The queen is spoiling the king and madly criticizing him for spoiling her

When she saw these things, Concubine Xian was immediately shocked, but fortunately the maid beside her supported her in time.

"The source of the snakes is still under investigation, but I did find something strange at the scene. The cushion where the Empress had knelt to pray was smeared with snake berries, which attract snakes. That's why the two snakes entangled the Empress and attacked her.

In addition, I also found a purse at the scene. After examination by the imperial physician, it was found to be filled with a sufficient amount of realgar."

The purse that Cheng Song picked up was deliberately thrown at the scene by Gu Jianchu.

Gu Jianchu covered her handkerchief with a cough and said, "Your Majesty, it seems someone is plotting against me. Otherwise, who would wear a purse filled with realgar in the middle of winter? But we can find out which palace the purse belongs to."

Cheng Song glanced at the flustered Concubine Xian standing in the crowd and reported truthfully, "After identification by the palace servants and the Shangyi Bureau, the purse is a personal belonging of Concubine Xian."

As soon as Cheng Song finished speaking, all eyes turned to Concubine Xian.

Xianfei knelt down in panic and said, "Your Majesty, the purse is indeed mine. I lost it some time ago. Maybe someone deliberately used it to frame me."

The eldest princess immediately chimed in, "Frame-ups are common in the harem. Your Majesty shouldn't jump to conclusions based on this."

[The aunt and the sister-in-law are really good at making arguments. It would be a waste of their eloquence if they didn't become strategists.]

At this moment, Zhu Xia suddenly stood up and bowed to everyone. "I saw the purse worn by the virtuous concubine before the incident. It is impossible that she was lost just like that and was framed by someone."

[Zhu Xia, you're awesome! I'll give you a chicken drumstick when we get back.]

"Empress Zhuxia is your person. Maybe you asked Zhuxia to frame me on purpose." Concubine Xian was already panicking.

Soon, a cold voice completely cut off the last straw that saved Concubine Xian. "Really? How come I remember you were wearing it when you gave me the bait cake just now? How could someone frame you right in front of Concubine Xian without her knowing?"

After hearing what Xie Ci'an said, Gu Jianchu really wanted to laugh, but he could only hold it back, feeling like he was about to get internal injuries from holding it back.

The virtuous concubine kept shaking her head, "I don't know either."

"It's just a purse. It can't prove anything. Maybe when things get messy, someone will take this opportunity to frame Concubine Xian." It's obvious that the eldest princess wants to protect Concubine Xian.

As expected of a woman who has lived in the harem for over a decade, she can always find the bright spots. I just wonder what the eldest princess's expression would be if she knew about her husband's affairs, considering she is so devoted to helping the Li family.

[The Princess and the Emperor are wary of each other. Even if there's no Xianfei, there will probably be other women.]

Xie Ci'an sneered, "Eldest sister is protecting Consort Xian. I remember it was Eldest sister who suggested that the Queen and I personally plead for the people."

[As expected of someone who stood out from the crowd of princes and ascended to the throne, I never expected him to sow discord. He is indeed clever.]

The Princess still wants to protect the Concubine Xian. That's not going to happen. She has to choose between her and the Concubine Xian.

He just thought that the queen was praising him.

After all, she is a member of the royal family and is much more stable than the virtuous concubine. The eldest princess's face changed. "I only mentioned this after hearing rumors from the people. I never thought that someone would smear snakeberry on the futon."

"If I had known this in advance, I would definitely not have said anything."

It's no wonder the Princess was so calm. After all, she was just a supporter. The snake charmer and snake berries were purchased by the Concubine Xian. Wait, poisonous snakes and snake berries weren't so easy to come by at that time.

[It turns out the eunuchs from the Imperial Kitchen brought in the venomous snake under the pretense of soaking it in wine. As for the snakeberries, they were requested by the maids and the Imperial Hospital staff around Concubine Xian. They also said they were going to sew sachets. How should I warn the Emperor?]

Xie Ci'an coughed lightly and said, "I'm afraid the snakeberry is only available in the Imperial Hospital. Cheng Song should send someone to check if anyone has gone to the Imperial Hospital to ask for it recently."

"Even if someone deliberately planned it, snakes don't appear out of thin air. Go to the Imperial Kitchen's Animal Training Center and ask if anyone has requested one recently."

Gu Jianchu was originally still thinking about how to remind the emperor without arousing suspicion.

After all, knowing too much will also arouse suspicion.

I didn't expect someone to come and give me a pillow when I was just dozing off.

[Your Majesty has grasped the key point so quickly.]

The virtuous concubine knelt on the ground, feeling even more guilty.

The scene was eerily quiet until an incense stick of time passed, when Cheng Song hurriedly brought back two young eunuchs.

The two young eunuchs knelt on the ground, shaking with fear before Xie Ci'an could ask them, "Who has asked you for snakes and snakeberries recently?"

Xie Ci'an turned the jade ring on his hand, his eyes filled with an unbreakable coldness.

One of the young eunuchs was so frightened that he confessed everything before being asked further questions. "The maidservant beside the virtuous concubine once went to the Imperial Hospital and asked me for snakeberries. At that time, I was curious and asked a few questions. The maid said they were for sewing purses for the virtuous concubine. I gave her a handful. Other than that, I know nothing."

Cheng Song raised his foot and kicked the other young eunuch on the back, "Confess what you know quickly, or you will suffer some physical pain."

"The eunuch beside the virtuous concubine once paid a large sum of money to ask me to bring him two bamboo leaf green snakes from outside the palace, saying that he wanted to make wine. I didn't think much of it and bought two from outside the palace while shopping for ingredients."

Xie Ci'an asked coldly, "What else do you have to say, Concubine Xian?"

Xian Fei knelt and crawled in front of Xie Ci'an, instinctively denying, "It's not me, I know nothing."

Seeing Xie Ci'an's eyes gradually becoming colder, Cheng Song immediately understood and led his men forward to drag Concubine Xian aside so as not to offend the emperor.

Seeing Xie Ci'an so indifferent, Concubine Xian quickly broke free from the eunuch who was controlling her, ran to Xie Qingzhi, and pulled Xie Qingzhi's arm with both hands, "Sister-in-law, you must save me. I did all this for..."

Before Concubine Xian finished her words, Xie Qingzhi's face instantly turned cold, "Shut up."

Then Xie Qingzhi looked in the direction of Xie Ci'an, "Although it was Concubine Xian who did this, no one was hurt. Instead, Concubine Xian suffered the consequences. This palace and the emperor will do you a favor and give Concubine Xian a lenient punishment."

The Princess truly loves her husband. Even after all this, she's still thinking of protecting the Consort for the Li family. Tsk tsk tsk, it's a shame the Princess doesn't know that her love is being wasted.

The emperor does not have a complete grip on power now, and the Li family is behind the virtuous concubine. I don’t know how he will deal with her.

Gu Jianchu looked at Xie Ci'an curiously.

"Cheng Song conveyed my decree. The virtuous concubine was stripped of her title for plotting to murder the empress, demoted to a talented lady, and imprisoned in the Renming Palace. She is not allowed to leave without my order." Xie Ci'an still cared about the Li family and did not kill the virtuous concubine, but spared her life.

Cheng Song quickly ordered the virtuous concubine to be taken away.