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

early morning.

Xiao Yan gently removed the arm wrapped around his waist. As soon as he sat up, the woman behind him let out a soft moan and then wrapped herself around him again.

"Didn't His Majesty say he would stay with me all day?"

With her eyes closed, she rubbed her cheek against his back, then curled up on his lap, her fingertips gently caressing his clothes.

Xiao Yan chuckled and patted the top of her head: "Then shall I take you to court?"

Song Shuangning suddenly opened her eyes and shook her head repeatedly: "No need, no need."

"Sweetheart, sleep peacefully. I'll have Li Fuquan ask for leave for you." Xiao Yan found her incredibly adorable.

Song Shuangning responded softly with an "Mmm," and propped herself up to watch Xiao Yan get dressed.

Only after that bright yellow figure disappeared outside the palace gate did she slowly lie back down on her pillow.

She sat up, supporting her aching back; her whole body felt weak and sore, as if her bones had been broken apart.

Xiao Yan must have been really traumatized yesterday, because he went crazy and insisted that she call him "brother". In the end, she cried and begged for mercy, which only made him more excited. He held her down and made love to her again in the bathtub.

No matter how tired I am, I must go and pay my respects to the Empress today.

I've already taken three days off this month.

If he is absent again, the charge of "being arrogant because of favor" will be confirmed.

The Empress and the other concubines all had their eyes on her.

After struggling for a moment, she finally pulled back the warm blankets.

When she paid her respects, many concubines came forward to congratulate her on her birthday, and Song Shuangning thanked them all with a smile.

She picked up a piece of osmanthus cake and put it in her mouth. When she looked up, she happened to meet Consort Rong's smiling gaze.

Song Shuangning's heart skipped a beat: Why was Consort Rong staring at her and laughing? Was she sick?

She returned Consort Rong's gentle smile.

Consort Rong merely shifted her gaze slightly, secretly thinking: This Consort Yuan's features do indeed bear some resemblance to that person.

As soon as the greetings were over, Song Shuangning hurriedly returned to the palace.

Just as I sat down to catch my breath, Tinglu came in carrying a sachet, her expression solemn.

Upon seeing the box, Song Shuangning lost all interest in going back to sleep. She raised an eyebrow and asked, "What, is there really something fishy about this?"

"Yesterday, this servant gave the incense box to Physician Zhang for examination, and it was found to contain pollen from trumpet creeper flowers, with nothing unusual about it."

Tinglu lowered her voice, "But Physician Zhang said that the incense you usually use contains patchouli. The pollen of trumpet creeper and patchouli repel each other. Long-term use together will cause redness and itching on the cheeks, and eventually, it will become red, swollen, and ulcerated!"

Listening to this, Tingyu was terrified: "Luckily, Your Highness had it examined early on! Although Consort Zhang and Your Highness aren't close, they do see each other often. How could she be so heartless as to try to ruin Your Highness's face!"

"My lady, let's go tell the Empress right now!" Tingyu stamped her feet anxiously.

Song Shuangning calmly looked up at her, "Tingyu, remember my words, never show your emotions when things happen."

Meeting her calm gaze, Tingyu nodded firmly.

"Besides, there's no point in going."

Song Shuangning tapped her fingertips lightly on the table.

"These two spices are fine to use on their own, but they will in turn clash when used together. Since she dared to send them, she must have known this. Even if we complain to the Emperor, she can simply pretend she doesn't know anything and say that she has never thought about this matter in detail and is unaware that our commonly used incense contains patchouli."

"In the end, you'll only be branded as someone who made false accusations without any evidence."

Tingyu immediately deflated: "Your Highness has considered everything so thoroughly; it was I who was too hasty."

She paused, then asked reluctantly, "So, my lady, are we just going to suffer this in silence?"

Song Shuangning's lips curled into a cold smile. "No, of course not."

The phrase "suffering in silence" does not exist in her dictionary.

Pushing the sachet in front of Tinglu, Song Shuangning rested her chin on her hand and pondered for a moment. "Tinglu, you've always been skillful. You mixed this trumpet creeper pollen into my usual rouge. She wanted to ruin my appearance, so I'll give her a taste of her own medicine."

Song Shuangning did not delve into why Zhang Cairen had become so ruthless.

They could get along well before she entered the palace, but now they want to kill her.

She knew in her heart that once you enter the palace, it's like entering a deep sea. In this deep palace, everyone will be worn down and changed beyond recognition, and no one can always maintain their original intention.

Things change over time; that's just the way things are.

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.

After lunch, Xiao Yan sent someone to fetch Song Shuangning to the Qin Zheng Hall.

The hall was warm and inviting.

Xiao Yan specially prepared a chaise lounge for her, with a thick white fox fur blanket covering the surface. It was warm and cozy to sit on, and indescribably comfortable.

On the small table beside him were exquisite pastries and several newly compiled storybooks.

Song Shuangning was engrossed in reading the storybook with one hand, while occasionally picking up a piece of pastry and putting it in her mouth with the other.

Before we knew it, half a day had passed by in the blink of an eye.

After finishing with the memorials, Xiao Yan stretched and turned to see the little figure who had been engrossed in reading them just moments before now slumped in his chair, fast asleep.

She was sleeping soundly, her brows slightly furrowed.

Xiao Yan suddenly felt a mischievous urge, so he turned around, took out a brush and ink, dipped a little ink on the tip of her nose, and leaned down to gently draw a few strokes on her cheek.

Song Shuangning unconsciously pursed her lips, her long eyelashes trembling slightly.

Xiao Yan suppressed a laugh and reached out to touch her eyelashes.

Seeing that she was about to wake up, Xiao Yan quickly returned to his desk, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and pretended that nothing had happened.

"woke up?"

"Hmm..." Song Shuangning rubbed her eyes, her voice still nasal from just waking up.

At this moment, Li Fuquan came in to refill the tea. He glanced at the ink mark on Song Shuangning's face, his eyes widened immediately, and he lowered his head, barely suppressing his laughter.

Song Shuangning noticed his unusual behavior and asked in confusion, "Is there something on my face?"

"My...my master's face is fine." Li Fuquan's voice trembled as he tried to suppress his laughter.

Suspicion arose in Song Shuangning's heart. She quickly ran to the bronze mirror in the side hall, and after seeing her reflection, she angrily ran back.

"emperor!"

She caught sight of the calligraphy brush on the table, reached out and picked it up, intending to draw on Xiao Yan's face.

How could Xiao Yan let her succeed? He dodged to the side while gently pressing her wrist with his hand: "Alright, alright, Ningning, have mercy."

Taking advantage of the moment he dodged, Song Shuangning flicked her wrist and left a black mark on his cheek.

The two burst into laughter, pushing and shoving each other until their faces were covered in specks of ink.

The hall was filled with laughter and cheerful conversation.

Li Fuquan stood aside, secretly watching, when suddenly a realization dawned on him:

The reason why Consort Yuan was able to win the Emperor's favor was because of her genuine nature, which others did not possess.

If it were any other concubine, who would dare to joke and play around with the Emperor like that, without any restraint?

Consort Yuan never treated the Emperor with the awe and reverence due to a supreme ruler, but rather relied on him as an ordinary husband, giving him her wholehearted sincerity.

Just then, a young eunuch quickly walked to his side and whispered a few words in his ear.

Li Fuquan's face turned deathly pale instantly, his brows furrowed tightly, and his body even began to tremble slightly.

He mustered his courage and stepped forward, bowing as he said, "Your Majesty, a palace maid from Zhaoyang Palace has reported that Consort Rong is unwell. She suddenly vomited this morning, perhaps... perhaps she is pregnant. Please, Your Majesty, come and take a look."

Li Fuquan was filled with doubt. Consort Rong had been taking the contraceptive soup every day as instructed, so how could she suddenly be pregnant?

The laughter and chatter in the hall vanished instantly. Xiao Yan's smile disappeared completely, and his eyes became as dark as unyielding ink.

Li Fuquan was so frightened that he didn't dare to breathe and kept his head down.

Song Shuangning was also puzzled. Imperial Physician Zhang had once told her that Consort Rong had been taking "pregnancy-enhancing medicine".

Xiao Yan quickly regained his usual aloofness and said in a deep voice, "Hurry up and bring the water."

"Yes, this servant will go right away!" Li Fuquan felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly withdrew.

Song Shuangning dared not say more, for fear of offending Xiao Yan.

She gently hooked her finger around his and whispered, "This concubine will wait for Your Majesty to return in the Hall of Diligent Governance."

Xiao Yan looked at her, a faint smile playing on his lips, so faint it was almost imperceptible.

Then she gave a soft "hmm".