[1]The Consort is Both Charming and Scheming, Rising Through Palace Intrigue

The next afternoon, Ning Shuyan had eaten a bit too much during lunch. She sat in the courtyard, drinking several cups of tea, but still felt some discomfort in her chest.

Ziying noticed and asked, "Miss, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Ning Shuyan took a deep breath and frowned. "I feel a little uncomfortable in my stomach, a bit nauseous."

Nearby, Lü Rui was watering the flowers. She suddenly looked up with excitement. "Could it be that the young mistress is pregnant?"

Hearing this, Ning Shuyan's brows furrowed slightly. She looked at Lü Rui, who was smiling brightly, and responded calmly, "What makes you say that?"

Lü Rui was momentarily stunned but quickly smiled again. "I just heard that pregnant women often feel nauseous."

Ning Shuyan curled her lips into a slight smile. "I just ate too much at lunch and feel a little uncomfortable, that's all."

Lü Rui quickly bowed. "Yes, this servant was overthinking." Then she obediently resumed watering the plants.

After drinking a few more sips of tea, Ning Shuyan finally felt much better. Upon entering the inner hall, Ziying quickly suggested, "When Qiule comes back, should she check on you, Miss? What if you really are pregnant?"

By now, Ning Shuyan no longer felt unwell and shook her head. "I'm fine. Didn't Imperial Physician Ji just examine me a few days ago? The weather has suddenly cooled down, and I overate at lunch, so I felt a little uncomfortable. If I were pregnant, wouldn't I know it myself?"

Hearing this, Ziying stopped talking. That was true—Imperial Physician Ji had indeed conducted a check-up just a few days ago.

However, this reminded Ning Shuyan that she only had two contraceptive pills left. If she took one tonight when Xiao Yu visited, there would be just one left. If she asked Imperial Physician Ji to make more, aside from whether he would be willing, it wasn't something that could be produced overnight.

She should save the pills for critical times, such as during ovulation or special circumstances.

As for tonight... she would have to find another way.

⸻

That evening, when Xiao Yu arrived, Ning Shuyan had just finished bathing. Her long hair was draped over her shoulders, her skin still dewy from the heat, and her cheeks were slightly flushed, making her look especially alluring.

From a distance, Xiao Yu saw Ning Shuyan waiting at the door to greet him. He quickly stepped forward and took her hand gently. "There's a bit of wind tonight. Wearing such thin clothes and standing out here—aren't you afraid of catching a cold?"

Ning Shuyan smiled sweetly, holding onto Xiao Yu's hand. She spoke softly, "I wanted to see Your Majesty as soon as possible."

Xiao Yu's face immediately lit up with a deep smile. "Didn't you just see me yesterday? You miss me that much?"

He lifted her chin, and Ning Shuyan gazed at him with deep, misty eyes that could easily make anyone fall for her.

"I just miss Your Majesty. Is that not allowed?" She tilted her head and nestled into his embrace. Hearing her gentle and sweet voice, Xiao Yu couldn't help but laugh heartily. He held her waist and led her into the inner hall.

While helping Xiao Yu remove his outer robe, Ning Shuyan noticed the small scented sachet she had embroidered for him. She chuckled, "It's so ugly, yet Your Majesty still wears it so often."

Xiao Yu's eyes curved with amusement, his lips forming a small smile. "I like it."

It wasn't just the sachet he liked—it was also the word "peace" she had embroidered on it, along with the words she had spoken to him that day.

Even though Ning Shuyan didn't have deep feelings for him, hearing this still made her smile. As she hung up his robe, she said, "Then I should practice my embroidery more. When I improve, I'll make Your Majesty a more exquisite one."

Xiao Yu inhaled the faint yet soothing fragrance from her body. It was clean and comforting in a way that was unique to her.

He took a deep breath. "Shuyan, are you wearing the fragrance I sent you today?"

He didn't say "rewarded" but rather "sent," just like how she had phrased it before.

Ning Shuyan smiled. "Yes. Does Your Majesty like how it smells?"

Looking at her charming and tender smile, Xiao Yu's eyes darkened slightly. His thick eyebrows twitched, his gaze rippling with interest. "I need to take a closer sniff."

With that, he placed his hands around her waist, lowered his head to the nape of her neck, and took a deep breath. "It smells wonderful."

His deep voice brushed against her ears, accompanied by his warm breath. Soon, his lips pressed gently against her skin, trailing kisses along her neck and behind her ear.

Ning Shuyan wrapped her arms around his waist, while Xiao Yu's gaze grew increasingly heated. His eyes flickered with a mix of passion and desire. He swallowed slightly. "How do you intend to share my burden?"

Just as Xiao Yu had expected, the next moment, Ning Shuyan gently pushed him onto the bed and slowly leaned in...

However—

"Your Majesty... The palace maids from Yihe Palace report that Consort Zhuang is feeling unwell and requests Your Majesty's presence."

The palace maids didn't dare to enter, and Eunuch Yang An certainly didn't dare to step inside either. But he had no choice but to announce the message from outside the hall.

Xiao Yu's expression darkened instantly, his face covered with an icy layer of displeasure. His deep eyes flashed with barely restrained anger as he coldly spat out a single word: "Leave!"

Ning Shuyan's expression also changed. Her hands clenched into fists, and her lips pressed together tightly in silent fury.

Did Consort Zhuang really think she was that easy to bully? This was not the first or second time she had taken Xiao Yu away from her palace. Did she truly believe she could keep getting away with it?

Seeing Ning Shuyan's distracted look, Xiao Yu assumed she was frightened by his anger. His gaze immediately softened. "Don't worry. I wasn't mad at you."

Ning Shuyan knew that once Xiao Yu made up his mind, he wouldn't change it. More importantly, she had just seen the flash of rage in his eyes—he definitely wasn't going anywhere.

Lowering her gaze, she softly said, "Your Majesty, perhaps you should go. Otherwise, Consort Zhuang might be hurt."

"I won't go! She's really overstepping her bounds!"

Xiao Yu had completely forgotten that in the past, he often left other concubines' palaces for Consort Zhuang. This time, however, it was different.

Ning Shuyan bit her lip lightly, speaking in a gentle tone. "If Your Majesty doesn't go, and Consort Zhuang blames me..." She trailed off.

Xiao Yu looked at her long, fluttering lashes, which cast a delicate shadow beneath her eyes. She appeared so fragile and uneasy. He reached out and stroked her head affectionately. "Don't worry. If she dares to, I will protect you."

A surprised yet joyful light flickered in Ning Shuyan's eyes. Her face blossomed into a sweet smile. "Your Majesty is so kind."

Seeing her charming and lively expression, Xiao Yu instantly forgot about everything else. He traced a finger down her waist and said, "Then... about what you were saying earlier..."

Ning Shuyan chuckled to herself. He was still thinking about that!

"My thoughts were interrupted earlier, and now I don't know how to serve Your Majesty."

Truthfully, she had completely lost interest! Once the mood was broken, no matter how much effort was made to rekindle it, it was impossible.

Forget it... She would just let Xiao Yu take the lead. At worst, she would take the last pill tomorrow and think of another solution afterward.