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

Dew condensed on the jade steps, night mist swirled, and twilight gradually painted the sky like ink.

No news came from the Imperial Household Department tonight, and everyone thought the Emperor was going to rest in the Zichen Palace, but the Emperor's carriage had already gone to the Summer Palace.

"The Emperor has arrived!"

Consort Song, who was about to wash up and go to bed, heard the announcement and immediately rushed to the door excitedly, "The Emperor is here!"

Tinglan lowered her head and said, "Your Majesty... His Majesty has gone to the Hidden Winter Pavilion."

Consort Song abruptly stopped in her tracks, staring blankly at the empty courtyard, and suddenly gave a self-deprecating laugh.

Tinglan felt sorry for Consort Song and advised, "Your Highness... it's cold outside, let's go back inside."

Consort Song turned and returned to her bedchamber, her legs feeling as heavy as if they were filled with lead.

She suddenly burst into tears: "In the four months since I lost Yong'an, the Emperor has only come to see me twice..."

Yong'an was the nickname given by Consort Song to the fourth prince who died young.

Many nights, she tossed and turned, praying to the moon that the emperor would come and see her.

No.

The emperor is truly heartless.

In stark contrast to the somber atmosphere of the main hall, the Hidden Winter Pavilion exudes a cheerful and joyful ambiance.

Song Shuangning ran all the way to the courtyard. When she went down the steps, she accidentally stepped on the hem of her skirt, and instantly lost her balance, falling forward.

"Ah!" Song Shuangning couldn't help but exclaim softly.

Xiao Yan frowned, quickly stepped forward, and steadily pulled her into his arms.

Just when Song Shuangning thought she was about to have a close encounter with the ground, the crisp scent of ambergris filled her nostrils, a strong hand firmly embraced her waist, and her cheek pressed directly against the firm and elastic pectoral muscles.

"Why are you in such a hurry? You're being reckless," Xiao Yan scolded her.

Song Shuangning was so engrossed in the pleasure of feeling her chest muscles that she didn't notice his scolding tone.

Xiao Yan frowned and looked down at her: "Consort Song?!"

Upon hearing that impatient yet somewhat dangerous voice, Song Shuangning immediately looked up and gave him a fawning yet innocent smile.

"This concubine is eager to see His Majesty. This concubine misses His Majesty."

Xiao Yan was taken aback by her blunt words.

Not only Xiao Yan, but Li Fuquan, Tingyu and Qiuhe were also startled. Qiuhe lowered her head, seemingly lost in thought.

Xiao Yan gently pushed her away and coughed awkwardly, "Come in."

Seeing the faint redness on the tips of his ears, Song Shuangning was also a little confused.

So innocent?

I get shy just from saying "I miss you".

Song Shuangning followed him into the hall.

Xiao Yan picked up the teacup and took a sip, finding it wasn't the familiar taste. "What kind of tea is this?"

"Your Majesty, this is gardenia tea," Qiuhe replied with a smile.

Song Shuangning looked at Qiu He: Are you not going to act anymore?

Xiao Yan's gaze swept over them calmly, without any ripples, yet it revealed a hint of coldness.

Qiuhe then realized that she had overstepped her bounds and quickly knelt down.

"Go down. You don't need to serve me here," Song Shuangning said to Qiu He in a cold tone.

Qiuhe trembled slightly. "This servant takes her leave."

Song Shuangning regained her smile: "Your Majesty, this is gardenia tea that I made myself. I named it 'Snow Gardenia Dew,' and I also added some honey. What do you think, Your Majesty?"

Xiao Yan said calmly, "Not bad."

"You seem to enjoy tinkering with these things."

Song Shuangning said with a hint of pride, "This concubine knows a lot."

"Oh?" Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow, pulled her onto his lap, and a hint of interest appeared in his eyes. "What else can my beloved consort do?"

With a flicker of her eyes, Song Shuangning poked his chest and murmured softly, "Then we'll have to wait until the Emperor discovers it."

The woman in front of me looks innocent, but she hides a few subtle scheming tendencies.

So far, it seems that this little trick is only used on him; he's always been good at seducing people.

Xiao Yan looked up and brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, asking casually, "Were you wronged today?"

Song Shuangning blinked in confusion: "What do you mean by that, Your Majesty?"

Was she truly foolish or feigning it? Xiao Yan uttered two words, reminding her: "Consort Shu."

"Oh~"

Song Shuangning lies without batting an eye.

"I was not wronged. In fact, it was my fault. I only found out later that His Majesty was originally going to Jinyun Palace that day."

Is she still feeling guilty? Is she still thinking of Consort Shu?

He sent Li Fuquan to find out that Consort Shu almost slapped her today, and she didn't even feel wronged.

Xiao Yan looked at her with a mixture of surprise and an unusual emotion that he himself was unaware of.

If it were any other concubine, they would have already run to him crying and complaining.

Song Shuangning was both surprised and shy. "Is Your Majesty concerned about this concubine?"

"I am so happy that Your Majesty cares about me. However, Her Majesty the Empress has said that you are busy with state affairs and should not worry about such trivial matters."

Compared to this, Consort Shu really didn't know any better.

Xiao Yan gently kissed her earlobe. "My beloved consort is truly sensible. Tell me, how should I reward you?"

An ambiguous atmosphere spread.

Song Shuangning whispered sweet nothings in his ear.

Xiao Yan chuckled softly, "How audacious." He then picked her up and carried her to the bed.

What she just said was: The Emperor rewarded his concubines three times.

As the curtains fell, two figures intertwined, filling the room with the warmth of spring.

After calling for water twice, Song Shuangning leaned weakly on his shoulder, her fair neck and shoulders covered with red marks. She whimpered and sobbed, saying she didn't want it anymore.

Xiao Yan replied that this was what his beloved concubine had asked for herself, so how could he simply give it up?

……

Another half hour later, Song Shuangning's brain had completely shut down, her eyes were filled with a hazy, watery light, and the corners of her eyes were slightly red.

They really shot themselves in the foot.

Well, she did get to experience it, and tasted the feeling of soaring into the clouds.

Xiao Yan's satisfied gaze was somewhat hazy, his hand resting on her soft waist. She looked innocent and delicate, but she was bold in bed. Her supple waist was the perfect match for him, causing him to lose control time and time again.

She's just too weak and a bit dramatic; she starts whining and crying as soon as she exerts herself.

After a long pause, he said in a low, hoarse voice, "My beloved concubine's stamina is too poor."

Song Shuangning really wanted to ask if this was something a human would say.

Three times! Three times!

The hungry wolf relayed a message...

Her eyes sparkled, both gentle and alluring: "That's because the Emperor's stamina is too good..."

Xiao Yan laughed heartily.

"Song Shuangning".

Song Shuangning snuggled closer to him, saying, "Why did Your Majesty suddenly call my name? I'm scared."

"If you don't want to continue, then don't move." Xiao Yan seemed to be getting up, and Song Shuangning didn't dare to move. She didn't want to go through this a fourth time.

What do your family members call you?

"My aunt calls me Ning'er, but my father calls me Shuangning. I am not close to my father."

Xiao Yan stroked her smooth back and said, "Mmm."

They weren't just not close; they even sent their daughter to her death. She didn't even have a daughter. She must have had a very difficult time in the household before, which is why she's so sensible.

"Go to sleep."

That night, they still couldn't share two blankets because she cried and complained that she was cold again.