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

"Your Majesty is holy."

"Since her enthronement, Imperial Concubine Chun has become overly spoiled and has done many rash and impulsive things. She truly needs to reflect on her mistakes. I hope she can learn from this incident, calm down, and distinguish right from wrong in the future, and not be deceived and misled by her subordinates again."

The queen clasped her hands at her waist, and the cloud-patterned waist belt embroidered with colorful gold was gorgeous and brilliant, highlighting her grace and elegance.

She spoke solemnly, supported the emperor, and fulfilled her duties as queen.

With the emperor and empress's statement, there was no turning back for Yu Tingjin's demotion.

Yu Tingjin looked at the Queen with a pleading, desperate look. But the Queen responded with a calm, almost ruthless look, signaling her to accept reality.

Yu Tingjin was stunned for a moment, and suddenly realized the hint in the queen's words.

So she rushed to the emperor's feet and pleaded, "Your Majesty! I heard everything from that maidservant Yun Liu. It was she who told me that Zhou had used witchcraft to curse me, which caused me to be so shocked and confused that I didn't investigate further..."

Before he finished speaking, Xiao Yu's brows were slightly furrowed.

"She keeps calling him Zhou. Doesn't she have a title or rank?"

Yu Tingjin was stunned and quickly changed his words unwillingly.

"...Even if Consort Zhao was falsely accused by Yun Liu, she did go out and about during the palace closure, and her whereabouts are unknown. This is against the rules..."

The queen scolded: "You should leave first! Stop yelling and making noises. It's disrespectful."

Xian Fei snorted softly, "Even Chun Zhaoyi admitted that Concubine Zhao was falsely accused? But how could that maidservant falsely accuse Concubine Zhao for no reason? Who gave her the courage?"

Yun Liu, who was named, knelt on the ground, already knowing that his death was approaching.

When she was sent by Yu Tingjin to frame Fei Wan for witchcraft, she knew that she would not have a good ending. But Yu Tingjin threatened her family, so she had to obey.

Fei Wan easily accepted her and arranged for her to keep watch alone, which made her uneasy, but also vaguely hoped that this mission could be done perfectly, and maybe Yu Tingjin would spare her life in the end.

Unexpectedly, it was all in vain.

When the wooden doll fell out of the quilt and the stuffed doll she had stuffed in disappeared, she knew something was wrong.

As expected, in the end, Zhao Cairen was still the better one.

She just couldn't understand when Zhao Cairen realized that she was pretending to surrender, and how did he replace the doll when she was clearly not in the house?!

"I dare not falsely accuse the young lady. I truly heard and saw Young Lady Zhao using the little figurine to curse Master Chun. It was also Young Lady Zhao who said she would go to a secluded place and perform a witchcraft ritual at night to curse Master Chun to death!"

Yun Liu had no other choice but to fight to the end and exchange his loyalty for the safety of his family.

"Cao Bin."

"Slave understands!"

Without the emperor saying anything, Cao Bin immediately ordered Yun Liu to be taken to the torture chamber of the Palace Administration Office for severe interrogation.

"Miss Zhao is really not a good person. She even asked me to slander that the rats were raised by Master Chun—"

Yun Liu jumped up to avoid being caught by the eunuchs.

Shout the last words for the master.

boom!

He crashed headfirst into the solid palace wall.

After a frightening crisp sound, she opened her eyes wide and slid down the wall softly, leaving a trail of bright red blood.

"what!"

Several concubines screamed in shock.

Many people were frightened.

Those who were not frightened also pretended to be frightened in time to show their fragility and kindness.

Two eunuchs came forward to check and confirmed Yun Liu's death. Cao Bin hurriedly had the body covered and carried away, and the bloodstains at the scene were cleaned up.

The night wind is getting stronger.

The imperial carriage was covered with flying flags, and the concubines' jewelry rings and pendants jingled.

The palace servants quickly wiped out all traces with their nimble hands and feet, and even sprinkled incense ash and spices at the place where Yun Liu died tragically to cover up the smell of blood.

So the fragrance lingered in the wind.

As long as you don't think about it or look at it, it will be as if nothing happened.

The queen once again stepped forward to fulfill her duty and advised the emperor to go back and rest.

"It's a late night and the wind is strong. Your Majesty, please take care of yourself so that we can rest assured. I will investigate the matter of Zhao Cairen's unexplained night wandering and the rat infestation as soon as possible and give you an explanation."

She spoke considerately, but reiterated Fei Wan's fault.

Fei Wan no longer flinched, and softly explained, "I really didn't use any witchcraft, nor did I force Yun Liu to slander Concubine Chun. It was all Yun Liu's nonsense... and I went out tonight... yes..."

"What did you do?" The Queen said softly, sighing, "Mrs. Zhao, you have indeed committed a crime by leaving the palace at night without permission. If you don't explain clearly, even if I wanted to protect you, I would be powerless."

"Amitabha."

A peaceful Buddhist chant suddenly sounded behind the crowd.

A slightly plump middle-aged nun in gray clothes walked out slowly with an umbrella in her arms and bowed before the emperor.

"I am a humble nun, Jingchen, enshrined in the Guanyin Hall of the palace. I am honored to greet your majesty and all the ladies."

"My Lady Zhao went to the Guanyin Hall to pray tonight and dropped an umbrella. I went after her to return it, but it just so happened that she was being accused of witchcraft at night. I couldn't bear to see someone who worships Buddha and the gods being falsely accused, so I came out to say something. I beg Your Majesty and the Ladies to forgive any disrespect."

Jingchen's unhurried presentation caused everyone present to have different expressions.

The Queen scolded her gently, "Ms. Zhao, since this is a matter of worshipping Buddha, why do you do it so late at night, and disguise yourself as a palace maid? You've caused a misunderstanding."

Fei Wan lowered her head and said, "I am...after all, confined in the palace. But tonight is the day I will fulfill the vow I made before the Buddha. I cannot delay, so I have to go in disguise to avoid being blamed."

"But you haven't recovered from your illness yet. Running around is against the rules!" Yu Tingjin couldn't help but interrupt and accuse again, ignoring the queen's warning eyes.

She really couldn't accept it!

Xia He helped Fei Wan explain, "Imperial Physician Wen has confirmed that Miss Zhao's illness is not serious and will not affect the health of the other masters. The only thing left is the final examination procedures tomorrow, which will be made public. Therefore, Miss Zhao is not spreading the disease in the palace."

She was ordered to serve Fei Wan. No matter whether it was about witchcraft or going out at night, once Fei Wan was punished, they, the palace people, would be implicated.

Naturally, we must try our best to exonerate Fei Wan.

Even if Fei Wan went out tonight without telling her, she had to speak for Fei Wan.

Yu Tingjin said angrily: "But, did she really go to worship Buddha? What if she colluded with the nun to lie..."

"Monks do not tell lies." Jingchen chanted the Buddha's name.

"Then why didn't she say it earlier? There must be something fishy about her hesitation!"

Fei Wan felt wronged: "If you talk about making a wish and fulfilling it lightly, it won't work..."

Behind Jingchen, a low-ranking palace maid in blue stood up and knelt down to plead:

"I had the honor of worshipping Buddha with Lady Zhao tonight, and I can testify to that. Lady Zhao also lent me that umbrella that day. Lady Zhao is a caring servant, and I am deeply grateful!"

It was Zhishu.

Fei helped her up before nightfall.

Choking back tears, he said, "Thank you for explaining it for me."

Zhishu bowed and said, "I don't deserve it. It is I who should thank you for your care that day, my lady."

Two people stand together.

One is graceful and beautiful, more beautiful than flowers, the other is elegant, cool and unique. Both are wearing palace maid's long skirts, simple and natural without any embellishment.

Compared with the concubines in the crowd who were dressed in gorgeous clothes, she was indescribably beautiful and unique.

Xiao Yu was mesmerized for a moment.

His gaze paused on Zhishu.

I vaguely remembered something.

"You are from the Smoke and Cloud Palace..."

"I am Zhishu, a maidservant of the Smoke and Cloud Palace. That night, Your Majesty and Lady Zhao were walking together in the Imperial Garden, and it was I who disturbed your enjoyment."

At the beginning, she was warned by Cao Bin not to tell anyone about the abandoned Buddhist temple. She only said that they met by chance in the imperial garden to avoid damaging the emperor's image.

Zhishu bowed again, glanced at the emperor, then immediately lowered her head and looked away:

"I beg your Majesty to forgive me."

Her elegant and neither humble nor overbearing temperament easily made her stand out among the cautious palace maids around her.

"It doesn't matter."

Xiao Yu easily forgave Zhishu, his eyes full of admiration: "You are able to stand up and testify for Zhaoqing, which shows that you have a kind heart."

"Your Majesty is so complimentary."

Zhishu lowered her head, thanked the emperor, and stepped aside.

Just show your face.

She shouldn't be in the spotlight tonight.

"Alright, tonight's events are over. Yu should reflect on this matter behind closed doors, and the other concubines should take this as a warning. We are dismissed."

Xiao Yu ignored the Queen's hesitation and directly set the tone for the matter.

He waved to Fei Wan again, the corners of his robe fluttering in the night wind like an eagle's wings, and a deep smile appeared on the corners of his mouth.

"Zhao Qing, come here."