The queen is sober in the world, and she is winning every step of the palace fight.

Fei Wan's face showed panic and a hint of nervousness.

"Your Majesty, the Empress is here to tell you about the fire in the nunnery. I'm afraid that if I stay here..."

"What are you afraid of?"

Xiao Yuben was sitting in front of the mirror by the window in the inner hall, enjoying Feiwan's gentle and relaxing hair combing.

At this time, he stood up and pulled Fei Wan to the side hall. There was a smile on the corner of his mouth, but there was no smile in his eyes, which were filled with cold snow.

"If it is really the Queen who instigated someone to harm you, and you dare not even see her, how will you handle all the affairs in the palace in the future?"

He took big steps, and Fei Wan had to walk faster to catch up with him.

He sat down in front of the large desk, and Fei Wan stood beside him, nervously lowering his head and hesitating.

But it was only for a moment. When she raised her face, her eyes became firm and clear as water as she looked at the emperor.

"Your Majesty, I have learned my lesson. I will work harder and make myself braver."

Xiao Yu's expression eased slightly and he nodded.

However, when he summoned the queen into the palace and saw her, his eyes turned cold again.

"The Queen is not here to recuperate at Fengyi Palace. What are you doing here now that it's dark?"

The tone was also unfriendly.

The queen glanced at Fei Wan who was accompanying her.

"The Empress Jin An."

As soon as the queen entered the room, Fei Wan knelt down and bowed, showing great respect and proper etiquette.

The Empress greeted the Emperor, lowered her eyes, and said, "I have come to Your Majesty to apologize. Although I am in the palace and cannot always control my mother's family, I cannot escape blame for the servants who acted unruly. I was deeply saddened to hear about the fire in the nunnery. I immediately sent people to comfort the nuns and the surrounding people. I am willing to deduct one year's salary and use it to help the people repair the burned houses. I ask Your Majesty's approval."

She was very emotional and sincere.

When the emperor heard this, his expression remained indifferent, and there was even a hint of sarcasm at the corner of his mouth.

"By saying this, the Queen is admitting that someone from her mother's family murdered Zhaoqing?"

The candlelight in Chenqian Hall was bright and golden, and under the illumination, the queen's face looked a little pale.

She lifted her nine-phoenix gold-sprinkled pleated skirt, slowly knelt on the ground, and solemnly stated:

"Your Majesty, I have serious concerns about the outcome of this case. I implore Your Majesty to appoint someone to conduct a thorough investigation to prevent manipulation, forced confessions, or torture. Destroying my friendship with Zhao Ronghua and damaging my reputation and that of my mother's family are minor concerns. Our Daliang laws and punishments were established by our great ancestor. If they are exploited by villains and tarnished by the criminal law, I fear the consequences will be far-reaching."

Xiao Yu smiled coldly: "So, you think this case was investigated in a muddled way and you were wronged?"

The Queen said in a clear voice, "I am not wronged. Even if the housekeeper who was found out was not the one who instigated the arson, he must have had flaws in his words and deeds, which gave him a handle.

I am the mistress of the harem and the mother of a nation. I should have disciplined those around me and my family, and should not have made such a mistake. Therefore, I am willing to accept the punishment and also willing to use my salary to help the people affected by the fire.

I will definitely be more strict with them in the future.

Please also ask Your Majesty to send someone to investigate this case in detail and give an explanation to Zhao Ronghua and Minister Yu."

After saying this, the queen kowtowed.

Wait for the emperor to speak.

Xiao Yu picked up a string of tourmaline bracelets lying on the table, placed them in his palm and twisted them one by one with his thumb.

He examined the Queen for a long moment before asking, "If we were to re-investigate this case, who do you think would be the best investigator to prevent any villains from tampering with it and ensure fairness and justice?"

The Empress replied cautiously, "Your Majesty has the final say on the merits of court officials. I dare not make any rash comments. Officials like the Minister of Justice, the Censor-in-Chief, and the Supreme Court Minister are undoubtedly highly reputable and must be highly regarded by Your Majesty. If we allow them to conduct a thorough review and investigation, perhaps the truth will be revealed."

Xiao Yu suddenly chuckled coldly, "You do have a point. But that's something the court officials should worry about, and we'll discuss it later. Queen, can you first explain why someone in Chunxi Palace was raising rats and why Fengyi Palace was involved in that incident?"

The queen looked up in horror, her solemn face full of astonishment.

"Your Majesty? Where did you get that from?..."

Xiao Yu didn't want to say much, just tilted his head slightly.

Cao Bin, who had anticipated the situation, stepped forward and handed the queen a piece of paper that was pressed against the edge of the imperial desk.

The Queen quickly read through it and was horrified: "Your Majesty, this is slander! I would never ask anyone to do such a thing."

She threw the paper on the ground in disgust.

Fei Wan walked forward doubtfully and looked down carefully.

It turned out to be a confession.

A servant who had previously served Yu Tingjin in Chunxi Palace said he saw a dark figure sneaking around the back door of the main hall when he woke up at night. He quietly moved closer to see who the dark figure was, masked, and saw a pair of hands emerging from the open hall door. They took a basin-like object and then closed the door.

He didn't know what was in the basin, but he heard a slight, thin cry.

Later, he followed the black shadow all the way to the vicinity of Fengyi Palace, and saw the black shadow enter the back corner door of the palace and never come out again.

It was not until two days later when a rat infestation broke out and Lady Zhao, who lived in Guanlan Courtyard, was bitten that he realized that he had witnessed the rats being delivered.

When Gong Zhengsi took everyone away for questioning, he told what he had seen.

After reading the confession, Fei Wan was shocked and stared at the queen.

The Queen turned around and said, "Why are you staring at me? I have never done anything like that and I have a clear conscience!"

Fei Wan gritted her teeth and shed tears, accusing in a low voice.

"Your Majesty...how have I ever offended you? Why is it that every disaster I've encountered since I ascended to your favor has been related to Fengyi Palace?"

"I was bitten by a rat. I suspect someone from Fengyi Palace sent the rat to Yu Gengyi."

"I was falsely accused of using a forbidden drug to curry favor with you. The drug powder was provided by a eunuch in your palace whom I did not even know."

"And why was the arson attack on Zen Master Huizhen also linked to you?"

"Yu Gengyi once threatened me, saying that if I offended her, I would be offending the Empress, and I would be in big trouble. I didn't believe it then, but now it seems I have no choice but to believe it."

"Your Highness, you are the Empress Dowager, and you usually treat all the concubines equally. But why do you prefer Yu Gengyi and want to get rid of the concubines?"

"I really don't understand!"

Fei Wan gritted her teeth, trying hard not to let her tears fall.

Qingsu's face was full of grief and anger.

She stretched out her left hand, which had been hidden in her sleeve.

Remove the gauze to expose the finger that has not yet healed.

"Your Majesty, please look! This was crushed by Yu Gengyi with the sole of her shoe. If it weren't for the superb medical skills of Imperial Physician Wen, I'm afraid I would only have four fingers left on this hand. She's so cruel, why do you like her?!"

This was the first time Fei Wan spoke directly to the emperor about Yu Tingjin's persecution.

It was also the first time that he used this tone to question the concubines.

She had never acted like this at birthday parties before.

Xiao Yu sat upright and looked at Fei Wan's angry expression. Her skirt dragged on the ground like water. The cold, gentle, yet intense beauty was unprecedented.

The queen, who growled "I didn't do it", looked even more hateful.