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

The next day, Zheng Shuangning woke up after 7 a.m.

When I opened my eyes, I thought I was dreaming, with lifelike dragon patterns embroidered on the curtains.

Xiao Yan's presence permeated the air.

If only it were a dream.

I wonder what Adu is doing right now?

The room was quiet. A slender, delicate hand lifted the curtain, and sunlight streamed through the window, casting a soft, gentle glow on the table by the window.

So much happened yesterday, I was so tired, but I never expected to sleep until late morning.

This is the first time in sixteen years.

After washing up last night, Xiao Yan insisted on sharing a bed with her, and after the lights were turned off, he even... started touching her inappropriately...

Seeing that she was about to cry, Xiao Yan stopped and obediently carried her into bed.

Moreover, Xiao Yan took her casual remark yesterday about "wanting to be empress" seriously, and even began to choose an auspicious day.

This was not the right direction, so Zheng Shuangning immediately refused.

She didn't understand why it had to be her.

To win her over, he was willing to give her even the position of Empress, second only to the Emperor...

He was willing to bear the shameless reputation of stealing a minister's wife and be scorned by the world.

In Zheng Shuangning's opinion, Xiao Yan was a madman.

He probably got kicked in the head by a donkey.

So she could only tell herself—

endure.

Once Xiao Yan's mental illness is completely cured, she will naturally be allowed to leave.

By then, the light boat will have already passed ten thousand mountains.

Besides, Xiao Yan is a madman; he really does what he says. For the sake of the hundreds of lives lost by the Zheng and Lou families, she has no choice but to endure it for now.

Zheng Shuangning concealed the gloom in her eyes.

"Listen to the rain?"

A moment later, the palace maids pushed open the door and filed in, bowing neatly in unison, "We, your servants, greet Miss Zheng."

Each of them performed their duties, carrying fish basins or gorgeous clothes and jewelry, instantly occupying a large portion of the bedchamber.

Zheng Shuangning was genuinely startled. "You guys..."

The head palace maid said, "Miss, His Majesty has ordered us to come and serve you."

"I don't need so many people serving me. What about Tingyu?"

"Replying to your question, Miss, the Emperor summoned Sister Tingyu, who is currently in the main hall."

Zheng Shuangning frowned.

My first thought was that Xiao Yan, that scoundrel, was definitely going to make things difficult for Tingyu.

Now, in this palace, Tingyu is the only person she can rely on and trust, and nothing can happen to Tingyu.

She didn't even have time to change out of her nightgown before she swept past them.

"Young lady, where are you going?"

Zheng Shuangning ignored them.

I just stepped out the door.

Then she saw Tingyu running towards her in the courtyard, a smile on her face. "Miss, you're awake!"

Zheng Shuangning grabbed her hand anxiously, "Are you alright?"

"It's alright, don't worry, young lady," Tingyu reassured her.

Zheng Shuangning finally felt relieved and noticed that Tingyu was followed by another palace maid.

The palace maid had a smile on her face, but her eyes were filled with tears as she stared at her intently.

Upon approaching, he knelt directly before her, saying, "This servant greets... Miss."

Zheng Shuangning and Tingyu exchanged a glance.

"Get up and talk," Zheng Shuangning said, helping her up.

Both of them are quite strange.

"I was rude, but... I was just too excited. Please don't take offense, young lady." The palace maid wiped away her tears with her sleeve.

"His Majesty has sent me to serve you, Miss. You may call me Tinglu."

Zheng Shuangning nodded.

Why be so excited on our first meeting?

"Miss, let us help you wash and change your clothes."

Zheng Shuangning glanced around at the people in the room and said helplessly, "I don't need so many people to serve me."

Before she finished speaking, Tinglu said softly, "May I serve you personally?"

Seeing Tinglu's gentle smile, he couldn't bring himself to refuse.

"Then it will be hard work."

"You flatter me, young lady."

In the bronze mirror, Tinglu was intently combing her hair, her smile filled with boundless tenderness.

Suddenly, a scene flashed through my mind.

Tinglu was also combing her hair in front of the bronze mirror, but that person... resembled her but was not her.

Zheng Shuangning was stunned; this was the first time she had met Tinglu.

How could this be?

But the scene was so realistic, it was as if it had actually happened.

For some reason, she felt an unusual affinity for Tinglu.

She asked with suspicion, "Tinglu, have we met before?"

Tinglu stopped moving, her eyes filled with tears, and shook her head, saying, "How could this servant have met you before, Miss?"

Zheng Shuangning nodded.

Yes, I must have been too tired these past few days.

After dressing up, Li Fuquan arrived with an imperial edict.

Upon seeing the imperial edict, Zheng Shuangning's first thought was that the die was cast.

Just as she was about to kneel to receive the imperial decree, Li Fuquan hurriedly stopped her, saying, "Miss, His Majesty has instructed you not to kneel to receive the decree. From now on, you need not kneel, no matter where you are or who you meet."

This is an immense favor.

Zheng Shuangning asked calmly, "Is that so? Then even if we meet the Emperor, we don't have to kneel?"

Li Fuquan: "Uh...yes!"

His tone shifted from hesitant to certain.

Because after careful consideration, he concluded that the Emperor would certainly not want Miss Zheng to kneel.

Li Fuquan unfolded the imperial edict:

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Zheng Shuangning, born into a distinguished family, possesses a beautiful appearance, a gentle and refined nature, natural elegance, graceful demeanor, and pure and virtuous character, which greatly pleases the Emperor. Therefore, I hereby promote you to the rank of Imperial Noble Consort Chen, bestowing upon you this imperial decree and bestowing upon you this honor. May your youthful beauty shine forever. This is my decree."

"Your Majesty, please accept the decree!"

Consort Chen.

Zheng Shuangning didn't know whether she should laugh or not.

She curtsied perfunctorily, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Eunuch Li chuckled.

Why does Your Highness sound so unwilling?

*

Half an hour later, the imperial kitchen brought out the breakfast.

At the same time, Xiao Yan also arrived.

Zheng Shuangning's mood instantly plummeted to its lowest point.

However, when you're under someone's roof, you have no choice but to bow your head.

Since he was the emperor, according to etiquette, she should pay her respects to him.

Just as Zheng Shuangning was about to curtsy, Xiao Yan walked up to her and put his arm around her waist.

Zheng Shuangning was startled, her eyes widening in surprise.

The palace maids quickly lowered their heads and retreated outside the hall.

"What are you doing?" Zheng Shuangning pushed his chest.

But he remained as still as a rock.

"Did you sleep well last night?"

Zheng Shuangning's voice was tinged with anger, "If His Majesty were to go to an unfamiliar place and have a thief by his side, could His Majesty sleep well?"

Xiao Yan rubbed her waist with a half-smile, "But Ningning, last night you kept snuggling against me. I thought you were sleeping very well."