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

The next morning, when the Empress woke up, the spot beside her on the bed was already cold.

As she sat before the bronze mirror to dress and do her makeup, Du Ruo came in after gathering information and bowed respectfully. "Your Majesty, the people at Lanyue Pavilion are tight-lipped. This servant couldn't get anything out of them. I asked Imperial Physician Liu, and even he was evasive, only saying that Lady Zhao Xiuyi is feeling unwell."

At this, Du Ruo pursed her lips. Imperial Physician Liu was the Empress's person, yet even he seemed to be hiding something this time.

The Empress looked at the ruby tassel on her hairpin swaying slightly and furrowed her brows, her pale face clouded with a storm. "If it's just a minor ailment, why the need to summon two imperial physicians? And if it's serious, considering His Majesty's current favor toward her, how could he have come to Fengqi Palace so quickly and not returned to Lanyue Pavilion afterward? I can't help but feel that something's off."

After pondering for a moment, a sudden realization struck her. Her pupils contracted sharply, turning into a needle's point, glinting with a piercing light. "Could she be pregnant?"

Du Ruo's heart skipped a beat. "Surely not?"

The Empress's face turned increasingly grim as she ground her teeth. "Why not! His Majesty has been doting on her immensely lately—more than likely, she's conceived."

Du Ruo's eyes flickered. "But yesterday, when His Majesty came by, he didn't look pleased. If Lady Zhao Xiuyi were pregnant, shouldn't he be happy?"

The Empress was momentarily taken aback, narrowing her eyes. "Let's hope she isn't carrying a child."

The Empress knew all too well—His Majesty's fondness for Ning Shuyan wasn't just a passing fancy anymore.

No, it had been two years already. It wasn't infatuation; His Majesty had clearly placed her in his heart. Now, with such favor, if she bore a royal heir, she'd surely be promoted to consort.

There were no consorts currently in the palace. If Ning Shuyan became one of the four consorts and had a child, she'd become a real threat in the inner court.

Later, when the Empress arrived at the main hall, the concubines had already gathered.

After the formal greetings, the Empress observed Ning Shuyan carefully, her gaze filled with apparent concern. "I heard you summoned both Imperial Physicians Liu and Guo last night due to feeling unwell. Yet here you are today? If you're unwell, you should rest in your quarters. A simple word would suffice."

Ning Shuyan had expected the news to spread through the harem.

She stood gracefully and curtsied. "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I'm feeling much better today and, of course, came to pay my respects out of proper decorum."

The Empress smiled faintly. "You've always been so considerate."

Concubine Lin frowned slightly and said coldly, "Sister Xiuyi really is special. Just a minor ailment, and yet two imperial physicians had to be summoned?"

Faced with her sarcasm, Ning Shuyan remained indifferent, lazily playing with the silk in her hands.

Seeing no reaction, Concubine Lin stopped speaking.

In the days that followed, Xiao Yu did not visit Lanyue Pavilion.

Nor did Ning Shuyan go to Zhaocheng Hall. She simply continued with her usual routine—greeting the Empress in the morning, then reading and doing embroidery in her quarters.

One day, while basking in the rare winter sun in the courtyard, she held out her wrist for Qiule to take her pulse.

As soon as Qiule felt her pulse, her face lit up with joy. Her smile bloomed. "The pulse is strong and steady today. This servant is certain—you are with child, Your Ladyship."

It had been ten days since her last period. The pulse had become more distinct with each day. Qiule had thoroughly studied the signs of false pregnancy—usually strong at first but fading over time.

But Ning Shuyan's pulse had become rounder and more pronounced than when she was falsely pregnant. That strength confirmed the pregnancy.

Over the past few days, Ning Shuyan had gradually come to terms with being pregnant. Hearing Qiule's confirmation made her feel completely at ease.

So it wasn't a false pregnancy. She thought back to that day in Fengqi Palace when the tea felt off—could that have been the moment of conception, when the egg implanted?

She remembered how weak and sore her body had felt those two days, even her taste buds had changed. She hadn't enjoyed the tea lately like she used to.

Realizing all this, Ning Shuyan suddenly felt relieved.

Being constantly wary of the other concubines had left her so frightened that even a real pregnancy felt like a trap.

She had simply overthought it.

She looked down at her still-flat belly and gently placed her hand over it. A tender joy rose to her face. The sunlight shimmered across her eyelashes, making her look especially serene and gentle.

"Baby, don't blame your mother. This is my first time—how could I have known? I didn't expect you to arrive so soon. Were you trying to surprise me?"

She smiled brightly, happiness practically spilling out of her dimples—sweet and heartwarming.

The next day, both Imperial Physicians Liu and Ji came to Lanyue Pavilion to check her pulse.

Yang An knew that Physician Ji had been regularly checking Ning Shuyan's pulse for peace of mind and that Physician Guo had displeased the Emperor, so he took the initiative to bring Ji.

After checking her pulse, both physicians confirmed what Qiule had said.

With Physician Ji's affirmation, Ning Shuyan was completely sure.

The news that Lady Zhao Xiuyi of Lanyue Pavilion was pregnant spread like wildfire across the harem.

There was no way to keep it quiet, especially since two imperial physicians had visited late at night, and then again in broad daylight.

Now that three people in the Imperial Medical Bureau knew, the whole palace would know soon enough.

Ning Shuyan had originally intended to wait until her pregnancy was more stable—after three months—before announcing it.

But now that the six palaces knew, so be it. This way, she could openly and righteously protect her child.

Back in Fengqi Palace, the Empress sat staring blankly at her reflection after removing her makeup. Her eyes grew hazy, and she muttered to herself, "Why can't I get pregnant?"

"Could it be... I'll never bear a child in this lifetime?"

Du Ruo, standing by, said gently, "Your Majesty, the physicians said your health is perfectly fine. You're just putting too much pressure on yourself, which makes it harder."

The Empress knew full well—her position as Empress was entirely thanks to the late emperor's favor toward the Feng family. Not only was her family from a lineage of scholars, but her father was a civil official with little real power.

Such a background made her the perfect choice for Empress. If she bore a legitimate heir, even if he became emperor, there'd be no worry of political interference from her family.

She remembered her grandfather once saying the Emperor would choose a daughter from their family to be the next Empress.

When she was betrothed to Xiao Yu, she understood the Emperor intended to groom him as the future monarch.

As Empress, she had never been derelict in her duties—completely obedient and considerate as a wife, and wholeheartedly managing the harem without a single complaint.

If she had any failing, it was her lack of a son.

The concubines could have children—but she could not allow a favored concubine to do so!

A cold glint flickered in her eyes. "Consort Rong, I was merciful once. This time—I won't be."