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

Only two people remained in the hall. It was utterly silent.

The candles on the stands burned steadily, their wax dripping slowly down, forming hardened tears and deepening the stifling atmosphere.

Ning Shuyan lowered her head, letting her tears fall freely and silently to the floor.

After a long while, Xiao Yu noticed her silence. He looked up and saw that her porcelain-like face was now soaked in tears, her eyes dazed as she stared blankly at the floor. She stood there without a word, her entire being radiating sadness and fragility.

Xiao Yu's heart softened.
"Just moments ago you asked me to take her in," he said. "So why are you crying now?"

Ning Shuyan continued to look at the tears falling at her feet, her voice low.
"Precisely because Your Majesty accepted her, I feel heartbroken. But this is all I can do. I didn't want you to lose your wisdom and authority because of me. Still... I can't help feeling this way."

Xiao Yu could see that her sorrow was genuine, and he felt both frustrated and tender. There were certainly other ways to handle the earlier incident—elevating Lvrui wasn't the only option. But knowing Ning Shuyan's gentle nature, this was likely the only solution she could come up with.

He held out his hand. She placed hers in it, and he pulled her gently toward him, wiping the tears from her face with great care.

The frost in his expression melted, replaced by a gentle warmth.
"Tears of a beauty—enough to fill a cup of wine. If you keep crying, you'll fill a whole goblet."

Hearing this, Ning Shuyan sniffled and let out a soft laugh.

As Xiao Yu cradled her delicate hands, he suddenly noticed they didn't feel as smooth as usual. Glancing down, he saw several deep purple crescent-shaped marks on her pale palms—where she had dug her nails into her own skin.

Her fair complexion made the bruises stand out starkly, and just looking at them made him ache.

"What did you do to yourself?"

Ning Shuyan replied softly,
"My hand hurts... so my heart won't hurt as much."

Xiao Yu's eyes tightened, a deep tenderness welling in them like a still lake. He was both moved and pained.
"I would rather you yell and throw a tantrum like others. I can't bear to see you swallow your pain like this... and hurt yourself in the process."

He gently traced the wounds with his fingers, his tone heavier now, though still full of concern.
"If you ever do this again, I'll cut your nails myself."

Ning Shuyan smiled faintly.
"Then I suppose I can only feel honored... to receive such care from Your Majesty."

Xiao Yu gave her a look and pulled her into his arms.
"What happened today... it was my fault too. I hurt you."

It was rare for an emperor to admit wrongdoing. Touched, Ning Shuyan hugged him tightly.
"I don't blame Your Majesty. I know you never wanted this to happen either."

"But Your Majesty..." she hesitated, "there's something I've been wondering about."

Xiao Yu had a guess what she meant—it was something that had been bothering him too. Still, his tone remained calm.
"What is it, Yan'er?"

Ning Shuyan looked at his broad palm and said quietly,
"I don't understand... how Lvrui from my palace knows Consort Zhuang. At first, I thought it was just coincidence. But after what happened today, I don't think it's that simple anymore."

She raised her clear, watery eyes to look at him.
"Do you think I'm being petty? That I'm overthinking it?"

Of course Xiao Yu had considered the same. He understood Consort Zhuang's intent—to plant Lvrui and use her to seduce him. In turn, Ning Shuyan would become jealous, act out, and clash with him. Tension would rise between them, and Ning Shuyan would fall out of favor.

For a brief moment, he had even suspected that Ning Shuyan saw through the plot and used Lvrui's promotion to her own advantage. But her grief... her pain... that could not have been faked.

He realized then that the idea of elevating Lvrui hadn't been her true wish. But sending her to Consort Zhuang's palace—that, perhaps, was.

He had allowed Lvrui to go there as a warning to Consort Zhuang—and because he could no longer let her continue unchecked.

"Your Majesty..." Ning Shuyan's voice brought him out of his thoughts.

Xiao Yu looked at her.
"I understand everything you said, Yan'er."

"In truth..." she hesitated, "I did have my own reasons. I wanted Lvrui to be sent to Consort Zhuang's palace. If my suspicions are right, of course I'd feel resentment. So... do you blame me for it?"

She bit her lip and lowered her eyes nervously, like a kitten that had done something wrong.

Xiao Yu's last trace of doubt disappeared.
"I'm glad you were honest with me."

Ning Shuyan leaned into his chest.
"I never want to lie to you. I think... between husband and wife, there should be honesty."

Xiao Yu felt a sudden realization—maybe this is what I've always wanted.

Born into the royal family, he was destined to live among schemes and suspicion. But with her... perhaps honesty could truly exist.

He gently stroked her hair, black and smooth like a waterfall. His eyes, once cold, were now full of warmth and affection.
"Be good, Yan'er. Let's not dwell on what Consort Zhuang did anymore."

Ning Shuyan nodded sweetly.
"I understand."

Xiao Yu's heart softened even more. If it were anyone else, they'd have continued to complain, but she accepted it so easily.

Others wouldn't understand—he had to consider the Nangong family. No matter what Consort Zhuang did, he couldn't move against her.

Still, he added,
"But if she ever targets you again, don't hold back. I promise I'll protect you."

He didn't want her to be wronged anymore. He realized suddenly—he truly couldn't bear for her to suffer.

"Alright."

Just as she answered, Xiao Yu suddenly lifted her into his arms.

Startled, she clutched at his sleeve.
"Your Majesty, where are you taking me?"

Xiao Yu smiled, calm and unhurried.
"To the Zhaocheng Hall."

Ning Shuyan looked at him, confused. He explained,
"I know that bed bothers you. It bothers me too."

Yang An watched as Xiao Yu carried Ning Shuyan out and breathed a sigh of relief. As long as there was peace between the two masters, serving them would be much easier.

He quickly brought Xiao Yu's cloak and followed.

In the imperial carriage, moonlight as bright as frost danced across Ning Shuyan's face, making her appear even more gentle and pure, flawless like jade.

Somehow, Xiao Yu felt tonight's moon was rounder and brighter than the one when he left the Lan Yue Pavilion.

Yang An held up the cloak.
"Your Majesty, the night air is cold. Please wear this."

Xiao Yu took the cloak, but instead of putting it on himself, he draped it over Ning Shuyan's shoulders, fastening it gently.
"Don't catch a chill."

His words were calm, but his expression radiated warmth like polished jade.

Ning Shuyan smiled softly and leaned on his shoulder.

⸻

Meanwhile, in the Yihe Palace...

Consort Zhuang had just laid down when Yulan entered with a deeply troubled look, like she'd been wrapped in a blanket of icy fog.
"My lady, my lady—Lvrui has arrived."

Consort Zhuang's brows tightened, her eyes full of irritation.
"She's here? So what? Why are you so flustered? She's just a little maid. Are you that easily shaken?"

She wearily rubbed her temples and slowly sat up.

But Yulan shook her head in panic.
"No, my lady... Lvrui said she's moving into our Yihe Palace. She said the emperor has officially made her a cainü."