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

With autumn approaching, autumn hunting has begun.

In previous years, the Emperor would only bring a few of his favorite concubines to the hunting grounds during the autumn hunt. For example, last year the Empress was in charge, and she accompanied Consort Su and Consort Shu to the hunting grounds.

However, the situation this year is not as good as before. Consort Su is confined to her quarters because of the previous incident, and Consort Shu is pregnant and can only rest.

The concubines in the harem immediately became restless again. Who wouldn't hope to gain a few days of freedom during the autumn hunt? And even more so, they hoped to gain the emperor's favor.

Therefore, each of them took the opportunity of paying their respects to the Empress to test the waters.

The Empress knew what they were thinking, and took a sip of tea.

"His Majesty has given the order that three princes and two princesses will accompany the emperor on this year's autumn hunt."

Since the Emperor wanted the three princes and two princesses to travel together, their mothers would naturally have to go along as well. The other concubines lowered their eyes in disappointment.

One of the concubines, still holding a sliver of hope, asked, "Your Majesty, are there any other sisters traveling with you?"

The Empress wore a faint smile, her tone calm: "Besides—"

Everyone held their breath and looked at the Empress with anticipation.

"And then there's Consort Song."

As soon as the words were spoken, the expectant expressions on the faces of the concubines below froze instantly, and those with straightforward personalities couldn't help but sigh softly.

The once noisy hall instantly quieted down.

The Emperor had mentioned it to her before, so Song Shuangning was not surprised, but a look of surprise instantly bloomed on her face.

The surrounding concubines all turned their gazes toward her, like countless cold knives.

Song Shuangning lowered her eyes and smiled indifferently.

Please leave after greetings.

After returning home, Song Shuangning couldn't wait to have Tingyu and Tinglu pack all their luggage.

She held Tinglu's hand and said with some guilt, "This time... I still can't take you."

Tinglu hurriedly replied, "This servant understands, Your Highness, please rest assured, leave Cangdong Pavilion to this servant."

Song Shuangning smiled and patted her head: "With you here, I feel at ease."

Then, she composed herself and said solemnly, "I've officially broken ties with Consort Song. She'll definitely be restless these few days while I'm away during the autumn hunt. You need to keep a close eye on Xiao He."

"This servant understands!" Tinglu said.

After explaining things to Tinglu, Song Shuangning began to think about another matter.

With princes and princesses traveling together, imperial physicians are naturally indispensable. Physician Chen is in charge of Consort Yun and the Second Prince, and he will definitely be accompanying them this time.

Taking advantage of the large number of people and eyes in the hunting grounds, they eliminated Physician Chen in one fell swoop.

"Summon Physician Zhang," Song Shuangning said.

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.

At dawn on the first day of the eighth month, the imperial road outside the palace gates was already covered with yellow sand. Dozens of fine horses neighed with their heads held high, with bright yellow carriages in front and the concubines' carriages following closely behind.

The procession slowly drove out of the palace gate and headed towards the Deer Cry Hunting Ground.

The journey from the palace to the Deer Hunting Grounds should have taken half a day, but considering that the princes and princesses accompanying the emperor had been raised in the palace since childhood and were frail and could not withstand days of travel, the emperor decreed that the journey be extended by half a day.

During a rest stop, Li Fuquan invited Song Shuangning to accompany him.

As soon as Song Shuangning boarded the carriage, she was shocked again by the emperor's "private carriage".

Her dilapidated carriage bounced so violently it felt like it was going to rip her insides out, but the Emperor's carriage, inlaid with gold and jade, not only didn't feel bumpy, but was actually quite comfortable.

How despicable. She hates rich people.

Xiao Yan gestured for her to sit down, "Why do you look so pale?"

"My concubine, that carriage was too bumpy," Song Shuangning couldn't help but complain.

Xiao Yan teased her deliberately, "If you're so delicate, I won't take you next time."

After she finished speaking, Song Shuangning remained silent, tears falling silently down her pale cheeks.

Xiao Yan hadn't expected that this casual, teasing remark would bring tears to her eyes. He wiped away her tears with his fingertips and quickly said, "I was just joking with you."

Song Shuangning's eyes were red like cherries soaked in water, and she sobbed, "Your Majesty... is so... annoying."

"We'll arrive in two more hours. Why don't you rest over there?" Xiao Yan said, pointing to the soft couch over there. "When we get there, I'll take you horseback riding."

Song Shuangning shook her head, rested her head on Xiao Yan's lap, and wrapped her arms around his waist. Her voice was soft and sweet, filled with endless dependence: "This concubine only wants to be by Your Majesty's side."

Xiao Yan rubbed her head, thinking: She's too clingy.

The crisp, refreshing scent of ambergris lingered around her nose. Song Shuangning was fast asleep, her breathing even and deep, unaware of when they had arrived.

She only opened her eyes groggily when Xiao Yan carried her down from the carriage and she felt the light.

Xiao Yan glanced down at her: "Awake?"

Song Shuangning leaned on his shoulder and said lazily, "Still sleepy."

After saying that, she lazily closed her eyes and found a comfortable position in his arms, falling into a deep sleep.

"Sleepy enough?" Xiao Yan chuckled, slowing his pace.

With the afternoon still to go, Xiao Yan had other plans. He whispered a few words of advice to Tingyu and then went to the hunting grounds to ride a horse for two laps.

As dusk fell, the warm curtains were lifted, revealing Song Shuangning lying on the bed, intently reading a storybook, her legs occasionally lifting up.

Hearing the noise, she turned around abruptly, her eyes lighting up when she saw Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan did not wear the dragon robe, but changed into a dark-colored riding and archery uniform with dark patterns. He wore a wide black jade belt around his waist, and the belt hook was made of pure gold flying tiger with exposed fangs, making him look majestic.

Shedding his imposing presence in the imperial court, he now possesses a more heroic and valiant air, as if he were galloping across the hunting grounds.

She coughed lightly, banishing the lewd thoughts from her mind.

She pouted and complained, "Why didn't Your Majesty wake me up? You promised to take me horseback riding, but you broke your promise!"

Xiao Yan pinched her nose: "You little ingrate."

"I didn't wake you because you were sleeping soundly, and now it's my fault? Hmm? Look at yourself, in the entire harem, who else is as heartless as you? You're the most heartless of all."

Song Shuangning smiled ingratiatingly, "I misspoke, Your Highness."

She leaned in and gave him another soft kiss, which finally softened Xiao Yan's expression.

"What are you looking at?"

Xiao Yan picked up the storybook.

not good.

She just happened to see...

Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow: "Ningning likes to watch these?"

Song Shuangning's face turned as red as a cherry. "No... I just happened to see it... I don't like seeing these things... I've never seen them before. Really."

"Want to give it a try?" Xiao Yan leaned closer to her and said in a seductive voice.

"ah…?"

Song Shuangning was captivated by his slightly upturned eyes and nodded involuntarily.

Her face was almost buried in the ground, and her voice was very soft: "His Majesty... is wearing this riding and archery uniform..."

Who can blame Xiao Yan for looking so handsome in that riding and archery outfit?