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

For the next few days, the Emperor kept flipping over the green-headed nameplates of Consort Zhang.

Zhang Cairen dared not imitate Song Shuangning's makeup and clothing anymore and returned to being herself.

Even so, the Emperor still did not allow her to serve him in bed; the so-called "serving him in bed" was ultimately just an empty title. Others only knew that she was favored by the Emperor, but they did not know that every night under the candlelight, she would quietly read to the Emperor, and nothing more.

A few days later, her voice became very hoarse.

The other concubines, unaware of the situation, came one after another to make things difficult for her.

For example, Consort Ye punished her by making her kneel in the Imperial Garden for half an hour.

Gradually, Consort Zhang began to fear serving the emperor and the people from the Imperial Household Department coming over.

Finally, the Emperor chose Consort Qiu, and Consort Zhang breathed a sigh of relief.

Among the newcomers, Qiu Baolin is the youngest, but he is definitely the one who lives the most comfortable life.

She would not be anxious or restless when she was not serving the emperor.

Xiao Yan found her interesting and promoted her rank.

Qiu Baolin was promoted in rank after serving the emperor once, while Zhang Cairen remained a Cairen despite serving the emperor so many times.

Everyone in the palace now knew that the Emperor did not truly like Consort Zhang.

After paying their respects one morning, Song Shuangning suggested taking a walk in Qianli Pond, and Qiu Cairen naturally agreed, accompanying her one after the other.

Qiu Cai Ren remained affectionate towards Song Shuang Ning. Gazing at the koi in the lotus pond, she asked, "Sister Song, do you think the fish have any worries?"

Song Shuangning: "Hmm?"

Consort Qiu turned to look at her, her eyes sparkling. "Sister Song, last night the Emperor told me that you seemed unhappy and asked me to spend more time talking to you."

I mustered up my courage and asked the Emperor, "Your Majesty is not Sister Song, how could you know that she is unhappy?" The Emperor said, "Of course he knows that you are unhappy."

Qiu Cairen propped her head up with her hand. "Sister Song, how did the Emperor know you were unhappy? Could the Emperor possibly know what's on your mind?"

Song Shuangning smiled and lowered her head. "I don't know."

So, does Xiao Yan feel that he has been neglecting her lately and think that she might be unhappy?

A moment later, Consort Zhang arrived and gave Song Shuangning a slight curtsy.

What were you talking about just now?

Qiu Cairen was single-minded and was about to tell the whole story.

Song Shuangning tugged at her sleeve helplessly and said to Consort Zhang, "Consort Qiu and I were discussing whether the fish in the pond are happy or not."

"I see."

Zhang Cairen looked at the lotus pond with disappointment.

You are not a fish, how can you know the joy of fish?

Others are not her, so they have no idea what she has been going through these past few days.

As the imperial carriage arrived at the Imperial Garden, Xiao Yan suddenly heard a familiar voice. He lifted the curtain of the sedan chair and saw Song Shuangning, Consort Zhang, and Consort Qiu standing together.

Xiao Yan frowned.

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 sun was setting in the west, the sky was clear and bright, with only a few wisps of white clouds floating by.

Quan Lu hurried into the hall and bowed anxiously to Song Shuangning, saying, "Your Highness, a shopkeeper who delivers rouge and face powder had a eunuch in the palace give this box of rouge to me, repeatedly instructing me to make sure it reaches you."

Song Shuangning took the box of rouge, which looked somewhat familiar.

She gently opened it, and a note came into view.

Song Shuangning suddenly had a bad feeling. She quickly unfolded the note, glanced at it, and her lips trembled as she pressed them together.

Seeing that her expression was off, Tingyu and Tinglu quickly asked, "My lady, what happened?"

She didn't say anything, but handed the note to Tingyu. Tingyu could read, and after reading the words, she was both angry and anxious. "How could Madam Gong bully Aunt Su like this!"

Song Shuangning clenched her fists so tightly that her fingertips pinched her palms until they ached.

Simply remaining patient and not taking the initiative will only lead to further exploitation and scheming.

She was wrong in the past.

Gong Yerong, so you're tired of having too many peaceful days.

But right now, her biggest worry is her aunt's health. Her aunt has been in poor health ever since giving birth to her.

Slapping someone thirty times, if done too hard, could damage their internal organs.

"Tingyu, come with me to the Hall of Diligent Governance; Tinglu, find an opportunity to bring the calligraphy and paintings."

Tingyu and Tinglu exchanged a glance: "Yes."

Throughout the journey, Song Shuangning was filled with anxiety, her mind preoccupied with her aunt. She wondered how her aunt was doing, how badly her face was injured, and whether her already weak body would be further weakened by this ordeal.

Thinking about all this, I couldn't help but ponder how to approach the Emperor when I arrived at the Hall of Diligent Governance and ask him to make a decision for my concubine.

She was somewhat absent-minded, and Tingyu whispered in her ear, "That's Consort Song up ahead."

Song Luowei walked over, her tone mocking: "Oh, so you're heading to the Hall of Diligent Governance, huh? Shuangning, have you forgotten your current situation? How long has it been since the Emperor last visited you? Don't you realize that?"

The reason she dared to speak to Song Shuangning like that was ultimately because she didn't take Song Shuangning seriously.

She was certain that Song Shuangning would never do anything to her out of sisterly affection, which was why she dared to act so recklessly.

Looking at Song Luowei's eyes, which were so similar to Gong Yerong's, Song Shuangning felt nauseous.

She slowly stepped forward and slapped Song Luowei hard across the face.

With a sharp "slap," Song Luowei was caught off guard and screamed in surprise, covering her face, "You, you actually dared to hit me!"

She used almost all her strength in that slap; her palm went numb from the impact and it took her a long time to recover.

Those eyes, which were always filled with tenderness, now seemed frozen.

Song Shuangning gritted her teeth: "I am a Noble Consort, and you are a Beauty. You show no respect for me whatsoever. This slap is what you deserve. Take it."

"you……"

Song Shuangning didn't have time to pay attention to her right now, so she turned and walked past her.

Song Luowei: "Stop!"

Song Shuangning did not stop walking.

Upon arriving at the Hall of Diligent Governance, Li Fuquan, who had been dozing, immediately came forward and greeted her politely with a smile: "Young Master Yuan, what brings you here?"

"I have something to discuss with the Emperor. I would like to trouble Chief Eunuch Li to inform him."

"Oh dear," Li Fuquan said with difficulty, "This... His Majesty is currently in a meeting."

Upon hearing this, Song Shuangning's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she slowly lowered her eyes.

She couldn't wait a moment longer.

She looked up, her voice choked with barely suppressed sobs: "Then...how much longer?"

Li Fuquan watched from the side, his heart skipping a beat. Consort Yuan was always known for her tact and discretion; her behavior today must mean she had been wronged.

Consort Yuan held a very important place in the Emperor's heart.

He dared not delay and quickly stepped forward, bowing and saying, "My lord, please do not rush. Please go to the side hall to rest for a while."

After saying that, he led Song Shuangning to the side hall, while he himself quickly returned to the main hall.

He leaned close to Xiao Yan's ear and hurriedly reported a few words in a low voice.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan paused, his fingertips hovering over the vermilion brush.

The Minister of Rites was speaking passionately and eloquently when Xiao Yan suddenly raised his hand to interrupt him, saying in a deep voice, "Wait a minute."

As soon as he finished speaking, he got up, turned around, and walked towards the side hall.

The ministers in the hall looked at each other, puzzled: Why was the meeting suddenly interrupted?

Why is Your Majesty in such a hurry? What has happened?