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

Consort Qiao said, "Today is Her Majesty the Empress's birthday. If Consort Qiu insists on not dancing, wouldn't that be blatant disrespect to Her Majesty the Empress?"

Such aggressive behavior is nothing more than taking advantage of the baby in her belly to act recklessly.

Song Shuangning glanced at Qiu Baolin without leaving a trace. Qiu Baolin was clutching the hem of her skirt tightly with both hands, and her body was still trembling slightly. She was obviously terrified.

Song Shuangning casually peeled the grapes. Long before entering the palace, she had heard many rumors about Consort Qiao.

Consort Qiao was domineering and would retaliate in various ways if anyone offended her in the slightest. However, in front of her elders, she would pretend to be respectful and obedient. Many young ladies in the capital had condemned her two-faced behavior.

The Empress looked at Consort Qiao with some displeasure.

Caught in a dilemma, Qiu Baolin bowed and agreed, her voice soft and helpless: "Allow this concubine to change her clothes briefly."

Song Shuangning took out a handkerchief to wipe the remaining grape juice from her hands, slowly stood up, and looked earnestly at the Emperor and Empress in the main seats.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, it is rather lonely for Consort Qiu to dance alone. I am somewhat skilled in playing the zither and would like to accompany Consort Qiu. This would not only do justice to Consort Qiu's graceful dance but also make Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress even more delighted."

Qiu Baolin turned his head in surprise, his eyes filled with tears and gratitude.

Xiao Yan raised his eyebrows slightly, suddenly recalling what she had said that day, "Your concubine knows a lot," and a sense of anticipation arose within him.

"Alright. Li Fuquan, go and fetch Qingxian."

Consort Rongxian looked up abruptly upon hearing this.

The Qingxian zither was the emperor's personal instrument, made of the finest paulownia wood. Its tone was clear and melodious, and playing it was like a gentle breeze. It was unparalleled in the world and was never shown to others lightly. The emperor had actually given this rare treasure to Consort Song to play.

"Your Majesty... what if Consort Song accidentally breaks the zither? What would that be like?" Consort Rong's tone was blatantly disdainful.

Xiao Yan looked at Song Shuangning: "Since Consort Song dared to recommend herself, I trust her."

Upon hearing this, Song Shuangning lowered her head shyly and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Song Shuangning accompanied Qiu Baolin to the side hall to change into her dance costume.

Along the way, Qiu Baolin held Song Shuangning's hand tightly, his eyes sparkling: "Thank you so much, Miss Song, for accompanying me. With you here, I won't be so nervous anymore."

Song Shuangning patted her hand. "Don't be nervous. Did you offend Consort Qiao? Why did she specifically ask you to dance today?"

Qiu Baolin sighed regretfully: "A few days ago, my maid and Consort Qiao's maid had a dispute at the Imperial Household Department."

That day, it was clearly her maid who arrived at the Imperial Household Department first, but Consort Qiao's maid unreasonably snatched things, which led to a dispute between the two.

Who knew that Consort Qiao would hold such a grudge?

Two eunuchs carried the zither to the table. Song Shuangning sat gracefully in front of the zither, her fingertips touching the strings, and the sound of the zither flowed out like a clear spring, melodious and pleasant.

Xiao Yan was taken aback, his fingertips pausing as he caressed the jade ring. His eyes widened in surprise, followed by astonishment.

What he didn't expect was that Song Shuangning's zither skills were so good that she was definitely one of the best in the entire harem.

Qiu Baolin spun around and began to dance, her steps graceful and elegant, like two lotus blossoms opening together.

While everyone was admiring Qiu Baolin's dance, Xiao Yan kept looking at Song Shuangning, who was intently playing the zither, and suddenly felt that she had a different kind of captivating charm than usual.

Consort Rongxian noticed that the Emperor's gaze was fixed on Song Shuangning. She clenched her handkerchief tightly and suddenly realized that this lowly concubine's daughter might be a formidable opponent for her.

The music stopped, and the dance ended.

Xiao Yan clapped his hands: "Excellent! Song Meiren's zither playing was like a clear spring rinsing over stones, or jade beads falling onto a plate; it was truly stunning. Qiu Baolin's dance was equally impressive."

Song Shuangning and Qiu Baolin thanked the Emperor for his praise.

Consort Shu said sourly, "Consort Qiu's dance is beautiful, but I feel that Consort Song's zither playing is somewhat overshadowing the main performance."

Qiu Baolin said, "Your Highness, you are mistaken. If it weren't for Consort Song's zither music, I wouldn't have been able to dance so well."

Song Shuangning was surprised. This Qiu Baolin really had no guile at all. Wasn't she afraid that Consort Shu would cause her trouble in the future?

Song Shuangning looked up at Xiao Yan, a hint of timidity hidden in her eyes.

She offered to accompany Qiu Baolin for two reasons. First, she wanted to establish an image of being helpful and kind-hearted in front of the emperor, which would make it easier to clear her name if she did something bad later. Second, she wanted to occasionally show off her skills to arouse the man's interest in exploring her.

My aunt's father was once a famous owner of a qin (a seven-stringed zither) studio, and his qin skills were unparalleled. My aunt learned most of his skills, and she also learned seven or eight parts of his essence.

Today is the Empress's birthday, and Xiao Yan is staying overnight at Fengyi Palace.

The next day, Xiao Yan couldn't wait to choose Song Shuangning's name.

On the way to Cangdong Pavilion, Xiao Yan sat in the imperial carriage, looking at the bright moon in the sky, and her image suddenly appeared in his mind.

Xiao Yan curled his lips into a smile. "Hurry up."

"Hurry up." Li Fuquan was a little puzzled. This was the usual speed. Could it be that he was in a hurry to see Consort Song? He hurriedly urged the eunuchs carrying the palanquin to go faster.

When they arrived, Tingyu told them that she was still taking a bath. Li Fuquan's heart jumped into his throat. He wanted to drag the palace maid out and give her a good scolding. The news from the Imperial Household Department had been out for so long. Why was she still taking a bath?

He cautiously glanced at the emperor's expression.

Ok?

Is the Emperor smiling?

Xiao Yan lifted his foot and walked towards the bath room.

Song Shuangning, who was in the bathroom, had already heard the conversation, but pretended not to know anything and innocently splashed water with her hand.

Qiu He noticed Xiao Yan first, and lowered her head shyly: "This servant greets Your Majesty."

Song Shuangning turned around in surprise, "Your Majesty?"

She lowered herself slightly, looking shy. "How did you get in?"

"Get out." Xiao Yan glanced at Qiu He, who was still standing there dumbfounded.

"Yes." Qiuhe quickly withdrew.

Xiao Yan leaned against the bathtub. "Why are you only taking a bath now?"

Song Shuangning said embarrassedly, "This concubine overslept during her afternoon nap today..."

"Your Majesty, would you please go outside and wait for me?"

Gazing at her fair skin and her long, slender legs that were faintly visible underwater, Xiao Yan swallowed hard and slowly unbuckled his belt.

"Your Majesty, do you wish to bathe with your concubines?" Song Shuangning asked softly.

"Yes."

A man who's secretly passionate!

That's too much of a repressed flirt!

One by one, pieces of clothing fell to the ground. Song Shuangning looked at his chest muscles and swallowed hard.

While she was still swooning over him, Xiao Yan had already stepped into the bathtub.

Song Shuangning took a deep breath and sat on Xiao Yan's lap. Xiao Yan's eyes darkened. "So proactive?"

No.

She just wanted to try it out on the up.

Even mundane days need some new twists, like a bathroom play, or maybe a study play next time?

"What are you thinking about?" Xiao Yan bit her collarbone with displeasure; he particularly liked her collarbone.

A moment later, sounds that made one blush and their heart race came from the bathroom.

The palace servants who were waiting outside couldn't help but walk a little further away.

Ying'er quickly stepped forward and stood next to Qiuhe, presenting her with a gardenia like a precious treasure, her eyes sparkling with laughter: "This flower suits Sister Qiuhe so well."

"Really?" Qiuhe put it on her head.

Ying'er said, "Flowers are more beautiful than people. Sister Qiuhe is so beautiful, how can she be inferior to you, young lady? Who knows, one day the emperor might take a liking to her and she could become a favored young lady. When that happens, Sister Qiuhe, don't forget me."

Qiuhe glared at her, but couldn't hide the smile on her lips. "Don't talk nonsense."