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

Ning Shuyan kneeled forward slightly. "Your Majesty, may I ask you to extend your hand?"

Xiao Yu looked at her in confusion but still stretched out his hand.

Lin Zhaorong was so furious she was gritting her teeth—was this woman still trying to seduce the emperor even now?

Ning Shuyan held Xiao Yu's hand. The empress glanced sideways at them. Just as Ning Shuyan was about to look at her, the empress quickly averted her gaze.

Then, Ning Shuyan wrote a character in Xiao Yu's wide palm.

Through the faint tickling sensation, Xiao Yu clearly felt that she had written the character for "book" (書).

Seeing her delicately lower her long lashes, a trace of shyness in her expression, her every gesture oozing charm—

Xiao Yu immediately understood. A smile spread across his face, his brows relaxed. Scenes of the two of them reading together, and their more intimate moments, flashed through his mind.

He suddenly burst out laughing.

Everyone present—the empress, Ying Zhaoyi, Lin Zhaorong, and even Cheng Yin, who was still kneeling—were all utterly confused.

The empress looked at Xiao Yu in disbelief, her eyes full of surprise and uncertainty.

Xiao Yu had fully grasped the situation. The "book" was one of those that couldn't be made public. If word of it spread, the consequences would be dire. Naturally, the maid holding such an object would be nervous and secretive.

Cheng Yin had kept quiet for Ning Shuyan's sake, and Ning Shuyan had done the same for him.

After all, the book was a gift from him. If it became public knowledge, it wouldn't just harm his imperial dignity—it could tarnish his reputation with accusations of indulgence or decadence.

Thinking of all this, Xiao Yu felt touched. The woman before him had been so considerate on his behalf.

His eyes were filled with deep affection. "So, you gave that item to Jiejuyu, and she, in order to protect you and keep her word, chose to stay silent?"

Ning Shuyan smiled softly. "Your Majesty is wise. Since it was a gift from you, I shouldn't have given it to someone else. Please forgive me."

She was about to bow, but Xiao Yu reached out and helped her up.

"If it's something I gave you, naturally it's yours to decide what to do with it."

The empress, ever observant, immediately noticed that both Ning Shuyan and Xiao Yu referred to it as a gift, not a reward. She bit her lip slightly.

Leaning on Xiao Yu's hand, Ning Shuyan slowly stood up. Whether due to her menstrual cramps or the time she'd spent kneeling on the hard stone floor, her body felt especially weak. Just as her legs gave out, Xiao Yu caught her in his arms.

In full view of everyone, their affectionate exchange and intimate actions stirred a bitter, uncomfortable feeling in more than one heart. Several people looked away, unable to keep watching.

Ning Shuyan felt a bit embarrassed. She quickly lowered her head and stood up properly.

The empress remained calm, but under her sleeves, her hands were tightly clenched. She spoke gently: "Zhao Xiuyi, you may sit. Jiejuyu, you can rise as well."

Cheng Yin had been kneeling for so long her knees were in agony. Ziyi quickly stepped forward to help her up. Cheng Yin took a few painful steps before sitting down, finally feeling some relief.

The empress asked, "So then... does His Majesty wish to continue the investigation?"

Xiao Yu rotated the jade ring on his finger and replied blandly, "I understand the situation now. Since this had nothing to do with Jiejuyu, then it was just an accident."

Lin Zhaorong quickly interjected, "But there really was oil on the ground near Yi He Palace. If it wasn't Jiejuyu's maid who spilled it, then who? Only she was acting suspiciously."

Ning Shuyan said, "I've already explained to His Majesty why she seemed suspicious. As for the oil... many eunuchs and maids pass through Yi He Palace every day. It's entirely possible it was accidentally spilled by someone else. For example, even staff from the Imperial Kitchen might occasionally make such a mistake."

Lin Zhaorong paused, about to argue further, but Ying Zhaoyi jumped in first: "Zhao Xiuyi is right. Just a few days ago, I also saw oil on the palace path. I don't know which careless servant was responsible."

Ning Shuyan was slightly surprised Ying Zhaoyi would support her. She glanced over and saw the other woman smiling calmly.

Xiao Yu said in a low voice, "Then it's settled. Nangong Cairen is unharmed, so let's move on. But Jiejuyu has suffered some injustice today."

Cheng Yin offered a faint smile and said quietly, "I am not wronged."

Xiao Yu gave a light "hmm" and dismissed the gathering.

As he stood, he looked at the kneeling maid and said coldly, "As a palace maid, you neglected your duties and instead chose to spread baseless suspicions. You are to receive thirty strokes."

Then he left without another word.

The maid was stunned. She had expected a reward for testifying, not punishment! In a panic, she turned to the empress and kowtowed. "Your Majesty, I only reported what I saw! Please, have mercy!"

The empress's brow furrowed deeply, her expression growing darker. With a wave of her hand, the eunuchs dragged the maid away.

The other concubines also exited Fengqi Palace.

The empress breathed in the tranquil fragrance lingering in the hall, but instead of calming her, it made her head pound. She rubbed her temples in exhaustion.

Du Ruo stepped forward to massage her temples. "His Majesty has always been concerned about heirs. Yet today, he had no desire to pursue the matter further."

The empress sighed deeply. "Even if he suspected Jiejuyu, his attitude made it clear—he had no intention of digging deeper."

She tilted her head slightly. The long phoenix-shaped hairpin dangling from her hair touched her neck, bringing a chilling sensation.

Softly, she said, "Just now, the way His Majesty and Zhao Xiuyi spoke and looked at each other—it was so intimate. I even began to wonder... maybe His Majesty isn't a cold-hearted man. Maybe he's just never loved me?"

Du Ruo had also noticed the way the emperor looked at Zhao Xiuyi—it was like he couldn't take his eyes off her. If it had been any other concubine speaking up today instead of Zhao Xiuyi, would the emperor have believed Jiejuyu was innocent?

She replied gently, "Your Majesty, you are the Empress. No matter how favored the other concubines may be, they can't surpass you. And Zhao Xiuyi has no children—she poses no threat."

The empress slowly nodded, her gaze turning hazy. She murmured, "Yes... but if Zhao Xiuyi had Jiejuyu's family background, she'd be the next Lady Nangong."

Luckily, Ning Shuyan's father was only a third-rank official, albeit a marquis, so her status had risen considerably.

At least, he wasn't a military general. And she was only a concubine-born daughter.