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

Song Shuangning was taken to the Zichen Palace, where the emperor rested, while the Qinzheng Palace in the front courtyard was where the emperor handled state affairs.

Song Shuangning sat on the plum blossom chair near the window for a while.

She does not intend to serve the emperor today.

She wanted the emperor to remember her first.

Within fifteen minutes, a commotion was heard outside the hall, and Song Shuangning immediately went to the door to wait.

"This concubine greets Your Majesty."

As she bowed in greeting, she saw the black dragon boots stop in front of her.

At this moment, Xiao Yan was quietly observing her. On the day of the palace selection, he had only seen her from afar and was already struck by her beauty. Today, seeing her up close, he was even more amazed. She wore a simple, unadorned pale yellow dress, with elegant pearl flowers adorning her temples. She wore no makeup, yet she was still dazzling. Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, and her nose was delicate and straight.

She possessed a pure and clean beauty, something none of the concubines in the imperial harem possessed.

The pale yellow color suited her perfectly; that was Xiao Yan's only thought.

Get up.

Song Shuangning then stood up and couldn't help but look up at Xiao Yan.

My once calm heart began to pound violently.

The Emperor is so handsome! My God, he's even more handsome than celebrities in the entertainment industry.

Xiao Yan was dressed in a black dragon robe. His face was as handsome as jade, his sword-like eyebrows were slightly raised, his eyes had a sharp edge, his nose was high and straight, his jawline was well-defined, and his narrow eyes carried an innate majesty.

His every gesture exudes a natural blend of handsomeness and imperial nobility.

Song Shuangning's heart pounded, and she couldn't help but sigh: She was so lucky. The Emperor was exceptionally handsome, had a good figure, and as for that aspect... he should be... good too.

She suddenly remembered a meme circulating online: "With a husband like this, what time would you come home?"

She tied it directly to her waistband.

The woman before him stared intently at him. Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow slightly, his tone teasing, "Why is my beloved consort staring at me like that?"

Xiao Yan felt very pleased. The undisguised amazement and astonishment in her eyes were pure and genuine.

Song Shuangning abruptly withdrew her gaze, biting her lip. Beauty can be a dangerous thing.

"Your Majesty, I have been disrespectful. Please forgive me."

Xiao Yan, a smile playing on his lips, sat down on the soft couch and gestured to her with his chin: "Come here."

As Song Shuangning gracefully stepped forward, he asked casually, "What's your name?"

Song Shuangning lowered her voice and said, "My name is Song Shuangning, which is taken from the phrase 'Shuangsong Ningyou Gaike Nian'."

Song, Shuang, Ning.

Xiao Yan repeated it to himself.

"Serve me in bed."

Song Shuangning was taken aback, and asked softly, "Here...here?"

Xiao Yan sat on the couch, his eyes deep and unapproachable. "Right here."

"What a brooding, repressed guy. What kind of fetish does he have?" Song Shuangning mentally cursed Xiao Yan.

Her hands slowly moved down, landing on her pale yellow belt. Xiao Yan averted his gaze, turning his jade thumb ring. This woman's entry into the palace was obvious; he had never liked women with such deep schemes.

But looking at her face, I'd be willing to let her serve me in bed.

Song Shuangning hesitated for a moment, then suddenly knelt on the ground.

The sound of "thump" was particularly clear inside the hall.

Xiao Yan's face darkened, filled with doubt.

Song Shuangning knelt on the ground, tears streaming down her face, her voice trembling: "This concubine has been disrespectful, please forgive me, Your Majesty. This concubine had no intention of entering the palace, it was..."

She didn't elaborate on her reasons for entering the palace. However, Xiao Yan guessed that it was either her maternal clan or her elder sister who forced her to enter the palace.

She paused for a moment, then kowtowed. "I know these words are treasonous and will surely anger His Majesty."

Knowing she would be angry, she still spoke! Xiao Yan's face was as black as ink.

"Song Shuangning, look up."

Song Shuangning obediently raised her head. Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and her watery eyes were misty, adding to her pitiful appearance.

Xiao Yan's eyes held a chilling frost. "You don't want to serve me in bed?"

"yes…"

Xiao Yan's cold eyes narrowed slightly, his voice icy and chilling: "Say it again."

At this moment, Song Shuangning's heart rate was approaching 180, but the arrow was already on the bowstring and had to be released.

Song Shuangning prostrated herself on the ground: "This concubine does not wish to serve you in bed."

The palace was so quiet you could hear a pin drop; the air seemed to have frozen, and the emperor's aura was frighteningly low.

Xiao Yan gave a light "heh," his tone indifferent: "You've got quite the nerve."

"Why exactly do you not want to serve me in bed?"

Song Shuangning raised her head slightly, shrank back, and said in a tearful voice, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty did not want to enter the palace. This is not what I wanted. I only wished for a peaceful and tranquil life. The Emperor's favor would only disturb this peace for me. I beg Your Majesty to grant my request."

Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes slightly, staring at the woman in front of him.

He never imagined that his favor would one day be seen as a burden that disturbs his peace, nor did he ever imagine that some concubines would not want his favor.

Undeniably, he was angry, but also felt frustrated.

But beneath this setback lies a greater sense of amusement.

Is it truly just a desire for a peaceful and tranquil life, or is it a ploy to play hard to get?

The fourth prince died young, and Consort Song was unable to have children. Immediately afterwards, she entered the palace, precisely to give birth to an imperial heir for Consort Song. Now she says she is unwilling.

If they truly didn't want to, why did they enter the palace in the first place?

He couldn't quite understand this woman.

Song Shuangning's eyes flickered slightly, which Xiao Yan happened to catch, as if she was hiding something else.

Xiao Yan pinched Song Shuangning's chin, his fingertips applying slight pressure, forcing her to raise her eyes: "I'm giving you one last chance. Tell me the truth."

"This is why I am a concubine."

Her eyes were misty, but they held a secret.

Xiao Yan released her chin. "Aren't you afraid that I'll be angry and that this will bring disaster upon Consort Song and the Song family?"

Song Shuangning's eyelashes trembled slightly, as if she had mustered her courage. "Your Majesty, you wouldn't do that. It is widely known among the people that Your Majesty is a wise and compassionate ruler who cares for all people. Moreover, if Your Majesty were truly angry, you would not allow your concubines to speak out. Your Majesty is benevolent and is a truly wise and compassionate ruler."

Xiao Yan stood up, flicked his sleeve, and snorted, "Don't flatter me."

"I don't like forcing women. You may go back."

Just then, Li Fuquan's anxious voice came from outside the door:

"Your Majesty, the Second Princess has a fever. Consort Rongxian requests your presence to take a look."

Song Shuangning breathed a sigh of relief; Consort Rong's snatching came at just the right time!

Xiao Yan strode out, stopping as he passed Li Fuquan. "Take her home."

Who this "she" is needs no further explanation.

Li Fuquan entered the hall. "Your Highness, this servant will escort you back."

Song Shuangning had already stood aside and wiped away the tears on her face.

She replied gently, "Thank you, Steward Li."

Li Fuquan sighed silently.

Poor Lady Song, her first night with the Emperor was snatched away.