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

Ning Shuyan picked up the book, casually flipped through it, and said softly, "Although this book tells the story of the two brothers, Jiang Yu and Jiang Yu, who went from being mere warriors to encountering a mentor who recognized their talent and helped them fight bravely on the battlefield to serve their country, I, a mere woman, am more concerned with matters of the heart. Even after Jiang Yu was promoted and became wealthy and powerful, he still upheld the principles of 'never forgetting friends made in poverty and hardship, and never abandoning a wife who shared hardship.' Therefore, I greatly admire his character."

Having said that, Yingying raised her eyes to look at Xiao Yu, who was slightly surprised beside her, and smiled brightly, "I wonder if what I said is correct?"

Xiao Yu laughed heartily, his eyes filled with bright surprise and appreciation. He reached out and pinched her nose. "Alright, you little rascal, you're still keeping me in suspense."

He pulled her to sit in his lap, his arms around her waist, and said softly, "Not only is she right, Shuyan has captured the essence of the book. I never realized that my Consort Ning was such an extraordinary woman."

Ning Shuyan nodded and smiled sweetly: "Your Majesty, please don't praise me like that, or I'll become arrogant."

Xiao Yu laughed and said, "You're capable of handling that. Does Shuyan usually read these kinds of books?"

Ning Shuyan smiled faintly: "When I was in my boudoir, my aunt often made me read books like 'Admonitions for Women' and 'Instructions for Women,' but I found them really boring. Sometimes I would read storybooks, but what I liked most were the interesting folk tales from outside the palace. They were so interesting that sometimes I didn't want to put them down."

Actually, Ning Shuyan rarely read books about military strategy and political maneuvering while she was young, and she only skimmed through this book at the time. Looking back now, it's quite a coincidence.

Because of Aunt Yun's daily reminders and constant supervision, Ning Shuyan has truly lived like an ancient person during her six years here. She knows a little about poetry, songs, calligraphy, painting, music, chess, and other arts, though she's not an expert.

Xiao Yu looked at the smiling woman in front of him with a hint of doting in his eyes. After all, she was just a young girl, ten years younger than him, and it was already quite impressive that she had such insights.

Xiao Yu initially thought she was beautiful enough to be a decorative figure in the harem, pleasing to the eye occasionally. However, as he spent more time with her, he discovered that she was not only beautiful but also charming and gentle. He had now discovered another of her virtues.

Indeed, how can a mere opera singer compare to a daughter of an official from a noble family?

"What is Your Majesty thinking? Why did Your Majesty suddenly ask me how to pronounce 'Yu Yu Zhuan'? Could it be that someone answered it wrong, and Your Majesty summoned me to Chengguang Hall specifically to test me?" She pouted slightly.

"No, I really did want to see you," Xiao Yu said. He paused, then added, "Shuyan, if you answered incorrectly, I would punish you. Now that you've answered correctly, I'll reward you handsomely." He stroked her slender waist and gently pinched it. His lips brushed against her neck.

Ning Shuyan lowered her head, feeling slightly embarrassed, and said softly, "Your Majesty..."

Looking at her shy expression, Xiao Yu couldn't help but chuckle: "I haven't even said what I'm going to do yet, why are you so shy? Could it be that Shuyan has misunderstood?"

Feeling embarrassed by the joke, Ning Shuyan blushed and huffed, "Your Majesty deliberately teased me." With that, she pushed his hand away and stood up with her back to him.

Xiao Yu saw that she was actually sulking, but since he was in a good mood at the moment, he patiently got up and turned her around. He noticed that her rosy lips were pouting high, and her expression wasn't very good.

Xiao Yu wasn't angry at all; instead, he found it quite novel. He gently stroked her head and said softly, "Alright, don't be angry."

As the emperor, it's rare for someone to know how to coax others. Ning Shuyan stopped there, her expression softening, and gave a soft hum, though that hum carried a hint of coquettish charm.

Xiao Yu then said, "It's not too late yet, accompany me to Yaoqing Pool."

Yaoqing Pool was a hot spring bathing place for the emperor and his concubines. The pool was filled with natural, clear mountain spring water and morning dew. Flower petals could be added to it, leaving the bather with a pleasant fragrance.

Long-term soaking can make the skin delicate and smooth, beautify the skin, and also calm the mind and soothe the nerves.

However, not every concubine had this honor. Apart from the empress, only favored concubines could enjoy it with the emperor's favor.

Ning Shuyan followed Xiao Yu to Yaoqing Pool. The Emperor and the empresses had separate bathing pools.

After instructing Ziying to return to the palace to retrieve the clothes, Ning Shuyan soaked alone in the spacious bathtub.

Layers of delicate red roses float on the surface of the pool, and hot spring water gurgles into the bath. The water is soft and smooth, and the rising steam carries a faint floral fragrance all around.

Ning Shuyan felt completely relaxed and comfortable, and her spirits lifted considerably. No wonder Yang Guifei of ancient times loved soaking in hot springs so much; it was such a pleasant and enjoyable experience.

After bathing, Ning Shuyan dressed and went out, only to find Xiao Yu already sitting in the hall.

She stepped forward gracefully: "Your Majesty, you have been waiting for a long time."

Xiao Yu looked up and saw her in a light, flowing dress, a pale purple belt cinching her slender waist and highlighting her graceful figure. After her bath, her face was as radiant as a lotus, her complexion as beautiful as the clouds. Her slightly damp hair cascaded down her back, adding to her alluring and delicate charm.

"Do you want to go back to Chengguang Palace or Liuyin Palace?" Xiao Yu asked gently, looking at her tenderly.

Ning Shuyan had assumed she would return to Chengguang Palace after her bath, and was surprised that Xiao Yu was asking her to make a choice. Smiling, she said, "Your Majesty, I wish to return to Liuyin Palace."

Xiao Yu nodded: "Okay."

If the imperial concubines were asked this question normally, they would surely blush and say it's fine. None of them answered with the same carefree honesty as the woman before them.

The full moon hangs high, its silvery-gray light scattering across the artificial hills and trees. From afar, it appears as if a hazy, pale white veil has been draped over them.

"Your Majesty, would you mind accompanying me back?"

Xiao Yu was about to get into the sedan chair when he heard Ning Shuyan's request, and couldn't help but ask curiously, "Why?"

Ning Shuyan looked up at the white jade disc hanging in the air, the moonlight bathing her face in serene tranquility, her eyes clear and bright. "I once read a book where a man and a woman walked slowly under the moonlight, their hands seemingly unwilling to part, their shadows cast on the ground conveying a tender affection. I thought this scene must be incredibly beautiful and precious. Therefore…"

Xiao Yu was slightly taken aback. Looking at her exquisitely beautiful face, he said slowly, "The character in the book that Shuyan mentioned is exactly what the saying goes: 'I wish we could be together for a while, and let the moon always be shrouded in mist.'"

He extended his hand to her with a gentle, refined air, his lips curving into an exceptionally soft smile beneath his handsome nose.

Ning Shuyan smiled radiantly, like a blooming orchid, elegant and refined. She reached out and placed her hand in his palm.

Xiao Yu found it extremely amusing and delightful, as he rarely accompanied his concubines on moonlit walks like this. Most importantly, what the woman before him said was incredibly interesting, coupled with the longing in her eyes…

He quickly said to the eunuchs behind him, "None of you should follow."

A pair of shadows under the moon, naturally no one else can be present.

Of course, Yang An and the others only retreated far away; they certainly wouldn't actually leave.

Holding hands in the candlelight and moonlight, the two looked like an ordinary couple. Their shadows on the ground seemed to merge together, perfectly capturing the tender affection between them.

Ning Shuyan knew very well that he was only agreeing to these requests because she had won his favor for the time being and it was just a novelty. Once the novelty wore off, he would find them all quite boring.

Wanting the emperor's favor, simply being alluring and charming in bed will eventually lose its passion and become boring.

You need to let him know that besides that, you have other things that are worthy of his curiosity and amazement.