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

That evening, after handling official business...

Yang An stepped forward and whispered, "Will Your Majesty be staying in Zhaochen Palace tonight, or will you be summoning one of your concubines to serve you?"

Xiao Yu had intended to suggest staying at Zhaochen Palace, but the image of the woman in pale yellow beneath the crabapple blossoms suddenly flashed into his mind. He hesitated, then said, "Well..."

Before he could finish speaking, a eunuch rushed in.

"Your Majesty, a palace maid from Yihe Palace has come to report that Consort Zhuang is feeling unwell and requests your presence."

Xiao Yu frowned imperceptibly, and said expressionlessly, "I know, tell her I'll go right away."

Yang An glanced at Xiao Yu. Despite the emperor's expressionless face, having served him for many years, he knew that the emperor was somewhat displeased at this moment.

However, the Emperor always favored Consort Zhuang, and he went there at least nine out of ten times.

When Xiao Yu arrived at Yihe Palace, he saw a woman dressed in a loose, plain silk dress, reclining on the bed with her chin resting on one hand. Her face was rosy and she showed no signs of illness.

When Consort Zhuang saw Xiao Yu enter, she appeared somewhat frail and delicate. She deliberately lowered her voice and said sweetly, "Your Majesty has arrived. Please forgive me, but I am not feeling well and cannot rise to pay my respects."

Xiao Yu's face remained calm as he sat beside Consort Zhuang and said, "What's wrong again? Your health is really not good; the imperial physician needs to take good care of you."

Consort Zhuang's delicate eyebrows furrowed tightly as she clutched her chest and said softly, "I don't know why, but after dinner I felt unwell and ended up vomiting."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu's spirits lifted, and a strange light suddenly flashed in his dim eyes. "You vomited?"

Consort Zhuang gazed at his pensive face, its surface slightly flushed by the candlelight. She suddenly realized why the Emperor had repeated those two words, and her expression changed slightly. She pouted coquettishly, saying, "What? Does that mean only the pregnant Consort Tang can vomit, and I can't vomit even though I'm not pregnant?"

As she said this, a thin layer of sadness appeared on her face.

Xiao Yu quickly took her hand and held it in his palm, saying gently, "Of course not, I was just concerned about your health."

Consort Zhuang's face immediately broke into a smile again, and she wrapped her arm around Xiao Yu's and said sweetly, "As long as Your Majesty spends more time with me, I won't feel so bad."

Xiao Yu chuckled, "Of all the concubines in the harem, I visit Yihe Palace the most frequently. Even with the arrival of the new concubine, my favor towards you hasn't diminished in the slightest, has it?"

Hearing this, Consort Zhuang couldn't hide her joy. She leaned on Xiao Yu's shoulder and said softly, "I knew Your Majesty loved me the most."

The next day, I paid my respects at Fengqi Palace.

Consort Zhuang wore a crimson palace gown embroidered with gold peonies, and her high-piled hair was adorned with a red-gold phoenix hairpin holding a South Sea pearl. She appeared noble and beautiful.

Consort Rong looked up at her, her face as rosy as the morning sun, her eye makeup a little heavier, as if the lingering charm of last night's favor had not yet faded.

Consort Rong's expression immediately turned sour. She thought to herself, "Wasn't that arrogance just for my benefit? So what if I've been favored for two nights in a row? What's so great about that?"

Consort Ying smiled and said, "Consort Zhuang looks radiant and even more beautiful in this dress today."

Consort Ying was beautiful and graceful, and had served the Emperor since her time in the Prince's residence. That's why she addressed Consort Zhuang as "elder sister."

Consort Zhuang stroked the slightly shimmering crystal on her sleeve and smiled, "Sister, you have good taste. This dress was a gift from the Emperor."

Lin Zhaorong slowly curled her lips into a cold smile, looking at Consort Zhuang's dress with a sour tone, "The things bestowed by the Emperor are naturally the best. Consort Zhuang, you are truly blessed." She emphasized the last two words.

Consort Zhuang raised her eyes and glanced at her, then smiled charmingly and said, "Consort Lin probably rarely receives such favors. If His Majesty bestows upon me again next time, I will pick one or two items to give to you."

Lin Zhaorong was an old servant in the palace, but unfortunately, she received little favor, and yet she was still quite flamboyant.

Hearing Consort Zhuang's sarcastic remarks, Consort Lin retorted, "No need. It's not like I have no clothes to wear. Besides, I have several bolts of fine fabric in my bedchamber that I still need. Why bother competing with Consort Zhuang?"

Consort Zhuang gave a light hum, smiled, picked up her tea and took a sip, just as the Empress arrived.

After everyone paid their respects, the Empress looked them over and finally fixed her gaze on Consort Tang. With a worried expression, she said, "Consort Tang, are you feeling unwell? You don't look well."

Ning Shuyan looked up at Tang Meiren and saw that her face was as pale as paper, without a trace of blood.

Seeing that Consort Tang looked somewhat flustered, he quickly stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I am fine. The unborn child is safe. Perhaps it's because of the recent vomiting that you look a little pale."

Consort Rong hurriedly said, "This is normal. In the early stages of pregnancy, nausea and vomiting are common, and it's hard to eat, which is why you look so weak."

Consort Rong had given birth, so if we're talking about who in the palace has the most authority to speak on this matter, then it's her.

The Empress nodded slowly and said gently, "It's good that you're alright. If you need anything, please let me know."

Consort Tang nodded, and the palace maids helped her sit down slowly.

His cautious manner made Cheng Meiren, who was beside him, roll her eyes in disdain.

The following afternoon, sunlight shone through the thin clouds, illuminating the white expanse of earth and reflecting a golden glow. After a while, it was inevitable that it would get a little hot.

Ning Shuyan took a stroll around the Pear Garden and was about to return to the palace when she saw Consort Tang ahead of her.

Sunlight filtered through layers of leaves, casting soft, round, swaying halos around her, making her appear even more fragile. Her eyes could be clearly seen shifting slightly, as if searching for something.

Ning Shuyan didn't want to deal with a pregnant concubine and was about to turn away when Consort Tang spotted her. Her eyes lit up with joy, and she called out from afar, "Sister Ning!"

Ning Shuyan greeted her with a smile and stepped forward to bow, saying, "Greetings, Beauty Tang."

Tang Meiren smiled and said, "Please, no need for formalities. Have you been admiring the pear blossoms, sister?"

Hearing her call her "little sister" so affectionately, Ning Shuyan smiled faintly and said, "That's right."

Tang Meiren raised her beautiful eyes slightly and smiled charmingly: "Why don't you come with me for a stroll, little sister?"

Ning Shuyan said gently, "I won't go, sister. The sun is making me a little dizzy, and I want to go back to the palace now."

Why would she go to the park with her? What if something went wrong? Wouldn't that just be asking for trouble?