Inside the Lan Yue Pavilion, Ning Shuyan sat on the couch reading a book.
Ziying returned from outside, her face adorned with a faint smile of joy.
Ning Shuyan couldn't help but smile. "What is it? You look so happy."
Ziying replied with a bright expression, "Your Ladyship, I have some good news."
Ning Shuyan put down the book and looked at her.
"Just now I went to the Imperial Medical Bureau and happened to run into Physician Ji, who was returning from Yi He Palace. He said that the pregnancy of Noble Lady Nangong will be very difficult. Right now, she vomits whatever she eats. Physician Ji said he barely recognized her."
Ning Shuyan remained calm. The Nangong family had collapsed, their entire clan implicated and punished. Nangong herself was confined in Yi He Palace and not allowed to leave. It was no surprise she was emotionally distressed—utterly heartbroken.
"What were you doing at the Imperial Medical Bureau?"
Ziying froze slightly and lowered her eyes. "I... I just wanted to borrow two books from Physician Ji."
Ning Shuyan stared at her, sensing something was off. Ziying had been frequently leaving the palace lately, and her repeated visits to the Medical Bureau seemed odd.
After a moment, she said, "Ziying, don't tell me you've taken a liking to Physician Ji."
Ziying's heart pounded like a deer in panic. She waved her hands. "N-no, not at all. I haven't!"
Seeing her flustered and evasive eyes, Ning Shuyan knew she was lying. Her tone turned a little more serious. "Ziying, you've been with me since you were eight. Do you think you can fool me?"
Ziying immediately knelt down. "Your Ladyship, I didn't mean to deceive you. I just... I just have a little fondness for him."
Ning Shuyan helped her up and gently held her hand. "I'm not blaming you. I just don't want you to get hurt. Does Physician Ji know how you feel?"
Ziying's cheeks flushed slightly as she lowered her voice. "I don't know... I haven't asked him..."
Back in the estate, Ning Shuyan had never intended to keep Ziying by her side forever.
Ziying was cheerful and lively, not suited for the palace. Ning Shuyan had allowed her to follow into the palace because she intended to find a good match for her once she secured her own position—perhaps even as a noble consort. By then, Ziying, as a personal maid to a noble consort, would hold a prestigious status, making it easier to find a worthy husband.
Ning Shuyan had already looked into Physician Ji: he had only a gambling-addicted father at home—not the best match. But at least he was a decent man. When Ning Shuyan first tried to bribe him, she could tell.
He had said, "The emperor is my only master. As a physician, I cannot go against conscience for silver."
Ning Shuyan thought for a moment and said, "Very well. In a few days, when he comes to take my pulse, I'll ask about his thoughts. For now, don't go see him anymore. You're a palace maid—if someone with ill intent discovers this, they might use it against you."
Ziying immediately shook her head. "No! Please don't ask him, Your Ladyship."
"Why not?"
Ziying bit her lip softly. "If he doesn't like me, and the truth is revealed, I'm afraid he'll avoid me altogether..."
She added, "Your Ladyship, I've never done anything inappropriate with him. I only talk to him when we go ask for your pulse. The palace rules are strict—I understand that. Please give me some time. Let him get more familiar with me. Then it won't be too late for you to ask."
Seeing the pleading look in her eyes, Ning Shuyan sighed slightly. This girl wasn't just fond of him—she had fallen deeply.
"Very well, I won't ask. But you must be cautious and know your boundaries."
Ziying smiled in relief. "Yes, thank you, Your Ladyship."
At that moment, Qiule entered, and Ziying quickly took the cooled tea away.
Qiule stepped forward and said, "Your Ladyship, that palace maid Lanxin from Yi He Palace is exactly as you guessed—she's full of resentment toward Noble Lady Nangong."
The corners of Ning Shuyan's lips curved slightly. She knew Nangong Ling liked to lash out at servants when angry.
Now that all her personal maids were gone, Lanxin had been beaten by Consort Zhuang upon entering Yi He Palace—anyone would feel disgruntled after that.
Qiule continued, "I heard Nangong has even been demanding incense, but how would the Internal Affairs Bureau provide it for a mere concubine? I followed behind her and said that you, Your Ladyship, also wanted some. Then I gave a bit to Lanxin. She was very grateful and said if not for the incense, she would've been scolded again."
Ning Shuyan nodded and gently picked up her book. "When the time is right, bring her to see me."
Nangong Ling was like an unkillable cockroach—Ning Shuyan knew she'd stir up trouble again.
Only by placing someone to watch her every move could Ning Shuyan feel at ease.
Now that Nangong was only a concubine while she herself was a consort, it would be easy to win over one of her maids.
After all, Yi He Palace had become a den of wolves and tigers.
As she pondered, Xiao Yu arrived.
Ziying brought the freshly brewed tea, and Ning Shuyan personally handed it to him with a warm smile. "What brings Your Majesty here at this hour?"
Xiao Yu had a light smile on his face, clearly in a good mood. He said, "There weren't many memorials to read today, and I realized I haven't walked with you in a while. I passed by the imperial garden just now and saw the hibiscus blooming. Shall we go see them?"
Ning Shuyan beamed. "Of course. Having Your Majesty accompany me on a stroll is a great joy."
So the two of them left the Lan Yue Pavilion. Lately, Xiao Yu had been visiting almost daily, likely feeling she had been wronged over the Nangong matter. He would come whenever he had time and had brought her many gifts.
Ning Shuyan received all this joyfully.
They walked to the imperial garden on foot, without a palanquin.
In autumn, the most splendid flowers were chrysanthemums and osmanthus. The golden blossoms shone like heaps of gold, a feast for the eyes.
A rich fragrance filled the air, intoxicatingly sweet.
In contrast, the hibiscus flowers looked like the delicate cheeks of a maiden—bright pink, tender but not gaudy.
Ning Shuyan stood by a budding hibiscus flower and gently touched it with a smile. "Hibiscus flowers turn snow-white in the morning, light pink by noon, and deep red by dusk. Just like the saying: 'Morning makeup like jade, evening glow like sunset.'"
As she softly recited, the sunlight bathed her fair face, making her more radiant than the flowers behind her. Xiao Yu stared at her, mesmerized.
He looked away and spotted a budding pair of conjoined hibiscus flowers. Reaching out to pluck them, his expression was warm and gentle. "Double hibiscus blooms are rare. They symbolize harmony and happiness in marriage."
He lowered his head and tucked the flower into her hair.
Ning Shuyan touched the flower and smiled brightly. Her beauty, already radiant, now glowed like snow touched by morning light.
"With a face like hibiscus in the distant mountains, refined and luminous, Yan'er, your beauty surpasses all."
His dark hair shimmered under the sunlight, as if edged with gold. His deep eyes gazed at her.
Ning Shuyan chuckled, covering her mouth. She knew her own beauty, but still felt delighted at the praise—especially from a man who had tasted all the beauties of the Six Palaces.
Just as she was about to speak, a small figure ran over. Ning Shuyan lowered her gaze—it was Xiao Jingyou.
He cheerfully bowed. "Greetings to Father Emperor and Consort Zhao."
Xiao Yu looked a bit surprised, but kindly said, "You'er, what are you doing here?"
Xiao Jingyou excitedly approached him. "I was just playing with my slingshot. I'm really good with it now—Father Emperor, do you want to see?"
Xiao Yu smiled gently. "Maybe another day. Not today."
Xiao Jingyou looked disappointed and lowered his head.
Ning Shuyan noticed the sweat beading on his forehead and the flush on his cheeks. He must've gotten hot from running around.
She picked up her handkerchief and squatted down, her voice gentle. "Look at how much the prince has been running—you're all sweaty."
She reached out to wipe his sweat, but Xiao Jingyou stepped back, leaving her hand awkwardly hanging in the air. Her soft smile faded.
Xiao Yu frowned slightly. "You'er! That was rude."
Xiao Jingyou wiped his own forehead and said firmly in his soft voice, "I'm already grown up. I don't need anyone to wipe it for me."
Ning Shuyan looked at him. Children's emotions are easy to read—she could tell he didn't like her, maybe even disliked her.
But last time he had been so cheerful—why the sudden change?
Xiao Yu's face darkened, and his tone grew stern. "Apologize to Consort Zhao at once."
Startled by his father's sharp tone—especially since the emperor had always been gentle after his mother's death—Xiao Jingyou looked as though he were about to cry.
Ning Shuyan quickly tugged Xiao Yu's sleeve and softly said, "It's normal for a child not to like being touched by others. He's just a little boy—Your Majesty, don't take it to heart."
Xiao Yu's frustration eased at her soothing voice.
Xiao Jingyou said, "Father Emperor, Empress Mother is waiting for me to return to practice calligraphy."
Xiao Yu looked at his only son with a trace of sadness and said solemnly, "Go on, then."