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

The next day, at Fengqi Palace.

Ning Shuyan usually arrives at her greetings neither too early nor too late. She's currently chatting happily with everyone.

When Consort Rong entered, those of lower rank all stood up and curtsied. As soon as she entered, her gaze fixed on Ning Shuyan. She stared at her coldly, as if she wanted to gouge holes in her face.

Ning Shuyan lowered her eyes, pretending that she knew nothing and hadn't seen anything.

While Consort Rong and Consort Ying were talking, Consort Xi whispered, "Did you offend Consort Rong too?"

Ning Shuyan glanced lightly at Consort Rong and said softly, "I don't know either."

A hint of disdain flashed in Xi Jieyu's eyes as she said indifferently, "Can't you read the room? How foolish."

Ning Shuyan twitched the corner of her mouth and said nothing more.

Xi Jieyu seemed to remember something, and said in a low voice with some surprise, "You didn't offend her because of what happened that day, did you?"

Ning Shuyan chuckled inwardly. She naturally knew what Consort Xi was referring to—the day Consort Rong punished her by slapping her.

She simply smiled faintly: "Some people, you offend them without even realizing it."

"What are Sister Ning and Sister Xi talking about? They're so secretive. Tell us all too." Chu Baolin suddenly said with a smile to Ning Shuyan and Xi Jieyu.

Her words surprised everyone. It was common knowledge that Xi Jieyu was proud, while Ning Shuyan was gentle. When had these two come to terms with each other?

Xi Jieyu frowned slightly, her exquisitely made-up brows furrowing, and said to Chu Baolin, "I only chatted with Consort Ning about everyday matters. Does that mean we have to speak loudly?"

Chu Baolin's smile stiffened slightly. "Xi Jieyu isn't usually this low-key. She speaks in such a soft voice that anyone who didn't know better would think you two were talking about some secret!"

Ning Shuyan said gently, "Chu Baolin is overthinking it. If it were truly a secret, Xi Jieyu and I wouldn't be talking about it here."

Chu Baolin moved the corners of his mouth, but didn't say anything more, though his face showed a hint of dissatisfaction.

Consort Rong rolled her eyes and gave a soft snort.

Soon the Empress came out. After exchanging pleasantries, the Empress smiled and said, "The weather is hot this year. His Majesty plans to go to the summer palace to escape the heat. Once the list of those accompanying His Majesty is finalized by me and His Majesty, I will send someone to inform you."

Consort Zhuang raised the round fan in her hand, the crimson tassels hanging from the handle draping over her fair hand like flowing clouds. She said loudly, "I liked the Chaohui Palace where I stayed last year very much. I beg Your Majesty to leave it to me as well."

The smile on the empress's face was as stiff and cold as frozen frost.

Consort Zhuang raised her chin: "Why is Your Majesty silent? Could it be that His Majesty forbids me from going this year?"

The Empress blinked slightly, then quickly regained her usual gentle expression: "My sister will definitely go..."

"That's settled then, Your Majesty and I can keep it." Before the Empress could finish speaking, Consort Zhuang interrupted her without any politeness.

The Empress's hand, resting on the armrest of the phoenix chair, suddenly tightened. Her face remained expressionless, her smile as thin as a veil: "There must be more concubines going this year than last year, so there will inevitably be some changes in their accommodations. And the best palaces aren't limited to Chaohui Palace."

Consort Rong quickly smiled and said, "Your Majesty is right. I will obey Your Majesty the Empress in everything."

The Empress smiled and nodded, saying kindly, "The Crown Prince is still young, so I will definitely choose a cool and comfortable place for you when the time comes. It just so happens that it will be Jingyou's fourth birthday, so let's hold it at Yichun Garden."

The Empress's intention was to hold a birthday banquet for the eldest prince. It's important to know that birthday banquets are rarely held except for his first birthday or tenth birthday. Of course, this excludes someone of the crown prince's status.

Consort Rong was overjoyed and quickly curtsied with a smile, saying, "Yes, thank you, Your Majesty."

Consort Zhuang picked up her teacup and took a small sip, concealing the displeasure and gloom on her face.

Ning Shuyan chuckled inwardly. The Empress appeared virtuous and kind on the surface, but in reality, she couldn't tolerate Consort Zhuang. Consort Zhuang had just displeased her, so she brought up Consort Rong to annoy Consort Zhuang.

After everyone left, the Empress went to Zhaochen Palace.

"I believe that Consort Zhuang, Consort Rong, Consort Ying, and Consort Lin will definitely go. As for Consort Ye and Consort Xu, in Your Majesty's opinion, should they accompany them?"

Consort Ye and Lady Xu were both veterans in the palace, but they received little favor and were not particularly favored.

As expected, Xiao Yu also said, "It'll be noisy if there are too many people."

The Empress immediately understood, and then asked softly, "Then, new Consort, which ones does His Majesty wish to send?"

The Empress did not mention anyone's name, but she wanted to know which of the new concubines held a higher position in the Emperor's heart.

After all, among the concubines, while Consort Xi was favored, Ning Shuyan had also served the Emperor quite a few times, and the Emperor had even personally visited Lan Yue Pavilion. Furthermore, Consort Chu had also been favored by the Emperor quite frequently recently.

While drinking the mung bean soup that the Empress had sent, Xiao Yu said, "Let's have Consort Ning and Consort Xi."

The Empress smiled knowingly and nodded slightly: "Consort Ning is gentle, and Consort Xi is straightforward. It will be good for them to serve His Majesty if they come along."

Gentle... those two words do suit her well, Xiao Yu thought.

He looked up at the Empress and saw a gentle smile shimmering in her bright, clear eyes. Her voice was soft as she said, "Your Majesty, you've worked hard."

A hint of moisture flashed in the Empress's eyes as she smiled and said, "This is my duty." After a pause, she added, "Consort Zhuang said today that she still wants to stay in Chaohui Palace, where she stayed last year, but I feel that Jingyou is too young and would like Consort Rong to move into Chaohui Palace instead. I wonder what Your Majesty thinks?"

Xiao Yu pondered for a moment, then put down the mung bean soup and said, "Consort Zhuang has always been afraid of the heat. Let her stay in Chaohui Palace if she wants to. Otherwise, her temperament will give me a headache again. Find another cooler place for Consort Rong."

The Empress's eyes darkened slightly, but her face remained expressionless as she nodded and said, "Very well. Consort Zhuang is the Emperor's favorite, no wonder he dotes on her so much. I wonder if any of the concubines who entered the palace this year are more considerate. If they could all serve the Emperor as well as Consort Zhuang, I would be at ease."

Xiao Yu said calmly, "After all, they are all new to the palace, and they don't understand my habits. They are not as good as the Empress." He reached out and held the Empress's hand in his palm, and said gently, "The Empress has been my husband for many years, and she is the most considerate and the one who suits my taste the most. You have worked hard managing the harem these past few years."

The Empress was deeply moved and looked at Xiao Yu with tender affection: "Your Majesty and I are husband and wife. Husband and wife should be of one heart and mind. I will manage the harem well so that Your Majesty will have fewer worries."

Xiao Yu patted her hand and nodded with satisfaction.