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

After the incident of praying for snow, no one in the court dared to have the slightest doubt about the Imperial Noble Consort.

Firstly, the court officials who had previously voiced their doubts were either stripped of their titles and dismissed from their posts by the emperor, or impeached and framed by the Marquis of Zhenbei's faction, and now they have no place to stand in the court.

Secondly, the Empress was nearing the end of her life and barely managed to hold on until the end of the first month of the sixth year of the Xihe era, when she suddenly passed away.

On her deathbed, the Empress specially ordered that the Imperial Noble Consort be summoned to see her.

Song Shuangning bowed slowly in accordance with the rules.

The Empress managed a weak smile, her voice barely audible: "I didn't expect the Imperial Noble Consort to still adhere to these empty formalities."

"The rites must not be disregarded. As long as the Empress is alive, she shall be the Empress of the inner palace."

The Empress's eyes flickered slightly, as if recalling the past, and she said softly, "Before Lady Su passed away, I went to see her. I told her the truth about the fertility-enhancing medicine. She didn't hold a grudge; instead, she begged me not to harm the Second Princess no matter what happened in the future. She said the child was innocent."

Having said that, she looked at Song Shuangning with expectation and pleading:

"My time is drawing near, and I beg you for this one thing."

"I only ask that you remember the children are innocent and not make things difficult for them. If possible, I would like to trouble you to take care of them for me."

Song Shuangning said calmly, "The eldest princess is not only the Empress's daughter, but also the Emperor's princess, a member of the royal family. As I hold this position, I will not harm her in the slightest."

Look how beautifully you put it!

The Empress's anxiety finally subsided, and she slowly nodded.

Thank you.

Song Shuangning turned to leave, but before she could take a step, she heard the Empress's soft voice calling from behind.

She turned around and heard the Empress say, "I just learned that my father has been targeting you in court. Imperial Noble Consort, I'm sorry."

"I have already written to him to advise him, and if nothing unexpected happens, he will change his ways."

Song Shuangning raised an eyebrow slightly. "The Emperor's father-in-law once led men to relentlessly pressure me. How could he give in so easily?"

"I am his only daughter, and Wan'er is my only daughter. You, Imperial Noble Consort, once saved Wan'er's life. From now on, Wan'er will have no mother to protect her in the harem and will only rely on your care."

The Empress coughed lightly twice, her breath weak, yet each word was clear.

Song Shuangning smiled and said, "I didn't expect that Her Majesty the Empress would still remember the time when the princess fell into the water."

That day, her intention to save people was not entirely pure.

She never expected that after so many years, the Empress would still remember.

The Empress smiled faintly, "To repay kindness with kindness is the way of a gentleman. I have always remembered what happened back then. I have not repaid you all these years, and instead I have become your enemy. Now I have no choice but to do this, and this is the only thing I can do for you."

The Empress looked at Song Shuangning with extreme calm. She knew that the Emperor's heart had always been with the Imperial Noble Consort, that the position of Empress would ultimately belong to the Imperial Noble Consort, and that Wan'er would be safe with the Imperial Noble Consort's protection.

She harbored no hatred. She was the one who attacked the eldest prince first, and now she was suffering from a deadly poison, her life hanging by a thread. It was simply the karmic cycle of fate, and she had only herself to blame.

As the saying goes, karma is real, karma is real, and it's absolutely true.

……

The Empress passed away, and the country observed a period of mourning for twenty-seven days.

……

The third prince returned to be raised by his birth mother, Consort Xu.

Consort Shu also put aside past grievances and took charge of the Second Princess's upbringing. Consort Shu treated the Second Princess as her own daughter, and the Second Princess grew increasingly close to and dependent on her.

The most troublesome second prince was the strict Consort Shaohui.

In just one year, all his bad habits were worn away.

As for the eldest princess, Xiao Yan once asked her about her feelings. She made it clear that she did not want to follow anyone else, so Xiao Yan made an exception and set up a separate princess's residence in the palace, where she was served by special people in all aspects of her life.

Yu Tuotuo is two years old now. She walks steadily and quickly, and her mind is very sharp.

At such a young age, he already showed remarkable intelligence.

Under the careful management of the Imperial Noble Consort, the inner palace became increasingly harmonious and orderly, and flourished.

Things in the harem gradually got back on track and moved towards a smooth and peaceful state.