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

"What Lan Zhaoyi said makes a lot of sense. Concubine Shun, what do you think?"

Concubine Yue followed Lan Zhaoyi's words and questioned Concubine Shun.

Concubine Shun quickly defended herself, "That note really wasn't mine. Sister Kangfei, sister Zhaofei, you all know how I behave. How could I scheme against others? I'm already so busy taking care of palace affairs every day that I don't have the energy to do anything else. Besides..."

"Empress Shun, what's the point of saying all this? None of this can be used as evidence to prove your innocence." Lan Zhaoyi interrupted her before she could finish her words, emphasizing again, "And we all saw the note coming out of your sleeve. It's solid evidence!"

"I said that it's not mine. Someone must have framed me!" Concubine Shun was anxious.

Lan Zhaoyi smiled. "That's easy. When the note fell, your maid hurriedly picked it up and hid it. She must know something. Why not interrogate her? As for framing her, as your personal maid, it's quite possible that she put something in your sleeve, right?"

Concubine Shun choked.

For a moment, he didn't know whether he should protect the maid.

This maid had been with her for a long time and was a close confidant. However, her behavior just now made her feel uneasy.

The maidservant just cried, didn't know anything when asked, and didn't even say a word to defend herself. It was really unlike her usual self!

Seeing Concubine Shun hesitate, Lan Zhaoyi immediately urged Concubine Yue, "Empress Kang just had the palace justice department take that maid away. Empress Kang and Concubine Shun are often on the move, so presiding over this case might require some reassurance. Empress Yue, why don't you bring that maid back so you can question her in person?"

Concubine Yue smiled.

"Sister Lan, it's been a long time since I've heard you speak up for me. When something happened today, you were so considerate of me. It shows that our friendship is still deep."

This doesn't make sense.

But if you look closely, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong.

Lan Zhaoyi quickly said, "Your Majesty knows me. I've received your grace for so many days, so how could I not always be concerned about you? I dare not talk about friendship with you, it's just that I have always admired and respected you."

"Alright, what friendship and respect? It's not expressed in words." Concubine Yue raised her eyebrows slightly. "Today, you will interrogate me on the spot about this matter. I'm tired, so I'll just listen here."

"Yes, I will conduct a thorough investigation. Your Majesty, just take a rest!"

Lan Zhaoyi showed a look of joy and bowed in response.

He then stood beside Concubine Yue and ordered someone to bring Concubine Shun's maid out from the Palace Administration Office.

Both Concubine Kang and Concubine Shun wanted to stand up and speak, but Fei Wan remained calm, met their gazes, and quietly stopped them.

The side halls of Changle Palace were not as magnificent as the main hall. After experiencing the war, they lacked many decorations and seemed even more empty.

At this time, the concubines sat upright, not daring to speak or move too much for fear of causing trouble. It really felt like the solemnity of a government office or court.

After a silent and unbearable wait, Concubine Shun's maid was finally brought over from the Palace Administration Office.

"Why did it take so long?" Lan Zhaoyi frowned slightly.

Three quarters of an hour had passed since she gave the order to send someone else.

The maid brought over by the Palace Administration Office respectfully reported, "Empress Zhaoyi, all palace servants entering and leaving the Palace Administration Office must be registered. The reason for entry, the person escorting them, and the cell they are in must all be clearly recorded. The same applies to their exits. I escorted her here and will return to add a copy of the record. Every step must be carefully checked to ensure no mistakes are made. This will facilitate future file access."

This is clearly an excuse to shirk responsibility.

Lan Zhaoyi stared at the nanny calmly and decided to settle the score later.

He then ordered him to leave.

Interrogate the maid first.

"I've been to the Palace Administration Office. What do you think? That's not a place for a personal maid like you. If you don't want to go in again, just answer me honestly. Do you understand?"

Shun Fei's maid knelt on the ground and nodded tremblingly.

"Yes, I will obey your orders! I will be honest!"

Concubine Shun frowned and told her maid, "Qingyun, you don't have to be afraid. Just tell me what you want to say. I will take care of it for you."

Lan Zhaoyi reminded Concubine Shun, "Your Majesty, you shouldn't talk too much right now, and you certainly shouldn't collude with your own maid. If you keep interrupting during the interrogation of your maid, then you'd better leave."

"Lan Zhaoyi, you are too presumptuous!"

"Empress Shun, I am investigating on behalf of Empress Yue. Please forgive me if I have offended you."

Concubine Shun looked very unhappy.

His gaze turned to Concubine Yue, and he saw her leaning there expressionless. Although her eyes were half-closed as if she was resting, she was still imposing.

Concubine Shun wanted to say something but stopped herself, and finally endured it.

"Then just ask, I'll see what you can get out of it."

Lan Zhaoyi's face flashed with pride, but she concealed it with seriousness and said loudly, "I will naturally interrogate you carefully. Your Majesty, just listen."

"Your name is Qingyun, right?" Lan Zhaoyi slowly walked to the side of the maid. "I have something to tell you. His Majesty has already designated Concubine Yue as the Empress, and an imperial decree will be issued soon. Even if there are rumors slandering her in the palace, it will not affect her status in the slightest. Do you understand? No matter how your master plots against Concubine Yue, it will be in vain! And you, as an accomplice, will die once the truth is revealed. If you know what's good for you, tell us everything you know! I promise you on behalf of Concubine Yue that you will be spared the death penalty. If Danny conceals anything, you will be punished more severely. Not only will you die, but your family may also be implicated. Think carefully!"

A series of stern threats.

The maid Qingyun trembled all over, crawled on the ground, and kowtowed repeatedly.

"Please, Madam, spare this servant! I don't want to die. I'm telling you the truth!"

Lan Zhaoyi said, "Very well, tell me the truth. What's with that note? Who wrote it to your master? How did they plot against Concubine Yue? Tell me everything, and I'll spare your life!"

The maid Qingyun said in a trembling voice, "That was written by Concubine Zhao to my queen... No, it wasn't Concubine Zhao. Concubine Zhao ordered Concubine Ying to write it. Concubine Zhao and Concubine Ying didn't handle it either. The one who wrote the note was Concubine Yu... They discussed it with Concubine Shun and together they ruined Concubine Yue's reputation and prevented her from becoming queen. And then, and then... Then, no matter which of them became queen, the others would help and disrupt the harem. The rumors about Concubine Yue's reputation in the palace were all spread by them together. I am Concubine Shun's confidant and know they have been planning this for several days..."

"What nonsense!"

Concubine Shun was furious. She pointed at her maid and asked, "What's wrong with you? Have you been threatened by someone? Why are you talking nonsense like that? Do you know that the consequences of doing this are very serious?"

Lan Zhaoyi sneered, "Empress Shun, it was you who threatened her. You stopped her from telling the truth. Are you afraid?"