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

Xiao Yu raised an eyebrow, a carefree smile now playing on his usually cold and stern face. He said in a deep voice, "I am also somewhat curious."

Ning Shuyan looked at him blankly, and Xiao Yu pulled her into his arms, wrapping his arms around her body. He picked up a book and started reading.

Ning Shuyan turned her head away, biting her lower lip awkwardly and shyly.

Xiao Yu's warm breath occasionally brushed against her neck. Ning Shuyan glanced at the book out of the corner of her eye, then quickly looked away.

Xiao Yu pointed to the book.

"How about we give it a try?"

Ning Shuyan was shocked and turned to look at the section he was pointing to. Before she could react, she heard Xiao Yuyan say, "Shuyan is as light as a swallow and her body is so supple..."

Ning Shuyan rolled her eyes almost imperceptibly, her usual serious demeanor completely gone. She hadn't expected her true colors to be revealed so quickly, after only a few months.

As he spoke, Xiao Yu leaned close to her earlobe and asked, "What does Shuyan think?"

Ignoring Ning Shuyan's bewildered expression, she gently kissed her lips.

The two were so close that they seemed to be able to hear each other's heartbeats.

This whole affair is hardly worth mentioning.

When I woke up the next day, there was no one beside me.

Ning Shuyan couldn't help but feel weak all over.

He moved his arms and neck and asked, "When did His Majesty leave?"

Qiu Le said, "His Majesty has been gone for quite a while. He should be in Chengguang Hall discussing matters with his ministers right now."

Ning Shuyan nodded and got out of bed to take a shower.

Ziying frowned as he looked at the suggestive marks on Ning Shuyan's body: "Why is the Emperor so unkind to Miss?"

He didn't really show much pity, but he was the emperor? How could he possibly pity a woman? Besides, he had already enjoyed himself...

Ning Shuyan laughed and said, "It doesn't hurt!"

"It doesn't hurt anywhere, Miss, but there are red patches all over your body."

Ning Shuyan chuckled, then suddenly found herself speechless. That's right… Ziying had been by her side since she was eight, and had never understood matters between men and women, so it was normal that she didn't know.

"You're still young. You'll understand when you have a husband. These things are unavoidable."

Ziying lowered her head shyly and didn't ask any more questions.

After this incident, Ning Shuyan became even more certain that Xiao Yu, who seemed calm and composed, was actually just like an ordinary man when it came to lust, or even more so!

That's true; many ancient emperors were incompetent and lustful. Those who seem to prefer dignified women are, in reality, what man isn't drawn to alluring charm in bed?

For example, Zhao Feiyan of the Han Dynasty was graceful and could perform a dance on a palm, but she could not compare to her younger sister Zhao Hede, who possessed innate allure. Emperor Cheng of Han ultimately fell for her charms and died without regret.

Inside Chengguang Hall.

Xiao Yu entrusted Ning Rongyuan with an important task. Ning Rongyuan was flattered and kowtowed to promise not to let the emperor down.

Although Ning Rongyuan held the title of Marquis, it was inherited and he had never been given important responsibilities.

After Xiao Yu took office, his personnel choices became truly unpredictable. Many officials who had been forgotten were instead put to use by Xiao Yu.

In truth, Xiao Yu didn't promote Ning Rongyuan solely because of Ning Shuyan, but she did indeed make him pay more attention to Ning Rongyuan. After taking office, he primarily focused on cultivating his own power base, waiting for the right opportunity to eliminate those arrogant and ambitious officials.

"Consort Ning misses her aunt very much. When you return, you may ask her to embroider some for Consort Ning to ease her longing."

Xiao Yu's nonchalant remark startled Ning Rongyuan once again. He hadn't expected his daughter to make such a request. He immediately knelt down and said, "Consort Ning has always been unruly and willful at home. Please forgive my daughter's temperament, Your Majesty."

Xiao Yu waved his hand and laughed, "My dear minister, you have raised Consort Ning very well. Your daughter is gentle, considerate, and understanding. How could she be willful?"

Gentle, considerate, and understanding? Ning Rongyuan couldn't believe these words described his eldest daughter. It seemed this daughter truly had some talent; having only been in the palace for a short time, she had already won the Emperor's favor.

He quickly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, I will tell my concubine as soon as I get back."

After leaving Chengguang Hall, Ning Rongyuan let out a deep breath. It seemed he would have to instruct his wife to treat Yun Shi well from now on; if anything were to happen to her, the Emperor and Ning Shuyan would likely blame him!

After lunch, Ning Shuyan went out for a stroll. Unexpectedly, she ran into Consort Rong and Consort Xi.

Ning Shuyan walked slowly, and from afar she heard Consort Rong say unhappily, "What's with the arrogance? As if everyone has been pregnant before. Being able to give birth is the real skill."

Consort Xi, her face pale, retorted without any politeness, "What does Consort Rong mean by this? This is the Emperor's heir. Does Consort Rong not wish for it to be born?"

Consort Rong raised her chin, her face as cold as frost: "Some things are best left unsaid, as we both know them."

Consort Xi protected her lower abdomen, a smile curving her lips: "Then I will certainly not let Your Majesty have your way, the child will definitely be born safely."

Consort Rong snorted coldly and walked forward arrogantly. When Consort Rong approached, Ning Shuyan curtsied, but Consort Rong acted as if she didn't see Ning Shuyan and walked past with a stiff face.

Ning Shuyan was still enjoying her freedom, and then bowed and greeted Xi Jieyu who had stepped forward.

Xi Jieyu said in a nonchalant tone, "Let's skip it."

She watched Consort Rong's retreating figure and said coldly, "Just looking at Consort Rong gives me a headache."

Ning Shuyan smiled and said, "You're pregnant now, your health is important. Just ignore the unpleasant things you've said. Taking them to heart will only make you feel uncomfortable."

As she walked, Consort Xi whispered, "The Emperor said he would ensure the child's safe delivery. I believe the Emperor will protect me and the child." As she said this, a sweet smile appeared on her face.

Although the Emperor himself hoped for the safety of his heir, Xiao Yu actually assured Consort Xi that the child would be born safely. It seems he valued both the child and Consort Xi highly.

Did the Emperor really favor Consort Xi that much?

She still had a gentle smile on her face and said softly, "In that case, you can rest assured to give birth to the Emperor's heir."

A hint of smugness flickered in Consort Xi's eyes. "As long as I give birth to this child, one day I won't have to bow to Consort Rong."

Ning Shuyan truly didn't know what Xiao Yu and Consort Xi had promised that gave her such great confidence. And judging from Consort Xi's appearance, she was probably already smitten with this cold-faced emperor.