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

The Empress Dowager was truly panicked.

She repeatedly sent her nanny to invite Xiao Yan to dine at Shou Kang Palace, trying to resolve the misunderstandings and unresolved issues between mother and son, but Xiao Yan always made excuses to refuse.

On one occasion, she went to the Hall of Diligent Governance in person just to see Xiao Yan, but Li Fuquan still refused to let her in, saying that he was discussing matters with important officials.

From that time on, the Empress Dowager felt as if a heavy boulder was pressing on her heart, and an ominous premonition was always lurking within her.

She may "lose" her son.

She was Xiao Yan's birth mother. She carried him for ten months and gave birth to him. Xiao Yan was a piece of her flesh. How could she not have feelings for him? How could she not love him? How could she bear to lose him?

So the Empress Dowager began to feign illness, and she pretended to be very ill.

The strong smell of medicine permeated every corner of Shou Kang Palace.

She even instructed the imperial physicians to exaggerate her condition before personally informing Xiao Yan.

She thought this would soften Xiao Yan's heart and make him put everything down to come and see her.

Then, nothing happened.

Xiao Yan still did not come to Shou Kang Palace, but instead sent the most skilled imperial physician from the Imperial Medical Academy.

When Xiao Yan said that day, "From now on, I will never step into Shou Kang Palace again," he was not just saying it in anger.

She herself severed the already fragile mother-son bond between herself and the Emperor.

The Empress Dowager could no longer hold back and burst into tears.

This time, the Empress Dowager was truly ill; the imperial physician said that her illness stemmed from accumulated depression.

The King of Chu visited his mother in the palace and sighed, "Mother, why are you ill again?"

The Empress Dowager said, "You've come at the right time. Your elder brother is angry with the Empress Dowager. Why don't you go and try to persuade him?"

The King of Chu frowned. "Mother, what have you done now?"

The Empress Dowager recounted what had happened that day to the King of Chu. At the end of her story, she defended herself, saying, "It wasn't my intention. I didn't instruct Qinghan to do it. It was Qinghan who acted on her own..."

"Mother!" The King of Chu interrupted her, "Forgive my bluntness, but Consort Shen dared to do this because you spoiled her. Consort Shen is ultimately an outsider. You have really gone too far this time. I can't stand by and watch."

The Empress Dowager was speechless, choked by his words.

Embarrassed by having her thoughts exposed, she instantly flew into a rage, pointing at him and shouting, "You unfilial son!"

The King of Chu looked at the Queen Dowager, his tone tinged with disappointment:

"Mother, you seem not to have realized your mistakes. Your panic is only because my brother is angry, not because you are truly remorseful."

He continued helplessly, "Mother, I am also heartbroken for my brother. He has been incredibly kind and righteous to you, but what about you? I don't want to say more. This time, I won't help you persuade my brother. You... take care of yourself."

These words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing the last glimmer of hope in the Empress Dowager's heart.

At the same time, she felt that her pride, which she had always refused to bow to others, was being trampled underfoot by this unfilial son's words, making her feel utterly ashamed.

The Empress Dowager sat up, swept the medicine bowl off the table beside her, and shouted angrily, "Get out! You unfilial son! I don't want to see you!"

The King of Chu bowed and said, "Your subject takes his leave."

After saying that, he left without hesitation.

The Empress Dowager was so agitated that she kept coughing and calling out "rebellious son" repeatedly.

A few hours later, the Empress came to attend to the sick man.

The Empress personally picked up the medicine bowl, scooped up the medicine with a spoon, and carefully brought it to the Empress Dowager's lips.

The Empress Dowager looked at her and sighed, "Empress, you should also try to persuade the Emperor. He is angry right now. You have been married to the Emperor for many years, and you are steady in your actions. I trust you."

Just as the Empress was about to agree, a person flashed through her mind. She put down her spoon, her eyes filled with complex emotions. "Mother, you know the Emperor's temperament. Even if I were to persuade him personally, I'm afraid it would be of little effect. However, in my opinion, it would be better to ask Consort Yuan. The Emperor has always doted on her. If Consort Yuan could mediate, perhaps she could appease the Emperor."

This is not an easy task.

The relationship between the Emperor and the Empress Dowager has been a delicate and difficult matter in the palace for many years. Although the events of that night were kept strictly secret, she had heard some rumors. The Emperor was truly angry this time, and if she rashly went to persuade him, it would likely not only backfire but also add fuel to the fire.

Upon hearing the Empress's suggestion, a hint of displeasure flashed across the Empress Dowager's face: "I understand. You may leave."

After the Empress withdrew, the nanny who had been serving her stepped forward and advised, "This servant thinks that Her Majesty's suggestion makes some sense..."

The Empress Dowager raised her hand to interrupt her, her tone tinged with impatience, "I know the Emperor favors Consort Yuan, but I just don't think much of her."

Moreover, she simply couldn't bring herself to beg a mere concubine.

The old woman replied respectfully, "This servant understands the Empress Dowager's meaning."

"But right now His Majesty is furious, and nothing is more important than calming him down."

The Empress Dowager remained silent for a long time, seemingly making a difficult decision.

"Go and invite Consort Yuan over."

***

When Song Shuangning received the news, she had actually expected it; she always seemed to end up in this kind of thankless task.

The nanny was urging her on, and there was no time for her to dress up. Song Shuangning hurriedly put on her outer robe and rushed to Shou Kang Palace.

The Empress Dowager, unlike her usual stern self, had a kind expression and seemed like a completely different person.

"Consort Yuan has arrived."

The Empress Dowager took out an exquisite gold hairpin from her makeup box. "This was a gift from the late Emperor to me. I am giving it to you today."

This hairpin is not a gift, but a gesture.

Eat people with short mouths, and take people softly.

Song Shuangning did not accept it. Instead, she bowed slightly and said apologetically, "This is a gift bestowed by the late Emperor. It is of extraordinary value. How could I dare to accept it? I beg Your Majesty to rescind your order."

The Empress Dowager's smile froze instantly, and her eyes turned cold.

The Empress Dowager's gaze darkened. "You should know that the Emperor is angry with me. Consort Yuan, what should you, as a concubine, do?"

Song Shuangning lowered her eyes and did not answer.

Seeing this, the Empress Dowager's tone became even sterner, even carrying a hint of command: "As a concubine, you should take the initiative to persuade the Emperor to mediate the conflict between me and the Emperor."

Song Shuangning said, "As a concubine, my primary duty is to please the Emperor. Everything I do and say is to please him. Please forgive me for not being able to comply."

"What did you say?" The Empress Dowager thought she had misheard.

Song Shuangning slightly raised her eyes, calmly meeting the Empress Dowager's gaze. "Your Majesty, I only wish to do things that please Your Majesty. I cannot do that."

"Well done, Consort Yuan is quite something."

The Empress Dowager's face flushed red and then turned pale, looking extremely unsightly.