The Second World in Ancient Times

In that dark cell, I anxiously awaited news of Wanqing. As the days passed, my heart grew heavier. Just when I was on the verge of despair, Wanqing finally arrived with the old nanny.

The old lady looked at me with eyes full of heartache: "My child, you have suffered. I heard about your situation and came here quickly."

I grasped at straws, "Mammy, you must help me. I've been framed. I've been looking for evidence, but now all the clues are gone."

The old lady thought for a moment and said, "Don't worry, tell me the details of the banquet that day."

I tried hard to recall every detail, telling the old lady everything from the banquet to the frame-up. She nodded as she listened, and suddenly her eyes lit up. "You said there were traces of rubbing on the decorative materials? And that mysterious little eunuch? That might be the key."

I asked anxiously, "Mammy, have you thought of something?"

The old lady said, "I remember a similar incident in the past where someone tampered with the decorative materials in order to frame someone. We can investigate from this angle."

With the old nanny's guidance, Wanqing and I decided to search for clues again. We started with the problematic decorative material. Wanqing found the eunuch in charge of the warehouse and, after much persuasion, finally got him to reveal some information.

Wanqing asked, "Do you remember where those flowers with traces came from?"

The eunuch hesitated for a moment and said, "It seems to have been picked from the western corner of the Imperial Garden."

We immediately rushed to the western corner of the Imperial Garden and carefully searched for clues. There we found some strange footprints and some discarded small bottles.

I picked up a small bottle and smelled it: "This smell is a bit familiar, I seem to have smelled it somewhere before."

Wanqing also came over and sniffed it: "Could it be related to the banquet?"

We decided to take these small bottles back and have them looked at by someone who knew medical knowledge.

We found the imperial physician and handed him the vial. After a careful examination, the physician's face changed drastically.

The doctor said: "The substance in this bottle is a poison. Although the dosage is small, if it is mixed with wine or water, it will make people feel sick."

I was shocked. "Sure enough, someone drugged the drinks. Then why are these bottles in the western corner of the Imperial Garden?"

The doctor thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps someone accidentally left this place there while preparing the poison. You can follow this clue and investigate further."

We returned to the western corner of the Imperial Garden and continued our search. This time, we found some palace maids' handkerchiefs and eunuchs' hats. Looking at these things, I had a guess.

"Wanqing, could these things be left behind by those who framed me? We can take these things and ask other palace maids and eunuchs to see if anyone recognizes them." I said.

Wanqing nodded: "Okay, let's try it."

We asked around with the handkerchiefs and hats, and finally a little palace maid recognized one of the handkerchiefs.

The young palace maid said, "I've seen this handkerchief before. It belongs to Sister Caiyun. She's usually very close to several eunuchs."

We hurried to find Caiyun, who looked panicked when she saw us.

I asked sharply, "Caiyun, why are you framing me? Are these handkerchiefs and hats yours?"

Caiyun stammered, "I... I don't know what you are talking about. This handkerchief is not mine."

I held out the vials. "You still don't admit it? What's with the poison in these vials? What are you and those eunuchs doing in the western corner of the Imperial Garden?"

Caiyun was so scared that she knelt on the ground: "Please spare my life, lady, I was forced to do this. They made me do this and said that if I didn't cooperate, they would kick me out of the palace."

I pressed on, "Who are they? Why are they trying to frame me?"

Caiyun said, "It was a few jealous palace maids and eunuchs who thought you were being promoted too quickly and that you were blocking their path, so they wanted to frame you and make you lose the emperor's trust. They secretly drugged the wine at the banquet and mixed allergens into the decorations, hoping to cause harm to their masters and then put the blame on you."

I knew Caiyun's confession alone wasn't enough; we needed more evidence. Wanqing and I continued our investigation and found the palace maids and eunuchs who had conspired with Caiyun to frame me. They initially denied it, but under our pressure, they finally confessed everything.

I said angrily, "Why are you doing this? I have never offended you. Why are you so cruelly framing me?"

One eunuch said, "We have no choice. We have been in the palace for so many years and have never had the opportunity to be promoted. And yet you have suddenly been appreciated by the emperor. We feel very unbalanced."

I looked at them, my heart filled with disappointment. "Do you think you can succeed like this? Your actions are a betrayal of the court. You will be punished."

We collected their confessions and the small bottles, handkerchiefs, hats and other evidence and prepared to present them to the palace administrators.

Wanqing and I brought the evidence to the Imperial Household Department and met the Chief Steward.

I knelt and presented the evidence: "Master General, I have found evidence to frame me. Please review it."

The chief steward looked at the evidence with a gloomy expression: "What's going on? How dare you do such a thing in the palace?"

I told the chief steward everything that had happened, including the jealousy of the palace maids and eunuchs and how they had framed me. The chief steward was furious.

"You guys are so bold. The palace is a place with rules, but you actually did such a thing for your own selfish interests. I will definitely punish you severely." said the general manager.

The chief eunuch ordered the punishment of the palace maids and eunuchs who had framed me. They were thrown into prison, awaiting further trial.

I watched them being taken away, feeling no pleasure, only deep exhaustion. This incident had made me see clearly the cruelty of the palace and the sinister nature of human nature.

Wanqing comforted me: "Siqing, your injustice has finally been redressed. Those bad guys have received the punishment they deserve, and you can start a new life."

I nodded. "Yes, this incident has made me more aware of the need to be wary of malicious intent around me. I will definitely be more careful in the future."

After my grievances were cleared, the attitude of the court towards me changed again. Those who had accused me now apologized to me.

A palace maid said, "Lady of Love, I'm sorry, we misunderstood you before. We didn't know you were framed."

I smiled and said, "It's okay. We are all deceived by appearances. Let's work together to serve the court."

Some female officials who had previously avoided me also came to show their favor to me.

"Si Qing, you are so amazing that you can find evidence to prove your innocence. We must learn more from you in the future." said a female official.

I said modestly, "Thank you for the compliment, sisters. I'm just lucky. Please take good care of me in the future."

The emperor also heard about my story and expressed his appreciation for me.

The Emperor summoned me and said, "Si Qing, you did a great job this time. You didn't give up in the face of adversity and even found evidence to prove your innocence. You are a man of courage and wisdom. I admire you very much."

I knelt down to express my gratitude: "Your Majesty, this is what I should do. I just don't want to be wronged, and I don't want those who framed me to succeed."

The emperor said, "Your experience this time is also a lesson for everyone in the palace. Everyone should take it as a warning and never do such things again."

I replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. I will remember this lesson and work even harder for the court in the future."

After this incident, I regained the trust of everyone in the palace, and the palace affairs I was responsible for returned to normal.

The head of the Imperial Household Department said to me, "Si Qing, this time we have witnessed your loyalty and ability. You must work harder in the future and don't let us down."

I replied respectfully, "Master, I will do my best to live up to your trust."

I began to devote myself to my work again and pay more attention to every detail. I knew that only in this way could I truly win everyone's respect and trust.

My friends were all happy for me. Xiaozhu, Shunzi, Cuiyu, Xiaofuzi and Ling'er all came to see me.

Xiao Zhu said, "Sister Si Qing, you're finally okay. We were all so worried."

I was touched and said, "Thank you for always believing in me. This incident has taught me that true friends won't be easily defeated by rumors."

Shunzi said, "Yes, we all know that you were framed. From now on, we will face difficulties together and never let others bully you again."

We laughed and talked in the room, as if we had returned to the old days. This experience made our friendship even stronger.

After this incident, I began to reflect on my own behavior. I realized that in the complex environment of the palace, I couldn't just focus on my work, but also had to be vigilant of the people around me.

I said to Wanqing, "Wanqing, this incident has taught me a lot. We must be more careful in the future and not give others the opportunity to frame us again."

Wanqing nodded: "Yes, we must learn to protect ourselves. However, we can't become distrustful of others because of this incident. There are still many good people."

I gazed at the sky outside the window, a flood of emotion filling my heart. Although this incident has caused me much hardship, it has also taught me a lot. I know I will face many more challenges in the days ahead, but I will no longer be afraid. I will bravely face everything and overcome all difficulties with wisdom and courage.

I decided to take this incident as a new starting point and work even harder for the court. I want to show those who once framed me that I will not be defeated and I will become stronger.

I began to actively participate in the affairs of the court, and put forward many new suggestions and ideas. My efforts were recognized by everyone, and my position became increasingly stable.

During a palace event, the part I was in charge of was very successful, and both the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Concubine praised me highly.

The Queen Mother said, "Si Qing, you did a great job this time. It seems that you are truly a capable person."

The Imperial Concubine also said: "Huh, I didn't expect you to be so capable. You must serve the court well in the future."

I knelt down to express my gratitude: "Thank you for your praise, madam. I will continue to work hard and contribute to the prosperity of the palace."

Although I have been cleared of the injustice, I have not forgotten the malicious intent I once had. I always remind myself to remain vigilant and not give others the opportunity to frame me again.

I said to the maids and eunuchs around me, "Everyone must be careful and cautious when doing things in the palace. Don't trust others easily, and don't do anything that hurts others. We must work together to maintain harmony in the palace."

The palace maids and eunuchs nodded in agreement: "The lady-in-waiting is right. We will remember this."

I know that the struggle in the palace will never stop, but I will no longer be afraid. I will use my wisdom and courage to face all challenges and protect myself and those I cherish.

After this incident, I am full of confidence in the future. I know that as long as I stick to my beliefs and work hard to do my job well, I will be able to create my own glory in the palace.

I gaze at the sky above the palace, my heart filled with hope. I believe I will encounter more opportunities and challenges in the days ahead, but I will not back down. I will bravely move forward, striving for my dreams, for the prosperity of the palace, and for those who truly care about me.