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

That evening, Xiao Yu went to Lan Yue Pavilion for dinner.

The weather was hot, so Ning Shuyan asked the imperial kitchen to prepare some refreshing side dishes and cold dishes, and Xiao Yu ate a few more bites.

"We'll be going to the imperial palace in a few days, so you can pack your things and see what you need to bring."

Xiao Yu's words were essentially telling Ning Shuyan that she could accompany him to Yichun Garden.

Ning Shuyan smiled and said, "Yes, Your Majesty, I understand."

Xiao Yu pulled Ning Shuyan into the inner hall. Ning Shuyan looked up at Xiao Yu behind his ear and said, "Your Majesty, there are a few strands of hair that have fallen down by your ear. Let me tuck them back up for you."

Xiao Yu said gently, "It's almost time for bed, so it's fine."

Ning Shuyan gently brushed her hand past his ear, tucking the two strands of hair into her hair.

Xiao Yu happened to be looking down and could see her rosy lips. He couldn't help but recall the alluring kiss the woman had given him in Zhaochen Palace that day. Xiao Yu felt a surge of heat in his heart. His gaze moved downwards, and her beautifully shaped neck gleamed like jade in the candlelight.

Xiao Yu reached out and pinched Ning Shuyan's waist, making Ning Shuyan feel ticklish, and she chuckled softly a few times.

He picked Ning Shuyan up in his arms, and she nestled against his chest, softly saying, "Your Majesty, please put me down."

Seeing the woman in his arms still acting coy, Xiao Yu smiled and said, "Shuyan wasn't this shy yesterday."

As he spoke, he placed Ning Shuyan on the bed, only to see her pushing him away with her soft, boneless hands. The push was gentle and forceful, which only fueled the fire in Xiao Yu's heart.

"Your Majesty... I cannot serve you tonight." Ning Shuyan said softly, her pretty face flushed slightly.

Xiao Yu was slightly taken aback. Could it be that this woman was playing hard to get? He reached out and gently stroked Ning Shuyan's peach-like lips, a playful smile on his face: "Why can't you serve me? Shuyan has to give me a reason, otherwise..." A hint of desire flashed in his eyes.

Ning Shuyan leaned close to his ear and whispered, "My period has started... I just reported it before Your Majesty came." After she finished speaking, she lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling slightly.

Xiao Yu's smiling face gradually turned cold. He sat on the bed and straightened his body.

Ning Shuyan gently tugged at Xiao Yu's sleeve and whispered softly, "Your Majesty... are you angry?"

His initial enthusiasm had been dampened by a bucket of cold water; it would be a lie to say he wasn't angry at all.

But seeing her gentle voice and cautious demeanor, his displeasure gradually faded. After all, it wasn't her fault. So he took Ning Shuyan's hand and held it, saying gently, "I'm not angry, don't worry."

"Then, Your Majesty, would you like to return to Zhaochen Palace, or perhaps visit one of the other sisters..." Her voice was soft and charming.

Xiao Yu lowered his eyes slightly, looking at her hand and said, "Your hand looks much better, it's not as swollen anymore."

Ning Shuyan smiled and said, "The medicine given by the Emperor is still the best."

Xiao Yu remained silent for a moment, then stood up and said, "Then you should rest well. I'll be leaving now."

She rose and bowed, saying, "Very well, Your Majesty, I respectfully see you off."

Xiao Yu's expression didn't seem unusual when he left. It wasn't that he didn't want to stay; it was just that being able to look but not eat was truly unpleasant.

But the woman's voice and alluring face made him realize that if he stayed any longer, he might lose his composure as a ruler.

If it were just tonight, it would be fine, but Ning Shuyan's outburst at Zhaochen Palace yesterday had already fueled his desire. So much so that even when he went to Consort Rong's palace, no matter how attentive and flattering she was, he still felt uneasy.

He had thought he could have a romantic night, but things had gone wrong again. If it weren't for the fact that a woman's menstruation is something that can't be avoided or prevented, he would have suspected that Ning Shuyan did it on purpose.

Ziying entered the inner hall and looked at Ning Shuyan, appearing hesitant to speak. Ning Shuyan smiled faintly and asked, "What do you want to say?"

Ziying's eyes flickered slightly: "This servant doesn't understand why you only reported it today, Miss, even though you had your period yesterday."

Yes, Ning Shuyan discovered her period had started yesterday at noon, which is why she went to Zhaochen Palace.

The eunuch Li Zhang entered and said, "Your Highness, when His Majesty boarded the imperial sedan chair, he said he was returning to Zhaochen Palace."

Ning Shuyan nodded, removed the hairpin from her head, and said, "This is somewhat unexpected. I thought he would go to the palaces of other concubines."

She had only been in the palace for three months, so she didn't expect Xiao Yu to force himself to stay at Lan Yue Pavilion tonight, nor did she expect him to consider her feelings and not go to the other concubines' palaces.

If that day ever comes, he would rather suffer in silence than not rest in this Moonlit Pavilion. Then she would truly be a favored concubine.

Four days later, the concubines accompanied the imperial carriage to the imperial palace, Yichun Garden. It took them only an hour to arrive from the palace gate.

Yichun Garden boasts a serene and elegant landscape, nestled against mountains and beside water, with numerous pavilions and towers. While not entirely cool, it is significantly cooler than the Imperial Palace, at least the breeze is refreshing.

Ning Shuyan lives in Liuyin Palace, next to which is a lake. From there, one can see the graceful lotus flowers standing tall on the lake. It's a nice place, and most importantly, it's very close to Chengguang Palace, where Xiao Yu lives.

Ning Shuyan didn't know what the Empress meant by making such an arrangement. Apart from her and Consort Zhuang, her residence was the closest to Xiao Yu's.

Secondly, there is Consort Rong. Consort Rong's palace is slightly larger, partly because of the presence of the eldest prince.

The best thing about visiting Yichun Garden is probably that you no longer need to go to the Empress's Palace to pay your respects every day. You only need to go once every five days.

The eldest prince, Xiao Jingyou, was born on the ninth day of the sixth lunar month, so the empress and Consort Rong began preparing. Although there were only a few concubines present, the empress wanted to make it lively, and the usual singing, dancing, and fireworks were still essential.

At the birthday banquet, this was also the first time Ning Shuyan met the eldest prince. The eldest prince was shorter than ordinary children and looked more like Consort Rong.

He was Xiao Yu's only son, and Xiao Yu valued him highly. He beckoned Xiao Jingyou forward, held him in his arms, and said kindly, "You'er, tell your father, what birthday gift do you want?"

Xiao Jingyou looked up at Xiao Yu with his dark eyes and said in a childish voice, "Your subject wants a slingshot."

Upon hearing this, Consort Rong quickly stood up and asked, "You'er, where did you hear about slingshots?"

Xiao Jingyou turned to look at Consort Rong: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty heard from the palace eunuchs that it's really fun."

Consort Rong frowned deeply and called Xiao Jingyou over, saying, "You'er, listen to your mother. Slingshots are not something princes should play with."

Xiao Yu said, "Although a slingshot is just a toy, it can be very useful for archery once you've mastered it. Since You'er likes it, Yang An, instruct the craftsmen to make a more exquisite one. Once it's finished, send it to the First Prince."

Xiao Jingyou's youthful face was full of smiles, yet he said respectfully, "Thank you, Father."

Seeing that Xiao Yu was not displeased, and even satisfied with the birthday gift You'er had proposed, Consort Rong's face gradually broke into a smile.