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

On the other side, before the Emperor.

Li Fuquan hurried into the palace and said anxiously, "Your Majesty, the eldest princess and the second prince were playing Cuju (ancient Chinese football) by the Willow Lake when the eldest princess accidentally fell into the water. Fortunately, she was rescued by Consort Song. Now, Consort Song and the eldest princess have returned to Fengyi Palace together."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan frowned, put down his vermilion brush, and got up to walk outside.

"Consort Song?"

Li Fuquan bowed and replied, "Yes, it is indeed Lady Song."

A shadowy glint, unreadable to anyone, flashed across Xiao Yan's eyes.

Once on the imperial carriage, he asked again, "How is Wan'er?"

"Your Majesty, rest assured, the eldest princess is fine."

Xiao Yan twirled the jade thumb ring in his hand, his lips twitching almost imperceptibly.

He suddenly felt that he was stupid and easily fooled.

He actually believed the woman's nonsense from last night. Did she not want to serve him in bed? Did she not want his favor? Ha, in the end, it was nothing more than a trick of playing hard to get.

What a coincidence! She just happened to be by the weeping willow and just happened to save Wan'er.

Such meticulous planning at every step truly reveals a deep and cunning mind!

"Li Fuquan, go and investigate today's events."

Xiao Yan lowered his eyes slightly, a cold glint in them.

If Wan'er's fall into the water today was orchestrated by her, then he will not let her off easily.

Song Shuangning was carried to a side hall of Fengyi Palace.

Tingyu hurried back to Cangdong Pavilion and retrieved a set of clean and elegant clothes. Song Shuangning changed out of her wet clothes.

Upon arriving at Fengyi Palace, Xiao Yan went straight to the inner hall to visit the eldest princess.

The Empress curtsied: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

"Get up. How is Wan'er?"

The eldest princess had fallen asleep after taking her medicine, her face slightly pale.

With tears in her eyes, the Empress said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. The imperial physician said that Wan'er only swallowed a few mouthfuls of lake water and is fine. Fortunately, Consort Song arrived in time and saved our Wan'er. Otherwise, I would have regretted it for the rest of my life."

When she first became pregnant, the baby's position was unstable, so she took medication to prevent miscarriage for three whole months and rested in bed every day. Even in the late stages of pregnancy, the baby was still not stable, so she continued to use moxibustion to regulate her body. Her birth was particularly dangerous, nearly resulting in the deaths of both herself and her unborn child.

This was a treasure she had risked her life for, and she cherished it dearly. Therefore, she was sincerely grateful to Consort Song for saving the princess.

Xiao Yan lowered his eyelids slightly: "How can the Empress be so certain that Consort Song's rescue of Wan'er was an accident?"

The Empress lowered her eyes in thought, realizing that the Emperor had misunderstood Consort Song. She chuckled to herself, thinking that Consort Rong was simply unlucky.

She said in a gentle voice, "Your Majesty, you are unaware of the following... This afternoon, Consort Song was punished by Consort Rong to kneel, and Wan'er has always enjoyed playing Cuju (ancient Chinese football) by the Weeping Willow Lake. Today's events are indeed a coincidence."

There happens to be a wide, flat open space next to Weeping Willow Lake.

"Kneeling as punishment? Why?" Xiao Yan asked in surprise, raising his eyes.

The Empress glanced at the Emperor, whose expression was complex, with a hint of barely perceptible displeasure in his eyes.

The Empress sighed, "Consort Rong said that Consort Song hasn't learned proper etiquette. However, in these past few days of paying respects, I've actually found that among the new consorts, Consort Song has the best manners..."

The tone suggested that he was speaking up for Consort Song.

Xiao Yan said calmly, "Consort Rong is indeed becoming increasingly impetuous in her actions."

A moment later, Xiao Yan and the Empress entered the side hall together.

Her hair was still dripping wet, and her almond-shaped eyes were veiled with a thin mist, making her appear even more pitiful and delicate. She threw back the brocade quilt and staggered out of bed to pay her respects.

"This concubine greets Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress." Her voice was thin and weak, and somewhat hoarse.

"No need for such formalities," the Empress quickly said, pressing her down.

The Empress said to the imperial physician, "Quickly examine Consort Song."

"Yes."

The imperial physician took Song Shuangning's wrist and said, "Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress, Consort Song is already frail. She caught a cold after going into the water, and her pulse is weak and feeble. She may develop a fever tonight, so we need to be extra careful."

Hearing these words and looking at her pale face, Xiao Yan felt a pang of guilt.

She saved Wan'er, yet she harbors such malicious suspicions about her.

The Empress said, "You may stay in Fengyi Palace today."

Song Shuangning shook her head weakly: "I appreciate Your Majesty's concern. I should go back now and not bother Your Majesty any longer. Besides, it was just a small favor today, and I really don't deserve it."

Seeing her insistence, the Empress did not force her to stay.

The Empress ordered a sedan chair to be prepared and sent her back to the Hidden Winter Pavilion.

After she left, the Empress bowed to Xiao Yanwei and said, "Your Majesty, Consort Song saved the princess from danger. I have dared to ask for a favor for her. I would like to promote her to the rank of Beauty. What does Your Majesty think?"

"Hmm." Xiao Yan's eyes flickered slightly: "Since she saved the princess, she deserves this favor. Let's do as the Empress says."

The Empress smiled, her gaze fixed on the scene.

Asking the Emperor for favor was primarily to acknowledge Consort Song's merit in saving the princess.

As for the second reason, it was also a deliberate attempt to elevate her status. Such a beautiful face was a rare sight in the imperial harem. If Consort Song were sensible and dutiful, she might not be a bad choice.

Inside the sedan chair, Song Shuangning sniffed weakly.

Today was also a lucky day, as we happened to witness the eldest princess falling into the water.

However, the original owner's body was far too weak...

Upon hearing that she had returned, Consort Song rushed over. Seeing Song Shuangning's frail and delicate appearance, a dark glint flashed in her eyes.

Everyone knows that the Emperor and Empress dote on this eldest princess the most. This time, she saved the eldest princess's life, which is equivalent to climbing up the Empress's powerful tree.

Consort Song pursed her lips. If she didn't know that Song Shuangning had been forced to kneel by Consort Rong, she would have suspected that Song Shuangning had arranged it all.

Are you alright?

Song Shuangning shook her head: "Thank you for your concern, elder sister, I'm fine."

If she really manages to climb up to the Empress's powerful backing, wouldn't she be out of her control?

Consort Song's tone was somewhat tentative: "Shuang Ning, you saved the eldest princess, the empress must be very grateful to you."

Song Shuangning's expression remained pure and innocent as she timidly said, "I only managed to save the princess by sheer luck... Eldest sister, as you know, Her Majesty the Empress has always been kind to everyone..."

"I have kept all of my elder sister's instructions in mind and will follow her arrangements in everything. If I have anything on my mind, I will let her know. I always remember that I am where I am today because of my elder sister's care."

"That's good." Consort Song tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I won't disturb you any longer. You should rest well."

After leaving, she put away her smile and said coldly, "Have Qiuhe keep an eye on Song Shuangning, and report to me if there is any movement."