The imperial palace attendant hurried in and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, Your Highness Qiong requests an audience."

Sheng Xiyan put down the book, and a hint of sarcasm appeared at the corner of her lips. "You dirty thing, you're so eager to compete for favor so soon."

"Let her in."

Soon, Xue Qiong walked into the palace gracefully, her lavender palace dress making her look charming and attractive.

She bowed slightly, her tone somewhat provocative: "I hope you are well, my dear sister. I have come to pay my respects to you."

Sheng Xiyan raised her eyes, her gaze cold and icy: "Princess Qiong is being attentive today, but I can't handle it."

Xue Qiong chuckled, her tone tinged with sarcasm. "You're joking, Concubine. I'm just doing my duty. But sister, why are you still hanging around in the Yangxin Palace? The Emperor is so busy with all sorts of affairs, and you shouldn't bother him."

Sheng Xiyan sneered and turned to Hua Xia and Mei Xiang and said, "Princess Qiong doesn't understand respect and inferiority. You should teach her some rules."

Hua Xia and Mei Xiang understood, took a step forward, raised their hands and slapped Xue Qiong in the face.

Xue Qiong did not refute and let the slap fall on her face, but a calculation flashed in her eyes.

Sheng Xiyan knew what she was waiting for.

He said coldly, "Beat her hard! Let her remember this lesson!"

Xue Qiong's cheeks were red and swollen, but she still smiled charmingly: "My dear concubine, just wait, you will get your retribution soon!"

“Pah!”

The crisp sound of applause echoed in the hall.

Suddenly, a cold shout came from outside the hall: "Stop!"

Everyone turned around and saw Xuan Ling wearing a dragon robe with a five-clawed golden dragon embroidered with gold thread, the hem of the robe sweeping past the palace gate.

With his thin lips slightly pursed, he exuded the majesty and coldness unique to an emperor, and walked in with an overwhelming aura.

Xue Qiong saw this and immediately fell to the ground, crying bitterly: "Your Majesty, the imperial concubine hit me, look..."

Xuan Ling glanced at Sheng Xiyan with a cold gaze, then helped Xue Qiong up, his tone full of concern: "How did you get beaten like this? Did you offend the imperial concubine?"

Xue Qiong sobbed, "I didn't. How could I dare? It was the Imperial Concubine who said I was restless and trying to seduce the Emperor. She couldn't tolerate it and ordered the palace maids to beat me severely."

Xuan Ling pretended to be angry and turned to Sheng Xiyan and said, "Noble Concubine, you have gone too far. How could you hit Concubine Qiong so viciously?"

Sheng Xiyan deliberately raised her chin and said arrogantly and provocatively, "Your Majesty, Concubine Qiong is unruly. What's wrong with me teaching her a lesson? She just deserves a beating!"

Xuan Ling said coldly, "Shut up! Imperial Concubine, you are jealous and narrow-minded. It seems that I have spoiled you. Go back to Guanju Palace immediately and reflect on your actions!"

Sheng Xiyan's eyes reddened, and she cried aggrievedly, "Your Majesty, you only see the new couple smiling, and ignore the old couple crying. I'm pregnant!"

Xuan Ling scolded: "Get out now! Don't make me say it again!"

Hua Xia and Ming Yue hurried forward and helped Sheng Xiyan off the couch.

She looked back every few steps, her eyes full of grievance and unwillingness, and finally left the Yangxin Palace with the help of the palace servants.

A smug smile appeared on Xueqiong's lips, "My lord, you have fallen out of favor."

Xuan Ling saw it and pretended to be concerned and said, "My dear, your face is so swollen. Let Mingyue apply some medicine to you."

Xue Qiong, however, grabbed his sleeve and said in a tender voice, "Your Majesty, I want you to wipe me."

Xuan Ling had no choice but to nod and say, "Sit down, I'll wipe it for you."

He took the ointment and applied it on her red and swollen cheeks.

Xue Qiong peeked at the insect behind Xuan Ling's ear and thought to herself, "This insect will surely make the emperor love me more and more." "My dear concubine, you are doomed."

Xuan Ling applied the medicine while saying calmly, "My beloved concubine, I am sorry for what happened to you today. The noble concubine has a strong temper, and I will discipline her."

Xue Qiong said softly, "Your Majesty, don't worry about me. As long as you have me in your heart, it doesn't matter if I suffer a little."

Xuan Ling nodded, his eyes filled with an icy mist, "Don't worry, I know what's going on."