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

When Ning Shuyan heard that, she smiled like a blossoming flower, beautiful and charming. She subtly scooted her hips forward and quickly gave Xiao Yu a light kiss on the cheek, sweetly saying, "Your Majesty is the best."

Her voice was like sugar—sweet and soft—making Xiao Yu's lips involuntarily curl up into a grin.

Then she gently continued, "Your concubine still has one more request for Your Majesty."

One more? Xiao Yu gave her a long glance. No wonder this little enchantress was so attentive today—turns out she had two favors to ask.

Feigning seriousness, he said in a neutral tone, "What else is there?"

But Ning Shuyan wasn't scared at all. She knew that when Xiao Yu was truly angry, his thin lips would press into a cold, indifferent line. Right now, he looked relaxed.

Her hand lightly traced along his neck and back, her eyes filled with flirtation as she softly said, "It's about my maidservant, Ziying—Your Majesty knows her."

Xiao Yu felt her soft, boneless fingers gliding over him and his heart stirred slightly. "Mm."

Ning Shuyan continued, "This girl has fallen for someone. She's been by my side since childhood, so I wouldn't let her suffer any grievance. I want to arrange a marriage for her, but she's reluctant to leave me, and I'm also reluctant to part with her. So I thought I'd keep her with me a while longer. She and that person have occasional contact, but it's all within the bounds of propriety. But the palace is full of prying eyes, and if someone were to misinterpret things, it'd be bad. So I'm telling Your Majesty now. When the time is right, I hope Your Majesty will personally bestow a marriage."

For the emperor to personally grant a marriage to a maid was rare, but if the person involved was an imperial physician, then it would make more sense—it could be viewed as granting a marriage to the physician instead.

If someone were to dig up something about Ziying and Physician Ji and try to stir trouble, there'd be nothing to fear—after all, the emperor would already know about it. And when the time came, Xiao Yu would surely grant the marriage.

But all of that depended on whether the feelings between the two were mutual.

When Ning Shuyan finished speaking, Xiao Yu remained silent, simply gazing at her with a deep look. His throat moved slightly as he asked, "Tonight you've been thinking about everyone else—don't you want any rewards for yourself?"

Ning Shuyan gently replied, "Your concubine is already content with everything she has."

As soon as she finished speaking, Xiao Yu leaned in, his warm breath brushing her lips, and kissed her deeply.

With practiced ease, he untied her sash.

His hand slowly slid down to her smooth abdomen. Releasing her lips, he murmured against her ear, "I'm not content."

His palm resting on her belly, Ning Shuyan immediately understood what he meant—This place still lacks a child.

His lips then brushed against her flushed, alluring skin as he whispered, "Yan'er, be a little more competitive."

Ning Shuyan felt boneless with weakness, yet part of her wanted to roll her eyes. Was he saying she wasn't capable enough?

Breathlessly, she whispered in his ear, "Why not say Your Majesty should be more competitive?"

...

"Me? Not competitive enough?"

With that, he threw off his robe—

His eyes narrowed, expression dark and unreadable: "Then tonight, I'll show you just how competitive I can be."

Ning Shuyan clutched his wrist, her eyes filled with hazy desire and flushed red. Softly, she murmured, "No... Your Majesty is competitive... it's... it's your concubine who isn't."

Only then did Xiao Yu finally smile.

That night, Ning Shuyan didn't even have the energy to think about washing up. She was utterly exhausted and collapsed straight into bed, her chest still heaving, her clothes undone as she fell asleep just like that.

Her neck was slick with sweat, her hair messy and sticking to her skin—but Xiao Yu didn't mind at all. He simply pulled her into his arms.

⸻

The next morning, Ning Shuyan went to Fengxi Palace to pay her respects.

After the formalities, the Empress looked at Cheng Yin kindly and said, "Xifei Concubine, the emperor has already sent word to this palace today. You are to be promoted to Zhaoyuan and entrusted with the care of the eldest princess."

All the gathered concubines were shocked, their eyes darting toward Cheng Yin. Her promotion was expected—she came from a good family, and her father was capable. Being raised to a consort's rank was reasonable.

But no one had heard even a whisper that the emperor was looking for a foster mother for the eldest princess. Cheng Yin had only been in the palace for two years, and just like that, she suddenly had a daughter?

Even though a princess wasn't as important as a prince, any concubine with a child would be treated more favorably by the emperor—with summer ice, winter charcoal, and all sorts of extra care.

Cheng Yin was momentarily stunned. She hadn't expected the emperor to agree so quickly, let alone inform the Empress. Her eyes flicked toward Ning Shuyan, who was smiling warmly at her.

"This concubine thanks His Majesty and Her Majesty for this grace. I will treat the princess as my own and not disappoint your trust."

Cheng Yin knelt down and bowed deeply, each word strong and resolute.

Even the Empress was surprised. The emperor had clearly said the princess would stay at Le'an Hall for now—why had he made a final decision without consulting her? Still, at least he had informed her, or she would've truly lost face as Empress.

But it was just a princess—not a threat to her.

The Empress smiled gracefully, hiding her complex feelings. "Rise now. I'll have someone bring the princess to Yuxu Palace later. From now on, you are the princess's mother and one of the Nine Concubines. I hope you remain gentle and proper, and take good care of the princess. Do not disappoint the emperor."

Cheng Yin bowed her head, her voice respectful: "This concubine will strictly heed Her Majesty's teachings." Only then did she rise.

Ning Shuyan gently toyed with the gold bracelet on her wrist. As expected, the Empress was wary of Cheng Yin's powerful background. These instructions could've waited for the formal promotion ceremony, but the Empress had hurried to say them in front of everyone—clearly showing off her authority and reminding Cheng Yin not to get arrogant. It was a veiled warning not to be like Nangong Ling in the past, who had flaunted her family status and overstepped her place.

Consort Ying smiled gently and said, "Congratulations, Xifei."

Cheng Yin nodded. "Thank you, Zhaoyi."

Until the official promotion ceremony, she could still only refer to herself as a jieyu (concubine of lower rank).

The other consorts followed suit and offered their congratulations, though Consort Lin looked visibly displeased. She had been in the palace for five years and was even from the prince's manor—yet she was still stuck at Zhaorong. Now, Cheng Yin was already becoming a Zhaoyuan?