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

Xiao Yan stormed out, his face ashen. "Is she giving me attitude? Has she really become so spoiled by me that she's become lawless? I, the Emperor, have already lowered myself to show goodwill, and she still dares to put on airs and give me attitude? Does she expect me to condescend and kneel down to beg her?"

The chilling aura emanating from the Emperor was suffocating. Li Fuquan shrank his neck, his heart pounding: What kind of audacity did Consort Song have? The Emperor had even gone to see her, yet she not only lacked flexibility but also dared to show her disrespect to his face.

The emperor was furious. Those who served him were in for a tough time from now on. They would have to be extra careful and attentive, and could not afford to make a single mistake.

Otherwise, if there is the slightest mistake, the emperor will be furious, and ten strokes of the cane would be the least of your worries; you might even lose your life.

When will these miserable days ever end!

During these two weeks, Xiao Yan did not summon anyone to his bedchamber, but only took the time to visit a few princesses and princes.

When Xiao Yan visited the Second Princess that day, he stayed overnight at Ningxiang Garden. At the time, Xiao Yan was still feeling restless and had no interest in that matter. So nothing happened, a fact known only to Li Fuquan and a few of his personal maids.

After ten to fifteen days of rest, the injury was finally healed. The first thing to do after recovering was to go out for a walk with Qiu Baolin. Staying cooped up in the house all day had made me feel like I was going to mold.

Not wanting to go out and being unable to go out are two completely different things!

Upon hearing that Consort Song had recovered from her injuries, Li Fuquan immediately sent someone to quietly remind her, subtly implying that she should take the initiative to back down.

After all, the emperor's anger this time was extraordinary, and it had not subsided even after half a month.

Outsiders were unaware, but those who served him closely were already suffering immensely. The slightest spark could ignite the emperor's wrath, and the slightest misstep could lead to disaster.

However, despite several hints, Consort Song remained unmoved and did not respond at all.

Li Fuquan was on the verge of collapse. He used to think that Consort Song was gentle and obedient, but now he realized that she was also stubborn.

Song Shuangning and Qiu Baolin were picking flowers. Song Shuangning tucked a flower into Qiu Baolin's hair, and the two smiled at each other.

Yun Zhaorong was playing with the Second Prince in the garden.

Since that incident, the Third Prince has refused to play with the Second Prince anymore, and the Eldest Princess has also been making a fuss about not wanting to play with him either. Yun Zhaorong looked at the Second Prince's lonely appearance, feeling frustrated but helpless.

Seeing Consort Song and Consort Qiu chatting and laughing in the distance, she inexplicably felt a surge of anger.

Consort Yun and Consort Jiang went together.

Qiu Baolin tugged at Song Shuangning's sleeve and whispered, "Sister Song, Consort Yun and Consort Jiang have arrived."

Consort Jiang spoke with sarcasm and disdain: "Oh, isn't this Consort Song? Consort Song certainly has a good time, strolling around like this. The Emperor stormed out of your Pillow Star Pavilion twice, and you're not even worried?"

Song Shuangning raised her eyebrows slightly.

Jiang Guifei's maid Xia He immediately chimed in, her voice not loud but loud enough for those around to hear: "Your Highness, it is said that those who serve others with their beauty will lose their favor when their beauty fades. Do you really think you have won the Emperor's heart with your true nature?"

Xia He was originally Consort Jiang's confidante, and they grew up together like sisters. Accustomed to gossiping freely while following Consort Jiang, she stood tall and looked up with disdain in her eyes, showing no fear whatsoever.

Moreover, in her eyes, Consort Song was no different from someone who had fallen out of favor. The Emperor had twice stormed out of the Pillow Star Pavilion, so what chance did she have of regaining his favor in the future?

She was certain that Consort Song couldn't cause any trouble, which is why she became so fearless.

Qiu Baolin couldn't help but get angry upon hearing this, while Song Shuangning showed no displeasure whatsoever, and chuckled softly a few times.

Then, with a faint smile, she slowly strolled over to Xia He. Xia He was startled by her smile, subconsciously lowered her head slightly, and even took a half step back, feeling somewhat guilty.

Before anyone could react, Song Shuangning grabbed her arm and pulled her in front of her. With her other hand, she slapped Xia He hard across the face.

With a sharp "smack," the red mark on Xia He's face quickly swelled up.

Consort Yun and Consort Jiang were stunned, while Consort Qiu's eyes lit up.

Sister Song is so cool!

The smile vanished from Song Shuangning's face, replaced by a hint of disdain. "A mere servant dares to speak ill of his master? Has he truly forgotten his place?"

Xia He was actually a paper tiger; after being slapped, she immediately became obedient.

"This servant..."

"So you still remember you were a servant." Song Shuangning tilted her head and smiled, her tone slightly teasing.

How dare a mere servant speak ill of her? Does he really think she's a timid and docile little white flower?

Consort Jiang suppressed her anger and said, "Consort Song, although she is a servant, she is still my person. Even if she said something wrong, it is up to me to discipline and punish her. It is not your place to overstep your bounds."

Song Shuangning's face regained that innocent and gentle smile.

"Sister Jiang, I'm doing this for your own good."

Her tone was slow and deliberate, yet every word pierced the heart: "Keeping this servant who dares to gossip about the master and act insubordination around will inevitably bring trouble upon yourself and implicate Sister Jiang sooner or later. If Sister Jiang can't bring herself to discipline him, then I will do it for you, so that you can get rid of this major threat. I truly care about Sister Jiang!"

Consort Jiang was so angry by these words that her face turned pale and then red.

Yun Zhaorong spoke slowly and deliberately, "And what about me? Even if this palace maid is at fault, I will deal with her myself. How dare you, a mere concubine of low rank like Consort Song, overstep your bounds?"

"You are showing me no respect at all, Consort Song. You are being too presumptuous."

"What's all this noise about?" The Queen asked, leading the eldest princess by the hand.

When the Empress arrived, a light instantly lit up in Song Shuangning's eyes as she silently prepared her emotions.

If the Empress doesn't come, she'll go to the Emperor to play the victim.

Song Shuangning knelt on the ground, her voice tinged with just the right amount of grievance, and said, "Your Majesty, I know I have done wrong, and I have come to ask for your punishment!"

Qiu Baolin/Yun Zhaorong/Jiang Guipin: "?"

"What happened?"

Song Shuangning's eyes instantly reddened, and large tears rolled down her cheeks without warning. Anyone who saw her would feel sorry for her.

"Jiang Guifei's maid Xia He accused me to my face of 'using my beauty to serve others.' I felt that she was being disrespectful, so I overstepped my bounds and took action. Only afterward did I realize that I had broken the palace rules and overstepped my bounds."

"This concubine should not have acted beyond the authority of Consort Zhao and Consort Gui, nor should she have lost her sense of propriety. I beg Your Majesty to punish her according to the palace rules, and this concubine will have no complaints!" Tears streamed down her face, but she still maintained her manners and kowtowed deeply.

The Empress glanced at Consort Yun and Consort Jiang.

"Consort Song, get up quickly."

Qingdai helped Song Shuangning to her feet.

Then she looked at Xia He, who was kneeling on the ground trembling, and said, "To speak ill of one's master to his face is an act of insubordination. Such a servant should be punished. Consort Song, you have done nothing wrong."

"Xia He was slapped thirty times as a warning to others."

"Consort Jiang is also to blame for failing to discipline her servants. She will be confined to her quarters for three days to reflect on her mistakes. If she fails to discipline them again next time, the punishment will not be so lenient."

Xia He knelt on the ground to receive her punishment, the sound of thirty slaps ringing out crisply and piercingly.

Consort Jiang turned pale with fright and hurriedly bowed her head, replying, "Yes, Your Highness."