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

Several days passed, and Ning Shuyan remained calm. She even took out some needles and thread she found tedious, starting to embroider a small belly band.

"Miss, Lady Xue has come and insists on entering. We couldn't stop her," Autumn Le said.

As soon as she finished speaking, Lady Xue entered, her jet-black hair neatly styled high, with pearl and jade ornaments twinkling in her hair. Compared to her usual delicate appearance, she now looked much more energetic, leaving a stronger impression.

"Did I disturb you, Sister Ning?" she asked with a smile, her soft lips curving gently.

Ning Shuyan motioned for the sewing tools to be put away and smiled, "Not at all, I am quite free right now."

"Are you embroidering, Sister? I happen to have some of the royal embroidered fabric the emperor bestowed today. You could use it to make yourself a gown." She gestured to a maid behind her, who presented the fabric.

After several months, Lady Xue had regained the emperor's favor after a chance encounter. It seemed she was here to show off.

Ning Shuyan glanced at the fabric, smiling lightly, "I still have plenty of unused materials, Sister, you should keep this for yourself."

Lady Xue smiled warmly, "The emperor gifted me several rolls today, and I still have one left in my palace. I thought to bring it to you, Sister. You're so beautiful, you would look even better in it. You know, I've always preferred light colors."

Ning Shuyan's smile deepened as she replied, "Since that's the case, I'll accept it."

Lady Xue smiled again, "I've heard you've been having severe morning sickness lately? I have some plums brewed by the palace maids. Maybe it could help with the nausea."

Ning Shuyan lifted her hand to gently touch her pearl earrings, smiling, "What a coincidence. This morning, the emperor had someone send me some贡柑 (a rare citrus fruit). Now, you bring plums. How thoughtful."

Lady Xue noticed the贡柑 on the tea table, stacked high with seven or eight fruits. These贡柑, also known as "Emperor's Oranges," were a rare and special tribute to the emperor, considered premium quality. The shine on their peels showed just how sweet they must be.

She had only heard that usually only a few dozen were sent, and low-ranking women like her never got the chance to taste them. Even the empress received just a few. Was the emperor so fond of Ning Shuyan? Lady Xue stared at the贡柑, speechless for a moment.

Ning Shuyan's eyes were full of amusement as she handed one to Lady Xue. "It tastes great, Sister. You should try it."

Lady Xue had intended to show off but ended up putting herself in an awkward situation. She forced a smile, "I'm not feeling well today, so I can't eat anything cold. I'm sorry for troubling you."

Ning Shuyan immediately responded, "Sister, you've only just regained the emperor's favor. You must take care of your health. If you're not well, you won't be able to serve the emperor."

Lady Xue's face flushed, and she nervously twisted her handkerchief. "It's just a slight stomach discomfort, nothing serious."

She slowly got up, "I'll take my leave now. The emperor asked me to go to Zhaocheng Palace tonight, so I need to get ready."

It was still early, so there was no need to prepare so soon.

Ning Shuyan continued smiling softly and nodded, "Alright, then I won't see you off."

Once Lady Xue left, Ziying could no longer contain her dissatisfaction and grumbled, "What's so special about her fabric? We have plenty of better materials like Liujin gauze and the floating cloud silk, which she's probably never even heard of. And yet, she's acting like her fabric is a treasure."

Ning Shuyan replied lightly, "We don't need to worry about it. She didn't succeed in showing off, did she?"

Autumn Le added, "Lady Xue has been trying to get in your good graces, hoping you'd recommend her to the emperor. Now that she's regained favor, she's eager to flaunt it. Turns out, she's not as calm as we thought."

Ning Shuyan slowly peeled a贡柑, the fruit's sheen highlighting the whiteness of her hands. "Because, to her, the emperor's favor is too rare. She's just excited that she got it back, so she lost her composure."

Although Ning Shuyan couldn't say she understood Xiao Yu completely, she did understand him quite well—he was a typical "face-lover," the type to get bored quickly.

Lady Xue, with her soft, delicate demeanor, spoke in a voice that seemed fragile. Xiao Yu had simply favored her a few times because she appeared different from other concubines, but soon after, she would be cast aside. Ning Shuyan had no reason to take Lady Xue seriously.

A woman could be gentle, but when her speech and actions seemed weak, it became overly contrived.

Later, at dinner, Ning Shuyan didn't expect Xiao Yu to come. Hadn't he said he was going to summon Lady Xue to his chambers? She hurried to greet him.

Before she could even greet him, Xiao Yu stepped forward and took her hand.

Ning Shuyan was led inside. "Your Majesty, why didn't you inform me you were coming? I only prepared some simple dishes."

Xiao Yu replied gently, "I heard you've been having severe morning sickness, and I was worried. I wanted to accompany you for dinner."

Ning Shuyan smiled brightly, leaning against Xiao Yu with a voice full of joy, "I'm fine now. This morning was tough, but I haven't been vomiting since."

The medicine she had been taking truly mimicked all the symptoms of pregnancy. Had she not been taking contraceptive pills, she might have thought she was actually pregnant.

During dinner, Ning Shuyan ate more than usual, and Xiao Yu, happy to see her eat, also ate more than usual.

After the meal, Ning Shuyan pulled Xiao Yu into the inner chambers, excitedly saying, "I have something to show you."

Xiao Yu looked at her curiously as she pulled out a tiny belly band, gently placing it on her stomach. She smiled brightly, "Your Majesty, do you think this will fit our child when they grow up?"

Her smile was so warm and bright, like the sunlight melting the winter frost, gentle and soft, with the dimples in her cheeks sparkling like clear spring water.

It was a pure and hopeful smile, and Xiao Yu couldn't take his eyes off her.

"I'm talking to you, Your Majesty!"

Xiao Yu snapped back to attention, noticing the tiny belly band that was smaller than her flat belly. It was embroidered with a tiger head, simple yet somewhat clumsy, but he found it strangely cute.

His gaze softened, like clear water in a lotus pond, warm and tender. "Did you embroider it yourself?"

Ning Shuyan smiled and nodded, looking down at the belly band on her stomach, a trace of maternal tenderness in her eyes. In the dim light of the candle, her expression softened even more.

"Although I'm not skilled, this is the first piece of clothing I've ever made for our child."