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

The Empress Dowager looked in the direction Xiao Yan was pointing.

Song Shuangning sat gracefully in the chair, her hair styled in a cloud-like bun adorned with two glass hairpins. Her sapphire blue dress was embroidered with white plum blossoms in silver thread, giving her an elegant and refined appearance. Her beautiful face and clear, bright eyes made her instantly likable.

It's her.

The Empress Dowager suddenly remembered that Song Shuangning had given a satisfactory answer during the palace selection.

"Know when to advance and when to retreat, so as not to overstep the bounds or be greedy; know when to stop desires, so as to be content with one's position and keep to one's duty."

But then he remembered the rumors that Consort Yuan was extremely favored, and that the emperor even spent half the month in her palace.

If she truly did as she claimed, knowing when to advance and when to retreat, not being greedy, knowing when to stop her desires, being content with her position and keeping to her duty, she should have advised the emperor to distribute his favors evenly, rather than monopolizing his affections.

The emperor had few children, and the more so, the more she should fulfill her duty to advise him.

I thought she was a very perceptive child.

The initial goodwill gradually faded, replaced by a growing displeasure.

Xiao Yan was somewhat puzzled. Just now, the Empress Dowager's gaze towards Song Shuangning seemed to show some liking, but now it seemed to have a hint of displeasure.

He looked at Song Shuangning.

Song Shuangning rested her chin on her hand, enjoying the mooncakes on the jade plate. Her happy and innocent appearance was exceptionally charming and adorable.

Unlike the other concubines, she was not as quick-witted and frequently glanced at him.

Xiao Yan picked up her wine cup and took a small sip, her confusion only growing. Why did the Empress Dowager dislike her?

Song Shuangning was unaware of the interaction between the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, and was focused on eating her lotus seed paste mooncake. Compared to modern mooncakes, the ancient ones tasted especially delicious because they lacked the additives.

The music was melodious, and the dancers moved gracefully, their sleeves fluttering as if moonlight were flowing through them.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, Emperor Xiao Yan, mindful of their past relationship, finally issued an edict to lift Consort Su's confinement.

Compared to her radiant appearance two months ago, Consort Su now looked haggard. She sat with the Second Princess on her back, gently stroking her daughter's head with her fingertips, but her gaze kept drifting towards the Emperor, carrying a lingering hope.

But the Emperor never spared her a single glance; instead, his gaze frequently fell upon Song Shuangning, who was not far away.

That gentle appearance pierced her heart with a bitter feeling.

But this pain also brought her to a complete awakening.

She will no longer act impulsively as before. From now on, she can only take things one step at a time, remain calm and patient, and slowly take back everything that belongs to her.

Song Shuangning had only been in the palace for half a year.

She couldn't believe that her years of friendship with the Emperor would be no match for a newcomer who had just entered the palace.

Consort Shu sat beside Consort Su, her eyes showing no desire to compete with Consort Su. What sustained her now was the child in her womb, four months along, who was her only hope.

Perhaps it was because of her pregnancy, but her temperament became more gentle and mild, and her former impetuousness was quietly worn away.

Whether the emperor came or not, she remained calm and indifferent, only hoping for the safety of the child in her womb.

Having a prince would be the best, but having a daughter as clever and charming as Wan'er would also be a wonderful thing.

After the palace banquet, the officials left the palace in an orderly manner.

The concubines were required to bid farewell to the Emperor and Empress in front of Chengguang Hall before returning home.

Song Mingyuan slowed his pace and went to greet Song Shuangning when she came out.

Song Mingyuan bowed and said, "This humble subject greets Consort Yuan."

"Does Father have something to say to Shuangning?" Song Shuangning asked bluntly.

She had no desire to continue to feign politeness with this selfish family, but for her aunt's sake, she had to give Song Mingyuan some face.

"I heard that you have been promoted again, and your aunt and I are very happy for you."

Song Shuangning lowered her eyes: "Father, please speak frankly. It's not good for you to stay too long."

Song Mingyuan asked tentatively, "I heard that Luo Wei has been demoted. I wonder how she has been doing lately. Ye Rong is really worried about her."

"You should ask your elder sister how she is doing. I have been transferred to Yaohua Palace and don't have much contact with her now."

Song Mingyuan nodded.

"Shuangning, when you first entered the palace, you were fortunate to have Luowei's care and guidance. Now that Luowei has encountered misfortune, after all, we are blood relatives, and I, as her father, cannot bear to see her suffer."

"Now that you are favored by the Emperor and are a Noble Consort, it shouldn't be difficult for you to lend a hand. I hope you will remember our past relationship and help if you can."

He changed his self-reference to "father" to remind Song Shuangning that no matter how much she is favored or how high her status rises in the future, he is still her biological father.

Tinglu couldn't bear to listen any longer and said coldly, "Your Excellency, I shouldn't have spoken out of turn, but as the Noble Consort's personal maid, I'm truly heartbroken. Consort Song has framed my Noble Consort time and time again, which is why she's ended up like this. And the Noble Consort, out of consideration for our past relationship, often speaks up for Consort Song. You shouldn't be so biased."

Song Shuangning did not stop Tinglu. After Tinglu finished speaking, she slowly said, "Alright, let's not talk about the past anymore."

Song Mingyuan only knew the general reason for Luo Wei's demotion, but not the specifics. He was slightly embarrassed after hearing Ting Lu's words.

Without realizing it, his manner of speaking became obsequious.

"Shuang Ning, I misspoke."

"But you should also understand that you and the family share the same fate. If you live well, the family will be glorious, and your aunt will be able to enjoy a peaceful life. You should think about your aunt."

Upon hearing this, Song Shuangning slowly raised her eyes, her usual gentleness gone, replaced by a chilling light.

If her aunt hadn't been mentioned, she might have been able to patiently deal with the situation.

But she deliberately used her aunt to threaten her.

Song Shuangning stopped beating around the bush and said directly:

"Father should also understand that Aunt is my bottom line. If Aunt is safe and well, I will naturally remember our past relationship. If anything happens to Aunt, I will have no leverage in the palace. From now on, I will not care about past relationships or dignity. It will be even more difficult to take care of my elder sister and the Song family."

Song Mingyuan's heart skipped a beat. Looking at the young girl in front of him, he suddenly realized that his daughter had really changed.

She used to be obedient and docile, but now she has a restrained sharpness and an aura that makes people dare not underestimate her.

She was no longer the person who always obeyed him.

"Yes, yes, yes. The Noble Consort is right."

Song Shuangning said lazily, "It's getting late, Father, you should leave the palace soon."

After saying that, she left.

Song Mingyuan left the palace with his thoughts on him, but when he returned to his residence, he learned that something big had happened.

Gong Yerong ignored his words and slapped Aunt Su thirty times.

Aunt Su's cheeks were swollen and red, and blood seeped from the corners of her mouth.

Seeing this, Song Mingyuan's anger flared up, and without saying a word, he slapped Gong Yerong hard across the face. "Have you made enough trouble? If you continue to act so recklessly, this family will be ruined by you sooner or later!"

Gong Yerong covered her face: "Master!"

"If anything happens to Aunt Su, Luo Wei won't have an easy time either!" Song Mingyuan said this before going to comfort Aunt Su.

Song Mingyuan deliberately exaggerated the negative consequences of making a big fuss, and after much deliberation, Aunt Su ultimately chose to endure it.

However, the maidservants beside Aunt Su had completely different thoughts and were unwilling to give up.

The next morning, Aunt Su's maidservant, avoiding the eyes and ears of the household, handed a box of rouge to Zhang, the shopkeeper who often purchased rouge and face powder for the palace.

The initial amount of silver given was not enough, and the shopkeeper was unwilling to make an exception. However, upon hearing that the other party was a favored concubine in the palace, he finally agreed to deliver the message on her behalf.