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

Inside the hall, Song Shuangning was still sobbing softly.

Xiao Yan raised his hand to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes. "Alright, don't cry anymore."

"I look very ugly right now, Your Majesty, you should go back." She turned her face away and said with a wronged expression.

"She's not ugly. In my heart, Ningning will always be the most beautiful."

This is no exaggeration; even with red rashes on her face, her natural beauty was undeniable.

Especially when she has just cried, with reddened eyes and a tearful appearance, it's hard not to feel pity for her.

"The Emperor only knows how to flatter his concubines."

Song Shuangning playfully punched his chest, then buried her face in his neck and rubbed against him.

This intimate gesture instantly dispelled the gloom in Xiao Yan's heart.

She became affectionate and gentle with him again, just like before.

Xiao Yan couldn't help but laugh and tease, "Not throwing a tantrum now? Not angry anymore?"

Song Shuangning nestled in his arms, and only after a long while did she let out a muffled sound.

"I didn't throw a tantrum or get angry."

"My heart is aching so much..."

Song Shuangning took his hand and gently pressed it against her chest. Xiao Yan could clearly feel her heart beating rapidly and erratically.

"That day was my birthday, and I waited for His Majesty in the palace for six hours..."

Song Shuangning's voice trembled, and her eyes reddened again, filled with self-blame and helplessness.

"I know I'm being unreasonable and shouldn't be so sentimental. The Second Princess is ill, and Your Majesty should go to take care of her, even if you don't stay with me. But... but my heart is aching so much."

She raised her hand to wipe the tears from the corner of her eyes.

"Those six hours felt like an eternity. Only then did I realize how unbearable heartache truly is."

She looked up at Xiao Yan, her eyes filled with humble honesty.

"It's all because I care too much about Your Majesty and crave your favor that I've become so fixated on this. I know I'm petty, but I just can't control myself. Later, I thought, if I could stop liking Your Majesty like before, stop being so affectionate and tender towards you, would I no longer suffer this torment?"

Xiao Yan looked at her flushed cheeks with tenderness in his eyes and listened quietly as she poured out her grievances.

Upon hearing the words "I don't like the Emperor that much anymore," he suddenly tightened his grip on her shoulders.

"No."

These two words were delivered with force, a subconscious rebuttal.

He would never allow her to take back her feelings.

Then, he raised his hand and gently pinched her chin, forcing her to look up at him, and his voice softened again.

"As long as you are good and put me first in everything from now on, I will always pamper you and protect you, and never let you suffer such heart-wrenching torment again."

How domineering.

The domineering CEO speaks.

However, I'm really sorry to say, but she always puts herself first.

Song Shuangning was secretly delighted. Sure enough, dealing with men meant "acting up" a little!

If you are always understanding, considerate, and thoughtful, he will take it for granted and won't appreciate your kindness at all.

Occasionally throwing a little tantrum or complaining about your minor grievances will make him feel sorry for you and care about you, so that you can be cherished in his heart.

She made the right move!

From now on, she'll have to do it this way too.

She was still kind and understanding at times, which made Xiao Yan remember her good qualities.

Occasionally, she would act out a little, which would evoke his tenderness and concern.

*

After examining the artifacts in the Cangdong Pavilion, Judge Li bowed and went into the hall to report back.

"Your Majesty, the problem lies with the incense. It contains pollen from trumpet creeper. This is not unusual in itself, but the pollen from trumpet creeper is incompatible with patchouli. If the two are burned together, it will cause red rashes on the face, and in severe cases, it can damage one's appearance or even disfigure one."

Upon hearing the word "disfigurement," Xiao Yan's face darkened, his eyes turning cold. "Fine."

"Where did this fragrance come from?"

Tinglu hurriedly stepped forward and replied, "Your Majesty, this incense is..."

"Tinglu," Song Shuangning suddenly interrupted her.

Yan looked down at her, puzzled.

Song Shuangning gently grasped his hand, her expression complex, and said, "Your Majesty, since the imperial physician says my face is fine, let's drop this matter."

"Ningning," Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes slightly, "tell me, why?"

Song Shuangning lowered her head and remained silent for a long time before whispering, "This concubine does not wish to investigate any further."

Xiao Yan's gaze slowly shifted to Ting Lu, his voice deepening: "You tell me."

Tinglu glanced cautiously at Song Shuangning, her face showing hesitation.

"I told you to speak, so speak!" Xiao Yan's tone was tinged with impatience.

"Your Majesty, this incense box is a birthday gift from Consort Zhang to Your Highness."

Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes slightly. It was her again!

Last time, he deliberately imitated Ningning's clothes and makeup, and he felt that this person was scheming. Now, he even used such insidious means to try to ruin Ningning's appearance.

That's absolutely vicious!

A woman should look good to those who please her.

Her heart was truly vicious to the extreme.

She not only wanted to ruin Ningning's face and make herself despise Ningning, but also to make Ningning have no place to stand in this deep palace and could only be bullied by others.

Song Shuangning looked up at Xiao Yan, "Your Majesty, I am not protecting her, but... I cannot believe that she would try to ruin my face. I knew her before entering the palace, and we occasionally interacted after entering. I truly do not understand why she would do such a cruel thing to me."

Xiao Yan frowned and said, "Ningning, are you aware that she once deliberately imitated your clothing and makeup?"

Song Shuangning suddenly widened her eyes: "This concubine did not know."

Since she didn't know, Xiao Yan didn't say anything more, lest he offend her ears and annoy her.

Immediately, he called Li Fuquan into the hall: "By imperial decree, Zhang Cairen is cunning and malicious, and has deliberately harmed others. She is hereby demoted to a concubine and banished to the Cold Palace, never to be released again."

Banished to the cold palace?

It seems that Xiao Yan is truly enraged this time.

"Yes, sir." Li Fuquan didn't dare to delay and hurriedly withdrew.

Song Shuangning leaned softly against Xiao Yan's chest, a barely perceptible glint of cold light flashing in her eyes as she quietly awaited the next storm.

Xiao Yan looked down at the person in his arms, his fingertips gently brushing the tip of her nose. "My gift of gratitude isn't ready yet?"

Song Shuangning replied softly, "It's done..."

"Then why did you lie to me and say it wasn't ready yet?"

"Your Majesty has saddened me, so I no longer wish to give myself to you." She looked up at him, her tone self-assured, without a trace of guilt.

Xiao Yan was amused by her and reached out to pinch her cheek.

With a little effort, a blush rose on her fair cheeks.

He tenderly released her hand, his fingertips gently caressing the spot he had just pinched, unwilling to truly hurt her.

Song Shuangning thought to herself, "If only he were this gentle to other people too."

"Song Shuangning, have I spoiled you?"

Song Shuangning looked into his eyes with an extremely serious expression, "Yes, it's because Your Majesty has spoiled me."

As she spoke, she took Xiao Yan's hand and pressed it to her chest: "If one day Your Majesty stops indulging me, my heart will be like withered wood, and I will become a walking corpse. Therefore, Your Majesty must continue to indulge me."

Xiao Yan was taken aback upon hearing this. Looking at the undisguised sincerity in her clear eyes, his heart softened suddenly.

He raised his hand and stroked the top of her head, his fingertips gently combing through her hair, his tone indulgent: "You're too spoiled."

This means they agreed.

Song Shuangning immediately smiled and nestled into his arms.

Before long, Li Fuquan hurriedly returned, looking nervous and stammering as he spoke.

Xiao Yan clicked his tongue lightly, his brows furrowing slightly: "Speak plainly!"