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

Once they arrived at Yushu Palace, the palace maids served fine tea and then quietly withdrew.

Only then did Ning Shuyan speak with relief: "Earlier, I saw a very large beehive in the osmanthus tree. If we can lure the Crown Prince there to play with his slingshot and he either shakes or hits the hive, the bees inside will surely be startled and attack. Nangong Ling happens to be nearby. Isn't she fond of using perfume? Then let her enjoy it — the bees will sting her even more fiercely."

Cheng Yin was overjoyed, slapping the table enthusiastically: "Brilliant! I don't believe her child will survive this!"

But Ning Shuyan still wore a troubled expression. "I need to figure out a way to find two suitable eunuchs who can lead the Crown Prince toward Yihe Palace without raising suspicion."

Cheng Yin paused in thought, then smiled. "Leave that to me. My father sent two eunuchs into the palace, thinking I'd need loyal and reliable people at my side. They haven't been put to use yet and are currently in the Internal Affairs Bureau. I'll order them to handle it."

Ning Shuyan hesitated. It wasn't that she didn't trust Cheng Yin, but the latter was impulsive — her recklessness had nearly gotten herself into trouble before.

Seeing her silence, Cheng Yin spoke with resolve: "Trust me, I will do this well. If there are any flaws... I'll take full responsibility. It will have nothing to do with you."

Her eyes were full of certainty, and Ning Shuyan was moved. She grasped her hand on the table. "It's not that I don't trust you — just that this is serious. We must be careful. When the time comes, tell the two eunuchs this..."

She leaned in and whispered her plan. Cheng Yin nodded with growing excitement, finally feeling like they were close to avenging their grievances.

Truthfully, if Nangong Ling hadn't used her unborn child as a tool to climb ranks, Ning Shuyan might still have been hesitant. But now — no one could blame her for being ruthless.

That night, Ning Shuyan instructed Qiu Le to have Lanxin go to the Internal Affairs Bureau the next day to fetch some fragrant powder. Since Consort Zhuang adored scented powders and hadn't used any in a long time, she would surely apply it generously — likely even thickly around her neck.

However, the following day, Xiao Jingyou did not go near Yihe Palace to play with his slingshot.

Cheng Yin grew anxious, but Ning Shuyan remained calm, comforting her: "Even fish take time to bite the bait. Be patient — let's see how things play out."

The next day, after paying her respects, Cheng Yin stayed at Ning Shuyan's palace for tea. Not long after, a palace maid returned with a report — the Crown Prince was beneath the osmanthus tree near Yihe Palace.

Cheng Yin's joy was hard to hide. "Let's hope... let's hope it all goes as we planned."

Ning Shuyan raised her teacup and gently blew across it, smiling gracefully: "Sit down. You're making me nervous just watching you pace."

Cheng Yin laughed awkwardly and sat slowly.

Meanwhile, Xiao Jingyou recalled the two eunuchs from earlier talking about shooting fruit or flower petals down with a slingshot, saying that was true skill.

He shot at the golden osmanthus blossoms high in the tree — and hit them with precision. The flowers drifted down like snow.

Beaming with pride, he declared, "When the peaches ripen in the orchard, I'll shoot some down to eat."

Just then, Nangong Ling slowly approached. Xiao Jingyou knew she had been demoted — his mother the Empress often mentioned it.

But now... what was he supposed to call her?

For a moment, Xiao Jingyou stood frozen, not even bowing.

Nangong Ling noticed the disrespect. Even though she'd fallen from grace, she was still technically a consort — half a mother, at least, to the boy. Yet even the maid beside him didn't correct him. Her eyes turned cold.

Well... he was the legitimate heir now. Of course things were different.

After a pause, her expression softened and she forced a warm smile. "Haven't seen the Crown Prince in so long — you've grown!"

Xiao Jingyou squinted under the sunlight, his voice soft: "I haven't seen you in a while either."

She walked to his side, gazing at him tenderly. "His Majesty always praises your slingshot skills. He should come see how talented his son truly is."

She was hoping the Emperor would show up — so she could see him.

But Xiao Jingyou replied, "Father's busy with state affairs. I haven't seen him in several days."

Nangong Ling raised her phoenix-shaped eyes and sighed, "He's probably been at Zhaoxiu Yi's place. I've heard the Emperor's been visiting Lanyue Pavilion often. Didn't expect even the Crown Prince would be neglected."

The nanny nearby heard the veiled provocation — trying to sow discord between father and son. Why say such things to a child?

The nanny quickly stepped forward. "Shall we head back, Your Highness? If you're done playing, I'll escort you to the palace."

"I'm not done yet," the boy replied, taking another jade bead from the eunuch.

Nangong Ling gave the nanny a cold glare and walked a bit further with Lanxin's support.

She was about to head back when she thought: The Crown Prince is here. If there's any commotion, the Emperor might come this way...

With that in mind, she sat down on a stone bench nearby and watched the koi in the pond.

Then, she noticed a dead fish slowly floating on the lake surface. Her brows furrowed in displeasure.

"What are the palace maids doing around here? Can't even clean up a dead fish? It's such an eyesore."

Just as she finished speaking — pop!

A sudden sound echoed.

Then came the unmistakable buzzing of bees.

"Protect the Crown Prince! Protect the Crown Prince!" the nanny shouted.

Only then did Nangong Ling notice the swarm of bees flying wildly in all directions — many headed straight toward her.

Terrified, she instinctively covered her belly with one hand and shielded her face with the other.

The bees came at her in a frenzy, their buzzing terrifyingly loud and chaotic.

Lanxin, using her wide sleeves to shield her own face, said in fear, "Mistress, should we run?"

Nangong Ling felt a sharp pain in her exposed wrist. She cried out, "Get them off me! Don't let them sting my face!"

"Help! Somebody help!" she shouted.

But everyone else had rushed to protect the Crown Prince. Only Lanxin remained by her side.

Lanxin helped her up while pretending to swat at the bees. "Mistress... they're getting worse..."

Panicked, Nangong Ling's heart pounded wildly as she stumbled forward.

Suddenly, she stepped on her own skirt and fell hard to the ground.

A bee stung her cheek — the pain made her flail and scream.

She tried to get up, but a sharp, wrenching pain twisted through her abdomen. A warm liquid flowed beneath her.

"My belly... it hurts..." she cried.

Lanxin panicked. "Mistress, what's wrong?!"

Nangong Ling clutched her stomach tightly. A deep, cramping pain surged — it felt like something was being forcefully pulled from her body. Her vision blurred, and she passed out from the pain.

Only then did palace maids and eunuchs arrive — some rushed to help the Crown Prince, others carried Nangong Ling back to Yihe Palace.

The incident involved a royal heir — the Emperor and Empress had to be informed immediately.

Chaos erupted near Yihe Palace.