The Changchun Palace team travels back in time to Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace

In a side hall of Xianfu Palace, the door was wide open, and a cold wind howled in. Apart from the eunuchs carrying lanterns, there was not a single ray of light. Hailan and Yexin were shivering from the cold.

Shuangxi drawled, "Noble Lady Hai, Xiangyun has confessed everything. It was Consort Xian who harbored resentment towards the Noble Lady, and thus instructed you to steal the silver rabbit-patterned gold hairpin when you came to Xianfu Palace. You used the hairpin to cast a curse, causing the Noble Lady's cold illness to worsen today, and she is now bedridden. Do you have anything else to say?"

Although Hailan did not see the Imperial Concubine, she believed that Shuangxi represented the Imperial Concubine's intentions, and said tremblingly, "I did not steal! My sister did not commit any curses either, I am innocent!"

Shuangxi said coldly, "Then what about this hairpin that was found in your palace?" As she spoke, she took out the silver rabbit-patterned gold hairpin from her sleeve, and saw that the silver rabbit had turned completely black.

Shuangxi continued, "The Imperial Concubine said that when Her Majesty the Empress bestowed this hairpin upon her, she personally remarked that the silver rabbit perfectly matched the Imperial Concubine's maiden name. Now that the hairpin has changed so much, and the Imperial Concubine has suddenly fallen ill with a cold, do you still dare to deny it?"

Hailan simply said, "I am innocent!"

Shuangxi said, "The Imperial Concubine is currently ill, and none of you can escape! If Consort Hai denies it, then we have no choice but to offend her!" With that, she turned her head and said, "Please, Consort Hai, go outside and think it over!"

Several eunuchs stepped forward, seized Hailan, and were about to drag her away. Ye Xin cried anxiously, "Our mistress really didn't steal anything, Eunuch Shuangxi! You can't do this, our mistress's cold hasn't gotten better yet!"

Shuangxi pushed Ye Xin to the ground, and with a wave of his hand, several eunuchs carried Hailan away.

The snowy night was cold, and Hailan's lips trembled from the cold. Snowflakes melted on her eyelashes, making it difficult for her to see clearly. She could only see a lonely figure standing in front of her.

She forced her eyes open and saw Xiangyun standing before her, expressionless. Hailan said, trembling, "Xiangyun! You've been with me for two or three years, and I've never wronged you..."

Xiangyun sighed, her voice so soft it was immediately carried away by the cold wind: "Noble Lady Hai, now that things have come to this, I can only apologize to you."

Just then, a voice called out from outside, "Consort Xian has arrived!" Ruyi, accompanied by A'ruo, rushed into Xianfu Palace. Upon seeing Hailan, she first took off her cloak and draped it over Hailan's shoulders. Hailan cried, "Sister, I did not steal anything!"

Ruyi comforted her, "I know." Then she turned and stood up, looking at Shuangxi with an air of pride: "Where is the Imperial Concubine?"

It turned out that after Shuangxi broke into Yanxi Palace, she claimed to be on the orders of the Imperial Concubine to search the palace. Because the Imperial Concubine held a higher rank and the Empress was resting in Yangxin Hall, Ruyi did not stop her. After finding the blackened silver rabbit hairpin, Shuangxi took Hailan away directly.

Half an hour later, Sanbao went to Yanxi Palace to inquire about the news. She learned that Shuangxi was threatening Hailan, so she ignored Aruo's advice and rushed over. She originally wanted to see Consort Gao and then argue with her, but she didn't expect that as soon as Shuangxi saw her, her eyes immediately burned with anger, and she rushed straight at her, trying to grab her neck with both hands.

She shrank back in fright, and A'Ruo stood in front of her. The eunuchs beside Shuangxi, seeing that the person opposite them was a concubine and that Shuangxi was trying to grab him as if she had lost her mind, immediately grabbed Shuangxi and said, "Eunuch Shuangxi, you mustn't!"

Shuangxi struggled for a few moments, panting heavily, and said, "It was you! You ordered Consort Hai to steal! You cursed the Imperial Concubine! You ruined her!"

At this moment, Moxin walked out of the main hall and angrily said, "What's all the noise about in the middle of the night! The master finally got to sleep!"

The Imperial Concubine leaned forward. Her weak voice carried a hint of arrogance: "What's all this commotion about? Don't you know your mistress's cold has flared up?"

She had plasters on both temples, was wrapped in a fox fur coat, and had a pale, sickly appearance.

Ruyi said proudly, "Greetings to the Noble Consort. I heard that the Noble Consort has fallen ill with a chill, so I have come to visit you!"

Consort Gao was already feeling unwell and her mind was not very clear. Now, she felt even more annoyed that Consort Gao had come to make a fool of herself. She was furious and said, "Your ears are fast enough! Roaring in Xianfu Palace in the middle of the night! Kneel there and reflect on your mistakes!"

Aruo hurriedly knelt down and pleaded, "Your Highness, please don't! Our mistress will catch a cold!"

Hailan was so frightened that she knelt down and crawled over, saying, "Your Highness, I admit my mistake! This matter has nothing to do with Consort Xian!"

Consort Gao hadn't noticed Hailan earlier, but when she saw her, she was stunned: What's going on? Consort Xian is one thing, but why is Hailan here too? Why are all the people I planned to frame coming to Xianfu Palace in the middle of the night!

At this moment, Shuangxi stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, Xiangyun from Yanxi Palace confessed that Consort Xian was jealous of your favor and the rewards you received, so she instructed Consort Hai to steal your things to carry out a curse! On the day the prayer flags were made for you, Consort Hai had Xiangyun take advantage of the opportunity to get the colored thread to steal the silver rabbit-patterned gold hairpin that Her Majesty the Empress had given you. Now we have witnesses and physical evidence, please make your decision!"

Now that things have come to this, he has no choice but to take a gamble.

Consort Gao was stunned again. Wasn't the matter canceled? The incident happened suddenly, and she was ill. She couldn't react for a moment. At this moment, she felt dizzy and shouted, "Get out of here! Cough cough cough..." Her blood rushed to her head, and she coughed violently.

At this moment, Chen Wanyin also came out of the palace and came to the side of the Consort to comfort her. She said, "Oh dear, what happened, Your Highness? You have caught a chill. Go and rest. Tell Consort Xian and Consort Hai to go back too. We can talk about it when you are better."

Just then, someone came to announce: "The Emperor and the Empress have arrived!"

Everyone present hurriedly bowed. Only Hailan, wrapped in a cloak, was sobbing.

The emperor went straight to Consort Gao and asked with concern, "I heard you had a chill, so I rushed over. Are you alright?"

Consort Gao said weakly, "Your Majesty and Empress, thank you for your concern. Your Majesty..." Before she could finish speaking, her legs suddenly gave way and she fainted in the Emperor's arms.

Rongyin said urgently, "Someone, quickly summon the imperial physician!"

Xiangyun, who was not far away, remained expressionless and quietly released her hand from the hand seal.

I'm sorry, Your Highness, but given the current situation, please remain calm.

The Emperor instructed Mo Xin to help Consort Gao back to her room, then turned around and said, "You've been kneeling in the snow and your clothes are wet. Go and change into some warm clothes."

Rongyin had no choice but to say, "Consort Wan, please have them change their clothes in your palace before coming to see me!"

In the Imperial Concubine's bedchamber of Xianfu Palace, Qi Ru took the pulse of the unconscious Imperial Concubine Gao and reported: "Your Highness's cold ailment is quite severe and requires proper care."

Rongyin said to the emperor, "Your Majesty, judging from the Consort's condition, it is probably not advisable to question her. Should we ask someone else about the theft?"

The emperor nodded.

The two left the bedchamber and sat down in the main hall. At this moment, Ruyi helped Hailan over. Hailan, who was still recovering from a cold, was shivering even more after catching a chill.

The emperor then said, "Give Consort Hai a seat." He added, "Consort Xian has caught a chill; take this hand warmer."

Rongyin also gave a hand warmer to Hailan.

They then asked what exactly happened.

Ruyi said, "This evening, Shuangxi suddenly came to Yanxi Palace and said that the Noble Consort had lost a silver rabbit hairpin. In the past few days, only Hailan went to Xianfu Palace. Therefore, the Noble Consort ordered a search of the palace."

Then they found a blackened silver hairpin. Xiangyun repeatedly claimed that Hailan had ordered her to steal the silver rabbit hairpin. Shuangxi then said that Hailan had cast a curse, worsening the Consort's illness, and brought Hailan to Xianfu Palace. The concubines did not believe Hailan would commit such a heinous act, and therefore had no choice but to defend her.

The Emperor said, "I remember that this silver rabbit hairpin was a gift from the Empress to the Imperial Concubine."

Rongyin said, "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance. Should we send Shuangxi and Xiangyun to report back?"

The Emperor said, "That's right. Summon Shuangxi and Xiangyun here."

Li Yu led Shuangxi and Xiangyun into the main hall.

The emperor glanced at the two kneeling men and said indifferently, "Tell me what happened."

Shuangxi said, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine lost her silver rabbit hairpin a few days ago. Since only Consort Hai has visited Xianfu Palace recently, she ordered me to search Yanxi Palace."

This servant found the hairpin in Yanxi Palace, but the silver rabbit on it had turned black. The Noble Consort has suddenly fallen ill with a severe cold again today, and with Xiangyun's testimony, this servant can't help but think of the curse. Therefore, I've sent Consort Hai to Xianfu Palace to report."

Xiangyun said, "When I was serving in Yanxi Palace, I always heard Consort Xian cursing the Noble Consort behind her back, jealous of the Noble Consort's favor. She also told Consort Hai that the Noble Consort was arrogant and unworthy of the hairpin bestowed by the Empress."

That day, Consort Hai went to Xianfu Palace to make prayer flags for the Imperial Concubine. She then asked me to steal the Imperial Concubine's hairpin. Afterwards, she took the hairpin away mysteriously, and I had no idea what she was doing.

I only remember seeing Consort Xian carrying that hairpin once; the silver rabbit on it had turned black. Today, Eunuch Shuangxi went to Yanxi Palace, and I learned that it was actually related to a curse. Therefore, I dared not hide anything and confessed everything I knew.

Ruyi said, "Xiangyun, I did not say any of these things, nor do I believe that Consort Hai would say such things to you!"

Xiangyun said, "Your Highness, Consort Xian, you would naturally say that now. But I still maintain that you resent Consort Gao, which is why you stole the silver rabbit hairpin and cursed her behind her back! I have not lied, Your Majesty, please see the truth!" With that, she kowtowed heavily.

The emperor suddenly chuckled and said, "Xiangyun, you are indeed well-proportioned, and your tongue is nimble enough to reveal what happened tonight. You have a silver tongue. Li Yu."

Li Yu immediately stepped forward.

The emperor casually ordered, "Take her away and beat her to death with sticks."

Everyone was shocked.

In his desperation, Shuangxi immediately kowtowed deeply: "Your Majesty, it is this servant's fault. This servant was impatient and went to Yanxi Palace to commit treason behind the back of the Consort! Your Majesty, please punish this servant!"

The emperor simply sat on the couch, looking down at the two of them.

Li Yu had already waved for someone to take Xiangyun away when Rongyin suddenly said, "Wait."

She stood up, straightened her clothes, and knelt down before the emperor: "Your Majesty, I humbly request that you rescind your decree."

When the emperor saw that the empress had disobeyed him for the first time, he was momentarily stunned, and then a surge of anger welled up in his heart.

But remembering that the Empress was from the Fuca clan, he composed himself and said in a deep voice, "Empress, Xiangyun is clearly a treacherous servant. I am punishing him to show servants what happens when they betray their masters! Li Yu." His expression was icy as he repeated, "Take Xiangyun away and beat her to death with sticks."

The Empress remained kneeling with her back straight, her usual gentle demeanor now imbued with a hint of firmness: "Your Majesty, regardless of whether Xiangyun betrayed her master, this is a matter of life and death. If Xiangyun stole in a moment of confusion, according to palace rules she should be expelled from the palace; if Xiangyun framed Consort Xian and Noble Lady Hai, or is involved in witchcraft, then she should be handed over to the Ministry of Justice for questioning. Only after the case is thoroughly investigated and judged according to the law can she be punished fairly and justly."

In any case, if Xiangyun were to die so easily, it would truly tarnish Your Majesty's virtue. Moreover, the mourning period for the late Emperor is not yet over, and the year-end is approaching; it is inappropriate to add to the bloodshed. Therefore, I humbly beg Your Majesty to spare her life for now, and to deal with her after the matter has been thoroughly investigated. I implore Your Majesty to reconsider.”

Just as the emperor was about to say something, Xiangyun took advantage of the fact that the eunuchs hadn't yet come up to seize her and pulled out her hairpin. Li Yu, Jinzhong, and Jinbao saw that the hairpin was sharp and immediately stood in front of the emperor.

Xiangyun pressed her hairpin against her throat and shouted, "The Emperor wants to beat me to death simply because he doesn't believe Consort Xian would use witchcraft. I, Xiangyun, will die today as proof. If I say even half a lie, may my blood splatter three feet deep. If I say the truth, may not a single drop of my essence or blood be leaked after my death, and may not a single drop of blood be seen on my body!"

With lightning speed, she shoved the hairpin into her throat and died instantly, only her eyes still wide open. Although Shuangxi knew that Xiangyun's life was short, seeing this scene made her feel as if she had returned to the day she died. She was heartbroken and gritted her teeth to keep from crying out. Her fingers dug hard into the floor tiles, and her nails were already cracked.

The crowd erupted in uproar. Rongyin, Ruyi, and the palace maids all cried out in alarm, and Hailan even fainted from fright.

The emperor had not expected things to turn out this way. He shrank back and pointed at Xiangyun lying on the ground, saying, "Qi Ru, go and take a look." Qi Ru stepped forward tremblingly and examined her. He then reported, "Your Majesty, she is dead. For some reason, there is no blood flowing from her wounds."

The emperor roared, "What on earth is going on?!"

Yingluo, who was kneeling beside Rongyin, urgently sent a message to Yuanyi: "Are you watching, Yuanyi? What's going on?"

Yuan Yi replied with a message: "Yuan Yi is away on official business. This is an automatic reply. If a standoff occurs between the various palaces tonight, do not panic; handle the situation fairly."

In the event of a murder, there is no need to panic. Simply follow the existing procedures of the palace and expedite the process. For other matters, please leave a message. Thank you for your cooperation.

Yingluo: ...

Do you think you can just stay calm in a situation like this? Where were you when it really mattered?

Seeing that the situation was out of control, she had no choice but to say, "Your Majesty, things have come to this point, and I dare to suggest that this case should be put on hold for now. The most urgent task is to quickly move Xiangyun's body away and bury her, so that the evil spirit of the deceased will not harm the ailing Consort and everyone present."

Having witnessed this incident, the Emperor had no intention of staying any longer. He waved his hand and said, "Do as you say. This matter must not be revealed. Li Yu, return to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Empress, you stay to handle the aftermath. Jinzhong and Jinbao, you also stay."

The emperor left like a gust of wind. Rongyin sighed and said, "Consort Xian, please take Consort Hai back to the palace first. Moxin, please take good care of the Imperial Consort."

She looked at Yingluo, who said, "I think we should clean up Xiangyun's body and say that a palace maid died in an accident. Her body should not be left in the Forbidden City. As soon as the palace gates open at dawn, we should take her out and give her a proper burial. We should also inquire about Xiangyun's family and provide them with generous compensation."

The Empress rubbed her temples wearily: "Jinzhong, do as Yingluo says. Jinbao, take Shuangxi away and keep a close watch on her. We'll question her again tomorrow."

Jinbao pulled Shuangxi, who was kneeling on the ground, to his feet and led him out. Shuangxi looked back reluctantly and saw Yingluo closing Xiangyun's eyes. Jinbao pushed him out of the palace gate.

The gate closed, and Xiangyun could no longer be seen.