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

The next day, not long after returning to her palace from morning greetings—

Li Zhang hurried in, wiped the sweat from his brow, gave a bow, and reported, "My Lady, Lady Green has passed away."

Ning Shuyan had long suspected that Lü Rui's days were numbered, but she hadn't expected it to happen so soon.

"How did she die?"

Li Zhang replied, "Just now, as this servant passed by Qin Yue Pool, I saw a crowd gathered. Out of curiosity, I went to look and found out that Lady Green had fallen into the water. She wasn't rescued in time, and by the time I got there, she had already drawn her last breath."

He paused, clearly unsettled, especially by the terrifying look on Lü Rui's face at the time.

"I see," Ning Shuyan said calmly.

It was clear this was the work of Consort Zhuang—she had finally lost patience and made her move.

The next day, during morning greetings at Fengqi Palace, the matter was brought up.

Lady Lin gently adjusted a perfectly arranged strand of hair at her temple and said with disdain, "The new year is approaching, yet such misfortune occurs. How ominous."

Consort Rong smiled faintly. "She looked to be enjoying great favor lately. To die at such a time—truly, she lacked the fortune to enjoy it."

After a pause, her elegant gaze swept over to Consort Zhuang, her voice low and dripping with undisguised satisfaction. "Sister Zhuang, you lived in the same palace with her. Now that she's gone—and in such a tragic way—are you not afraid?"

Consort Zhuang forced a weak smile. "What's there to fear? Haven't enough people died in this palace?"

The Empress smiled gently. "Indeed. If you've done nothing wrong, you need not fear ghosts knocking at your door. If Lady Green bore any resentment, she would surely seek out the one who harmed her."

Ying Zhaoyi, always perceptive, frowned slightly. "Your Majesty, do you mean her death wasn't accidental?"

The Empress nodded. "So I've heard from His Majesty. They found strands of a woman's hair in Lady Green's hand. Most likely torn out during her struggle in the water."

As soon as she finished, a loud clatter rang out—a teacup had been dropped. All eyes turned toward Consort Zhuang. Her maid Yulan quickly righted the cup and cover, trying to cover the mishap.

Realizing her mistake, Consort Zhuang's face stiffened with anger. "Such a thing happened? Who dares harm someone from Yihe Palace?"

The Empress's voice remained calm. "I believe the truth will come to light soon enough."

Consort Rong mused aloud, "That person must be bold indeed." As she spoke, her gaze briefly drifted toward Consort Zhuang before she quickly looked away, falling into silent contemplation.

To the other concubines, Lü Rui's death was undoubtedly good news. One less rival meant more favor to go around. Besides, His Majesty had almost exclusively favored Lü Rui for the past month—they were already growing resentful. Now that she was gone, many of them were likely secretly clapping in delight.

As night fell, moonlight poured in through the windows, blending with the warm red glow of the candles to create a dreamy, misty atmosphere.

Yang An asked with a knowing smile, "Will Your Majesty be staying at Zhaochan Hall again tonight?"

He already guessed the answer would be no. Few people knew better than he did—His Majesty hadn't touched a woman in nearly a month.

This was the Emperor, after all! In the past, he might go ten days without visiting a concubine, but a whole month? Even as a eunuch, Yang An couldn't help but be curious—was His Majesty really not tempted?

"Go to Lanyue Pavilion," Xiao Yu ordered in an indifferent tone.

Yang An grinned wide and nodded quickly, "Yes, this servant will make the arrangements."

Ning Shuyan had just changed into her nightwear when the eunuch announced the Emperor's arrival. She went to wait at the hall's entrance but saw no sign of him for a long while. The wind was bitterly cold—she shivered involuntarily. If it weren't for wanting to stir his sympathy, she'd have gone back inside already.

Xiao Yu arrived to find her waiting at the entrance, standing still and graceful. She wore a soft pink silk dress, its sheer overlay gently outlining her slim waist, barely the width of a hand.

"Your servant greets Your Majesty. May you be well tonight," she said softly, curtsying.

Xiao Yu quickened his steps and helped her up. "It's cold outside. Wait for me inside next time."

Ning Shuyan lowered her gaze with a soft smile. "I just wanted to see Your Majesty sooner. If it weren't winter, I would've waited at the palace gates."

Her words softened the expression on Xiao Yu's face. He wrapped an arm around her waist. "You look thinner lately. Is it because you've missed me too much?"

Ning Shuyan blushed and spoke in a gentle voice, "Longing for you is like the full moon—so bright it dims the stars. I never understood that line when I was younger, but now I truly know the pain of missing someone."

His gaze shimmered with emotion as he looked at her. "Then I shall come keep you company more often, hmm?"

After helping him take off his cloak, she hugged him softly. "But what about later? Will Your Majesty always treat me so well?"

Xiao Yu hesitated, stroking her silky hair. "Things change with time. No one can promise certainty—not even oneself."

His words were gentle, but they stung like the winter wind, chilling her to the bone.

She slowly released him, her expression dimming. "I understand. I was asking for too much."

For reasons he didn't quite understand, Xiao Yu felt a sudden pang of softness in his heart. Watching her eyes begin to redden, he gently cupped her cheek. "I won't make promises I can't keep. You're still young, inexperienced in the ways of the world. You can't even be sure that ten or twenty years from now, your feelings for me will be the same as today, can you?"

Ning Shuyan was stunned—so he wasn't the kind to make empty promises? "Inexperienced," huh? She was twenty in her modern life, and had lived nearly seven more years in this world. Combined, she was nearly his equal in age.

Her expression sharpened, and she blurted, "I can guarantee my feelings for Your Majesty. You're the most important person to me, besides my aunt—now and for the rest of my life."

Her red-rimmed eyes shimmered with unshed tears, but she held them back, her gaze filled with sincerity and youthful affection.

Xiao Yu was momentarily speechless. Her heartfelt declaration stirred something in him. Could there truly be such a thing as "forever"? A woman who could love him so completely?

Born into the imperial family, he'd seen the ruthless reality of the palace. Half the women here had once been in his favor. But "love"? That was something he never believed he could give to any of them.

Even Ning Shuyan—at best, he felt pity, fondness. At most, a bit of liking.

Seeing he didn't respond, Ning Shuyan turned and sat on the bed, her lovely face tinged with sadness and regret.

Xiao Yu didn't get angry. He sat beside her and gently asked, "What's wrong? Are you upset?"

Ning Shuyan's nose twitched, and she turned her face away. "I thought Your Majesty liked me... But it seems I was just fooling myself."