Want to win the palace fight? Better to be crazy than to be idiotic!

In fact, Yu Liu had already rushed back with a group of imperial doctors and guards, but was stopped at the gate of the Imperial Garden and was unable to enter.

With guards around, they could certainly force their way in. However, Yu Liu and his group were either guards or imperial doctors, all of whom were paid to serve their masters within the palace walls. And the one standing in front of them was none other than one of the noble masters - Concubine Shuo, Hua Tangdi.

"Aunt Yuliu, where are you going in such a hurry?" Hua Tangdi asked with a smile, bringing Xinye to stand in front of Yuliu and her group.

She didn't try to block the way, but no one dared to step past her.

Yu Liu and the people behind him hurriedly bowed and greeted each other. Hua Tangdi chuckled and forgave everyone for the courtesy.

"With so many doctors and guards... Aunt Yuliu is really courageous!"

Hua Tangdi glanced at the people following closely behind Yu Liu and made a guess.

"But if there is nothing important, why would you make such a big fuss? Wouldn't it make the people in the palace panic and think that the palace is in trouble? In my opinion, it is better to send them away as soon as possible, before they are discovered by a more noble master. It will be useless for me to keep it secret."

Although Yu Liu respected Hua Tangdi, she was not afraid. She bowed again and explained steadily: "My queen and Liu Ronghua were watching in the imperial garden. Ronghua heard someone crying for help and ordered me to ask the imperial physician and guards to come and rescue him. Please help, Queen Shuo, and don't delay the important task of saving lives."

When Xinye heard Yuliu's words, she angrily shouted, "Yuliu, my queen can't afford to bear the accusation you put on her! Watch your words, or I'll report you to Concubine Xian!"

Hua Tangdi raised her hand, signaling Xinye not to get excited. She still had a smile on her face, but her words seemed to have a warning: "You listen to Liu Ronghua so much, are you betraying your old master? If it were Empress Xian, she would never be so reckless."

Yu Liu frowned, she didn't have time to waste with Hua Tangdi. Concubine Xian and Liu Ronghua were still waiting for her by the Chengxin Lake. If she said nothing happened, it would be fine. But if someone really died, wouldn't she be an accomplice?

Thinking of this, Yu Liu immediately said in a stern voice: "Please understand that this is a serious matter, Your Majesty. If you are unwilling to give way, I will have no choice but to force my way in! I will prepare a generous gift and go to Your Majesty's palace to apologize later!"

After she finished speaking, she waved her hand, and the guards immediately stepped forward. Xin Ye also stepped in front of Hua Tangdi, and exchanged glances with the guards, neither of them giving in.

Hua Tangdi sighed and said, "Aunt Yuliu, you are sincere and willing to save people at the risk of offending me. I appreciate it. But I don't want to see your kindness deceived by others and use your kindness to make wedding clothes for others. Even if Aunt Yuliu is willing, don't you worry that Concubine Xian will be implicated?"

When Yu Liu heard the words "Empress Xian", he hesitated and asked, "What do you mean, Madam?"

Hua Tangdi was very satisfied with Yu Liu's reaction and said with a smile: "Have you ever seen someone fall into the water? Do you know who the person was?"

"This..." Yu Liu hesitated visibly, "No, but I heard the cry for help clearly."

"Since you haven't confirmed that someone fell into the water, there is a possibility of misjudgment. If you heard it wrong, or if someone took advantage of the lack of people in the Imperial Garden to play a prank, wouldn't it be a false alarm?" Hua Tangdi said slowly, "Liu Ronghua shouted to save people before confirming the situation, just to gain a reputation as a kind person. Even someone as kind as Empress Xian would not do this. She would definitely confirm first and then call for help, which is both kind and not abrupt."

Yu Liu thought it made sense for a moment, but then she thought about it and realized it was wrong. She immediately retorted: "There are only four of us present. How can we confirm it if we don't call someone to help? Do you want Empress Xian to dive underwater to investigate? When it comes to human lives, we must be more careful. Even Empress Xian will agree with Liu Ronghua's approach."

As expected of the chief maid in the Zichen Palace, she is quite hard to bluff.

Hua Tangdi shook his head helplessly.

She had not expected that besides her, Wen Yue'er and Wang Qian, there were other people in the Imperial Garden. This time she was careless. Wang Qian practiced martial arts and her physical fitness was stronger than that of ordinary people. If Yu Liu was allowed to go in with helpers, she might be able to rescue the girl, and she and Wen Yue'er would fail.

So she had to hold Yu Liu back here.

Although Yu Liu was cautious and alert, she understood that as long as Yu Liu was concerned about Concubine Xian, there would be loopholes to be found.

"If someone fell into the water, and you didn't see anything unusual on the water surface when you went to investigate, that person would have probably already sunk. What's the point of bringing people to rescue them?" Hua Tangdi rolled his eyes and tried to persuade Yu Liu from a different angle, "If no one fell into the water, everyone in the palace would praise Liu Ronghua for her kindness, but you and Concubine Xian would be held responsible for disturbing the peace in the palace. Since you are loyal to Concubine Xian, how can you be swayed by Liu Ronghua's words?"

"No, your Majesty, you are wrong..."

Yu Liu was still struggling with his words, but his eyes were still darting around, and it was obvious that he was somewhat persuaded.

Concubine Shuo had a point! It wasn't her own queen who ordered her to find someone to save him, so why would she risk her own queen's reputation and favor? The queen had finally won the emperor's favor at the shareholders' meeting, and the favor hadn't even warmed up yet, so was she going to lose favor because of her momentary sentimentality?

Although Yu Liu believed that Liu Ronghua would not intentionally harm Concubine Xian, she was still young after all, and her actions were often careless, so it was possible that she had implicated Concubine Xian.

As the head maid of the Purple Palace and someone who has accompanied Concubine Xian since childhood, Yu Liu has always regarded protecting Concubine Xian as her lifelong creed. She should not have done anything out of line in a moment of desperation.

Maybe...I really shouldn't do this?

Seeing Yu Liu wavering, Hua Tangdi immediately added fuel to the fire: "Even if other things are put aside, Liu Ronghua does not have the power to command the palace maids. She asked you to find someone to help, which is unpredictable and against etiquette. If the skin is gone, the hair will not stay. Aunt Yu Liu, you should think carefully about what you should do."

Seeing this, Xin Ye also helped, "Yes, Yuliu! I was a little harsh just now, but we all have the same heart in serving our queen! If it were me, I would probably be confused by Liu Ronghua's words for a while, but after thinking about it, if it is not good for the queen, I will not do it! Yuliu, we have been together for many years. We are not good friends but we are familiar colleagues. I really don't want to see you torn between loyalty and righteousness. If you feel sorry for Liu Ronghua, just tell her that you are my advisor, how about that?"

Yu Liu stood there, holding the hem of her skirt tightly with both hands. She seemed undecided, but in her heart she was leaning towards Hua Tangdi.

Hua Tangdi felt that time had been wasted and he felt relieved, with a proud light in his eyes as his plan succeeded.

At this moment, a person emerged from the path behind the two of them. Before they could react, they heard the person shouting, which shocked everyone present:

"Oh no! Liu Ronghua molested the noble lady!"