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

Chapter 119 - Promotion to Xiuyi (Elegant Lady)

She was slightly dazed. Yes, she was now a Niangniang, entitled to live in the main halls and be carried in a proper sedan chair when going out.

The fifteenth of the second month was her birthday. Xiao Yu setting the promotion ceremony on that day—was it truly a coincidence, or was the day genuinely auspicious?

These past few days, the weather had warmed. The spring sunlight was gentle and bright, and the breeze carried a light, calming fragrance.

The forsythia by the wall bloomed in abundance—delicate and shy, its branches dancing gracefully in the breeze.

In the Jade Rinse Palace, incense was added to the burner. A faint, serene fragrance quietly drifted through the hall.

Cheng Yin had specially asked Ziyi to brew some tea—the finest Junshan Silver Needle. Holding the teacup, she smiled, "My maids aren't as skilled in tea as yours, so I can only serve the best leaves to make up for it."

Ning Shuyan looked at the fragrant tea and smiled. "Tea is tea—when you're in a good mood, any kind tastes wonderful."

She glanced around the palace. The decor was elegant and luxurious. The porcelain was especially fine—smooth as jade, with graceful lines.

Cheng Yin caught her gaze and lazily said, "Those were all bestowed by the Emperor. If he gets something nice, he often gives me a share—including much in this palace that technically isn't for someone of my rank. Do you know why?"

Ning Shuyan had once wondered—especially early on, when Xiao Yu had doted greatly on Cheng Yin. But the day Cheng Yin was slapped by Consort Rong and stood there tearful and red-faced, hoping for the Emperor's sympathy, his gaze held only disdain.

It was then that Ning Shuyan began to wonder—if the Emperor didn't truly love Cheng Yin, why favor her so much? Later, she understood: it was because the Emperor wanted to support the Cheng family, and out of respect for the late Grand Tutor Cheng. That's why he treated Cheng Yin so well.

Still, Ning Shuyan shook her head. "I don't know."

Cheng Yin gently brushed the foam off her tea and said slowly, "I've thought about it for a long time. The Emperor treats me very well. I lack nothing in the palace. At first, I believed he had some feelings for me. But after my miscarriage, I gradually realized that those feelings weren't romantic—more like familial. Because on my grandfather's deathbed, the Emperor promised to take care of me. My grandfather was like a father to him, and my father was close to the Emperor. So everything he does for me is just a promise kept."

Now, recalling all of this, Cheng Yin no longer felt much emotion.

She went on, "Once you come to terms with it, it doesn't hurt as much. In some ways, I am still special to the Emperor—and in this regard, I surpass many other consorts."

Ning Shuyan nodded softly. "That's the right way to think. Just as flowers bloom toward the sun, people must look forward—that's the best path."

Cheng Yin sipped her tea slowly. After a while, something seemed to occur to her. "By the way, who do you think tampered with Lady Xue's food, or tried to make you infertile?"

Ning Shuyan lowered her eyes, thinking for a moment, then glanced around at the servants. Cheng Yin quickly caught on and dismissed them.

Only then did Ning Shuyan speak. "I don't know who tried to harm me. But as for Lady Xue—or rather, Baolin Xue—I suspect she staged the whole thing herself."

Cheng Yin's hand trembled slightly. She set down her cup in surprise. "You mean—no one tried to hurt her? She harmed herself?"

Ning Shuyan's lips curved into a subtle smile. "I've told you before—Consort Zhuang has only just regained favor. She wouldn't risk everything now. The Empress personally cared for Lady Xue—who could've poisoned her under everyone's nose without being discovered? No one would dare take that risk. Which makes the most likely culprit... herself."

Cheng Yin frowned in confusion. "But what's the benefit of doing that? Just to gain sympathy from the Emperor?"

Ning Shuyan replied calmly, "That's one reason. Second, she got promoted. Third, after this incident, even if someone wanted to harm her, they'd hold back. Both the Emperor and Empress will be more vigilant. And the Emperor will naturally pay more attention to the child—after all, it nearly didn't survive. In this palace, many pregnancies have ended in miscarriage. Whether he favors her or not, that child is still his."

Cheng Yin nodded repeatedly, enlightened. "That makes a lot of sense. So she's not as weak as she appears—she's got a sharp mind."

Ning Shuyan watched the jade hairpin swaying lightly in Cheng Yin's hair, its glow flickering gently. "In this harem, how many women are truly innocent? Of course, this is only my speculation."

She had sensed from their first encounters that Xue was calculating and patient. Her intentions for approaching her were never pure. So even if Ning Shuyan pretended to be friendly, she remained distant. A woman like that—best to keep one's distance. Her false gentleness was exhausting.