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

Ning Shuyan had no intention of admiring the fireworks at all. A subtle pain in her lower abdomen made her feel like something was dropping, perhaps the effect of the medicine starting to take hold. However, the plan of the person behind it had not yet been fully executed.

If she couldn't hold on any longer, she would have to miscarry on her own.

She tried her best to control the discomfort in her abdomen and her facial expressions, gently rubbing her stomach.

Luckily, everyone thought she was just acting normally because she was pregnant. For example, Xi Jieyu beside her always had her hand resting on her stomach whenever she was out, hardly ever removing it.

After the fireworks ended, the concubines leisurely began to leave, preparing to return to the palace.

The Empress and the Emperor naturally walked at the front, with Zhuang Fei following behind. Those with lower ranks could only walk at the end.

Ning Shuyan walked alongside Xi Jieyu, who was carefully supported by her maid, as if fearing any accidents.

Ning Shuyan's abdominal pain grew worse. It felt as though something warm was flowing out of her. She gritted her teeth, thinking about what to do next, when suddenly she felt someone behind her slip. There was a scream, and the next moment, she felt a pair of feet kick her calf.

Although she had already braced herself, the sudden jolt forward still shocked her, and she couldn't help but let out a startled cry.

Not only Ning Shuyan, but also Xi Jieyu beside her fell to the ground, along with Xu Meiren and Chu Baolin behind them. Everyone fell into a heap.

On the ground, several white pearls bounced and rolled from the stairs, scattering all around, and stopped in front of Xiao Yu and the Empress. Fortunately, they had already paused when they heard the commotion behind them, and the pearls only stopped bouncing when they hit the floor.

Xiao Yu turned around and saw the alarming scene: Ning Shuyan was holding her stomach, her face pale and contorted with pain, as though she was enduring great agony.

"Yan'er..."

Xiao Yu's pupils contracted sharply at the sight, and his blood seemed to freeze. He rushed to Ning Shuyan's side, taking three steps for every one of his normal steps.

Just as he was about to pick her up, Xi Jieyu suddenly grabbed his sleeve. "Your Majesty, I'm in pain... Your Majesty, our child..."

"Xi Jieyu is bleeding!" The Empress's startled cry made Xiao Yu look at Xi Jieyu, whose blue gown was now stained with blood. Her face had turned pale, and she looked terrifying in her pain.

Xi Jieyu's hand clutched his tightly, but his gaze never left Ning Shuyan's face. The Empress quickly instructed the eunuchs, "Quickly take Ning Meiren to the palanquin!"

Two strong eunuchs hurried forward.

Xiao Yu glanced at Ning Shuyan with immense pain in his eyes.

He quickly picked up Xi Jieyu horizontally, and she continued to grip his sleeve, letting out pained groans. Her face was twisted in agony, and she eventually passed out. Xiao Yu placed her on the palanquin and turned back.

Normally, it would take a minute to reach the outer palace, but he made it back in under half that time. He hurriedly took Ning Shuyan from the eunuchs.

Ning Shuyan struggled to open her eyes, panic and fear in her gaze. Her lips trembled as she whispered, "Your Majesty, will our child be alright?"

Xiao Yu's heart clenched. He softly replied, "It's fine, our child will be fine. Yan'er, don't be afraid."

He raised his head sharply and ordered, "Quickly summon the imperial physicians to Lan Yue Pavilion and Yu Shu Palace! Ensure they arrive as quickly as possible!"

"The Empress will go to Yu Shu Palace."

With that, the Empress and the others quickly disappeared from view, only their hurried and frantic footsteps remaining.

On the palanquin, Ning Shuyan gritted her teeth and held her lips tightly to prevent herself from crying out in pain. Her lips were almost bleeding from the pressure.

Xiao Yu gently stroked her paper-white cheek. "Don't be afraid, I'm here with you."

He felt a hot stream in his palm and looked down to see it was fresh blood. His heart skipped a beat, and his hand trembled in panic. He quickly clenched his fist, forcing himself to remain calm.

Ning Shuyan nodded weakly in his arms and whispered, "The child... please don't let anything happen."

She gripped his clothes tightly, her voice filled with desperation as she said, "Your Majesty... we must protect our child." She inhaled sharply, her pain almost unbearable.

Though she was in excruciating pain and full of fear, her thoughts were still consumed with the hope that her child would be safe.

Xiao Yu nodded heavily, his heart weighed down.

This was the child they had both been anticipating... Just days ago, they had been discussing what the child would look like, wondering who the child would resemble.

When they reached Lan Yue Pavilion, Xiao Yu gently set Ning Shuyan down. Seeing her weak condition, his heart was in turmoil.

He gently wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and shouted at Yang An, "Where are the imperial physicians? Why haven't they arrived yet?"

Yang An spoke anxiously, "They should be here soon, Your Majesty..." Yang An was sweating as well from the urgency.

Xiao Yu tightly held Ning Shuyan's hand and whispered softly, "Don't be afraid. The physicians will be here soon."

Ning Shuyan nodded through gritted teeth. The pain in her lower abdomen felt like the worst menstrual cramps she had ever experienced, causing her to writhe in agony in the past.

She tightly pressed her hand to her abdomen, gritting her teeth and nodding, feeling a warm flow begin to trickle out.

Soon, the physician arrived—Doctor Ji, who was panting heavily from running. Although the medicine had started to show signs of a miscarriage, Ning Shuyan felt a bit of relief upon seeing Doctor Ji.

Before Doctor Ji could even bow, Xiao Yu urgently said, "Quickly, treat Ning Meiren!"

"Ensure the child in Ning Meiren's womb is saved!" His voice was cold, yet it carried an oppressive tone.

Doctor Ji hurriedly stepped forward to check her pulse. After a long while, he stood up with a solemn expression and said, "Your Majesty, the child in Ning Meiren's womb can no longer be saved."

Hearing this, Ning Shuyan immediately struggled to sit up. Xiao Yu quickly pressed her back down, and her eyes filled with tears as she sobbed, "It can't be true. Doctor Ji, please, you must think of something. You can save my child, right?"

She looked at Doctor Ji in disbelief, unable to accept that her child could be lost so suddenly.

Tears, like pearls, fell onto Xiao Yu's hand. His heart clenched, and his face darkened. He shouted, "What use are you! You can't even save one child!"

Doctor Ji immediately knelt, saying, "I am useless. The most urgent thing is to expel the remaining blood and clots from Ning Meiren's womb, or it will harm her health..."

Ning Shuyan tightly gripped Xiao Yu's hand, her eyes filled with deep pain and sorrow. "I don't believe it."

"Your Majesty... how could the child just disappear like this..." She sobbed as she spoke.

Xiao Yu's deep eyes slowly filled with a tinge of sorrow, and he took a deep breath, gently patting Ning Shuyan's back as he whispered hoarsely, "There will still be children. Your health is the most important."