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

As she spoke, Ning Shuyan rolled up her embroidery into a long strip and tucked it into a pouch beside her.

Even when she was angry, she still appeared adorable—especially with that soft and gentle voice, making it hard for anyone to get truly upset with her, even if she spoke outrageous things.

Xiao Yu sat beside her, chuckling, "Your temper is getting bolder by the day. You didn't embroider well, yet you blame me for poor eyesight."

Even he found her unreasonable behavior endearing.

Ning Shuyan turned away, refusing to look at him and muttered, "It is your fault. I was going to give this to Your Majesty, and now before I could even gift it, you're already complaining."

Xiao Yu reached for her hand. Ning Shuyan lightly shook him off, but with her gentle strength, it seemed more like playful flirting.

Xiao Yu placed her hand on the scented sachet hanging at his waist, his eyes soft, "If I truly disliked it, would I wear it every day?"

Ning Shuyan glanced at his waist and couldn't help but smile.

Xiao Yu pulled her into his embrace, playfully pinching her chin, smiling with affection, "You're already a grown woman and still act like a child."

Ning Shuyan tilted her head and smiled, "A woman in front of the man she loves is supposed to act like a child. Besides, it's only because Your Majesty spoils me that I dare show a temper. Otherwise, I'd be saying 'Forgive me, Your Majesty,' and 'Long live the Emperor!' all day long."

Xiao Yu threw his head back in laughter, but had to admit, she had a point. If she treated him like the Emperor every moment, it would be a boring life indeed.

That was what he liked most about her—he came to the harem to relax. If he had to maintain stiff, formal rituals here too, it would only exhaust him further.

He wrapped his arm around her waist and chuckled lowly, "You sweet-talk me all day."

"I'm not sweet-talking; I'm telling the truth," she replied, fingers toying with the scented sachet. "This sachet looks a little dirty already, and yet Your Majesty still wears it."

Xiao Yu rested his chin on her shoulder, his voice deep and low, "I can't bear to throw it away."

Ning Shuyan laughed softly, "So even the Emperor has things he can't bear to toss? Or is it because you treasure what I embroidered?"

Xiao Yu asked in return, "What do you think?"

As he spoke, his hand gently kneaded her waist.

Ning Shuyan's gaze sparkled as she smiled like a blossoming peach, "Then I'll make you a new one. A dignified emperor shouldn't walk around with an old sachet."

"Alright. I'll wait for you to finish."

Ning Shuyan smirked mischievously, "Then I'll embroider a tiger on this one."

Xiao Yu paused for a moment. "Maybe... choose something else?"

Feigning innocence, Ning Shuyan asked, "Why? Didn't Your Majesty say you wouldn't mind?"

Xiao Yu: "..."

He furrowed his brow, feeling a headache coming on. This little fox in his arms was getting better and better at twisting his words.

"I have to go in and out of all the palaces. If someone else, as blind as I am, mistakes the tiger for a cat, wouldn't that make me a laughingstock?"

Ning Shuyan fought back a laugh and raised her chin proudly, "Fine then. I'll embroider it better this time. Make sure it looks like a tiger. I wouldn't dare let Your Majesty be laughed at."

She looked up at him, her eyes full of tenderness, reflecting only him in her gaze. There seemed to be starlight flowing through them. Xiao Yu stared at her, captivated, his own gaze melting with emotion. He gently stroked her head and said, "Yan'er is the sweetest."

Then his Adam's apple bobbed, and he pressed his lips to hers, deepening the kiss—passionate and lingering.

"Your Majesty—!"

Yang An's voice suddenly rang out. His old face flushed red as he quickly turned away.

Ning Shuyan, startled by the voice, immediately pushed Xiao Yu away. Her face was burning with embarrassment.

Xiao Yu, equally displeased, turned icy. "What is it?"

Yang An lowered his voice, "Word has come from the Cold Palace—Lady Jiang has suddenly died."

After all, she was the birth mother of the Crown Prince. It was necessary to inform the Emperor.

Xiao Yu froze upon hearing the news. Ning Shuyan could feel the tension in his body and the stiffness of his expression.

His eyes narrowed slightly, voice cold, "I understand."

Ning Shuyan noticed his lips pressed into a thin line, brows furrowed—deep in thought.

She felt a bit despondent. After all, that woman had been by his side for nearly eight years and bore him his only son. There had to be some lingering sentiment.

She gently rested a hand on his shoulder and softly called, "Your Majesty."

Xiao Yu turned to see the concern on her face. He patted the back of her hand and said quietly, "I was just thinking... You'er has lost his mother."

Now Ning Shuyan understood—Xiao Yu was grieving for the child.

He had forgiven Consort Rong multiple times because he didn't want his son to grow up motherless, like he had.

Though Xiao Yu didn't love any woman in the harem, he placed great value on family ties.

If Consort Rong hadn't brought ruin upon herself, her future would've been bright.

But life has no "ifs."

Ning Shuyan leaned on his shoulder and said softly, "Her Majesty the Empress will take good care of the Crown Prince. I believe she will be a good mother."

Though she disliked Consort Rong, she didn't believe a child should bear the consequences of the parents' mistakes.

Being with the Empress meant the Crown Prince was now seen as her son—her legitimizing heir. But at the same time, it meant he had become a pawn in the Empress's political game.

He likely wouldn't live a happy life.

The thought filled her with sorrow for the child.

She added, "Though the Crown Prince is young, children are pure. Losing his mother must be hard for him. Your Majesty should try to spend more time with him, if possible."

Xiao Yu was deeply moved. Consort Rong had been her enemy, yet Ning Shuyan didn't direct her resentment at the child. Instead, she encouraged him to visit the boy. It showed just how kind and broad-minded she was.

He embraced her. "Yan'er is so thoughtful. You'll be a wonderful mother one day."

Ning Shuyan instinctively looked down at her own belly. If she ever bore a child, she would do her best to be a good mother. Yet she also feared the pain and hardship of pregnancy and childbirth.

Just then, Du Ruo, the Empress's maid, arrived and requested the Emperor's presence. The Crown Prince had begun crying uncontrollably, calling out for his father.

Of course, Ning Shuyan couldn't act jealous of a child. She quickly said, "A child's heart is linked to their mother's. Go see him, Your Majesty."

Xiao Yu nodded, replying gently, "You rest well. I'll come see you tomorrow."

She immediately agreed.

As Xiao Yu was about to leave, he paused at the sight of the chilled watermelon and said, "You shouldn't eat cold things during your period. Don't be tempted."

Ning Shuyan glanced at the watermelon and felt warmth in her heart. Even in this moment, he remembered her well-being. She smiled sweetly, "I understand. Your Majesty needn't worry about me."

Only then did Xiao Yu stride out of the palace.