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

"Greetings, Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty—"

The concubines quickly made way for the passage, lined up on both sides, and bowed in unison.

The chirping voices of orioles and swallows in greeting are so melodious and moving.

Among them were many concubines who had not seen the emperor for a long time. They made their kneeling postures as beautiful as possible, hoping that the emperor would take another look at them.

Although everyone came here tonight to watch the fun, a major event like witchcraft is likely to attract the attention of the emperor, so everyone has serious intentions in joining in the fun.

Some even came dressed up for the occasion.

However, Xiao Yu sat upright in the sedan chair, looking straight ahead, without even glancing at any irrelevant person.

After scanning everyone from a distance, his eyes locked onto Fei Wan.

She was wearing the clothes of a palace maid.

It doesn't fit, it's very loose.

But it was blown by the gentle night breeze and stuck to my body.

Faintly outlines the graceful curves.

As everyone bowed, a few strands of black hair fell down, fluttering along with the veil.

It is like a gardenia quietly blooming in a corner, light and gentle, not deliberately competing for splendor, but it is eye-catching.

Guanlan Courtyard has been sealed off for nearly ten days, and Xiao Yu often recalls the charming moments he spent with Fei Wan.

But at this moment, for the first time, he suddenly realized that he missed her very much and had an urge to hug her in his arms immediately.

miss?

Xiao Yu was a little doubtful of himself.

Just because he hasn't missed anyone for a long time.

But he didn't have time to sort out his emotions because the queen had already stepped forward and started the conversation.

"It is my fault for disturbing the emperor's carriage. Your Majesty is so busy with state affairs, and yet you have to travel late at night for the affairs of the concubines. I feel deeply uneasy."

Xiao Yu collected his thoughts and glanced at the queen.

After a moment, he said calmly, "The matter of witchcraft is no small matter. I will definitely come. Queen, don't blame yourself."

"Thank you for your tolerance, Your Majesty."

The empress clearly sensed the emperor's unwellness and, not daring to delay, quickly briefly explained the whole story.

Xiao Yu frowned and said, "Since Concubine Chun has provided evidence that Zhao Cairen is practicing witchcraft, then present the evidence."

Yu Tingjin had already come out with the puppet.

She knelt delicately before the emperor's carriage and said tearfully, "Your Majesty, I haven't seen you for many days. You seem thinner. I suppose it's because you're busy with government affairs. I'm truly sorry for you."

Xiao Yu looked at her face with delicate makeup, the powder which even tears could not wash off, and the precious Snow Dance Fairy dress she was wearing, and knew that she had dressed up well in advance.

Compared with Feiwan's casually tied up long hair, the emperor's tone of impatience was not concealed.

"Talk about witchcraft."

Yu Tingjin shuddered, looked up at the emperor's expression, and dared not express his feelings anymore.

He quickly raised the puppet in his hand so that everyone could see it clearly.

As the palace lanterns in front of the emperor moved closer, the arms and legs of the wooden puppet became clearly visible to everyone.

"A servant of mine, seeing that I had fallen out of favor, coveted the favor of the talented lady Zhou. Today, I betrayed my master and joined her. Unexpectedly, on my first night on duty, I discovered Zhou secretly practicing witchcraft.

She was terribly frightened and didn't know what to do, so she came to me secretly for advice, hoping that I would persuade Zhou not to practice witchcraft.

But I know very well that the matter of witchcraft is too serious and I cannot handle it on my own, so I have to report it to Her Majesty the Queen.

Your Majesty, look, this is the witchcraft figurine found on Zhou's bed. The Empress and the Consort Xian's maids can testify to this, and I am not making this up!"

Fei Wan was standing at the end of the queue. Upon hearing this, she quickly defended herself: "No, it's not like that..."

Yu Tingjin interrupted her defense with a harsh voice and ordered, "Yunliu, tell me! Tell the truth. I won't blame you, nor will I hold you responsible for betraying my master. Just return to my side and serve me well."

In a panic, Yun Liu was dragged to the front of the dragon chariot by the emperor's men.

Kneeling on the ground, his face pale.

She realized something was not right.

But the matter is done, and now the only way to survive is to work with the master to destroy Fei Wan.

"I, a servant, was blinded by greed and took refuge with the favored Concubine Zhao. I thought I could live a glorious life with her, but she actually asked me to frame Concubine Chun and report that the mice in the closet were raised by Concubine Chun..."

"I didn't dare, so she threatened me with my family."

"In the afternoon, I accidentally dozed off while on duty. When I woke up, I found that Lady Zhao was fiddling with a voodoo figurine, muttering the horoscope of Concubine Chun, as well as some incomprehensible incantations..."

"I was terrified. When Lady Zhao discovered I was awake, she told me it was a local witchcraft that could bring bad luck and even death. Lady Zhao said Imperial Concubine Chun was doomed and told me to frame her without worry."

"At night, she forced the slaves to change clothes with her. She would disguise herself as a palace maid and go out to find a place to perform witchcraft rituals..."

"Every word this servant says is true. I dare not deceive Your Majesty or the other ladies!"

Yun Liu knelt on the ground and kowtowed.

She begged the emperor to forgive her betrayal for reporting witchcraft and let her return to serve Yu Tingjin.

The crowd was in an uproar.

The concubines were whispering, talking about Fei Wan with excitement and curiosity.

Witchcraft is an evil art that is strictly forbidden in the palace.

Emperor Taizu had already established a strict punishment system. If anyone used witchcraft to cause chaos in the palace, he would be sentenced to death and be executed by slow slicing.

Emperor Zhenzong's original empress was deposed because of witchcraft.

Even the queen, who was so noble, could not escape death.

In consideration of her ancestors' merits, she was spared from lingchi (sliced ​​to pieces) but was torn into pieces by five horses, a very miserable end.

Now Fei Wan, a little concubine who rose from a palace maid to a high position, actually dares to use witchcraft to curse her former master. Tsk!

"Oh my god, Zhao Cairen will definitely not escape the death by slicing!"

"Not to mention the rat bite case. Since she had someone frame her former master, it's obvious that Concubine Chun was framed. No wonder the Palace Justice Department couldn't find the real culprit."

"Your Majesty dotes on her so much, yet she disappoints me so much. Your Majesty will surely be furious..."

"You can't say that. What if that maid is lying? What if Ms. Zhao was framed..."

The queen raised her hand and asked everyone to be quiet.

"Stop talking and listen to what Zhao Cairen has to say."

"Mr. Zhao, do you have anything to explain? Privately practicing witchcraft to curse a concubine is a grave crime. You must prove your innocence and do not betray the kindness shown to you by His Majesty and me."

The Queen's tone was concerned, but Fei Wan was standing behind the crowd, stunned, eyes full of shock.

Tears fell one by one, and it seemed that I couldn't speak at all.

Xiao Yu looked at her.

"Zhao Cairen, don't you have anything to say?"

The emperor was a little angry.

He grew up in the palace and knew very well that the women in the harem were good at pretending.

Even though Fei Wan always gave him the impression of being weak and kind, he once believed in her pure kindness.

But his past experiences made it difficult for him to completely trust anyone.

Although the words of Concubine Chun and the traitorous maid are questionable, if Fei Wan can't come up with a reasonable explanation...

No matter how much he dotes on her, he has the courage to let her go and punish Fei Wan!

"His Majesty--"

Suddenly, the palace maid Xia He walked out of the crowd and knelt before the emperor.

"I think that wooden doll looks a little familiar..."

She was sent by the emperor to serve Fei Wan. Cao Bin quickly scolded her, "What do you mean? Explain yourself!"

He didn't want the palace maids under his supervision to get involved in the fights among the concubines.

Xia He kowtowed, took the doll from Yu Tingjin, and looked at the lamp carefully again and again.

Then she reported, "This servant thinks this doll is somewhat similar to the little viewing figure that Lady Zhao had the maid make earlier... That thing is a gift from Lady Zhao to Your Majesty. It's only half-made and is now in Lady Zhao's cabinet. You can go get it."

Cao Bin scolded, "Why don't you go now!"

Xia He stood up and hurried back into the house.

Two eunuchs followed her to ensure fairness.

The sound of people whispering in astonishment rang out again.

The queen's gaze turned quietly to Yu Tingjin.

Yu Tingjin was busy glaring at Yun Liu.

Yun Liu was stunned and looked at Fei Wan in horror, feeling as if he had fallen into a trap!