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

After guarding the frontier for decades, the Marquis of Zhenbei finally wished to return to the capital. The Emperor, mindful of his hard work and great achievements, held a banquet in the palace to welcome him back.

At the same time, the Empress held a flower-viewing banquet at Jiangxue Pavilion in the Imperial Garden, inviting the women of the Zhenbei Marquis's family to the palace to enjoy the flowers and chat with the concubines.

This is Xiao Yan's intention.

After nearly half a month of secret investigation, the King of Chu gave an affirmative answer.

Consort Yuan is most likely the biological daughter of the Marquis of Zhenbei.

Xiao Yan instructed the Empress to host a banquet, not only to show consideration for the Marquis of Zhenbei's ten years of hardship in guarding the border, but also to create an opportunity for him to reunite with his daughter.

It was also a test to see how this powerful minister, who held considerable military power, would react after learning that his daughter was in the inner palace.

Will their loyalty waver as a result, just like the Su family?

It was February, and the chill had not yet reached the bone.

The flower-viewing banquet at Jiangxue Pavilion kept the lingering chill of early spring outside.

Song Shuangning sat upright in her seat, her gaze seemingly casually sweeping across the hall. At the seats of the Zhenbei Marquis's residence, besides Old Madam Zheng and Miss Zheng the Second, there were several female relatives of the Zheng family whom she had never seen before.

Old Madam Zheng's gaze remained as loving as ever, yet Song Shuangning still felt uncomfortable.

To add to the elegance, one of the concubines suggested a game called "Flying Flower Poetry Game," where everyone took turns composing poems on the theme of "flowers."

For a time, the hall was filled with the sound of poetry, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

When it was Consort Rong's turn, she smiled sweetly, her fingers delicately twirling, and recited, "A few peach blossoms bloom outside the bamboo grove; the ducks are the first to know when the spring river warms."

(*Su Shi's "Two Poems on the Spring River at Dawn by Hui Chong")

Soon, the rounds began, and it was Song Shuangning's turn.

Song Shuangning thought for a moment. She wasn't good at the "Flying Flower Order" game, but after studying Chinese textbooks for twelve years, she shouldn't be completely ignorant.

Just as she was about to speak, Consort Rong suddenly uttered an "Ah," as if she were talking to herself, or as if she were speaking specifically to her.

"If you rhyme incorrectly or use repeated words, you will be punished with a drink. Consort Yuan, you are of humble birth and probably have never played this game before, so please don't be nervous."

Consort Rong's voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for everyone around her to hear clearly.

She wasn't afraid that Song Shuangning would say something wrong; she clearly wanted to make her too nervous to speak, thus embarrassing her in front of everyone.

Several concubines chuckled.

Instead of feeling embarrassed, Song Shuangning came up with an even better poem.

Anger and heartache flashed in Madam Zheng's eyes.

Zheng Yueyao spoke up neither humbly nor arrogantly: "Your Highness, Consort Rong, you are mistaken. The essence of poetry lies in one's state of mind and understanding, and has nothing to do with one's background. Moreover, the Flying Flower Game is a refined pastime meant to enhance enjoyment. If we measure everything by winning or losing, right or wrong, wouldn't that be putting the cart before the horse?"

She looked at Song Shuangning and gave her a sincere smile. "Consort Yuan, take your time thinking about it. There's no rush."

Consort Rong looked at Zheng Yueyao in disbelief. She hadn't expected that Zheng Yueyao, who was supposed to be her cousin, would show her such disrespect.

At least they can be considered sisters.

Consort Shu, who had been smiling silently, clapped her hands lightly, her gaze shifting meaningfully.

"Some people always think that they have some knowledge and use these poems and elegant tastes as a means to show off. But they don't know that true literary cultivation is the gentleness and humility engraved in their bones, not the harshness on their lips."

Consort Rong's cheeks turned from white to red.

Her pride in her talent and family background was dismissed as utterly worthless.

An overwhelming sense of shame and indignation welled up inside me.

Song Shuangning accepted the challenge, replying with the line: "The face is gone, I know not where; the peach blossoms still smile in the spring breeze."

(*Cui Hu's "Written at the South Village of the Capital")

The Empress watched the scene unfold with a calm smile throughout.

Today's flower viewing party was really interesting.

***

The flower-viewing banquet ended with the Empress's words, "Everyone, please disperse."

The concubines exited Jiangxue Pavilion one by one.

Madam Zheng and Zheng Yueyao were still sitting at the table when Madam Zheng sighed deeply.

Judging from today's flower viewing banquet, Nannan is not having a good time in the palace; many people are targeting her.

This scene made Madam Zheng determined that she must get Song Shuangning recognized as her ancestor as soon as possible.

Only by becoming the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Zhenbei could she have a real foundation and confidence in the palace, and those sycophants would no longer dare to easily humiliate her.

Song Shuangning silently walked to the back of the crowd.

The resentful gaze of Consort Rong made her feel like she was being pricked by thorns.

She knew this turmoil wouldn't end there.

That's perfect, just as she wished.

What she wanted was for Consort Rong to break down and become irrational.

Thus, once the Su family falls from grace, Consort Rong will also be quickly demoted.

Song Shuangning straightened her back and chatted and laughed with Qiu Cairen.

As expected, Consort Rong's expression darkened further upon hearing their laughter and chatter.

If you hate someone, you'll hate everything about them, even if they haven't done anything wrong.

Surrounded by a group of concubines and palace maids, Consort Rong walked step by step to her.

"Your Highness Consort Rong." Song Shuangning curtsied.

Consort Rong's gaze fell on her rosy lips, and she recalled the scene she had witnessed that day, how the Emperor had held her face and kissed her so tenderly.

Consort Rong's gaze slowly rose, and when she saw the camellia hairpin in Song Shuangning's hair, her anger intensified.

She was wearing the same one that day.

What, do you need to remind yourself all the time?

How passionately and inseparable were the Emperor and she?

And all of this was done intentionally by Song Shuangning.

From that day on, she wore bright red rouge every day and wore that white magnolia hairpin every day.

Consort Rong: "Who are you trying to impress with that perfunctory attitude?"

Her bow just now was so perfect that it was beyond reproach.

"I did not give you a perfunctory answer."

"You still dare to argue?" Consort Rong raised her hand and slammed the small hand warmer she used for warmth onto the ground.

The scalding hot charcoal ash poured out, burning the back of Song Shuangning's hand.

Song Shuangning winced in pain, and Qiu Cairen immediately grabbed her hand, saying anxiously, "Sister, your hand!!"

The commotion here also disturbed the Empress.

The Empress and Madam Zheng came out together. The Empress asked with a serious expression, "What happened? Why are you all gathered here?"

A dark light flashed across Consort Shen's eyes. The Empress Dowager had instructed her to spend more time with Consort Yuan, but Consort Yuan was aloof and she couldn't find an opportunity.

But now is a golden opportunity.

She curtsied and said, "Your Majesty, this...this concubine doesn't know the details either. I only saw Consort Rong and Consort Yuan arguing, and there seemed to be some misunderstanding in their words. Then, Consort Rong angrily smashed the hand warmer, and the scalding charcoal...alas, Consort Yuan's hand was burned like that, it's really pitiful."

Upon hearing this, Madam Zheng let go of the old nanny's hand and stepped forward to grab Song Shuangning's hand.

Song Shuangning's hand was already covered in red marks.

"How did it get so serious?"

Tingyu picked up some snow and placed it on the back of Song Shuangning's hand.

The Empress looked at Consort Rong with displeasure.

Consort Rong said coldly, "It was Consort Yuan who lacked manners first."

Madam Zheng's gaze fell on the red and swollen wound. Her lips moved, but she couldn't utter a single word. She only felt waves of heartache.

She desperately wanted to reprimand the arrogant and rude Consort Rong, but this was the palace, and she had neither the standing nor the right to do so.

Furthermore, this is not good for the girl.

Consort Rong looked at Old Madam Zheng's actions with puzzlement. Why did Old Madam Zheng show such affection for Consort Yuan?

The Empress instructed the palace maids behind her, "Quickly, fetch a royal physician. Consort Yuan, come with me to the side hall to treat your wounds."

"Everyone else, you can leave now."

Consort Rong took a deep breath.

Lately, nothing has been going right.

Side hall.

Madam Zheng continued to tenderly apply snow to the back of her scalded hand, occasionally blowing on it.

Song Shuangning's heart softened, as if she could see the figure of her aunt.

She said, "Thank you, Madam, I can do it myself."

"It's alright, I'll do it," Old Madam Zheng refused.

The Queen sat in the chair above, watching this scene, lost in thought.

Soon after, Xiao Yan arrived with the imperial physician.

Marquis Zhenbei also came along.

As soon as she entered the hall, the Marquis of Zhenbei's gaze seemed fixed on her, a look that was a mixture of shock, surprise, and heartache.

He looked at the face that resembled his wife so closely, and his heart was gripped tightly.

Song Shuangning also felt that overly intense gaze.

She noticed the bearded, tall, and muscular man.

Concubines are not allowed to stare at men outside their marriage, so she quickly looked away.

Xiao Yan held her hand; it was only slightly red and didn't look serious.

Looking at the aggrieved woman before him, he had only one thought in his mind:

I don't want Consort Rong to be so smug for too long.

Song Shuangning comforted her, "It doesn't hurt much anymore."