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

Looking at his daughter, who had grown into a beautiful and intelligent young woman, Ning Rongyuan nodded with satisfaction: "Compared to your sister, I actually prefer you to enter the palace. Do you know why?"

Ning Shuyan looked at the thumb ring on her father's thumb, which gleamed with a cold light in the candlelight, as if a chill was gradually rising in her heart.

"Because daughters are more suitable than sisters to be pawns in consolidating the family's position." Her voice was originally very gentle, but when she said this, it became cold.

Upon hearing this, Ning Rongyuan's gentle expression gradually turned grim, and his tone became icy: "Why must you speak so harshly?"

Ning Shuyan's lips curled up slightly, and she smiled coldly, thinking to herself: Isn't that right?

She suddenly knelt down and bent over the ground.

Ning Rongyuan was startled and quickly stood up. After all, the person kneeling before him was Consort Ning, a concubine of the harem. He could not accept such a grand gesture.

Seeing Ning Shuyan speak gently, she said, "I am also a member of the Ning family, and I will certainly bring honor to the Ning family. However, now that I have entered the palace, I have some concerns. There is one thing I hope my father can grant me."

Ning Rongyuan understood after hearing these words, and slowly sat down. "I promise you, I will treat your aunt well."

Ning Shuyan raised her clear eyes, her gaze sharp and determined, and slowly said, "I want my aunt to have the same allowance as a concubine in terms of food, clothing, and daily necessities from now on, and I also want to make sure that my aunt is not mistreated or harassed by my mother in any way."

Ning Rongyuan seemed lost in thought, his eyes flickering slightly, but he remained silent.

Ning Shuyan continued, "I know that Father can decide these small matters. As long as you give the word, no one in the manor will be able to look down on Concubine anymore. From now on, I will be a concubine in the palace. If Concubine is of low status and is looked down upon, then I will also be despised."

Ning Rongyuan's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, and he slowly nodded: "I agree."

He paused, then continued, "Do you remember Qiu Le, who entered the palace two years ago? I used some connections to get her transferred to the palace where you live. She is skilled in medicine and will surely be able to help you."

Ning Shuyan slowly rose, the candlelight casting a soft glow on her jade-like face. Her gaze held a hazy, shimmering smile: "Father has truly gone to great lengths for me; you've made me feel so ashamed."

She emphasized the word "折煞" (zhé shà, meaning "to utterly ruin"). It wasn't for her own sake that she went to such lengths, but for the sake of the Ning family.

She had been in this dynasty for six years, and she had never been treated so kindly by Ning Rongyuan. Her father had never truly loved her. Not to mention her mother, who was constantly bullied by the Lady of the Marquis, yet no one stood up for her.

Ning Rongyuan and this daughter were not close to each other, and they rarely sat down to have a calm conversation. Seeing Ning Shuyan's sarcastic tone, he sent her back to her room after only a few words.

Back in the room, I saw Aunt Yun sitting on the bed, completely absorbed in her embroidery. The flickering candlelight illuminated her dignified and serene face, giving it a warm, orange glow that made her appear incredibly gentle.

Ning Shuyan felt a lump in her throat as she looked at the scene before her, and tears welled up in her eyes. She quickly squinted.

The concubine was exceptionally beautiful, with a gentle and quiet nature, but because her father had favored her while drunk, she received no affection from him. No one understood why the concubine had initially agreed to this. She was merely a maidservant, timid by nature; what power did she have to resist?

In the past six years, the only thing she gained the most from being here was maternal love—the kind of maternal love she had never received in modern times, which her aunt gave her in double the amount.

A sudden pang of pain shot through her heart. When she opened her eyes again, there were no more tears in them; instead, they were clear and bright, like flowing water.

She stepped forward and asked softly, "Is Auntie embroidering a handkerchief?"

When Aunt Yun saw her daughter coming over, a gentle smile appeared on her naturally beautiful face. She said with a warm smile, "This should be the last handkerchief I embroider for you. Consider it a keepsake for you."

Ning Shuyan looked at the plum blossoms her aunt was embroidering, each one exquisitely detailed. She noticed tears welling in her aunt's eyes, but she seemed to be struggling to hold them back. After the last stitch broke, she picked it up to examine it and said softly, "Look, do you like it?"

Ning Shuyan's heart clenched instantly, and she nodded repeatedly: "I like anything that Auntie embroiders."

After saying that, she reached out and hugged Aunt Yun tightly, saying in a sweet voice, "I want to sleep with Mother tonight."

Lately, she has been calling her "mother" in private, and if she doesn't do it now, there will probably be even fewer opportunities in the future.

Aunt Yun reached out and patted her back, speaking kindly, "Alright, Auntie will sleep with you. How about I sing you a lullaby, like when you were little?"

Ning Shuyan quickly hid the tears welling up in her eyes, happily took off her clothes, and lay down on the bed with Aunt Yun. She hugged Aunt Yun tightly, smelling the faint fragrance that only her aunt possessed, and felt even more reluctant to part.

Aunt Yun stroked her long, waterfall-like black hair, speaking with utmost tenderness: "Yan'er, I don't ask you to bring great glory to the Ning family, nor do I ask you to become the Emperor's favorite concubine. I just want you to be well and safe. The inner palace is treacherous; you must be patient and tolerant in all things."

A tear silently slid down Ning Shuyan's cheek, landing on Aunt Yun's clothes like a tiny, dark flower. She said in a hoarse voice, "I know, I know what I'm doing. But Mother, while I'm not here, you must take good care of yourself."

A faint sadness and reluctance appeared in Aunt Yun's eyes and brows, but she tried her best to keep her composure: "Auntie knows, Yan'er, so please don't worry about me."