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

Consort Rong was dressed in her finest attire today, her hair adorned with gold hairpins of varying sizes. The most striking feature was the peacock hairpin at her temple, from which hung delicate pearl tassels, shimmering and sparkling like vibrant sunset clouds as it swayed. She exuded beauty and nobility, but only when she looked at the First Prince with a kind smile did she reveal boundless tenderness.

Ning Shuyan carefully examined Xiao Yu; the two hadn't seen each other for about six or seven days. She noticed Xiao Yu speaking to Xiao Jingyou with a gentle expression.

Therefore, even the most aloof and serious people will show a gentle and approachable side when they become parents.

Ning Shuyan couldn't help but think of her mother, who died in childbirth... Every time she thought of her, her heart ached. Her father remarried, and her stepmother was also a very good woman. They were a harmonious and loving couple, and she doted on her younger brother. Even when she came into this world, she could rest assured about her family.

On the contrary, in these six years, Aunt Yun has been really good to me, even better than my own mother.

Thinking of this, her nose tingled slightly. In order not to give anyone away, she raised her glass and took a sip.

After the singing and dancing ended, and everyone had eaten their fill, they went up to the pavilion to watch the fireworks.

Ning Shuyan watched the colorful fireworks in the sky, which were dazzling and turned the sky into a sea of ​​colorful light. But compared to modern fireworks, these were really too ordinary.

The Empress smiled and said, "May your future be as brilliant as these fireworks, and may the Yifeng Dynasty be forever glorious and peaceful."

Xiao Yu was very pleased upon hearing this and smiled, "Good! Excellent!"

The sounds of "bang, bang, bang" echoed one after another, as dazzling fireworks illuminated every beautiful face. Xiao Yu turned his head and saw that everyone's face was beaming with smiles.

His sweeping gaze fell on Ning Shuyan, who was dressed in a light-colored dress, with a slight smile on her lips, and her clear, bright eyes, like autumn water, reflected the colorful lights of fireworks, making them even clearer.

Xiao Yu finally understood why his father had chosen Ning Shuyan out of all the women he knew. Like himself, his father valued a woman's charm and appearance.

Among the many women, Ning Shuyan's appearance was not unparalleled, but it was her aura and demeanor that he found incredibly beautiful! Simply standing there calmly, she was like a celestial being, otherworldly and ethereal. And when the two were enjoying their private moments together, she was alluring and captivating.

Xiao Yu turned his head back, a handsome smile unconsciously curving his lips. The Empress beside him took it all in, a knowing smile also playing on her lips.

Standing behind her, Consort Rong clearly saw who the Emperor had been looking at. Today should have been her day of glory, but the Emperor was looking at someone else with that kind of gaze.

He thought to himself: It's you again, you bitch.

When the Emperor came to her palace on her birthday last time, she felt that something was wrong with him. She sent someone to investigate and found out that Ning Shuyan had been to Zhaochen Palace before the Emperor came. She then realized that the Emperor must be thinking about this bitch!

The next evening, after dinner, Ning Shuyan was eating chilled watermelon. She always liked eating cold things, finding them particularly comforting and refreshing.

She ate and smiled contentedly, saying, "Watermelon tastes best chilled like this. How about we make some chilled watermelon juice tomorrow, Ziying?"

Ning Shuyan didn't hear a reply from the person behind her for a long time, so she turned around and saw that it wasn't Ziying who had come, but Xiao Yu.

She paused slightly, then quickly curtsied and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

Xiao Yu walked over and sat down, saying, "Is this watermelon really that delicious? Look how engrossed you are in eating it."

Ning Shuyan smiled sweetly, forked a piece of watermelon and held it to Xiao Yu's lips, saying, "Whether it's delicious or not, Your Majesty will know after you try it."

Looking at her beaming face, and hearing those words, Xiao Yu couldn't help but recall that day when she said: "Whether it's been coated with honey or not, Your Majesty will know once you taste it."

Xiao Yu's eyes flickered, and he opened his mouth to let Ning Shuyan feed him. After finishing, Xiao Yu said, "It's quite sweet."

He looked around the room and then asked, "Are you settling in alright?"

"I'm used to it. This location is excellent. It's truly a great favor that Her Majesty the Empress has granted me this place."

Xiao Yu nodded and extended his hand. Ning Shuyan looked at his hand and placed it on top of his.

Xiao Yu held Ning Shuyan's hand, checked that her wound had almost healed, and whispered close to her earlobe, "Can you serve me tonight?"

Upon hearing this, Ning Shuyan lowered her head, like a budding forsythia, delicate and shy: "Your Majesty..." She didn't continue speaking, and after a moment she reached out and gently untied his belt.

Hearing her sweet, delicate voice, Xiao Yu felt as if he were reminded of that night, of the woman's soft moans on the bed. His gaze instantly burned with passion, yet also held a hint of something else.

Xiao Yu hadn't been intimate with her for a full twenty days, and his long-accumulated anticipation and passion finally erupted.

Ning Shuyan truly put her heart into "serving" him. At least in terms of responding, she did an excellent job, and Xiao Yu seemed satisfied.

Xiao Yu knew he had been somewhat absurd, but he thought, the woman before him was merely somewhat alluring. She wasn't some wicked woman like Daji who brought ruin to the country; it wouldn't hurt to favor her a little more. It wasn't neglecting state affairs, so surely this couldn't be considered foolishness?

After the rain, a torrential downpour began outside, accompanied by booming thunder.

Ning Shuyan couldn't help but shiver and gripped the blanket tightly.

Xiao Yu was still awake. Looking at the woman beside him with a nervous and frightened expression, he asked, "Afraid?"

Ning Shuyan nodded timidly, "When I was at home, my aunt always accompanied me on thunderstorms."

Xiao Yu reached out and pulled her into his arms, saying softly, "Then I'll hold you while we sleep."

Ning Shuyan buried her face in his chest and reached out to hug Xiao Yu tightly, trying to gain a sense of security.

Xiao Yu patted her head, his eyes filled with affection: "Don't be afraid."

Ning Shuyan nodded, a sweet smile blooming on her lips: "With Your Majesty holding me, I am not afraid, because someone is protecting me."

Xiao Yu smiled gently upon hearing this, his hand sliding down her back and patting her lightly twice. "Then go to sleep. I'll hold you like this the whole time."

Ning Shuyan tightened her grip on Xiao Yu's arms, her voice tinged with excitement. "Okay!" A strange light flashed in his eyes as he slowly closed them.

Ning Shuyan knew that no man liked a strong woman. Especially not an emperor. If she showed occasional weakness, it would arouse his protective instincts and give him a sense of superiority. The emperor was no exception.

In fact, Xiao Yu didn't know why he felt so tender for the woman in his arms. He rarely fell asleep while holding a woman, let alone suggested it himself.

However, given her beautiful face and the satisfaction he had previously felt, he was willing to make do with her.