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

After leaving Fengqi Palace, Cheng Yin was fuming with rage. "Why did you stop me just now?! I really wanted to go up and slap her twice to vent my anger!"

Ning Shuyan looked around to make sure no one was nearby before speaking. "You're angry? How could I not be? I hate her even more! But she's carrying the emperor's heir. Didn't the imperial physician just say her pregnancy is unstable? If you slapped her and she started making a scene about stomach pain, you'd only bring trouble upon yourself!"

Cheng Yin exhaled deeply, her face slowly calming down. "Then what should we do? Are we supposed to just stand by and watch her give birth? I can't do that!"

Ning Shuyan stared ahead, her gaze gradually becoming distant. "If she gives birth... whether her life can continue afterward is still uncertain."

After all, giving birth to an heir was a contribution. If her merits canceled out her crimes, perhaps Xiao Yu would spare her...

Cheng Yin suddenly grabbed her hand, a fierce glint in her eyes. "We must eliminate her!"

Her face was full of seriousness, and Ning Shuyan felt a jolt in her heart—Cheng Yin had said exactly what she had been thinking!

This hidden danger must be eradicated!

Ning Shuyan lowered her eyes and said calmly, "Didn't the physician say her pregnancy is unstable..."

She trailed off, then slowly lifted her almond-shaped eyes to meet Cheng Yin's gaze—they understood each other without needing more words.

After parting ways, Ning Shuyan stood under a sweet osmanthus tree, looking up in thought.

At this time, the osmanthus had just started blooming, and the air was filled with a sweet fragrance. The golden flowers nestled among the green leaves looked like scattered gold—so bright and dazzling.

"Qiu Le, the child is innocent..."

She stared blankly at the flowers. She had once thought that in her quest for power and status, her hands would never remain clean.

But... she didn't want to hurt the child.

Qiu Le came up beside her and whispered, "Schemes and plots have never ceased in the palace. My lady is merely repaying cruelty with cruelty."

Ning Shuyan didn't reply. She just stood there quietly for a long time before finally returning to the Lanyue Pavilion.

In Zhaocheng Hall, Xiao Yu sat on the dragon throne, his expression cold as ice. He looked at Physician Liu and asked, "Didn't you say the medicine Nangong took to assist with pregnancy was tampered with? How could she still conceive after so many years?"

Physician Liu shivered with fear and bowed low. "Years ago, at Her Majesty's orders, I added a small amount of contraceptive to her medicine. After all this time, logically speaking, Nangong shouldn't be pregnant..."

Suddenly, he remembered something and nervously added, "Perhaps... it's because she stopped taking the medicine about a year ago and has since used folk remedies. Recently, she's only had Physician Lu monitor her condition. I'm not clear on the details."

Xiao Yu's fingers tapped heavily on the table, his striking features tense and cold.

Seeing this, Physician Liu cautiously suggested, "However, her pregnancy is unstable. Miscarriage could happen at any time..."

He glanced up to gauge Xiao Yu's reaction.

Xiao Yu's hand paused slightly. After a long silence, he said coldly, "Even a vicious tiger doesn't eat its cubs—that's still my child. Enough. Take good care of her pregnancy."

After all, he also felt guilty toward Nangong Ling...

Back then, he had known the Empress ordered Physician Liu to tamper with her fertility medicine.

He hadn't stopped it—because he and the Empress shared the same view: they didn't want Nangong Ling to bear his child.

But he hadn't expected her to still conceive.

Perhaps... it was the will of heaven, he thought to himself.

—

At dinner, Ning Shuyan looked at the exquisite dishes covering the table but had no appetite. She picked up a piece of spicy chicken and placed it in her bowl but didn't eat it. Instead, she told Qiu Le, "Go bring me the peach blossom wine we brewed last time."

Qiu Le complied, poured the wine, and gently said, "My lady, drink moderately—don't overdo it."

Ning Shuyan looked at the fragrant, translucent wine in her cup, lifted it, and took a sip. "Sweet and mellow, smooth and pleasant. Not bad."

As she was drinking, she heard voices from outside greeting someone. She looked up to see Xiao Yu walking in.

She rose to bow. "Greetings, Your Majesty."

Xiao Yu waved his hand, dismissing the servants. His expression was unreadable, but his brows were tightly furrowed.

He walked over, helped her up, and didn't say anything. Instead, he held her hand tightly.

Ning Shuyan looked at his hand, her long lashes trembling slightly.

The candlelight flickered gently, casting a warm yellow glow. Xiao Yu gazed at her face, radiant as the autumn moon.

She didn't cry, didn't complain, didn't utter a single word of grievance. But in her calm and quiet demeanor, Xiao Yu could sense her inner pain.

He gently massaged her hand, glanced at the wine on the table, and said, "Let me drink with you."

He sat her down and poured a cup.

They drank several rounds.

Ning Shuyan's cheeks began to flush with a rosy hue, glowing softly under the candlelight—utterly enchanting.

Xiao Yu looked at the wine, then said, "Yaner, Nangong is pregnant. I had no other choice."

"Do you blame me?"

Ning Shuyan was stunned for a moment. After a while, she replied, "I don't blame Your Majesty. But my heart feels heavy. Nangong tried to kill me. I'm no saint—I can't forgive a mortal enemy."

"I don't need you to forgive her!" Xiao Yu blurted out.

Yes—how could he expect her to forgive Nangong Ling, when even he didn't want the child?

He said in a low voice, "I just hope... you can understand me."

Ning Shuyan lifted her cup and downed it in one go. She looked straight at him. "I understand. Today's events were unexpected for Your Majesty. She's carrying your child—of course you couldn't sentence her to death. I'm not an unreasonable person. I understand."

Xiao Yu was deeply moved. He opened his arms, and Ning Shuyan—as she had done so many times before—sat in his embrace.

He held her tightly and gently kissed her forehead...