The Rebirth of Li Fei: The Strongest Palace Fighting System

After saying that, I raised my head slightly and glanced around with the corner of my eye. I saw that the concubines had different expressions or whispered to each other, but they were undoubtedly paying attention to this sudden storm.

I was secretly thinking about how I could get out of this crisis unscathed and preserve my innocence and status.

The emperor spoke again, his voice cold and brief, each word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth: "Baojuan, speak."

Baojuan's body trembled slightly. She seemed to be afraid of the consequences of what she was about to say, but she still mustered up the courage and continued:

"Yes, Your Majesty. This doll was made by Concubine An herself. Concubine Hua once asked Concubine An to sing in the Yikun Palace, and Concubine An held a grudge against her, so she made this doll to curse Concubine Hua. Look, it still has the Hetian jade pendant that Concubine Hua gave to Concubine An."

Hearing this, my heart felt like it was hit by a heavy hammer, but my tone became unusually calm.

I raised my head, looked directly at Baojuan, and said in a soft but firm voice:

"Baojuan, you've always been by my side, and I've always treated you well. How could you slander me like this?"

Baojuan avoided my gaze and continued her speech:

"Empress An once placed this doll under her bed, cursing Concubine Hua every day. One day, while I was helping her make the bed, I stumbled upon this doll. There were even some silver needles stuck into it! I was really shocked at the time."

She paused, as if recalling the horrible experience, and then continued:

"When Concubine An discovered that I knew this secret, she threatened me. She said that if I dared to tell anyone about it, she would have my entire family killed. I really didn't dare to say anything and could only live in fear every day."

Having said this, Baojuan kowtowed several times, her voice filled with tears:

"I am in the Yanxi Palace, and outside the palace are my father, mother, brothers and sisters. I really dare not speak, and I don't want them to die in vain. Please, Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please understand my difficulties and make the decision for me!"

The concubines in the hall began to whisper and talk among themselves, and the air was filled with tension and anxiety.

I took the opportunity to glance at Concubine Hua, and saw that her eyes were full of questions and confusion.

Obviously, she thought I was secretly loyal to her and working for her, so she found Baojuan's accusations unbelievable.

Finally, she couldn't hold it back any longer and said:

"I remember that night, I invited Concubine Zhen to come and play the zither, and not Concubine An. I didn't expect Concubine An to come along, so I treated her equally and entertained her well. The Emperor was also present that night."

The emperor nodded slightly, as if trying to recall the scene of that night, with a complicated look in his eyes.

At this time, Concubine Duan slowly spoke, her voice gentle but firm, secretly speaking for me while subtly mocking Concubine Hua's so-called "good hospitality":

"So, if we really want to talk about humiliation, then Noble Concubine Hua only humiliated Noble Lady Wan, not Concubine An. Why would Concubine An hold such a grudge? I think there's something fishy going on here."

Concubine Duan's words were like a heavy hammer, hitting Concubine Hua's sore spot.

She glared at Concubine Duan, and because of the word "humiliation", she looked at the emperor in fear, fearing that the emperor would be dissatisfied with her.

Concubine Cao then stood up. Her voice was smooth and sophisticated, as if she was speaking for Concubine Hua and also for me.

"That night, since the Emperor was also present, although I was not fortunate enough to be there in person, I can imagine it must have been a night of beautiful flowers and a full moon. Concubine Hua, always so kind and generous, invited my sister Wan to come and drink and sing, and Concubine An also happened to be there, sharing in the family joy. How could such a beautiful scene be considered humiliating?"

Concubine Li, who was also from the same party, also echoed:

"Yes, Noble Concubine Hua invited the concubines to join the Emperor and even gave Concubine An and Concubine Wan precious gifts to take back to the palace. I'm incredibly envious. Concubine An must be grateful, so how could she harbor any resentment? I think using what happened that day as an excuse is simply not tenable."

The words of Concubine Cao and Concubine Li eased the atmosphere in the hall a little. Although their words were meant to exonerate Concubine Hua, they also invisibly alleviated the accusations I was bearing.

I took a deep breath, and said with a hint of gratitude and determination:

"Concubine Cao and Concubine Li are absolutely right. That night was indeed a full moon, and I still remember the hospitality of Concubine Hua. As for the doll, I have never made it, let alone used it to curse anyone. I beg the Emperor and Empress to examine this matter and clear my name."

As soon as I finished speaking, the hall fell into a brief silence again.

I know this storm is far from over, but I have taken the first step in defending myself.

Concubine Qi and Concubine Fucha, the pair known for their outspokenness, spoke one after another at this time, pushing the atmosphere in the hall to a climax again.

Concubine Qi was the first to attack:

"But Baojuan, as Concubine An's personal maid, witnessed Concubine An sewing the doll with her own hands and casting the curse with a silver needle. If it wasn't because of the singing incident at the Yikun Palace that day, could it be that she had a disagreement with Concubine Hua over something else, and therefore harbored a grudge against her?"

Fu Chapin immediately echoed:

"Sister Qipin is right. Even if Concubine An didn't hold a grudge against Concubine Hua for that night in Yikun Palace, the doll and Baojuan are so clearly displayed here that it's hard not to believe. Before I moved to Chuxiu Palace, I lived with Concubine An in Yanxi Palace. Concubine An's embroidery skills are well known throughout the Yanxi Palace. Embroidering a doll is naturally a piece of cake for her. This embroidery work really seems like something Concubine An could do."

Concubine Hua glanced at Concubine Qi and Concubine Fucha, a cold smile appeared on her lips, and she took over the conversation and said:

"I have never treated Concubine An harshly. I don't know where Concubine Qi's so-called 'discord' and 'grudge' come from. Don't you agree, Concubine An? When have I ever made things difficult for you?"

I nodded slightly, with a bit of grievance and helplessness in my voice:

"Your Highness, Concubine Hua is absolutely right. I have indeed never been treated harshly by you. Your Majesty and Empress, please understand that I have no reason to curse Your Highness..."

However, before I could finish my words, the Queen interrupted me coldly:

"If it wasn't because of what happened that night in Yikun Palace, could it be that you're resentful of Concubine Hua's favor? Concubine An, the evidence is both personal and material, what else do you have to say? Furthermore, I personally discovered this doll in your bedroom that day, so how can you deny it? Confess and you'll be given leniency. Considering your care for Princess Zhiqiu, I can even plead with the Emperor and the Empress Dowager for a lighter sentence."