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

Ning Shuyan's heart trembled; the child...

Even at this point, she still had doubts and felt that she was not pregnant.

"What are you thinking about?"

A deep voice reached her ears, and Ning Shuyan smiled gracefully: "Your Majesty, I was just thinking about who the child will look more like in the future."

Xiao Yu smiled and said, "Naturally, it would be better if they resembled Shuyan more, whether they were imperial heirs or princesses."

He thought that if it were their child, both in appearance and talent, the child would be quite outstanding.

By this time, dinner had been served. Looking at the table full of food, Ning Shuyan felt a tightness in her chest.

Xiao Yu noticed her expression change slightly, and took her hand, asking, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Ning Shuyan shook her head: "I can't eat. I feel like I'll throw up if I eat."

Qiu Le quickly advised, "Please eat a little, Your Highness. You didn't eat much for lunch."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu helped Ning Shuyan sit down, glanced at the dishes on the table, and finally picked up a piece of cabbage and held it to Ning Shuyan's lips: "Eat some vegetables, you can't go hungry now that you're pregnant."

Seeing him personally feeding her, Ning Shuyan, though unwilling to eat, still had to give the Emperor face. She opened her mouth to eat before saying sweetly, "So, Your Majesty's concern isn't for me, but for the child in my womb."

Xiao Yu couldn't help but chuckle and said softly, "Look at what you're saying. I've never seen you jealous before, so why are you jealous of the child in your belly today?"

Ning Shuyan pouted and said, "Ever since I became pregnant, the most frequent thing Your Majesty has asked me is how the baby is. Your Majesty is always concerned about the baby."

Although she was grumbling, and even her tone contained some blame and dissatisfaction, her voice was soft and gentle, which made it impossible for Xiao Yu to get angry at all.

On the contrary, I felt that it was true. Every time I came, I would ask how the child was. It had been several days since I had come to have a meal with her. I didn’t know that her appetite was so poor.

Unlike other concubines, she didn't send someone to inform her or summon the imperial physician if she felt even slightly unwell.

Thinking of this, Xiao Yu felt even more pity for him.

Ning Shuyan watched as Xiao Yu neither touched his chopsticks nor spoke, lost in thought.

Yang An, who was standing next to Ning Shuyan, wiped the sweat from his brow. Why was Miss Ning saying all this at a time like this?

"My emotions have been unstable since I became pregnant. I shouldn't have said those things just now..." Ning Shuyan said softly.

Xiao Yu looked up at her somewhat uneasy face, and a warm smile spread across his lips, as gentle and comforting as the winter sun: "I will dine with you more often in the future, and I will also care for you more."

Yang An couldn't help but raise his eyes to look at the Emperor's expression. He had served the Emperor for many years and always had a cold and aloof face. Such a gentle smile was truly rare.

Ning Shuyan was also slightly taken aback. When she saw Xiao Yu put another piece of radish into her bowl, she smiled sweetly. This smile was pure and genuine, not like the usual pretense.

Even if you treat him as a friend, if he says he cares about you and will personally serve you food, you'll at least smile at him a little.

Xiao Yu said gently, "You and the child are now one. My concern for the child is my concern for you. Don't overthink it."

He spoke casually, not even looking at Ning Shuyan, and gently picked up some food with his chopsticks.

Ning Shuyan smiled slightly: "Yes, Your Majesty said so, and I am very happy. I will not do it again."

Xiao Yu smiled slightly, looking at her with tenderness in his eyes. If she were a princess, it would be nice if she were as well-behaved and sensible as her.

"Let's set up a small kitchen in Lan Yue Pavilion. Now that you're pregnant, it will be more convenient for you to eat whatever you want. I'll choose a trustworthy chef tomorrow." Xiao Yu saw how difficult it was for her to eat and thought that having a small kitchen would make it easier for her to eat whatever she wanted.

Although Ning Shuyan's rank was somewhat irregular, it was understandable for her to have a small kitchen in the palace while pregnant, so she naturally wouldn't refuse. Having a small kitchen would also give her peace of mind about what she would eat in the future. She immediately smiled and said, "Okay, thank you, Your Majesty, for thinking so thoughtfully of me."

After dinner, Ning Shuyan thought Xiao Yu was about to leave, but she heard him say, "I will stay with you tonight."

Ning Shuyan looked at Xiao Yu with some surprise. Just as she was about to speak, he stroked her hand and said, "Don't worry, I won't do anything. I'll just keep you company."

Xiao Yu had no idea why he had this thought. He had never stayed overnight in the palace of a pregnant concubine before, but he felt that the woman in front of him was very sensible. Even though she was pregnant, she did not use the child to curry favor, and she was not pretentious or affected.

Ning Shuyan chuckled; he really knew what she wanted to say.

That night was the first time the two of them slept in each other's arms. They did nothing but talk quietly until they drifted off to sleep.

On one occasion, Xiao Yu found that this was actually quite good.

The next day, when paying respects at Fengqi Palace, Consort Xi's pregnancy was already very stable, so she came over as well.

She wore a light blue Luoxia dress, which was soft and precious and was specially bestowed by Xiao Yu. A tassel of orchid was inserted diagonally into her hair bun. The delicate silver tassel swayed down to her face and emitted a faint luster, making her skin look even more radiant.

Consort Xi was always like this; she wanted to wear everything the Emperor bestowed upon her to show his favor.

Consort Zhuang's gaze swept coldly over Consort Xi, a faint smile playing on her lips, as dazzling yet ethereal as fireworks: "Consort Xi has become even more delicate during her time in the palace."

Consort Xi smiled faintly, but a hint of coldness crept into her eyes: "It's been many days since I last saw Consort Zhuang; you've become even more radiant."

"Now that you two are pregnant, please be extra careful in everything you do. Especially for Consort Ning, the first three months are the most crucial," she said softly to Consort Xi and Consort Ning.

She paused, then glanced around at everyone, her tone suddenly becoming stern: "I do not wish for anything harmful to the imperial heir to happen again, as it did last time. Whether it's you yourselves or the palace servants, you must all behave yourselves."

Everyone immediately stood up and agreed.

Upon exiting Fengqi Palace, Consort Xi was standing not far away. Ning Shuyan saw her smiling at her and realized that she had been waiting for her.

"I haven't thanked you for what happened last time, Miss Ning." Her tone was calm and her expression gentle. Compared to her usual aloof and arrogant demeanor, Ning Shuyan was still a little unaccustomed to it.

Ning Shuyan smiled slightly: "You don't need to thank me. It's good that you and the baby in your womb are alright."

The two walked and talked as they went.

"Now that you are pregnant, congratulations on becoming a mother." Her cherry blossom-like lips curved into a gentle smile.

Ning Shuyan sized her up. In truth, she was also an extremely beautiful woman, but her beauty was a cool and elegant kind. Like a snow lotus flower carved from jade, pure white and crystal clear, with a proud and noble heart.

Ning Shuyan looked at her slightly protruding belly and said softly, "I heard from the Emperor that the baby in your belly is moving yet?"

When Consort Xi heard Ning Shuyan mention Xiao Yu, the smile in her eyes softened even more: "Did the Emperor say that to you? Did he also say anything else?"

Ning Shuyan looked at her with some excitement and laughed, "I was just saying you were showing a bit."

Consort Xi gently placed her hand on her lower abdomen, where her bloodline with the Emperor lay...

A mother's tenderness shone through her eyes and brows.

Suddenly, she took Ning Shuyan's hand and placed it on her slightly protruding belly. Ning Shuyan looked at her, at a loss.

The next moment, she felt something small gently tapping her palm. Ning Shuyan looked up at Xi Jieyu in disbelief and exclaimed, "This... is fetal movement?"

Xi Jieyu smiled and nodded.

Ning Shuyan quickly withdrew her hand. For some reason, she felt a mix of wonder and unease, a complex feeling she couldn't quite describe.

Xi Jieyu laughed and said, "Why are you so nervous?"

Ning Shuyan didn't know why she was so nervous. Actually, she didn't like children and didn't want to be pregnant. Thinking about it, she realized she would have a baby in her belly, and her belly would grow bigger every day. Would it kick her? Would she be able to get her figure back in shape by then? These thoughts made her a little nervous.

"No, I just find it a bit magical."

Consort Xi walked slowly, her eyes filled with boundless anticipation: "I wonder if it's a boy or a girl, or if it will look more like the Emperor or me. But it doesn't matter, after all, this is my first child with the Emperor."

Looking at her expression, Ning Shuyan wondered if she was deeply in love with Xiao Yu.

Ning Shuyan smiled faintly: "Yes, it doesn't matter if it's a boy or a girl, the Emperor will like them."