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

November 26th was Consort Su's birthday.

The Empress instructed that the birthday celebration should not be extravagant; only a small gathering of the concubines and a few close relatives was required.

Even though Consort Su was unhappy, she dared not act as recklessly as she had in the past.

The festive celebrations of previous years are still vivid in my mind, but this year's quiet and simple celebrations are the most disheartening I've experienced in many years.

Out of consideration for her reputation, she still invited all the concubines, not wanting the scene to be too awkward.

Consort Shu and she had always been at odds, and Consort Shu claimed to be ill and did not come, not even sending a congratulatory message.

Consort Shao did send a birthday gift, but she was unable to attend the banquet because she had to take care of the Third Prince, who had caught a cold.

Several concubines who were usually afraid of her would avoid her whenever they saw her, and now they were nowhere to be seen.

The candlelight inside the hall flickered, creating a dim and chaotic atmosphere.

The Emperor did not attend the birthday banquet in person, but sent someone to deliver an imperial edict restoring the title, which was considered a birthday gift.

Consort Rong held the rolled-up imperial edict in bright yellow, forcing a smile on her face, but she felt no joy at all.

She used to love the title "Rong" because at that time there was no title in the palace that was more prestigious and beautiful.

But now others have received more lucrative titles.

Consort Rong subconsciously looked at Song Shuangning. Compared to her, her own title, which she had lost and then regained, seemed somewhat forced.

Consort Rong's mother, Lady Liu, noticed that she was in low spirits and gently held her hand, saying, "Xian'er, today is your birthday, don't look so sad."

Consort Rong forced a smile. "Mother, why didn't the Old Madam come?"

The old lady mentioned by Consort Rong was actually her aunt's older sister, whose eldest son was the Marquis of Zhenbei, who guarded the frontier and had made great military achievements.

Consort Rong addressed her so respectfully as "Old Madam" partly out of gratitude for her seniority, and partly out of a desire to win her over, as the Marquis of Zhenbei's family held military power and had a distinguished lineage.

If she could use this relationship to get closer to him, it would be a great help to her.

Madam Liu said, "The old lady has caught a cold and is unable to attend the banquet in person, so she specially sent the second young lady to inquire after her well-being and offer congratulations. She should be on her way by now."

Upon hearing this, Consort Rong's tense lips relaxed slightly. Although the old lady could not attend in person, the fact that her beloved daughter could come gave her some face, and she felt more confident in her presence.

A moment later, Miss Zheng Shuyao hurriedly entered the hall, curtsied, and said, "This humble woman greets Consort Rong and all the other ladies. My mother has suddenly caught a cold and is unable to attend the banquet. She specifically instructed me to come as soon as possible to apologize to Your Majesty on her behalf. I hope Your Majesty will not take offense."

Consort Rong personally rose to help her up, a polite smile on her face. "Sister, please rise. How is the Old Madam? Is she alright?"

Zheng Shuyao said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. My mother has taken her medicine and rested; she is fine now."

After saying this, she turned to the maid beside her, who then stepped forward with a brocade box.

Zheng Shuyao opened the box, and a lustrous sheen emanated from it: "This is a birthday gift that Mother specially prepared for Your Highness. It is a warm jade ruyi, a tribute from the Western Regions. May Your Highness enjoy good health and all things go smoothly every year."

A hint of surprise flashed in Consort Rong's eyes, and she quickly said, "Thank you on my behalf, Madam, and thank you, sister."

He then instructed the palace maid, "Quickly invite the Second Miss to take a seat."

A palace maid led Zheng Shuyao to her seat. As soon as she sat down, her gaze swept across the person opposite her.

Zheng Shuyao's eyes widened suddenly, and she subconsciously clenched the handkerchief in her hand, her heart churning with turmoil.

Sister-in-law?

No, it's impossible.

My sister-in-law has been gone for nearly ten years, but the woman in front of me is so young, she can't possibly be my sister-in-law.

But why would two people in the world look so alike?

Seeing her unusual reaction, Song Shuangning couldn't help but feel confused. Could it be that she had done something to make Miss Zheng uncomfortable?

Miss Zheng looked at her with a mixture of surprise and astonishment, her bewilderment tinged with disbelief, as if she had witnessed something strange.

Consort Rong also noticed Zheng Shuyao's unusual behavior, and a hint of displeasure flashed through her heart, but she still smiled and introduced her, "This is Consort Yuan. Do you know Consort Yuan, sister?"

Zheng Shuyao quickly shook her head, suppressing her shock, and forced a smile, "I don't know her. It was the first time I saw Consort Yuan, and I was so amazed by her beauty that I lost my composure. I hope Consort Yuan won't take offense."

The smile on Consort Rong's face faded considerably.

At her birthday banquet, Consort Yuan stole the spotlight once again.

The Second Miss and Consort Yuan had no prior connection, so why did she react so strongly upon their first meeting today?

With a gentle smile, Song Shuangning said softly, "Second Miss is too kind."

Her voice was gentle and melodious, and it even sounded remarkably similar to her sister-in-law's.

Zheng Shuyao quickly lowered her head, and something suddenly flashed through her mind.

Her mother had told her that her brother had a daughter in his early years, but she died shortly after birth. Her sister-in-law also suffered a difficult childbirth and almost lost her life.

Is it...

No, it's impossible.

This is ridiculous.

But what if it's true?

After that, my sister-in-law's health deteriorated day by day, and she passed away less than two years later. My brother was depressed and unhappy all the time. If it weren't for my mother's suicide attempt to stop him, he probably would have followed my sister-in-law long ago.

Since then, the elder brother volunteered to go to the frontier, willing to die on the battlefield without complaint, seemingly turning all his longing for his sister-in-law into fighting on the battlefield.

She hadn't seen her brother for five years.

If Consort Yuan is indeed her brother's daughter, then at least her brother has someone to rely on.

Thinking this, Zheng Shuyao no longer cared about the banquet and only hoped that it would end soon.

After the banquet ended.

Consort Rong changed into a light purple gauze dress. She thought that today was her birthday, and the Emperor would probably stay overnight at Zhaoyang Palace.

She waited for a long time, until almost 9 PM, when the imperial carriage finally arrived at Zhaoyang Palace.

Consort Rong hurriedly stepped forward, curtsied, and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

Xiao Yan glanced at her thin clothes and asked casually, "Aren't you cold?"

Consort Rong was delighted and looked up with a smile, saying, "I'm not cold. His Majesty once said that I look best in purple."

Xiao Yan simply replied, "Be careful not to catch a cold."

The smile on Consort Rong's face froze instantly.

Afterwards, Consort Rong helped Xiao Yan bathe.

After nightfall, the palace was quiet, and everything seemed to be moving in a positive direction, but Consort Rong was still somewhat agitated.

She quietly propped herself up, gazing at Xiao Yan's profile, thinking: Is His Majesty too tired?

She lay down gently and sighed.

Suddenly, the emperor turned and embraced her.

Consort Rong was so nervous that she didn't move, her heart pounding like a drum.

A surge of joy and excitement welled up inside me.

Immediately afterwards, she heard the Emperor whisper in her ear, "Ningning, go to sleep."

Consort Rong felt as if her heart was filled with honey, and she couldn't help but smile.

In the past, the emperor only called her "Xianning".

Just now, the Emperor called out "Ningning".

She really likes this nickname.

It turns out, the Emperor did have feelings for her.