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

Song Luowei suddenly stood up, her movements so exaggerated that the small table in front of her tilted slightly, spilling most of the tea in her cup and causing several pieces of pastry to fall to the ground.

"How is this possible!" Her voice trembled, her eyes filled with disbelief.

Song Shuangning seemed to only then realize what was happening, and staggered back two steps.

Her eyes instantly filled with tears, her fingertips trembled slightly as she pointed at Song Luowei, her voice trembling with sobs: "Elder sister, is it really you? We're sisters, how could you hurt me?"

Song Luowei was about to explain.

Song Shuangning didn't give her a chance at all, biting her lower lip and timidly questioning:

"I have always respected and trusted you, yet you are determined to kill me! Xiaohe...is Xiaohe your spy planted by my side? You planned this from the very beginning, didn't you?"

"It was you!" Song Luowei trembled with rage, pointing at her and shouting, "It was clearly you who orchestrated this! Stop pretending to be innocent!"

The Empress's face instantly darkened, and she coldly shouted, "Consort Song!"

"First, ginkgo powder was found in your Tingzhu Pavilion. Not only was ginkgo powder also found on the palace maid's body, but also your personal jewelry. Furthermore, palace servants witnessed her frequently visiting Tingzhu Pavilion. The evidence is irrefutable; what excuses do you have?"

The Empress's voice was filled with disappointment and anger: "You framed your colleagues, harmed princes and princesses, and even now you show no remorse. I am utterly disappointed in you! Wan'er and Hongcheng are so innocent, how could you be so heartless as to commit such a heinous act!"

Upon meeting the cold glint in the Empress's eyes, Song Luowei shrank back in fright and quickly knelt down to plead, "Your Majesty, I am truly innocent..."

"I don't want to hear your excuses anymore."

The Empress leaned on the table with one hand and touched her forehead with the other, exhaling wearily. She said to Qingdai in a deep voice, "Go and ask the Emperor how Consort Song should be dealt with according to palace rules for framing a concubine and plotting against the imperial heir."

"Your Majesty, I have truly been wronged! It was all Consort Song's fault..."

Song Luowei whirled around, her gaze fierce as she stared at Song Shuangning. "It was Consort Song who meticulously orchestrated all of this! Your Highness, please investigate!"

Song Shuangning raised her hand and gently covered her chest, her eyes reddening, as if she had been heartbroken and was about to cry.

Seeing her frail and helpless appearance, Consort Shao's usually gentle eyes hardened, and she couldn't help but retort, "Consort Song, how capable are you to have planned everything so flawlessly? Do you dare say that the palace maid Xiaohe wasn't your spy? We've all seen the respect Consort Song has shown you in the past, how can you repay kindness with enmity like this!"

Song Shuangning curtsied slightly to Consort Shao, her voice choked with emotion: "Thank you, Consort Shao."

Song Luowei was speechless after being rebuked, and everyone in the hall looked at her with condemnation, with whispers rising and falling.

Before long, Li Fuquan returned with Qingdai, bowing and announcing the imperial decree: "By imperial decree, Consort Song has repeatedly refused to mend her ways and remains obstinate. She is hereby demoted to the rank of Lady. She should behave herself!"

"Another imperial decree: Consort Song was wrongly accused but is of virtuous character. She is hereby promoted to Noble Consort, given the title 'Yuan', and moved to Yaohua Palace."

These words struck the hall like a thunderbolt, causing an uproar.

The Emperor not only promoted Consort Song's rank, but also bestowed upon her a special title, "Yuan," which signifies nobility, demonstrating the depth of his imperial favor!

Song Shuangning already knew, but at this moment she still feigned surprise and delight, quickly kneeling down to express her gratitude: "This concubine thanks Your Majesty for your great favor!"

Li Fuquan bowed with a smile and said, "Consort Yuan, His Majesty has specially ordered this servant to lead the Imperial Household Department to relocate your palace. This way, please?"

The Empress, unable to hide her bitterness, waved her hand and said, "In that case, everyone may leave."

After the greetings were finished, Consort Shao held Song Shuangning's hand and was genuinely happy for her: "From now on, your rank will be noble, and you will no longer have to be mindful of anyone's feelings."

Consort Xu chimed in, "Yes, Yaohua Palace has always been peaceful, with no one vying for the position, which is quite reassuring."

Song Shuangning smiled and nodded: "Thank you for your concern, sisters."

Within two hours, the Imperial Household Department had packed up all the items in the Hidden Winter Pavilion.

Before leaving, Song Shuangning made a special trip to Song Luowei's Tingzhuxuan.

Song Luowei sat forlornly in the chair, and slowly looked up when she heard footsteps.

His eyes were full of mockery: "What, did you come here specifically to laugh at me?"

"Elder sister is too kind. I've come to say goodbye," Song Shuangning said calmly.

"It's just the two of us here, why bother pretending?" Song Luowei sneered.

Song Shuangning's eyes were light and clear, and she feigned innocence: "What did you say, elder sister? Shuangning doesn't understand."

Enraged, Song Luowei abruptly stood up and grabbed her arm: "Stop acting! You orchestrated this whole thing, didn't you!"

Tinglu immediately stepped forward and unceremoniously pulled Song Luowei aside, loudly proclaiming, "My mistress is now a Noble Consort Yuan, her rank far exceeding that of Consort Song! Please recognize your place and do not be disrespectful to your mistress!"

Consort Yuan... Ha...

Song Shuangning leaned close to Song Luowei's ear and whispered, "Elder sister, you must take good care of yourself. The storms in the palace have only just begun."

After saying that, she turned and left, leaving behind a composed back view that showed no sign of smugness, which only made Song Luowei even angrier.

Song Luowei suddenly laughed, a desolate laugh.

Life is unpredictable. Who could have imagined that the unremarkable talent of the past would rise to such a high position?

She, once a glamorous imperial concubine, has now been reduced to a lowly beauty.

As she laughed, hot tears streamed down her face.

The thing she regretted most in her life was letting a wolf into her house.

But she will never give up.

As long as she remains in this palace, she will do everything in her power to drag Song Shuangning down from her pedestal!

As Song Shuangning was leaving Tingzhu Pavilion, she made eye contact with a palace maid at the corner and nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

This palace maid was named Shuhua. She lost both her parents at a young age and was adopted by a distant relative. After entering the palace at the age of fourteen, she was often ostracized by the other palace maids because she was not good at flattery and didn't know how to be eloquent. She lived a life of constant anxiety.

Song Shuangning once told her that as long as she was willing to work for her, she would definitely find a way to let her leave the palace early. But Shuhua said that she had no relatives or friends outside the palace, and if possible, she would like to stay by her side to serve her.

Song Shuangning agreed.

She wasn't being kind-hearted, nor did she truly agree; it was because there was still something she could use in calligraphy and painting.

Yaohua Palace.

Li Fuquan followed closely behind, smiling, "His Majesty knows that Your Highness cherishes the past, so he specially converted the side hall of Yaohua Palace into the 'Winter Retreat Pavilion.' The interior furnishings and layout remain unchanged, exactly as they were before. Do you find it to your liking?"

Song Shuangning nodded: "I like it very much. Please ask Steward Li to thank His Majesty for me."

"You're too kind, Your Highness," Li Fuquan winked. "Why don't you personally thank the Emperor tonight?"

Song Shuangning smiled faintly: "Okay."

As night fell, the imperial carriage arrived as scheduled in front of Yaohua Palace.

Song Shuangning, accompanied by palace maids, greeted the emperor outside the Cangdong Pavilion. Upon seeing the figure in bright yellow robes, she immediately stepped forward with light, quick steps, her voice sweet and charming: "Your Majesty!"

"Ningning misses you so much."

Xiao Yan raised his hand and flicked her brow, then scoffed, "Hypocritical."

"Your Majesty's feelings are genuine!" Song Shuangning took his arm, her tone slightly coquettish.

Li Fuquan chuckled to himself.

Which of the other concubines would dare to speak to the Emperor like that?

Only Consort Yuan dared to do it, and it was precisely this "bold" Consort Yuan who won the Emperor's favor the most.