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

Hailan was imprisoned in the Imperial Prison. The emperor, wanting to save face, only mentioned the crime of falsely accusing a concubine, dismissed the officials, and allowed Jinbao, Yuhu, and a group of skilled nannies to interrogate her.

Hailan was entering the palace for the second time. Her previous crime was framing the Empress and concubines, and the evidence was conclusive. Even after being tortured, she refused to confess. These shrewd nannies were extremely cautious.

However, Hailan was already half-conscious when she was dragged into the Shenxing Division. She completely fainted as soon as she was locked in the cell and developed a fever.

According to the "Great Qing Code", if a person falls ill during the course of punishment, the original sentence shall be reported to the local official in charge of the case. The official shall personally verify the facts and issue an official seal, and the local official shall allow the person to stay and receive medical treatment. If any accompanying relatives fall ill, they shall also be allowed to stay until they recover and are taken away. The date of the illness shall still be reported to the Ministry. If the person is not allowed to stay and receive medical treatment, resulting in the death of the person, or if the person is bribed and asked to delay by feigning illness, the official shall be handed over to the Ministry for deliberation and punishment.

Although Granny Jingqi was not a high-ranking official, she had been working in the Censorate for a long time and knew a bit about the laws of the Qing Dynasty. In addition, the example of Granny Cui from back then taught them to strictly abide by the law.

So, in accordance with the law, the matter was reported to the higher authorities, who then sent a renowned imperial physician to treat the patient first.

Currently, the most skilled doctors in the Imperial Medical Academy are Huang and Bao, but they are both busy researching prescriptions for smallpox and cannot spare the time. Jiang Yubin's medical skills are slightly inferior, and he is more proficient in gynecology, so he does not participate in the research of prescriptions. Moreover, he was the one who delivered Hailan's baby years ago, so he was sent here.

He took her pulse and examined Hailan's bruised feet, concluding, "This is because the Yongquan acupoint on the sole of her foot was severely struck with a stick, causing it to become so weak. The Yongquan acupoint is the first acupoint of the Kidney Meridian and a crucial point where the Kidney and Heart Meridians meet. Once this acupoint is damaged, it's equivalent to damaging both the Kidney and Heart Meridians simultaneously, leading to symptoms such as dizziness, anxiety, headache, and palpitations. In addition, she already had vaginal bleeding, and after being beaten so many times, her essence and blood have been depleted. Like a flower without nourishment, she will slowly wither. Now, she has also been exposed to cold, making her situation extremely dangerous." (Quoted from the original work)

Granny Jingqi said, "Then we cannot ask, let alone use torture. We can only report this matter to the Emperor and the Empress."

Upon hearing the reports from Granny Jingqi and Jiang Yubin, and with the Empress's advice to "be cautious in punishment and cultivate virtue," the Emperor fell into deep thought.

Since returning from Ganlu Temple, he discovered that those who fawned over Ruyi might indeed be harmed by her. That's when he decided to use a strategy of using one antagonist to kill another, and then having Ruyi kill Hailan, the biggest accomplice, before slowly letting them commit suicide.

He has now figured it out. Don't be fooled by how seriously Jiang Yubin talks, as if Hailan is about to die. In reality, the only way to truly eliminate Hailan is through a fatal blow from Ruyi's side.

He thought about it and agreed to the Empress's suggestion. He first had the imperial physician treat Hailan and give her medicine, then asked the Empress to leave and summoned Ruyi.

As always, Ruyi blinked and pouted, seemingly feeling endlessly aggrieved: "What woman is born wanting to be a concubine and willing to share a husband with other women? Hailan is pitiful, but she shouldn't have made the wrong decision."

The Emperor immediately said solemnly, "I never imagined that someone I favored would be so unworthy of being called a human being! However, this matter concerns the privacy of the royal family and should not be publicized. Therefore, I have no choice but to cover it up. This matter cannot even be revealed to the Empress. This is a testament to my trust in you."

Ruyi glanced at him sideways, a slight smile playing on her lips, then turned and left.

The afternoon wind carried snowflakes, crisp and refreshing. Because of the smallpox epidemic, the palace road was almost deserted.

A distant, melodious chant drifted over, but it was impossible to discern what kind of opera it was.

Rong Pei was somewhat surprised: "Smallpox is rampant in the palace, and the Sixth Prince and the Eighth Prince have both been infected. Who is still performing opera?"

Ruyi said, "It sounds like it came from the west."

Rong Pei thought for a moment and said with certainty, "I heard that Consort Kui used to study opera, and Consort Qing also studied singing."

Ruyi said, "The prince is ill and sings these frivolous songs. He should be punished by kneeling for a day and a night, but the Empress is probably too busy to attend to it right now, so let's not take the lead."

She walked slowly, the music drawing her into memories.

After she married into the Prince's mansion, Hongli truly doted on her and never restricted her. As a concubine, she could go wherever she wanted, living a life of complete freedom.

That day, she was truly frustrated, watching as one concubine after another was brought into the household, causing Ulanara to become despondent, while the Gao family was like a rising sun, unstoppable. (The above two sentences are quoted from the original work)

She knew this day would come sooner or later, so she remained completely unfazed by Xi Yue's unbridled joy.

But she didn't like the crowded backyard, where every room was filled with women, and the scent of cosmetics made her feel suffocated.

When she returned home, she did not inform her family. The gatekeeper welcomed her in, and she saw her younger sister and a maid playing a game of grass fighting in the courtyard. The maid was singing a little tune to coax her sister.

She thought that Xiyue and Yuyan had used seductive music to win over Hongli, so she frowned and ordered A'ruo to make the maid kneel as punishment.

My younger sister started crying, and only then did my mother come out of the room.

Her mother was surprised that she had returned to the manor so abruptly, and she knew that she was willful. But even so, she still recited the mother's mantra as usual, telling her that the prince's princesses were all bestowed by the emperor, presented by officials from outside the capital, sent by the northern kingdom, or from the main wife's quarters. None of them were things that the prince could decide for himself. She was also worried that she did not have any children.

Finally, her face full of worry, she said, "Ulanara is not what she used to be. Everything depends on you. If you anger the prince, you'll be finished. Don't get angry with him often, and try to coax him more. You did a good job with Haigege. Someone of such low birth and with both parents dead can't cause any trouble even if she's favored. It's her responsibility as the primary consort to give her a title. For you, as a secondary consort, to bring it up is already a favor. She has a cousin who works for our family. You won't have to worry about her not being able to use you in the future. With someone to rely on, your mother will feel more at ease."

She answered sullenly, but felt wronged inside. Although Hongli doted on her, he would go to this princess's quarters today and that princess's quarters tomorrow, and she still had to ask for a title for the servant Yangzi who had climbed into his bed. Although Hongli hadn't really favored Hailan since that day, there was still one more person in the mansion.

If Hailan were to become like the former Princess Zhu Ying, not only failing to secure the emperor's favor but also vying for it, then all her sympathy would have been in vain.

Hailan woke up with a start. She slowly recalled everything that had happened. It turned out that she had fainted because she couldn't bear the pain of being whipped on the soles of her feet with thorns.

A cold wind blew by, and she shivered. Looking at the arrogant Gao Xiyue and her personal maid Moxin in front of her, she felt a surge of grief and indignation: they accused her of stealing red charcoal and, without saying a word, stripped her of her shoes and socks and whipped her with thorny brambles. She tried desperately to hide her feet from everyone, but Moxin lifted her skirt and threatened to make her show her calves in front of the servants.

The servants' eyes were all on her, watching her being wrongly accused of theft and tortured barefoot.

When she was in despair, she saw her sister Ruyi come to protect her and argue for her.

She breathed a sigh of relief and fainted in Ruyi's arms.

When she woke up again, she found herself in a dark prison cell. She was covered with a thick, warm, smelly blanket full of grease, and a coarse cloth soaked in cold water was placed on her head. She felt a dull pain in her feet.

She suddenly sat up, opened her mouth, and made a hoarse whimpering sound, attracting the jailer and the clever old woman.

She gestured, but Granny Jingqi said she couldn't understand and threw her paper and pen.

Her finger veins were severed, making it difficult to hold a pen. In addition, the weather was cold, and her fingers were trembling with cold. She managed to write a crooked and awkward passage with great difficulty.

Granny Jingqi glanced at her twice, then looked at her strangely: "You guilty slave, have you gone mad with fever? What, Consort Huixian framed you? Moxin, Shuangxi tortured you? Consort Huixian has been dead for so long, Moxin also died of smallpox, and Shuangxi hasn't served in Xianfu Palace for years. You can't frame someone like this! You'd better write down your slander against Consort Ling and the story of using incense to compete for favor back in the Prince's residence, so you don't suffer physical pain after you recover!"

Hailan's mind was in a daze due to the fever. Using scented medicine to win favor? The Emperor had taken advantage of her when he was drunk years ago, and this was the thing she feared most and did not want to talk about. How could it be that she was using scented medicine to win favor?

In her hazy, confused state, Ruyi's words suddenly flashed through her mind: "When incense made from ylang-ylang and other flowers is burned together with agarwood, it has the effect of moving people's emotions." Then, a memory from more than ten years ago slowly surfaced: she had lost both her parents at a young age and was raised in her uncle's home, where she had suffered cold treatment since childhood. But one day after she entered the Prince's mansion, her cousin came to visit her, changing his usual dislike and fierceness, and smilingly handed her a sachet.

“Sister, this is a good thing. Take some, dissolve it in water, and apply it to your body, or burn some in the embroidery room with the clothes-scenting stove to scent your clothes. The fragrance will last a long time. Look at how beautiful you are. With this added touch of elegance, you'll surely have a bright future.”

She accepted this rare act of concern with trepidation.

That very night, Prince Hongli, reeking of alcohol, burst into the embroidery room.

Granny Jingqi saw Hailan's expression suddenly freeze, and then she broke down in tears, letting out a hoarse roar.

When the confession was presented to the Emperor, he looked at the uneasy Jinbao and Yuhu, as well as the expressionless Ruyi, and sighed, "Such things should not be known to the Empress."

Yu Hu whispered, "Your Majesty, rest assured, the nannies of the Censorate know the consequences, and this matter will never be leaked."

Jin Bao said, "In addition, the people from the Censorate said that Hailan also wrote a letter hoping to meet Xian for a meeting."

Rong Pei said sternly, "How can we see her? Do you expect Xian to step into the Shenxing Division with her jade-like steps?"

Jinbao had been successful in investigating several cases over the past few years, and his status had risen accordingly. He had never been treated like this before. If it weren't for the Emperor's presence, he would have immediately retorted, "Is Consort Xian more precious than the Empress?"

But he held back and said to the emperor, "This matter is left to Your Majesty's wise decision."

The Emperor dismissed the two men and, facing Ruyi, feigned embarrassment and awkwardness: "Ruyi, I really don't know what to say. If this were to reach the Empress, I would feel utterly humiliated. Only you can truly understand me."

Ruyi glanced at the confession and said calmly, "I have a feeling that this wasn't done by her cousin alone. Hailan is definitely not innocent." (Quoted from the original drama)

The Emperor said, “Hailan’s cousin is long dead. What can we possibly get out of her now? If we use torture, her confession will be obtained through coercion, and if we make too much of a fuss, the whole palace might know. Ruyi, Hailan is someone you promoted. If people find out that she secretly used tricks back then, how can I protect your reputation? I’d rather bear the false reputation of being drunk and promiscuous myself. Let’s just let this matter go.”

After saying this, he threw the confession into the fire pit and burned it completely. He then summoned Jinbao and conveyed the imperial decree: "I already know the cause and effect of Hailan's framing of Consort Ling. Since no bad consequences have occurred, and with the end of the year approaching and a smallpox epidemic breaking out in the palace, I will not punish her severely. Release her and let her continue to serve Ruyi. However, deduct her salary for one year and have one hundred prayer flags made and sent to various Buddhist halls in the palace for worship."

After leaving the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Rong Pei helped Ruyi walk and heard her say, "Hailan is really heartless. Is she really willing to give up her brother's reputation and her family?"

Rong Pei solemnly said, "My lady, although Hailan used to be your personal maid, I feel that we must not be soft-hearted towards such a person."

Ruyi said, "Never mind, His Majesty doesn't want things to escalate."

Yanwan's reputation might be damaged, but the Emperor was unwilling to care. However, he was willing to take the blame for her reputation.

Of course, she was unwilling to betray the Emperor's affection.

Jinbao received the emperor's instructions and went to the Censorate to convey the emperor's oral edict.

Hailan had fainted again after the last outbreak and had only recently woken up. Upon hearing the imperial edict, her face turned pale and bluish. She trembled as she rolled off the bed, enduring the pain in her feet and waves of dizziness, and walked out while supporting herself against the wall.

She knew her older sister must have pleaded for her because she couldn't bear to see her suffer in the Censorate. She knew her sister would understand that she had been wronged by her cousin and that her sister had simply misunderstood her. Once she explained things clearly, her sister would forgive her.

He then called out to the eunuch beside him, who handed her a cotton robe and several packets of medicine. "Imperial Physician Jiang said that if you catch a chill again, your health will be in danger." He then dismissed the eunuch and whispered, "His Majesty has another question for you. Do you know that your cousin used to be a member of the Ulanara clan?"

Hailan looked up in surprise.

Jin Bao said, "Remember this: if someone wants you dead, it means they have a guilty conscience."

She walked to the gate of the Shenxing Division. Snow was falling heavily. She tightened her cotton robe and walked away alone, limping.

Upon seeing Ruyi, her legs went weak and she knelt down, performing the full curtsy and kowtowing repeatedly.

Ruyi said kindly, "Let's not talk about this anymore, it's all in the past."

Rong Pei led her into a west-facing room with a cold face. Satin and needlework had already been laid out inside.

There wasn't even a brazier or a thick quilt in the room.

Rong Pei forcefully ripped off her cotton robe and said coldly, "A vicious woman like you who framed her own family doesn't deserve any more."

She went out and closed the door, not hearing Hailan's eerie, owl-like laughter in the darkness.