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

The news that Song Shuang was willing to acknowledge her ancestors and return to her clan reached the Zhenbei Marquis's residence.

The entire household erupted in cheers, their joy nearly lifting the gates of the Marquis's residence.

Upon receiving instructions from the Marquis of Zhenbei, the steward of the Marquis's residence immediately led his men to bustle about inside and out.

A plaque with the double happiness character in gold lettering hangs high above the vermilion gate, and a row of bright red lanterns hangs under the eaves, their tassels swaying in the wind, filling the entire gate with a festive atmosphere.

The corridors, pavilions, and terraces within the mansion were all wrapped in bright red silk. Even the old locust tree in the courtyard was tied with countless red ribbons. When the wind blew, the red ribbons fluttered like rosy clouds. From afar, the entire mansion was immersed in a festive atmosphere.

Madam Zheng's health suddenly improved, and she personally led the servants to inventory the storeroom, taking out the jade pendants, gold hairpins, jade bracelets, and other keepsakes that a legitimate daughter should possess. She also ordered people to rush to make brocade boxes embroidered with the Marquis's family crest overnight, just waiting to send them to the palace.

Upon hearing the news, Xiao Yan immediately issued two imperial edicts:

First, the Imperial Household Department was given full authority to handle the change of Song Shuangning's identity.

The head of the Imperial Household Department dared not delay and personally led the officials of the document room straight to the secret archives of the palace. They erased all of Song Shuangning's original record of being "a concubine's daughter of the Song family" and solemnly added the family background of "the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Zhenbei" with a vermilion pen. They also revised all the records of palace allowances, palace garden offerings, etc.

To ensure that everyone in the palace knew about her new identity.

Secondly, the Ministry of Rites was ordered to immediately draft an edict, based on the revised palace records of the Imperial Household Department, to clarify Song Shuangning's status as the legitimate daughter. After the edict was finalized and stamped with the "Imperial Seal," multiple copies were to be printed and sent to local government offices and branches of the imperial clan to announce it to the world and definitively confirm Song Shuangning's status.

The news caused an uproar in the imperial harem.

Who could have imagined that Yuan Jieyu, who was born out of wedlock to a vice minister, would one day become the only daughter of the Marquis of Zhenbei, who wields military power?

In the past, even though she held the position of Jieyu, people always looked at her with a hint of disdain, thinking she was nothing special, due to her status and the rules.

Now, everyone greets her with a smile, their manners are impeccable, and there is no trace of disdain towards her.

The journey to pay respects to the Empress was even more lively than usual that day.

Song Shuangning was accompanied by Qiu Meiren and Shen Jieyu. Shen Jieyu had been trying to be friendly to her, following her step by step with a smile.

Song Shuangning disliked this overtly purposeful intimacy, always maintaining a distant smile and subtly deflecting the conversation each time, but Shen Jieyu seemed completely unaware of the obstacle.

Just as they were at a stalemate, Consort Shao and Consort Xu came towards them.

Seeing this, the two immediately stepped forward with smiles to smooth things over: "What a coincidence, let's go together."

As she spoke, she took Song Shuangning's arm on each side and walked straight ahead, leaving Shen Jieyu aside.

After walking for a while, Consort Shao leaned closer and asked, "Why are you walking with Consort Shen?"

Song Shuangning shook her head helplessly.

Consort Shao glanced meaningfully at Consort Shen and asked softly, "What are her intentions behind being so attentive?"

Song Shuangning chuckled softly, "Who knows?"

Upon entering the Phoenix Palace, the group learned that the Empress had caught a cold and looked unwell.

The Empress coughed lightly and said, "The Empress Dowager's birthday is in half a month. My health is really not good, and I am willing but unable to do so. My sisters, is there anyone who is willing to take on this responsibility?"

After he finished speaking, the hall fell silent for a moment.

The Empress Dowager was always picky and had particularly particular tastes. It was her duty to organize the birthday banquet well, but any slight mistake would invite gossip and displease the Empress Dowager.

Nobody wanted to take on this hot potato for no reason.

Seeing that no one answered, the Empress sighed helplessly.

"Very well, Consort De and Consort Shao, you two will be in charge of organizing the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet together."

Consort De and Consort Shao exchanged a glance, both showing a hint of helplessness.

This arduous and difficult task still fell to them.

The two were about to receive the imperial decree.

The voice of Consort Qing rang out again in the hall, "Your Majesty, I would also like to lend a hand. I have been in the palace for several months, and I humbly request Your Majesty to give me a chance to gain experience."

Upon hearing this, the Empress frowned almost imperceptibly.

Consort Qing had only been in the palace for a short time and was still unfamiliar with palace rules and etiquette, as well as the Empress Dowager's likes and dislikes.

Moreover, Consort Qing's temperament is too restless; bringing her along would likely cause more trouble.

Seeing the Empress's hesitant expression, Consort Qing quickly and earnestly said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will study diligently and will not dare to slack off in the slightest."

The Empress pondered for a moment: "This matter is of great importance. Allow me to think about it some more and discuss it with the Emperor before making a decision."

The light in Consort Qing's eyes dimmed instantly.

Song Shuangning pondered, she hadn't forgotten Consort Qing's sharp tongue, how she had used barbs to mock her during the recent incident of the Third Prince's injury.

Since Consort Qing is so eager to help organize the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, we might as well grant her wish and let her suffer a bit.

There's no way around it; Song Shuangning is inherently rebellious, a person who is born with a grudge-holding nature and seeks revenge slowly.

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.

The night was deep, and the cold moonlight shone through the windows of Cangdong Pavilion.

Xiao Yan dismissed his attendants, then pulled Song Shuangning to his side. "Ningning, the Empress Dowager's birthday is approaching. Have you decided what birthday gift to give?"

"I haven't decided yet," she said honestly.

Xiao Yan said, "The 'Detailed Rules for Offering Sacrifices Before Buddha' in the 'Rules for Sacrifices in the Imperial Harem' are not very detailed. Ningning, please sort them out carefully and give them to me in the final draft. I will then help you to consider and revise them."

Song Shuangning was slightly taken aback: "But this is, after all, a matter of great importance, according to palace regulations. Why doesn't His Majesty entrust it to the Empress or the Ministry of Rites?"

"I have said I would promote you to the rank of Zhaoyi. But I have thought it over carefully. If I issue the decree directly, there will surely be a lot of criticism in the palace. The Empress Dowager is very fond of Buddhist worship, and I want to use her wishes to accomplish this, so as to silence the gossip. Your revision of these offering rules is exactly what the Empress Dowager wants. Don't worry, I have made all the arrangements for you. Just do it, and I will support you in everything."

Song Shuangning's lips twitched slightly.

Even her promotion was meticulously arranged by Xiao Yan, and in a daze, she recalled a saying from the past:

"The greatest charm of a mature man lies in his problem-solving ability and attitude. He remains calm and composed in the face of adversity, letting others argue over trivial matters, but relying on him for support on important issues."

She looked at Xiao Yan, thinking that she would give him a reward once the position of Zhaoyi was confirmed.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," she said softly, her head bowed.

Xiao Yan grasped her hand. "Does Ningning still resent me for concealing the matter of the contraceptive?"

"This concubine is willing to trust Your Majesty one more time."

Song Shuangning said with a wronged expression, "From now on, could Your Majesty please stop hiding things from me? Even if... even if Your Majesty truly dislikes me, I can bear it."

"Silly girl." Xiao Yan pulled her into his arms.

He thought that day would never come.

He had been captivated by Ningning, and his every word and action was unconsciously drawn into her charm.

Song Shuangning leaned against him with a mischievous smile, cleared her throat and said, "When I paid my respects today, Consort Qing mentioned that she wanted to help organize the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet. It seems that Consort Qing is truly sincere."

[Babies, we'll definitely be changing our surname after we're officially recognized as family, but I'm worried you might not be used to it, so I'll still write Song Shuangning from now on.]