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

Song Shuangning tilted her head slightly, her gaze seemingly casually sweeping across Xiao Yan's face.

Xiao Yan seemed to sense something and turned his face away.

The moment their eyes met.

From her crescent-shaped almond-shaped eyes, Xiao Yan understood a silent warning—

If he dares to glance in the direction of that Moon Clan princess even once, I'll make him pay when we get back.

So Xiao Yan didn't even glance at it.

Song Shuangning glanced at him several times out of the corner of her eye, and only after confirming that Xiao Yan really hadn't looked did she turn her head to watch the dance with a smug look on her face.

She had initially come with the intention of watching the spectacle, but as she watched, she was captivated by the unrestrained yet graceful figure of the Moon Clan princess.

Such a slender figure, such graceful dance steps, coupled with those captivating eyes, even the most composed person would find it hard to resist such charm.

The dance ended.

The princess of the Moon Clan Kingdom stopped dancing, gently pressed her hand to her chest, bowed slightly, and breathed heavily, yet her demeanor remained dignified.

"Helan Qingyue of the Moon Clan respectfully wishes His Majesty good health."

"Your Highness, please rise."

She looked up at Xiao Yan, her smile carrying a hint of girlish boldness, her fox-like eyes slightly raised.

"I have long admired His Majesty's wisdom and might, and seeing him today, I can attest to his reputation. When I was in the Moon Clan, I often heard the elders speak of the prosperity of the Central Plains. Now, witnessing it firsthand, I feel even the wind carries a different flavor. If only I could..."

She paused for a moment.

"If only I could stay here and see such a magnificent sight every day, that would be wonderful."

The thoughts expressed in those words were so straightforward that they were almost undisguised.

Consort Shaohui and Consort Shu exchanged a glance.

Although the Moon Clan Kingdom is open-minded, this princess is too unpretentious. Her eyes are glued to the emperor, shining brightly, with a passionate and direct gaze.

Song Shuangning lowered her head, and the handkerchief draped over her knees was quietly creased.

She wasn't jealous of the princess's covetousness, but rather suddenly realized that such scenes would likely be commonplace in the future.

How many young ladies will enter the palace after the imperial selection a year later?

It is common practice for countries to present beautiful women to each other every year.

Emperors are never short of people who flock to them.

A wave of bitterness washed over me.

Especially after the discovery of Yu Tuotuo, the road ahead became even more vulnerable.

She regretted it again. She knew perfectly well that serving a king was like walking on thin ice, yet she still fell in love with him.

Xiao Yan's gaze swept over Song Shuangning.

He gestured for the princess to rise, then, with an air of imperial composure and distance, addressed her calmly: "I know of the princess's wishes. The Moon Clan's grasslands are vast and its scenery exquisite. The princess is the jewel of the Moon Clan, and it is only right that she go to serve her father and bring glory to her family. Although the Central Plains are beautiful, they are not the princess's homeland. How can I, for my own selfish reasons, sever the princess's longing for her homeland?"

"Besides, someone in my harem has already taken the place in my heart, and no one else can catch my eye."

As he said this, he glanced at Song Shuangning, a tender look appearing in his eyes, before turning back to add:

"This is ultimately unfair to the princess."

Qingyue's bright eyes slowly dimmed.

But she was unwilling to give up. Qingyue bit her lip and continued, "Your Majesty, Qingyue doesn't care. Even if Your Majesty already has someone else in your heart, Qingyue is willing to stay in the Central Plains and stay by Your Majesty's side, without asking for any title..."

Before she could finish speaking,

Xiao Yan suddenly stood up, walked a few steps to Song Shuangning's side, and frowned slightly: "I see that you don't look well. Is it because you've been sitting for a long time and are tired? You are delicate, so don't push yourself."

Song Shuangning was taken aback by his sudden action.

She doesn't feel unwell.

But Xiao Yan didn't give her a chance to explain. Ignoring everyone's gaze, he bent down and picked her up in his arms.

He raised his eyes and swept them over the people in the hall.

"The Imperial Noble Consort is still recovering from childbirth and needs to rest. I will accompany her back to the palace to rest. As for the banquet, I will trouble Prince Chu to look after it for the time being. I will return immediately after settling the Imperial Noble Consort in. The envoys from various countries are guests from afar; they must be treated with utmost hospitality and must not be neglected."

After saying that, he carried Song Shuangning and went to the side hall without looking back.

The entire hall was left in a state of shock.

Qingyue remained frozen in place, leaving only a desolate scene.

Side hall.

Xiao Yan draped his black fox fur cloak over Song Shuangning's shoulders and tightened the collar tie.

"If you are tired, go back and rest. I will go back later."

Song Shuangning responded listlessly, burying her head in her fur collar, looking rather dispirited.

Just as she was about to leave, Xiao Yan grabbed her wrist. "What's wrong? Are you unhappy?"

"Your Majesty, I just miss Yu Tuotuo a little and want to go back as soon as possible."

Xiao Yan waved his hand, dismissing all the palace servants from the hall.

He leaned closer, staring intently at her. "Is Ningning bothered by that Moon Clan princess?"

"no……"

When Song Shuangning denied it, she couldn't even fool herself.

"You're afraid that if I keep her in the palace, and even more afraid that with future selections and tributes from various countries, even more women will enter the palace, right?"

Xiao Yan directly pointed out her concerns.

She remained silent.

Xiao Yan was amused and exasperated; he had actually guessed correctly.

"Didn't you miss Yu Tuotuo? Then let's go back quickly." Xiao Yan reached out and gently pushed her shoulder, leading her to the sedan chair.

"Go back now, lest I get angry if I see you."

Song Shuangning was half-pushed and half-shoved onto the sedan chair.

I was still completely dazed.

The Emperor just said, "So that he won't get angry if he sees me?"

What is he angry about?

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.

As dusk settled, a slender moon hung in the sky, its gentle light spilling over the glazed tiles and scattering silver fragments across the ground.

When Xiao Yan returned, he was reeking of alcohol, which mingled with the chill of the night breeze.

He didn't look at Song Shuangning, who was hugging and coaxing Yu Tuotuo on the couch. He went to the bathroom to take a bath, and after coming out, he directly lifted the brocade quilt and lay down on the bed without even giving her a glance.

Song Shuangning handed the babbling Yu Tuotuo to the wet nurse, whispered a few instructions, and then tiptoed onto the bed to sit next to him.

"Ah Yan, I haven't given you my birthday gift yet, why are you already asleep?"

Xiao Yan didn't say anything, as if he were really asleep.

Song Shuangning leaned close to his ear and breathed, "Doesn't Ayan want to see his birthday gift?"

Xiao Yan finally moved, brushing away her mischievous hand.

"Ah Yan~ Don't be angry anymore~"

Xiao Yan leaned down and pressed down on her wrist, then pressed it against the top of her head with a little force, his warm breath brushing against her eyebrows and eyes.

"You're heartless."

But looking into her wet eyes, he swallowed back the harsh words that were on the tip of his tongue.

"I'm willing to die for you, and you still doubt my feelings? You're really going to drive me crazy." He couldn't help but tap his teeth lightly, the anger hitting the tip of his tongue, not coming out at her.

Song Shuangning said softly, "I don't want to think about it, but I can't help it..."

Seeing her like this, Xiao Yan's anger had long since dissipated. He leaned down and sealed her lips with a kiss that was both fierce and soft, with a touch of punishing force.

As their lips parted, Song Shuangning was slightly out of breath. "I haven't even seen the birthday gift yet!"

"I'll look into it another day."

When the red waves surge, spring stirs the heart; whispered words of affection drift from the temples.

A room bathed in the warm spring sunshine.