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

The next morning, Green Bud spent the whole morning watering the flowers in the courtyard with a watering can, but her eyes kept glancing into the palace. When Xiao Yu came out, she quickly lowered her head and watered the flowers in the most elegant way.

She dressed up specially today, drew thin eyebrows, and applied makeup that made her skin look fair and rosy, making her even more beautiful than usual.

When the Emperor walked to her side, she quickly bowed, but saw Xiao Yu hurrying past. Green Bud raised her eyes and stared blankly at Xiao Yu's back, recalling the scene when Eunuch Yang wanted to punish her last time, but the Emperor said to let it go.

As she pondered, a smile spread across her lips, as beautiful as peach blossoms on branches in the spring breeze of March.

"Sister Green Bud, the Emperor has left, why are you still looking?"

Green Bud felt a tap on her shoulder from Glass and only realized what was happening when she heard her voice.

Green Bud quickly covered Glass's mouth, looked around in panic, and whispered, "What are you saying? Aren't you afraid someone will hear?"

Liuli smiled gently, looked at Lürui, and whispered, "Actually, Sister Lürui, you are exceptionally beautiful. I think even the emperor's concubines can't compare to you."

Upon hearing this, Lü Rui glared at Liu Li, but her face was filled with an unconcealed smile. She quickly pulled Liu Li into the room.

She stroked her cheek with her slender fingers, a little shyly asking, "Are you telling the truth? Am I really more beautiful than the emperor's concubines?"

Liuli nodded sincerely, her eyes full of envy: "Really, with your looks, it's such a waste for you to be a palace maid."

As she spoke, Liuli sighed softly, her face full of regret.

Green Bud's eyes gleamed slightly as she smiled and said, "Don't say that. I'm nowhere near as beautiful as you describe."

"Really? Would I lie to you? In this palace, Sister Qiu Le and Zi Ying are the young mistress's confidantes, and only Sister Lü Rui and I are close. I treat you like my own sister. How could I lie to my sister?" Liu Li said, sounding a little anxious.

Green Bud quickly grasped Glass's hand and said gently, "I know, I know, it's not that I don't trust you. It's just that we servants, no matter how beautiful we are, are not masters, so how can we compare to the Emperor's concubines?"

With a glint in her eyes, she leaned close to Green Bud's ear and said, "Perhaps one day Sister Green Bud will become the mistress."

Green Bud was slightly taken aback, then a broad smile spread across her face, as bright and colorful as sunlight: "Yes! I can't be a palace maid for the rest of my life, can I?"

Green Bud knew that although her appearance was not that of a concubine, she was pretty and charming, and her figure was similar to that of Consort Ning. Why shouldn't she be a concubine?

Liuli gave a subtle, mocking smile, then turned and gazed at Lürui with her eyes crinkled.

"If you ever rise to great heights in your career, don't forget me."

Green Buds beamed and laughed, "If that day ever comes, I will take you here and make you my head maid, so you won't have to suffer here in Lan Yue Pavilion."

For her, doing menial work in Lan Yue Pavilion and not being allowed to enter the inner palace of the young mistress was just a way to suffer.

Liuli nodded repeatedly and smiled, "Okay, little sister will wait for that day."

Green Bud gazed in the direction of the main hall. Given time, she too could become one of the imperial concubines and enjoy the emperor's favor. She had no desire to do such menial work.

She began to ponder, and thoughts gradually formed in her mind.

After paying her respects, Ning Shuyan returned to Lanyue Pavilion. Qiu Le rushed to greet her, her face full of anxiety. Ning Shuyan's heart skipped a beat, sensing that something bad was about to happen.

"My lady, Consort Yun..."

Ning Shuyan's heart sank, and she asked anxiously, "What's wrong, Aunt?"

"Just now, a guard from the city gate came to report that... Aunt Yun has fallen into the water, is unconscious, and is in critical condition."

Upon hearing this, Ning Shuyan couldn't help but stagger back several steps, and Ziying held her tightly.

Qiu Le quickly said, "My lady, don't worry too much. We don't know if this is true or false."

Ning Shuyan shook her head, her face full of worry: "It must be true. It must have been someone close to Aunt who relayed the message to the guards. Aunt's health is already weak..."

As she spoke, Ning Shuyan dared not imagine any further. It felt as if a thin knife was cutting into her heart. She quickly turned around and said, "Let's go to Zhaochen Palace."

Ziying quickly followed behind him.

Ning Shuyan didn't believe that her aunt would fall into the water for no reason. Even if she did fall into the water, she would definitely be rescued immediately. How could it be so serious that it endangered her life?

There must be something fishy about this. If she ignored it, she couldn't believe what the consequences would be.

She would only feel at ease if Imperial Physician Ji left the palace to treat patients at the Marquis of Ningyang's residence. And it had to be by the Emperor's decree!

With the Emperor's decree, Father and Lady Hou would have some concerns and fears. In particular, even if Lady Hou wanted to do something, with the Emperor's decree, Father would not allow it and would definitely instruct her.

I thought that once I entered the palace, my concubine's life would be much better, but it turned out to be about the same...

Upon arriving at Zhaochen Hall, Yang An greeted her politely, saying, "Princess Ning has arrived. What a coincidence, His Majesty is discussing matters with his ministers."

Upon hearing this, Ning Shuyan became even more anxious, her brows furrowing deeply: "Does Eunuch Yang know how much longer His Majesty will need to serve?"

Yang An was slightly taken aback: "This servant doesn't know. Is there something urgent, Your Highness?"

Ning Shuyan narrowed her eyes: "I'll wait for the Emperor here."

Seeing Ning Shuyan's anxious yet persistent demeanor, Yang An didn't say anything. The Emperor usually didn't see his concubines when discussing matters, so he naturally didn't dare to disturb the Emperor.

Only when he went in and stood quietly to the side to serve the emperor did Xiao Yu understand what was going on in his eyes. He quickly said to the minister, "Let's discuss this again tomorrow. I'll think about it."

The Emperor's sudden announcement that he would not discuss the matter further surprised them all slightly, but they quickly regained their composure, agreed, and withdrew from the hall.

Xiao Yu then asked Yang An, "Has something happened?"

Yang An bowed respectfully and said, "Young Master Ning has arrived. It seems you have something very important to discuss with His Majesty."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu lowered his eyes in surprise and quickly said, "Why aren't you letting Consort Ning in?"

Ning Shuyan saw the ministers coming out one after another from outside the door. They stood aside and nodded to each other as a sign of respect, but none of them looked directly at each other.

After the ministers passed by, Ning Shuyan hurriedly went inside. Although it was October and there was a slightly cool breeze, Ning Shuyan broke out in a cold sweat.

Xiao Yu noticed that Ning Shuyan's pace was more hurried and she was making more noise than usual, with an undisguised look of anxiety and sorrow on her face.

Ning Shuyan curtsied and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

Xiao Yu said gently, "Get up quickly. Is there something you need from me?"

Ning Shuyan looked up at Xiao Yu with a tender gaze, and he then noticed that her eyes and the tip of her nose were slightly red, making her look particularly delicate and fragile.

Ning Shuyan knelt down on the smooth, cold, and hard gold bricks, bowing her head and saying, "Your Majesty, I have a request."

Xiao Yu also felt a little anxious. She rarely asked him for something so earnestly, and she rarely spoke to him like this. What could have happened to make her so nervous and uneasy?

Xiao Yu quickly got up, helping Ning Shuyan to her feet as he said, "Get up and tell me what happened."

Upon hearing this, Ning Shuyan looked up, her bright eyes brimming with tears: "My aunt is ill, and I've heard she's very ill. I'm terrified. I beg Your Majesty to send a royal physician to treat my aunt."