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

But Xiao Yu was not about to let Ning Shuyan off so easily. He was naturally excited about this new experience and couldn't wait to try it out.

Xiao Yu stretched out his hand, looking at Ning Shuyan with a hidden glint in his eyes, and said in a deep voice in her ear, "Then let me first pique Shuyan's interest, and then she can share the burden with me."

Feeling his teasing, Ning Shuyan couldn't help but slightly open her mouth, raising her beautifully curved chin, her eyes looking at Xiao Yu with unspoken words, making her even more alluring and captivating.

Even if you don't want to, you still can't escape his grasp; every nerve ending feels tingly.

Xiao Yu successfully got Ning Shuyan to share his burdens...

Afterwards, he looked at Ning Shuyan with a lingering sense of satisfaction. He had been busy with state affairs lately and hadn't had the pleasure of favoring his concubines. Undoubtedly, he had gained a great sense of satisfaction this time.

Ning Shuyan was exhausted, her chest heaving, her wet hair lazily clinging to her neck, making her look even more alluring.

Xiao Yu gently wiped the fine sweat from her forehead, showing no disgust despite his love of cleanliness. His eyes were full of tenderness and smiles: "Now Shuyan knows how hard I work, right? From now on, you should share my burdens more often."

Ning Shuyan, who had been extremely unrestrained just now, felt a little embarrassed and said with a blush, "Your Majesty is really indecent." She gently pushed Xiao Yu with her hand.

Xiao Yu stroked her soft, boneless hand and laughed, "Shuyan has truly broadened my horizons. You can do everything that others can do, and you can do things that others can't."

Actually, what if other concubines could do it too? They just wouldn't dare! After all, the Emperor isn't an ordinary man; how could he dare to ride a dragon?

Ning Shuyan lowered her eyes shyly, nestled in his arms, and whispered, "It's all because of those books Your Majesty gave me..." She paused, then gave a soft hum and said sweetly, "Did Your Majesty have ulterior motives when you gave me those books?"

She made Xiao Yu burst into laughter, and he put his arm around her, saying, "If you say so, then so be it!"

While there was laughter and joy on this side, the atmosphere at Yihe Palace was extremely somber.

Consort Zhuang sat blankly on the bed, her face deathly pale, with traces of tears on her cheeks: "Did His Majesty really say 'get out'?"

In the past six years, the Emperor has never treated him like this. Even if he didn't come in person, he would send Yang An to personally greet him.

Besides, the emperor rarely fails to come.

This time, however, the Emperor refused so decisively. He had never done so before when he was in Consort Rong's room!

Yulan whispered, "His Majesty was annoyed by Eunuch Yang and told him to come. Perhaps His Majesty really has something to attend to, which is why he can't come to visit Her Highness."

"Something's really happened! What could it be? It's just that little thing, that bitch is born with a vixen-like face, none of them are good people!" Every word, every sentence was roared out like a fierce tiger. All the hatred was at his fingertips, tightly gripping the brocade quilt.

Yulan shuddered in fright, took a step closer to Consort Zhuang, and whispered, "Your Majesty, her smugness won't last long."

Upon hearing Yulan's words, Consort Zhuang's anger instantly diminished by half, and she murmured, "Yes, that's right! Her smugness won't last long."

Yulan breathed a sigh of relief, brought over a cup of tea, and said gently, "Your Majesty, please calm down. Have some water to soothe your throat. We must remain calm. Your Majesty is the Emperor's only favored concubine."

Consort Zhuang nodded blankly, her expression having softened considerably. Taking the tea, she seemed to remember something and stammered, "Water..."

Yulan looked at her blankly.

Consort Zhuang said, "Quickly, prepare some cold water in the bathtub."

Yulan was shocked: "Your Majesty, you..."

Consort Zhuang shouted, "Go now!"

The next day, I paid my respects at Fengqi Palace.

Those in the palace had naturally heard about what happened last night, and the concubines arrived early, eager to see Consort Zhuang make a fool of herself. They had had enough of seeing Consort Zhuang's recent arrogance and haughty attitude, a testament to the Nangong family's recent success.

However, even after the Empress arrived, Consort Zhuang still did not come.

Lin Zhaorong waved her handkerchief and sneered, "Is Consort Zhuang too embarrassed to come today?" She then covered her mouth slightly as she spoke.

No sooner had she finished speaking than a maidservant of Consort Zhuang came in and said that Consort Zhuang had fallen ill last night and was currently suffering from a high fever, so she could not come to pay her respects.

Ning Shuyan frowned subtly. Was Consort Zhuang really ill? If Xiao Yu had known last night how serious her illness was, he probably would have gone to see her. She wondered if Xiao Yu would feel guilty towards Consort Zhuang now that he knew.

The Empress said softly, "The weather has suddenly cooled down these past few days, so please be careful not to fall ill like Consort Zhuang."

All the concubines agreed.

Lin Zhaorong's gaze swept over Ning Shuyan with a faint smile: "Consort Ning is quite capable. Even Consort Zhuang couldn't get the Emperor out of your palace."

Lin Zhaorong was known for her harsh words, and she had ridiculed almost every concubine. As a result, she was not well-liked. Apart from the kind-hearted Ying Zhaoyi, who was willing to exchange a few words with her, the other concubines disliked her.

Upon hearing Lin Zhaorong speak of Ning Shuyan in this way, Xue Yunu became anxious and explained, "His Majesty hasn't visited Sister Ning for quite some time, so it's understandable that he doesn't want to leave. Sister Ning didn't know that Consort Zhuang was so seriously ill." After saying this, she turned to look at Ning Shuyan and said softly, "Right, Sister?"

Every word these two said put her in the spotlight. To Ning Shuyan's surprise, Xue Yunu finally didn't want to be so careful in trying to befriend her anymore? Her words, seemingly meant to extricate her from a difficult situation, were actually inviting hatred.

Everyone knows that the Emperor hasn't summoned any of his concubines in the past ten days, nor has he stayed in any of their palaces. And it's not just Ning Shuyan who has been absent for so long; at least Xiao Yu, now that he has some free time, immediately summoned Ning Shuyan to his bedchamber—that's an immense honor!

Ning Shuyan's eyes darkened slightly, but her face remained calm as she said gently, "His Majesty has been extremely tired lately due to state affairs. When Consort Zhuang came to invite His Majesty last night, His Majesty had already retired for the night, so he did not go to Consort Zhuang's palace."

Upon hearing this, the Empress sighed and said, "Yes, His Majesty has been very busy with state affairs lately. He has finally had a good rest, and it is already the middle of the night, so naturally he doesn't want to get up."

She paused for a moment, then added, "As for Consort Zhuang, take a piece of Ganoderma lucidum from the storeroom later and send it to Yihe Palace to help her recover." She said this to Du Ruo beside her.

Looking at the Empress's dignified and magnanimous demeanor, Ning Shuyan couldn't help but think that someone who could ascend to the position of Empress must be quite intelligent. Was Consort Zhuang perhaps furious upon seeing the lingzhi mushroom, a reminder that she had been wronged? Or perhaps a reminder that because of Ning Shuyan, the Emperor hadn't visited her when she was ill?

Such behavior would make Xiao Yu feel that the Empress was generous and kind.

Lin Zhaorong smiled sweetly: "She should take good care of herself. After all, Consort Zhuang has never been treated so coldly by the Emperor before. She must be feeling quite uncomfortable. Right, Consort Ning?" Her gaze, though smiling, swept over Ning Shuyan with a chilling intensity.

Ning Shuyan felt inexplicably irritated and nauseous. Why was she so persistent?

Just as I was about to speak, I suddenly felt nauseous, my stomach churning uncomfortably, and I couldn't help but cover my face with a handkerchief and dry heave.

Everyone was stunned, their gazes fixed on Ning Shuyan with complex emotions.

Lin Zhaorong frowned slightly, looked at Ning Shuyan who looked unwell and pale, and rolled her eyes: "No way, I was just joking with you, and your act of pretending to be sick is just as masterful as Consort Zhuang's."

The Empress glanced sharply at Consort Lin, finding her utterly lacking in discernment, and immediately ordered a palace maid to fetch the imperial physician.