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

When Xiao Yu woke up the next morning, he was very comfortable because he had been sleeping very soundly.

The only thing was that his hand was a little sore and numb. He turned his head and saw Ning Shuyan sleeping on his arm, breathing evenly. As she slept, she was as serene and elegant as a water lily, pure and refined.

Xiao Yu gently withdrew his hand, somewhat afraid of disturbing her. After getting up, he noticed she wasn't properly covered, her legs tucked in, quite unladylike. However, having seen so many women who looked the same, he didn't find her repulsive at this moment.

He gently covered Ning Shuyan with the blanket he had been using, and perhaps Ning Shuyan sensed it. She slowly opened her eyes and saw Xiao Yu standing in front of her.

She sat up abruptly, rubbing her eyes: "I overslept."

Xiao Yu smiled and said, "It's alright. If you're sleepy, you can sleep a little longer."

Now that Ning Shuyan was awake, she knew she had to get up and serve him. She quickly got up and put on a gauze robe. Then she began to dress and wash Xiao Yu.

Yang An had already sent over the court robes. The court robes of this dynasty are ochre yellow, which is not as bright as bright yellow, but it looks more high-class and dignified.

Of the nine dragons embroidered on the court robe, four are frontal dragons embroidered on the chest, back, and shoulders, while two flying dragons are embroidered on the front and back lapels. Therefore, the dragon robe has five dragons whether viewed from the front or the back, implicitly representing the "supreme ruler" or "the emperor."

The dragon robe is embroidered with exquisite five-colored cloud patterns, all auspicious omens. The headdress features a design of two dragons playing with a pearl.

Wearing court robes, he exudes an aura of imperial majesty, radiating the dignity and coldness of a ruler, inspiring awe and making people dare not look him directly in the eye.

Ning Shuyan smiled and said, "Your Majesty truly deserves to be called the Son of Heaven. Just by standing beside me, I can feel Your Majesty's majesty."

Xiao Yu gently lifted Ning Shuyan's chin with his hand, seeing the radiant smile on her lips and her admiring expression. He reached out and lightly patted her head, chuckling, "Smooth talker!"

"No, this is what I truly think," Ning Shuyan said sweetly.

Who wouldn't enjoy hearing a woman's sweet, gentle voice first thing in the morning, especially if it's full of compliments? Xiao Yu simply said, "I'm going to court. If you're sleepy, take a nap."

"I am not sleepy. Seeing Your Majesty's handsome face just now has made me much more awake," she said with a smile.

Xiao Yu chuckled and pinched Ning Shuyan's delicate cheek hard.

The pinch was clearly very heavy, and Ning Shuyan couldn't help but let out a soft "hmm" in pain, her little mouth pouting high.

Looking at her cheeks, which flushed slightly with a gentle pinch, Xiao Yu couldn't help but think her face was incredibly delicate. He simply smiled and said, "So delicate."

After saying this, he turned and left. Ning Shuyan curtsied and said, "Your Majesty, I respectfully see you off."

Yang An, standing beside the Emperor, glanced at the Emperor's smiling lips and lowered his head in a smile as well. He thought to himself, "That Consort Ning has such a sweet tongue; look how well she's made the Emperor happy..."

After leaving Lan Yue Pavilion, Xiao Yu instructed, "Have the Imperial Household Department make a shorter pillow, and the fabric must be the best."

Xiao Yu thought that since her skin was delicate, she should wear better fabric to avoid chafing and causing discomfort.

"Yes, sir." Yang An quickly replied.

A few days later, Ning Shuyan received a pillow from the Imperial Household Department. She didn't know what kind of fabric it was, but it felt soft and cool to the touch. Now that the weather was warm, it would be perfect for sleeping.

Ning Shuyan was somewhat surprised, stroking the lower pillow and saying, "I just said it casually, I didn't expect the Emperor to take it to heart."

Ziying smiled and said, "Now I finally understand why everyone in the palace is trying so hard to gain favor. It's not just this pillow; the Imperial Household Department has also sent over many other things, saying they are all gifts for you, Miss."

"Yes, it's not just the Imperial Household Department. If you're not favored, you'll be looked down upon wherever you go, including you."

Just as he finished speaking, the eunuch Li Zhang entered and said, "Master, Consort Xue has arrived."

Ning Shuyan frowned slightly, wondering why she was here. Then she saw a pale pink dress appear before her.

Ning Shuyan looked up and smiled, "Sister, you are a rare guest. Please have a seat."

Lady Xue stepped forward gracefully and said with a gentle smile, "Younger sister, you think that since you are close to your elder sister, you rarely visit each other. Is this perhaps disturbing you?"

"Why not? I'm bored too."

As she spoke, she sized up Lady Xue. She wore light makeup, her cheeks flushed and healthy-looking, as if a touch of rouge had been applied. A purple crystal necklace adorned her neck, its subtle shimmer accentuating her snow-white skin. A sweet fragrance wafted through the air, filling the hall.

It's obvious they dressed up specially for this occasion.

Lady Xue smiled gently, "Sister, this place is so comfortable, and the decor is both simple and elegant."

At this moment, Qiuyue brought out the tea, and Ning Shuyan said with a smile, "Sister must be tired from walking all the way. Have a cup of tea to soothe your throat."

Lady Xue nodded. "The tea in Sister Ning's palace is definitely better than the tea in my palace."

Just as the tea was served, an announcement was made: "The Emperor has arrived."

Ning Shuyan's eyes darkened; she finally understood what this Lady Xue had come for.

Upon seeing Xiao Yu enter, both women bowed and said, "Your Majesty, we pay our respects."

Xiao Yu was slightly taken aback when he saw that there was still a woman beside him, but he quickly regained his composure and gently helped Ning Shuyan up, saying, "No need for formalities."

After sitting down, he looked at Xue Yunu and felt she looked familiar, but couldn't quite place her. He asked, "Who are you?"

A gentle smile curved the corners of Xue Yunu's lips: "Your Majesty, I am Xue Yunu of Jiangxue Pavilion." Her eyebrows curved slightly, and she looked very gentle when she smiled.

Xiao Yu nodded, his gaze indifferent, it was unclear whether he remembered or not.

Ning Shuyan poured a cup of tea herself and placed it in front of him. Xiao Yu took the tea, slowly skimmed off the foam with the lid, and said indifferently, "Jiangxue Pavilion is not far from here."

Lady Xue replied softly, "That's right. I get along well with Sister Ning, and I really enjoy coming here."

Ning Shuyan felt slightly displeased, but smiled and said, "Since you like it, little sister, please come and sit here often."

The group chatted awkwardly for a while longer.

Seeing that Xue Yunu lingered, Xiao Yu realized that she was deliberately staying, perhaps even coming here intentionally to meet him. Yet, the woman before him seemed oblivious to this.

He immediately stood up and said, "You sisters have a good chat. I'm going back to Zhaochen Palace."

After saying this, he got up and left, and Ning Shuyan and Xue Yunu hurriedly got up to see him off.

Lady Xue's gaze remained fixed on Xiao Yu until he disappeared from sight. She turned back and said softly, "Thanks to my elder sister, I was able to catch a glimpse of the Emperor today. I've only seen him once, when I first entered the palace to serve the Emperor, and I haven't seen him since."

Ning Shuyan simply smiled and said, "His Majesty only visits me occasionally. If you wish to see him more often, you can stroll around the Imperial Garden; you're bound to run into him. Or you could make some snacks and take them to Zhaochen Palace; perhaps he'll see you then."

Lady Xue frowned slightly: "Everyone in the palace knows that the Emperor doesn't accept just anyone's pastries. If I go..." She didn't finish her sentence.

Ning Shuyan smiled faintly. She actually had self-awareness. Why did she come here to be disliked?

Xiao Yu had slept with her but didn't remember her. Could it be that he remembered her after coming here twice?

So, for women in the palace, if you don't have something special about you, it's really difficult to get the emperor to remember you.