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

After the banquet ended, Concubine Xue rode past Ning Shuyan and Consort Xi in the palanquin granted to her by the Emperor.

She nodded slightly and smiled. "Greetings, elder sisters. I'll be taking my leave now."

Her gaze lingered on Ning Shuyan with a trace of smugness as the palanquin swayed and moved forward.

Consort Xi looked at her retreating figure with disdain. "A petty person showing off. Did you see the look in her eyes just now?"

"Of course I did," Ning Shuyan replied calmly. "She once begged me to introduce her to the Emperor. Now that she's pregnant, she can finally hold her head high. How could she not be pleased with herself?"

Consort Xi tightened her cloak. "Let's see if she can actually give birth. That's where the real skill lies."

Ning Shuyan glanced at the thick snow on the ground, shimmering coldly in the dim lamplight. She said softly, "At the very least, her pregnancy will likely be more secure than ours were."

"Why do you say that?" asked Consort Xi.

"Concubine Zhuang has only just regained favor; she wouldn't risk losing it now. As for Consort Rong, we both know her methods. She's no longer as favored as she once was—if she has any sense, she won't take the risk. And the Empress... it's even more impossible."

Realization dawned on Consort Xi, and she nodded slowly. "You have a point. Compared to you, I feel like my thinking is far too simple. No wonder the Emperor favors you—you're not only beautiful, but also intelligent and well-read."

She sighed, recalling how she always felt lost whenever the Emperor talked about poetry. "I heard you have many poetry books in your palace. Could you lend me a couple? I'd like to study a bit too. That way, when the Emperor talks in that flowery way again, I might be able to respond with at least a line or two."

Ning Shuyan smiled warmly. "Just being yourself is wonderful. You don't need to change for anyone. I like you just the way you are. But if you truly want to enrich yourself, come by the Lanyue Pavilion and borrow any book you like."

Consort Xi's eyes lit up like fluttering wings. "Alright, I'll come in a few days to borrow some books."

After two straight days of snow, it finally stopped on the second day of the new year. All the trees and flowers were blanketed in snow, giving them a delicate and fragile beauty. The long-awaited sunshine made the entire palace shimmer like crystal.

Ning Shuyan wandered through the plum blossom garden with her maid Ziying, searching for blossoms beneath the snow. The soft fragrance surrounded them. Under the faint sunlight, the snowy glow was dazzling—crystal clear and shimmering. The red blossoms amid the white snow appeared even more striking and noble.

She took the pure bottle from Ziying and gently scraped the snow off the blossoms with a silver spoon.

"I've never had tea brewed with snow water before," Ziying said cheerfully. "Being with you is such a blessing. I get to try all kinds of rare and curious delicacies."

Ning Shuyan smiled radiantly, her beauty outshining the snow and blossoms. "As Xin Qiji once wrote in his poetry, 'Carefully write the Tea Manual and boil fragrant snow.' Why not give it a try today? Tea mixed with plum blossom fragrance—it should be a delight."

Just then, she heard footsteps approaching. Her gaze shifted slightly. Which concubine will it be this time? she thought with mild annoyance. Such a beautiful moment was about to be ruined.

The footsteps halted behind her without a word. She had a good guess who it was but pretended not to notice, continuing to gather snow.

In fact, it was Emperor Xiao Yu who stood behind her. Concubine Mi was about to speak, but he stopped her. His gaze softened as he watched Ning Shuyan in the midst of the snow and blossoms, her beauty more stunning than the scenery itself—like a dream, utterly captivating.

Ziying pulled down a larger branch. "Here, my lady."

Ning Shuyan smiled as she gathered more snow, completely unaware that someone had walked up beside her.

Ziying looked up and exclaimed in surprise, "Your Majesty!"

Ning Shuyan turned to see Xiao Yu gazing at her with a gentle expression. She quickly dipped in a curtsy. "Your Majesty, are you also here to admire the plum blossoms?"

He took her hand—it was ice-cold and slightly red from the chill. He wrapped it in his own and scolded softly, "You're always so sensitive to the cold. The snow is melting, it's the coldest time. Why come out now?"

Hearing the concern in his voice, she smiled softly. "I came to collect snow for tea."

He glanced at the bottle in her hand and smiled. "As Xin Qiji once wrote, 'Carefully write the Tea Manual and boil fragrant snow.' You always think of such delicate and refined things."

Ziying beamed. "Just a moment ago, my lady said the exact same thing! It's like you and she share the same thoughts."

Xiao Yu gently rubbed her cold hands, smiling at her. "Is that so?"

Ning Shuyan smiled and nodded.

Seeing the Emperor's eyes fixed on Ning Shuyan from the moment he arrived, Concubine Mi's face darkened. He even called her by her nickname. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she forced a smile and stepped forward. "Greetings, Sister Zhao."

Ning Shuyan returned the greeting with a smile. Concubine Mi wore a bluish-green gown under a thick, floral-patterned cloak, looking charming and graceful.

Her voice was soft and pleasant. "Sister Zhao, you even know the art of tea?"

Ning Shuyan smiled modestly, a faint dimple showing. "Just something to pass the time when I'm idle—nothing serious."

"You're too modest," said Concubine Mi. "I've heard you're both talented and beautiful. I'm new to the palace and may make mistakes—please guide me when needed."

Ning Shuyan smiled politely. So she knows how to speak sweetly too, she thought. I assumed she would be arrogant, but she's all grace and humility now. Whether she's still this nice without the Emperor present, though, is another matter.

After all, on New Year's Eve, that one look had told Ning Shuyan clearly—this woman had no goodwill toward her.

Still smiling, she replied, "You're too humble. As the Princess of Rong, your conduct is impeccable. There's nothing for me to guide."

Xiao Yu listened to the polite back-and-forth and smiled faintly. He turned to Concubine Mi and said, "You should return to your palace now."

That sentence alone made it clear—he intended to leave with Ning Shuyan.

The smile on Concubine Mi's face froze like frost. "Your Majesty, didn't you say you'd show me around the palace?"

He replied blandly, "I'll do that another day. The paths are slippery. Be careful on your way back."

With no choice, Concubine Mi curtsied. "Yes, Your Majesty. I take my leave."