When Ruan Ning woke up, her entire arm was numb; Yan Xuan had slept on her shoulder all night.
He woke earlier, tilting his head to look at her, dimples barely visible: “Consort likes to sleep in.”
Ruan Ning lightly coughed and said, “Your Majesty, my arm is numb.” Yan Xuan raised an eyebrow and moved away. He jumped off the bed, called for servants to help him wash, and instructed Gao Song: “Send some medical ladies to massage the Consort; her arm is sore from serving me hard last night.”
Less than an hour later, all the women in the harem heard that the newly entered Consort had been favored so much that her limbs were numb, prompting His Majesty to summon the medical bureau for her treatment.
Several concubines gathered at Consort Sun’s place, exchanging glances. After a while, someone whispered, “Does this mean His Majesty has favored her?” Their expressions were strange, half doubt and half resentment. They had been in the palace for years, yet never received his true favor. Why had this princess from an enemy country suddenly risen to prominence?
Ruan Ning learned from her wet nurse that she had been too indulgent and needed medical treatment. The wet nurse remarked, half with heartache and half with excitement: “I didn’t expect His Majesty to be so caring.”
Princess, take good care of yourself and don’t fear temporary hardship. Once you give birth, you’ll secure your place in the inner palace!”
Ruan Ning looked up, speechless. Why can’t women circulate more reliable rumors?
That afternoon, under Consort Sun’s lead, a group of women arrived at Qixia Palace. Yan Xuan was absent, but Gao Song was smiling and blocking the entrance: “Reporting to the Consort, His Majesty wants the Noble Consort to rest well. No one is allowed to disturb her.”
Jealousy flickered across Consort Sun’s face. It was well-known that His Majesty relied heavily on Gao Song, and now he was assigned to guard the Noble Consort. What charm had she used?
Everyone sent various gifts, hoping to get close to the Noble Consort.
That day, Yan Xuan returned late. Ruan Ning, sleepy, forced herself to sit at the table waiting for him. When he saw her, his mood lifted. He leaned in and held her, whispering, “Waiting for me?”
