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

After leaving Yushu Palace, Ning Shuyan looked at the clear blue sky, just like the sky on the day she entered the palace.

Having only been in the palace for five short months, she had already witnessed countless power struggles and open and covert attacks directed at her.

Even if she manages to escape once or twice, what then? She can't escape it forever.

It's better to firmly grasp that person's favor and power. With these, and someone backing you up, no one will dare to frame you so recklessly again.

After returning to the palace, Consort Zhuang of Yihe Palace felt a bit unwell and went to rest. As soon as she woke up, Yulan came over and said, "Your Highness, something happened to the one in Yushu Palace just now."

Consort Zhuang immediately perked up, a hint of joy on her face: "Indeed! But the child is gone?"

Yulan shook her head and told Consort Zhuang the whole story she knew.

Consort Zhuang's expression instantly darkened, and her beauty vanished. She raised an eyebrow and said, "Truly useless! Consort Rong can't even handle something like this. She's lost both her wife and her army, while Ning Cairen has benefited for nothing."

She knew Consort Rong would definitely make a move, but she never expected her to be so foolish. Consort Xi's belly was still fine; she was really lucky to be alive!

Consort Zhuang narrowed her eyes: "She's still a bit lacking in brains. If I'm going to do it, I have to be absolutely sure. Right now, she's practically fallen out of favor."

She paused, then smiled slightly: "That's fine too. She's always been comparing herself to me and opposing me. I finally don't have to see that annoying face anymore. I really hope Your Majesty can keep her locked up for life."

Thinking this way, Consort Zhuang was immediately in a much better mood.

Not long after Ning Shuyan returned to Lanyue Pavilion, the eunuch Li Zhang came in to report: "Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Ji has arrived."

Ning Shuyan wondered what the imperial physician was doing here.

Li Zhang was quite adept at reading people's expressions, and quickly explained, "It was said that the Emperor conveyed it on behalf of His Majesty."

Ning Shuyan nodded: "Let him in."

This was Ning Shuyan's second time seeing Imperial Physician Ji. She remembered the last time she pretended to faint at the palace, and Imperial Physician Ji, being clever and perceptive, said that he had suffered from heatstroke.

After taking her pulse, Physician Ji said respectfully, "Your Highness is fine, but you have caught a chill. You can drink some ginger soup to dispel the cold."

Ning Shuyan glanced at Physician Ji. His features were decent, but his skin was a bit rough and dark. His face showed respect, and he seemed to be a dutiful person. He was also one of the younger members of the Imperial Hospital.

"Okay, I understand. Thank you, Physician Ji."

Imperial Physician Ji quickly cupped his hands respectfully and said, "Your Highness is too kind. This is merely my duty."

After Physician Ji left, Ning Shuyan began to ponder. After a while, she instructed, "Go and find out who is in Physician Ji's family and what their situation is."

Qiu Le suddenly realized: "Does Your Highness intend to recruit Imperial Physician Ji for your own use?"

You know, in the harem, if you have a capable imperial physician to help you, many things will be much easier.

"Imperial edict has arrived!"

While they were talking, they heard Yang An shouting loudly from outside.

Ning Shuyan left the main hall and knelt down. She heard Yang An's high-pitched, thin voice:

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Consort Ning is of gentle and virtuous character, refined and proper, and adept at etiquette. She has rendered meritorious service in saving the imperial heir; therefore, she is hereby conferred the title of Fifth-Rank Beauty. So be it!"

With a beaming smile, Yang An personally handed the imperial edict to Ning Shuyan: "Congratulations, Your Highness. His Majesty has bestowed many gifts upon you." He pointed to the brocade box held by the eunuch beside him: "Especially this one, it's a rare treasure. His Majesty also said that you should wear it and he will come over after dinner."

Ning Shuyan nodded with a smile: "I understand, thank you for your hard work, Father-in-law."

After saying this, Qiu Le quickly stuffed the purse into his hand, and Yang An's smile deepened. The weight of the purse indicated a generous gift. This Consort Ning was not only generous and beautiful, but also favored by the Emperor. If she continued like this, unlike Consort Rong who courted death, she would surely rise to the rank of Consort in time.

The fact that the Emperor rarely promotes the rank of his consorts is enough to show that Ning Cairen is special in the Emperor's heart.

Qiu Le and Zi Ying were both beaming with joy. In fact, Ning Shuyan had also wondered if the Emperor would promote her. She knew that her words in Yu Shu Palace had moved Xiao Yu. But when the imperial decree arrived, there was still a slight surprise.

She looked at the treasure Yang An had mentioned, took the box, and opened it: it was a rather unique openwork butterfly hairpin, several delicate butterflies encasing a gemstone that resembled both jade and crystal. Similar gemstones dangled from the butterfly wings, shimmering gently like starlight. But there was nothing particularly special about it.

But since Xiao Yu said he would wear it himself, she put it on. She sat down in front of the bronze mirror, found a suitable spot to insert the ornament, and it added a touch of elegance and refinement to her appearance.

Just when she thought it was just an ordinary hairpin, Ning Shuyan walked to the couch and sat down. The soft sunlight from the window shone on her and her head.

The hairpin flowed like colorful clouds, faintly shimmering with a yellowish-orange hue, its shimmering light making it seem to glow against the backdrop of jet-black hair.

Qiu Le laughed and said, "It really is a treasure. It looks absolutely beautiful on you, Master, making you even more radiant and charming."

Ning Shuyan smiled, but felt little moved. That's how emperors are; they reward you when they're happy, and they also reward you when you've been wronged. For the emperor, it's merely a reward or a favor, not a "gift."

When Xiao Yu arrived, Ning Shuyan had just finished bathing and casually tied up her black hair with a hairpin.

Xiao Yu helped Ning Shuyan up from her bowing position, examined the hairpin in her hair, and asked gently, "Do you like it?"

Ning Shuyan raised her hand and gently stroked the hairpin, smiled brightly, and said in a soft, melodious voice, "It was given to me by His Majesty, so of course I like it."

She didn't use the word "reward," but instead used the word "gift," which sounded more comfortable to Xiao Yu, as if the word was more intimate.

During the conversation, Qiu Le brought out the ginger soup at just the right time: "Master, it's time to drink the ginger soup."

Ning Shuyan frowned at the smell and gently fanned away the pungent odor. She then picked up the bowl and gulped it down in one go.

"Did you catch a cold?" Xiao Yu took Ning Shuyan's hand and tested its temperature.

Ning Shuyan smiled and said, "The imperial physician said she caught a bit of a chill, but it's nothing serious."

Xiao Yu gazed at Ning Shuyan with a gentle yet complex expression, his eyes like the misty haze of the night.

"Does Shuyan feel wronged? Is there anything you want to say to me?"

Ning Shuyan's clear, bright eyes held a hint of doubt as she smiled gently, "His Majesty promoted my rank, sent me many gifts, and came to see me personally. How could I possibly feel wronged?" Her long eyelashes fluttered gently like raven wings, revealing her sincerity and innocence.

Xiao Yu was deeply moved. He reached out and stroked her soft cheek, saying with relief and satisfaction, "I know you've been wronged. Shuyan is always so sensible."

At Consort Xi's place, she cried and complained that she had been wronged and that Consort Rong's punishment was too lenient, completely disregarding whether it would harm her unborn child. This, in turn, displeased Xiao Yu.

Upon arriving at Lanyue Pavilion, seeing the woman's understanding demeanor, he felt that she had been wronged and was worthy of his pity.