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

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty...it's time to get up. It's time to discuss matters. The heads of several departments are waiting outside."

Changle Palace.

Linglong called out several times through the curtains before the virtuous concubine turned over and said, "I know."

But he hesitated for a while before getting up and asking someone to help him wash and dress.

Linglong was shocked when she saw the bloodshot eyes and haggard face of Concubine Xian. "Your Majesty, did you not sleep all night? This is all my fault. I didn't give you the tranquilizing soup last night."

"Forget it. I'm upset. What's the point of drinking that stuff? Don't make soup anymore."

The virtuous concubine did not sleep for most of the night, her head felt dull and painful, and she was very irritable, but she had to hold on.

The affairs of the palace need to be dealt with, and Zhishu's matter involves Changle Palace, so it must be resolved as soon as possible.

So she asked someone to put on heavy makeup to cover up the haggard look on her face.

"Have you found the slave who ran away?"

"…Replying to the Queen, not yet."

The virtuous concubine was filled with anger.

"Where can a living person run to?"

Linglong called in the eunuch in charge of Changle Palace who was in charge of this matter, and reported in detail where he had searched, how he had searched, how many times he had searched, etc.

Xian Fei was impatient, "I don't want to listen to your nagging, I can't find it anyway, what a waste!"

The eunuchs and palace maids knelt on the ground.

"What do I need to do? Do you want me to teach you?"

The eunuch in charge kowtowed quickly and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I will continue my search. If I can't find him in the palace, I will search outside the palace, among his relatives and friends, and for any clues related to him. I will dig three feet underground to find him!"

"Then go quickly!"

"Yes!"

The eunuch in charge left in a panic, and Linglong advised the virtuous concubine: "Your Majesty, please calm down. Let's have breakfast first. It's more important to take care of your health."

It was difficult to persuade Concubine Xian to agree to have the meal.

As a result, when Concubine Xian saw a dish on the table, she immediately frowned and said, "Take it away! It's annoying just looking at it!"

Linglong was stunned.

Isn’t this the whitebait soup that the Empress often eats?

When she took it down, Concubine Xian saw a basket of small noodles on the table and said, "Take it away!"

The palace maid serving the meal was confused.

These small pastries are made into designs that represent wealth and good fortune, with bright and lovely colors. The Empress always liked them in the past, but what happened today?

Suddenly Linglong understood.

Among these dough fruits, one is made in the shape of a red carp, which is a fish.

My Lady, I'm afraid...

Hating the Yu sisters also makes you tired of fish?

Linglong whispered to the maidservant, "Take it away quickly and tell the kitchen to be careful with meals next time!"

She took the palace maids and picked out all the food that was related to or had anything to do with fish.

The dining table was set up again, but Concubine Xian put down her chopsticks after taking a few bites, having no appetite.

When he arrived in the hall to discuss matters, he casually listened to the responses from everyone, gave some hasty instructions, and then sent the heads of various departments away.

Behind closed doors, with his confidants, he naturally discussed how to investigate the matter of Zhishu.

At one moment, Madam Liao came into the palace.

This is the nanny who raised Concubine Xian in her childhood. She is a long-time servant in the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion. She used to follow the Duke of Zhenguo's old lady and is very smart and experienced.

When she arrived, she listened carefully to what had happened and immediately said:

"There is a problem with the palace kitchen. We need to continue investigating."

"There's something fishy going on in Her Majesty's Changle Palace. Clean it out as soon as possible. After the Queen Mother's birthday banquet, Her Majesty cleared out a group of people and brought in a new group. The newcomers must naturally be investigated, and there might be some fish that slipped through the net among the old ones."

"Only by following these problematic individuals can we trace the clues to the mastermind behind the crime, but this is not easy."

"If it wasn't Consort Zhao and Consort Ying who deliberately framed Her Majesty, then it was because they couldn't find the real culprit themselves, so they had to use Her Majesty's hand."

"It's not easy. We'll investigate thoroughly. We don't have to find anything, as long as we can clear Her Majesty of suspicion. The most important thing is to convince His Majesty that Her Majesty didn't murder the heir."

"As for who is ultimately harming the Sakura Selection, if it's not clear, then it depends on your Majesty's will. You can find out whoever you want to get rid of, right?"

Nanny Liao's words gradually calmed Concubine Xian's irritable heart.

Madam Liao looked at the bloodshot in Concubine Xian's eyes with heartache, and gently comforted her, "Don't be angry, Your Majesty. Nothing is more important than taking care of your own health. As long as there is green mountains, there is no fear of running out of firewood. When Your Majesty reaches my age, you will understand that the obstacles that seemed insurmountable in youth, when you look back a few years later, are actually nothing.

"I say this not to ignore your pain, my lady, but to encourage you to look forward. Now that you've entered this place where you can't see anyone, there's nothing you can do but make yourself as happy as possible every day. Cut through the mountains and build bridges over the rivers, and keep moving forward."

After hearing this, Concubine Xian remained silent.

With his head lowered, his heart was in turmoil, and in the end he couldn't help but shed a few tears.

Lian Linglong was dismissed, and Concubine Xian spoke her mind to the old nanny.

"Everyone thinks I'm so glorious and noble, with the same status as the Empress Dowager, so many people are jealous and resentful. But sometimes I really feel bored. Even if His Majesty only favors me, it's boring. I'm locked up in a brocade cage, and my life is so long that I can see through it at a glance. Thinking about food, clothes, accessories, and toys every day is also boring. It was better when I was busy managing the six palaces, but it hasn't been long, and I've been harmed."

The virtuous concubine sniffed. "Mammy, to be honest with you, after the initial surprise, I'm not so afraid anymore. Now that you're here to help me handle the matter, I'm even less afraid. I'm just exhausted and annoyed. I don't know when this life will end. If I don't fight, I'll be stepped on. If I fight, I have to fight and fight and never let go of the power I hold..."

Madam Liao hugged Concubine Xian and patted her shoulders to comfort her, just like she did when she was a little girl.

"Your Majesty, if you are tired, take a rest. Madam is here to help you, you don't have to worry about anything. Sleep well, eat well, and when you are rested, go for a stroll in the garden."

"Hmm... Mammy..."

Xian Fei obediently let Madam Liao help her to the bed in the inner room. She curled up and lay down, holding Madam Liao's hand. She felt much more at ease. Gradually, she fell asleep.

After sleeping for less than a quarter of an hour, Linglong walked quietly to the door of the inner hall with a serious expression.

Madam Liao waved her hand.

Linglong refused to leave.

The virtuous concubine seemed to sense something in her sleep and suddenly woke up.

He opened his eyes and asked, "What's the matter?"

"Your Majesty!" Linglong approached. "The decree just arrived. His Majesty orders you to rest temporarily while Noble Consort Qing, Noble Consort Hui, Noble Consort Kang, and Noble Consort Zhao take care of the harem affairs."

The virtuous concubine turned over and sat up, but she stood up so suddenly that her vision went dark.

Linglong hadn't finished her report yet: "The Empress Dowager has appointed Miss Zheng Si as a noble concubine, granted her residence in Yanming Palace, and sent her to the Imperial Court to serve His Majesty."

"Noble Concubine?" Xianfei frowned. "Even if she's the Queen's sister, this is too high a starting position! His Majesty has revoked my assistant position, and yet Fourth Miss Zheng has risen to prominence. Everyone in the palace will laugh at me!"

Madam Liao pondered for a moment and said, "Don't be angry, Your Majesty. This doesn't seem to be directed at you. Don't forget, there is a very popular concubine in the palace."