After being reborn with my scumbag ex-husband, I became his sister-in-law.

Siqin sensed the disappointment in Song Xizhi's words, paused for a moment, and then said, "Actually, it's all General He's fault. You've already tried hard enough to understand him, but he won't tell you anything he does."

Song Xizhi chuckled and said in a deliberately relaxed manner:

"He was still your former master, and you're already taking my side?"

As the two flew through the air, Siqin took the opportunity to hug Song Xizhi's waist even tighter, as if to give her strength: "What I said is the truth."

A warm feeling rose in Song Xizhi's heart, and he moved closer to Siqin: "Actually, there were some gains today. First, we discovered that Zhao Qianlan has a lover outside, and the lover may be related to the Western Rong."

"Secondly, it was discovered that the Empress did not commit suicide; her death may have been related to the incense her mother used."

Siqin asked, "So what are you going to do now? There's still no news about the matter you asked us to investigate yesterday."

Song Xizhi curled the corners of his lips: "Now there is one more person we can ask, and that is Consort Zhen."

The reason she came to the Fengshan ceremony in the first place was because of Consort Zhen. Prince Xiu had probably mentioned this to Consort Zhen before.

It should go smoothly.

Having received instructions from Song Xizhi, the message requesting an audience was delivered early in the morning.

The people from Consort Zhen's side arrived in the afternoon.

Upon hearing the commotion, Song Xizhi personally went out to meet the visitor, who turned out to be an old nanny from Consort Zhen's side.

The old nanny had been by Consort Zhen's side for a long time. She dressed very modestly and had a kind face. Now, looking at Song Xizhi, she even had a hint of apology on her face.

A bad feeling arose in Song Xizhi's heart, just as he heard the old woman's voice continue:

"I'm so sorry, Mrs. He."

"Your Majesty originally intended to meet tomorrow, but Consort Liang has invited you, and Your Majesty cannot refuse. Please forgive her."

Song Xizhi frowned slightly: "I'm not free tomorrow, so how about today?"

Just as Madam Zhao, accompanied by her servants, stepped through the courtyard gate, she smiled and walked to Song Xizhi's side upon hearing this:

"I'm not free today either. Consort Zhen is currently chatting with Consort Liang in her room."

Madam Zhao looked Song Xi up and down, her face full of smugness: "So it was you who asked to see Consort Zhen. I thought it was someone else."

"I'm so sorry, when you delivered the message, Consort Zhen and I were in Consort Liang's room discussing my newly acquired rare Buddhist scripture, which was personally copied by Master Yuanhui, who had been in seclusion for more than ten years. It is extremely rare in the world."

"The ladies like it very much, so I suggested that we copy scriptures and chant Buddhist prayers together in the future. So not only today and tomorrow, but also in the future, Consort Zhen will not have time. It seems that Madam He will have to wait a long time."

Madam Zhao's words did not convey any sense of apology at all.

It must have been when Song Xizhi sent someone to deliver the message that Lady Zhao happened to run into him, and she then deliberately suggested copying the scriptures so that Consort Zhen could also go.

Consort Liang saw through Lady Zhao's attitude towards Song Xizhi and deliberately indulged him, while Consort Zhen, being cautious and discerning, understood Consort Liang's meaning and naturally dared not see her again.

Song Xizhi raised an eyebrow slightly and looked at her calmly: "Does Madam Zhao seem to be doing this on purpose?"

Madam Zhao simply smiled and said, "If I found you agreeable, I could certainly go, given your status. However, I don't find you agreeable, so neither Consort Liang nor Consort Zhen will go to see you."

"So you should just stay in your room and stop trying to curry favor with the powerful and wealthy. They are not people you can afford to offend."

As Madam Zhao spoke with great pleasure, she took two more steps forward, and Song Xizhi smelled a strong fragrance of incense emanating from her.

An ordinary person would probably only be able to smell the strong fragrance of her incense, but Song Xizhi is skilled in making incense and has a more acute sense of smell than most people.

She could smell a faint stench coming from Madam Zhao's clothes, like the stench of fermented milk.

She used to only ask Granny Wu to pour the milk under the bed, but Granny Wu went all out and not only poured it under the bed, but also poured it into the wardrobe.

After rinsing it slightly with clean water, it was weighed down with a box so that no one could notice.

Two days had passed, and the milk had probably begun to ferment, emitting a faint stench. Madam Zhao noticed it, but couldn't find the source of the stench at all.

So the only solution was to use strong incense to mask the problem.

Song Xizhi narrowed his eyes slightly, and then saw Madam Zhao lean closer to him and say in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "His Majesty dotes on Consort Liang very much, and Consort Zhen has to be careful and cautious to please Consort Liang at all times."

Upon smelling the strong fragrance, Song Xizhi silently took a step back.

Seeing that the old nanny beside Consort Zhen had not yet left, Song Xizhi raised an eyebrow and said in a low voice, "Madam Zhao, you are mistaken. Consort Zhen and Consort Liang have a good relationship. Copying scriptures and chanting Buddhist prayers together is a meritorious deed."

"How can you say that Consort Zhen is trying to curry favor with Consort Liang? This is not only an insult to Consort Zhen, but also an insult to Consort Liang."

The old nanny frowned slightly: "Madam Zhao, please be careful with your words."

Madam Zhao's eyes widened. She had only wanted to show off Consort Liang's favor, so she just said it casually. She never expected that Song Xizhi would sow discord in front of the nanny.

"I never said anything like that, don't accuse me wrongly."

Song Xizhi looked at the old woman in front of him, nodded, and simply replied, "Justice resides in the hearts of the people."

So he turned around and went into the house.

Seeing this, Madam Zhao wanted to say a few more words to the nanny, but the nanny left decisively, so she could only return to her room in a huff.

She sat on the soft couch and cursed, "My husband is right. Song Xizhi is a born scoundrel. His favorite thing is to distort the truth and sow discord."

Since her husband said he couldn't let Song Xizhi live comfortably, there must be a reason. She should just do as he said.

Actually, her husband... hasn't shown her this much care in a long time.

She was already very content that the couple had been able to unite as one for so long, and that he wouldn't go out and have affairs.

Madam Zhao thought for a moment, then noticed a strange smell in the room: "Granny, make the incense burn even brighter. I'm going to copy scriptures with Consort Liang tomorrow, so it needs to smell nice."

On the other side, as soon as Song Xizhi returned to his room, Wu Mama couldn't help but put her hands on her hips and angrily said, "That Madam Zhao is too much of a bully."

"Isn't it just because she's older and has Consort Liang backing her up? She's trying to trip you up for no reason, even though we haven't bothered her."

Song Xizhi took a sip of tea: "Granny, do you also think that Madam Zhao is extremely hostile towards me? And without any reason; we have no conflict of interest."

Granny Wu felt sorry for her: "Someone must have instigated it. She is from the same clan as Zhao Qianlan, so she must have listened to Zhao Qianlan."

Song Xizhi shook her head. In her previous life, she had also met Madam Zhao; they were acquaintances, but had never had any conflicts. However, this life was different.

"Her relationship with Zhao Qianlan wasn't exactly good, and Zhao Qianlan didn't have that much influence. It's rather strange that she would react so badly to me."

Granny Wu fell silent, pondering Song Xizhi's words, when Song Xizhi's voice suddenly rang out again:

"Granny, tonight tell someone to catch some ants and put them in Madam Zhao's room."

Granny Wu stared wide-eyed in confusion: "Miss, you mean...?"

Song Xizhi nodded, his face expressionless.

Consort Zhen, she definitely needs to see her.

Since Madam Zhao is courting death by overestimating herself and going against her, then no matter who is behind her, she will be the one who gets hurt first.