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

When Ning Shuyan and Cheng Yin received the news, they strolled leisurely toward Yi He Palace.

At the moment, there were only a few consorts present in Yi He Palace. Other than the Empress, Ying Zhaoyi held the highest rank and thus stayed behind to oversee matters.

Everyone else, including the Emperor, had gone to Fengqi Palace. Although Xiao Jingyou was being protected by palace attendants, he still had bee stings on his hand and forehead and was currently crying and throwing a tantrum in Fengqi Palace.

Everything was going according to plan. The Empress and Xiao Yu would certainly go to Fengqi Palace.

The one who arrived was Physician Guo, who had been bribed by Consort Zhuang. He rushed in, and the moment he touched the pulse, his heart sank. Glancing at the blood-soaked dress, he shook his head regretfully. "Lady Nangong's constitution was weak to begin with. Now that the fetus has been disturbed, she has already miscarried."

Ying Zhaoyi's expression tightened. She let out a deep sigh. "The child is lost—so be it. But what about Lady Nangong?"

Physician Guo knelt and said, "Lady Nangong's body has been harmed by this. She must rest and recover both physically and mentally. Otherwise... I fear medicine will be of no use."

He had been in charge of Lady Nangong's pregnancy and knew well that her body wasn't fit for it. With this miscarriage, if she could remain calm and recuperate, it was still possible to nurse her back to health.

However, even though he had only known her for a month or two, he already understood her temperament. If the Emperor did not restore her title and now she had lost her child, there was no telling if she would fall ill from the emotional toll.

Ying Zhaoyi nodded. "I understand. Go write the prescription."

At that moment, Ning Shuyan's gaze lightly swept over to Lanxin, who instantly lowered her eyes, understanding the silent signal.

Ying Zhaoyi looked at the pale-faced Lady Nangong and said softly, "Perhaps this child simply wasn't fated to live. After all, Lady Nangong has committed many misdeeds."

Cheng Yin's lips curled with satisfaction. She adjusted her pearl earring and said, "Indeed. Heaven has eyes, after all."

Suddenly, with a thud, all eyes turned to see palace maid Lanxin kneeling on the ground. She raised her tear-filled eyes to Ying Zhaoyi and pleaded, "Your Ladyship... please transfer me out of Yi He Palace."

Ying Zhaoyi was surprised by her tearful plea and asked in confusion, "Why don't you want to stay in Yi He Palace?"

Lanxin hesitated. "I..."

Ning Shuyan quickly said, "Her Ladyship asked you a question. Why are you stammering? Is it because Lady Nangong miscarried, and you no longer wish to serve her?"

"No!" Lanxin shook her head frantically and then kowtowed, crying, "I truly don't dare stay by the Lady's side any longer... I live in fear every day."

Beauty Xu frowned. "Could it be that Lady Nangong has been punishing you in the palace?"

Lanxin then began to speak slowly, "Actually... some time ago, Physician Guo already said that Lady Nangong's body was not suitable for pregnancy, and that she might suffer a difficult labor or harm herself even if she did give birth. So Lady Nangong began trying all sorts of ways to end the pregnancy. For the sake of her vanity and ambition, she even planned to pin the child's loss on the Emperor, to make him feel guilty and restore her title."

Ying Zhaoyi was shocked, eyes widening. "She wanted to frame the Emperor?"

Lanxin nodded. "Yes. She said if she saw the Emperor, he'd surely ignore her. So she'd find a way to make him feel guilty over losing the child. I'm just a maid. Lady Nangong threatened me, saying if I dared to reveal any of this, she'd kill me to keep me quiet. I don't care if I die, but my mother is gravely ill back home... I can't hide it anymore."

She spoke every word from the heart. Though she embellished a little, it was all essentially true.

Ying Zhaoyi's face changed drastically, full of shock and fury.

Cheng Yin's expression was filled with contempt as she shouted, "Such a vicious woman, to drag the Emperor into her schemes. Your Ladyship, I beg you to report this to the Emperor and Empress. Lady Nangong deserves death for her crimes."

At that moment, Nangong Ling slowly opened her eyes. Though her hearing was muddled, she heard Cheng Yin's words. Her pale face twisted with rage. "Death? I carry a royal heir! Who dares sentence me to death!"

Ying Zhaoyi grew even more displeased hearing her continue to call herself ben gong ("this palace"), the self-address of someone with rank. Her brow furrowed. "Lady Nangong, your child is already gone."

Nangong Ling's face turned ashen, the grayish pallor overtaking her features. Her heart felt like it was being pierced by needles—more painful and despairing than the loss of her title or the execution of her kin. Her hope was gone.

She gripped the quilt tightly, blue veins bulging on her bloodless wrists. Her face was twisted with fury as she glared at the people standing before her. "You're lying! Lying to me, aren't you?!"

She screamed, her chest heaving violently, as though a knife was slashing through her heart with every breath.

Cheng Yin sneered. "Nangong, your maid has already told us everything. You're about to meet the King of Hell. Why would we bother lying to you?"

Nangong Ling's fierce gaze locked onto Lanxin. Rage surged through her, and she grabbed the shoe beside her bed, hurling it at Lanxin with all her strength. "You wretched maid! What did you say!"

The shoe hit Lanxin's jaw, but she endured the pain and said, "I can no longer stand by while you do evil, my Lady. Otherwise, I'll never have peace of conscience. I have no choice but to betray you."

Nangong Ling trembled with rage, screaming, "Traitor! Heartless wretch!"

Ning Shuyan subtly raised her brows, eyes flashing coldly. "It seems the maid was telling the truth. Nangong, that was your child—yet you were willing to sacrifice it for your own gain."

She stepped forward, gaze icy and sharp, her lips curling in a mocking sneer.

Nangong Ling glared at Ning Shuyan, struggling to sit up. Her face was wild with rage. "I ended up like this all because of you! You must be thrilled now, aren't you?!"

She didn't know where the strength came from, but like a madwoman, she lunged and wrapped her hands around Ning Shuyan's throat, her eyes burning with hatred. "If I die, I'm taking you with me!"

Ning Shuyan felt a sharp pain constricting her throat, choking her, her eyes brimming with tears from the force.

She hadn't expected Nangong Ling to be so strong even in her weakened state. She clutched Nangong's hands, pushing her away. One hand braced against her chest, while the other shoved hard against her abdomen.

Ning Shuyan wasn't a pampered noblewoman—she practiced yoga regularly and had some strength. With the push against her stomach, Nangong Ling, in pain, was thrown off and collapsed limply to the ground.