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

Liuli rarely came to the main hall. She knew that Ning Shuyan was used to Qiule and Ziying serving her and didn't like outsiders coming in, so she was relatively well-behaved and did odd jobs outside. This was also something that Ning Shuyan valued.

When Liuli entered, she thought she had done something wrong and asked nervously, "My lady, did you look for me?"

Ning Shuyan looked up at her and said with a smile, "Don't be nervous, I want to ask you to do something."

Upon hearing this, Liuli quickly replied, "What does Your Highness wish me to do? I will do my utmost to fulfill your request."

Ning Shuyan said gently, "It's nothing serious. I want you to get close to Lürui, pretend to be friendly with her, and have you help me find out what she's thinking. Also, if she makes any moves, keep an eye on her for me."

Upon hearing this, Liuli was puzzled: "Does Your Highness suspect that Lürui has impure intentions?"

Ning Shuyan stroked the jade hairpin in her hand; it was incredibly smooth and slightly cool. She curled the corners of her lips into a smile: "She was planted by someone else."

Liuli was suddenly startled and exclaimed in disbelief.

"I trust you, that's why I entrusted this task to you. Otherwise, I would have given it to Ziying or Qiule. You've never disappointed me in the past few months at Lanyue Pavilion, and I have high hopes for you. I hope you can do a good job this time as well."

Upon hearing that her mistress trusted her so much, Liuli immediately knelt down and said, "Yes, this servant will do this well and will not let down your trust."

Ning Shuyan smiled faintly, stood up and helped her up herself, saying softly, "Get up quickly."

When Liuli met Ning Shuyan's beautiful face, she immediately felt that Ning Shuyan was a very good mistress. Ning Shuyan was already beautiful, and now she was smiling gently.

"I will certainly not treat you unfairly if you do things for me. When you leave the palace at the age of twenty-five, I will prepare some silver for you so that you can open a small shop. If you want to get married, I will also prepare a generous dowry for you."

Upon hearing this, Liuli was stunned, staring blankly at Ning Shuyan. After a long while, she said gratefully, "This servant thanks Your Highness. This servant will definitely do what Your Highness has entrusted to me and will not let you down."

Ning Shuyan nodded. After Liuli left, Qiu Le whispered, "My lady, do you think Liuli is trustworthy?"

Ning Shuyan picked up the tea beside her and took a couple of sips. She said leisurely, "If you doubt someone, don't use them; if you use someone, don't doubt them. Only she is suitable to approach Lü Rui. After all, you are my confidants, and Lü Rui is always wary of you."

Qiu Le nodded slowly in approval.

If this green stamen could give Ning Shuyan leverage over the person behind her, or cause her trouble, it wouldn't be a bad idea.

After dinner, Ning Shuyan picked up the book she hadn't finished reading that day and began to read it with great interest. Under the dim yellow light, the paper leaves appeared even more yellow, yet they had a soft, gentle hue.

Suddenly, her hand went empty as the book she was holding was snatched away. Ning Shuyan looked up and saw Xiao Yu standing in front of her with a faint smile. He shook the book in his hand and said, "You're so engrossed in reading, aren't you afraid of hurting your eyes?"

Ning Shuyan hadn't seen Xiao Yu for three days. She smiled and grabbed his arm, saying sweetly, "I slept too much during the day, so I can't sleep now. I can only read for a while."

"But with His Majesty here, I'll have someone to keep me company, and I won't be bored."

Xiao Yu took her hand in return, and seeing her smile, he felt much relieved. At least she wasn't like Xi Jieyu, unable to get over the pain of losing her child.

"I've been quite busy with state affairs lately, so I haven't had a chance to visit you. You look much better, though."

As he spoke, Xiao Yu got into bed and pulled Ning Shuyan into his arms. Ning Shuyan pressed against his chest, the deep scent of ambergris surrounding her nose. "Your Majesty has sent me so many tonics. If I take them and my complexion still doesn't improve, wouldn't that be a waste of Your Majesty's good intentions?"

Xiao Yu smiled and gently rubbed her smooth, delicate cheeks, then yawned wearily.

"Is Your Majesty sleepy? If so, please go to sleep."

Xiao Yu gently rubbed his temples: "Recently, the Rong Kingdom has suffered one defeat and one victory in the war, and there are also many political affairs to attend to. I can't help but feel a little troubled. Only when I come here can I sleep peacefully."

Ning Shuyan smiled faintly: So you came here to find some peace and quiet? No wonder, she's not in the mood to take care of him right now, yet he's still willing to come here, she should be happy about that.

"Then Your Majesty should go to sleep." Ning Shuyan said, putting her arm around him.

Xiao Yu lowered his eyes to look at her hand. Most of the concubines in the harem were rather reserved and rarely took the initiative to hug him like this. Xiao Yu didn't find it offensive; on the contrary, he felt somewhat at ease. He gently raised his hand and held her soft hand, closing his eyes slightly.

After a miscarriage, one only needs to observe a two-week postpartum period. After the postpartum period, one should naturally go to Fengqi Palace to pay respects to the Empress.

On the third day of the tenth lunar month, Ning Shuyan emerged from her postpartum confinement period. She wore a nude pink inner lining and a pink brocade skirt. Because she had been nourished with tonics and fruits recently, and had been eating a lot of meat and fish every day, she had become a bit plump. However, her face was even more radiant, and when the sun shone on it, it was as lustrous as mutton fat jade.

On the contrary, Xi Jieyu's face was not as radiant as usual, and her eyes were dim. However, her personality remained the same as always, sitting there aloof and not speaking to anyone.

The Empress maintained her dignified and gentle smile as she asked Consort Xi with concern, "Consort Xi, you don't look well. Are you still recovering?"

Consort Xi raised her beautiful eyes slightly and lowered her brows: "Your Majesty, I am fine. Thank you for your concern."

Consort Zhuang looked at Ning Shuyan and a cold smile curled at the corner of her lips, like a poppy blooming: "Consort Ning has had a miscarriage, but she has actually become more beautiful. Consort Ning is truly generous."

Ning Shuyan gently traced the jade bracelet on her wrist, a hint of coldness emanating from it. A faint smile appeared on her face: "Then it must be the medicinal herbs bestowed upon me by Her Majesty the Empress and His Majesty the Emperor that have had such a wonderful effect. Although I am saddened, I must take care of my health. Does Consort Zhuang wish to see me sickly?"

Consort Zhuang's eyes narrowed. She hadn't expected Ning Shuyan to dare to talk back to her. Was her usual timidity just an act?

She casually circled Ning Shuyan and said coldly, "Indeed, it has played an excellent role. I think Ning Shuyan has gotten a bit rounder."

After saying this, she picked up her handkerchief and smiled, while several other concubines nearby chuckled softly.

Actually, Ning Shuyan had gained some weight, but it wasn't noticeable unless you looked closely. After Consort Zhuang said that, everyone's eyes inevitably turned to Ning Shuyan.

Ning Shuyan's face stiffened, suppressing her anger, her hand tightly gripping her handkerchief, and she remained silent. She already had a plan in mind.

"I think Consort Ning is just right, but Consort Zhuang looks a bit plumper than Consort Ning."

It was Xi Jieyu who spoke. Ning Shuyan was quite surprised that Xi Jieyu would speak up for her, and she looked at her with some astonishment.

Not only Ning Shuyan, but all the concubines knew that Consort Xi was usually cold and aloof, but they never expected that she would be on good terms with Ning Shuyan.

Consort Zhuang's expression suddenly turned cold as she glanced sideways at Consort Xi: "What I am is none of your business to say!"

"Alright, all this arguing all day long, what kind of behavior is this!"

The Queen stopped the verbal altercation.

"His Majesty must be heartbroken to have lost two children. It's good that Consort Xi and Consort Ning are recovering well. It makes His Majesty and I feel happier."

Consort Zhuang did not answer the Empress, but rolled her eyes dismissively and casually touched the South Sea pearl on her sleeve.