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

The next day, before dawn, a faint glimmer of light appeared on the horizon, and a touch of pale white quietly crept over the eaves.

As soon as Xiao Yan woke up, he felt the weight of the leg on his abdomen. No wonder he felt so heavy. He turned his head to look at the culprit.

The culprit was sleeping soundly, her little face buried in his neck, her breathing even and long, while her hands were wrapped around his waist.

He had never seen a woman with such terrible sleeping posture! If he hadn't slept soundly last night, he would have punished her severely!

Xiao Yan sighed silently and put her hand down. She frowned slightly, as if startled awake, and murmured softly, "Your Majesty."

Then she gently nuzzled his neck, like a clingy cat.

This flower blooms with tenderness, its beauty surpassing even the most beautiful women in the land of gentle pleasures.

Unable to move, entangled by the clingy cat, the sweet scent from her temples wafted into her nostrils, like a gentle embrace.

Xiao Yan simply lay back down on the couch, his fingertips stroking her loose hair, and slowly closed his eyes, exuding a more languid air.

When Li Fuquan heard that there was no more movement inside the hall, he couldn't help but feel puzzled.

Could it be that the emperor doesn't hold morning court?

He forced himself to call out again, "Your Majesty?"

Half an hour later, rustling sounds came from inside the hall, and only then did he enter the hall to serve.

Qiuhe said in a charming voice, "This servant will serve you."

Xiao Yan's face was ashen as he glanced at her.

Li Fuquan said, "Miss, please leave it to me."

Qiuhe stood awkwardly to the side.

"Don't wake her." Before leaving, Xiao Yan said to Tingyu, who was also serving in the hall.

Tingyu didn't dare to look up and simply said "Yes".

After leaving, Xiao Yan asked, "I remember there's still some snail-shell ink left?"

"Yes, there are two boxes left."

"Send them all to Cangdong Pavilion," Xiao Yan paused, then added, "Also send the jade powder and the silk handkerchiefs there."

Li Fuquan agreed, then lowered his head in surprise.

These three items are all exceptionally precious. The snail-shell ink was a tribute from Persia, and even Consort Rongxian could only receive two boxes. The jade powder was made from Hetian mutton-fat jade powder, which was priceless and ordinary concubines had never even seen it. As for the mermaid silk handkerchief, it was the finest tribute from the South China Sea, and there were only three in the entire palace.

The emperor bestowed the favor upon Consort Song without even blinking, and Consort Song was indeed capable.

We need to pay more attention in the future.

Xiao Yan closed his eyes to rest on the imperial carriage. He didn't think too much about it, but he felt that Song Shuangning was sensible and deserved what she got.

"There's one more thing. Go and investigate Consort Song's past."

"Yes." Li Fuquan glanced at his master on the imperial carriage, thinking to himself: The emperor's thoughts are unfathomable, I can't understand a word he says.

Upon returning from Fengyi Palace, Song Shuangning received gifts from the Emperor, which delighted her. She ran her fingertips over the silk handkerchief, knowing, despite her limited knowledge, the value of these items. More importantly, given her current rank, these were items she should not have been entitled to.

While she was still pleasantly surprised, Tingyu told her about what happened that morning.

Song Shuangning stopped smiling, beckoned with her finger, and whispered something in Tingyu's ear.

Tingyu immediately guessed her thoughts and smiled, "This servant will go right away."

"No rush," Song Shuangning said, taking out a box of snail-shaped eyebrow pencil and jade powder. "Go to the main hall first and give these to Consort Song."

"Oh, it's going to be given to Consort Song?" Tingyu said with heartache. Although she had never seen it before, she knew how valuable it was.

You have to give up something to gain something.

It's time to let Song Luowei go crazy.

Song Luowei is the high and mighty Consort Song. If she knew that the Emperor had bestowed these fine things upon her, given her proud and arrogant nature, she would definitely be furious.

Song Shuangning wanted to provoke Song Luowei and touch her sore spot.

Of course, Song Luowei will eventually realize that this is nothing compared to the hardships she has endured.

Unknowingly, they arrived at the entrance of the main hall, and Tinglan invited her in.

Song Shuangning said, "Elder sister, the Emperor has bestowed many gifts upon me, and I have specially selected a few to send over. I hope you will like them."

Consort Song looked at the snail-shaped eyebrow pencil and the jade powder, and suddenly clenched the handkerchief in her hand.

The Emperor actually bestowed these upon Song Shuangning? There aren't enough snail-shell eyebrow pencils to go around every year; she only gets one box. And she never even gets her jade powder. Is Song Shuangning really coming here to show off?

It was a blatant display of favor; even a beautiful woman had these things, while she, a mere concubine, had very few.

After a brief moment of surprise, a surge of anger rushed to his head.

Consort Song recalled what Qiuhe and Tinglan had said that morning: "Consort Song threw herself into the Emperor's arms and whispered sweet nothings."

As expected of her aunt's daughter, she is just as lowly as her aunt. She pretends to be so innocent on the surface, but deep down she has a seductive charm that she can't hide.

"Are you deliberately showing off?"

Song Shuangning asked, puzzled, "What do you mean by that, elder sister?"

She opened her clear, almond-shaped eyes, her face completely devoid of any guile. The more innocent and pure she feigned this act, the more disgusted I felt!

Unable to bear it any longer, Consort Song raised her hand and delivered a crisp slap to Song Shuangning's face. With a loud "smack," the force of the slap landed heavily on Song Shuangning's face.

A clear red mark was instantly left on Song Shuangning's face.

Tinglan hadn't expected Consort Song to act so impulsively, and quickly said, "Your Highness!"

Seeing the clear handprint on Song Shuangning's face, Consort Song regretfully lowered her hand. How could she have been so impulsive? Song Shuangning was currently favored by the Emperor; what would he think of her if he saw this...?

Song Shuangning looked completely bewildered and asked timidly, "Elder sister, why did you hit me?"

Consort Song took a deep breath: "Get out, I don't want to see you."

"Well then... Shuangning will take her leave now."

As soon as they stepped outside, Tingyu asked with concern, "My lady, does it hurt a lot?"

It hurts, it really hurts.

But that's the effect I wanted.

"fine."

When she returned, the red handprint on her face startled everyone. Qiuhe realized what was happening and said, "I'll boil some eggs to help reduce the swelling."

Listening to the rain, Ying'er whispered a sentence to him.

Ying'er nodded and followed Qiuhe.

Qiuhe was boiling eggs, while Ying'er went to start a fire. She said, "Sister Qiuhe, the color of your dress really suits you, and that hairpin in your hair is so beautiful!"

Qiuhe shyly touched the hairpin. "Really?"

"Sister Qiuhe is already beautiful, but today she looks even more stunning," Ying'er added.

This was the first time someone had praised her like this, and Qiuhe said shyly, "Oh, please stop teasing me."

"I'm not joking with you, I'm telling the truth. The first time I saw you, I thought you were so beautiful. I only dare to say these things because you have a good personality."

"Alright. Go ahead and start the fire." Qiuhe smiled broadly.

Ying'er lowered her head to light the fire, revealing a look of disgust.