The Rebirth of Li Fei: The Strongest Palace Fighting System

Everyone then stood up and returned to their original seats.

Yu Ying'er's face was filled with grievances. She was eager to ask the Queen to seek justice, so she cried and said:

"Your Majesty, a few days ago, Concubine Xia scratched my cheek in front of Jingren Palace. It hasn't healed in a few days. Doctor Wen said there's white flower dandelion in my wound. This must be Concubine Xia's doing. Please, Your Majesty, make a decision for me!"

Xia Dongchun was so angry that her face turned pale when she heard this. She glared at Yu Ying'er and retorted:

"You're talking nonsense! When have I ever harmed you? It's obvious that you're just jealous and deliberately framing me!"

"I asked you to come here this time to investigate this matter. I want to tell you that no foul play will be tolerated in the harem!"

After saying this, the Queen turned her gaze to Jianqiu who was standing beside her and ordered:

"Send Wen Shichu here. I will interrogate him personally."

Upon hearing this, Jianqiu immediately took the order and left.

Not long after, Wen Shichu hurried to Jingren Palace. He was dressed in the clothes of an imperial physician, holding a medicine box, and his face was serious.

Behind Doctor Wen was Xiao Xia Zi, who knelt down with Doctor Wen to pay her respects to the Queen.

Doctor Wen explained to the Queen:

"May the Empress be well. Your Highness, I heard from Aunt Jianqiu that the Empress had summoned me, so I rushed over. Unexpectedly, I ran into Xiao Xiazi at the gate of Jingren Palace. I believed Xiao Xiazi was involved in this matter, so I dared to bring her with me to the palace. Please forgive me, Your Highness."

Xiao Xiazi knelt on the ground, her body trembling slightly, but she tried to keep her tone steady:

"Your Highness, the other day I was in the Imperial Garden and stumbled upon a sachet. Upon closer inspection, I discovered the unique fabric and pattern, and recognized it as belonging to Yu Ying, the Empress Dowager who has been favored for several days. Because Yu Ying has been favored and frequently visited the Yangxin Palace, I have a certain impression of her."

"I originally thought that since I had promised to give her the sachet, I would wait here and return it to her after she had paid her respects. Unexpectedly, while I was waiting at the gate of Jingren Palace, I ran into Lord Wen. Lord Wen saw the sachet in my hand and smelled something strange, so he asked to inspect it. Lord Wen then summoned me to come and see the Empress."

Yu Ying'er saw that the fabric of the sachet was indeed from her own palace, but she did not remember having such a sachet before.

She turned to look at her personal maid, who also responded with a puzzled look.

Yu Ying'er explained:

"Your Majesty, I don't remember ever having such a sachet..."

"Oh?"

After hearing this, the Queen's eyes moved back and forth between Yu Ying'er and Xiao Xiazi, as if searching for clues to the truth. Then she said to Xiao Xiazi:

"Bring it here and let me take a look."

Xiao Xia Zi quickly gave the sachet to Jianqiu, asking Jianqiu to present it to the queen on her behalf.

The Queen took the sachet and looked at it for a moment:

"This sachet is made of gorgeous fabric and has an intricate pattern. Furthermore, the scent of the spices inside is indeed what I promised to use on a daily basis."

Yu Ying'er was confused and puzzled.

Since she was conferred the title of Xiaozhu, the emperor has been showing her favor and bestowing rewards continuously. Perhaps it was a reward she had received in the past, and Yu Ying'er herself had forgotten about it. Therefore, Yu Ying'er did not refute it.

The Queen saw this and understood something. She looked at Yu Ying'er coldly, then said to Wen Shichu:

"Doctor Wen, since you say there's something strange about this sachet and that it's related to what happened today, please examine it carefully. At the same time, I want to remind you that no conspiracy or intrigue in the harem can escape my eyes."

Wen Shichu took the order and began to carefully examine the sachet. The concubines in the hall held their breath, awaiting the final outcome. The aftermath of this conflict seemed to be still brewing.

He sniffed the sachet, carefully examined its sewing and materials, and finally came to a conclusion:

"My Lady, most of the ingredients in this sachet are common spices. The only thing added is one: Plum Blossom."