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

Inside Yi He Palace, a eunuch stood guard at the entrance while Nangong Ling sat before a bronze mirror, her hands clutching her aching abdomen, her face ashen and lifeless.

She had changed into a brightly colored outfit—her favorite crimson dress from her days as Consort Zhuang, adorned with vibrant blooming peonies.

Her hair was pinned with a pair of pearl and ruby tassel ornaments that sparkled like starlight.

On any other day, such a magnificent appearance would have made her the envy of all, but now, the bright red of her clothes and ornaments only emphasized the pallor of her lifeless face.

She picked up a pink tourmaline hairpin from a brocade box and stared at it blankly. Her eyes gradually welled with tears, blurring her vision.

Upon hearing soft footsteps, she quickly wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes and inserted the hairpin carefully into her hair.

Nangong Ling stepped forward but immediately felt a sharper pain in her lower abdomen. A warm flow began to trickle down, and so she stayed put, waiting.

When Xiao Yu entered, he was dressed in a dark robe. His figure was imposing, and his expression was cold as he walked toward her.

In that instant, she thought of a time eight years ago, when a man had walked toward her the same way—but with warmth in his eyes, extending his hand tenderly.

Now, the man before her had eyes and brows like frozen blades. His cold, unfamiliar gaze made her entire body tremble.

She forced a smile in his direction, one that was pale and weak. As always, she knelt and said softly, "Your concubine greets the Prince."

She did not call herself "your subject" as protocol dictated. On the brink of death, she deluded herself into thinking the man before her was still the beloved prince of her past—not the Emperor.

Xiao Yu glanced at her impassively, then looked away. "Speak. What do you want?"

His voice stabbed at her heart. Her chest tightened with pain. She gave a bitter smile. "Your Majesty only came because of Zhaoxiuyi, didn't you?"

She had known he wouldn't see her unless it was about Zhaoxiuyi. She hadn't expected he would actually come.

Xiao Yu stood with his hands behind his back, his voice devoid of warmth. "I didn't come here to listen to your nonsense."

Nangong Ling closed her eyes slowly. As expected...

In his heart now, he only cared about Zhaoxiuyi.

A surge of sorrow, bitterness, and hatred swelled within her. Her pale face turned ashen as her body trembled like a leaf in the cold wind. "Your Majesty... I'm about to die. I just want to ask you one thing. Among all the concubines, why is Ning the only one who's special to you? Is it... because you love her?"

She still remembered vividly how, in the Purple Hall, he had kissed Ning Shuyan.

If it wasn't love, why had he shown her such favor?

Xiao Yu paused slightly, fingers rubbing the jade ring on his hand. Slowly, he said, "I am the Emperor. I do not love."

Then, coldly: "Is that what you summoned me here to ask?"

Nangong Ling looked at his icy expression, her body weak as she collapsed into the chair. Perhaps it wasn't that the Emperor couldn't love... but rather, that he didn't understand love.

Her lips quivered, and she spoke with sadness: "I never thought the day would come when Your Majesty would personally order my death."

She looked at him, dazed. "Were all those years of affection fake? I still remember—when I first entered the Prince's manor, you told me you'd treat me well."

"I knew from the beginning that you only married me for my family background. But I stayed by your side for eight years. No one else has loved you as I have."

She spoke these words in one breath. Her face turned grayer, and she panted heavily, tears falling. "You used to love me, didn't you? Why... why did everything change after Ning entered the palace?"

Xiao Yu looked at her with cold detachment. Once, she had been bright and gentle toward him. His expression softened slightly. "Nangong Ling, when you entered the Prince's manor, I did intend to treat you well. I truly did care for you. But what of Concubine Jiang, who miscarried and died? What of Lvrui? And the snake incident—were they not all your doing? Not to mention the smaller crimes."

"Oh, and the miscarriages of Xijieyu and Zhaoxiuyi—those were your doing as well, weren't they?"

Though Xiao Yu had long suspected her, there had been no clear evidence. But after what Cheng Yin said, he became certain.

Nangong Ling's expression changed dramatically, her face as pale and lifeless as a withered flower. She stood numbly, lips trembling. "So... you knew about the snake incident, and yet you pretended to favor me? Why? Why? Were you faking it all these years?"

She shouted with anguish, tears streaming down her face, leaving streaks on her powdered cheeks.

Then, as if realizing something, she slowly slid from the chair and collapsed to the floor, lifting tear-filled eyes. "It's because... you were planning to eliminate the Nangong family?"

Xiao Yu remained impassive. His tone calm and deep: "Nangong Ling, a person must not desire too much. You were like that. So was your father. You had my favor, but you wanted exclusive favor. You had that, but then wanted my heart and power. If you hadn't committed so many misdeeds, you would have remained my favored consort. I gave you the title of 'Zhuang' in hopes that you would be virtuous and respectful. But once in the palace, you grew even more reckless and took innocent lives. Your end is of your own making."

Nangong Ling let out a desolate laugh. Her chest ached, pulling at the pain in her abdomen. Her whole body was cold with pain. She collapsed, screaming hoarsely, "Your Majesty! You blame me for being cruel, for wanting too much—but it's all because I loved you too much!"

"I am the only one who truly loved you! The Empress may care for you, but she loves her position more! Zhaoxiuyi? Ha!"

She laughed bitterly, full of sarcasm. "You really think she loves you? I dare say—any woman who truly loves her man would never tolerate other women bearing his children. How is she any different from the Empress? They love only themselves. Their status. Your Majesty, how can you not see it?"

Her chest rose and fell violently. She could barely breathe.