Chapter 13: Ning Shi is My Treasure

In the Cining Palace,

Empress Dowager Xue massaged her brow, her face etched with helplessness. "Why is my brother so impulsive? What was the point of commanding the ministers to submit petitions?"

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. His Majesty has showered his affections solely upon Ning Shi, and Lady Xue has yet to gain favor. The Duke of the State is simply anxious!" Liu Zhen comforted.

"Ning Shi is nothing," the Empress Dowager's expression darkened. "She is merely a tool for the emperor's use."

"Brother's actions were too rash. He pressured the emperor, and instead of yielding, the emperor promoted her. Now, our Xue family's face has been tarnished even more. We must act swiftly; I can no longer delay…"

She hesitated, reluctant to relinquish power.

But the emperor had made it clear through his actions: if she did not step back, the emperor would continue to elevate Ning Wan Yin step by step.

"The emperor has left a way out; I shall take it." The Empress Dowager, resolving herself, sighed deeply.

Liu Zhen, confused, said, "Your Majesty, the emperor's actions are so aggressive! By promoting Ning Shi, he is clearly slapping you and the Duke of the State in the face! There is no room for compromise."

"Had the emperor only promoted her to the rank of Lady, without allowing this vixen to overshadow Yan'er, that would have been enough. The emperor has indeed spared our family some face. If we continue…"

The Empress Dowager trailed off, her thoughts unspoken.

"Summon the emperor. Tell him that I am unwell and wish to rest in peace." The Empress Dowager's decision was swift and decisive.

…

When news of the Empress Dowager's illness reached the emperor, he immediately came to visit.

Filial piety is a virtue, but sometimes, it is also a shackle. Even the emperor cannot afford to neglect it.

"Today, at noon, I began to feel unwell. Perhaps age has caught up with me, and my strength is failing. From now on, I ask that your concubines refrain from disturbing me every day," the Empress Dowager feigned weakness.

This was exactly what He Lian Qi had been waiting for. He immediately responded, "Mother's health is of utmost importance. But my concubines should still pay their respects to you. Please allow them to come on the first and fifteenth of each month."

A flash of complexity crossed the Empress Dowager's gaze.

If the concubines were to completely ignore the Empress Dowager, the emperor would be accused of unfilial conduct.

He Lian Qi, sensing when to retreat, had taken the initiative to propose such a solution. There was no loophole to exploit, no grounds to accuse him of neglect.

Her son, if only he were as steady as He Lian Qi, the throne would never have been in danger.

"Your filial piety brings me great comfort," the Empress Dowager said, then added, "But there are still two matters weighing on my mind. One is personal. Yan'er is my niece, and since I am unwell, I cannot look after her. I ask that the emperor take extra care of her…"

"I understand, rest assured, Mother." He Lian Qi readily agreed, as he had anticipated.

"The other matter concerns state affairs. I have heard that you dote on Ning Shi alone, but as an emperor, it is essential to show fairness to all. You cannot neglect the harem for her sake. This woman is a siren who has bewitched you; her crimes are great! Such a woman has no place in your harem," the Empress Dowager's eyes flashed with coldness.

He Lian Qi, maintaining an impassive expression, replied, "Mother, please calm yourself. I have made an error in judgment. Ning Shi is timid and weak, merely following my will."

The Empress Dowager was infuriated. How could Ning Shi be timid and weak? She had grown bold, even daring to challenge her!

The emperor, indeed, was shielding this insignificant Ning Wan Yin?

"Is the emperor truly willing to let such a lowborn woman cause me to fall ill?" The Empress Dowager retorted.

He Lian Qi remained calm, "Mother, you exaggerate. Ning Shi is of no consequence. Please feel free to deal with her as you see fit. But I ask, what exactly are her crimes?"

The Empress Dowager, if she wished to see someone dead, could easily fabricate accusations.

It was clear that the emperor was not asking for justification.

This was a trade-off.

If the Empress Dowager wanted Ning Wan Yin dead, He Lian Qi would agree. But what was she willing to offer in exchange?

Their deal was simple: the Empress Dowager would relinquish her power, and he would elevate the Xue family—though that did not include the unnecessary act of taking Ning Wan Yin's life.

"Ning Shi holds a special place in my heart. I find it difficult to part with her. But if her crimes are undeniable, I will not condone her," He Lian Qi added gravely.

In other words, Ning Shi is my treasure!

Kill her? You'll need to offer more!

The Empress Dowager was nearly driven to madness. What was Ning Shi? She had only managed to irritate her!

There were many ways to take Ning Shi's life.

But was she really worth sacrificing the family's interests over?

"Since the emperor is so unwilling, let it be," the Empress Dowager quickly moved past the issue, returning to her maternal facade.

"I entrust Yan'er to you..."

He Lian Qi responded warmly, his mind as clear as a mirror. He knew the Empress Dowager would not offer him more to sway his decision, but even if she did, he would not kill Ning Wan Yin.

If a pawn who serves you faithfully can be handed over to the enemy, who would ever pledge loyalty to you in the future?

But of course, He Lian Qi would never reveal his true intentions to the Empress Dowager. He could not afford to let her understand how he planned to play this game.

…

Wang De Gui stood outside the Cining Palace.

Seeing the emperor exit, he quickly approached. He had an odd feeling—though the emperor's expression was solemn, his mood seemed quite pleasant.

"The Empress Dowager is unwell and requires rest. Her edict is that, from now on, apart from the first and fifteenth of each month, the concubines are not to disturb her," the emperor instructed.

Wang De Gui was startled but quickly complied, "Yes! I will immediately convey the edict to the six palaces!"

The emperor returned to the Qianxin Hall to review petitions.

At dusk, the chief eunuch of the imperial harem approached with a roster of the concubines, "Your Majesty, please review."

He Lian Qi's gaze instinctively landed on the jade plaque of Ning Meiren. He had grown accustomed to visiting the Lingxue Pavilion and always checking where her plaque was placed.

However, his gaze lingered only for a moment before he casually picked up another plaque—Xue Jieyu.

Xue Jieyu?

Wang De Gui was astonished and hurried to the Qionghua Garden to deliver the edict.

Although shocked, he wasn't entirely surprised. The emperor might have shown temporary favoritism, but the Xue and Cen families were pillars of the Da Yan Empire, and the emperor would never neglect these two Jieyu.

On the night the Empress Dowager announced her illness, the emperor visited the Qionghua Garden.

The next day, Xue Jieyu was promoted to Xue Zhaoyi, the highest-ranking concubine among the newcomers.

Ning Wan Yin's once exclusive favor was immediately divided in half.

In the following days, the emperor continued to review the plaques of other newcomers but did not return to Lingxue Pavilion.

Yet, none of these newcomers reached the same level of promotion as Xue Zhaoyi, nor did any receive the emperor's exclusive attention for five days like Ning Wan Yin.

Thus, they became the two most favored concubines among the new arrivals.

On the fifteenth of March, it was the first time the concubines went to pay their respects since the Empress Dowager's illness.

"My lady, should I make your appearance simpler for today?" Dan Li asked. The last time, her appearance had been understated.

"No, the emperor has bestowed upon me fine jewelry, and I should wear it properly," Ning Wan Yin replied, handing Dan Li a butterfly-shaped jade tassel step ornament.

From now on, no matter how she dressed, she would be the focus of attention in the palace.

A favored concubine should look the part.

Ning Wan Yin chose a deep red embroidered Shu silk skirt adorned with an intricate golden butterfly headpiece. Her beauty radiated in waves, commanding attention from all around.

The maids and eunuchs of Lingxue Pavilion were left in awe.

Ning Wan Yin, already a stunning beauty, became even more extraordinary when adorned in such opulence.

As she stepped out of the right hall, she happened to cross paths with Li Jieyu from the left hall.

Li Jieyu had only recently moved in.

Tang Miaoling had requested a palace change from the Shufei, who was surprised by the request. Ning Wan Yin was so favored, and living in such proximity to the emperor offered many opportunities. What could have possessed Tang Miaoling to make such a decision?

The Shufei, being generous, agreed. Eventually, Li Jieyu took the place.

Ning Wan Yin had prepared for three years to enter the palace and was well aware of the background of the old concubines.

After a moment of thought, she understood why the Shufei had chosen her to move in.

Li Jieyu was one of the most favored among the old concubines, second only to the Zhuangfei.

And after Xue Zhaoyi entered the palace, Li Jieyu had immediately aligned herself with her, pledging loyalty to Xue Zhaoyi.

New love, old flames, bitter rivals—living under the same roof, could it not cause friction?