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

Ning Shuyan dug her nails into her palms, the intense pain causing her voice to tremble: "Even if you're drunk, does Your Majesty not recognize me? I was just feeling a little unwell and went for a walk, and when I came back... I saw this scene."

As she spoke, she stood up and turned her back to Xiao Yu, not wanting him to see her.

"I didn't want it to be like this either. How did I know you had gone out?"

Xiao Yu felt inexplicably irritated just thinking about it. How could the emperor have mistaken someone for someone else? He closed his eyes and rubbed his temples hard.

For a moment, the hall was silent, except for the woman's low, restrained sobs.

After a while, Xiao Yu pulled Ning Shuyan into his arms. No matter how Ning Shuyan tried to push him away, Xiao Yu held her tightly.

Seeing her distressed expression, Xiao Yu's heart softened, but he only said one sentence: "Don't be sad."

Hearing this, Ning Shuyan felt even more distressed and heartbroken, tears streaming down her face: "How could I not be heartbroken? What has happened in the past month has already made it impossible for me to bear it any longer. My child has disappeared for no reason, and now I have to see my beloved and my own palace maid..."

As she spoke, she pounded Xiao Yu's chest with her hand, as if she wanted to vent all the unhappiness and sadness in her heart.

Xiao Yu knew that she was always gentle and understanding, and that she would never lose her composure like this unless she was extremely heartbroken.

Perhaps, she had been suppressing her grief ever since the child was lost...

Xiao Yu held her tightly in his arms, stroking her back, and said softly, "I... managed to stop the damage in time."

Cutting losses in time? Ning Shuyan looked at him with teary eyes: "Does Your Majesty mean you didn't touch her?"

"It was touched."

Xiao Yu really wished he hadn't touched her, but as soon as his hand touched her body, he realized something was wrong. Even though he was confused, he could feel that the woman's breathing and body were not right, so he knew it wasn't Ning Shuyan and immediately stopped.

Although Xiao Yu knew that Lü Rui was a virgin in the end, he still touched her body.

Ning Shuyan didn't understand the meaning behind Xiao Yu's words. What did it mean to cut your losses in time? She had hit another wall. She closed her eyes heavily.

At this moment, Green Bud finished dressing and hid in a corner of the main hall, trembling as if she were in an ice cellar. She never expected that things would progress so slowly.

She had used so much of her aphrodisiac incense and lay in bed for quite a while before the Emperor became aroused, and he even recognized that she was not Ning Shuyan.

She thought the emperor was drunk, but he turned out to be sober, so she knew she was doomed.

Xiao Yu then noticed Lü Rui, and his eyes suddenly darkened.

Green Bud met Xiao Yu's eyes at that moment and couldn't help but shiver. That gaze was like an ice arrow that sent chills down her spine.

"Get over here!" Xiao Yu shouted angrily at Lü Rui, and released his grip on Ning Shuyan.

Green Bud hurriedly came over, trembling, and knelt down in front of the Emperor and Ning Shuyan with a thud.

Ning Shuyan then smelled a faint fragrance, sweet with a touch of mystery.

"How audacious! How dare you impersonate your master!" Xiao Yu's tone was filled with anger, and his appearance was terrifying.

Green Bud was so frightened that she immediately kowtowed: "This servant dares not. This servant was just thinking of extinguishing a few candles, but the wind blowing in through the window extinguished another candle. At this moment, Your Majesty came in. This servant thought Your Majesty knew that this servant was not a concubine..."

As she spoke, she quickly knelt down and walked to Ning Shuyan's feet, pulling on Ning Shuyan's skirt and saying, "My lady, this servant would never impersonate you. This servant admires the Emperor, but I would never impersonate you."

Xiao Yu felt disgusted even looking at Lü Rui. He said in a deep voice, "How do you want to punish this palace maid? Kill her or torture her, it's up to you." As he spoke, Xiao Yu pulled Ning Shuyan's hand.

Ning Shuyan hesitated for a long time, as if she had made a very difficult decision, before saying, "No matter what happens, no matter how it ends, Lü Rui is still the Emperor's woman."

Even though Lü Rui was still a virgin, she had shared a bed with the Emperor and they had both taken off their clothes, so she was considered one of the Emperor's women.

Xiao Yu naturally knew that Lü Rui was his woman. He suppressed his anger and asked in a low voice, "Then what does Yan'er mean?"

Ning Shuyan clenched her fists tightly, her reluctance evident: "Your Majesty, since this happened in my palace, if word gets out that Your Majesty has taken my maid, I will not only be petty, but I will also get rid of the maid. This would be bad for both Your Majesty's prestige and for me. I'm afraid that tomorrow people will say that I am narrow-minded and cannot tolerate those around me."

Upon hearing this, Lü Rui breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time, she anxiously awaited Xiao Yu's reply.

Hearing Ning Shuyan value her reputation so much, could Xiao Yu accept such a lowly servant girl even if he felt bad?

He looked at Lü Rui, his slightly narrowed eyes seeming to burn people to ashes, and slowly sat down, coldly saying, "Since that's the case, then bestow upon her the title of Lady of the Palace."

After speaking, Xiao Yu turned to Ning Shuyan, his eyes holding a hint of inquiry: "What do you think?"

Ning Shuyan sensed the displeasure in Xiao Yu's words, so she lowered her eyes and said softly, "It is best if Your Majesty decides."

Upon hearing this, Lü Rui immediately breathed a sigh of relief, loosening her grip on her skirt. A hint of joy flickered in her eyes.

Xiao Yu tapped his fingers lightly on the table, making a dull sound: "So, is Consort Ning letting this servant stay in your palace?"

He raised his chin slightly, his voice clear and cold.

Ignoring his expression, Ning Shuyan knew from his address of "Ning Meiren" that Xiao Yu was extremely displeased.

Ning Shuyan thought that Xiao Yu might be angry and might not be willing to accept Lvrui, but why was he unhappy with her?

Before Ning Shuyan could think further, she could still feel a cold glare staring at her from above, even with her eyes lowered.

She said softly, "Some time ago, this maid told me that she wanted to work at Yihe Palace. I thought... why don't we let her go to Yihe Palace?"

Green Bud Flower turned pale and stared at Ning Shuyan in shock.

Ning Shuyan quickly said coldly, "There's no need to thank me. I was just doing my best to fulfill my duties as mistress and servant in the end, but I can never forgive you."

Xiao Yu was also startled upon hearing the name Yihe Palace. In the dim candlelight, even his sharp edges seemed to carry an icy indifference. Just moments before, he hadn't made up his mind to bestow the title of Lady of the Palace upon Lü Rui, but now…

Consort Zhuang! She's been getting way too arrogant lately!

He said, "Then pack your things now and get out of Lan Yue Pavilion."

Green Bud suddenly wondered if she had made a mistake in choosing this path. She had become a mistress, but she felt extremely uneasy and uncomfortable. Judging from the Emperor's attitude, he probably only felt deep disgust towards her.

Moreover, when did Ning Shuyan find out that she was Consort Zhuang's person?

"Get down here!" Ning Shuyan shouted angrily.

Green Bud hurriedly stood up and walked out, her mind in turmoil and filled with mixed emotions.

She lifted the hem of her skirt; she still wouldn't regret her decision today, at least she was no longer a palace maid.

It's the master!

With the Emperor's favor, she will slowly climb the ranks! She will strive for it step by step!