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

Sure enough, it was Consort Cheng who served him that night, and Consort Chu the following night. After resting for two nights in Zhaochen Palace, he went to Consort Zhuang's palace, and a few days later, Consort Xue and Consort Meng were his concubines.

Everyone couldn't help but wonder why Consort Ning hadn't been summoned to the emperor's bedchamber. Could it be that the emperor didn't like her?

As a princess at the time, the empress was well aware of such palace affairs. Aside from the late emperor's concubines, she was probably the only one in the royal household who knew about this.

Half a month has passed, and Ning Shuyan still has not served the emperor.

Ying was now anxious, but Ning Shuyan continued writing and embroidering as usual, showing no sign of urgency.

Seeing Ziying's worried expression, Ning Shuyan smiled faintly: "Don't panic. Right now, all the newcomers are eager to make a name for themselves. It's good to keep a low profile for a while. Just like in acting, someone needs to make a grand entrance at the end, which can make a lasting impression and leave a lasting impression."

Ziying nodded as if she understood, and looked at the character "静" (jing, meaning quiet/still) on Ning Shuyan's Xuan paper, and smiled, "Miss, your writing is getting better and better."

Ning Shuyan put down her brush and looked at the character "静" (jing, meaning quiet/still) with a gradually empty and unfocused gaze: "I practice all the time and experience all the time. If I still can't write it well, I'll be letting down all the experiences I've had over the years."

In modern times, she witnessed her mother die in childbirth while giving birth to her younger brother.

Having been reborn here, she witnessed her father's cold-blooded ruthlessness and her aunt's forbearance and humiliation.

The next day, at Fengqi Palace.

Consort Rong smiled and looked Ning Shuyan up and down, a hint of mockery on her beautiful face: "Ning Shuyan is so beautiful, how come our Emperor has forgotten her? I really feel sorry for you."

Ning Shuyan quickly stood up and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. His Majesty is busy with state affairs and has so many concubines in the harem, it is only natural that he cannot remember me for a moment."

Her voice was soft and gentle, revealing no trace of dissatisfaction or grievance.

The Empress smiled with satisfaction and nodded slowly: "Hmm...you're a sensible person. I'll remind the Emperor about it."

Upon hearing this, Ning Shuyan lowered her eyes and said shyly in a soft voice, "Yes, thank you, Your Majesty."

"Well……"

Just then, a retching sound rang out, and everyone looked towards the source of the sound. They saw it was Consort Tang, holding a handkerchief and looking unwell.

She rose and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, I have been impolite. Please forgive me."

The Empress was slightly taken aback, then said with some delight, "Judging from your appearance, could it be that you are pregnant?"

A blush of joy gradually spread across Consort Tang's face. She lowered her eyes shyly and said, "I was feeling a little unwell just now. I summoned the imperial physician and found out that I am already one month pregnant, so I came a little late today."

As soon as she spoke, there was a moment of silence in the hall. Ning Shuyan subtly glanced at everyone, their expressions varied. In particular, Consort Zhuang stared coldly at Consort Tang, her smooth, long fingernails digging fiercely into her palms.

The Empress, unable to hide her joy, asked with concern, "Is the imperial fetus alright? Does Your Majesty know?"

Consort Tang gently stroked her flat stomach, a hint of pride in her eyes and brows. Her voice was sweet and clear as a spring as she said, "The imperial physician says the fetus is healthy. I haven't had a chance to tell Your Majesty yet."

"That's good!" The Empress nodded happily and ordered someone to go to Zhaochen Palace to tell the Emperor.

Looking at the Empress's joyful expression, Ning Shuyan truly couldn't detect a trace of insincerity. However, she also didn't believe the Empress could be so magnanimous as to happily accept another concubine's pregnancy while chatting...

After leaving Fengqi Palace, Ning Shuyan was stopped by Lady Xue when she returned to the palace.

"Sister, wait a moment. I'm going the same way as you, so I'll go back to the palace with you."

Lady Xue was not exceptionally beautiful, but she had a delicate, refined appearance, with clear features and a small, cherry-like mouth. Her personality was much kinder than that of Lady Cheng.

Ning Shuyan didn't mind having someone return to the palace with her, so she stopped and waited for her with a smile.

A faint trace of melancholy graced Xue Yunu's thin, red lips as she sighed softly, "I truly envy Consort Tang."

Ning Shuyan smiled and said, "Does my little sister want a child too?"

Lady Xue immediately replied, "Of course, having a child means you'll have someone to rely on for the rest of your life."

"Then I wish my sister all her dreams come true soon." Ning Shuyan's lips curved slightly, revealing a very faint smile, as light as a feather.

Having just entered the palace, their positions were not yet secure, and they lacked the emperor's favor and protection. Even if they became pregnant, what could they do? Most likely, they wouldn't be able to give birth.

Even though Consort Tang was an old lady in the palace, she might not have been able to give birth.

Suddenly remembering that Ning Shuyan had not yet served the emperor, Xue Yunu said with an apologetic smile, "Look, I shouldn't have said these things to you."

Ning Shuyan shook her head with a smile: "It's alright, I don't mind."

The news quickly reached Emperor Xiao Yu's ears, and he was naturally overjoyed. After all, he currently only had one prince, born to Consort Rong. His offspring were truly few.

Since Lady Tang had served in the Prince's residence, she was immediately promoted to Lady Tang. This is a classic example of a mother's status rising with her son's.

But Ning Shuyan felt that using her child to climb the social ladder was something she would never do in her life.

April 16th marked a month since Ning Shuyan entered the palace. She had yet to see the Emperor, leading many to speculate whether she had offended him.

On this day, Ning Shuyan took Ziying to the southeast corner of the palace, where there was a sea of ​​crabapple blossoms.

From a distance, the crabapple blossoms blooming among the green leaves are incredibly vibrant, like a dazzling flame, adding boundless joy to the romantic spring.

Ning Shuyan happily picked a bunch of brightly blooming crabapple blossoms, their beauty breathtaking. The small green leaves beside them accentuated the flowers' vibrancy, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves on the tree.

Ning Shuyan suddenly remembered a line of poetry and said leisurely, "Yesterday the flowers were in full bloom, today they seem about to fall."

Ziying's eyes flickered slightly, and after a moment's thought, she asked, "Why is Miss reciting such sorrowful verses?"

Ning Shuyan stroked the crimson petals, their color appearing even more vibrant under the sunlight. "I'm just lamenting that this flower can only exist in this secluded garden. Look, it will wither soon."

At that moment, a faint shadow appeared, but it vanished just as quickly.

However, Ning Shuyan had her back to her and didn't see it. She walked forward to a crabapple tree.