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

The sky was somewhat gray, and the entire plum grove was covered in snow. Looking into the distance, amidst the vast expanse of white, tiny specks of red stood out conspicuously.

Stepping into the plum grove, one is filled with the crispness of snow and the subtle fragrance of plum blossoms. When the wind blows, the snow falls softly from the plum trees.

Song Shuangning held a bunch of plum blossoms in her arms, a bright smile on her face.

Children from the South have an almost obsessive fondness for snow and plum blossoms.

She, Tinglu, and Tingyu built a small snowman and placed it under the blooming red plum tree, adding a touch of life to the otherwise desolate plum grove.

After admiring the view for a while, he was satisfied and ready to leave when he bumped into Consort Shu who was coming from the opposite direction.

In the snow, Consort Shu stood out conspicuously in her red cloak.

But what's even more eye-catching is Consort Shu's exaggeratedly round belly. Although she's only seven months pregnant, she looks like she's about to give birth.

As a result, her whole body became rounder.

This stomach...something's not right.

Song Shuangning's gaze darkened.

Before she could think further, Consort Shu approached and said with a smile, "What a coincidence that I've run into you here."

Song Shuangning curtsied and smiled, "The snow has stopped today, so I came out to enjoy the scenery. Is Consort Shu also here?"

Consort Shu gently stroked her belly. "I haven't been out much since I got pregnant. I felt so stuffy, so I came out for a walk."

"If Consort Yuan isn't in a hurry to return, would you mind accompanying me for a walk and a chat?"

Song Shuangning replied softly, "This is my honor."

Consort Shu walked in front, with Song Shuangning beside her.

After careful consideration, Song Shuangning asked casually, "Your Majesty, I notice your belly is more prominent than usual for a woman seven months pregnant. Could it be that you are expecting twins?"

She tried her best to make her tone sound like pure congratulations and curiosity.

Upon hearing this, Consort Shu was slightly taken aback, then a helpless, bitter smile appeared on her face.

"I am not so fortunate."

She gently stroked her round belly, as if complaining, "Perhaps this child eats too much, I always feel hungry. The imperial physician advised me to watch my diet, but I just can't help it."

"Ever since I got pregnant with him, I haven't been able to sleep well at all; it's been so torturous."

If the child is too big, the child may suffer during childbirth.

Song Shuangning smiled faintly, "This is proof that the prince is healthy in your womb. Although it's been tough, once the prince is born safely, you will enjoy the joy of motherhood and feel that everything now is worthwhile."

Upon hearing this, Consort Shu's smile deepened.

Listening to Song Shuangning's considerate and thoughtful words, Consort Shu couldn't help but sigh in her heart, "Women in the capital have been studying and learning to read and write since childhood, and they really know how to speak."

Consort Shu's thoughts drifted back to the past.

Initially, she did not like Consort Yuan and even had a prejudice against her.

The turning point was the sachet worn by Consort Rong, and it was Consort Yuan, who had initially regarded her as an enemy, who reminded her that there was something wrong with the sachet.

Consort Shu took Song Shuangning's hand and gently placed it on her high, protruding belly. "Speaking of which, he will have to call you Mother Consort after he is born."

Song Shuangning's smile remained unchanged as she felt a faint fetal movement beneath her fingertips.

She felt...fear.

For a woman, giving birth is like walking through the gates of hell.

Pregnancy and childbirth are truly terrifying.

The two continued walking, when Consort Shu suddenly stopped and said to the palace maids and eunuchs behind her, "You don't need to follow so closely."

Did Consort Shu have something to say to her?

Song Shuangning glanced at the palace servants a foot away behind her.

Consort Shu lowered her voice, "Lately, the Emperor has been favoring Consort Rong, you don't need to take it too seriously."

Song Shuangning feigned ignorance, feigning naive confusion, and said sadly, "It must be due to Consort Rong's ability to regain favor. I am truly convinced."

"You really are naive." Consort Shu seemed amused by her naivety.

She quickly glanced around, lowering her voice even further, "Why don't you think about it? Consort Rong was perfectly fine, so why did she suddenly regain favor?"

When she asked this question, Song Shuangning cooperated by showing just the right amount of doubt.

"Then, why is that? Your Majesty, please enlighten me, but I am ignorant."

"I finally found out that Prince Rui and Consort Rong's family have long been entangled in a complex web of interests, making it difficult to distinguish between them. They are in close contact in private, and it seems they are plotting something of great importance."

Song Shuangning suddenly raised her head, her eyes filled with shock.

Consort Rong's father was the Emperor's tutor, and he was also involved in the plot?

"Do you understand now?"

Song Shuangning nodded.

Consort Shu sneered, "The Emperor is nice to her just to lower their guard and make them think that the Emperor knows nothing. When they think they have victory in their grasp, that will be the day the Emperor closes the net, and the day the Su family is completely captured."

It turned out to be the case.

No wonder the Emperor said that he couldn't visit her as often that day.

The emperor was luring the snake out of its hole; he was using flattery to kill it.

Every time he showed favor to Consort Rong, it was not a reward, but an invisible rope that tightened step by step until Consort Rong and Prince Rui's faction were completely ensnared.

What appears to be a gift is actually a death sentence.

The more they lower their guard, the more they will willingly expose their fangs.

Therefore, the emperor didn't need to put in much effort; he only needed to wait for them to reveal their conspiracy.

Consort Shu walked slowly forward, a smile spreading across her lips. "There's no need to pay too much attention to Consort Rong."

"I know."

Song Shuangning moved closer, "This concubine doesn't quite understand why Your Majesty is willing to tell me these things."

Consort Shu glanced at her and said, "I think you are much more sincere than others."

Song Shuangning's smile was gentle, as clean as the first snow.

After chatting for a few more minutes, the two went their separate ways.

Song Shuangning walked back through the snow, her feet making a soft crunching sound.

As I walked to the south side of the plum grove, I heard a voice.

Song Shuangning peeked out quietly, taking advantage of the plum tree's cover.

In the snow not far away, a bright yellow figure stood out, contrasting sharply with the pale purple figure opposite him.

It was Xiao Yan and Consort Rong.

She couldn't see Consort Rong's expression clearly, but she could see Xiao Yan's expression perfectly.

Xiao Yan frowned slightly, his thin lips pursed, showing some impatience.

Song Shuangning gave a slight smile.

Almost instantly, Song Shuangning and Li Fuquan, who was behind Xiao Yan, met each other's gazes.

Without the slightest hesitation, Song Shuangning immediately lowered her eyes, turned around, and walked forward unhurriedly as if she hadn't seen anything.

A silk handkerchief slipped silently from her sleeve.

She did not look back.

While Consort Rong was plucking plum blossoms with her head up, Li Fuquan whispered something in Xiao Yan's ear. Xiao Yan's brow twitched slightly, and he immediately looked in the direction where Song Shuangning had just left.

"Your Majesty, these plum blossoms are blooming so beautifully..." Consort Rong said excitedly.

"Xianning," Xiao Yan interrupted her calmly.

"I still have matters to attend to at the Hall of Diligent Governance, so I'll head back now. I'll visit you again tonight."

Consort Rong's smile froze, and she said disappointedly, "Yes."

"Go back. I'll watch you leave." Xiao Yan's voice remained calm.

Consort Rong was puzzled, feeling that the Emperor was acting strangely today. Xiao Yan raised his chin at her again, and Consort Rong smiled and took a step forward.

Until she walked away.

Xiao Yan then slowly walked towards the direction Song Shuangning had left.

He picked up the silk handkerchief that had fallen on the snow.

Embroidered on the silk handkerchief,

"I think of you whether I'm walking or sitting, I gaze at the sky at dawn and the clouds at dusk."