That Imperial Concubine is both wicked and cunning! Your Majesty, wake up!

In the third year of the Xihe era, the gentle breeze ushered in spring, and the bright flowers reflected the clear sky.

Sunlight streamed in through the carved lattice window, gently bathing the woman on the chaise lounge beside it.

She was dozing off on the chaise longue, a storybook lying in front of her. The sunlight cast a warm glow on her, making her appear even more radiant.

She had an oval face, fair skin with a faint porcelain glow. Her nose was delicate and upturned, and her lips were as red as newly blossoming cherries, naturally rosy. Her entire face was exquisitely beautiful.

Her slender figure was wrapped in a moon-white soft satin, with wisps of hair hanging lightly at her temples, her hair loosely tied in a bun, and a plain silver hairpin adorning it at an angle. Although she wore no powder and dressed simply, it could not conceal her stunning beauty.

The maid, Tingyu, gently woke her: "Miss, Master and Madam want to see you."

Song Shuangning slowly opened her eyes, gently rubbed the corners of her eyes, and said in a soft, sleepy voice, "I understand."

Her eyes were extremely beautiful, clear and bright like glass, brimming with a look that seemed to express both joy and sorrow.

In the main hall, Song Mingyuan and Gong Yerong sat upright as usual, with gentle smiles on their faces. Aunt Su, sitting to the side, had a slight frown between her brows, unable to hide her worries.

"The daughter has met her father and mother."

Song Mingyuan looked up at the young girl, his eyes almost overflowing with satisfaction.

Compared to her eldest daughter, who was already a concubine of the Song Dynasty, the youngest daughter was not only more outstanding in appearance, but also more gentle and sensible in temperament.

Meanwhile, Gong Yerong was also sizing up Song Shuangning. She was so beautiful that suitors practically wore down the gates of the mansion. She looked like her aunt and was indeed much more outstanding than Luo Wei.

She suppressed the resentment and jealousy surging within her, and her expression returned to its usual composure. "Shuangning, the selection of concubines is approaching. My husband and I have discussed it repeatedly and plan to send you to the palace. Are you willing?"

Song Shuangning feigned surprise, slowly raising her almond-shaped eyes, her long eyelashes fluttering rapidly twice.

Gong Yerong was afraid that she would steal the favor of her eldest daughter, Consort Song, so she had stated that she would never let her enter the palace to participate in the selection. Now, she has suddenly changed her mind, which is really unexpected.

Song Mingyuan sighed deeply: "News has come from the palace that your sister gave birth to the fourth prince, but the prince died shortly after birth, and your sister's health was also damaged. It is feared that she will never be able to have children again. Therefore, I want you to enter the palace to comfort your sister."

Should we comfort and console my sister?

Song Shuangning felt a sense of absurdity, as if she couldn't even laugh or cry.

They spoke so eloquently, yet they couldn't hide their selfishness and scheming.

The eldest sister was unable to bear children, so she was sent to the palace to bear children for her and give birth to the imperial heir. Once she gave birth to the imperial heir, she would be abandoned without any mercy.

That's so shameless, it must have been her good older sister's idea...

Aunt Su stood protectively in front of her, her voice pleading, "Madam, you once said that one Consort Song in the palace is enough. The palace is surrounded by wolves and tigers, and is extremely dangerous. I beg you, Master and Madam, not to let Ning'er enter the palace."

Upon hearing this, Song Mingyuan and Gong Yerong's expressions gradually darkened.

Seeing this, Song Shuangning turned around and shielded Aunt Su behind her, saying, "Father, Madam, I am willing to enter the palace."

"Ning'er!" Aunt Su tugged at her sleeve.

"Don't worry, Auntie."

When Song Shuangning looked up again, her eyes were filled with just the right amount of consideration.

She replied gently, "My elder sister has lost a prince and will find it difficult to conceive again. She must be suffering greatly. I will enter the palace to accompany and comfort her every day, and also to share her burdens for the sake of the family."

Gong Yerong immediately smiled, stood up and stepped forward to place a jade bracelet of excellent quality into Song Shuangning's hand.

"Oh my, Ning'er is such a sensible and obedient child! It is truly a blessing for our Song family to have a child as considerate of elders and thoughtful of her sisters as you."

Song Shuangning smiled gently, her expression as docile as a pure white camellia untouched by the world.

Song Mingyuan laughed heartily, "Ning'er has always been sensible."

Song Shuangning looked at them, her eyes gentle and clear.

Laugh, laugh, laugh a little longer, because later on, you might not be able to laugh anymore.

Entering the palace was the best way out for her and her aunt. Does true love exist in this world? Not necessarily. Why not proceed cautiously, step by step, and slowly ascend to the most prestigious throne for a woman in this world?

She has been in this world for more than five years.

Five years ago, she saved a child who had fallen into the water on her way home from get off work. The child was unharmed, but she died.

Am I resigned to this? No, I am not, and I even regret it.

She's only twenty-five, yet she rose to the position of department director through her ambition and outstanding abilities. Her future should be bright.

When she first transmigrated to this world, she was somewhat devastated.

Because from childhood, the original owner was the unloved child. In modern times, her parents divorced, and they saw her as a burden.

She often wondered why God always seemed to choose the most hurtful things to do.

Fortunately, fate wasn't so cruel, and she received a mother's love she had never experienced before.

The original owner always presented herself as gentle and sensible, as clean as a pure white flower that had never been touched by the world, and her temperament also seemed as gentle and kind as a pure white flower.

So after "she" arrived, she continued to play the innocent, naive girl role to the fullest. Although it's hard to admit, the innocent, naive girl image is still the most popular here.

Ambitious and scheming, she gave birth to a prince for her elder sister?

It is absolutely impossible.

If a person doesn't look out for themselves, they'll be punished by heaven and earth.

Song Shuangning thought to herself that she would climb up step by step, and then personally pull her elder sister down from the clouds, so that her elder sister would fall to her death and never be able to rise again.

She was never someone who could be easily manipulated.

She wanted her selfish father, cold-blooded stepmother, and scheming elder sister to watch as she, whom they treated as pawns, gradually broke free from their constraints, escaped their control, and soared higher and higher.

Then slowly trample these people underfoot and rise to the top. Wouldn't that be more interesting?

It's much more fun than modern workplace games.

Aunt Su led her back to the backyard. As soon as she closed the door, tears welled up in her eyes. "Ning'er, why did you agree to go to the palace? The palace is never a safe place. There are open and hidden attacks everywhere; you can't handle it. Once you enter the palace, it's like entering a deep sea; your future will be entirely beyond your control. Ning'er, it's a place that devours people!"

"Consort Song has been jealous of you since you were a child. You are innocent and gentle. Once you enter the palace, she will not let you go. Ning'er, do you even know that?" Aunt Su's heart was breaking.

Song Shuangning's eyes welled up with tears. She hugged her aunt tightly, her voice gentle yet firm, "Mother, please trust me this once. Since I dared to agree, I have a way to protect myself. I will definitely be safe and sound."

Aunt Su hugged her tightly and wept bitterly, "My Ning'er, my daughter. It's all my fault for being useless."

Song Shuangning wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, a dark light flashing in her eyes.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

[Reading Reminder]:

The female lead is a scheming woman disguised as a kind and innocent girl. She's adept at manipulating others and a master actress! To outsiders, she's a gentle and kind-hearted little white lotus! Later in the story, she'll be the only one in the relationship, a one-on-one romance!

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