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

Consort Zhuang left Fengqi Palace with a pale face, and waited for Ning Shuyan under a tree not far away.

Upon seeing Ning Shuyan arrive, Consort Zhuang swayed forward, adopting an arrogant demeanor: "You're the one who brought Lürui into my palace, aren't you?"

Ning Shuyan curtsied and smiled slightly, "If Your Highness Consort Zhuang wishes to send someone to my palace again, I suggest you choose someone reliable and loyal."

Consort Zhuang narrowed her cold eyes, her expression grim: "Was it that vile woman, Green Bud, who betrayed me?"

Ning Shuyan remained silent, but Consort Zhuang became even more certain that it must have been Lü Rui who betrayed her, otherwise why would Ning Shuyan have brought Lü Rui to her side?

"Did you complain to the Emperor?" Her gaze was sharp and cold.

Ning Shuyan smiled and said, "Your Majesty is always wise, why should I bother to file a complaint?"

Consort Zhuang looked at the mocking smile on her face and suppressed her anger. She didn't understand the Emperor's attitude at the moment, so she had to endure it and not make a mistake.

Consort Zhuang stared intently at her: "The pot calling the kettle black. I don't believe you'll always be this lucky. Just you wait and see."

The pearl pendant beside Ning Shuyan's ear shimmered faintly in the sunlight, making her fair face even more radiant. She smiled sweetly and said, "Why don't you take advantage of the wind and soar to the heavens? Compared to Your Highness, it is naturally Your Highness who is more skillful."

Consort Zhuang frowned, unable to understand the poem she was referring to. She curled the corners of her lips and gave a cold snort.

As Xi Jieyu walked over, she looked up and bumped into Ning Shuyan, but Ning Shuyan stood very steadily and did not lose her composure at all.

Consort Zhuang had bullied her time and time again; she couldn't possibly remain as subservient and silent as before.

She can endure it, but when she no longer needs to endure it, she must retaliate.

Consort Xi gave a slight curtsy, but Consort Zhuang walked past her as if she hadn't seen her.

Consort Xi said to Ning Shuyan indifferently, "What are you still standing there for? Go back to the palace."

For a part of their journey, they were on the same route.

Consort Xi looked at Ning Shuyan and sighed softly: "You're really stupid. You didn't even notice that your own maid had impure thoughts."

Ning Shuyan lowered her eyes and smiled faintly.

Consort Xi rolled her eyes at her foolish expression: "You can still laugh? Well, it makes sense. Although the Emperor bestowed a title upon her, he took you to Zhaochen Palace for a night and promoted you. He must feel a little guilty."

"And another thing, this matter really angered Consort Zhuang to the point of turning green. I don't know why the Emperor assigned that Green Plum to Yihe Palace. Isn't that like throwing her into a wolf's den? Does the Emperor not like her at all?"

Xi Jieyu suddenly became noisy, unlike her usual cold and taciturn self.

Ning Shuyan said softly, "Whether you like it or not, we'll find out later."

When Ning Shuyan returned to the palace, Qiu Le hurriedly came to greet her, smiling and saying, "Your Highness, the Emperor sent many things over, including a new bed, saying he wants to replace it for you."

Ning Shuyan was surprised but also pleased, thankful that Xiao Yu had thought things through quite thoroughly this time.

Qiu Le whispered in Ning Shuyan's ear, "When I was making the bed, I didn't find any bloodstains."

Ning Shuyan nodded. It seemed Xiao Yu was right; Lü Rui was still innocent. But that was good; she had achieved her goal.

The bed that Xiao Yu had sent over was definitely more exquisite and luxurious than the previous one, with exquisite carvings and a faint sandalwood fragrance as soon as you walked in.

Meanwhile, back at Yihe Palace, Consort Zhuang became increasingly angry after returning to her palace. She had tried to steal a chicken but ended up losing the rice instead, as that wretched woman had been promoted and had even brought another lowly maid into her palace.

Thinking about it, she finally unleashed her pent-up anger, grabbing a blue and white porcelain vase from the side and smashing it hard on the ground.

A crisp "crash" sound rang out in the hall, and shards of white porcelain exploded and flew in all directions.

"The Emperor actually promoted her rank and bestowed upon her the title of 'Zhao'. Does he think she's been wronged?"

Her clear, moon-like eyes flashed with a cold light as she glared fiercely.

Although she didn't know the deeper meaning of the character "昭", she knew it was extremely valuable just from the three characters "昭宸殿".

As she pondered, she noticed the apple-shaped celadon vase beside her and was about to reach for it when Yulan quickly knelt down and pleaded, "Your Majesty, this was a gift from the Emperor! It's an imperial decree and must not be damaged. Besides, Your Majesty usually loves this vase the most."

Consort Zhuang was slightly taken aback. She closed her eyes for a moment, and when she opened them again, the anger in her heart had subsided somewhat.

The tassels hanging from her temples shimmered, highlighting the coldness on her face: "Go and drag that lowly servant, Lü Rui, over here."

When Lürui entered, Consort Zhuang was sitting on the chaise longue, her face clouded with dark clouds, looking terrifyingly sinister. She couldn't help but shiver, and with trembling legs, she knelt before Consort Zhuang, saying, "Your Majesty."

Consort Zhuang picked up a teacup from the side and threw it directly at Lü Rui. The scalding tea instantly soaked into her clothes, and Lü Rui felt a burning pain all over her body, her face contorted in agony.

"You wretched maid, I trusted you, and you dare to betray me!" Consort Zhuang said through gritted teeth, each word dripping with rage.

Despite the pain, Lü Rui kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, I did not betray you. I do not know why Consort Zhao knew that I was your person."

Consort Zhuang was both angry and furious as she heard her repeatedly use the term "your humble servant" in front of her: "You will always be a lowly servant in front of me, how dare you call yourself 'your humble servant'?"

Green Bud kowtowed repeatedly: "Yes, this servant understands, this servant knows her mistake. This servant shouldn't have harbored thoughts about the Emperor, but Your Majesty, this servant absolutely did not betray Your Majesty, even if you gave me a hundred lives, this servant wouldn't dare."

"Even if you didn't tell the Ning family, you still exposed your identity. Damn it!"

Upon hearing this, Green Bud's eyes were filled with terror. Suddenly, a voice came from outside that someone from the Emperor's court had arrived.

Consort Zhuang's anger instantly diminished by half, replaced by a hint of joy in her eyes. The Emperor hadn't visited her in a long time; he must have sent a eunuch to deliver something. She quickly rose gracefully and walked outside.

Green Bud breathed a sigh of relief and stood up to follow behind Consort Zhuang.

Consort Zhuang was puzzled to see that it wasn't Yang An who had come this time. The eunuch, Eunuch happy, stepped forward and bowed to Consort Zhuang.

Consort Zhuang looked at the young eunuch behind him carrying many jewels, ornaments, and silks, and smiled, "No need for formalities. Were these gifts bestowed upon me by His Majesty?"

Eunuch Xi was slightly taken aback. He bent down and glanced at Lü Rui behind Consort Zhuang, and slowly said, "This is for... Consort Lü from His Majesty."

The smile on Consort Zhuang's face vanished instantly, replaced by a gloomy expression. She looked like a delicate rose, dried out by the intense sunlight.

Green Bud glanced timidly at Consort Zhuang, then slowly stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I... Your Majesty, thank you for your grace."

The eunuch said with a smile, "His Majesty has summoned you to serve him tonight, so please prepare yourself."

Green Bud felt a surge of joy in her heart. It seemed the Emperor hadn't forgotten her. Her voice was filled with excitement as she said, "Okay, I understand."

She smiled as she looked at the silks and satins bestowed by the Emperor. Back in Consort Zhao's palace, she had received similar gifts every few days. At that time, she was so envious of the ladies who could live in luxury and have the Emperor's favor.

Now, she also has... She can also have the Emperor's favor, she doesn't have to do rough work, she can be served like a master, and eat and dress well.

By the time she came to her senses, Eunuch Xi had already left. She looked up at Consort Zhuang and saw that Consort Zhuang's eyes seemed to be hiding sharp blades as she looked at her, cold and piercing.

The joy in Green Bud's heart was instantly swallowed up by those eyes. She froze, and said timidly, "Your Highness...this servant..."

Consort Zhuang raised her hand as if to slap her, but Yulan quickly stopped her, "Your Majesty...you mustn't." She shook her head.

Consort Zhuang suppressed the raging fire within her, slowly lowered her hand, clenched it into a fist, and said coldly, "I'll settle accounts with you after you return from your night of service."