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

After leaving Fengqi Palace, Ning Shuyan walked in front, while Cheng Yin followed behind, wringing the handkerchief in her hands like a child who had made a mistake.

It wasn't until they reached a place with no one around that Ning Shuyan suddenly stopped walking. Only then did Cheng Yin raise her head, guilt-ridden as she said, "I'm sorry for dragging you into this."

Ning Shuyan stared at her, both angry and exasperated. "How could you be so careless? Why didn't you discuss it with me first? Do you realize what you did could've cost you your life?"

Her tone was usually gentle and calm, so this was the first time Cheng Yin had heard her speak so harshly. She bit her lower lip hard, not knowing how to respond.

Seeing her like this, Ning Shuyan couldn't help but soften. Proud as Cheng Yin was, when had she ever been this cautious and anxious?

Her tone eased significantly. Taking Cheng Yin's hand, she spoke gently, "Alright, I'm not trying to scold you. I just want to remind you—there are countless eyes watching you in this palace. A small misstep and someone will seize the chance to bring you down. If something were to happen to you, what then? Have you thought about how your family could be implicated?"

Every word pierced Cheng Yin's most vulnerable fears. Her nose tingled, and tears welled up in her reddened eyes.

Choking with emotion, she asked, "Why? Why did you help me even after knowing it was me?"

She recalled being taken into Fengqi Palace, questioned by the Empress while the Emperor sat in silence. From what she knew of him, he didn't believe her.

And rightly so—she had done it. She didn't blame him. What she hadn't expected was that in her most desperate moment, someone would reach out and pull her up.

Even knowing the truth, Ning Shuyan had still stepped forward to help her.

Ning Shuyan herself didn't really know why she was willing to help Cheng Yin.

Maybe it was because Cheng Yin was the only person in the palace who was truly kind to her.

Maybe... she already thought of her as a sister.

In the end, Ning Shuyan simply said lightly, "Because you're Cheng Yin. I don't want anything to happen to you."

Cheng Yin was overwhelmed with emotion. Waves of gratitude, joy, and warmth surged through her.

Just as a tear was about to fall, she wiped it away with her handkerchief and broke into a teary smile. "The one thing I'll never regret in this life is entering the palace and meeting you."

Before entering the palace, she had dreamed of seeing her beloved every day.

But after entering, she realized how naive she had been.

Back home, she had been the only daughter of the Cheng family, the cherished apple of her father's eye. But in the palace, she was nothing.

She didn't have the cunning or strategy of others, wasn't skilled in the arts, and even her temperament wasn't ideal.

The Emperor's kindness to her was likely only because of her grandfather.

So yes—she regretted entering the palace.

She lifted her gaze to Ning Shuyan, who was smiling brightly, her dimples like sweet blossoms, radiating a charm as captivating as blooming flowers.

After a moment of emotion, Cheng Yin finally asked, "What exactly did you write in the Emperor's palm? Why did just a few words make him drop all suspicion?"

At that, Ning Shuyan chuckled and covered her mouth. "That... you'll understand when you get back to your palace."

Cheng Yin looked at her, confused.

Back in Lanyue Pavilion, Ning Shuyan had instructed Qiule to give the locked box of books to Ziwu, to be hidden and secretly taken back to Yushu Palace.

If the Emperor hadn't believed her, he could've sent Yang An to investigate.

But clearly, Xiao Yu had trusted her.

However, another matter began to trouble Ning Shuyan. She leaned in close and whispered into Cheng Yin's ear, "Now that your father has succeeded Nangong Yun as the new second-rank general, the Empress may already be wary of you. Be extra cautious in everything you do. Don't give her another chance to use anything against you."

Cheng Yin paled. "You mean... that palace maid today might've been sent by the Empress?"

Ning Shuyan nodded solemnly. "It's very possible. Luckily, Ziyi had her back to that maid at the time. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to help you so easily."

Just as she finished speaking, Ning Shuyan felt a heavy ache in her lower abdomen and frowned.

Cheng Yin immediately noticed something was wrong. "What's wrong? You look a bit pale. Are you feeling unwell?"

Ning Shuyan shook her head with a slight smile. "It's nothing. My period started. Probably from eating too much cold food the past couple days. I'm just feeling a bit off."

"Then hurry back to your palace and rest properly."

Knowing that Ning Shuyan wasn't feeling well but had still rushed to Fengqi Palace to help her only moved Cheng Yin even more.

Back at Lanyue Pavilion, Ning Shuyan felt more and more weak all over. The pain in her lower belly grew more intense.

Qiule checked her pulse and found nothing seriously wrong. Most likely, it was due to her recent diet, emotional strain, and the physical exertion of rushing to Fengqi Palace that had caused the discomfort.

She told Liuli to make some brown sugar ginger tea for Ning Shuyan. Once she drank it and lay down, she quickly drifted into a fuzzy sleep.

She didn't wake until night had fallen. Moving slightly, she felt not only pain in her lower belly but a deep ache in her waist.

Back in her modern life, she had suffered from severe menstrual cramps.

Since becoming Ning Shuyan, she had rarely felt pain like this.

When Xiao Yu arrived, he found her leaning weakly against a cushion, reading after finishing a bowl of porridge.

Her charming face was pale and devoid of her usual vitality. Her long lashes cast delicate shadows on her cheeks, making her look even more fragile.

Xiao Yu's heart tightened. He strode forward. "What's wrong? Are you ill?"

Before she could respond, he took her hands in his—only to find them icy cold. He frowned deeply. "Why are your hands this cold?"

As he reached out to touch her forehead, Ning Shuyan grabbed his hand mid-air and forced a smile. "I'm not ill. My period started. I'm just a little uncomfortable."

"A little uncomfortable? You call this a little?" The forced smile on her face only made his heart ache more, but he was also angry.

"You didn't summon the imperial physician?" He let go of her hand and looked sternly at Qiule and Ziying.

When neither of them responded, his expression darkened. "Yang An, go summon the physician!"

Hearing this, Ning Shuyan quickly sat up. "Your Majesty, I told them not to. Normally it only hurts today, and it passes. It's my fault—I couldn't resist some cold treats the other day."

Xiao Yu looked at her gravely. Under the flickering candlelight, the sharp angles of his face were even more commanding and fierce.

He stared at Yang An and shouted, "What are you waiting for?! Go!"

Yang An flinched and quickly dashed out.

Truly, when the city gates catch fire, even the fish in the moat suffer.