glanced at Ning Shuyan and the Emperor, thinking to himself: Isn't that right? These days, the Emperor will remember Lan Yue Pavilion whenever there are any good things. This Ning beauty really knows how to please the Emperor!

At the dinner table, Xiao Yu didn't have much of an appetite. After eating some cold dishes, he felt he couldn't eat anymore. He watched Ning Shuyan carefully picking out the fish bones.

"I've discovered that Shuyan likes to eat fish."

Ning Shuyan smiled and nodded: "Yes, it's just that there are a lot of fish bones, so it's a bit troublesome to eat." As she spoke, she put a piece of fish into her mouth.

"Doesn't His Majesty really like to eat fish?" She noticed that Xiao Yu rarely picked up any fish.

Xiao Yu moved his lips, but hesitated to speak.

Ning Shuyan immediately understood. One should not eat more than three times; even the emperor's favorite dish should not be indulged in. Ning Shuyan's beautiful eyes flickered, and she picked up a pair of clean chopsticks, placing a piece of fish belly near Xiao Yu's mouth: "Your Majesty, please eat as well."

Xiao Yu suddenly recalled that scene. When he was a child, his mother would pick out fish bones for him in the same way, concentrating on removing the fish bones and then feeding them to him.

Seeing Xiao Yu's dazed expression and the hint of melancholy in his deep eyes, Ning Shuyan couldn't help but ask, "What is Your Majesty thinking about?"

Hearing his voice, Xiao Yu's sorrow disappeared. He smiled slightly, opened his mouth, put the fish in, and chewed it slowly. "It's nothing. I just thought of someone."

Ning Shuyan asked in confusion, "Who?"

Xiao Yu paused for a moment, but did not continue speaking.

It wasn't that he was unwilling; he simply didn't want to mention his mother in front of others. What good would it do to say it? Others could only offer a few words of comfort; they couldn't understand the pain of his longing.

Seeing Xiao Yu's expression, Ning Shuyan immediately understood that Xiao Yu did not want to talk about it, so she immediately changed the subject.