Shen Qingyao is almost three months pregnant, but hasn't found an opportunity yet.

Fortunately, the third princess's first birthday banquet was in three days, and the empress suggested that a banquet be held at the pavilion, inviting all the concubines of the harem to come and celebrate.

Shen Qingyao knew this was a golden opportunity, so she made preparations in advance.

Three days later.

Inside the pavilions and towers, at the banquet, cups were clinked and laughter filled the air.

Shen Qingyao touched her belly, a ruthless glint flashing in her eyes that no one noticed. Then she picked up a wine cup from the table and walked toward Liang Qiuli, who was sitting to the side chatting with Consort Xi.

"Your Highness Consort Rong is truly radiant. I would like to offer you a toast."

Shen Qingyao smiled and stepped forward, intending to clink glasses with Liang Qiuli.

Hearing the sound, Liang Qiuli turned around and saw Shen Qingyao walking towards her with a smile on her face.

A hint of doubt flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her usual gentle smile and raised her glass to clink with Shen Qingyao's.

"Don't be so smug, sister. Be careful you don't accidentally trip and fall one day."

Shen Qingyao whispered softly in Liang Qiuli's ear, her voice low but just loud enough for Liang Qiuli to hear clearly.

Liang Qiuli ignored her provocation and simply responded calmly.

"Sister, you flatter me. Since entering the palace, I have always been cautious and careful, afraid of making a mistake. It is you, sister, who is young and impetuous, who should be more careful."

Seeing Liang Qiuli so calm, Shen Qingyao couldn't help but feel a little impatient.

She looked around and found that Consort Xi had already gone far away. Everyone else was talking to themselves and did not notice the undercurrent between the two of them, so she moved closer.

Before Liang Qiuli could react, she suddenly pretended to fall and landed on the ground.

Shen Qingyao clutched her stomach and cried out in pain, "Ah! Consort Rong, how could you push me? My child..."

Shen Qingyao's actions were somewhat expected, so she already had a plan in mind.

Seeing that all the concubines' attention had been drawn to her, Liang Qiuli's face showed a look of shock, and she asked nervously.

"Consort Shen, what's wrong with you? When did I ever push you?"

Shen Qingyao clutched her stomach, tears welling in her eyes, her voice trembling, looking at Liang Qiuli with disbelief.

"Sister Rongfei, why did you harm the child in my womb? Your Majesty... Your Majesty, save our child!"

Then, he turned his hopeful gaze to the emperor who had just appeared behind Liang Qiuli.

The emperor was also startled by the scene before him. His eyebrows furrowed, and he strode over. When he saw the blood-red stain beneath Shen Qingyao, his pupils contracted sharply, and his eyes were filled with shock and anger.

He shoved Liang Qiuli aside, who was standing between him and Shen Qingyao. Liang Qiuli took a few steps back and only managed to stand up with Ruyu's help.

Liang Qiuli silently complained in her heart!

That heartless emperor!

The emperor completely ignored Liang Qiuli's disheveled state, and only held Shen Qingyao tightly, anxiously asking questions.

"Qingyao, what's wrong? Quickly, summon the imperial physician!"

"Consort Rong, how dare you! Kneel down and admit your mistake!"

The Empress rushed out and angrily shouted at Liang Qiuli.

"I did not push her, so what wrong have I done!"

Liang Qiuli looked at the Empress with a serious expression, her head slightly tilted back, showing no fear.

"Consort Rong, you're still being stubborn! You're just jealous that Consort Shen is pregnant with the imperial heir and you're afraid she'll threaten the First Prince's position!"

The empress spoke sharply, her eyes filled with disgust and anger, as if she were the one who had been pushed down.

"Your Majesty, everything requires evidence!"

Although Liang Qiuli spoke to the Empress, her eyes were fixed on the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, my stomach hurts... My child, our child... Is it too late to save him?"

Shen Qingyao's voice was broken and filled with despair.

The emperor looked at her pale, bloodless face and felt a pang of anxiety. He quickly stepped forward, took her hand, and comforted her.

"Qingyao, don't worry, I will protect our child."

After speaking, the emperor turned to meet Liang Qiuli's gaze, looking at the unprecedented firmness and determination in her eyes, as if to say, "Your Majesty, please believe me, I did not do this."

I found it hard to bring myself to say the words of reprimand.

Seeing the emperor's hesitant expression, the empress couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

She had long seen that Liang Qiuli held a special place in the emperor's heart, but she never expected that even with Shen Qingyao and the imperial heir, the emperor would not be able to make up his mind to punish Liang Qiuli.

"Your Majesty, Consort Rong has even dared to harm the imperial heir in her quest for favor. If she is not severely punished today, won't she plot against you in the future?"

The empress spoke with conviction, her eyes filled with anger and determination.

"emperor……"

Shen Qingyao also noticed the emperor's hesitation, and leaned weakly against his chest, wanting to add fuel to the fire.

"Your Majesty, if Consort Rong truly dislikes my unborn child, I can simply take the child and return to the villa. I only beg Consort Rong to show mercy."

Shen Qingyao's words seemed to offer the emperor a way out, but they thoroughly enraged him.

He took a deep breath, his gaze towards Liang Qiuli filled with complex emotions.

"Liang Qiuli, I misjudged you. I never imagined your docility was all an act. How dare you..."

Before the emperor could finish speaking, Liang Qiuli couldn't help but interrupt him.

"Your Majesty, I did not push Consort Shen, nor did I intend to harm the imperial heir! Please investigate thoroughly!"

Liang Qiuli's voice carried a hint of urgency and determination. Her gaze was fixed on the emperor, hoping to see some trust and understanding in his deep eyes.

Looking into Liang Qiuli's clear and determined eyes, the emperor couldn't help but waver.

"Your Majesty, the imperial physician has arrived. Please have him examine Consort Shen first."

The Empress saw the imperial physician being dragged along by the neck not far away and quickly spoke up to warn him.

The emperor then came to his senses and hurriedly ordered the imperial physician to come forward and take Shen Zhaoyi's pulse.

The imperial physician stepped forward, carefully examined Consort Shen's pulse, and then checked her body. He then knelt before the emperor in fear and reported in a trembling voice.

"Your Majesty, Consort Shen, Consort Shen, she, she miscarried."

Upon hearing the imperial physician's answer, the emperor's face instantly turned ashen, and he glared at Liang Qiuli.

But Liang Qiuli still stood there as if she had done nothing wrong.

"What else do you want to explain!"

The emperor spoke up to question him.

"Consort Rong, since you say you didn't push Consort Shen, did she deliberately fall down? And even caused the loss of the imperial heir?"

The Empress's two rhetorical questions made the Emperor even more convinced that Liang Qiuli's current demeanor was merely a pretense.

He had seen how much Shen Qingyao loved the child during this time. Even if she disliked Liang Qiuli, she wouldn't go so far as to use her own child to frame her.

"Your Majesty, you have already made your decision. Why ask me again? In Your Majesty's mind, isn't everything I say wrong?"

Liang Qiuli raised her head, her beautiful eyes glistening with tears, and a self-deprecating smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

The emperor felt a surge of irritation upon seeing her like this.

If Liang Qiuli is willing to bow her head and beg for forgiveness, he is not unwilling to give her a way out. After all, the two have been together for many years and have feelings for each other.

But Liang Qiuli's current appearance made him feel that his authority had been challenged, and he said angrily.

Do you think I wouldn't dare punish you?

Liang Qiuli looked up and met the emperor's gaze, her eyes showing no fear whatsoever.

"Since Your Majesty does not trust me, I do not need Your Majesty to punish me. I request to be sent to the Cold Palace!"

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