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

As Ning Shuyan was leaving Fengqi Palace, she was about to return to her palace when she saw Yang An approaching. He bowed respectfully and said, "Your Highness, His Majesty requests your presence at Zhaochen Palace."

The Emperor rarely summoned her to Zhaochen Palace, so Ning Shuyan couldn't help but feel curious. She smiled and asked, "May I ask, Eunuch Yang, what business does the Emperor have with me?"

Yang An chuckled, "You'll only know once you go there, my lady."

The snow had gradually stopped, but the cold was even stronger. Ning Shuyan was getting a little annoyed. Fortunately, Zhaochen Palace wasn't far away, otherwise her feet would definitely have gotten frostbite, and her shoes and socks were already a bit wet.

Upon arriving at Zhaochen Hall, the charcoal fire inside was burning brightly, and the gentle warmth of the radiator made the scent of ambergris even more elegant.

When Xiao Yu saw Ning Shuyan arrive, he put down his folding book and waved, saying, "You're here."

Ning Shuyan gave a slight curtsy and stepped forward.

Xiao Yu saw that her face was still delicate and fair, but the tip of her nose was red from the cold, making her look pitiful yet adorable.

He reached out and took Ning Shuyan's hand. Only when his palm warmed him did he feel relieved. He smiled and said, "Look at you, so cold. You're so cute."

Ning Shuyan pouted slightly and said in a coquettish voice, "It's freezing cold outside. Not only does Your Majesty not care that I'm running back and forth, but you also make fun of me."

Xiao Yu reached out and pinched her cheek, only then noticing that it was icy cold. He frowned slightly and asked, "Are you cold?"

Ning Shuyan took his other hand and placed it on her cold cheek. His hand was large and warm, and it felt extremely comfortable against her skin.

"The cold wind outside feels like it's cutting me, I'm freezing! Your Majesty must warm my face." Her tone was firm, yet it had a coquettish quality to it.

Xiao Yu placed his hands on her cheeks. Her face was already small, but now it looked even smaller, and her exposed rosy lips were even more charming.

Yang An secretly glanced at the Emperor, thinking to himself that this Consort Ning was truly audacious, actually letting the Emperor warm her face. He bowed and slowly withdrew from the inner hall.

"Don't other people do the same when they go out? Why are you being so dramatic, making me warm your face for you?" Xiao Yu lowered his eyes and scolded her, but his hands pressed a little tighter against her face.

Ning Shuyan wrapped her fingers around his and said in a soft, sweet voice, "That's because I know that Your Majesty dotes on me."

Xiao Yu curled the corners of his lips, then cupped his hands together and gave her cheek a firm pinch: "Your words are so sweet today."

He used a lot of force, and Ning Shuyan's delicate eyebrows furrowed tightly. She couldn't help but hiss, "It hurts."

Xiao Yu's eyes were full of doting affection, but he scolded her playfully, "How pretentious."

She pulled Ning Shuyan to sit down beside her and said, "You've always been afraid of the cold. There's a fine fox fur in the storeroom. I'll have someone send it to the Imperial Household Department to make you a cloak."

Ning Shuyan smiled sweetly: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty, has summoned me with some business?"

Xiao Yu felt uneasy. Could it be that he couldn't summon her to Zhaochen Palace unless there was something wrong? She had been in the palace for almost a year, but she had only come to Zhaochen Palace once or twice.

"I've discovered that Yan'er is a rare guest at Zhaochen Palace." Xiao Yu gazed at her, a hint of amusement and inquiry in his eyes.

Ning Shuyan's eyes, like a clear spring, swept over Xiao Yu's face: "His Majesty did not summon me. If I came without permission, what if His Majesty became annoyed with me? Besides, Zhaochen Palace is not a place for a woman to linger."

She paused, then lowered her eyes gently, a hint of shyness in her voice: "I'm afraid... if they come... I won't be able to bear leaving."

Xiao Yu smiled upon hearing Ning Shuyan's words, quite pleased. He caressed her slender waist with his large hand, saying, "If you can't bear to leave, then don't go."

A moment later, a palace maid entered, carrying a tray. Xiao Yu said gently, "Dongliu has sent some unique tribute fruits, so I specially sent Yan'er to try them."

After the palace maid put it down, Ning Shuyan noticed the triangular slices of golden fruit and smiled, "Pineapple?"

Xiao Yu was quite surprised: "How did Yan'er know?"

Ning Shuyan paused slightly: "Your Majesty, I saw it in a book. The flesh is sweet and sour, and the taste is fresh and fragrant."

Ning Shuyan picked up the silver fork and smiled, "Your Majesty, may you eat now?"

"Not yet, I was thinking of eating it after you arrived." After saying that, Ning Shuyan held the fruit to his mouth. Xiao Yu opened his mouth to taste it, and frowned.

Ning Shuyan smiled and asked, "Is it delicious, Your Majesty?"

Xiao Yu savored it carefully: "This taste is somewhat indescribable..."

Ning Shuyan hadn't eaten pineapple for seven years, but it still tasted the same, only juicier and sweeter.

"Although pineapple tastes a bit sour and astringent, it is also a good thing. It can promote digestion, beautify the skin, and strengthen the body," Ning Shuyan said leisurely while eating.

Xiao Yu gazed at Ning Shuyan, his eyes brightening slightly: "Is Yan'er a treasure chest? She seems to know everything. Tell me, what else is there that I don't know?" As he spoke, he pulled Ning Shuyan into his arms.

Ning Shuyan hooked her arms around his neck, smiling gently like a spring breeze: "Your Majesty, I will not tell you everything. I must keep it a secret and let Your Majesty know little by little. What if Your Majesty loses interest in me after knowing everything!"

Xiao Yu reached out and tapped her fair forehead: "You little rascal!"

Ning Shuyan pouted coquettishly: "Soon another beauty will enter the palace. If I'm not quick-witted, what will happen if the Emperor stops doting on me!"

Her voice was as gentle and delicate as water, and she looked up at me with watery eyes, looking delicate and alluring, like spring itself.

Xiao Yu ran his hand across her chest, then down her neck, and finally to her sweet lips, a slight smile playing on his lips: "With such a sweet mouth, how could I not cherish you?"

He gently touched the corner of her lips with his hand, and Ning Shuyan reached out and lightly ran her fingers over it.

The inexplicable tingling and softness made Xiao Yu's eyes darken, and he subconsciously put his finger a little into her mouth, where it was incredibly soft.

Ning Shuyan's eyes widened slightly in surprise: "Your Majesty, ****."

Upon hearing Ning Shuyan's words, Xiao Yu quickly withdrew his hand, his brows furrowing deeply: "Why are you trying to seduce me again?"

Ning Shuyan felt extremely wronged and whispered, "How could I have seduced Your Majesty? It was Your Majesty who put your hand in my mouth."

Xiao Yu stood up and picked up the teacup beside him.

Ning Shuyan glanced at him subtly, wondering how ancient clothing could be so inconspicuous.

The thought that an emperor was so easily teased made Ning Shuyan burst out laughing.

Xiao Yu's face darkened, and he turned to look at her: "What are you laughing at!"

Ning Shuyan quickly bit her lip, forcing herself not to smile, but the smile in her eyes was impossible to hide.

"No, Your Majesty. I am also a little thirsty." With that, Ning Shuyan quickly got up and poured herself a cup of tea.

Xiao Yu held his head and gently rubbed his temples: "It seems I really have to let you come to Zhaochen Palace less often, otherwise I won't even be able to approve memorials."

Ning Shuyan pursed her lips, and after a moment said softly, "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong."

This sound was certainly not a genuine admission of mistake.

Xiao Yu sighed softly. He didn't know why he had become so powerless against Ning Shuyan lately.

He scoffed and pointed at Ning Shuyan: "Pretending."

Note: The author researched and found that pineapples were only introduced to China during the Ming Dynasty. Because the story is fictional, the emperor in the novel was eating pineapples for the first time.