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"You, who are you! Where is Xie Huiyi!" Zhao Zhaoyi was dumbfounded, her eyes were full of astonishment and confusion. The woman in front of her was wearing a gorgeous palace dress, with picturesque eyebrows and elegant temperament. Who else could it be if not Xie Huiyi?

Gu Zhiyi walked forward slowly, with a faint smile on her lips, but a sharp look hidden in her eyes. She flicked her sleeves gently and said slowly: "Zhao Zhaoyi, it seems that your memory of my eldest daughter Xie Huiyi is really disappointing."

Zhao Zhaoyi took a step back in panic, with a look of panic on her face. She managed to remain calm and said, "Madam Ningguo, I... I really don't know you, but I didn't mean to offend you. Please forgive me, I'm just... just curious."

Gu Zhiyi smiled lightly, with a hint of mockery in her eyes: "Curious? Zhao Zhaoyi, do you know that in the palace, curiosity often makes people pay the price?"

At this time, Xie Huiyi came out from behind the screen. Her face was pale, but her eyes were firm and calm. She walked to Gu Zhiyi and called softly, "Mother."

Gu Zhiyi looked at Zhao Zhaoyi's expression and couldn't help but sneer in her heart. She knew that Zhao Zhaoyi must be wondering how she knew all this.

"Zhao Zhaoyi, are you curious why I am here?" Gu Zhiyi asked.

Zhao Zhaoyi hesitated for a moment and nodded: "Yes, I am indeed curious. Madam Ningguo, please enlighten me."

Gu Zhiyi smiled softly and said, "In fact, all of this was arranged by the emperor. He knew that I was worried about the safety of my eldest daughter in the palace, so he specially asked me to come and visit her."

Zhao Zhaoyi was stunned. She didn't expect that the emperor would attach so much importance to Xie Huiyi.

Gu Zhiyi looked at Zhao Zhaoyi's expression and smiled with satisfaction. She continued, "Zhao Zhaoyi, you may not know that the emperor's favor for my eldest daughter Xie Huiyi has surpassed that of any other princess. He even regards her as his heir."

Zhao Zhaoyi turned pale, she knew what this meant. It meant that if Xie Huiyi became the queen, then her position as Zhaoyi would no longer exist.

Gu Zhiyi looked at Zhao Zhaoyi's expression and felt more and more satisfied. She turned to Xie Huiyi and said, "Huiyi, tell me why you are here."

Xie Huiyi smiled slightly and said, "Mother, I am here to remind Zhao Zhaoyi that not everything can be said in the palace. Especially when it comes to the emperor's favor."

Zhao Zhaoyi's eyes widened. She didn't expect Xie Huiyi to warn her so directly. She was angry, but she didn't dare to get angry.

Gu Zhiyi looked at Zhao Zhaoyi's expression and felt more and more proud.

"Zhao Zhaoyi, do you understand?" Gu Zhiyi asked.

Zhao Zhaoyi gritted her teeth and forced a smile, "Madam Ningguo, I understand. From now on, I will be careful with my words and actions and never make the same mistake again."

Gu Zhiyi smiled softly and said, "Very good. Zhao Zhaoyi, you must remember that your status in the palace depends entirely on the emperor's will. If you want to keep your status, you must learn to be cautious."

Zhao Zhaoyi nodded, but secretly vowed in her heart that she must find an opportunity to make Xie Huiyi pay the price.

Gu Zhiyi looked at Zhao Zhaoyi and sneered in her heart.

"What nonsense are you talking about..." Zhao Zhaoyi stood there in a daze, with a flash of fear in her eyes. She slowly raised her head and her eyes met Gu Zhiyi's. She saw that Madam Gu was frowning slightly, with an unquestionable seriousness in her eyes.

Gu Zhiyi gently patted her eldest daughter Xie Huiyi on the shoulder, signaling her not to worry. Then, she turned to Zhao Zhaoyi and said calmly but firmly, "Empress Zhaoyi, you have been in the palace for many years. You should know that the palace rules are strict. Any discussion of royal affairs will not be forgiven."

Zhao Zhaoyi's face turned paler and paler. She forced a smile and tried to ease the atmosphere: "Madam, you misunderstood. I was just expressing my admiration for the emperor's wisdom. I have no other intentions."

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly, but the sharpness in her eyes did not diminish: "In that case, please ask Empress Zhaoyi to accompany me to the Imperial Garden. We just happen to have something to discuss."

Zhao Zhaoyi nodded slightly and went to the Imperial Garden with Gu Zhiyi and Xie Huiyi.

Along the way, Gu Zhiyi and Xie Huiyi talked in low voices, their expressions showing concern and worry. Xie Huiyi sighed softly: "Mother, why do you care so much about what Concubine Zhaoyi said? After all, she is just a woman, what kind of storm can she stir up?"

Gu Zhiyi shook her head slightly, her eyes far-reaching: "Hui'er, you don't understand. In this palace, every corner is lurking with murderous intent. Although Zhao Zhaoyi is a woman, she has a powerful family behind her. If she is allowed to take advantage of the situation, it will probably pose a great threat to us."

Xie Huiyi was silent for a moment, and a hint of determination flashed in her eyes: "Don't worry, mother, I will act carefully and never let anyone take advantage of me."

Arriving at the Imperial Garden, Gu Zhiyi and Zhao Zhaoyi sat down as host and guest.

Zhao Zhaoyi carefully observed Gu Zhiyi's expression, trying to find a flaw. However, Gu Zhiyi always maintained a calm smile, making it difficult to peek into her heart.

"Madam, you asked me to come here today. I wonder if you have any instructions?" Zhao Zhaoyi broke the silence first.

Gu Zhiyi took a sip of tea and spoke slowly: "Empress Zhaoyi, do you know the rumors circulating in the palace recently?"

Zhao Zhaoyi was shocked. She knew that the rumor Gu Zhiyi was referring to was about her relationship with the emperor. She tried to remain calm and said, "What rumor is Madam talking about? I don't know anything about it."

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly, with a sharp look in her eyes: "Rumor has it that you, Lady Zhaoyi, have a close relationship with the Emperor and even intend to usurp the throne. This is a crime of treason. If it gets to the Emperor's ears, I'm afraid the consequences will be disastrous."

Zhao Zhaoyi's face turned pale instantly, and she explained in a panic: "Madam, you misunderstood. I absolutely have no intention of usurping the throne. That's just other people's nonsense."

Gu Zhiyi nodded gently: "I believe in the innocence of Empress Zhaoyi, but the people in the palace are treacherous and we have to be on guard. In order to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, I suggest that the Empress be more cautious in her words and deeds in the future."

Zhao Zhaoyi nodded repeatedly, secretly thanking her lucky that Gu Zhiyi did not make trouble for her.

At this time, Xie Huiyi coughed lightly and reminded Gu Zhiyi: "Mother, we have other things to discuss."

Gu Zhiyi nodded slightly and turned to Zhao Zhaoyi: "Empress Zhaoyi, in addition to discussing the rumors in the palace, there is one more thing we need your assistance with."

Zhao Zhaoyi's heart tightened. This was Gu Zhiyi's real purpose: "Madam, please speak."

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly, with a sly look in her eyes: "Recently, someone in the palace has been secretly communicating with people outside the palace, trying to leak royal secrets. I suspect that this matter is related to your family. I wonder if your Majesty is willing to help us investigate this matter?"

Zhao Zhaoyi was shocked. Someone in her family did have connections outside the palace, but she never thought that it would involve royal secrets. After hesitating for a moment, she finally nodded: "Madam, don't worry, I will definitely assist you in the investigation with all my strength."