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

When Consort Zhuang in Yihe Palace heard that the Emperor had arrived, she sat up with joy.

Everything was ready, awaiting the Emperor's arrival. She wore a crimson, form-fitting dress that accentuated her alluring figure; every smile and gesture exuded charm.

She took small steps forward, her eyes as gentle as spring water as she looked at Xiao Yu as he entered, and gave a slight curtsy: "Your Majesty, I thought you weren't coming."

Her voice was incredibly soft and sweet, completely different from when she was in Fengqi Palace today.

Xiao Yu helped Consort Zhuang up: "Didn't I have someone tell you that I would be coming a little later?"

Consort Zhuang held Xiao Yu's hand tightly, as if she didn't want to let go for even a moment, and said in a sweet voice, "Your Majesty, I haven't seen you for six or seven days. I miss you so much."

Xiao Yu chuckled: "Many other concubines haven't seen me for a month or two, but you're so dramatic, complaining after just a few days."

Consort Zhuang said, half aggrieved and half coquettishly, "I miss Your Majesty terribly if I don't see you for a day. How can I compare to others? Take my feelings for Your Majesty, for example, they are incomparable to others, aren't they?"

She spoke in a sweet, coquettish voice, and although Xiao Yu said she was being pretentious, she felt that Xiao Yu liked her this way.

Suddenly, the image of another woman popped into Xiao Yu's mind. What about her feelings for him?

Xiao Yu pondered for a moment, then a smile appeared on his face: "Alright, I naturally know what you're thinking."

Consort Zhuang smiled gracefully and picked up the peeled pine nuts from the plate beside her with her delicate hand: "Your Majesty, I have peeled the pine nuts you like to eat in advance." As she spoke, she fed them to the Emperor.

Xiao Yu smiled as he ate pine nuts: "Why bother doing it yourself? Just have the palace servants peel them."

Upon hearing this, Consort Zhuang immediately said softly, "The ones peeled by the palace maids are nowhere near as sweet as the ones I peel." As she spoke, she gently hooked her arm around Xiao Yu's neck, her eyes filled with tender affection.

Xiao Yu's most favored concubines were Consort Rong and Consort Zhuang. Consort Rong only knew how to flatter and fawn, but Consort Zhuang would remember Xiao Yu's favorite foods. In comparison, Consort Zhuang served him more attentively.

"Yes, Ling'er peeled the sweetest ones." His face softened.

Consort Zhuang gently stroked Xiao Yu's neck and ears with her slender fingers, her eyes sparkling with spring, and softly called out, "Your Majesty..."

Consort Zhuang's breath brushed gently against his ear, and Xiao Yu's eyes flickered. He raised his hand and stroked Consort Zhuang's back.

Consort Zhuang's pink nails gently traced Xiao Yu's back, her breath carrying a faint, soft fragrance, as she gently approached Xiao Yu's lips.

Xiao Yu looked at her red lips, abruptly lowered his hand, and turned his head away. Consort Zhuang was slightly surprised, her body stiffened, and she whispered, "Your Majesty..."

Xiao Yu's face remained calm, revealing neither joy nor anger, and he said indifferently, "I am a little thirsty."

Consort Zhuang's charming, flushed cheeks instantly dimmed as she stared blankly at Xiao Yu as he picked up the teacup beside him and slowly sipped it.

She didn't understand! Why wouldn't the Emperor let her kiss his lips whenever they were intimate? She had never tested his principle, but today she had been moved by his feelings and saw that Xiao Yu was clearly very happy.

Why is the Emperor still unwilling?

When Xiao Yu looked up again, his face was full of warmth. He stood up and said, "It's late, you should go to bed soon."

Consort Zhuang followed behind him, staring blankly at Xiao Yu's back. Suddenly, as if possessed, she hugged Xiao Yu tightly, pressing her cheek against his warm back, even through his clothes.

She choked back tears and said, "Your Majesty, why are you refusing me? Don't you like Ling'er?"

Consort Zhuang could no longer restrain her emotions and finally asked the question that had been lingering in her mind for several years.

Xiao Yu narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone as gentle as ever: "Consort Zhuang, there are some things you shouldn't ask too many questions about."

Consort Zhuang's eyes reddened, and tears streamed down her delicate face, dripping onto his clothes. She said pitifully, "But I want to know, is it that I have done something wrong? Why does Your Majesty dislike me?"

Consort Zhuang rarely showed such sadness and loss of composure. Xiao Yu's voice softened slightly: "It's not that you did something wrong, nor that I dislike you, it's just that I don't like it."

Upon hearing this, Consort Zhuang seemed to see a glimmer of hope. She turned and looked up at Xiao Yu, tears clinging to her long eyelashes, appearing utterly pitiful: "Does Your Majesty mean that you don't like kissing other people either?"

"Including the Empress?" she repeated.

Xiao Yu didn't even look at her, and said in a deep voice, "Of course."

Upon hearing this, Consort Zhuang's sorrow had almost completely vanished. She picked up a handkerchief to wipe away her tears and lowered her eyes, saying, "Your Majesty, I understand. I was out of control."

She composed herself, her face still radiant and captivating: "Your Majesty was confused. You dote on me so much, I shouldn't have let my mind wander like that."

Consort Zhuang knew that if she continued to ask, Xiao Yu would not stay at Yihe Palace today.

Xiao Yu rubbed his temples, seemingly a little tired. He reached out and took Consort Zhuang's hand, leading her into the inner palace.

Consort Zhuang looked at Xiao Yu holding her hand, and a smile gradually spread across her lips.

As long as the emperor has her in his heart, and she is still his most favored concubine, what else is there to care about?

The next day, Consort Zhuang was still arrogant and domineering in Fengqi Palace, as if the incident from the previous night was just a forgotten little episode.

Back in the palace, the palace servants greeted Consort Zhuang with beaming smiles, saying, "Your Highness, please come inside and see! The Emperor has gifted you a screen; it looks so magnificent!"

Upon hearing this, Consort Zhuang's eyes and brows lit up with an irrepressible, radiant smile, and she quickly went inside. Looking at the landscape embroidered screen before her, she recognized it as the very one she had previously requested from Xiao Yu.

The embroidery is exquisitely crafted, beautifully depicting the elegant forms of flowers and trees, as well as the refined charm of mountains and rivers. When illuminated by candlelight or sunlight, it shimmers with a crystalline luster.

"I heard this screen is very precious. The Emperor really dotes on His Highness." Yulan also praised the screen highly.

Consort Zhuang looked around with a smug and pleased expression, and couldn't help but laugh out loud: "I knew it, the Emperor is all talk and no action."

She gently touched the magnificent screen, smiling contentedly.

Inside the Lanyue Pavilion.

"Miss, I heard that the Emperor just presented Consort Zhuang with a tribute screen, saying that Consort Zhuang had once begged the Emperor for it, but he refused."

Ning Shuyan was embroidering a sachet. She remained unmoved by Ziying's words, her face still calm and composed: "This is not surprising. Her favor will only grow stronger in the future."

After all… her father was fighting on the battlefield, and for that reason, even if Xiao Yu didn't like Consort Zhuang, he had to put on an act. Besides, he already doted on Consort Zhuang.

"In the past, Consort Rong would occasionally make Consort Zhuang suffer, but now Consort Zhuang is all-powerful." Qiu Le sighed.

Ning Shuyan smiled and said, "Consort Rong won't be imprisoned for too long. The fact that she wasn't demoted proves that the Emperor never intended to punish her severely. Besides, she has the First Prince by her side. For the sake of the First Prince, the Emperor will release Consort Rong sooner or later."

Women in the palace would do everything they could to give birth to a child, but Ning Shuyan never thought that she would rise to power through a child.