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

Song Shuangning staggered half a step to the side, her shoulders trembling. Her face instantly drained of color, turning as white as a thin layer of snow covered with frost. Anyone who saw her couldn't help but feel a pang of pity.

Qiu Cairen was so shocked that her eyes widened. She had unintentionally overheard such a big secret.

Su Yunu laughed more and more maniacally, but then her laughter suddenly stopped. She raised her hand and touched her cheek, her expression filled with an overwhelming sense of self-mockery.

"Don't be naive. You'll end up like me sooner or later. The Emperor's heart is made of iron. He never loves anyone. He only used me as a pawn, discarding me like trash after he's done with me. He can throw away all the years of friendship I've shared with him so easily. And you? You've only been in the palace for a few days. How long can you be so smug?"

Qiu Cairen hurriedly said, "She must be lying to you, Sister Song, don't believe her."

Song Shuangning staggered forward and grabbed Su Yunu's clothes tightly, "You're lying to me, you must be lying to me."

Lady Su was squeezed so tightly she could hardly breathe, yet she still smiled smugly: "If you don't believe me, you can go ask the Emperor whether the tonic you drink every day is a contraceptive!"

A fierce glint flashed in Song Shuangning's eyes, and she shoved her away forcefully.

Su Yunu's vision blurred, and before anyone could react, her body went limp and she fell straight backward, completely losing consciousness.

Before she fainted, she stared at Song Shuangning's back:

Fool.

I'm a fool too.

Hahaha... They actually hoped that the Emperor would have some sincerity.

When Qiu Cairen saw that Song Shuangning's steps were unsteady, she was startled and quickly moved closer to her, reaching out to support her arm.

"Sister Song, are you alright?"

Song Shuangning withdrew her hand, forcing herself to say, "I'm fine."

After saying that, she walked away unsteadily, as if she had lost her soul.

As Qiu Cairen watched her retreating figure, she had a bad feeling and immediately said, "Quickly, go to the Hall of Diligent Governance."

As she hurried along, Consort Qiu had already cursed the Emperor to the heavens in her heart.

How could the Emperor be so cruel as to secretly give Sister Song a contraceptive?

That's outrageous!

Arriving at the Hall of Diligent Governance, she said urgently, panting, "Chief Eunuch Li, please inform His Majesty that I have urgent business to report to the Emperor. It concerns Sister Song and Consort Su, and cannot be delayed!"

Sister Song, isn't that Consort Yuan?

Involving Consort Yuan is of utmost importance and cannot be taken lightly.

Li Fuquan's expression changed, and he dared not delay, so he hurriedly led her into the hall.

"Your Majesty..." Consort Qiu explained the whole story in detail.

"What!" Xiao Yan's eyes darkened suddenly.

How could Su Yunu know about the contraceptive medicine?

She was spared because she was Shu'er's mother, but she was never well-behaved.

Ningning has never had any grudge against her, so why fabricate facts like this and deliberately rub salt into her wounds?

Lady Qiu glanced at the Emperor's expression and said, "Your Majesty, I noticed that Sister Song looked extremely unwell just now, and I was truly worried..."

Xiao Yan suddenly stood up.

"You have done very well today, Li Fuquan. Issue the decree to promote Qiu to the rank of Consort."

After expressing her gratitude, Qiu Meiren felt no joy whatsoever.

Xiao Yan rushed to Cangdong Pavilion, only to find it in complete chaos. His heart sank.

Upon entering the palace, he discovered that the woman who had been smiling brightly and had vibrant eyes just yesterday was now lying on the bed, her face as white as paper and her breath barely perceptible.

"What's wrong with Ningning?" Xiao Yan rushed to the bedside, his voice trembling slightly with extreme panic.

Tingyu, her eyes red from crying, choked out as she replied, "Your Majesty, the young lady complained of chest pains after returning from her greetings, and soon after vomited blood. Physician Zhang said that the young lady suffered a great shock, causing her blood and qi to rush to her heart. Physician Zhang is currently preparing medicine for the young lady in the outer room."

The veins on Xiao Yan's forehead bulged.

He roared, "Where is Zhang Chengjie (the imperial physician)? Tell him to get in here!"

When Physician Zhang heard the roar while holding the medicine bowl, he stumbled and handed the bowl to Tinglu before scrambling into the palace.

Xiao Yan questioned, "How did Consort Su know about the contraceptive medicine?"

Physician Zhang trembled, his mind going blank.

Yes, how could Lady Su know?

Besides the Emperor and her, only Consort Yuan could have told this. Could it be that Consort Yuan told Lady Su?

Imperial Physician Zhang was on the verge of tears. "Consort Yuan, you're really going to get me killed!"

He stammered as he explained, "Your Majesty is wise; this humble subject truly knew nothing, and has never revealed a single word to anyone."

"You didn't know?" Xiao Yan laughed angrily. "Only you know this. You're telling me you didn't know?"

Tingyu's eyes darted around, and she cried out, "My lady—"

"This servant just saw your finger move, Your Highness."

Xiao Yan immediately turned to look at Song Shuangning and called softly, "Ningning, Ningning."

"You are the imperial physician who knows Ningning's health best, and I do not wish to delve into the matter at this juncture. But once Ningning has fully recovered, I will certainly hold you accountable for your dereliction of duty today and punish you severely."

"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty." Physician Zhang breathed a sigh of relief; his life was saved for the time being.

It wasn't until late at night that Song Shuangning finally woke up.

She had drunk a bowl of sleeping pills earlier, which allowed her to sleep comfortably, and now all her fatigue was gone.

She wasn't actually suffering from a stroke or any kind of emotional distress; she was just pretending to be upset to make the contraceptive controversy even bigger.

Xiao Yan remained in Cangdong Pavilion from beginning to end, never leaving for even a moment.

He even moved memorials to the Hidden Winter Pavilion for review, and sent away ministers who came to discuss matters.

This is the first time that state affairs have been put aside for the sake of a concubine.

Having just finished reviewing the last memorial, Tingyu tiptoed in to report, her voice tinged with joy:

"Your Majesty, the young lady has awakened."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's tense brows relaxed instantly, a smile spreading across his lips. He stood up and strode quickly toward his bedchamber.

Song Shuangning was seen leaning against the headboard, her body wrapped in a thick brocade quilt. Her eyes were staring blankly at the top of the bed curtains, her gaze terribly unfocused, and it was unclear what she was thinking.

"Ningning, you're awake?" Xiao Yan quickly stepped forward.

Song Shuangning looked up at him, her eyes clear yet carrying a hint of inexplicable aloofness.

Xiao Yan quickly pressed, "Is there anything else that's bothering you? Should we summon the imperial physician to take another look?"

Seeing that she remained silent for a long time, Xiao Yan dismissed all the palace servants in the hall before gently holding her slightly cool hand. His tone was urgent yet reassuring: "It's not what you think. The reason I gave you contraceptive medicine is because the imperial physician said that your constitution is weak and you are not suitable for pregnancy. I will summon Imperial Physician Zhang now and let him explain it to you personally."

Song Shuang listened quietly for a long time before slowly speaking, her voice as calm as still water: "This concubine... can I trust His Majesty?"

"Of course you can trust me!" Xiao Yan gripped her hand tightly, anxiously saying, "If you don't trust me, do you think you can trust Physician Zhang? He knows your condition best."

Song Shuangning slowly withdrew her hand, her fingertips slightly cool, her voice calm and utterly emotionless:

"What Physician Zhang said may not be his true feelings. Perhaps he was acting on the Emperor's orders and just found a pretext."

She paused, lowered her eyes to look at the embroidered patterns on the brocade quilt, and said softly, "If Your Majesty truly does not wish for me to become pregnant, I can voluntarily take contraceptive medicine. Why go through all this trouble..."