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

The Empress looked at Song Shuangning again and softened her tone, saying, "This matter is not your fault. I have already punished that insubordinate servant. Consort Song, there is no need to belittle yourself or be sad. Be careful not to harm your health."

Song Shuangning choked with emotion: "This concubine thanks Your Majesty the Empress. This concubine will not disturb Your Majesty and the Eldest Princess any longer. This concubine takes her leave."

The Empress nodded with a smile.

After Song Shuangning left, the Empress had the wet nurse take the eldest princess and the second prince to an open space to play Cuju (ancient Chinese football).

The Empress's gaze fell heavily on Consort Yun's face, clearly seeing the resentment and displeasure in her eyes.

Are you questioning my decision today?

When Yun Zhaorong met the Empress's cold gaze, her heart pounded, and she hurriedly said, "This concubine wouldn't dare."

The Empress took a sip of tea: "You used to seem so intelligent, but why have you started getting so fixated on trivial matters lately?"

"His Majesty is already dissatisfied with you because of the incident last time when Hongtai (the Second Prince) pushed Hongcheng (the Third Prince). I know that you and Consort Jiang are close sisters, but I cannot let that servant disobey his superiors."

The Empress's tone was tinged with disappointment, "Even if Consort Song has truly fallen out of favor, you shouldn't have done this. Don't you realize that this charade with Consort Jiang will not only bring you no benefit, but will also further displease the Emperor, and even Hongtai will suffer as a result? Do you understand what I mean?"

Yun Zhaorong lowered her head slightly, indicating that she knew she had made a mistake.

After the Empress's reminder, she realized that she had made a mistake today. Fortunately, it did not lead to a big mistake. Of the three princes, the Emperor valued Hongtai the least. If she, as his mother, made a mistake in a moment of confusion and caused the Emperor to dislike him even more, then she would really not be able to live a normal life in the future.

"Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty. I know I was wrong and will never dare to do it again." Consort Yun stepped forward and respectfully curtsied.

The Empress said calmly, "It's good that you know you're wrong."

Consort Yun continued, "I was just too upset, which is why I lost my composure."

"Didn't you already apologize to Hongtai and Hongcheng about what happened last time? It's all in the past, you don't need to take it to heart."

The Empress took a sip of tea. "But you must also properly restrain Hongtai's words and actions. Look, Consort Shao and Consort Xu are much more attentive than you. They have taught Hongcheng to be well-behaved and have him study and write every day to broaden his horizons, hoping that Hongcheng will become more outstanding. That's why the Emperor likes Hongcheng more."

Yun Zhaorong's face flushed red. The Empress's words were like fine needles pricking her heart, making her feel ashamed and disgusted with the Third Prince.

They're both princes, so why does he get the emperor's favor more?

Thinking this, a hint of resentment flashed in her eyes, but she quickly replied, "Your Majesty is right, I have remembered it."

The Empress smiled knowingly.

"It's good that you understand."

After returning home, Song Shuangning made a frozen dessert just like last time. Having recovered from her injuries and had enough of her tantrums, she knew she should take the initiative to please the Emperor. If things continued like this, even the lowest-ranking servants in the palace would dare to gossip about her behind her back.

When you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head.

She packed the ice cream into a food box and then took Tingyu to the Emperor's presence.

Upon hearing that it was Consort Song, Li Fuquan immediately mustered all his energy to greet her. It had been more than half a month, and Consort Song was finally willing to come and "coax" the Emperor. Their miserable days were finally over.

"My lord, you've arrived. This servant will inform you immediately," Li Fuquan said with a fawning smile.

Song Shuangning replied, "Thank you for your trouble, Steward Li."

Li Fuquan entered the hall trembling with fear to announce his arrival. Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan coldly said, "Let her wait outside."

It's been more than half a month since she finally bowed her head. Li Fuquan didn't say anything, but he knew perfectly well that he had repeatedly sent people to hint that she should take the initiative to admit her mistake.

But she acted as if nothing had happened.

He must have spoiled her rotten in the past.

Since they've been spoiled, they naturally dare to act tough and put on airs.

If you forgive her so easily this time, there will be a next time, and the time after that.

Li Fuquan couldn't understand the emperor's thoughts, so he had no choice but to go out and tell the truth.

Song Shuangning outwardly complied, but inwardly she was already cursing Xiao Yan's entire family.

After standing outside for a quarter of an hour, Song Shuangning gradually grew impatient. With a gentle smile on her face, she said softly, "Steward Li, could you please inform them again that I made ice cream by hand and it's about to melt?"

"Please wait a moment, Your Highness." With that, Li Fuquan entered the hall again.

This time, Xiao Yan let her in.

Song Shuangning lifted her skirt and gracefully entered the palace.

She walked to Xiao Yan's side, placed the ice cream on the imperial table, and said in a soft voice, "This concubine will go stand as punishment."

She then obediently went to the corner to stand as punishment, her back to Xiao Yan, her back straight, but her shoulders slightly hunched.

That back view couldn't hide the grievances, yet it also revealed a hint of stubbornness.

Xiao Yan turned his head and looked at him. The bit of toughness in his heart softened instantly, and he remembered that he was indeed in the wrong last time.

"come over."

Song Shuangning chuckled to herself, slowly turned around, and walked little by little to Xiao Yan's side, her head bowed low and her hands twisting the hem of her clothes.

"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong."

Rather than admitting her mistakes as a concubine, her use of "I" to refer to herself was more sincere.

Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Where did you go wrong?"

"I shouldn't have kicked the Emperor, and I shouldn't have given him the cold shoulder. I really know I was wrong." She had only uttered half a sentence when her voice choked up, and large tears fell straight down like pearls from a broken string.

Xiao Yan's heart softened, and he pulled her onto his lap, gently wiping away the tears on her face.

Tears streamed down her fair cheeks, her nose was red, and her lips were slightly pursed, giving her a pitiful and delicate appearance.

"At that time, I was truly terrified and in so much pain. It took several days of applying medicine for the pain to subside. Your Majesty, in your heart, do I, like they say, serve men with my beauty?"

Song Shuangning glossed over the recent "cold war" and instead focused on "using her beauty to please men".

Sure enough, Xiao Yan's attention was drawn to the second half of her sentence: "Who said you use your looks to please men?"

Song Shuangning shook her head: "That's not important. I don't care about other people's opinions. I only ask that Your Majesty tell the truth. Would Your Majesty really think that besides my looks, I have nothing else to offer?"

Xiao Yan said earnestly, "In my heart, you naturally have other captivating qualities."

Song Shuangning sniffed and carefully wrapped her arms around his neck.

"That's good." Her tone was filled with joy.