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

royal palace.

Xiao Yuan, the maidservant who accompanied Madam Yu into the palace to replace Yu Tingjin, was nearly killed today. After being rescued by a palace physician, she was interrogated.

Although she was afraid that her family's lives would be in Madam Yu's hands, the palace was a more solemn and terrifying place for her.

So soon, under the coercion and inducement of Gong Zhengsi, he revealed the truth.

With her confession, there is a 90% chance that Madam Yu will be convicted.

But Queen Yan gave Fei Wan a break.

The search for Yu Tingjin at Yu Mansion was temporarily suspended.

Queen Yan was secretly planning to wait for Fei Wan to let the Yu family explain the whole matter and send Yu Tingjin back to the palace. Then, she would just say that Yu Tingjin hid in a corner of the palace and tried to escape.

That Xiao Yuan publicly stated that she was a servant somewhere in the palace, and that she was tricked by Yu Tingjin into taking drugs and nearly got killed when she passed out on Yu Tingjin's bed... This could cover it up.

If someone wants to smother Xiao Yuan to death, just say that Yu Tingjin bribed him.

By getting rid of Yu Mansion, Fei Wan was also taken away.

The blame was borne solely by Yu Tingjin.

In the end, Yu Tingjin was dealt with and everything was settled.

As for He Shuangying's meddling in this, we'll just find a handle to get rid of her later!

With this in mind, Queen Yan asked Fei Wan to "rest" in the back hall. She went out to the main hall, pretending to be furious, and continued to wait with the concubines.

However, after waiting for more than half an hour, Yu Tingjin did not return to the palace.

If we go back and forth from the palace to the Yu Mansion quickly, there will be enough time.

Empress Yan used the excuse of visiting Fei Wan to go to the back hall and quietly ask Fei Wan, "Why is there no movement from the Yu Mansion?"

Fei Wan was secretly grateful when she saw that Queen Yan was sincerely worried about her.

But the truth cannot be told to her for the time being.

He just said, "No movement yet. I've sent someone to urge them. Please wait a little longer."

Empress Yan's brows furrowed. "Perhaps the Yu family is unwilling to cooperate? I will personally send someone over to intimidate them!"

"Sister, wait a moment. Give them some time. If there is no result, I will handle it."

"Sister, please don't be soft-hearted. Think about them." Queen Yan was afraid that Fei Wan was overly concerned, so she earnestly warned her, "Even if they are your mother's family, since they have replaced you, they don't treat you as their daughter. Don't be foolish and hurt yourself!"

"Sister, don't worry."

Fei Wan held Queen Yan's hand and squeezed it gently.

Queen Yan gave some instructions and returned to the main hall.

At this time, all the concubines present had not eaten yet. They were sitting there tired and hungry. Those who were weaker could hardly hold on any longer.

Empress Yan said to the crowd, "Hungry? I will starve with you. From today on, I hope everyone will remember this moment of hunger, and remember my determination to purge the palace of all treacherous villains. Anyone who dares to act recklessly in the future will be punished by me!"

Everyone nodded in agreement and did not dare to say more.

Queen Yan was angry here, but she was very anxious in her heart.

If there is no movement from the Yu Mansion, and the news of Yu Tingjin's replacement is exposed, Sister Zhao will definitely be implicated.

Even if the emperor could not bear to punish Fei Wan, the censors and ministers in the court would take advantage of the situation to attack either Fei Wan or the Yu family.

If the Yu family is convicted, Fei Wan will have a guilty family from then on. If Fei Wan herself is convicted, it will affect her future status and stability in the palace.

Queen Yan pondered secretly and began to figure out what to do if that were the case, so that Fei Wan could escape unscathed.

"Your Majesty has arrived——"

Suddenly, a long announcement interrupted Queen Yan's thoughts.

She was suddenly startled.

He quickly stood up to greet him.

Before they even reached the palace gate, the emperor had already arrived with his men.

The bright yellow court robes were dazzling in the winter sun.

This……

Queen Yan was slightly surprised. Had he not changed into his daily clothes since the morning court session?

"My concubine pays your respects to Your Majesty."

Queen Yan led the crowd to pray.

The emperor responded indifferently, called out, and walked past her straight into the hall.

"Your Majesty, is lunch ready?" Queen Yan followed behind and asked softly.

The emperor strode to the main seat in the main hall, sat down, and said without a trace of smile: "Not yet."

Seeing that his expression was not right, Empress Yan smiled and said, "Your Majesty is worth a fortune. Please take care of yourself. No matter how busy you are with state affairs, you must take care of yourself. I will ask someone to serve the meal. Please..."

"No need."

The emperor interrupted Empress Yan before she could finish, staring at her and saying, "I heard that none of you have had lunch yet. I'm not in a hurry."

Queen Yan's heart skipped a beat. What was going on? Was he trying to pick a fight with me?

Her tone softened, "Your Majesty, there's been some minor unrest in the harem. I'm trying to teach you sisters to live in harmony and provide a safe home for Your Majesty. A safe harem means a safe court, and a safe court means a safe court. I believe this is extremely important, so I've used this as an excuse to discuss this small matter with you, and so we've postponed dinner. But Your Majesty's health is precious, so why not have dinner first? By the time you've finished, this matter will be almost over, and I'll report back to you in detail."

Gentle yet firm.

He did not change his mind and decided to take everyone to have dinner together immediately just because the emperor was displeased.

The emperor's expression did not soften despite her gentleness.

A moment of silence.

The emperor asked, "Is it a small matter?"

Empress Yan smiled and nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty, it's just a minor disturbance. Compared with the military and national affairs, it's not worth mentioning. I dare not pollute Your Majesty's ears."

"I heard that Concubine Zhao was starving and could only lie down in the back hall to rest?"

Oh?

Who was gossiping with the emperor?

While Empress Yan was pondering, a soft voice of obstruction came from the palace gate: "...You cannot enter. The Empress has not summoned you!"

Then came He Shuangying's voice.

"Why can't I go in? I'm bringing lunch to His Majesty!"

She immediately rushed in, pushed aside the palace maids who were blocking her, and walked into the main hall with her head held high, carrying a three-layered lacquered food box with eight treasures.

"Your Majesty, I have specially selected the best from your lunch and brought it to you. You must not go hungry. You are busy with so many government affairs every day, and your fingers are calloused from reviewing memorials. It makes me sad to see you. How can you not care about yourself and only care about the empire? And you must not get angry over such a small matter in the harem. It is not worth it. Come, allow me to serve you dinner. If the Empress wants to admonish the other ladies, let them do so first. After all, I am no longer a concubine and do not need to be taught by her. I will only focus on serving you dinner. If you are in a good mood, please reward me with a few bites of food!"

After she bowed, she took out the contents of the food box and placed them on the small tea table.

He stepped forward again, gently grabbed the emperor's sleeve, and persuaded him to eat.

"No nonsense!"

The emperor rebuked her.

But there was no anger in his voice, his tone was gentle and even had a hint of smile.

Compared with the cold expression he showed to Empress Yan just now, anyone could see that the emperor was angry with Empress Yan.

Queen Yan's face turned cold.

His eyes swept over the food on the tea table, and a hint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes.