From cannon fodder villain to beloved heroine

The Empress narrowed her phoenix eyes, her gaze sharp as a knife, sweeping back and forth between Consort Li and Yan Ruyu.

Those eyes seemed to see right through people's hearts, leaving them nowhere to hide.

Yan Ruyu knelt upright, facing the gaze calmly, but couldn't help feeling a little nervous.

In contrast, Consort Li, though trying to appear calm, couldn't hide a hint of panic in her eyes and brows. Upon closer inspection, her clenched hands trembled slightly, her nails almost digging into her flesh.

The palace maids and eunuchs around them didn't dare to breathe, each with their heads bowed, as if there were some treasure on the ground, afraid of accidentally causing trouble.

"Consort Li, you speak..." The Empress's authoritative voice broke the suffocating silence.

Upon hearing this, Consort Li immediately raised her head, her eyes slightly red, looking like a pear blossom in the rain, crying so pitifully that it was truly heartbreaking.

"Your Majesty, I am innocent! This Miss Yan has no respect for Your Majesty. Not only did she talk back to me, but she also falsely accused me of framing her. I, I..." As she spoke, she covered her face and began to cry again. The sound of her crying sent chills down one's spine.

Yan Ruyu sneered inwardly. It's such a pity that Consort Li doesn't go into opera; the Oscars owe her a golden statuette!

"Your Majesty, Consort Li is distorting the truth! I am innocent!" Yan Ruyu said resolutely, her words ringing with conviction. "Consort Li instructed Granny Sun and Eunuch Zhao to frame me! There is ample evidence and witnesses to prove it!"

The palace maids around whispered among themselves, some casting sympathetic glances at Consort Li, while others were filled with admiration for Yan Ruyu.

This melon is so delicious, the more you eat it, the better it tastes!

"How dare you! You, a mere concubine, slander me!" Consort Li pointed at Yan Ruyu in a fit of rage, as if she were about to pounce on her and tear her apart at any moment.

Yan Ruyu remained calm, a cold smile playing on her lips. "Your Highness, please don't be hasty. Since I dare to speak, I naturally have evidence." With that, she slowly pulled a piece from her sleeve...

Handkerchief?

"What is this? Are you trying to use this handkerchief to slander me?" Consort Li asked with disdain.

Yan Ruyu smiled mysteriously, "Your Majesty, please wait a moment, and you will know the wonderful use of this handkerchief."

Yan Ruyu slowly unfolded the handkerchief, revealing an exquisite double lotus flower embroidered on it, which was Consort Li's personal item.

But that's not the main point. The main point is that, under the system's analysis, the fine powder stuck to a corner of the handkerchief emitted a faint blue light in the sunlight.

"Your Majesty, this handkerchief is stained with the sleeping potion that Granny Sun used to drug me." Yan Ruyu's words were shocking, and a collective gasp rippled through the crowd.

Good heavens, there's actually such a thing!

This plot twist is amazing!

Consort Li's face was deathly pale, her lips trembled, but she couldn't utter a single word.

She never expected that her secret plan would be discovered by Yan Ruyu!

Just who is this little hoof?

Upon seeing the evidence, the Queen's face grew even more somber.

She originally thought it was just jealousy and rivalry among the concubines in the harem, but she never expected it to involve such a vicious conspiracy.

This Consort Li is becoming more and more outrageous!

"Consort Li, do you have anything else to say?" The Empress's majestic voice seemed to come from the depths of hell, making Consort Li tremble all over.

Consort Li tried to argue, but when she saw the Empress's cold eyes, she knew that no matter how she explained, it would be useless.

It's over, it's over!

The palace maids around Yan Ruyu looked at her with admiration. This girl is really amazing!

She even dared to criticize Consort Li; she's truly a role model for us all!

Just then, a figure rushed in, breaking the heavy atmosphere.

"Ruyu!" The male protagonist Xu ran anxiously to Yan Ruyu's side, his eyes filled with worry.

Upon receiving news that Yan Ruyu was in trouble in the palace, he rushed in without hesitation.

Seeing the male lead Xu appear, Yan Ruyu felt no fear with him by her side.

She gave him a reassuring look, indicating that she was alright.

Those around were stunned when they saw Xu, the male protagonist, suddenly barge in.

This is the Empress's palace, how dare he be so presumptuous?

Is this kid out of his mind?

!

Ignoring the gazes around him, Xu walked straight to Yan Ruyu's side, shielding her behind him. He looked at Consort Li with icy eyes, "Consort Li, you'd better pray that Ruyu is alright, otherwise..." His tone was chilling, carrying a strong threat.

"You...you dare to do this!" Consort Li trembled with anger, but dared not say another word.

This male lead, Xu, is getting more and more arrogant!

The Empress looked at the scene before her and thought, "This male lead, Xu, really has feelings for Yan Ruyu... Ha!"

"Young Master Xu, this is the Empress's palace. How can you behave so noisily?" The Empress's authoritative voice rang out, interrupting the male protagonist Xu's threat.

Only then did Xu realize his rudeness. He took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and bowed to the Empress, saying, "Your subject has been impolite."

The Empress nodded slightly, her gaze falling once more on Consort Li. "Consort Li..." she began slowly, her tone icy, "Do you know your crime?"

Consort Li trembled, collapsed to the ground, her eyes filled with despair...

Is it really all over?

The Empress took a deep breath, a fierce glint flashing in her phoenix eyes. Her majestic voice echoed in the hall: "Consort Li, you are consumed by jealousy and have framed loyal officials. Your crime deserves death! Considering your many years of service to me, you will be spared the death penalty, but you will not escape punishment! You are hereby confined to your quarters for three months and your monthly allowance will be reduced by half a year. Reflect on your actions!"

Consort Li was struck dumb, collapsing to the ground, her face ashen.

She knew she was finished.

This is a complete disaster; he won't even be able to win an Oscar!

The Empress turned her gaze to Yan Ruyu, her eyes filled with admiration. "Miss Yan is exceptionally intelligent and composed in the face of adversity; she is truly a heroine! I am deeply sorry that you have been wronged this time." She paused, then continued, "The reputations of the Yan and Xu families are restored from this day forward! All previous false rumors are immediately dispelled!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress!" Yan Ruyu and Xu Nanzhu said in unison, exchanging a smile with joy in their eyes.

That comeback was absolutely perfect!

The palace maids and eunuchs around her also congratulated Yan Ruyu, saying that this girl was truly amazing!

She's a true winner in life!

The atmosphere in the hall immediately relaxed, and the previously heavy atmosphere became more lively.

Yan Ruyu felt like she was dreaming, transforming from a villain about to be cannon fodder into a heroine praised by everyone. This feeling was absolutely amazing!

She secretly glanced at Xu, the male protagonist beside her, and found him gazing at her affectionately, his eyes full of love.

Yan Ruyu felt a surge of sweetness in her heart, and a happy smile appeared on her face.

That jerk, he's quite the actor!

Just as everyone was immersed in joy, a series of hurried footsteps broke the tranquility of the hall.

A guard rushed in, knelt down, and said in a trembling voice, "Report...report to Your Majesty the Empress, a plague has broken out in the city!"

"What?!" The hall erupted in an uproar, and the originally festive atmosphere instantly turned somber.

The smiles on Yan Ruyu and Xu Nanzhu's faces vanished instantly, replaced by deep worry.

Epidemic?

This is no joke!

Is a new dungeon about to open?

!

Outside the palace, in the distance, frantic shouts could be faintly heard, as if foreshadowing an even greater disaster to come...