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

Three months passed in the blink of an eye. The summer retreat at the imperial palace came to an end, and everyone busied themselves packing their bags to return to the palace immediately.

After a long and tiring journey, we have finally returned to the palace.

Hidden Winter Pavilion.

Song Shuangning called Tinglu in and asked, "Was the palace peaceful during the three months I was away?"

Tinglu said, "During the three months you were away from the palace, everything was peaceful and uneventful, and nothing happened in Cangdong Pavilion either. It's just that the one in the main hall would occasionally lose his temper."

Song Shuangning smiled and said, "Being demoted, confined to my quarters, and missing the chance to escape the summer heat at the imperial palace, how could I not be angry?"

"Help me change my clothes." She raised her eyes slightly, her tone flat and indifferent.

I've been at the imperial palace for three months now, and I haven't seen that dear sister for three whole months. I really "miss" her terribly.

Now that she has returned to the palace, she should naturally pay her respects and see if her elder sister has had a comfortable or uncomfortable three months.

Today, Song Shuangning wore a lake-blue soft satin dress, with half a crabapple branch embroidered in silver thread on the front and three butterflies embroidered on the cuffs.

Her long hair was styled into a cloud-like bun, neither as flamboyant as a high bun nor as simple as a low bun. A twin begonia hairpin was inserted diagonally into the bun, and two pearl butterfly hairpins were gathered at her temples. She also wore a pair of Lantian jade bracelets.

The jewelry she is wearing today was a gift from the Emperor.

She smiled with satisfaction: "Let's go."

She arrived outside the main hall, but the palace servants led her to a side hall first. "Please wait a moment, Your Highness. Her Majesty is doing her hair and makeup. Please wait here for a moment."

Nearly half an hour passed while they waited, and the tea in the side hall was changed twice. Song Shuang sat quietly in the chair, gently stroking the Lantian jade bracelet, her expression remaining calm.

Her dear older sister always used these manipulative tactics to establish her authority.

Finally, a palace maid came to deliver a message, and Song Shuangning got up and straightened her skirt.

"Have you been waiting long?" Song Chongyi said with a faint smile as she saw her come in.

"Not long after, Shuangning greeted her elder sister." As she curtsied, Consort Song was carefully examining her attire.

Compared to her usual attire, she wasn't dressed as plainly today. While it wasn't exactly glamorous, it was clear to anyone with eyes that it was much better. Both her clothes and the jewelry in her hair were more exquisite than before.

This morning, Tinglan had already told her that Song Shuangning had been promoted to the rank of Consort and was very favored in the Imperial Palace. The people in the Imperial Household Department and the servants below her were all talking about how favored she was by the Emperor, and no one dared to be negligent, serving her with extra care.

A sinister glint flashed in Song Chongyi's eyes. To say that she wasn't jealous or hateful would be a lie; it would be self-deception.

Why should a concubine's daughter be worthy of the phrase "favored by the emperor"?

Tinglan reminded her, "Your Highness, it's time to wake her."

She then came to her senses and said, "Get up."

Song Shuangning said, "Elder sister, you look so haggard after three months. Is it alright?"

Song Chongyi stroked her increasingly gaunt face.

She still remembered the incident with the incense, convinced that Consort Rong had framed her. Only three people had used the incense: herself, Song Shuangning, and Consort Rong!

We'll settle this score slowly.

"It's alright."

I heard that Consort Shu is pregnant.

Looking at Song Shuangning's waist and hips, Consort Song noticed that she had become a bit plumper compared to when she first entered the palace, but it was still not enough. How could such a frail body conceive a royal heir?

"Shuangning, Consort Shu is pregnant, why hasn't your belly shown any signs of pregnancy?"

"I...don't know either." Song Shuangning lowered her eyes, her ear tips as red as if they were dipped in rouge.

"Eat more sweet soups made with red dates and longan on a regular basis to replenish your qi and blood. Once your body is in good condition, it will be easier to conceive a dragon child."

Consort Song leaned close to Song Shuangning's ear and whispered, "After serving the emperor, place a soft pillow under your lower back and lean back slightly. Don't get up immediately. This will allow the imperial aura to linger for a while, making it easier to conceive."

Song Shuangning immediately lowered her head, her cheeks flushed, and even the pearl hairpin at her temple swayed gently, making her look charming and endearing.

"I...I understand."

Song Chongyi's smile was forced. These methods were all things she had painstakingly sought out in her quest to conceive a royal heir. Now, she was going to teach them to another woman exactly as they were. It was utterly ridiculous.

Physician Zeng was punished, and the Emperor also forbade Song Shuangning from continuing to take the medicine.

Now she can only wait patiently. If Song Shuangning ever escapes her control, she will not hesitate to take action and nip this potential threat in the bud.

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.

The first day after returning to the palace was a lively affair for paying respects to the emperor.

Consort Rong, dressed in a deep purple dress and wearing a matching sachet, walked slowly past Consort Song and Consort Song Shuangning with her back ramrod straight.

Song Shuangning's nose twitched slightly as she faintly smelled a very faint fragrance, a scent that was strangely familiar.

But for a moment, I couldn't quite describe what it tasted like.

When it was time to pay respects, Consort Shu arrived late.

Consort Shu was pregnant, so she was naturally more precious. Besides, Consort Rongxian had always been late because of the emperor's favor. The empress frowned, but said nothing.

After Consort Shu finished her greetings, the Empress spoke: "Now that you are pregnant, please be careful in everything you do."

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your concern," Consort Shu said with a smile.

Consort Shu also smelled the faint fragrance on Consort Rongxian, raised her eyebrows but said nothing.