The next day, Ning Shuyan hadn't slept well the previous night. When she woke, the sun was already high in the sky. Slowly opening her eyes, she saw someone sitting beside the bed—who else could it be but Xiao Yu?
Softly, Ning Shuyan called out, "Your Majesty."
Xiao Yu turned his head, a faint, tired smile on his face. "You're awake."
Only then did Ning Shuyan notice the bloodshot in his eyes and how worn out he looked. His complexion wasn't good either. She sat up and gently asked, "When did Your Majesty arrive? Did you not rest well last night?"
"I've been here for a while. I came to check on you, afraid you might not be able to get past it like Lady Xi," Xiao Yu replied, holding her hand, his eyes full of tenderness.
With her eyes lowered, Ning Shuyan softly said, "Although I am heartbroken, I know that Your Majesty is the one hurting the most. To lose two children overnight—while grieving yourself, you still had to comfort me and Lady Xi. If I continued to be upset, it would only worry you more."
Hearing this, Xiao Yu was deeply moved. His gaze grew warmer, and he grasped her hand more tightly. "Only you, Yan'er, understand me best."
"Would Your Majesty like to rest here for a while? Seeing how tired you are makes me feel distressed..." Ning Shuyan's eyes were filled with gentle concern.
Xiao Yu shook his head. "No, I still need to return to Zhaoshen Hall to review the memorials."
He had come straight to her after court, leaving a mountain of memorials yet to be read. But he couldn't help worrying about her. After he left the previous night, she might've been heartbroken.
From the corner of his eye, he saw the baby's dudou in a nearby basket. He knew she must've stared at it for quite a while after he left. His gaze turned sorrowful as he looked back at Ning Shuyan.
She too was looking at the dudou, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
Xiao Yu recalled how just a few days ago, she had shown it to him with joy, imagining how adorable their baby would look wearing it. His heart ached.
Softly, he said, "The child had no fate with us. Don't be too upset."
Lowering her eyes, she replied in a hoarse voice, "Yes, I understand."
"Oh, before court I instructed Shen Changzhi to investigate. It turned out that a palace maid from the weaving house had neglected her work due to her mother's death that day. After being interrogated under torture, she only said the same few things. In the end, she couldn't bear it and bit her tongue to commit suicide. As for Lady Meng, although her crime isn't worthy of death, she was the cause of it all. I've sent her to the Laundry Bureau as punishment."
Ning Shuyan had expected this. In the end, blame would either fall on Lady Meng or the embroiderer.
After all, it was a problem with the shoes. They couldn't very well throw dirt on Consort Zhuang. That embroiderer had likely been bribed from the start, ready to die without revealing anything.
Consort Zhuang was meticulous. Take Lü Rui, the maid at her side—she'd been around for months without a single slip-up and hadn't visited Yi He Palace even once.
That embroiderer probably didn't even know who she was really working for—perhaps it was Chief Steward Wang from the Imperial Household who handled it for Consort Zhuang.
"Even if it was the embroiderer's mistake, the Imperial Household should've inspected the shoes before giving them to Lady Meng. Especially Chief Steward Wang. After what happened, shouldn't he bear some responsibility?" As Ning Shuyan spoke, her sorrow was evident.
Since she couldn't bring down Consort Zhuang yet, she would slowly cut off her wings...
Xiao Yu's eyes darkened. "You're right. He was negligent in oversight. I'll strip him of his post later."
Still, no matter who he punished, it couldn't ease the anger in his heart.
After Xiao Yu left, Ning Shuyan looked at the dudou and slowly closed her eyes.
She had known from the beginning that it would be impossible to bring down Consort Zhuang over this. Even if it were proven that she was behind it, with the Nangong family currently at the height of their power and having contributed greatly to the state, the Emperor wouldn't move against her.
If you want to bring someone down, it has to be a single decisive strike—one that leaves them no chance to recover.
From this incident, she did gain the Emperor's pity. She wondered if he would promote her rank.
That matter didn't come up until two days later while dining at Fengqi Palace.
"I've been thinking," Xiao Yu said, "since Lady Xi and Lady Ning have lost royal heirs, I'm considering promoting them. What do you think, Empress?"
The Empress's hand paused slightly as she picked up a piece of chicken and gently placed it into his bowl. "That would be good. It might help ease their sorrow a little."
After a pause, she added, "But... if Lady Xi is promoted, she'll become one of the Nine Concubines. She's only been in the palace for just over six months. Such a move might dishearten the long-serving ladies. And Lady Ning was just promoted not long ago..."
She glanced at the Emperor as she spoke, adding, "Perhaps it would be better to wait until they are with child again. I understand their pain, but what they need now is your care and attention. Perhaps Your Majesty could spend more time with them."
As she spoke, the Empress's expression turned sorrowful. She thought of the child she herself had lost...
Xiao Yu didn't notice her expression and after a moment of thought, nodded. "The Empress is thoughtful as always."
The Empress smiled gently. "I happen to have two fine ginseng roots in my palace. I'll have them sent to Yushu Palace and Lanyue Pavilion. I believe Lady Xi and Lady Ning will soon bear heirs for Your Majesty again."
Xiao Yu glanced at her, nodding in approval. "The Empress is virtuous. I am pleased."
Her expression filled with subtle sorrow as she lowered her gaze. "I am useless. I haven't been able to give Your Majesty a legitimate heir. I can only hope the other consorts will be able to do so."
Xiao Yu comforted her. "No matter how many children the palace has, you are their legal mother. And I believe you and I will one day have a legitimate heir of our own."
The Empress's eyes shimmered softly. "Yes. I too hope to bear Your Majesty a royal heir."
Indeed, a childless and un-favored Empress could hardly sit firmly on the throne. This was always her greatest weakness.
That afternoon, ginseng from the Empress arrived at Lanyue Pavilion. Ning Shuyan saw it was excellent and decided not to waste it—immediately ordering the kitchen to make a tonic. She did need some nourishment. After all, she had used up so much energy—once recovered, she still had battles to fight.
Xiao Yu also sent many gifts. Though she felt a little disappointed not to be promoted, she understood it was reasonable—she'd only recently become a "Meiren" (Beauty) in rank.
Zi Ying returned from outside, rolling her eyes. "Miss, that Lü Rui is definitely suspicious. I caught her staring greedily at the Emperor's gifts. She looked so envious."
Ning Shuyan picked up a jade hairpin gifted by Xiao Yu, the corners of her lips curling into a faint smile. "It's time to make a move on her."
"Go fetch Liuli. I need to instruct her on something."
Though Zi Ying didn't understand what her lady was planning, she didn't ask—just quietly went out to summon Liuli.