Princess Xueqiong walked in gracefully, her exotic gauze dress making her look graceful, and her eyes and eyebrows exuded the mystery and charm of a woman from the Western Regions.

She bowed gracefully, her voice as sweet as a clear spring: "Xue Qiong greets the Emperor and the Imperial Concubine."

Xuan Ling nodded slightly and said, "Princess, there's no need to be so polite."

Xue Qiong raised her eyes and her gaze fell on Sheng Xiyan.

During the days she had been in the palace, she had heard everyone praising the Concubine Chen for her stunning beauty, and she had been wondering how beautiful she could be.

But at this moment, he was stunned. The imperial concubine in front of him had a face as white as cream, her eyes were full of spring water, and her cherry lips were delicate and tempting.

She wore a green silk dress embroidered with large peonies and phoenixes, a pink smoke gauze skirt that trailed on the ground, a soft green gauze garment in her hand, and a tasseled gold hairpin in her hair.

Her whole body seemed to be white, tender, soft and boneless, extremely beautiful, and exuding a rare bright and charming aura.

Xue Qiong's eyes flashed with surprise, and she said softly:

"The Imperial Concubine is truly the most beautiful person Xueqiong has ever seen in the Central Plains. Her reputation is well-deserved."

Sheng Xiyan smiled slightly, her tone gentle but a little distant: "Princess, you are too kind. Your exotic style is unique and unforgettable."

Xue Qiong's smile deepened upon hearing this. She took a white-glazed jade cup from the maid and said respectfully:

"I heard that the Imperial Concubine was pregnant, and the Emperor and the Empress had a poor appetite, so Xue Qiong specially brought some homemade delicacies from her hometown.

Although my craftsmanship is crude and I injured my hand, it is a token of my heart. Please appreciate it, Your Majesty and Your Majesty."

Hearing this, Xuan Ling's eyes fell on her bandaged finger, and his tone softened a bit: "Princess, you are so sincere. The Concubine and I will definitely try it."

Eunuch Fu stepped forward, tested the poison with a silver plate, and placed the jade cup in front of Xuan Ling.

Xuan Ling picked up the jade spoon, took a sip, and nodded in praise, "It's rare for the princess to cook such a delicious dish for the first time."

When Sheng Xiyan saw Xuan Ling smiling at Xue Qiong, a sour feeling suddenly welled up in her heart.

She picked up the yellow-glazed dragon-patterned dish and walked to Xuan Ling's side. However, she did not stand by the dragon table. Instead, she sat directly on the dragon throne, right next to the emperor, and said in a delicate voice, "Your Majesty, let me have a taste too."

Upon seeing this, Xue Qiong's eyes flashed with surprise, and she thought to herself: It is said that Emperor Xuanwu has very strict rules, but he can actually tolerate the imperial concubine sitting on the dragon throne with him. It seems that this imperial concubine's favor is extraordinary.

Sheng Xiyan had just put the jade spoon to her lips when she suddenly covered her chest and pretended to retch.

When Xuan Ling saw her vomit, he also felt nauseous.

The two people vomited one after another.

Xueqiong was extremely embarrassed and knelt down in a hurry.

Xuan Ling slowed down, frowned slightly, and asked with concern: "Yan Yan, are you still feeling uncomfortable?"

Sheng Xiyan's eyes were filled with tears as she said weakly, "Your Majesty, I can't stand the smell. I feel very dizzy."

Xuan Ling quickly put down the jade spoon, reached out to stroke her back, and said gently: "Would you like some dried peaches?"

Sheng Xiyan fell into his arms and said in a soft voice, "Your Majesty, hold me, I will feel more comfortable."

Xue Qiong stood aside, feeling extremely embarrassed, but a trace of unwillingness was burning in her heart.

She stepped forward and said softly, "Your Majesty, let Xue Qiong perform a dance for the Imperial Concubine. Perhaps it can distract her and ease her discomfort."

Xuan Ling looked down at the lovely girl in his arms and asked softly, "Does the Imperial Concubine want to see it?"

Sheng Xiyan hugged his neck and said delicately, "I feel dizzy, and watching the dance will make me even more dizzy. Your Majesty, please hold me for a while and let me close my eyes and rest for a while, and I will be fine."

Xuan Ling said softly, "Okay, go to sleep. I'll hold you."

After saying that, he looked up and waved to Xue Qiong.

Eunuch Fu hurried forward and said respectfully, "Princess, please."

Xue Qiong bowed slightly, turned around and left.

The moment she walked out of the Yangxin Palace, a hint of determination flashed in her eyes: Emperor Xuanwu, I must win your favor!

Inside the hall, Xuan Ling was reading a book while holding Sheng Xiyan in his arms.

Half an hour later, Sheng Xiyan slowly woke up, raised her eyes to look at the emperor, and said in a soft voice: "Your Majesty, I feel much better."

Xuan Ling put down the book, looked down at her, and said in a light tone: "Awake? How do you feel?"

Sheng Xiyan was secretly delighted to see his face relax, but then she thought of his smile towards Xue Qiong and couldn't help but said sourly:

"Your Majesty, Princess Xueqiong is coming to marry. She should be taken into the harem soon, right?"

Xuan Ling raised her eyebrows slightly when she heard this, and said lightly: "Yes, the imperial concubine was in the temple a few days ago and didn't see the performance of Princess Wusun. Her dancing skills were superb."

Sheng Xiyan sat up angrily and whispered, "Then I congratulate the emperor on taking in a new woman. He wants to try something new! Wicked dragon, lecherous dragon!"

Xuan Ling's lips curled up slightly at her words, but he pretended to be serious and said, "My Lady, you should know your duty."

Sheng Xiyan was so angry that she got off the couch and snorted coldly, "Yes, I will remember the emperor's teachings. According to palace rules, it is not appropriate for me to live in the Yangxin Palace. I will pack up and return to Guanju Palace."

She turned and walked towards the back hall, but was stopped by Xuan Ling: "Sheng Xiyan, how dare you! You are not allowed to go anywhere without my permission!"

Sheng Xiyan paused, tears welling up in her eyes, and she said aggrievedly:

"Your Majesty is so fierce. I regret it. I should have known not to return to the palace. I should not have rushed back as soon as I heard you were sick. I should not have told you that I was pregnant..."

Xuan Ling picked up the red pen and said coldly, "If you are tired, go and rest. Don't talk nonsense."

The night was dark, and the flickering candlelight in the Yangxin Palace illuminated Sheng Xiyan's delicate and charming face.

She lay lazily on the dragon couch, playing with a round jade dragon in her hands.

"Stinky dragon, if you smile at another woman, I'll tear your mouth and poke out your eyes."

She sighed, feeling depressed: "It's so hard to be a woman. I'm tied up by pregnancy. Otherwise, I could sneak out of the palace and never pay attention to that vicious and smelly dragon again!"

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!