The emperor was extremely intelligent and had long and flexible fingers, so he quickly mastered the technique of braiding hair.

His fingers shuttled through her soft black hair, his movements were gentle and skillful. Soon, Sheng Xiyan's hair had many neat braids.

After braiding her hair, Xuan Ling took out a flower ring with a beautiful full moon and auspicious phoenix gem from his bosom and gently pinned it in her hair in front of her forehead.

The gems shimmered softly in the candlelight, making her look even more beautiful and charming.

Xuan Ling couldn't help but move closer, placing a light kiss on her delicate lips, and whispered, "Baby, you are so beautiful."

He stood up reluctantly and quietly left Guanju Palace.

The next morning, Sheng Xiyan woke up slowly, turned over, and was about to get up when Hua Xia and Jiang Jiang walked in.

Jiang Jiang took a closer look and exclaimed in surprise, "Oh! Mother, why are you wearing braids all over your head?"

Sheng Xiyan touched her hair and indeed felt a few thin braids.

Hey, what's going on?

Hua Xia smiled but said nothing.

Jiang Jiang muttered quietly, "I know, it was Father who came! Unfortunately, I fell asleep last night and didn't know. But today I can go to the Yangxin Palace to find Father and sleep with him."

Meixiang brought a small bronze mirror, and Sheng Xiyan looked at herself in the mirror, her face suddenly filled with sweetness.

Gently stroking the beautiful flower on my forehead, my heart was filled with joy.

Xuanlang's hands are so skillful! From now on, I will let him comb my daughter's hair.

She looked in the mirror, her hair adorned with jewels and flowers, like a charming little princess.

I secretly hope that the love poison will be lifted soon so that the family can be reunited.

At nightfall that day, Concubine Shu quietly entered the Yangxin Palace.

The palace door was closed, and Eunuch Fu was guarding outside the palace with a solemn expression, not allowing anyone to approach.

Inside the palace, Concubine Shu and Xuan Ling were having a confidential conversation.

After a cup of tea, Concubine Shu kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, don't worry. I know what to do."

Xuan Ling nodded slightly and waved his hand, and Concubine Shu stood up, knelt down, and walked out of the palace.

Inside the hall, Xuan Ling's slender fingers tapped lightly on the dragon table, his eyes deep and distant.

He was thinking about his next plan in his mind: since Xue Qiong had been praised to the highest point, it was time to let her fall to the bottom so as to motivate her to do the next thing.

Because Empress Duan was under house arrest and the palace-wide greetings were cancelled, the concubines were not idle. They gathered at Concubine Shu's Zhongcui Palace to find out what was going on.

After all, in the deep palace, only those who are well-informed can stand on the right side.

Xue Qiong was not willing to be left behind and hurried to Zhongcui Palace.

As soon as she stepped into the palace gate, Hongxiu quickly walked into the inner hall and winked at Concubine Shu.

Concubine Shu deliberately raised her voice and said, "Don't worry, sisters. Concubine Qiong is just a foreign concubine. Even if she is favored, it will not help. The prince she gives birth to will never be named the crown prince. At best, she will be a favored concubine. What's the big deal?"

As soon as she mentioned it, the other concubines immediately echoed, "Yes, no matter how favored she is, she is still from a foreign country. How can she be compared with us?"

Xue Qiong stood at the back, listening to these harsh words, her heart burning with anger. Her fingers tightly grasped the newly made jeweled gold armor, her fingertips almost embedded in her palms.

These words hit her sore spot.

Concubine Liang turned around and glanced at Xueqiong. She pretended to be surprised and said, "Oh, Concubine Qiong is here? Your new bun looks great today."

Concubine Jia sneered and said sarcastically, "No matter how beautiful the bun is, it won't last long. Look at Concubine Chen, she's beautiful, isn't she? Hasn't she fallen out of favor now? Not to mention the foreign concubines."

"Speaking of Concubine Chen, she has been favored for three years and has conceived three royal heirs. She must have a prince. Maybe in the future..."

Xue Qiong suppressed her anger and said coldly, "There's an old saying in the Central Plains: 'Don't judge people through the cracks in the door, or you'll look down on them!'"