In the morning, the sun shines like gold, pouring down on the Imperial Garden. The peonies are as gorgeous as clouds, the fragrance is rich and intoxicating, and colorful butterflies flutter among them.

The Emperor, beaming with joy, invited Concubine Su to join him in admiring the flowers. Concubine Su moved with graceful steps, her pink palace dress fluttering in the breeze, her pearls and jade shimmering. But her eyes, glistening with tears, were like those delicate flowers drenched in dew, inviting tenderness. She thought to herself, "This is a perfect opportunity to attract the Emperor's pity."

As the two strolled side by side through the flowers, the Emperor was mesmerized by the beauty. Noble Concubine Su, however, mentioned the exceptionally talented Xiang Fei. Her voice was soft and gentle: "I am a foolish woman. How can I compare to Xiang Fei, whose talent and grace have won Your Majesty's favor? I heard the poems she composed for Your Majesty are so exquisite that I feel ashamed of myself." With this, she lowered her head slightly, but a glance at the Emperor from the corner of her eye was fleeting. At this moment, Noble Concubine Su felt uneasy, unsure of the Emperor's reaction, yet she was confident that this display of weakness would elicit a reassuring response from the Emperor.

The emperor frowned, and hurriedly reached out to hold Concubine Su's soft hand, and explained anxiously: "My beloved concubine, don't belittle yourself like this. You and she have your own merits. My love for you has never diminished. How can her poems compare to your gentleness and grace." The emperor was anxious, fearing that Concubine Su had really misunderstood his feelings.

Concubine Su bit her lip, tears instantly filling her eyes. She said mournfully, "I know I'm not very talented or well-educated, and I only wish to find a moment of peace beneath these flowers. Xiang Fei's talent and dancing skills are both exceptional. Whenever I hear of her in the palace, I'm always uneasy." Her delicate body trembled slightly, like a willow branch in the wind, filled with deep grievance. Concubine Su was secretly delighted. The Emperor was just as nervous as she'd expected; it seemed this heartbreaking drama had worked well.

The emperor was heartbroken and hugged Concubine Su in his arms, comforting her softly: "Don't cry, my dear. Tomorrow, I will appreciate the peonies here with you alone. The beauty of this garden is blooming only for you. I will also find the best zither player in the world for you, so that you can fully display your talent." The emperor's heart was full of love for Concubine Su, and he wanted to make her feel at ease.

Upon hearing this, Concubine Su burst into laughter, with a barely perceptible smugness flashing in her eyes. She said coquettishly, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will definitely live up to Your Majesty's favor." She thought to herself that the first step was a success, and the next step was to continue to make the Emperor devoted to her.

At this time, Concubine Su's eyes fell on a beautiful peach blossom. She reached out and stroked the petals, and said softly: "Your Majesty, I have a small wish. I want to plant a flower with Your Majesty." The emperor nodded without hesitation, his face full of pampering.

Concubine Su frowned slightly and sighed softly, "It's just that the blooming season has passed. I'm afraid it won't survive if I plant it now. I'm like this peach blossom that's missed its season. I'm afraid it's only a temporary favor, but won't bloom forever." Tears welled up in her eyes as she spoke. Concubine Su knew that the more anxious she appeared, the more the Emperor would want to give her more assurances.

The emperor quickly wiped away her tears and said with a firm look: "My beloved concubine, don't be so pessimistic. I will take good care of you and make you always beautiful and charming like the roses that bloom all year round." The emperor secretly vowed in his heart at this time that he would make sure that Concubine Su would never be so sad again.

Suddenly, Concubine Su's expression became dazed, her body swaying as if she were caught in some strange state. She muttered to herself, "I've been having strange dreams lately, as if they were mysterious prophecies." The Emperor, looking nervous, hurriedly asked, "What did you dream about?" Concubine Su slowly replied, "I dreamed of a chaotic world, where a light guided me, saying that my fate was closely linked to your Majesty's, but that we would have to endure many trials." The Emperor frowned, feeling uneasy. Concubine Su chuckled to herself, believing that this mysterious dream would surely make the Emperor even more concerned about his own fate.

Later, with a charming smile, Concubine Su discussed flower varieties with the Emperor. Pointing to the plum blossoms that stood proudly in the snow and frost, she said, "I admire their resilience, their ability to bloom alone despite the harsh cold." Then, gazing at the lotus blossoms, untainted by the mud, she said, "The lotus's purity is something I also aspire to." The Emperor listened with a smile, nodding in agreement, and promised to create a garden just for her. Concubine Su, intent on impressing the Emperor, wanted to impress upon her not only her gentleness and delicateness, but also her refined taste and aspirations.

As the two walked and talked in the Imperial Garden, every look and every movement of Concubine Su tugged at the Emperor's heartstrings. She was sometimes coquettish, sometimes sad, making the Emperor's mind completely focused on her.

"Your Majesty, look at the spring scenery in the garden. It is beautiful but fleeting. I often worry whether this beautiful time will be as short as these spring flowers." Concubine Su sighed softly, with a hint of sadness in her eyes.

The emperor quickly put his arm around her shoulders and comforted her, "My beloved concubine, don't let your imagination run wild. I will let this beauty stay with you forever." The emperor thought to himself that he must make Concubine Su eliminate these uneasy thoughts.

Concubine Su raised her head slightly, looked at the emperor, and said, "Your Majesty, I know you are good to me, but the situation in the palace is changing all the time, and I am always afraid that I will lose your favor." As she spoke, her eyes became red again.

The emperor said distressedly: "Don't worry, my beloved concubine, my heart will always be with you, and no one can replace it."

Concubine Su leaned gently in the emperor's arms, but in her heart she was thinking about how to make the emperor even more dependent on her. She knew that in this palace, only by holding the emperor's heart tightly could she remain invincible.

"Your Majesty, I can never compare to the talent and wisdom of the Fragrant Concubine. I am really afraid that one day you will dislike me for being boring." Concubine Su mentioned the Fragrant Concubine again, deliberately showing her inferiority complex.

The emperor said impatiently, "My beloved concubine, please don't mention her anymore. In my heart, you are the most important."

Concubine Su was secretly delighted, knowing that the emperor had taken her words to heart.

As they continued their stroll, Concubine Su saw a rose that was about to wither and couldn't help but sigh, "Your Majesty, although this rose is beautiful, it will eventually wither, just like the favor I have received in this palace. I don't know when it will disappear."

The emperor held her hand and said, "My beloved, I forbid you to say such words. I will make you always as beautiful as a blooming flower."

Concubine Su pretended to be moved and said, "Your Majesty's words are engraved in my heart. I hope that I can always be worthy of Your Majesty's love."

At this time, a butterfly landed on Concubine Su's shoulder. She waved it away gently and said, "Even this butterfly knows my sorrow. Your Majesty must have pity on me."

The emperor hurriedly said, "My beloved concubine, I will definitely pity you and will not let you suffer any injustice."

Before they knew it, the sun was setting and the two of them had been staying in the imperial garden for a long time.

The emperor said, "My beloved concubine, it is getting late. I will take you back to the palace."

Concubine Su nodded obediently and left the Imperial Garden with the Emperor. Along the way, Concubine Su continued to say some things that worried the Emperor.

Returning to the bedroom, Concubine Su sat in front of her dressing table, secretly pleased with herself: "I have the Emperor firmly under my control. From now on, my position in the palace will be even more secure."

After the emperor returned to his bedroom, his mind was filled with the pitiful appearance of Concubine Su, and he thought that he must give her more love.

However, the emperor did not realize that he had fallen deeply into Concubine Su's emotional trap.

During a morning court session, the emperor was upset as his ministers argued endlessly about the border war. After the court session, he went to Noble Concubine Su for some comfort, but instead found her sitting alone by the window, weeping.

The emperor hurried forward and asked, "My beloved concubine, why are you crying?"

Concubine Su choked up and said, "I heard that the war on the border is getting serious. I am worried about Your Majesty, but I am also afraid of adding to Your Majesty's troubles, so I am secretly sad."

The emperor was deeply moved and said, "My beloved concubine, you are so considerate of me. I will not let you down."

However, Concubine Su knew in her heart that this was just a means for her to further capture the emperor's heart.

Another day, Concubine Su deliberately mentioned the other concubines' offspring in front of the emperor, saying, "Your Majesty, I have no children so far, and I feel guilty."

The emperor consoled her, "Don't worry, my beloved concubine. This is all fate."

Concubine Su said, "I am afraid that because of this matter, Your Majesty will be dissatisfied with me."

The emperor quickly said, "My beloved concubine, please do not let your imagination run wild. My love for you will not change because of this."

……

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