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

Ning Shuyan slowly returned to the palace. Li Zhang hurriedly came forward:
"Your Highness, the Emperor is here."

She was slightly taken aback. Why had the Emperor come at this hour...?

Upon entering the main hall, she saw Xiao Yu holding a book, deeply engrossed in thought, his expression calm and distant as if contemplating something.

Hearing footsteps, he lifted his gaze, a faint smile tugging at his lips:
"Where did you go? You were gone quite a while."

Ning Shuyan stepped forward, and Xiao Yu pulled her into his embrace as they sat down. Her eyes curved with a smile:
"I lingered a bit on the road with Cheng Yin. If I had known Your Majesty was coming, I would've hurried back so you wouldn't have to wait."

The sweet fragrance of gardenias in the hall, mingled with her familiar scent, gradually eased the heaviness in Xiao Yu's chest.

Holding her hand, he said:
"You've always been sensitive to heat—don't go out so much."

He picked up a grape, chilled until it gleamed like jade, and brought it to her lips.

Ning Shuyan accepted the grape and said:
"It's early autumn now, the breeze is cooler."

Then she paused and added:
"Today is the full month for the Eldest Princess. Why didn't Your Majesty go visit her?"

At this, Xiao Yu's expression darkened slightly, a flicker of displeasure in his voice:
"I didn't want to go. Every time I visit, Concubine Xue keeps going on about the child this and that—I've grown tired of hearing it. She even knelt and begged me to let her keep the princess by her side until she's six months old."

Ning Shuyan softly replied:
"That... does seem a bit unreasonable."

Xiao Yu was a man of rules. The fact that he allowed Concubine Xue to keep the child for a while, out of concern for her weakened body after giving birth, was already a sign of his favor. But she kept pushing her luck, which erased the last bit of goodwill he had for her.

Gently stroking her soft, smooth hand, he said:
"I've been thinking lately about who should raise the child."

Ning Shuyan smiled sweetly:
"Right now, the ones who could raise the princess are Lady Ying Zhaoyi, Lin Zhaorong, Consort Zhuang, and the Empress. I believe that raising a child isn't easy—the most important thing is to choose a mother who truly loves her."

Indeed, Xiao Yu knew that for a child, genuine affection was the most important.

He couldn't immediately think of a suitable candidate. Lady Ying Zhaoyi seemed most appropriate—graceful in temperament, never jealous or petty. Though she wasn't especially favored, he had never neglected her either.

But she'd had heart palpitations even before entering the palace, and though she'd recovered, a child's energy might be too much for her.

Thinking of this, Xiao Yu lowered his eyes and said gently:
"Yaner, have you forgotten yourself? You're also someone who could raise a child."

Ning Shuyan was startled:
"Your Majesty... you're not thinking of letting me raise the princess, are you?"

Seeing her confused expression, Xiao Yu couldn't help but chuckle. He playfully tapped her nose, a soft curve forming on his lips as warmth filled his gaze:
"I'd rather you raise your own child. If Yaner could give me a princess, she would surely be as lovely and beautiful as you."

He imagined that if she bore a daughter, the child would be even more charming, always clinging to him—calling him "Father" sweetly from the left and "Emperor" from the right.

Thinking of this, a smile tugged wider at his lips, and he chuckled softly.

Ning Shuyan wrapped her arms around his neck, laughing as she tilted her head:
"So Your Majesty likes daughters, huh?"

"I just think princesses are more obedient—easier to dote on."

Ning Shuyan pressed her hands against his neck, her voice soft and playful:
"Well then, Your Majesty can just pamper me like I'm your daughter."

She tilted her head coquettishly. The dangling crystal and pearl tassels on her shoulder shimmered like stardust, making her already delicate face even more radiant.

Xiao Yu looked at her, eyes blooming with a smile. He pinched her tender cheek with a pampering tone:
"Are you accusing me of not spoiling you enough, you mischievous little vixen?"

He pinched a little too hard. Ning Shuyan yelped from the pain, and her fair skin turned red where he'd squeezed.

She pouted and glared at him:
"Your Majesty, that hurt!"

Xiao Yu, amused by her delicate nature, laughed:
"So delicate. It seems I really do have to pamper you like a little princess."

Ning Shuyan laughed joyfully, resting against his chest and snuggling in contentment.

After a while, Xiao Yu's smile slowly faded. A complex expression crossed his face. After a moment's hesitation, he brushed her forehead and said seriously:
"Yaner, there's something I must tell you."

She looked up gently:
"What is it?"

Xiao Yu said:
"The incident with the snake swarm... it was connected to Consort Zhuang."

Ning Shuyan was genuinely surprised—but more so by the fact that Xiao Yu would tell her such a thing.

She lowered her eyes, her long lashes casting shadows on her fair cheeks. Her voice was soft:
"I won't lie to Your Majesty. That day, when Lady Chu said it was Consort Zhuang's doing, I did harbor suspicions. But... I had no proof."

Xiao Yu's deep eyes turned solemn:
"But Yaner, I can't move against Consort Zhuang right now. Nangong Yun is ambitious and plotting treason—he's colluding with Prince Xin. In order not to alert them, I must continue to favor Consort Zhuang... even more so."

Ning Shuyan had already guessed that the Emperor wouldn't tolerate the Nangong family much longer.

She softly said:
"I am just a woman and don't understand court affairs. But I do understand propriety. No matter what Your Majesty chooses to do, I will support you."

She knew Xiao Yu wouldn't let the Nangong family go. If she were to insist on punishing Consort Zhuang now, it would seem petty and only burden him.

Besides, punishing Consort Zhuang wasn't something she could decide with just a few words.

Instead, it was better to act generous and understanding—make him feel guilty and pity her.

Sure enough, Xiao Yu looked at her with tender affection and said:
"Rest assured, Yaner. I will not let Consort Zhuang get away with it."

Then he murmured:
"Soon... I believe that day is near."

As he spoke, he lowered his head and kissed her gently on the forehead.

All these years, he had turned a blind eye to so much. But Consort Zhuang had pushed his limits again and again—he was long past the point of tolerance.