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

The sun shines brightly, the wind is gentle and the clouds are light; the sunlight shines down, bringing a warm glow.

In modern times, Song Shuangning was a homebody who would only go out as a last resort. She was no different after arriving here. Finally, she was persuaded by Tingyu to go out for a walk.

But to everyone's surprise, they encountered Consort Qiao as soon as they arrived at the Imperial Garden.

Song Shuangning felt a surge of annoyance. Consort Qiao was less than three months pregnant and should be resting. Why was she wandering around like this? Wasn't she afraid that she might accidentally lose the baby?

Just as she was about to move to another place, a voice called out from behind her. Gu Baolin, who was beside Consort Qiao, spotted her with sharp eyes.

Gu Baolin was also a newcomer to the palace, but two months had passed in the blink of an eye and she had not yet served the emperor. She must have been getting anxious, so she followed Qiao Pin around all day.

Consort Qiao smiled and asked, "Why isn't Consort Song coming over?"

I should have checked the Chinese almanac before leaving home.

Song Shuangning forced a smile and reluctantly walked over: "Greetings to Consort Qiao."

Consort Qiao already looked down on Song Shuangning. Among the six new concubines who entered the palace at the same time, Song Shuangning had served the emperor the most times and was the most favored by the emperor, which made her very unhappy.

Not to mention the Empress's birthday banquet last time, Song Shuangning and Qiu Baolin clearly teamed up to deliberately provoke her.

"Lady Song's performance on the zither last time truly impressed me! I had previously heard that your aunt had taken over the zither studio left behind by the family."

"Yes, Consort Qiao knows quite a lot," Song Shuangning said, half-jokingly.

Consort Qiao snorted disdainfully, "If you ask me, the owner of this music hall only sounds respectable. To put it bluntly, what's the difference between him and a street performer?"

Gu Baolin then added sarcastically, "Hey, perhaps Song Meiren's concubine only sells her art, not her body."

Consort Qiao chuckled lightly: "On the other hand, it's not all bad. For example, Consort Song has learned some of your skills, Auntie."

A dangerous glint appeared in Song Shuangning's eyes. She didn't want to harm anyone, but some people were sharp-tongued and had a sharp tongue. They deliberately offended the person she cared about most and crossed her bottom line.

Her smile was faint but showed no fear. "My aunt made friends with the zither and established her own school to teach with her superb skills. She was elegant and self-disciplined, and earned a clean reputation and respect. My aunt made her living through her own abilities. Everyone has their own way of life and their own dignity. I am dull-witted and have only learned a little bit of what my aunt did."

Consort Qiao was speechless after being choked by her words.

"Lady Song is far too sharp-tongued; I didn't mean that."

"Consort Shu has arrived!"

"This humble concubine greets Consort Shu."

Consort Shu glanced at Consort Qiao, whose high-bun hairstyle was adorned with a red-gold and kingfisher feather hairpin with beads hanging down, tinkling as she raised her hand.

"I just heard Consort Qiao say that the owner of the music hall is no different from a woman who performs in public?"

Consort Qiao's heart skipped a beat. She didn't understand why Consort Shu had brought this up out of the blue. Suddenly, she remembered that Consort Shu was a skilled pipa player.

"The Empress Shu's pipa skills are renowned throughout the capital, and naturally, she is not someone that ordinary people can even dream of."

"If you look down on any woman who earns her living through genuine skill, how could you truly believe that my pipa skills are renowned throughout the capital?"

Consort Shu pressed on relentlessly. She had only come to the Imperial Garden to admire the flowers, but unexpectedly overheard Consort Qiao and Consort Song's conversation.

Those words really hit her where it hurt.

She was the daughter of a local governor, with no illustrious family background, and relied entirely on her excellent pipa skills to make a living. Ever since the emperor brought her back to the Crown Prince's residence from Jiangnan, and later she entered the palace, she was always said behind her back that she was "not presentable."

The Empress Dowager looked down on her, and so did Consort Rongxian...

But she really couldn't understand what was wrong with relying on one's own abilities to establish oneself.

Song Shuangning's gaze swept over Consort Qiao and Consort Gu. "I think what people truly value is humility and genuine talent. Those who gossip and criticize are the ones who have lost their dignity."

"You..." Consort Qiao glared at Song Shuangning with displeasure.

Consort Shu said impatiently, "Enough. If Consort Qiao has nothing to do, she should go back and rest and recuperate. That's the proper thing to do."

Even though she was unwilling, Consort Qiao had no choice but to agree, "This concubine takes her leave."

Gu Baolin followed behind Consort Qiao with her head tucked in like a quail.

After the two left, Song Shuangning also took her leave.

"Wait," Consort Shu called out to her, "Don't flatter yourself. I'm not helping you today. I still don't like you."

Song Shuangning recalled a saying: How much is your affection worth?

She remained respectful, saying, "This concubine understands."

Another half month passed, and in that half month the emperor only entered the inner palace six times, two of which were to Song Shuangning.

Consort Song has been somewhat anxious lately. Song Shuangning has been in the palace for three months and has received a lot of favor, but her belly has not shown any signs of pregnancy. Meanwhile, Consort Qiao is almost ready to have her baby.

After much deliberation, Consort Song could no longer contain herself. She summoned Song Shuangning to the main hall and had Physician Zeng take her pulse in person. Physician Zeng accepted her money and did her bidding.

She thought to herself, "Please don't think there's anything wrong with my health." But she quickly dismissed the idea; if she were unwell, she would have been eliminated in the preliminary selection.

Song Shuangning knew that Consort Song couldn't wait any longer, so she chuckled. Long before entering the palace, she had asked her aunt to find her contraceptive pills, so it wouldn't be so easy for her to get pregnant.

Imperial Physician Zeng privately told Consort Song, "Consort Song's constitution is somewhat weak, and her health is rather frail. Therefore, it will likely take her some time to conceive."

Consort Song immediately instructed Imperial Physician Zeng: "In that case, you shall use the excuse that my sister is weak to devise a good prescription to nourish her body. Remember, do not worry about the mildness of the medicine, and the efficacy can be as strong as possible."

Physician Zeng was surprised. "Your humble servant obeys the decree."

After Physician Zeng left, Tinglan massaged Consort Song's shoulders and neck, saying, "Consort Rongxian and Consort Shu are both highly favored, but Consort Rongxian has been unable to conceive since giving birth to the second princess, and Consort Shu has also been unable to get pregnant. Consort Song has only been in the palace for three months, why is Your Highness in such a hurry?"

"You don't understand." After saying this, Consort Song shook her head.

She feared that if she delayed any longer, the Emperor's favor towards Song Shuangning would only increase, and over time, her rank would inevitably rise.

By then, Song Shuangning will hold a higher position and greater power. Why would she listen to my manipulation? She can raise the imperial heir herself from the second rank. What is the point of all my careful planning? Isn't it just to benefit someone else?

Moreover, she simply couldn't stand it anymore. She didn't want that vile woman Song Shuangning to continue seducing the Emperor. Whenever the Emperor stayed overnight at Cangdong Pavilion, she almost never slept until dawn.