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

Secondly, the birthday banquet of Consort Yuan was extremely grand.

The Emperor made an exception and held the banquet for Consort Yuan in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, inviting prominent families in the capital, officials of the third rank and above and their families, as well as members of the imperial family and noble ladies of the imperial family to gather together.

The menu for the banquet was personally decided by the Emperor and the head of the Imperial Kitchen, and every dish was prepared to suit the tastes of Consort Yuan Xian.

The fruits and snacks were all seasonal fresh fruits rushed from various places, and even the Lingnan lychees, which are rare in winter, were delivered to the table protected by a heater.

Four or five days earlier, the Emperor had ordered that all the thousand red plum trees in the greenhouse of the Imperial Garden be transplanted to Yaohua Palace.

The snow reflects the shadows of plum blossoms, creating a vibrant scene.

In short, Consort Yuan's birthday banquet was extremely grand and solemn, and all of this was clear evidence of the Emperor's special favor towards her.

Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Early noon.

The Emperor specially sent a royal carriage to fetch her. Song Shuangning, supporting her pregnant belly, slowly stepped down from the carriage and then gracefully strolled into the palace.

Song Shuangning wore a long red dress with gold flecks and a silver fox fur trim around the neckline, which made her skin appear even whiter than snow. Her hair was styled in a high bun with flowing clouds, adorned with a pure gold hairpin inlaid with rubies and a red gold hair ornament inlaid with jade, which made her look even more radiant.

The clothes she wore today were put on by Xiao Yan himself this morning; I heard that the Imperial Clothing Bureau took a whole month to complete the fabric and pattern.

As soon as she stepped into the hall, the previously quiet space was filled with soft gasps of surprise.

The Emperor himself came down to the palace gate to greet her!

Song Shuangning slowed her pace, and Xiao Yan quickly stepped forward to support her, one hand protecting her waist.

Those members of the imperial family and noble clans who did not usually have palaces were all secretly amazed by this spectacle.

The Emperor's favor towards Consort Yuan was no ordinary favoritism.

It is a unique and special favor.

The Empress was absent due to illness, but the Emperor broke the rules of seating arrangements at the palace banquet and summoned Consort Yuan to sit beside him.

The assembled imperial relatives and nobles were alarmed, but none dared to utter a word, for it was Consort Yuan's birthday banquet, and the Empress happened to be absent.

Anyone with eyes can see that the Emperor is about to announce his favoritism to the world.

The banquet began.

Xiao Yan personally poured her a cup of warm osmanthus rice pudding and said with a smile, "I'll make an exception for you today and let you have a sip to satisfy your craving."

Song Shuangning accepted it with both hands, saying, "Your Majesty, I thank you."

It was already considered improper for an emperor to personally pour wine for his concubines, let alone in such a solemn place as the side hall of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Xiao Yan peeled another shrimp for her, picked out the tender crab meat and placed it in a small jade dish. Afraid that she would catch a cold, he specially warmed the bottom of the dish with a heater.

"I know you love to eat it, but you're worried about its cooling properties, so just eat a little to satisfy your craving."

Song Shuangning's eyes lit up; she hadn't touched crab meat since she became pregnant.

She ate in small bites, a faint look of satisfaction on her delicate face.

Halfway through the banquet, the gift-giving began.

Xiao Yan was the first to stand up and handed over a mutton-fat jade safety buckle, which felt warm and smooth to the touch.

His voice was deep and chuckled: "This is a piece of warm jade that I searched for for three whole months before finally obtaining it."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I like it very much." Upon hearing this, Song Shuangning carefully tied it around her waist.

Consort Shao presented a pair of peace bracelets. Consort Shu presented a beauty-enhancing balm from the Western Regions. Consort Xu presented a Suzhou-embroidered orchid fan…

……

……

Outside the palace, the snowflakes grew thicker, and red plum blossoms reflected in the snow.

The candlelight flickered inside the hall, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Seeing the Emperor's meticulous care for Consort Yuan, and recalling this extraordinary birthday banquet, everyone understood that Consort Yuan's importance in the Emperor's heart had long exceeded their imagination.

As the banquet came to an end and the guests departed, Xiao Yan accompanied Song Shuangning back to Yaohua Palace.

Song Shuangning told Tinglu to move all the birthday gifts into the storeroom, her smile impossible to hide.

This year's birthday gifts are piled up like a small mountain, which is incomparable to the few gifts last year.

This was the most satisfying birthday she had ever had.

Today, Tingyu applied the pregnancy-pregnancy-protecting oil to her and helped her put on her nightgown. Xiao Yan then slowly entered, carrying a brocade box.

Song Shuangning tilted her head to look at him, "What is A-Yan holding in his hand?"

Xiao Yan didn't answer, but reached out and stroked her hair, whispering, "Ningning, I want a lock of your hair."

Song Shuangning understood instantly and softly replied, "Okay."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Yan picked up a small pair of scissors and carefully cut off a strand of hair.

The hair was then placed in a brocade box.

There's a saying that goes, "A couple who tie their hair together will stay together until their hair turns white." Tying their hair together... it's as if they want to weave all their affection into their black hair.

It was as if the fate of the two had been firmly tied together.

*

As night deepened, only a single lamp remained by the window in Yaohua Palace, its warm yellow light illuminating the figures sleeping in each other's arms on the bed.

Song Shuangning did not sleep well. Around midnight, she suddenly cried out as a cramp in her calf struck her.

Xiao Yan, who was beside her, woke up almost immediately, placed his large hand on her calf, and gently pressed it.

"Does it still hurt here?"

His voice was hoarse, but his movements were incredibly skillful.

Ever since she woke him up with her first cramps in her seventh month of pregnancy, Xiao Yan has spent almost every day at Yaohua Palace, and his nighttime massages have become more skillful than listening to the rain and dew.

The pain gradually subsided.

Song Shuangning leaned on his shoulder and chuckled softly, "Ayan knows better than I do where the knot is."

Xiao Yan lowered his head and kissed her forehead. "I'll stay awake even if you move around a little at night."

As the emperor entered his late pregnancy, his anxiety became palpable.

She was a little tired when she woke up in the morning, so Xiao Yan immediately summoned Tao Banxia to ask her questions.

Even if she took a few extra steps while walking, Gong Yerong would rush over to support her and nag her for a long time.

Just as the pain from the cramp subsided, Song Shuangning suddenly let out a soft cry, her body tensing slightly.

"What's wrong?" Xiao Yan asked anxiously.

"The child kicked me."

The older the baby is, the stronger they become.

Xiao Yan quickly placed his palm on her belly. Perhaps the baby sensed him, because the little foot kicked again, which could be clearly felt even through her nightgown.

Xiao Yan spoke gently but with a hint of seriousness to her belly, "Don't move, don't kick anymore, be careful to take care of your mother."

Perhaps intimidated by him, the child indeed stopped making a fuss.

Xiao Yan's eyes were gentle, but when he thought of the dangers of childbirth, he sighed softly.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Time flies, and it's already December.

Song Shuangning was nine months pregnant, her belly was high and protruding, and her movements were becoming increasingly slow. She even needed Xiao Yan to carefully help her turn over.

All arrangements for the delivery have been made, with the delivery room attendants, swaddling clothes, and imperial physicians all in place in the side hall.

Everyone in the palace was extremely cautious, not daring to relax for even a moment.

Tao Banxia hardly left Song Shuangning's side.

at night.

Song Shuangning exclaimed in surprise, and Xiao Yan, who was next to her, almost reflexively raised his hand to press her calf.

Song Shuangning frowned and shook her head, her voice urgent: "Ayan, I'm about to give birth..."