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

Only the two of them remained in the hall; it was completely silent.

The candles on the candlesticks burned one by one, and the candle wax dripped down onto the candlesticks, gradually solidifying the somber atmosphere.

Ning Shuyan lowered her head, letting her tears fall silently to the ground.

After a long while, Xiao Yu still hadn't heard her speak. He couldn't help but look up and see that Ning Shuyan's porcelain-like face was covered in tears as she stared blankly at the ground. She stood there without saying a word, yet her whole being exuded a sense of sorrow and fragility.

Xiao Yu's heart softened, and he said, "You just asked me to take her in, so why are you crying now?"

Ning Shuyan gazed at the tears that had spilled onto the ground and said softly, "It is because Your Majesty took her that I am heartbroken, but this is all I can do. I do not want Your Majesty to lose your wisdom and prestige because of me. But I am also very distressed."

Xiao Yu saw that she was genuinely distressed, and he felt both angry and sorry for her. There were other ways to resolve the matter, such as promoting Lü Rui, but she was kind-hearted and could only think of this foolish method.

He reached out his hand to her, and Ning Shuyan placed her hand on it. Xiao Yu pulled her close and gently wiped away the glistening tears on her face.

His brows softened, losing their harshness: "Tears of a beauty, wine in a cup; if she keeps crying, she could probably fill a whole cup."

Upon hearing this, Ning Shuyan couldn't help but sniffle and chuckle softly.

As Xiao Yu rubbed those soft and delicate hands, he realized today that they didn't seem as smooth as they used to be. He looked down and saw several crescent-shaped marks on Ning Shuyan's fair palms, which had been pinched until they turned purple.

Her hands were already fair, so these marks were particularly noticeable, and just looking at them made you feel a little pain.

What are you doing?

Ning Shuyan said softly, "When my hands hurt, my heart doesn't hurt as much."

Xiao Yu's eyes narrowed, then softened as if turning to water. He was both moved and sighed, "I would rather you be like others, crying and making a scene, than have you suffer all your grievances alone. Do you torment yourself like this when you're in pain?"

"If there is a next time, I will personally cut your nails." His tone was a bit harsher, but it was full of concern. He gently stroked her injured area with his fingers, showing endless pity.

Ning Shuyan smiled and said, "I couldn't be happier to receive such an honor from Your Majesty."

Xiao Yu glared at her, pulled her into his arms, and said gently, "What happened today was also my fault, and I made you feel bad."

It was already a rare occurrence for the emperor to bow his head and admit his mistakes, so Ning Shuyan naturally wouldn't blame anyone. Deeply moved, she hugged Xiao Yu tightly and said, "Your Majesty, I don't blame you. Your Majesty didn't want this to happen either."

"But Your Majesty... I have a question in my mind."

Xiao Yu roughly understood what she was referring to, which was also the question that had been on his mind. His expression remained calm and composed: "What is it that Yan'er is talking about?"

Ning Shuyan looked at his large hands and said softly, "Your Majesty, I don't understand why my concubine Lürui knows Consort Zhuang."

"I thought it was just a coincidence before, but after what happened today, I feel that things are not that simple."

After speaking, she raised her clear, watery eyes and looked at Xiao Yu: "Your Majesty, do you think I'm being petty, or that I'm overthinking things?"

Ning Shuyan could think of this, and Xiao Yu was well aware of Consort Zhuang's intentions. She planted Lü Rui to seduce him, and Ning Shuyan would be upset and act recklessly, which would inevitably cause conflict between them, and he would also neglect Ning Shuyan.

He had even thought that the woman in front of him had seen through Lü Rui, which was why she had asked him to promote her. But her sadness and distress were not something that could be faked.

Therefore, he thought that bestowing a title upon Lü Rui was not what she desired, but sending Lü Rui to Yihe Palace was what she truly hoped for.

Xiao Yu agreed to let Lü Rui go to Yihe Palace, partly to give Consort Zhuang a warning, and partly because he couldn't let Consort Zhuang continue to act recklessly...

"Your Majesty..." Ning Shuyan called out, seeing Xiao Yu's thoughtful expression.

Hearing Ning Shuyan's soft words, Xiao Yu finally came to his senses. "I understand what Yan'er is saying."

"Actually, I had my own selfish motives just now. I deliberately sent Lü Rui to Consort Zhuang's palace. If it were really as I thought, I would definitely feel resentful. So, will Your Majesty blame me?" She gently bit her lip, her eyes lowered with some unease, looking just like a kitten that had done something wrong.

The last trace of doubt in Xiao Yu's eyes vanished: "It's rare that you're willing to tell me the truth."

Ning Shuyan nestled against his chest: "Your Majesty, I do not wish to deceive you. I believe that husband and wife should be honest with each other."

Xiao Yu suddenly felt that this was the honesty he had always been seeking...

Born into royalty, he was destined to be embroiled in court intrigues and unable to be honest with his partner.

Xiao Yu stroked her hair, her black strands as smooth as a waterfall. His eyes, like the deepest lake, brimmed with tenderness and became clear: "Yan'er, be good, promise me you won't hold this against Consort Zhuang."

Ning Shuyan obediently replied, "Your Majesty, I understand."

Xiao Yu's eyes softened even more. If it were anyone else, they would definitely have been relentless. How could he have agreed so obediently?

Others wouldn't understand him; at this moment, he had to consider the Nangong family, and no matter what Consort Zhuang did, he wouldn't touch her.

Thinking it over, Xiao Yu added, "But if she targets you again, don't hold back. I promise I will protect you."

Similarly, he didn't want her to suffer any more grievances, and suddenly he felt a pang of reluctance to see her suffer.

"it is good."

She had just agreed when Xiao Yu suddenly scooped her up in his arms. Ning Shuyan clutched his sleeve tightly, asking, "Your Majesty, where are you taking me?"

Xiao Yu's expression was clear and calm as he said unhurriedly, "Go to Zhaochen Palace."

Ning Shuyan looked at Xiao Yu with confusion, and when he replied, "I know you feel uncomfortable about that bed, and I feel uncomfortable about it too."

Yang An breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Xiao Yu carrying Ning Shuyan out. As long as the two masters didn't have a conflict, they, as servants, would be easier to serve.

Yang An quickly took Xiao Yu's cloak and followed him out.

Sitting in the imperial sedan chair, the bright moonlight, as clear as frost, shimmered like floating waves on Ning Shuyan's face, making her look even more gentle and jade-like, pure and flawless.

For some reason, Xiao Yu suddenly felt that the moon was rounder and brighter than when he came to Lan Yue Pavilion.

Yang An raised the cloak with both hands: "Your Majesty, it's chilly outside, please put on the cloak."

Xiao Yu took the cloak but didn't put it on himself. Instead, he draped it behind Ning Shuyan, tied it around her, and gently said, "Don't catch a cold."

His words seemed calm, but there was a gentle, pearly radiance in his eyes.

Ning Shuyan smiled warmly and leaned on his shoulder.

Meanwhile, at Yihe Palace, Consort Zhuang had just lain down when Yulan, her expression unusually grave, as if shrouded in a layer of white frost, said in a panic, "Your Highness, Your Highness, Green Bud has arrived."

Consort Zhuang frowned deeply, a hint of anger in her eyes, and said unhappily, "You're here, so why are you so flustered? She's just a little girl, and she's frightened you like this."

She rubbed her temples wearily and slowly got up.

Yulan quickly shook her head: "Your Majesty, Lürui is going to move into our Yihe Palace. She also said that the Emperor has already bestowed upon her the title of Lady of the Palace."