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

On the fifteenth of the second month, Ning Shuyan rose before dawn to begin dressing and preparing.

The ceremonial attire and hair ornaments for her rank as a consort had been crafted by the Imperial Household Department and delivered to her. The most eye-catching piece was the gold-gilded, flower-entwined butterfly step-shake hairpin, with butterfly wings and intricately carved blossoms adorned with pearls. As she moved, the step-shake swayed and shimmered like starlight, casting a radiant glow. Her entire hairstyle was adorned with exquisite, dazzling accessories.

After finishing her preparation, she had to go to Fengqi Palace and stand to the right inside the palace gate. Only after the eunuch placed the official document and seal onto the ceremonial table could she enter the hall for the proclamation ceremony, where she would receive her title, the seal, and perform six bows with three kneelings and three kowtows.

The Empress sat in the seat of honor, wearing a phoenix coronet and a red ceremonial robe embroidered with golden phoenixes, dignified and noble. Beside her, Xiao Yu wore a dark ochre dragon robe, embroidered with golden dragons, bats, and multicolored auspicious clouds, exuding the majesty of a ruler.

Looking at Ning Shuyan kneeling before her, the Empress smiled gently and gracefully:
"The investiture ceremony is complete. You may rise. I hope you uphold proper conduct and help His Majesty continue the royal bloodline."

"Your Majesty's teachings, this concubine will remember and obey," Ning Shuyan replied as she rose from the ground, the ornaments in her hair producing a crisp and melodious sound.

The Empress turned to look at Xiao Yu and noticed his fixed gaze on Ning Shuyan, a dark shadow flashing in her eyes.

She had to admit that Ning Shuyan was truly stunning—so much so that even Consort Rong couldn't compare. Usually, she dressed plainly, but today, dressed in such splendid attire with dazzling ornaments, she looked radiant, her beauty lighting up the entire hall.

The Empress swallowed her bitterness and asked softly, "Would Your Majesty accompany Lady Zhao back to her residence?"

She could feel Xiao Yu's indifference toward her even more keenly today. Now, she could only cater to his wishes in all things. But Xiao Yu simply shook his head.

"No."

He walked to Ning Shuyan's side, looked at her gently, and said in a soft voice,
"You must be tired. Go back and rest well."

Ning Shuyan nodded. "Yes."

As soon as they left Fengqi Palace, a palanquin awaited. Ning Shuyan carefully boarded it, with Qiu Le thoughtfully adjusting her long skirt.

The palanquin wasn't very steady—it swayed as it moved, which wasn't too comfortable.

But from her high vantage point, she saw people and things beneath her. That feeling of superiority must be exactly what people in the palace sought.

Once back at Lanyue Pavilion, Ning Shuyan changed out of her formal attire. Looking at the wide hem of her skirt, she smiled faintly. If she were a higher-ranking consort or a noble consort, the skirts would be even longer and heavier.

Just as she changed into a more comfortable brocade dress and was about to remove the hairpins, Ziying came running in excitedly:
"My lady! My lady! Wonderful news!"

Seeing the joy and excitement on Ziying's face, Ning Shuyan smiled. "What's the good news? You're practically glowing."

"Someone from the Imperial Household just came. His Majesty has sent people to bring Madam from the marquis's residence into the palace. There are two ladies—surely one of them is Aunt Yun!"

Ning Shuyan's eyes widened in astonishment, joy spreading across her face. "Really?"

Ziying nodded repeatedly. "Really! Aunt Yun is on her way right now."

Ning Shuyan was so overwhelmed that she quickly said, "Leave the hair as it is—no need to take it down."

She turned to the mirror, relieved at the sight of her flawless reflection. She didn't want Aunt Yun to worry. She wanted her to see that she was doing well.

She paced excitedly in the courtyard, impatiently waiting.

At last, she heard approaching footsteps. She saw Aunt Yun's figure walking behind the official wife of the marquis. At the sight of Ning Shuyan, Aunt Yun trembled with emotion, her eyes filling with tears.

When the two women arrived, they bowed and greeted her.
"We pay our respects to Lady Zhao. May Your Grace enjoy eternal peace."

Looking at Aunt Yun's frail figure, Ning Shuyan's eyes grew misty. She quickly said with a smile,
"Please, rise."

Her eyes rested solely on Aunt Yun. As their gazes met, deep longing and joy passed silently between them.

Tea had already been brewed. After sitting down, Ning Shuyan asked,
"Auntie, has your health recovered? Are there any lingering issues?"

Aunt Yun smiled gently.
"I've recovered well. Your Grace needn't worry about me. But in the palace, things are hard. Please, take great care."

In her heart, though her daughter had been granted the title of consort and seemed favored by the emperor, she knew it must have been a difficult journey. There was no happiness in her heart—only pain.

The Marquis's official wife didn't look too pleased as she watched the two chatting warmly. She forced a smile and said,
"Don't worry, sister. Look at all those gold hairpins in our Shuyan's hair—surely worth a fortune. And this grand palace! With His Majesty's favor, what grievance could she suffer?"

She scrutinized Ning Shuyan with envy. She had to admit that this girl was exceptionally beautiful—and now, even more so than before. They say the harem is a treacherous place, but she seemed to be thriving. Her complexion even looked better than when she lived in the marquis's residence.

Though Ning Shuyan didn't like the marquis's wife, she still exchanged a few polite words. After all, when His Majesty allowed her family into the palace, protocol dictated the official wife couldn't be ignored. Technically, she was Ning Shuyan's legal mother, whereas Aunt Yun was merely a concubine.

After a while, the marquis's wife brought up the real reason for her visit.
"Lady Zhao, don't forget the promise you made to your father back at home."

Ning Shuyan naturally remembered. She had promised her father that once she gained a foothold in the palace, she would recommend Ning Ruyan during the next triennial selection for palace ladies.

She adjusted the step-shake hairpin dangling by her temples and said coolly,
"I haven't forgotten. But it seems Father has forgotten what I asked of him."

The marquis's wife froze momentarily, then forced a fake smile.
"How could the marquis forget Your Grace's request? Don't worry—Aunt Yun is now living comfortably in our residence. The marquis fears even the slightest harm might come to her."

Ning Shuyan glanced at Aunt Yun. She nodded slightly, indicating she was doing well. Ning Shuyan wasn't sure if that was to comfort her or if the incident where Aunt Yun nearly drowned had truly changed her father's attitude.

She held her teacup, watching the swirling steam.
"That's good. Because if you can't keep your end of the bargain, I can't promise anything on mine either."

After a little more small talk, time was running short. Ning Shuyan instructed Ziying to take the marquis's wife to tour the main hall and garden. The marquis's wife knew she was in the way of their mother-daughter conversation and, though unhappy, left with Ziying.

P.S.: (Note on fictional etiquette in the novel)
Every dynasty had different rules. The jewelry regulations in this novel are as follows:
• Only the Empress may wear double tassels, double step-shakes, a phoenix crown, and a nine-tailed phoenix (length reaching the shoulders).
• The Noble Consort may wear double tassels and double step-shakes (length beside the ears).
• Consorts (the nine ranked concubines) may wear one tassel and one step-shake on one side.