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

Xiao Yan's eyes suddenly turned cold: "You don't trust me?"

Song Shuangning shook her head, sobbing intermittently, "It's not that Ningning doesn't trust the Emperor, but Ningning is too stupid, too foolish. Such an obvious trap, and Ningning didn't even see it. Even if the Emperor wanted to protect Ningning, Ningning is so useless, she really can't hold on."

Xiao Yan pulled her into his arms and whispered, "Don't talk nonsense."

Song Shuangning nestled in Xiao Yan's arms, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Xiao Yan looked down at her, his tears sliding down his cheeks, soaking a patch of his dragon robe at the chest.

She gripped her clothes with her fingertips, not with much force, but with a sense of dependence, her whole body as soft as a white pear blossom swaying in the autumn wind.

Xiao Yan gently patted her back, but his gaze drifted to the window, his mind already wandering to other thoughts.

He asked Li Fuquan to investigate the matter, but the results had already been obtained.

Su Xianning (Consort Su/formerly Consort Rongxian) had been by his side for so many years, and the Grand Tutor had been kind to him. In addition, she had not made any major mistakes over the years, so he originally planned to turn a blind eye and let it go.

But Su Xianning deliberately targeted Song Shuangning, even attempting to kill her with aconite. Such ruthlessness was truly excessive.

Wasn't Xianning kind and gentle like Ningning back then? But when exactly did Xianning become like this?

Xiao Yan looked down at the sobbing woman in his arms, "Ningning."

"Um?"

"Promise me, don't change, never change."

Song Shuangning gave a soft "hmm".

"Your Majesty, this concubine agrees."

She won't change.

This will never change in my lifetime.

If a person doesn't even think about themselves and stop being selfish and planning for their own future, they will definitely suffer a lot of grievances in the future and end up in a miserable state.

She's always been this way, only thinking of herself.

Xiao Yan, one day you will see things clearly.

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.

Jinyun Palace.

When Consort Shu heard that Consort Rongxian had been demoted to Consort Su, she couldn't hide her smile. Before, Consort Rongxian had a title and was considered inferior to others, but from now on, Consort Su would be inferior to her.

She gritted her teeth and cursed, "It's a good thing Consort Song told me all this, otherwise I would still be in the dark. That vile Consort Su really got what she wanted."

Consort Shu looked up at Que Mei and said, "Go and pick out some decent things to give to Consort Song. I am grateful to her for reminding me this time, and I will naturally remember this kindness. She has just been poisoned and must be very weak. Also, pick out some nourishing medicinal herbs to send over."

After saying that, she spat out, "Consort Su is really scheming. On one hand, she's trying to use the aphrodisiac to get rid of me and Consort Song, and on the other hand, she's thinking of poisoning Consort Song. Bah!"

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.

Although she wasn't actually poisoned by aconite, Song Shuangning put on quite a show. She first had the green plaque removed, then told the public that she was resting and recovering. After that, she stayed in her little world every day. The Emperor and Empress would occasionally send people to deliver some nourishing medicines, and Consort Shu also sent many good things.

These days of recuperation are even more pleasant than usual.

That evening, Song Shuangning was reclining on the couch eating pomegranate. Just as she popped the bright red seeds into her mouth, Tingyu lifted the curtain and entered the palace.

"Your Highness, I just heard that Consort Song met His Majesty in the Imperial Garden this afternoon. They talked for quite a while, and His Majesty is going to visit her tonight."

Song Shuangning paused, raising her eyebrows slightly.

"Really?" she asked, her tone slightly surprised.

The Emperor clearly didn't like Song Luowei much. What did Song Luowei say to the Emperor that made him choose her?

Thinking about it, Song Shuangning lowered her eyes slightly, a smile curving her lips. She looked innocent, but there was a hint of mischief in her eyes.

As night fell, a pale moon hung in the sky, its soft light casting dappled silver spots on the bluestone path.

The Emperor's carriage stopped in front of the Summer Palace. Just as he entered the Summer Palace, a charming figure rushed out.

Her figure moved so lightly that it stirred up a gust of wind. Before anyone could react, she had already pounced on Xiao Yan and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist.

The pearl hairpin at her temple swayed gently with her movements, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes shone like stars as she called out in a clear, crisp voice, "Your Majesty."

Xiao Yan was taken aback at first, but after looking down and seeing who it was, his tight lips relaxed, and he reached out to hug her back.

Upon seeing this, the eunuchs and palace maids behind them immediately lowered their eyes in unison.

"Why are you here?" Xiao Yan suddenly felt a strange sense of bewilderment.

In the past, when I visited the Summer Palace, I would always stay overnight in the Hidden Winter Pavilion. But today, I will have to stay overnight in the main hall.

It is common for emperors to have harems and bestow their favors on all, but when he looked at the starlight and joy in the eyes of the person in his arms, he felt a strange sense of guilt and his heart was heavy.

"When I heard that Your Majesty had arrived, I thought I would go outside to greet you." Song Shuangning gently shook Xiao Yan's arm, her smile sweet.

"I..." Xiao Yan didn't know how to start the conversation.

Li Fuquan noticed Xiao Yan's predicament and stepped forward, saying, "Your Highness, His Majesty is going to the main hall tonight."

"ah…"

Her eyes, which had just been sparkling with starlight, dimmed instantly. Her arms, which had been holding Xiao Yan, fell gently down, and she took a half-step back.

"So, the Emperor came to see my elder sister."

Xiao Yan glanced down at his arm.

You could see that her disappointment was spreading quietly like a thin mist on an autumn night.

Song Shuangning clenched the hem of her dress with her fingertips, the blush on her face gradually fading, replaced by a faint pallor. She forced a smile, "Then this concubine will not disturb Your Majesty any longer. This concubine takes her leave."

Having said that, she curtsied.

Xiao Yan's heart softened. After hesitating for a moment, he took her hand. The wind carried the chill of autumn, and her hand was also cold.

He turned his head slightly to Li Fuquan and said, "Go to the main hall and tell Consort Song that I will visit her another day."

Song Shuangning quickly pulled her hand away, saying慌张地, "No need..."

"I'm fine, Your Majesty. Please go to the main hall."

Perhaps she spoke too hastily and hadn't caught her breath, she suddenly clutched her chest and coughed violently. Tingyu quickly stepped forward to support her swaying body and gently patted her back.

Seeing this, Xiao Yan frowned. He had no mind to go anywhere else and reached out to hold her shoulder: "Let's go inside first. You're weak, don't catch a cold."

Li Fuquan also hurriedly went to the main hall of the Summer Palace to deliver the message.

Song Shuangning looked at Xiao Yan with reddened eyes, her voice filled with guilt and self-reproach: "It's all because of my poor health, causing Your Majesty so much trouble."

Xiao Yan said, "Ningning, don't say that. You've never been a problem."

As soon as she stepped into the hall, Song Shuangning turned around and wrapped her arms around Xiao Yan's neck. "Your Majesty is so good to me. I like you more and more."

Xiao Yan was both amused and exasperated, and patted her on the back.