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

After finishing his chores, Xiao Yan returned to Yaohua Palace.

The hall was bright and clean, with two flowers casually inserted into a celadon vase on the table.

The third prince sat on a chair by the window, having a great time playing with Xue Tuan.

Snowball squinted comfortably, making gurgling sounds in its throat.

The scene was exceptionally harmonious.

Hongcheng was naturally kind-hearted and always treated people with gentleness and humility, unlike the second prince Hongtai who was domineering and arrogant.

As soon as Xiao Yan entered, everyone stood up and bowed.

Xiao Yan patted the Third Prince's head and sighed softly. This son was easy to manage, but Hongtai (the Second Prince)'s unambitious nature was truly a headache.

"You like cats that much?"

"Yes, Your Majesty likes cats very much."

Xiao Yan softened his tone, "Alright. I'll give you an obedient Persian cat later."

The third prince's eyes lit up instantly, and the corners of his mouth turned up high, his joy overflowing.

At that moment, Consort Shao urged the Third Prince to return.

The Third Prince was reluctant to part with Xue Tuan and held Xue Tuan's little paws tightly. "Xue Tuan, Xue Tuan, I'll come see you again in a couple of days."

Xiao Yan's eyes darted around, and he suddenly said, "If you're so reluctant to part with the snowball, then take it back today. You can return it tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, or the day after that."

The Third Prince's eyes lit up, and he looked at Xiao Yan with surprise: "Really?"

He then turned to look at Song Shuangning.

Song Shuangning was perfectly capable of guessing Xiao Yan's thoughts. She smiled and nodded, a polite smile playing on her lips.

"Thank you, Father Emperor! Thank you, Mother Consort Yuan!" The Third Prince cheered and carefully hugged Xue Tuan into his arms.

"Your subject takes his leave." He followed Consort Shao out with light steps.

Xiao Yan sat down on the pear wood chair and took a sip of tea.

Song Shuangning walked to his side, poked his arm, and smiled with her eyes crinkling: "Does Your Majesty dislike Xue Tuan that much?"

"Nonsense."

Song Shuangning leaned closer, her tone slightly mischievous: "Why does the Emperor always try to throw it far away? He's usually quite fierce towards it."

Xiao Yan snorted: "Xue Tuan is too clingy. You're the one who spoils it."

"I see," Song Shuangning drawled, her smile widening as she leaned close to his ear and said teasingly, "Your Majesty, smell this. Can you smell a strong odor of vinegar?"

Xiao Yan grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms with a little force, while his other hand reached down to gently scratch her waist.

"Well, you dare to make fun of me?"

Song Shuangning was ticklish, and the tickling made her whole body itch. She nestled in his arms, laughing so hard she could hardly breathe, and begged for mercy repeatedly, "Your Majesty, I won't do it again, Your Majesty, I know I was wrong."

Xiao Yan suddenly pressed down on her waist, with a bit too much force.

His breathing became heavier.

"Don't move."

Song Shuangning noticed his unusual behavior, gently traced his Adam's apple with her fingertips, and breathed into his ear.

She deliberately seduced him.

"The Emperor is deliberately making things difficult for himself."

Xiao Yan grabbed her wrist, his eyes narrowing slightly: "Do you think I can't do anything to you?"

Song Shuangning stared at him arrogantly, as if to say, "You just can't do anything to me."

"I have consulted the imperial physicians. Your baby is three months along. It's fine now."

Xiao Yan's voice was deep.

Song Shuangning sensed danger and quickly stood up, supporting herself on his chest.

"No, no, it's only been three months. We need to be careful and not be careless."

Xiao Yan chuckled as he looked at her serious expression and pulled her back into his arms.

"I was just teasing you."

He rested his head on Song Shuangning's shoulder and sighed wearily.

Song Shuangning stroked the dark circles under his eyes and asked softly, "Your Majesty didn't sleep a wink last night, did you?"

"Um."

I didn't sleep a wink last night. I went to court as soon as it was light. When I came back, I talked with Wan'er and Hongtai. Then I went back to review the memorials. I didn't have a moment to spare.

Song Shuangning gently rubbed his throbbing temples. "How is Her Majesty the Empress today? I suppose she's alright?"

Xiao Yan had no intention of hiding anything from her and said frankly, "The Empress is burdened with worries and poisoned, so I'm afraid she only has five or six years left."

"Poisoning?"

Song Shuangning suddenly looked up, her eyes filled with astonishment.

Xiao Yan nodded deeply.

A person instantly popped into Song Shuangning's mind.

Although it cannot be determined, no one else in the palace besides her had such motives and audacity.

"Is it... her?" Song Shuangning asked.

Xiao Yan's voice turned colder: "I have already sent people to investigate."

Seeing the weariness in his eyes, Song Shuangning gently advised, "Since Your Majesty has not slept all night, you should rest early."

Xiao Yan grasped her hand in return, "You stay with me."

His tone carried a hint of dependence and coquetry.

It's rare to see him like this.

Song Shuangning smiled faintly, "Alright, I'll accompany you."

On the bed, the brocade curtains hung low.

Xiao Yan gently placed his hand on her still-flat stomach.

Song Shuangning felt a little ticklish from his touch and turned slightly to the side.

"What is Your Majesty doing? It's strangely itchy."

Xiao Yan asked, "I'm wondering if the child in your womb is a prince or a princess?"

"Whether it is a prince or a princess, the emperor must love him (her) dearly."

"I will cherish our bloodline even more."

Xiao Yan knew that he was being biased and that it was unreasonable.

But when it comes to Ningning and their child, this favoritism is impossible to suppress.

He could only try his best to treat all the princes and princesses equally on the surface.

"Your Majesty, please go to sleep." Song Shuangning gently patted his back.

Xiao Yan grasped her wrist, then placed it against his heart, his voice tender and seductive: "Call me A-Yan."

Song Shuangning was slightly taken aback, then smiled.

"Ah Yan".

"Sleep well, Ningning will always be here for you."

*

After Xiao Yan's breathing became even and he fell into a deep sleep, Song Shuangning gently removed his hands from around her waist.

Song Shuangning glanced at his relaxed, weary face and sighed inwardly.

He then quietly got up.

Song Shuangning first ordered someone to boil a pot of the finest ginseng soup, keep it warm, and bring it to the emperor when he woke up, as the emperor had been working hard lately and needed to be properly nourished.

Upon hearing this, he curtsied and reported, "By the way, Your Majesty. An hour ago, Consort Shu sent someone to deliver a hairpin."

Song Shuangning took the hairpin and examined it closely in the light. The hairpin head was inlaid with a pigeon blood red bead, and small gold beads were attached to the side.

She pursed her lips slightly and nodded gently.

*

During the meal, Song Shuangning had a good appetite and ate two bowls of rice.

Xiao Yan was pleased to see that she had such a good appetite.

After the meal, Song Shuangning was still thinking about the jujube paste cake that the imperial kitchen had just made. She was about to order someone to fetch it when Tao Baixia stopped her.

"Your Majesty, you have eaten quite a lot today, you cannot eat any more."

Song Shuangning pouted.

Her gaze paused slightly, and she seemed a little lost in thought.

A moment later, she subtly gave Tingyu a look.

Listening to the rain, he understood and pulled Tao Baixia outside.

Song Shuangning then nestled into Xiao Yan's arms. "Ah Yan, there's something I want to discuss with you."