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

Shou Kang Palace.

After Song Luowei asked someone to announce her arrival, the Empress Dowager issued a decree allowing her to enter.

As soon as she entered the palace, Song Luowei knelt down and said respectfully, "This concubine greets the Empress Dowager."

The Empress Dowager glanced casually at her cheek and asked nonchalantly, "What happened to your face?"

Song Luowei's throat tightened, and her eyes reddened: "This concubine begs the Empress Dowager to do justice for this concubine!"

"This concubine...this concubine was slapped by Consort Yuan."

Even though the Empress Dowager has always disliked Song Shuangning, she would not show favoritism or make things difficult for her without reason.

The Empress Dowager picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said calmly, "You've never been one to let things slide. I imagine that if you hadn't done something wrong first, Consort Yuan wouldn't have attacked you for no reason. Always look for the cause within yourself, instead of blaming others."

Song Luowei's body stiffened abruptly, and the aggrieved expression on her face froze instantly.

"Empress Dowager..." she tried to explain, but her voice carried a hint of barely perceptible panic.

The Empress Dowager waved her hand impatiently: "If there is nothing else, you may leave."

Song Luowei bit her lower lip hard, her heart filled with resentment.

On what grounds?

The Empress Dowager clearly disliked Song Shuangning, so why did she not show any anger upon hearing that Song Shuangning had been slapped, but instead blame herself?

Why should she swallow this insult?

No, she was absolutely not going to accept that.

Song Luowei quickly racked her brains for a solution, bit her lower lip hard, and decided to try anything, bowing deeply and saying:

"Your Majesty, please be wise! Today, I happened to see Consort Yuan heading to the Hall of Diligent Governance. His Majesty is busy with state affairs every day, how can he allow anyone to disturb him at will? I thought of going forward to dissuade him, but who would have thought... who would have thought that Consort Yuan would raise her hand and slap me without even asking what happened?"

The Empress Dowager abruptly stopped in her action of fiddling with the prayer beads, and her face instantly darkened.

Song Luowei was overjoyed, knowing that she had made the right bet.

She pressed her advantage, saying, "Her Majesty the Empress had previously instructed that the concubines in the harem should avoid disturbing the Emperor while he is handling state affairs. However, Consort Yuan seems to be taking advantage of the Empress's favor and doesn't take Her Majesty's words to heart at all."

With a loud "thud," the Empress Dowager slammed the prayer beads onto the table and said in a deep voice, "Go back now."

Suppressing her overwhelming joy, Song Luowei respectfully kowtowed and said, "This concubine takes her leave."

Once outside Shou Kang Palace, Song Luowei's aggrieved expression vanished, replaced by an undisguised smugness.

Song Shuangning, no matter how well you pretend to be innocent and weak, you can't escape this time!

Inside Shou Kang Palace, the Empress Dowager took a deep breath and said to her attendant, Zhao Mama, "Go to Fengyi Palace immediately and tell her it is my will. Consort Yuan's act of injuring someone has ultimately violated the hierarchical order of the harem and is absolutely not the behavior of a concubine. Let the Empress handle it."

Zhao Mama bowed and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, please rest assured. Her Majesty the Empress is always fair and will certainly handle this matter impartially."

Meanwhile, Granny Zhao relayed the Empress Dowager's message to the Empress.

The Empress smiled and agreed. After Zhao Mama left, she immediately had someone stew a pot of ginseng soup, and then took the food box to the Hall of Diligent Governance.

Qingdai hesitated before speaking, "Your Highness, if you go like this, I'm afraid the Empress Dowager will be displeased?"

The Empress raised her hand to adjust the phoenix hairpin at her temple, her eyes calm and unwavering: "Do you still remember how the Empress Dowager defused the pressure she faced when the Grand Empress Dowager put pressure on the Empress Dowager?"

After pondering for a moment, Qingdai replied, "Back then, the Empress Dowager went to plead with the late Emperor, asking him to speak on her behalf."

The Empress nodded: "Not bad."

"In matters of the inner palace, it ultimately depends on the Emperor's will. Rather than trying to please both sides and pleasing neither, it is better to act with a clear conscience and make the Emperor happy."

Qingdai looked ashamed: "It was my ignorance that led me astray."

When the Empress arrived at the Hall of Diligent Governance, Song Shuangning had just returned home.

"Why is the Empress here?" Xiao Yan was slightly surprised.

The Empress placed the ginseng soup on the imperial table and said with a slight smile, "Your Majesty, I have two things I am unsure about and have come to discuss them with you."

"My sister Su Fei's birthday is in half a month. What should we do for her birthday this year?"

Last year, the palace held a grand celebration for Consort Su's birthday. Now, the situation is different, and she is undecided whether to continue with the grand celebration or simply keep it simple.

These words reminded Xiao Yan.

Consort Su and Ningning's birthdays are only three days apart, and Ningning's birthday is coming soon.

He pondered for a moment, then said, "Let's keep it simple."

If Consort Su's birthday banquet is too extravagant, the contrast between the two will be too stark when Ningning celebrates her birthday in the future, and Ningning will inevitably feel uncomfortable.

Besides, given Consort Su's current situation, it's not advisable to be too extravagant.

"Yes." The Empress nodded slightly in response.

She said hesitantly, "There is another matter that I am also unsure about, and I would like to ask Your Majesty for a decision."

Xiao Yan looked up at her: "Your Majesty, please speak freely."

"Today, news of Consort Yuan slapping Lady Song somehow reached the Empress Dowager's ears. The Empress Dowager believes that Consort Yuan has broken the rules and has ordered me to deal with her. However, after careful investigation, I have learned that Lady Song was the one who committed the insubordination first, which is why Consort Yuan struck her. I humbly request Your Majesty to make a decision."

Xiao Yan understood immediately; it must be that Consort Song had complained to the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager already disliked Ningning, and with Consort Song's instigation, she would only dislike her more.

Song Meiren's insubordination and shameless attempt to shift the blame only deepened Xiao Yan's dislike for her.

He put down the memorial in his hand and said calmly, "What wrong has Consort Yuan done? The Empress can deal with it according to palace rules. There is no need to ask for permission for everything."

The Empress understood immediately, knowing that the Emperor was favoring Consort Yuan. She curtsied slightly and said, "Your Majesty, I understand."

She lowered her head slightly, concealing the complex emotions in her eyes.

The Emperor's outburst, "What wrong has Consort Yuan done?" already revealed his favoritism towards Consort Yuan.

The Emperor's heart has already turned away; Consort Su is no longer a threat. Should she be happy or sad?

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.

Before sunset, Li Fuquan rushed back from outside the palace.

When he returned to report, he gave a full account of what he had seen and heard that day, including Su Shuren's health condition and the message that Su Shuren had asked him to convey to Consort Yuan.

After hearing this, Xiao Yan said calmly, "Her aunt truly loves her."

Having said that, he stood up and said, "Let's go to Cangdong Pavilion."

Upon arriving at Cangdong Pavilion, Li Fuquan relayed Su Shuren's health condition and instructions to Song Shuangning as instructed.

Upon hearing this, Song Shuangning's eyes instantly welled up with tears, and she murmured repeatedly, "It's good that Auntie is alright, it's good that she's alright."

Xiao Yan sighed softly, took out a handkerchief and gently wiped away her tears: "Now you can rest assured."

"Stop crying, your eyes are all swollen from crying today."

Song Shuangning rubbed her reddened eyes and said with a hint of embarrassment, "I'm sorry for making Your Majesty laugh."

Xiao Yan glanced at the sewing basket beside him and was about to take it when Song Shuangning hurriedly stopped him.

She blushed and waved her hand, "Your Majesty, please don't look yet, I'm not ready."

Seeing her shy expression, Xiao Yan didn't press the matter further and teased her with a smile, "Is this a thank-you gift for me?"

"Yes," Song Shuangning raised her bright eyes and said earnestly, "His Majesty has treated me and my aunts so well. I have no way to repay you, so I should make a gift of thanks myself."

Xiao Yan's heart softened, and he reached out to pull her into his arms: "Your birthday is coming up soon, how would you like to celebrate? How about we have a banquet?"

Song Shuangning shook her head and nestled in his arms: "I have no other wish, so there's no need to hold a banquet."

"If Your Majesty can spare some time to spend with me on that one day, that will be enough."

Xiao Yan looked down at her and said softly, "Then shall I take you out of the palace?"

Song Shuangning looked up in surprise, her eyes lighting up: "Really?"

A ruler's word is his bond.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Song Shuangning was overjoyed. She reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, gently throwing herself into his embrace.

Xiao Yan chuckled softly and tightened his arms around her, holding her even closer.

Seeing how happy she was, he knew that his suggestion was right.