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

As soon as the King of Chu left, Song Shuangning clung to Xiao Yan, wrapping her arms around his waist.

Xiao Yan gently patted her bottom.

"She has no manners." But I like her and am used to her lack of manners.

Song Shuangning's voice was so soft it could melt water: "It's just the Emperor and me here, so I don't want to follow the rules."

Xiao Yan gave a soft hum and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Why didn't Your Majesty tell me that the Prince of Chu was also here? If I had known, I would have made two bowls of ice cream."

Xiao Yan pinched her lower back, his voice low and dangerous: "What? Are you feeling sorry for him?"

After saying that, he gently pushed her away.

Song Shuangning did it on purpose, deliberately bringing up the King of Chu.

Men can benefit from being jealous occasionally.

"Your Majesty, are you angry?" She asked, knowing the answer already, and poked Xiao Yan's arm.

Xiao Yan ignored her.

"Your Majesty always misunderstands me. I only have Your Majesty in my heart." Song Shuangning hooked her arm around Xiao Yan's neck again, and Xiao Yan was stunned by her bold behavior.

Her bright, sparkling eyes were fixed on him, a captivating, innocent charm at the corners. Was this little girl deliberately seducing him? And here they were, in broad daylight on a pleasure boat, Xiao Yan pinched her lower back again.

"Behave yourself!"

"Then Your Majesty must not misunderstand me."

Xiao Yan smiled faintly, "Ningning used to be so timid, how come you're so bold now? Aren't you afraid of making me angry?"

Song Shuangning quickly rubbed her forehead against his chin and snuggled against his neck, saying coquettishly, "Your Majesty wouldn't."

Yes, I really don't get angry.

Song Shuangning took out a sachet from her sleeve and presented it to Xiao Yan. "Your sachet is finished, Your Majesty. Do you like it?"

Xiao Yan reached out and took the sachet. The dragon pattern embroidered on it was incredibly lifelike, with its scales and claws outstretched, clearly showing the care and attention to detail. His gaze settled on the delicately embroidered character "Ning" in one corner of the sachet, and he slowly asked, "Oh? Does this 'Ning' mean you wish for my peace of mind, or does it signify your name?"

Song Shuangning said shyly, "I have both."

"This concubine also has a little scheme. This concubine hopes that when Your Majesty sees this sachet, you will think of this concubine."

Such a frank and open expression of her little thoughts is something no one else could do. Xiao Yan didn't think it was scheming at all. On the contrary, he found her straightforwardness and lack of embarrassment rare. She couldn't even hide this little bit of her thoughts, which was quite adorable.

"Would Your Majesty like to wear it?"

"Yes, Ningning, put it on me."

Song Shuangning bent down and put the sachet on his head.

Xiao Yan's heart stirred, and he pulled her into his arms, gently rubbing her face. "Ningning, tell me, how should I reward you?"

Song Shuangning quickly gave Xiao Yan a light peck on the lips.

Xiao Yan said, "So that's what Ningning was thinking."

He kissed Song Shuangning's cherry lips, and Song Shuangning thought to herself: Is this a reward for me? It's clearly a reward for yourself.

Half an hour later, Song Shuangning took Xiao Yan's hand and went ashore. After taking only a few steps, she bumped into Consort Shu and Consort Rongxian coming together, followed by several other concubines. Although Consort Shu and Consort Rongxian were close to each other, they each had a tense expression and were staring at each other, their irreconcilable animosity was not hidden at all.

Song Shuangning secretly curled the corners of her lips. The fact that they were able to meet here was because she deliberately spread the news that she had "gone boating with the Emperor" to lure them in.

Upon seeing so many people, Xiao Yan subtly furrowed his brows, his expression remaining unchanged.

Song Shuangning released his arm and took a step back.

Xiao Yan glanced at her out of the corner of his eye and found it amusing. She was bold in front of him, but very timid in front of others.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

"Get up. What are you doing here?"

Consort Shu said, "I heard that the scenery here is quite beautiful, so I came to take a stroll."

What a coincidence! Xiao Yan's eyes were as cold as blades as he glared at Li Fuquan. He was getting worse and worse at his work, and the news had still leaked out.

Li Fuquan felt wronged. He had kept the news a secret, so how did the ladies find out?

Consort Rong took Xiao Yan's arm: "Your Majesty has not seen Shu'er for a long time. Shu'er misses her father every day. Why don't you come to my place?"

Not to be outdone, Consort Shu grabbed Xiao Yan's sleeve: "Your Majesty, I have just learned a new piece of music and was just about to play it for you. Would Your Majesty like to come and sit in my palace for a while?"

Xiao Yan's tone turned serious: "Let's do it another day."

After saying that, he turned and left without even giving them a second glance.

Qiao Meiren suddenly appeared, completely different from her usual gentle demeanor. Her hair was disheveled and stuck to her sweaty cheeks, her eyes were bloodshot and red, a strange smile was on her lips, she was muttering to herself, and her steps were unsteady but carried a crazy energy.

"Consort Qiao?" Consort Shu asked.

Everyone noticed Qiao Meiren and had a question: How did Qiao Meiren become like this?

Others may not know, but Song Shuangning does.

"Heavenly hyacinth can make people wild and unrestrained," and can also make people "bewildered and see ghosts," and Qiao Meiren was one of those who ate heavenly hyacinth.

She rushed over in a frenzy, then suddenly stopped in her tracks, her unfocused eyes staring straight at Consort Rongxian. Her mad and sinister aura startled everyone present.

It was Consort Rongxian who killed her prince.

Qiao Meiren gripped a gleaming dagger tightly in both hands, her eyes filled with a madness and determination.

"Give me back my son's life!" she roared as she lunged at Consort Rongxian!

Consort Rong was terrified, her face turning pale, and she screamed in a shrill voice, "Your Majesty, save me!"

Xiao Yan reacted swiftly, pulling Consort Rong behind him and kicking Qiao Meiren in the chest. Qiao Meiren fell heavily to the ground, and the dagger flew out of her hand.

Consort Rong took the opportunity to hug Xiao Yan's arm, leaning against it and crying, "Your Majesty, I'm so scared."

While everyone's attention was focused on Consort Rong, Consort Qiao struggled to prop herself up, her unfocused gaze suddenly shifting and fixing on Consort Shu beside her.

Qiao Meiren struggled on the ground to retrieve the dagger, her knuckles turning white from the effort. Mad Eyes stared intently at Consort Shu, roaring as she lunged forward again.

Consort Shu was terrified and stumbled backward, tripping over her skirt. "Ahhh—"

"Help--"

At the critical moment, Song Shuangning reacted swiftly and grabbed Consort Shu's wrist, pulling her sharply to the side.

With a hiss, her own arm was slashed open by the dagger, and blood instantly seeped out.

Consort Shu was unharmed and avoided the situation.

Xiao Yan strode over and kicked Qiao Meiren to the ground again. Before she could get up, the eunuchs rushed over and pinned her to the ground, making her unable to move.

Song Shuangning frowned and covered her wound. Consort Shu stared blankly at Song Shuangning, incredulous, yet she had to admit that it was indeed Song Shuangning who had saved her.

Xiao Yan's gaze fell on her blood-stained clothes, and he said in a deep voice, "Are you out of your mind?"

It's so dangerous, yet they still "crash" into it.

Song Shuangning said, "I didn't think that much about it."

"Handkerchief".

Song Shuangning handed over the handkerchief in her hand, and Xiao Yan took it and bent down to carefully bandage her bleeding wound.