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

Chapter 176 - Abdominal Pain

Then he added, "If you truly can't have children, I'll give you the eldest princess to raise. You and that child seem to get along well."

Ning Shuyan could bear children, so she would never raise someone else's. Besides, she worried she wouldn't be a good enough mother to someone else's child.

But still, she appreciated that Xiao Yu had thought of this.

She snuggled deeper into his embrace. Xiao Yu thought she was still unwell and asked, "Feeling better? Does your belly still hurt?"

Maybe it was the distraction or something else, but the pain had eased. Ning Shuyan replied softly, "It's better, but my lower back is very sore."

"Then lie down for a while. I'll sit here and read."

But Ning Shuyan pouted, "This concubine wants to lie in Your Majesty's arms."

Though she looked pale, her eyes still shimmered like water, blinking up at him.

So Xiao Yu sat and read while Ning Shuyan lay with her head on his lap, quietly watching him.

Her eyes were full of tenderness, staring at him without blinking. Xiao Yu, under her intense gaze, actually felt a bit uneasy. He chuckled, "Feeling better now? Staring at me like that."

Ning Shuyan smiled sweetly, "Staring at Your Majesty helps distract me—it doesn't hurt anymore."

Xiao Yu couldn't focus on reading anymore, so he put the book down and chatted with her instead.

Not long after, the medicine was brought in. Ziying carried it in, but Ning Shuyan told her, "Leave it here. You may go."

Ziying had planned to help her drink the medicine but obeyed and quietly exited the inner chamber.

Ning Shuyan glanced at the steaming medicine and softly called, "Your Majesty..."

But Xiao Yu pretended not to hear and picked up his book again.

Playing dumb, huh?

Ning Shuyan tugged at his sleeve again and cooed, "Your Majesty..."

Xiao Yu couldn't hold back a smile. He put down the book and looked at her indulgently. "I know what you want to say."

He picked up the medicine bowl. "Looks like from now on, whenever you're sick, I'll have to feed you your medicine."

He scooped a spoonful, blew on it gently, and brought it to her lips.

After she drank it, he fed her candied fruit, just like last time. Only then did her frown ease.

Watching her, Xiao Yu couldn't help but worry—someone so afraid of bitterness and pain... how would she manage childbirth?

The next day, Ning Shuyan didn't go to Fengxi Palace to pay respects. Xiao Yu had excused her, so she slept in until the sun was high in the sky.

While she was getting dressed, Qiu Le entered with a solemn look and approached Ning Shuyan.

"My lady, the court lady Nangong doesn't want to give birth to that child."

Ning Shuyan paused, then turned to look at Qiu Le. The tassels on her hairpin swayed gently, catching the light with a cold shimmer.

She thought for a moment, then gave a chilly smile. "Nangong Ling is afraid she'll lose her life giving birth, so she doesn't want to keep the baby. She even wants to make sure the child's miscarriage serves a purpose. Am I right?"

Qiu Le was stunned—she hadn't expected Ning Shuyan to guess it so quickly. She slowly nodded. "You're right, my lady. Lately, she's been taking walks around Yihe Palace, hoping to run into the Emperor. Lanxin said that if she loses the child because of His Majesty, he'll feel guilty and spare her life."

Ning Shuyan's eyes flashed with cold light. "What a clever scheme. Giving birth is like stepping through death's door. Even the imperial physicians said it's likely to be a difficult labor. With someone like Nangong Ling, of course she'd rather sacrifice the child to save herself."

"I never imagined she'd even use her own child."

Ning Shuyan smirked. "She's barely able to protect herself—how could she care about a child? If the Emperor spares her because of a miscarriage, she'll think the child was worth something."

Qiu Le asked in a low voice, "Then... what does my lady plan to do?"

Ning Shuyan fell into deep thought, her fingers idly turning the amber ring on her thumb. The ring gleamed with a cold, subtle light as it spun.

It was a gesture Xiao Yu often made when thinking.

After a moment, she looked up, her eyes flashing sharply. A cold and enchanting smile spread across her lips. "I originally planned to let her live a little longer, but since she's starting trouble on her own... she can't blame me."