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

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu immediately grasped Ning Shuyan's hand tightly: "What's so difficult about that? I'll send the imperial physician right now."

Ning Shuyan's expression softened somewhat: "I was once treated by Physician Ji of the Imperial Hospital. I found him to be a good person. Would Your Majesty consider sending him?"

"Okay, I'll listen to you. Don't worry, your aunt will be fine."

Ning Shuyan nodded slowly, her sorrowful eyes lowered: "Mainly because I wasn't by your side, I have no idea how she fell into the water or what her current condition is." Her voice trembled with sobs as she spoke.

Xiao Yu recalled that Ning Shuyan had said that she and her daughter had a hard time living in the Marquis's mansion and were bullied everywhere. He turned to Yang An and said, "Go to the Imperial Hospital immediately and have Physician Ji come to the Ningyang Marquis's mansion for treatment."

"You'll come along too," he added.

Although Yang An was somewhat surprised, he didn't dare to react too much, so he quickly agreed and hurriedly left.

Ning Shuyan was relieved. Yang An was the emperor's personal eunuch. Yang An's presence meant that the emperor was there. Even if something happened, the lady of the house would be mindful of the emperor and would not dare to act rashly.

Xiao Yu pulled Ning Shuyan into his arms and stroked her head to comfort her, saying, "Don't worry too much. I've instructed Imperial Physician Ji to take care of your aunt until she recovers."

Ning Shuyan hugged Xiao Yu tightly: "Thank you, Your Majesty. I really don't know what I would have done without Your Majesty."

This "thank you" was different from before; it came from the bottom of her heart. After all, her aunt was the relative she cared about most in this life, and she didn't want her aunt to suffer even the slightest harm.

Xiao Yu's expression was gentle and kind: "You yourself said that I am your bedmate, and naturally, you can only rely on me. Yan'er's family is my family, and I don't want them to be harmed."

It was already quite remarkable for an emperor to say such things, and Ning Shuyan naturally knew this. Her eyes were filled with emotion as she looked at Xiao Yu, and she said softly, "Thank you, Your Majesty..."

Meanwhile, at the Ningyang Marquis's residence, Yang An arrived with utmost respect, brewing the finest tea and having his servants bring it to him.

Yang An was a eunuch, so he could naturally enter the women's rooms. Most importantly, he also needed to come in and take a look, so he could report the situation to the Emperor and Consort Ning.

Ning Ruhan stood next to the Lady Hou, her hands trembling slightly. The Lady Hou quickly grasped her hand, holding her daughter tightly, but her face remained calm.

Physician Ji carefully took her pulse. Apart from the pulse being a little erratic, she had a cold entering her body and a high fever. However, such problems should have been resolved with a few days of medicine. Why was she still unconscious?

Imperial Physician Ji rose and bowed to Ning Rongyuan, saying, "May I ask, Your Excellency, has Consort Yun taken any medicine before?"

Lady Hou quickly stepped forward: "Of course she is receiving treatment and taking medicine."

Imperial Physician Ji said to Ning Rongyuan, "According to the prescription I gave, she will recover in less than five days. However... Concubine Yun is extremely weak and needs to be carefully recuperated."

Marquis Ningyang nodded: "Very well, I understand. Thank you for your help, Imperial Physician."

At this moment, Aunt Yun woke up and saw that the room was full of people. The maid quickly helped Aunt Yun up and sat down: "Aunt, this is Eunuch Yang from the Emperor's side. Just now, the Emperor and Consort Ning sent an imperial physician to treat you."

Lady Hou quickly stepped forward, her face full of concern: "Yes, the imperial physicians in the palace are truly skilled. They said you would recover in less than five days, so please rest and recuperate."

Aunt Yun's pale face gradually regained some vitality. She looked at Yang An and asked, "Yan'er, is she alright?"

When Yang An saw that the first thing she said after waking up was to ask about her daughter, he knew why Consort Ning had come to the Emperor so urgently. It seemed that the mother and daughter had a deep bond.

He lowered his voice: "Don't worry, Consort Ning is doing well in the palace. It's just that Consort Ning was very worried when she heard that you fell into the water."

Upon hearing the news of falling into the water, Aunt Yun's already dim eyes seemed to lose all their luster instantly, becoming lifeless. She whispered, "I'm fine. I just accidentally slipped and fell into the water. Please ask Eunuch Yang to tell Consort Ning to rest assured when you return to the palace that I will take good care of myself."

Ning Ruhan, who was standing next to Lady Hou, immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

But none of this escaped Yang An's eyes. He had seen all sorts of women and conspiracies in the palace, and he knew that this matter was not simple.

Yang An cleared his throat, his voice high-pitched and thin: "It's good that Consort Yun is alright. The Emperor and Consort Ning are very concerned about this matter, which is why they sent me to check on things. I'll remind the Marquis to make sure that similar incidents happen as little as possible."

"Otherwise, if Consort Yun is unwell, Consort Ning will worry, and Consort Ning's worry will make the Emperor uncomfortable." His somewhat cold gaze swept over Marquis Ning Rong, and finally landed on the Marquis's wife and daughter before he looked away.

Even though Ning Rongyuan was only a marquis, Yang An's words were tantamount to the emperor's, so he could only force a smile and say, "This marquis understands."

After saying that, he quickly turned around and instructed, "From now on, you must all follow Aunt Yun closely when she goes out, and you must not let Aunt Yun be in any danger again." He emphasized the last two words very heavily, as if he were speaking to someone else.

Yang An nodded: "It's getting late, we should return to the palace to report to the Emperor."

Ning Rongyuan hurriedly saw Yang An out himself. The Lady of the Marquis glanced lightly at Aunt Yun sitting on the bed before taking Ning Ruhan's arm and walking out.

"Mother, is a concubine really worth the Emperor's special attention? He even sent this eunuch over, and this eunuch is so arrogant in front of Father. Are all the people in the palace like this?" Ning Ruhan said with a face full of dissatisfaction.

Lady Hou's gaze darkened slightly as she gave her a disapproving look: "It's because that little wretch is favored that the Emperor is so attentive. If the Emperor investigates this matter thoroughly, you won't escape responsibility! And yet you're still complaining here."

Ning Ruhan pouted and said disdainfully, "Once I enter the palace, I'll definitely be more favored than Ning Shuyan. Then I'll protect Mother just like that, and get the Emperor to bestow upon her the title of Lady of the First Rank."

Lady Hou smiled upon hearing this. She doted on this daughter and hoped that she would one day become the emperor's favorite concubine. If she were to become a Noble Consort, it would be an immense honor for herself and the entire Hou family.

She held Ning Ruhan's hand gently and said, "It'll be soon. In two years, Han'er will enter the palace."

After returning to the palace, Yang An told his two masters everything he had said. However, he did not mention that he suspected there was something fishy about falling into the water. After all, he was not sure himself, and he assumed that Consort Ning was aware of the situation.

Xiao Yu smiled and pinched Ning Shuyan's cheek: "Now you don't have to worry anymore. After this incident, I believe that Marquis Ningyang will take better care of your aunt in the future."

Ning Shuyan then revealed a faint smile and said softly, "Hmm... Your Majesty, I am not worried anymore. I must thank you."

A gentle light appeared in Xiao Yu's eyes as he gently rubbed her hand and said, "Then take a nap at Lan Yue Pavilion and get some rest. I'll come and have dinner with you tonight."

Ning Shuyan smiled gently: "Alright, then I'll return to the palace."

As Ning Shuyan left Zhaochen Palace, a chill swept over her. The sky was overcast and dim, devoid of any light, giving her a heavy feeling.

Ning Shuyan narrowed her eyes. Only by becoming stronger could she protect those around her. If one day she were to hold a high position and have the Emperor's favor, she could see her concubine more often.

She will slowly climb up, step by step!