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

That night, Song Shuangning did develop a high fever. Tingyu did her best to feed her medicine and wipe her body, while Qiuhe leaned back in her chair, drowsy.

The Empress, mindful that she was still recovering from a cold, exempted her from the morning greetings for the next few days. It wasn't until three or four days later that she fully recovered.

During this period, Zhang Cairen visited him every day.

Song Shuangning silently shook her head at Zhang Cairen's absent-minded appearance, forgetting the most important point:

There are no sisters-like relationships in the imperial harem.

She was also somewhat surprised to hear that the Emperor had not summoned any new concubines to his bedchamber in the past three or four days.

The new concubines have been in the palace for nearly half a month, and only Consort Qiao has served the emperor.

However, the purpose of the new concubines entering the palace was to continue the family line, and this matter quickly reached the ears of the Empress Dowager, who was worshipping Buddha.

The Empress Dowager summoned the Emperor to Shou Kang Palace, and that very night, the Emperor chose a concubine named Cai Ren.

Tingyu closed the door to the bedchamber. "My lady, I've investigated. Ying'er has no parents, and she has a younger brother and sister. Ying'er is very honest; I noticed that the chilblains on her hands have cracked open."

Song Shuangning lowered her head and pondered.

Qiuhe was always lazy, and there was only Tingyu in the palace. She felt sorry for Tingyu and took care of her. She had been in the palace for half a month, and Tingyu had lost weight.

Furthermore, she has many things to do and needs a capable assistant.

However, if Ying'er is rashly transferred to serve in the palace, it will surely arouse the suspicion of Qiu He and Consort Song. We still need to find a suitable time.

Song Shuangning called Ying'er into the hall. She carefully examined Ying'er. Ying'er looked honest, but her hands were indeed covered in frostbite, just as Tingyu had said. They were so rough that they didn't look like a woman's hands.

"Tingyu said you are meticulous in your work, and I do need someone like you by my side."

"I've heard you have a younger brother and sister. As a lowly palace maid, your annual salary isn't much. The palace isn't short of people right now, so in a while I'll promote you to serve there. Would you be willing?"

Ying'er was not pleasantly surprised, but rather cautious: "This servant..." Could the young master really be interested in someone like her?

Song Shuangning gave Tingyu a wink, and Tingyu handed Ying'er three silver notes.

Ying'er nervously accepted it.

"I have a feeling that there are other people's spies in Cangdong Pavilion. Could you keep an eye out for them for me?"

"I will," Ying'er nodded.

"You can leave now."

Just as Ying'er picked up the broom, another maid, Xiao He, came up to her and asked, "What did you say to me, Mistress?"

"She didn't say anything, just told me to keep an eye on the flowers in the courtyard, if you like them, Your Highness." Ying'er looked at her for a long time, then slowly lowered her eyes.

Xiaohe said "Oh," but she didn't completely believe it.

-

At noon the next day, the sun was at its zenith, so bright that it was blinding.

As Xiao Yan walked through the Imperial Garden, he suddenly heard two women whispering in a corner. One of the voices sounded very familiar.

Xiao Yan suddenly changed direction and walked towards that corner.

Li Fuquan, standing behind him, was filled with doubt and muttered to himself: "The Consort Shu is still waiting. Where is the Emperor going?"

"My lady, why did you suddenly decide to pick honeysuckle and chrysanthemums?"

She said, "A few days ago, when the Emperor had dinner with me, I noticed that he seemed to have some internal heat. That day, I wanted to pick some honeysuckle and chrysanthemums, but I suddenly fell ill. Today I feel better, so I thought I'd pick some and make them into tea bags. When I was little, my aunt always did this when I had internal heat. After brewing it and drinking it, the internal heat would subside."

"But, Your Highness, didn't you not want the Emperor's favor?"

She laughed and said, "Silly girl, who said I was going to give it to the Emperor myself? I'll just use my elder sister's name to present it to him..."

Xiao Yan slightly raised his hand, indicating that the people behind him did not need to follow.

He stepped forward and saw that Tingyu had noticed the emperor first.

Tingyu nervously bowed and said, "This servant greets Your Majesty."

Song Shuangning smiled slightly; the fish had taken the bait.

Tingyu told her that Consort Shu was unwell, and if the Emperor were to visit her at Jinyun Palace, he would definitely pass by the Imperial Garden...

It was worth it for her to act here under the scorching sun.

Song Shuangning slowly turned around, clutching a handful of honeysuckle in her hand. "This concubine greets... Your Majesty."

Xiao Yan's gaze lingered for a moment on the honeysuckle in her hand, then slowly moved to her annoyed face.

"Ha. Didn't you just want a peaceful and tranquil life? Didn't you say that the emperor's favor would only disturb that peace for you? Then what are you doing?"

He slowly approached, stopping about half a meter away from Song Shuangning. "Hmm? Playing hard to get?"

"No, Your Majesty." Song Shuangning kept her head down, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Xiao Yan lost his patience and lifted her chin, only to see her crying with tears streaming down her face, her long eyelashes covered with tiny teardrops.

"say."

"I wasn't playing hard to get. I just wanted to repay you for your visit that day," Song Shuangning said, biting her lip.

"No need." Xiao Yan's temper flared up instantly.

"I'm giving you one last chance. What are you hiding?"

Song Shuangning sobbed softly, "Your Highness... Your Highness..."

Xiao Yan's patience ran out, and he turned and left.

Song Shuangning grabbed his sleeve, choking back sobs as she could barely breathe: "All I want is to live."

Xiao Yan turned to look at her, his gaze filled with doubt.

Survive?

Is someone trying to harm her?

Xiao Yan led her to the pavilion in the Imperial Garden. The pavilion was cleaned every day, and even the porcelain vases shone brightly.

Xiao Yan sat on the sandalwood chair. "Speak."

Song Shuangning's tears rolled down her cheeks like a broken string of pearls. "Father told me that the Fourth Prince died young, and my elder sister will be unable to bear children in the future. He asked me to enter the palace to comfort her. But I know that they sent me to the palace to bear an heir for my elder sister. Once... I have a heir... I will be of no use to them..."

The woman before him was crying, her delicate face trembling slightly, and Xiao Yan felt a strange pang of heartache mixed with a touch of surprise.

She knew everything about her father and her eldest sister's thoughts.

She sobbed intermittently, "I don't want to die. But I can't disobey my father. Your Majesty, I really didn't mean to play hard to get..."

Xiao Yan twirled his jade thumb ring: "Do you really think that if you avoid their favor, they will give up and you will survive?"

Song Shuangning sobbed, "I know it's dangerous in the deep palace, but I have no other choice..."

Is there no other way?

Xiao Yan reached out and pulled her into his arms. Song Shuangning gasped and was forced to sit on his lap with her legs spread apart.

Song Shuangning blushed deeply, her ear tips turned bright red, and her eyes glistened with tears.

She called out "Your Majesty" in a sweet and gentle voice, and Xiao Yan felt his bones melt.

Xiao Yan gently tapped her lower back with his fingertips.

"How about I show you the way?"

"Please...please speak plainly, Your Majesty," Song Shuangning's voice trembled shyly.

"Beg me, and I will protect you." Xiao Yan lifted her chin.

With such a beautiful and refined face, and such a gentle and delicate nature, one really wants to "bully" her.

Xiao Yan naturally didn't want to let her go.

If she is obedient, it is not impossible to protect her.

Stinky man!!!

Summoning her courage, Song Shuangning wrapped her arms around Xiao Yan's neck, tilted her head back, and pressed her lips to his, her breath trembling slightly.

"Shuang Ning begs for the Emperor's protection."

Xiao Yan was taken aback, then grabbed the back of her head with one hand and wrapped his other arm around her waist.

He took the initiative, capturing her soft lips in his mouth and sucking hard. After several rounds of their lips meeting, he couldn't resist the sweetness and pried open her teeth for a passionate kiss.

He kissed her fiercely, or rather, without much skill, biting her so hard it hurt Song Shuangning.

Slowly, his kisses moved downwards, his smooth, fair chin tilted slightly upwards, Song Shuangning's eyes were glazed, and her hands limply rested on his shoulders.

Xiao Yan gently kissed her slender neck, and her clothes slowly came off.

"good."

"..."

Half an hour later, the wind stopped, and the swaying copper bells on the eaves finally stopped.

Xiao Yan wiped her hands with a handkerchief with satisfaction.

Song Shuangning was still savoring the moment...

Hmm... In this respect, he's quite good.

Song Shuangning buried her face in his chest and said in a muffled voice, "My clothes are dirty."

His clothes were spotless, without a single wrinkle... while my own clothes were dirty. It was so unfair.

Xiao Yan laughed heartily: "Li Fuquan, go and get Song Meiren a clean dress."

Song Shuangning tugged at his sleeve, her voice melodious and pleasant, "We have to do it secretly."

Xiao Yan said, "Don't let anyone see us."

Li Fuquan: "Yes..."

[No do haha.]