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

When Ning Shuyan woke up the next day, the bed beside her was already cold.

Ziying had already returned to Lanyue Pavilion to retrieve Ning Shuyan's clothes. As she helped Ning Shuyan change, she said, "When I went back to Lanyue Pavilion to get my clothes, His Majesty sent something over from the Imperial Household Department. Miss, can you guess what it is?"

"What is it?"

Xiao Yu often sent things over, so Ning Shuyan was not surprised and was not greatly disturbed.

Ziying smiled and said, "Miss will know when she returns to the palace."

Ning Shuyan glared at her with a smile: "Oh, so you're keeping me in suspense now."

Ziying's smile deepened upon hearing this.

Ning Shuyan recalled how she had addressed her earlier and said with a hint of reproach, "I've told you several times that you have to call me 'Young Mistress' from now on."

Upon hearing this, Ziying lowered her head and said softly, "Yes, I'm sorry, Your Highness. I was so happy that I forgot."

Although she was naive and kind-hearted, Ning Shuyan still gave her a few words of advice: "Now that we are in the harem, the higher my rank, the closer others will be to me. Neither I nor any of you can make the slightest mistake."

Ziying nodded guiltily: "This servant understands. Please rest assured, Your Highness, I will never do it again."

Ning Shuyan took Ziying's hand and said gently as they walked, "Just remember that."

Upon arriving at Fengqi Palace, the concubines were already there, sitting in rows. The moment Ning Shuyan entered, all eyes turned to her.

Ning Shuyan calmly ignored everyone's gazes, bowed to the person in the high position, and then sat down.

Undoubtedly, they were simply mocking the palace maid who had risen to a higher rank, waiting to see him make a fool of himself. There were also some questioning glances, probably wondering why Lü Rui had been promoted while he himself had spent the night in Zhaochen Palace.

Consort Rong spoke first: "I haven't congratulated Consort Ning yet. I heard that the Emperor has taken a liking to the maids in your palace? Consort Ning is truly skilled at training them." As she spoke, she picked up the handkerchief and smiled awkwardly.

Ning Shuyan smiled faintly and said slowly, "Speaking of training palace maids, I should learn more from Consort Rong."

Consort Rong's smile froze slightly and vanished instantly. She realized that since she was released from confinement, Ning Shuyan was no longer as weak as before and had repeatedly contradicted her.

Before Consort Rong could speak, Consort Xi smiled meaningfully from the side: "Indeed, every maidservant around Consort Rong is outstanding."

Seeing that the two were still bringing up the incident of falling into the water last time, Consort Rong snorted coldly and narrowed her beautiful eyes: "Consort Ning and Consort Xi are indeed eloquent. I wonder if the newly promoted younger sister is as eloquent as you two."

Lin Zhaorong smiled and said, "I heard that the palace maid was assigned to Yihe Palace? Consort Ning, you are really bold to send someone to Consort Zhuang's palace."

Ning Shuyan smiled calmly: "How could I possibly make such a decision? It was all His Majesty's will."

Consort Rong was taken aback: "Why would His Majesty allow that palace maid to live in Yihe Palace?"

Ning Shuyan smiled and said, "How would I know? If Consort Rong is curious, why don't you ask His Majesty?"

Consort Rong raised her chin and leisurely circled Ning Shuyan.

Because of the matter of Lü Rui, the issue of her staying overnight in Zhaochen Palace was forgotten, and everyone only said a few words about it and did not dwell on it.

At this moment, the main character everyone was discussing finally appeared. Ning Shuyan looked up and saw that Lü Rui was still wearing the same light blue dress as yesterday, her cheeks were swollen and red, with faint handprints visible, and her eyes were also bruised, looking extremely disheveled.

She quickly stepped forward and respectfully performed a deep bow: "Greetings to all the ladies and elder sisters."

Lin Zhaorong smiled and said, "As expected of someone who came from a palace maid background, you've learned the rules quite well."

But no one asked her to get up. Consort Rong seemed not to see her at all. Finally, Consort Ying said gently, "Please rise."

She paused, then added, "It looks like you have an injury on your face?"

Green Bud quickly covered her cheek, lowered her head and whispered, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I did it by accident."

Consort Rong sneered. She had known Consort Zhuang for nearly seven years and knew very well that this must have been Consort Zhuang's doing. Consort Zhuang's most prized Yihe Palace was now occupied by someone; it would be strange if she wasn't furious.

Everyone saw through it but didn't say anything until the Empress came out, at which point they all bowed and greeted her.

The Empress first glanced at Lü Rui, and then greeted her in the same manner as Consort Ying had done earlier. Seeing the disdainful looks everyone gave Lü Rui, the Empress's gentle face turned serious: "Regardless of her former status, since His Majesty has bestowed upon Lü Rui the title of Lady of the Palace, we are all sisters from now on."

After saying that, she looked at Ning Shuyan and said, "The Emperor sent someone early this morning to announce that he would bestow upon you the title of Consort Zhao. It's truly a double blessing."

If everyone was surprised that Lü Rui was granted the title of Cai Nu, then everyone was envious of Ning Shuyan's title of Jieyu.

Ning Shuyan was already favored by the emperor. She had only been in the palace for a year, yet she had already been promoted twice in rank. It should be noted that the emperor was very stingy with promotions. For example, several senior officials in the palace had not been promoted in three years.

Consort Rong's icy gaze swept over Ning Shuyan, and Ning Shuyan knew without looking up that Consort Rong wasn't the only one there.

After her initial surprise, Xi Jieyu regained her composure and said gently, "Congratulations, Zhao Jieyu." Her calm and collected face revealed no emotion whatsoever.

Consort Ying smiled and said, "The title 'Zhao' is a good one, which shows how much the Emperor dotes on you, sister. Congratulations!"

After the other concubines managed to offer a few words of congratulations, Ning Shuyan thanked them with a smile.

On the contrary, Green Bud was left in the corner like a clown, her clothes and disheveled appearance making her seem out of place.

When Consort Zhuang arrived, everyone had been chatting for quite a while. She was dressed as exquisitely as ever, looking radiant and beautiful. However, there was an obvious weariness in her eyes and brows.

The first thing she asked after sitting down was, "I heard that Consort Ning spent the night in Zhaochen Palace last night? Why didn't you bring your maids with you to pay your respects?" Her charming phoenix eyes revealed a sinister and chilling light.

Ning Shuyan's calm smile was like a thin mist floating on her face, cool and sparse: "Your Majesty, you are mistaken. Lürui is now the Emperor's concubine, and you are the head of Yihe Palace. From now on, Lürui hopes that Consort Zhuang will take good care of her."

Consort Zhuang looked at Ning Shuyan's beautiful face and felt a surge of anger. Seeing her calm expression, she became even more certain that Ning Shuyan knew that Lü Rui was one of her people, so it must have been Ning Shuyan who suggested to the Emperor that Lü Rui move into her palace.

She gasped, "Consort Ning is truly magnanimous. If you can't bear to part with Lady Lü, I will send her back to your palace."

Ning Shuyan smiled faintly and said softly, "I would like to, but for some reason, Consort Lü is very fond of Consort Zhuang, so His Majesty has granted her wish. Actually, this is good, Consort Zhuang, you will have a companion in the future."

Now that the Emperor has said he will protect her, she will not cause trouble. Similarly, she will not continue to tolerate such behavior.

Consort Zhuang's brows furrowed with anger, her eyes glaring at Ning Shuyan as if filled with ice.

Consort Rong curled the corners of her lips and said with a smile, "Sister Consort Zhuang doesn't know yet, does she? She's no longer Consort Ning, but Consort Zhao."

Consort Zhuang's hand slipped from the table, and she turned to look at Consort Rong. Unexpectedly, her sleeve touched the tea lid, which fell onto the tea table with a clatter.

"really?"

Seeing Consort Zhuang's discomposure, Consort Rong's mood suddenly improved.

The Empress nodded with a smile: "Indeed, His Majesty bestowed upon Consort Ning the title of Jieyu this morning, and also granted her the honorary title of Zhao."

Consort Zhuang's hand clenched into a fist inside her sleeve, and her face suddenly turned extremely ugly.