Having the perfect body was good since it meant Zhao Xu spent more time with her.

  Noble Lady Zhou was somewhat smug. She’d been severely suppressed earlier, so now that she had been able to reverse her situation, it became hard not to grow complacent.

  With Zhao Xu visiting the Jade Court several days in a row, the inner palace was gradually enveloped in a thick layer of resentment. With nothing better to do, Consort Zhuang ran to Ning Shu to harp on about it.

  Ning Shu noticed Consort Zhuang’s anxiety. In this situation, Noble Lady Zhou was very likely to have another abrupt rise in rank.

  As soon as Noble Lady Zhou had enough power. Consort Zhuang would probably be the first person that Noble Lady Zhou got rid of.

  Ning Shu placated Consort Zhuang. “Don’t worry, it’s just a few days of being favored. If you think about it, you’ve received more favor than she has.”


  “Your Majesty…” Consort Zhuang was dumbfounded. “But the favor this consort received wasn’t like Noble Lady Zhou’s. Not even Your Majesty has received this kind of favor! Several days in a row…this has never happened before.”


  “I’m well aware of the situation,” Ning Shu said mildly after taking a sip of tea.

  Consort Zhuang was forced to suppress her impatience in the face of Ning Shu’s calm demeanor. But there was nothing more difficult to bear than seeing a hated rival’s status rise.

  Noble Lady Zhou’s unprecedented favor caused turbulence in the inner palace, despite its calm surface. At the same time, the rumor that Noble Lady Zhou was a fox spirit spread throughout it.

  Ning Shu acted furious, punishing those found spreading the rumor. But the more taboo a rumor was and the more effort was spent suppressing it, the more violently it would surge and spread.

  Moreover, there was a pattern to its spreading. Some of the palace maids in the Cold Palace said that the previous Noble Lady Zhou was different.

  In any case, Noble Lady Zhou became the whispered subject of both eunuchs and palace maids.

  The more the rumors surged, the more Ning Shu suppressed them. Everyone in the inner palace who claimed Noble Lady Zhou was a fox spirit or a demon would have their monthly salary deducted.

  Under Ning Shu’s high-pressure policy, the palace was outwardly tranquil for the time being. But underneath it was turbulence enhanced by many imperial concubines still pushing the rumor.

  It was said that the empress feared to oppose Noble Lady Zhou because of her recent favor and that Noble Lady Zhou, with her peerless talent, could even become empress.

  Ning Shu turned a blind eye and pretended not to know anything.

  Despite her attempt at restraining the rumor, it still spread. Rumors were like viruses that way, no one could stop them.

  Not having freedom of speech was worse than a flood caused by the blocking of a river. It should’ve been a steady trickle, not a complete suppression.

  Afterward, even Zhao Xu heard of it. The main hall’s imperial censor presented a memorial that said that he doted too much on a single noble lady and that it would be easy for problems to arise if he was partial.

  After attending court, Zhao Xu immediately went to the Palace of Prolonged Autumn without shedding his dragon robe. Ning Shu didn’t have time to curtsy before Zhao Xu coldly asked, “What’s going on with the rumors in the palace?”


  Zhao Xu held his teacup with both hands and drank the entirety of its contents in one go. He placed the teacup heavily on the table, his face stern.

  With a somewhat terrified expression, Ning Shu curtsied. “It was some loquacious palace servants gossiping. This subject wife has already punished them several times. Please rest assured that it’s being handled, Your Majesty.”


  “Rest assured?” Zhao Xu’s expression was unsightly. “Even the imperial court has become aware of this matter. Is the inner palace dissatisfied that I favor Noble Lady Zhou?”


  Ning Shu pushed her body down even lower. “Your Majesty, this subject wife had absolutely no such intentions. Your Majesty doesn’t like coming to the inner palace. Now that Noble Lady Zhou is able to make Your Majesty relax, this subject wife isn’t dissatisfied at all.”


  “My empress, I’m not blaming you.” Zhao Xu kneaded his forehead, “Me giving my empress the inner palace to manage is an expression of trust.”


  “This subject wife has let Your Majesty down.” Ning Shu lowered her head. Fuck, she didn’t force him to take her as his woman. It was him that chose to favor Noble Lady Zhou.

  This man was completely unreasonable.

  Translator: Kiara