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

Xiao Yu offered a few more words of comfort before leaving.

Ziying remained kneeling on the ground, and Ning Shu said gently, "Please get up."

Ziying asked, puzzled, "Miss, why are you pleading for Consort Rong?"

"If His Majesty truly intends to punish Consort Rong, what use would my pleas be? Besides, these are all minor matters, and His Majesty would not severely punish Consort Rong."

Previously, when Consort Xi was beaten so badly, the Emperor only promoted her rank. He didn't blame Consort Rong at all. Regardless of whether the Emperor held a grudge, it's true that he didn't punish Consort Rong.

Since that's the case, why doesn't she adopt a peaceful and understanding demeanor? When Xiao Yu goes to Ningxiang Palace again, comparing the two, he will be even more dissatisfied with Consort Rong's arrogance.

After leaving Liuyin Palace, Xiao Yu went directly to Ningxiang Palace.

Inside Ningxiang Palace, Consort Rong watched Pei'er being taken away, secretly raging and heartbroken. Pei'er was her personal maid, having served her for over ten years. To see her suffer thirty strokes of the cane like this, it would be a lie to say she felt no pain. Beyond the heartache, a layer of hatred welled up within her.

Hearing the commotion outside, they knew that Xiao Yu had arrived.

Consort Rong quickly straightened her clothes, knelt down, and said in a soft voice, "Your Majesty, Pei'er is my personal maid. Thirty strokes of the rod will probably ruin her health. I beg Your Majesty to have mercy and deal with Pei'er again."

Xiao Yu's face seemed shrouded in a dark cloud, his deep eyes filled with indifference.

He neither told Consort Rong to rise nor answered her question, but simply said, "Where is Consort Ning's handkerchief? Bring it here!"

Consort Rong was struggling with how to bring up the handkerchief incident when a cool, aloof smile flashed in her eyes. She began, "Your Majesty, Consort Ning said this handkerchief is her beloved possession, holding sentimental value. I wonder if this handkerchief might have some other meaning, perhaps…?"

Xiao Yu narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "That was embroidered by Consort Ning!"

Consort Rong was shocked, and it took her a moment to react. She had assumed that the man outside the palace had bought it as a gift for Ning Shuyan, since her nervous appearance made it hard to imagine that it was a gift from a relative.

Consort Rong gritted her teeth, lowering her eyes to conceal the hatred within them. "What use is that handkerchief to me? I lost it, and I don't even know where it ended up on the road."

Xiao Yu frowned, his face stern. "Consort Rong, I have already tolerated you time and again. Don't push your luck!"

Consort Rong was horrified. Her legs went weak, and she sat on the ground, looking up at Xiao Yu, whose face was grim. "Your Majesty, she is just a concubine. Why did Your Majesty have to come here personally to find a handkerchief for her? I only punished her a little, and Your Majesty came to question me and severely punish Pei'er."

Xiao Yu said coldly, "This time I punished a palace maid, but next time I will punish more than just palace maids. Consort Rong, you should think about why I have repeatedly tolerated you!"

Having said that, he didn't want to say anything more to her and turned away.

Why do you keep tolerating me? Consort Rong thought to herself.

She clenched her fists tightly and took Ning Shuyan's handkerchief from her sleeve. She tore it apart with all her might, her beautiful face contorted in rage.

Why should she return this worthless piece of paper to her? Doesn't she cherish it? Isn't she nervous about it? I'll just not let her have her way.

"Ping'er!" Consort Rong shouted towards the outside.

Ping'er hurriedly and timidly walked in.

Consort Rong said, "Get rid of all this filth! Don't let anyone see it."

After Xiao Yu left, he ordered people to look for the handkerchief on the road where Consort Rong returned to the palace, but they found nothing.

At lunchtime, Xiao Yu arrived at Liuyin Pavilion. Ning Shuyan quickly stood up and was about to bow when he said, "No need."

Ning Shuyan asked expectantly, "Your Majesty, has the handkerchief been found?"

Xiao Yu looked dejected and shook his head.

Upon hearing this, Ning Shuyan tried her best to hide the disappointment and melancholy that crept into her eyes. She said softly, "It's alright, if we can't find it, we can just let it go."

Xiao Yu reached out and patted her head reassuringly, saying softly, "Let's have our meal."

Although Ning Shuyan tried her best to smile during the meal, Xiao Yu could easily tell that she was in a low mood.

Xiao Yu didn't say anything, but just quietly ate his meal.

The next day, in Qingyun Palace, the concubines from all the palaces paid their respects to the Empress.

The Empress sat upright, looking at Ning Shuyan with concern, and asked, "Are you feeling any better?"

Ning Shuyan smiled gratefully and said, "Your Majesty, I am much better now. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

Consort Zhuang gently waved her fan. Today, she was unusually dressed in a light-colored gown, but the cuffs were embroidered with lifelike butterflies in gold thread. With each wave of her hand, the golden butterflies shimmered with iridescent light. She smiled brightly, her face glowing even more: "This time, Consort Rong has really gone a bit too far."

Consort Rong raised her eyes and glanced at Consort Zhuang. "If it were you, Consort Zhuang, what would you have done?"

Consort Rong snorted lightly, "It's easy for you to talk when you're not the one suffering."

She added, "I heard the other day that you weren't feeling well, but today you look radiant and much better."

Consort Zhuang's hand, which was waving a fan, paused slightly, and a smile slowly spread across her lips: "I heard that the First Prince was also ill that day. I wonder if he has recovered?"

Consort Rong paused slightly, then said with a light laugh, "Children recover quickly from illness. Although the Emperor didn't come, he sent Eunuch Yang. Did the Emperor go to see my sister that day?"

Consort Zhuang's expression changed, and she stared sharply at Consort Rong. Knowing that Consort Rong was asking a question she already knew the answer to, she tried her best to suppress her anger and didn't know how to answer for a moment.

Should we make her say it herself that the Emperor didn't come to see her?

At this moment, Consort Ying broke the awkward atmosphere: "Whether His Majesty went to see the First Prince and Consort Zhuang or not, we all know in our hearts that, apart from the Empress, His Majesty cares most about the two elder sisters."

The Empress nodded with a smile: "Consort Ying is right. After all, there are many sisters in the harem, so it's normal that the Emperor can't take care of them all."

Consort Zhuang and Consort Rong did not continue their argument. As the other consorts dispersed, Consort Rong paused beside Ning Shuyan and glared at her fiercely.

Just as Consort Rong was about to speak, Consort Ying quickly said, "Sister Consort Rong, I have something to say to you."

Consort Rong gave up and didn't try to make things difficult for Ning Shuyan any further. Consort Ying turned to Ning Shuyan and gave her a relieved smile.

For a moment, Ning Shuyan couldn't tell whether Consort Ying was friend or foe, but she was no simple character either. With just one sentence, she brought the conflict between Consort Zhuang and Consort Rong to an end.

After leaving Qingyun Palace, Consort Rong said unhappily, "I was just about to teach her a lesson, why did you stop me?"

Consort Ying's expression remained gentle as she spoke softly, "Sister, why embarrass Consort Ning in front of so many people? The Emperor has been somewhat distant from you lately. If he finds out, it won't do you any good, sister."

Consort Rong was in turmoil, her brows furrowed tightly. As she walked, she said, "The Emperor is really something. First there was Consort Xi, and now there's Consort Ning. Our Emperor is truly amorous!"

Consort Ying glanced around and said, "Sister, be careful, walls have ears. We can talk about this back in the palace."

Consort Rong was too angry and let out a soft sigh.