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

The next day, Ning Shuyan hadn't slept well the night before. When she woke up, the sun was already high in the sky. She slowly opened her eyes and saw a figure sitting on the bed. Who else could it be but Xiao Yu?

Ning Shuyan called softly, "Your Majesty."

Xiao Yu turned his head, a tired smile appearing on his face: "You're awake."

Ning Shuyan then noticed that his eyes were bloodshot, he looked haggard, and his complexion was not good. Ning Shuyan stood up and said softly, "When did Your Majesty arrive? Did you not rest well last night?"

"I've been here for a while. I wanted to come and see you, but I was afraid that you, like Consort Xi, couldn't get over it." As he spoke, Xiao Yu held her hand, his eyes full of pity.

Ning Shuyan lowered her eyes and said softly, "Although I am heartbroken, I know that Your Majesty is the one who is suffering the most. You lost two children overnight. You are sad, but you still have to comfort me and Consort Xi. If I continue to suffer, it will only make Your Majesty more worried."

Xiao Yu was deeply moved as he listened, his gaze growing increasingly intense, and he gripped Ning Shuyan's hand even tighter: "Yan'er understands me best."

"Your Majesty, would you like to rest here for a while? I feel so sorry for you seeing how tired you are..." Ning Shuyan's eyes were filled with tenderness and concern.

Xiao Yu shook his head: "No, I still need to go back to Zhaochen Palace to review memorials later."

He came over as soon as he finished court. There was still a huge pile of memorials to deal with in Zhaochen Hall, but he was a little worried about Ning Shuyan. After all, she must have been very sad after he left last night.

Xiao Yu glanced at the undergarment in the basket beside him and knew that she must have held it and looked at it for a long time when he left last night. His eyes were filled with sadness as he looked at Ning Shuyan.

Ning Shuyan's gaze also fell on the bodice, her eyes glistening with tears, but she held back them from falling.

Xiao Yu recalled that just a few days ago, she had happily shown him the bellyband, and they had imagined together how cute the baby would look wearing it.

A pang of sorrow welled up in his heart, and he said softly, "It's just that the child isn't meant to be with us, so don't be too upset."

Ning Shuyan lowered her eyes and said in a hoarse voice, "Yes, Your Majesty, I understand."

"By the way, before I went to court, I entrusted this matter to Shen Changzhi to investigate. The final result was that a palace maid in the weaving workshop was negligent in her work because her mother had passed away that day. Under thorough questioning and torture, she only managed to utter those same few sentences. In the end, she couldn't bear it and bit off her tongue and committed suicide. As for Consort Meng, although her crime did not warrant death, this matter was also caused by her, so I sent her to the laundry department."

Ning Shuyan had long anticipated that this matter would ultimately be passed on to either Meng Cainu or Xiu Nu.

After all, the problem lies with the shoes, so we can't just throw dirty water on Consort Zhuang. I'm afraid that the embroiderer was bribed from the beginning and would rather die than admit it.

Moreover, Consort Zhuang was meticulous in her work. For example, her maid, Lü Rui, had not revealed a single flaw in the months that had passed, nor had she ever been to Yihe Palace.

That embroiderer probably didn't even know who she was working for; it might have been Chief Steward Wang of the Imperial Household Department who did this on behalf of Consort Zhuang.

"Even if it's a problem with the embroidery, the Imperial Household Department should have checked the shoes when they were presented to Consort Meng, especially Chief Steward Wang. Doesn't he bear any responsibility for this incident?" Ning Shuyan said, her face showing deep regret.

Since we can't bring down Consort Zhuang now, her allies will gradually disappear on their own...

Xiao Yu's gaze darkened slightly upon hearing this: "You're right, he neglected his duties. I will dismiss him from his post shortly."

He was the same; no matter who he punished, he could not vent his anger.

After Xiao Yu left, Ning Shuyan looked at the undergarment and slowly closed her eyes.

She knew from the beginning that this matter could not bring down Consort Zhuang. Even if it was found that Consort Zhuang was the one who did it, the Nangong family was currently in power and had made contributions to the country, so the emperor would not touch Consort Zhuang.

If you want to bring someone down, you have to defeat them in one blow, leaving them no chance to recover.

Because of this, Xiao Yu has shown him sympathy, but it's unknown whether Xiao Yu will promote him to a higher rank.

Xiao Yu brought up the matter of promotion two days later, during a meal at Fengqi Palace.

"I'm considering promoting Consort Xi and Consort Ning, who have lost their heirs. What does the Empress think?"

The Empress paused slightly as she picked up some food, then placed a piece of chicken into Xiao Yu's bowl and said gently, "This is good too; it will at least soothe some of their sadness."

After a pause, the Empress continued, "But... Consort Xi will be one of the Nine Consorts after her promotion, and she has only been in the palace for a little over half a year. Doing this might dishearten the elders. Besides, Consort Ning was only recently promoted..."

The Empress, while scrutinizing Xiao Yu, said, "Your Majesty, I think it wouldn't be too late to promote them when they become pregnant again. I understand their suffering. What they need most right now is Your Majesty's care. Your Majesty should spend more time with them."

At this point, the Empress's expression turned somber, and she thought of the child she had never had...

Xiao Yu did not notice the Empress's expression. After a moment's thought, he said, "The Empress has considered everything carefully."

The Empress smiled gently: "I happen to have two excellent ginseng roots in my palace. I will have them sent to Yushu Palace and Lanyue Pavilion in a while. I believe that Consort Xi and Consort Ning will soon be able to bear children for Your Majesty."

Xiao Yu raised his eyes to look at the Empress and said approvingly, "The Empress is virtuous, and I am very pleased."

The Empress's brows furrowed with sadness as she lowered her eyes and said, "Your Majesty, I am incapable of bearing you a legitimate son. I can only hope that you sisters can bear children for Your Majesty."

Xiao Yu comforted her, saying, "No matter how many imperial offspring there are in the harem, you are still the legitimate mother. Moreover, I believe that the Empress and I will have a legitimate son."

Upon hearing this, the Empress's eyes shone with a gentle light: "Yes, Your Majesty, I also very much hope to bear you an heir."

Yes, it's not easy for an empress to hold her position if she has no children and no favor with the emperor. This is her Achilles' heel whenever she thinks about it.

Lan Yue Pavilion received ginseng from the Empress in the afternoon. Ning Shuyan thought it was a good thing and decided to use it. She immediately had the kitchen make soup, as she needed to replenish her energy after exhausting herself. She would have to fight again after recovering.

Xiao Yu also sent a lot of things. Ning Shuyan was a little disappointed that she hadn't been promoted, but upon closer reflection, it was normal, since she had only recently been promoted to the rank of beauty.

Ziying rolled her eyes as she came in from outside and said to Ning Shuyan, "Miss, there's something wrong with that Lürui. I saw her staring intently at the things the Emperor bestowed upon her, her face full of envy."

Ning Shuyan casually picked up a jade hairpin given to her by Xiao Yuci, a strange smile playing on her lips: "It's time to make a move on her."

"Go and summon Liuli; I need to ask her to do something."

Ziying was a little puzzled as to why her mistress had summoned Liuli over, but she left without asking.