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

It's already July, and I've been at Yichun Garden for a month now.

The heat came later this year, so July was still quite hot.

The Empress held the official history book and read: "Consort Zhuang served the Emperor five times, Consort Rong once, Consort Ying once, and Consort Ning four times..." She paused when she read Ning Shuyan's name.

The Empress smiled knowingly: "Since Consort Xi became pregnant, Consort Ning has been receiving the Emperor's favor even more often."

Du Ruo also laughed and said, "That's right! In the past, Consort Zhuang would serve the emperor seven or eight days a month. After the new consort entered the palace, some of the emperor's favor was eventually taken away."

Although the Emperor visits Consort Zhuang's palace every two days, he doesn't always receive her favor. If it lasts for seven or eight days, it's considered a great honor.

The Empress covered the paper with the official seal: "It's like a meal. If there are only a few dishes, you'll inevitably only taste what you like. But if there are many dishes, you'll pick them all up and try them, and your stomach will be almost full. Even if you like the dishes, you won't be able to eat them all."

After a pause, the Empress added, "It all depends on whether Consort Ning's womb can keep up with the demand."

Inside the Liuyin Palace, Ning Shuyan was painting after having dinner. Her aunt's painting skills were excellent, but no one appreciated them. Ning Shuyan had learned a thing or two, and although her paintings weren't very good, they weren't unpleasant to look at.

She loved red plum blossoms very much, and they were her most prized possessions. Her fondness for red plum blossoms wasn't because of their noble character, but simply because she felt that in the white expanse of winter, the vibrant color of red plum blossoms made a striking and festive impression when placed in the bedroom.

Women in ancient times loved flowers, and most could give a long list of reasons why.

When Xiao Yu came in, he saw Ning Shuyan holding an ink brush, concentrating intently on painting.

Her usual coquettishness has now transformed into a quiet elegance and scholarly air.

Ning Shuyan heard faint footsteps and caught a glimpse of the man's boots out of the corner of her eye. She quickly put down her pen and gave a slight curtsy: "His Majesty has arrived."

As they spent more time together, the initial awkwardness faded. Ning Shuyan also felt that Xiao Yu didn't like reserved women, so her greeting was just a casual, everyday phrase.

Xiao Yu walked straight over to the painting and said gently, "Is this a painting of plum blossoms?"

Ning Shuyan gazed at the red plum blossoms she had painted on the Xuan paper. She considered this her best work, and even she found it beautiful. She smiled and asked, "What does Your Majesty think of my painting?"

Xiao Yu examined the red plum blossoms, a slight smile playing on his lips, but he remained silent.

Judging from his expression, Ning Shuyan knew he wasn't very satisfied.

Sure enough, Xiao Yu pointed to the branches of the red plum tree and said, "This part is lacking in charm; the color should be a bit darker here."

Ning Shuyan looked at the painting with a puzzled expression, but she didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

Xiao Yu picked up his brush and lightly dipped it in ink.

Xiao Yu was already handsome, and now, with his gentle features and the way he held the brush, he exuded an air of refined elegance. Such looks alone would have captivated many women at first sight, even if he were an ordinary man.

Ning Shuyan turned her gaze back to the Xuan paper. With just one stroke of his brush, she suddenly felt that the tree branch had become upright and strong.

Ning Shuyan exclaimed with delight, "Your Majesty's revision is truly the finishing touch! I thought my drawing was quite good, but I was too presumptuous. Your Majesty is truly amazing!" Her bright almond-shaped eyes were filled with admiration and affection.

Seeing the admiration and adoration on her face, Xiao Yu couldn't help but laugh heartily. Looking at the plum blossoms, he said, "Shuyan is just a woman, yet she can paint plum blossom petals so beautifully, which is quite impressive."

Ning Shuyan smiled sweetly: "My aunt said that I am not good at calligraphy and painting, so it is already quite good that I have reached this level."

"Did your aunt teach you to draw?"

Ning Shuyan nodded and said softly, "My concubine taught me all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. However, I am not very talented and it was difficult for me to learn. As Your Majesty has seen, what I thought was my best painting was actually just a poor imitation."

Xiao Yu chuckled lightly: "What woman belittles herself like that? Everyone has their own strengths. If Shuyan wants to learn the essence of it in the future, I will personally teach you."

Ning Shuyan's eyes were like waves as she glanced at Xiao Yu and said, "Alright, Your Majesty, you mustn't despise your disciple for being dull-witted."

Xiao Yu gently tapped her head: "I think you're a clever little devil, not stupid at all."

This was indeed Xiao Yu's honest opinion. Although she was naive, she knew how to be tactful, what to say at what time, and how to please him.

And as the emperor's woman, he was drawn to women like that. After a long day of official duties, he was exhausted; who wouldn't want to see a beautiful face and hear sweet words?

Xiao Yu's gaze fell on the book on the table, and he picked it up, saying, "Are you reading a storybook today?"

Ning Shuyan picked up the book, her eyes gleaming with a strange light. She whispered, "Your Majesty, the book you sent..."

Xiao Yu looked puzzled: "What? Don't you like it?"

Ning Shuyan found it difficult to speak: "Your Majesty, why did you send that kind of book to me?"

"Which kind?" Xiao Yu was more and more confused as he listened.

Ning Shuyan was momentarily at a loss for words, her face flushing slightly, as shy as a rosy sunset. She walked to the bookshelf, took out the book she had been reading yesterday, and handed it to Xiao Yu. Biting her lower lip lightly, she whispered, "Your Majesty, take a look for yourself."

As she spoke, she turned away shyly.

Xiao Yu couldn't help but chuckle at her blushing, shy expression. He took the book and casually opened it.

Ning Shuyan waited for him to speak, but unexpectedly heard Xiao Yu burst into laughter.

The palace servants who had already left laughed upon hearing this, especially Yang An, who rarely heard the Emperor laugh so happily.

Ning Shuyan was momentarily embarrassed and laughed as she spat at him, saying, "Your Majesty, you're still laughing! Such an improper book..."

It would be one thing if this happened in modern times, but I never expected to see such a book in ancient times, especially in the palace! It was even a gift from the emperor.

Xiao Yu suppressed a smile, stood up, and gently put his hand on her shoulder, saying, "I sent the palace servants to buy them, only saying to buy some that sell well and are interesting. I didn't expect these to be included."

Interesting! Isn't it interesting? It's absolutely fascinating! Ning Shu thought to herself.

It was rare for Xiao Yu to see the usually gentle Ning Cairen with such a stern face, and he found it rather novel. He pulled her hand and sat her down beside him.

Ning Shuyan pouted and said, "I thought Your Majesty was doing it on purpose!"

Xiao Yu usually pinched her small nose, and Ning Shuyan couldn't help but frown slightly.

"So... how much did Shuyan watch?"

Ning Shuyan's face flushed with embarrassment, and she nervously rubbed her wide sleeves with her fingers. She whispered, "I didn't see much."

Xiao Yu leaned close to her ear and said in a deep voice, "How much is considered 'not seen'?"

"I read... about ten pages." She kept her head down, wishing she could hide her face with something.

"Shuyan just said it was an improper book, so why did you read more than ten pages?" Xiao Yu's face showed a malicious smile.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty is a little curious," Ning Shuyan said in a low voice. She hadn't expected Xiao Yu to be so persistent in pressing her for details!