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

When Ning Shuyan woke up naturally, it was already Chenshi (7-9 AM), and the sky was already bright.

The morning sun's rays had already pierced through the curtains, and Ning Shuyan couldn't help but feel a little dazzled. She rubbed her eyes and pulled the curtains open.

"My lady, you're awake." Ziying walked over with a smile.

Looking at the sky, Ning Shuyan knew it was probably very late, and hurriedly asked, "What time is it? Why didn't you wake me up?"

Ziying calmly replied, "When His Majesty left, he told you that you did not need to pay your respects, and that Eunuch Yang had already asked for leave for you."

Ning Shuyan then felt a little sore and weak, and when she looked down, she could see the ambiguous marks on her neck. It was true... she couldn't go to pay her respects in this state.

Ziying smiled again and said, "His Majesty said that we servants should take good care of you, and that he will come to see you again tonight."

Ning Shuyan looked at her smiling face, even happier than herself, and couldn't help but chuckle.

She remembered that she was supposed to be on top last night, but she was so tired that she let him take over. They ended up messing around outside the bathtub for a long time without really understanding what was going on.

In her previous life, she had also been with a man.

It must be said that if Xiao Yu were willing to be more accommodating to women, his skills would be quite good.

Since I'm not going to pay my respects, I might as well just lie around like Ge You. The most fortunate thing about coming to this dynasty is that I don't have a mother-in-law. Sometimes when I break the rules, the emperor will back me up and the empress won't dare to say anything.

But if it's the Empress Dowager, then it's a different story...

As she pondered this, Ning Shuyan sent Imperial Physician Ji to bring back a lot of tonics for her aunt. Although her aunt had fully recovered, she was still very weak, as she had always been.

Incidentally, there's another important thing: to have Physician Ji get her that medicine.

News came shortly after noon that the Rong Kingdom had been defeated and was retreating with heavy casualties.

Our army gained a significant advantage in the next battle.

Ning Shuyan was holding a book when she heard the news and her hand paused slightly as she turned the pages. After a long while, she said, "Then the Emperor probably won't be coming tonight."

At this time, Xiao Yu would naturally go to Yihe Palace. Since Consort Zhuang's father had won a battle, Xiao Yu would more or less give the Nangong family face.

Unexpectedly, Yang An arrived at sunset. At that moment, Ning Shuyan was sitting in the courtyard, enjoying the gentle glow of the setting sun.

"Princess Ning, His Majesty sent me to inform you that he will be arriving later; he is currently feasting with several princes!"

Ning Shuyan nodded with a smile: "Okay, I understand. Thank you for making the trip, Eunuch Yang."

After Yang An turned around, Ning Shuyan looked away and suddenly glanced at Lü Rui not far away, a smile appearing on her face.

Ning Shuyan lowered her beautiful eyes, rested her chin on her hand, and fell into deep thought. The golden sunlight shone on Ning Shuyan, giving her a faint blush.

As night fell, the cold moonlight shone down, coating the earth with a layer of chilly mist.

Ning Shuyan walked out of the main hall, wearing a cloak, with Qiu Le and Zi Ying by her side. She said to Lü Rui, "I'm not feeling well and want to go out for some fresh air. If the Emperor comes, please bring him the hangover soup that has been prepared."

Upon hearing this, Green Bud tried her best to hide the joy on her face and curtsied, saying, "Okay, this servant understands."

As Lü Rui watched Ning Shuyan walk away, she couldn't help but laugh out loud. She had finally found an opportunity, and this time... she was determined to seize it.

"My lady, are you really prepared to do this?" Qiu Le asked softly, seeing Ning Shuyan's sullen silence.

Ning Shuyan took a deep breath, looked up at the moonlit sky and the cold stars: "What can I do? Those who achieve great things don't concern themselves with trifles. He's the emperor anyway, with so many concubines around him, one more won't bother me."

Ning Shuyan knew very well that she could not make the emperor give his heart, so let him feel even more guilty and pity. At least she could still hold his favor firmly in her hands.

Secondly, her main purpose was to annoy Consort Zhuang and make her feel disgusted!

If the spy planted by Consort Zhuang were to become one of the Emperor's concubines, and thus have another person vying for his favor, I wonder what Consort Zhuang would do.

Let them fight like dogs!

She also wanted Xiao Yu to believe that everything that happened tonight was a conspiracy by Consort Zhuang.

Ever since Green Bud had the idea of ​​climbing into bed, she had been thinking about why not give her a hand.

With Liuli mentioning that Lürui had some kind of shady bottle, she understood even more clearly what it was, and tonight's events would surely be much more successful.

There's a very realistic saying: "To seek love, you must first seek livelihood; to love others, you must first love yourself."

She didn't love Xiao Yu, which is why she was able to personally send him to her "husband's" bed.

She felt no heartache, only a little apprehensive.

Women in the inner palace are often like this: they will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. Who knows if one day their own hands will be stained with blood, and they will forget their original intentions...

Time passed second by second. In the October night, there was a faint chill in the air, but Ning Shuyan's hands were covered in cold sweat.

Calculating that it should be about time, she slowly got up.

She had sent someone to keep an eye on Xiao Yu as soon as he arrived and then quickly returned to report to her.

Back at Lan Yue Pavilion, Liu Li waited for Ning Shuyan in the courtyard, glancing at her from afar to show her her success.

Yang An stared blankly at Ning Shuyan, his eyes wide, and hurriedly stepped forward: "Young Master Ning, you... why aren't you inside?" His voice was also trembling slightly.

Ning Shuyan looked puzzled, but calmly replied, "My stomach was a little upset just now, so I went out for some fresh air. When did His Majesty arrive?"

Yang An looked at the inner hall in surprise. If Consort Ning wasn't there, then a palace maid had gone in earlier and hadn't come out yet...

Yang An's pupils suddenly dilated. He guessed what it was, and in disbelief, he quickly lowered his head.

Ning Shuyan understood, but feigned confusion and hurriedly went inside.

Before even entering the inner hall, a man's roaring voice suddenly rang out: "Who is it!"

Ning Shuyan was also startled by the sound, paused slightly, and clenched the handkerchief in her hand.

Whether this matter succeeds or not, you will be the one who suffers the injustice, so you must not lose your composure.

She hurriedly went inside. The hall was pitch black, so Qiu Le quickly lit one of the candles.

The dim candlelight gradually illuminated the room. Although it wasn't bright, the scene on the bed was clearly visible...

Xiao Yu was seen hurriedly putting on his clothes, while the woman sitting beside him covered herself with a blanket, looking terrified and motionless like an ice sculpture, her whole body filled with fear.

If it's not Green Stamen, then who is it?

"Your Majesty..." Her heartbroken and shocked voice rang out.

Xiao Yu looked up and saw Ning Shuyan staring at him in disbelief, her eyes brimming with tears. She staggered back several steps, and if Qiu Le hadn't been holding her tightly, she probably would have fallen down.

Xiao Yu quickly stood up, but before he could get close, Ning Shuyan said, "Your Majesty, why... why are you doing this?"

Tears streamed down her cheeks from her dull, lifeless eyes. Ning Shuyan turned away in heartache and ran out of the inner palace.

When Xiao Yu came out, Ning Shuyan was sitting on the couch, her face already streaked with tears, biting her lips tightly to keep herself from crying out loud. But low sobs could still be heard.

Xiao Yu slumped his dazed head, placed one hand on her shoulder, and said in a deep voice, "Yan'er, what happened tonight was an accident..."

As soon as Xiao Yu spoke, Ning Shuyan couldn't help but sob. She raised her eyes to look at Xiao Yu and said in a hoarse voice, "If Your Majesty really took a liking to my palace maid, why didn't you just tell me? Why... did you let me see such a scene?"

As she spoke, her beautiful face scrunched up tightly, and she clutched her chest, trembling uncontrollably.

Xiao Yu turned to face Ning Shuyan, but Ning Shuyan turned away again, crying and refusing to face him.

"When I arrived, I was drunk, and I thought it was you..."

Xiao Yu gradually remembered that the room was dark when he entered, but Ning Shuyan was used to sleeping without candles, so he didn't think much of it at the time. Seeing a figure in the room, he naturally assumed it was Ning Shuyan. He quickly pulled her onto the bed.

Having drunk alcohol, I don't know if it was the alcohol taking effect or what, but I felt extremely dizzy, and a pleasant, refreshing fragrance wafted into my nose, but I never expected...