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

The spring sunshine is gentle and warm.

Xiao Yan ordered a family banquet to be held in the Zichen Palace and specially sent Li Fuquan to invite Song Shuangning to the banquet.

Song Shuangning couldn't fathom Xiao Yan's intentions. The Zichen Palace was where the emperor conducted state affairs, and private banquets were rarely held there, let alone inviting a mere concubine like her to a banquet alone.

Family dinner.

Apart from her aunt, she had no other family members.

Upon entering the Zichen Palace, Song Shuangning realized that not only Xiao Yan, but also the Marquis of Zhenbei, Old Madam Zheng, and Zheng Yueyao were present.

Song Shuangning's doubts deepened.

Since meeting Zheng Yueyao at Consort Rong's birthday banquet, her interactions with the Zhenbei Marquis's residence have become increasingly frequent, especially with the old lady, whose gaze towards her always carried a strange kind of affection.

"Consort Yuan." Marquis Zhenbei and Zheng Yueyao nodded to her.

"Since this is a family dinner, there's no need to be so formal," Xiao Yan said.

Song Shuangning and Xiao Yan sat on one side, while the three members of the Zhenbei Marquis family sat on the other side.

As Song Shuangning sat down, her hand on her lap was grabbed by Xiao Yan beside her.

The Emperor turned his head, his gaze falling on her face, and his heart stirred. Even though he had seen Ningning a thousand times, he was still captivated by her beauty and couldn't look away.

However, Song Shuangning was unremarkable, dressed only in a moon-white silk dress with a lotus-root-colored gold-embroidered trim around the neckline, and a jade hairpin with twin orchid blossoms and pearl tassels dangling from her temple. She was utterly unremarkable.

Song Shuangning glared at him angrily. "Old Deng, we haven't even made up yet, and you're already getting physical."

Song Shuangning used a little force to pull her hand back, but Xiao Yan was not angry at all. Instead, he was savoring the glare she had given him earlier.

Xiao Yan served Song Shuangning a piece of hibiscus tofu and said gently, "Try this. It's a new flavor that the imperial kitchen has come up with. It's light and not greasy."

Song Shuangning did not taste it, and asked softly, "Your Majesty specially summoned me to the Zichen Palace for a banquet today, and also invited the elders of the Marquis's Mansion. Is there any reason for this?"

Xiao Yan put down his chopsticks. "I just thought it was a nice spring day and wanted you and your elders from the Marquis's mansion to get together."

Song Shuangning caught the phrase "your elders from the Marquis's mansion" in Xiao Yan's words.

you?

Song Shuangning asked in surprise, "My elders?"

Marquis Zhenbei picked up the conversation, unable to hold back any longer, his voice choked with suppressed emotion, "Child, you are a child of the Zheng family."

Xiao Yan added, "Your biological father is this Marquis of Zhenbei."

Song Shuangning's hand trembled, and the chopsticks fell into the jade plate with a clatter, the crisp sound breaking the silence in the hall.

The astonishment in her eyes spread out layer by layer.

In the end, it all solidified into an incredulous bewilderment.

The twin orchid hairpin at her temple swayed gently as she trembled.

what?

ha?

Hello? Is that right?

She is a child of the Zheng family, the daughter of the Marquis of Zhenbei?

Even novelists wouldn't dare write something like this.

She was completely stunned; her mind went blank.

She took the old lady's loving gaze as an elder's pity for a younger generation, never considering it from that perspective—it was utterly absurd.

In the brief moment of dazedness, a myriad of complex emotions surged within me.

She felt no affection whatsoever for her scumbag father, Song Mingyuan, and her stepmother, Gong Yerong; in fact, she loathed them to the core.

But her aunt was the only light in this deep mansion for her.

Her aunt's kindness to her was as precious as pearls. But she wasn't her aunt's child.

Madam Zheng could no longer hold back. She stood up shakily, walked quickly to Song Shuangning's side, and pulled her into her arms.

"Good child, you've suffered all these years."

She remained motionless.

With a sob in her voice, Zheng Yueyao recounted the events of that year to Song Shuangning.

The Marquis of Zhenbei said, "You and your mother looked exactly alike when you were young. Shuangning, are you willing to acknowledge your ancestors and return to your clan?"

Song Shuangning broke free from the old lady's embrace and it took her a long time to say, "I... my mind is in a mess right now, please... please let me calm down."

After saying that, she staggered and ran towards the side hall.

Xiao Yan sighed softly and said to the Marquis of Zhenbei and the old lady, "It is only natural that she would find it difficult to accept such a major event so suddenly."

He then followed.

Song Shuangning stood blankly by the window.

Xiao Yan quietly approached, draped a cloak over her shoulders, and asked in a deep voice, "What are you thinking about?"

"I'm wondering if all of this today is just a dream," she said, her voice trembling.

Xiao Yan looked down at her: "It's not a dream."

He reached out and gently ruffled her hair. "Silly girl, wouldn't it be better to have more family members who genuinely protect and care for you, and more people who cherish you in their hearts?"

A layer of moisture welled up in Song Shuangning's eyes, and her voice trembled: "But if I acknowledge my relatives, then you will truly have no family left in this world."

She turned her face away, each word tinged with bitterness.

"My maternal grandparents have long since passed away. My only remaining relative in this world is me. But now... I am no longer even her daughter. My aunt will surely not be able to accept this."

Looking at her like this, Xiao Yan sighed silently. Soft-hearted and kind people are mostly like this, always taking other people's difficulties more seriously than their own.

"I know you're heartbroken. Consort Su's love for you is genuine, and your blood ties with the Marquis of Zhenbei are real. These two aren't mutually exclusive choices. After you acknowledge your kinship, you'll have the Marquis's support and be able to better protect Consort Su. Isn't that the best of both worlds?"

Song Shuangning shook her head. "I still can't accept it. I'd better calm down a bit more."

Fortunately, she had a aunt who treated her with all her heart and protected her as she grew up. Therefore, she cherished this affection, but she was also worried that if she coveted this sudden affection, she would hurt her aunt's heart.

"In that case, you shall stay in the Zichen Palace," Xiao Yan said gently, taking her hand in his.

Song Shuangning glanced at him sideways, her gaze seemingly asking, "Don't you know we haven't made up yet?"

"You should go back, my concubine."

"I command you to remain in the Zichen Palace."

Song Shuangning: "..."

Song Shuangning gently pursed her lips.

Xiao Yan missed her terribly; she was like a poison—once you were hooked, you couldn't let go.

So I wanted to keep her here.

Seeing her pout and snort, Xiao Yan couldn't help but gently stroke her chin. "Look at this harem, who else dares to give me attitude?"

"Hmm~" Song Shuangning glared at him reproachfully, her eyes like a cat scratching at someone.

Xiao Yan: "Is Ningning being spoiled and arrogant?"

Song Shuangning ignored him and turned to sit down on the soft couch. She had already given him a lot of benefits.

Anything more would be extra.

Li Fuquan, who was standing to the side, took in the whole scene. He quickly raised his eyelids. This Consort Yuan was giving the Emperor a hard time, but why was the Emperor not only not angry, but instead seemed to have received some precious treasure, and was smiling so happily?

Perhaps it was a romantic interest between the Emperor and Consort Yuan?

He doesn't understand.

Xiao Yan conveyed Song Shuangning's message to the Zhenbei Marquis's family. After hearing it, they were inevitably somewhat disappointed and did not insist.

Night fell like still water, and the bedchamber within the Zichen Palace was quiet.

Song Shuangning was fast asleep when, in her hazy state, she suddenly felt a warm, damp sensation on her cheek, accompanied by a slightly itchy wetness. She let out a soft moan.