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

The next afternoon, Xiao Yu had Yang An deliver some waxberries.

But these weren't ordinary waxberries — they were tribute-grade white waxberries. It was said that in the entire harem, aside from the Emperor and Empress, only Consort Zhuang and Ning Shuyan's palace were privileged enough to receive them.

Ning Shuyan was genuinely delighted. If she had to name her favorite fruits, it would probably be cherries, lychees, and waxberries.

There was an old saying about waxberries: "A single freshly ripened waxberry is worth a thousand gold." They were considered on par with the lychees that once made an imperial concubine smile through a cloud of red dust.

Especially after being chilled — they were juicy, cooling, and refreshing.

Ning Shuyan picked up a white waxberry and popped it into her mouth. The moment she bit into it, the sourness flooded her taste buds, making her frown slightly. "These white waxberries are really sour."

But once the sourness faded, it was replaced by a sweet aftertaste that lingered delightfully.

Qiule chuckled, "Your Grace has always liked fruits that are sweet with a bit of tartness."

Smiling, Ning Shuyan picked up another waxberry. Suddenly, an idea struck her. "Have the kitchen crush some ice — I'll make some sour plum tea and take it to Chengguang Hall."

She then picked up a small knife and carefully scraped the flesh off the waxberries into a celadon tea bowl. She added jasmine tea leaves, honey, and crushed ice on top. Just the sight of it was enough to make one's mouth water — the translucent fruit glistened beautifully against the cool green hue of the bowl.

After placing the plum tea into a food box, she headed out.

The afternoon sun was blazing hot. Golden light beat down on the road, so bright it made one dizzy.

Qiule tilted the parasol completely over Ning Shuyan to shield her, but even then, she was soaked in sweat by the time they reached Chengguang Hall.

This summer really was hotter than usual. Ning Shuyan thought to herself that if she were in the capital, she probably wouldn't dare to step outside at all.

Since she didn't need to be announced at Chengguang Hall, Ning Shuyan walked straight in.

Inside, blocks of ice exuded a faint white chill. As she stepped in, a wave of cool air brushed past her, instantly dispersing the summer heat and her irritation — it was incredibly refreshing.

Xiao Yu, hearing the commotion, didn't even look up. Still writing, he said casually, "What brings you here in such hot weather?"

Ning Shuyan set the food box down and smiled. "And you're not even going to look up and see who it is?"

Xiao Yu finished the final character and set the document aside. Then he looked up and smiled, "I know your footsteps better than anyone, Yan'er. Why would I need to look to know?"

Ning Shuyan giggled sweetly. "When did Your Majesty become so good at flattering me?"

She opened the food box, and Xiao Yu glanced at her hands. "What delicious thing have you made for me this time?"

She carefully held up the bowl with both hands. Her wide sleeves slipped down, revealing her slender, delicate wrists — pale and soft, like tender jade shoots.

As she placed the bowl down, Xiao Yu quickly grasped her hand and gently massaged it. "Your palm is sweating. Sit and rest a while."

Ning Shuyan picked up a fan and gently fanned herself, watching as Xiao Yu sipped the tea slowly. After a moment, he set the bowl down, a slight lift in his brows. "Excellent! Fruity, refreshing — perfect for this heat."