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

Li Fuquan glanced quickly at Song Shuangning out of the corner of his eye, then bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Consort Zhang has also developed many red rashes on her face. Consort Zhang says that she developed these rashes because she used pearl powder given to her by Consort Yuan, and she insists that Consort Yuan deliberately harmed her. Consort Zhang is currently kneeling outside the palace, begging Your Majesty to do justice for her."

Upon hearing this, Song Shuangning trembled slightly, and tears rolled down her cheeks without warning.

Her voice was trembling with tears, but there was no trace of panic. "How could she slander me like this? I noticed she didn't look well that day, and I kindly gave her some pearl powder. She was so happy then, and now she's turning around and accusing me of harming her?"

As she spoke, she looked at Xiao Yan with a wronged expression, her eyes welling up with tears:

"Your Majesty, I also gave the rouge to Consort Qiu. Why was Consort Qiu fine when she used it, but she got into trouble? Your Majesty, I am innocent."

Seeing her crying pitifully, Xiao Yan reached out and wiped away her tears with his fingertips, saying in a deep voice, "Why are you crying? I didn't say I believed her."

Song Shuangning leaned against his chest, her voice muffled, "This concubine is afraid."

"Give that box of rouge to Judge Li for inspection."

Xiao Yan's voice turned cold. "Summon Consort Qiu here for questioning again."

"Yes."

Li Fuquan agreed, not daring to look up the entire time.

Consort Yuan is so clingy to the Emperor that if he glances at her even once more, the Emperor might gouge out her eyes.

Fifteen minutes later, Qiu Cairen rushed over.

When she saw Song Shuangning's face covered in red rashes, she was taken aback at first, but then immediately put on a concerned expression.

"Sister Song, what happened to your face?"

At the same time, Imperial Physician Li also came in carrying a box of pearl powder and reported: "Your Majesty, this rouge does indeed contain powder from trumpet creeper and patchouli."

"How could that be!" Qiu Cairen's reaction was exceptionally strong. "The box of rouge that Sister Song gave me is perfectly fine. I use it every day, and I haven't seen anything wrong with it!"

Song Shuangning pressed on at the opportune moment, asking, "'Also'?"

"Could there be something else mixed with these two medicinal herbs?"

Imperial Physician Li bowed and said, "Your Highness, it is incense. The incense in your palace also contains these two things."

Qiu Cai Ren seemed to suddenly realize something.

Her voice was urgent.

"Oh, right! Consort Zhang also gave me a box of incense a few days ago. I didn't like the smell, so I never used it. Now that I think about it, I'm terrified! Your Majesty, in my opinion, it's clear that Consort Zhang tampered with the incense first, trying to ruin the appearances of Sister Song and myself; and then she secretly added trumpet creeper pollen to the pearl powder that Sister Song gave her, deliberately framing us!"

At that moment, Zhang Cairen's heart-wrenching cries came from outside the palace: "Your Majesty, please see the truth! It was Consort Yuan! She's the one who ruined me!"

Xiao Yan's last bit of patience ran out, and he said coldly, "I don't want to see her again."

After he finished speaking, he glanced down at Song Shuangning.

Song Shuangning immediately lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, trying to appear calm.

Xiao Yan took in her expression, a knowing look flashing in his eyes.

He stroked the cold jade pendant at his waist, the cold jade pendant pressed against his palm.

He thought to himself: Her method wasn't particularly clever; it was enough to let him see the cause and effect of the incident.

It was Zhang Cairen who had schemed against Ningning first, so he not only didn't find Ningning's little act of retaliation offensive, but he couldn't bring himself to dislike her in the slightest. If it were someone else using such tricks, he would definitely find it repulsive.

Ningning is kind-hearted by nature, and occasionally she plays a little trick, but he doesn't think it matters.

Song Shuangning realized something, her heart pounded faster and faster, and even her breathing became erratic.

Xiao Yan's gaze just now clearly indicated that he had guessed what was going on, but he didn't expose her.

Instead, they went along with her wishes and disposed of Consort Zhang.

what?

She couldn't understand Xiao Yan anymore.

But I dared not think about it any further.

He quickly changed the subject and loudly instructed Tinglu to bring the prepared thank-you gift.

The thank-you gift she prepared for Xiao Yan was a pair of knee pads.

The Emperor's birthday is in another month, and she will have to prepare birthday gifts, so she tries to be lazy whenever possible.

These knee-length trousers are made of dark brocade, with a subtle dragon pattern embroidered on the outside, visible only when held up to the light, and not at all ostentatious. The inside is lined with soft and thick white goose down.

Song Shuangning said in a gentle voice, "Your Majesty sits for long periods every day to discuss matters, so your knees must be prone to getting cold. That's why I made these knee-length trousers myself, hoping they can keep Your Majesty warm during the winter."

Xiao Yan took the knee-length pants, examined them closely, and a faint smile appeared on his lips: "Ningning put in a lot of effort."

Song Shuangning chuckled softly.

Xiao Yan lowered his knee-length trousers and changed the subject, "When Ningning has nothing to do, she can visit Consort De, Consort Shao, and Consort Xu. They are all quite gentle."

"Yes, Your Majesty. I understand." Song Shuangning nodded, meeting Xiao Yan's gaze.

Xiao Yan was paving the way for her, and Song Shuangning could tell that.

In the treacherous world of the imperial harem, to gain a foothold, one needs the strong support and genuine endorsement of others. Xiao Yan wanted her to make more allies.

Only then, after he is promoted, will he not be isolated and helpless in the palace.

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.

A few days later, the marks on Song Shuangning's face had completely disappeared, and she followed Xiao Yan's instructions to go to the palaces of Consort Shao and Consort Xu for a chat.

The two men treated her very warmly, and the three of them sat together and chatted.

Before she knew it, Song Shuangning got up to say goodbye as the sun began to set.

On the way back, they bumped into Consort Rong.

Consort Rong's gaze fell on her, her pinky finger casually hooking the red gold bracelet on her wrist, her eyebrows slightly raised, and her phoenix eyes revealed a hint of inquisitive interest.

Song Shuangning's heart skipped a beat, and she thought to herself: Why is Consort Rong looking at her so strangely?

She walked over and bowed respectfully.

Consort Rong glanced at her and slowly said, "I heard that Consort Yuan had a rash on her face a few days ago. It seems to be getting better now?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. The rash on my face has completely subsided."

Consort Rong chuckled softly, her tone carrying a hint of something ambiguous, "You'd better take good care of this face. After all, isn't it because of this handsome appearance that you've won the Emperor's favor?"

Before Song Shuangning could respond, she took another step forward, lowering her voice, "Speaking of which, I think your face is truly outstanding. Consort Yuan, have I ever told you that your eyebrows and eyes are very similar to mine?"

"Your Majesty is graceful and elegant, while I am but a willow branch, how can I possibly compare to you?"

Song Shuangning replied neither humbly nor arrogantly.

Elegance, madman.

After all that fuss, it turned out they were trying to suppress her, but she just wouldn't listen.

Have you been reading too many stunt double stories and started using this "Wanwan resembles Qing" trope?

She truly possesses remarkable grace.

Seeing that she remained calm and did not lose her composure as expected, Consort Rong felt somewhat bored, gave a soft snort, and turned to leave.