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

Upon hearing this, Consort Ye quickly pulled Consort Lin into Consort Rong's carriage to comfort her.

"Your Majesty, please don't be angry because of Consort Song. She's not worth getting upset over," said Consort Ye.

Consort Ye tugged at Consort Lin's sleeve and winked at her, "Isn't that right?"

Consort Lin quickly chimed in, "Yes, Your Majesty. Consort Song is just a minor consort, while you are the Emperor's most valued person. There's no need to get angry over someone like that."

What I value most.

Consort Rongxian gave a bitter smile.

Song Meimei had only been in the palace for three months when the Emperor's favor towards her was already equal to that towards himself.

In particular, the lip rouge on the Emperor's face a few days ago had truly instilled fear in her.

Furthermore, Consort Song was granted the honor of staying overnight at the Zichen Palace, a privilege she had never received before!

Today, the Emperor even publicly reprimanded Consort Song because of her.

Consort Rongxian felt that the Emperor had changed and become heartless.

The group, which had only been walking for a short while, stopped again.

Ye Jieyu lifted the curtain and asked, "Why did you stop again?"

"Consort Qiao is not feeling well."

Ye Jieyu lowered the curtain and said indignantly, "She's the most pretentious one!"

Consort Rong revealed a ruthless glint in her eyes.

She would never let anyone get past her; she had to eliminate this threat and prevent it from growing stronger.

As for Consort Qiao, isn't she always using the baby in her belly to act coy? Then she shouldn't have given birth to it.

Consort Ye was startled by Consort Rong's gaze: "Your Majesty..."

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.

Song Shuangning was assigned to Zhenxing Pavilion. A bluestone path meandered through the courtyard, with lush vegetation on both sides, and occasionally birds would perch on the branches and chirp. Several artificial rocks were piled up in the courtyard, and a few clumps of orchids sprouted from the cracks between the rocks, filling the courtyard with an elegant atmosphere.

The best palace in the imperial palace complex is Ningxiang Garden, which is now the residence of Consort Rongxian. Consort Shu and Consort Rongxian have a major argument every year over this palace.

Just like this year, I heard they're still arguing about it. After a long and tiring journey, Song Shuangning was exhausted and her whole body ached. Otherwise, she would have gone to watch the excitement long ago.

On the third day after arriving at the imperial palace, several concubines suggested to the Empress that they go boating to enjoy the scenery. The Empress readily agreed, and on the fourth day, all the arrangements for the boat trip, tea, and refreshments were made.

While Song Shuangning was getting ready, a palace maid from the Empress's side invited her to go boating on Qinghe Lake to enjoy the scenery.

She wanted to refuse, but Tingyu said that she had heard all the concubines had gone, and it would be inappropriate for her to be the only one not to go.

She wore a peach-colored embroidered skirt with crabapple blossoms, a pearl tassel at her waist with pink crystal pendants hanging from it. The wind blew her skirt, making the folds flutter like peach blossoms dancing in the breeze, making her look charming and radiant. A peach blossom hairpin was worn diagonally in her hair, and small pearl strings adorned her hair, complementing her peach-colored dress.

Her every move was like that of a fairy descended from heaven.

Song Shuangning and Qiu Baolin met on the way, and Qiu Baolin blushed and kept praising her.

The Empress specially prepared a large painted boat, with carved beams and painted pillars, gleaming with splendor.

The concubines had already taken up a spot on the second floor of the painted boat.

Song Shuangning and Qiu Baolin found a secluded corner.

The painted boat slowly departed from the shore, with pink and white lotus flowers standing gracefully, and layers of green leaves crowding together. The fragrance of lotus flowers was refreshing when the wind blew by. When the boat reached the middle of the lake, it stopped briefly.

Suddenly, a group of crimson koi carp burst out of the water, wagging their tails and leaping, their golden scales shimmering in the sunlight, splashing water droplets like shattered jade.

Upon seeing this, the concubines all moved to the railing on the left side of the painted boat, smiling and chatting as they leaned over to watch the scene unfold.

Consort Ye gave Consort Lin a wink, and Consort Lin pulled Song Shuangning and Qiu Baolin, who were in the corner, over. "Why are you two sisters sitting in the corner? Come and take a look."

Offering unsolicited favors is either a sign of malice or theft.

Song Shuangning grasped Qiu Baolin's wrist and whispered in her ear, "Be careful."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Baolin grabbed Song Shuangning's sleeve in fear.

Song Shuangning had no interest in watching the leaping koi. She cautiously looked around. Consort Qiao was surrounded on the outermost edge of the fence, and she was behind Consort Qiao, with Consort Ye and Consort Lin behind her.

Consort Ye and Consort Lin were both people associated with Consort Rong...

Today's group is mostly targeting her and Consort Qiao; Consort Rongxian has already decided to get rid of her.

Suddenly, a crisp "crack" was heard, and the wooden fence at the front of the pleasure boat snapped!

Consort Qiao, who was at the very front, swayed and was about to fall into the lake.

At the critical moment, Song Shuangning reacted quickly, grabbing her wrist and pulling her back sharply.

Even though she hated Consort Qiao, Consort Qiao couldn't be harmed at this moment. Using the force of the pull, Consort Qiao fell backward and landed on Consort Lin.

Unexpectedly, at that moment, Song Shuangning suddenly felt a strong force push her from her waist.

Song Shuangning lost her balance and fell into the lake. Qiu Baolin, who was holding onto her sleeve, was pulled halfway over the railing and almost fell into the water with her.

Looking at the struggling figure on the lake, Qiu Baolin cried out in despair, "Sister Song!"

The concubines were startled and quickly stepped back, afraid of being implicated.

Consort Rong frowned. The situation was quite chaotic just now. Why didn't Consort Qiao fall into the water? Instead, it was Consort Song who fell in.

Although Consort Qiao fell on Consort Lin, she was still in danger due to her fright.

She clutched her lower abdomen and said, "My stomach hurts."

……

Consort Qiao was carried into Zhilan Pavilion, which was closest to Qinghe Lake, and at that moment Zhilan Pavilion was in complete chaos.

From time to time, Consort Qiao's painful groans could be heard from inside the palace, and basins of bloody water were brought out one after another.

Fortunately, Song Shuangning could swim and was not injured.

"Your Majesty, Consort Qiao's pregnancy cannot be saved! Consort Qiao is already four months pregnant, and the only option is to induce labor to save her health. Should we proceed with the induction?"

The Queen nodded in disappointment.

A moment later, Xiao Yan came in from outside. "How is it?"

The Empress spoke guiltily, "It's all my fault that Consort Qiao couldn't keep this pregnancy."

"It has nothing to do with the Empress."

Xiao Yan glanced at Song Shuangning, who was still somewhat dazed as she sat in the chair, and asked gently, "How is Beauty Song?"

Song Shuangning lowered her eyelids slightly, slowly shook her head, and said in a soft voice, "I'm fine."

A short while later, the imperial physician removed an undeveloped fetus and came out carrying a tray covered with a white cloth.

"Your Majesty, it is a prince."

The Empress sighed regretfully, "Your Majesty, should we record this in the imperial register?"

Xiao Yan pondered: "No need."

It seems that the Emperor also harbors dissatisfaction with Consort Qiao.

Consort Qiao emerged from the inner palace, reeking of blood, and knelt down before Xiao Yan with a thud.

"Your Majesty, we beg you to do justice for our child!"