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

【The Emperor and Empress's Sweet Daily Life 2】

Part Three: The Emperor and Empress's Affection

—

These past few days, Song Shuangning has been staying at the Zichen Palace, as Xiao Yan has been too busy with official duties to spare any time to go to the Fengyi Palace.

Xiao Yan simply let her move to Zichen Palace to stay with him for a few days.

After the court session, Xiao Yan, still in his court robes, quietly entered the inner hall. He saw Song Shuangning curled up, sleeping soundly, and couldn't help but bend down and gently rub her cheek.

"Her Majesty the Empress must be so comfortable not having to get up early to pay her respects."

Actually, this rule was set by Song Shuangning.

She changed the old system of the imperial harem having to pay their respects every morning to one person, instead of once a month.

Everyone in the harem was overjoyed.

Back when she was still a concubine, she longed every day to not have to get up early to pay her respects.

Now that she has become empress, she has simply turned this wish into rules and regulations.

Not only was she good, but the concubines were good too.

Song Shuangning opened her eyes groggily and pulled the blanket over her head.

A moment later, she quietly pulled down a corner of the blanket, revealing a pair of watery eyes peeking out.

The Emperor is still wearing his court robes!

This court robe accentuated the emperor's tall and broad figure, adding to his handsome features and giving him a unique air of majesty and composure.

Xiao Yan chuckled: "Why are you staring at me like that?"

Song Shuangning's eyebrows and eyes were curved.

"His Majesty looks very handsome in this court robe."

Song Shuangning climbed out of the covers, hooked her arms around Xiao Yan's neck and shoulders, sat on his lap, and softly called out, "A-Yan."

Xiao Yan pinched the back of her neck, feigning ignorance, and asked, "What are you doing?"

"Ah Yan," Song Shuangning placed a warm kiss on his cheek.

She then snuggled into his arms and acted coquettishly.

Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes.

He recalled, "It seems that Ningning was always very happy whenever I wore court attire."

Song Shuangning was a little shy and said in a muffled voice, "No."

Xiao Yan lowered his head and covered her lips with his.

Gently stroking it.

"Do you want it?"

Song Shuangning nodded, blushing.

"Ningning, tell me."

Song Shuangning's cheeks flushed slightly, and she lowered her eyes, not daring to look at him.

Xiao Yan kissed her neck.

He stepped back slightly. "Fine, don't tell me then..."

Song Shuangning bit her lip, "**"

Xiao Yan kissed the tip of her nose.

He was about to take off his outer robe; it was a bit awkward for him to do this while wearing court attire.

Song Shuangning, however, clung to his hand and blurted out in her anxiety, "Don't take it off!"

Xiao Yan was taken aback.

It really is because of this court dress.

Ningning, you're so bold.

Meeting Xiao Yan's amused gaze, a wave of shyness welled up from the bottom of her heart, and Song Shuangning pulled the blanket over her head.

"Aaaaaah, I can't live anymore!"

This is so frustrating.

Xiao Yan embraced her from behind.

Then, as she wished.

Xiao Yan helped her sit on his lap, "***"

Song Shuangning's face turned bright red.

After all these years, she still isn't used to this position.

……

During the plum rain season, the weather is constantly overcast and damp.

Song Shuangning, however, was longing to see the white roses, which were a famous variety from Jiangnan that Xiao Yan had specially sought out and transplanted to the palace.

The petals are layered and white, like jade.

At first, Xiao Yan insisted on not allowing it, and with a stern face told her that the road was slippery and that it would be easy to get her shoes and socks wet, and that she would easily catch a cold.

But Xiao Yan had no choice but to accompany Song Shuangning to the meeting, as she pleaded sweetly in a soft voice.

Just then, Consort Shaohui's younger sister entered the palace to visit her elder sister.

She happened to see the Emperor and Empress walking side by side in the misty rain.

The bright yellow umbrella in the Emperor's hand was mostly tilted towards the Empress, with half of the Emperor's body exposed outside.

The saying that the Empress Dowager bestows her exclusive and unparalleled favor is indeed true.

*

After seeing the white rose she had been longing for, Song Shuangning happily went home.

Xiao Yan looked down at her shoes. "Are they wet?"

Song Shuangning whispered, "It seems a little wet."

Xiao Yan sighed softly, then knelt down helplessly and turned back to say, "Get on."

Song Shuangning glanced at the palace servants beside her out of the corner of her eye. "There are still people here."

The palace servants understood and immediately retreated a distance of ten feet.

Xiao Yan didn't care at all: "What does it matter? It's only natural for the emperor and empress to be in love."

Song Shuangning smiled faintly and slowly leaned against his back.

In the light drizzle, the emperor and empress nestled together, their umbrellas swaying gently, petals falling all around them.

"Next time, don't be so willful. If you catch a cold, I won't make you take your medicine."

"Okay, okay. Ah Yan is so long-winded."

"You think I'm long-winded?"

……

*

Part Four: Ah Yan, I Love You

-

When Xiao Yan was forty years old, he fell seriously ill and was ill for more than a month.

He remained unconscious for ten days, and on the twentieth day he could only rest in bed.

Since Xiao Yan's pulse was normal, even the imperial physicians were at a loss.

Since Xiao Yan fell ill, Song Shuangning has moved into the Qin Zheng Hall to live permanently, taking care of him every step of the way.

While Xiao Yan was still unconscious, Song Shuangning often stared at him quietly.

Before anyone knew it, white hairs had quietly appeared at Xiao Yan's temples, and fine lines had been etched at the corners of his eyes.

Song Shuangning felt a lump in her throat and her eyes reddened. She suddenly realized that the two of them had been together for more than ten years.

Time flies, and youth slips away unnoticed.

Time flows like a river, leaving no room for retaliation.

For more than ten years, day and night, Xiao Yan has always treated her the same way, guarding her, loving her, and protecting her as always.

Their son, Xiao Hongheng, was already fifteen years old and had long been made crown prince.

He was exceptionally intelligent from a young age, excelling in both literature and martial arts. He was thoroughly knowledgeable about court affairs and was also the best among the princes in riding and archery.

He is not as mischievous as he was when he was a child.

He's already a mature adult.

At the age of twelve, northern tribes harassed the border. When the urgent report reached the court, he volunteered to follow his maternal grandfather on the expedition. On the battlefield, he was resourceful and brave, and agile. Together with the army, he defeated the invading enemy and quelled the border disturbances.

The position of crown prince was now as secure as a rock.

He still practices martial arts with his maternal grandfather every day, never slacking off for a single day.

After practicing martial arts with his maternal grandfather that day, he went straight to the Hall of Diligent Governance.

Seeing his mother standing guard by his father's bedside, he sighed softly and stepped forward to ask, "Mother, has Father woken up today?"

Song Shuangning turned around, her voice soft and gentle: "No."

Looking at the dark circles under Song Shuangning's eyes, Xiao Hongheng gently advised, "Mother, I believe that Father will surely bring peace and prosperity to the world. You must also take good care of your health and not overwork yourself."

Song Shuangning looked at Xiao Hongheng, a faint smile spreading across her face: "Now that Yu Tuotuo has grown up and become a capable crown prince, your mother no longer needs to worry about you."

Xiao Hongheng's ears turned red, and he coughed lightly, slightly embarrassed: "Mother!"

"Why are you calling me by that nickname again? I've already told you, Mother, please don't call me that anymore."

Somehow, Wen Yu'an heard about Yu Tuotuo's nickname and teased him about it every time.

"What's wrong with this nickname?"

Xiao Yan's gentle voice came from the bed. Song Shuangning and her son were both startled, and then looked at the bed with surprise.

Song Shuangning rushed forward, "Ayan, you're awake."

Xiao Yan looked at Xiao Hongheng: "Heng'er, you may step down now."

Xiao Hongheng: "Your subject will not disturb Father and Mother any longer."

Only the two of them remained in the hall, with Song Shuangning gently leaning against Xiao Yan's chest.

"Ah Yan...you're finally awake."

Xiao Yan placed his palm on her hair and gently stroked it: "I'm fine. How long have you been watching over me? You don't need to. I'm just tired. I'll sleep a little longer. It's nothing serious. Don't worry, I'll be fine."

Song Shuangning didn't say a word, but tears silently rolled down her cheeks.

She was genuinely terrified.

She feared that the person who had been with her for over ten years would leave her first.

Xiao Yan's fingertips touched the dampness, and he pressed his palm against her cheek.

"Ningning, don't cry."

Xiao Yan's eyes gradually became hot.

In fact, he wasn't completely unaware during his dazed state these past few days.

Consciousness is trapped in chaos, unable to open, yet it can vaguely perceive everything around it.

They heard Ningning's suppressed sobs and the helpless whispers of the imperial physicians.

Therefore, he desperately tried to break free from that constraint and wake up, unwilling to hurt Ningning, wanting to stay with her for a few more years, and also because Heng'er still needed him.

He was even more worried that if he were to die like this, how would Ningning cope on her own?

He was worried about leaving Ningning alone in the world.

He gently lifted Song Shuangning's chin and said softly, "Ningning, let me see you."

Song Shuangning quickly raised her hand to wipe away the tears on her cheeks and looked up at him.

Xiao Yan traced her eyebrows and eyes with his hand, gazing at her haggard face with tenderness.

"Ningning, you look so haggard."

He struggled to move further into the bed.

"Lie down with me for a while, and take a nap."

Song Shuangning took off her outer clothes and quietly lay down beside him. Xiao Yan reached out and pulled her into his arms, then lowered his head and gently kissed her forehead.

Xiao Yan's voice was low and hoarse, filled with guilt: "Ningning, you've suffered so much. You must be exhausted from carrying this all by yourself."

Song Shuangning pressed her hand against his chest and whispered, "As long as Ayan is alright, that's all that matters."

"Ah Yan".

"Um?"

"I don't think I've ever told you this before—"

"I love you."

"Song Shuangning loves Xiao Yan very much."

Xiao Yan immediately responded: "Xiao Yan also loves Song Shuangning very much."

……

Twenty days later, Xiao Yan had fully recovered.

It was deep winter, and the area outside the palace was covered in snow.

Xiao Yan gazed out the window, lost in thought, and felt a strange sense of disorientation, as if he were in another world.

Song Shuangning draped a cloak over him. "What are you thinking about?"

Xiao Yan took her hand. "Ningning, looking at this snow, I suddenly thought that if that day really comes, I would rather you go before me. Without you, this world would be unbearable. I can't bear to leave you alone in this world. Even though that brat Heng'er can stand on his own now, I can't bear to see you suffer alone in this world. I'll be selfish this once. If that day really comes, let me go after you. You just wait for me on the road to the Yellow Springs. I will come to find you soon."

Song Shuangning held back her tears, stood on tiptoe, and pressed her forehead against his.

"What nonsense are you talking about, Ah Yan? Ah Yan is in the prime of his life, and I am perfectly fine. We will definitely stay together for a long, long time, until we grow old together."

Xiao Yan chuckled softly.

"Okay, let's grow old together."

---

Waaah, I can't bear to write about Ningning and Xiao Yan's deaths. Even writing about Xiao Yan at 40 years old made me want to cry. Xiao Yan and Ningning will live to be a hundred years old, and they will always be happy.

Xiao Yan and Ning Ning will stay with you here in this world!

Next is the "if" scenario where the property is forcibly taken.