Cold-faced Empress

Fu Siying stepped forward, looking at the Marquis of Wei and his wife in disbelief, too shocked to speak.

"No! No, it's not true!"

When Consort De pointed out that they were the masterminds, Lord Wei and his wife, disregarding their concern that their son was still confused, immediately knelt down and shouted that they were innocent.

The Marquis of Wei and his wife were truly unaware of this matter and were extremely flustered.

Hu Lingjing was also kept behind. Kneeling below Consort De, she said aggrievedly, "Your Majesty, if Wei Lanling hadn't begged me, I wouldn't have asked Consort De to do such a thing. Your Majesty, it's all my fault, please don't blame my sister!"

"Who is Wei Lanling?" This name was completely unfamiliar to the Emperor and Empress Dowager.

“She’s Fu Siying’s cousin, and she’s already having an affair with Ning Ruicheng, so she’s practically part of the Marquis of Wei’s household!” Hu Lingjing hurriedly replied. “If it weren’t for her connection to the Marquis of Wei’s household, I wouldn’t dare to help with this!”

Immediately, Marquis Wei and his wife's expressions changed. Their gazes met those of Prime Minister Fu and Lady Li, and both couples were shocked.

Wei Lanling!

Wei Lanling, who was about to leave the palace with her family of the Fu clan, was captured in public by palace guards.

Watching Wei Lanling being led away crying and shouting "I'm innocent!", Old Madam Fu nearly fainted from anger. Old Madam Fu had lived a life of glory and had never experienced such a disgrace!

Madam Fu's face paled, guessing that it was Consort De who had confessed, implicating Wei Lanling. Now that Wei Lanling had been arrested, would they come to arrest her soon?

No, no, no, what does this have to do with her? She just knows a little bit about it!

Soon, Wei Lanling was escorted into the main hall by the guards.

Seeing the guard forcefully press the trembling Wei Lanling to her knees, Fu Siying's eyes were as sharp as if they were hiding knives.

So it was that bitch who started this scheme. She knew it! She hadn't seen Wei Lanling all night and was wondering why Wei Lanling had given her such a malicious look earlier. Turns out she's quite cunning; she's actually gotten involved with Consort Hu Lingjing!

Using Consort De to harm her?

Ha. The enemy of my enemy is my friend?

Upon seeing Wei Lanling, Hu Lingjing pointed and cried out, "Your Majesty, it's her! She's Wei Lanling's cousin, and she only came to me because she wanted to harm Fu Siying. Although I have some disagreements with Fu Siying, they're just minor squabbles between girls. How could I possibly have such malicious intentions to ruin Fu Siying's reputation?"

"It was all her idea! She and Ning Ruicheng conspired to harm Fu Siying. I was confused for a moment and thought it was just to scare Fu Siying, so I asked my sister for help... Your Majesty, I know I was wrong, please forgive me!"

Hu Lingjing wept uncontrollably, looking utterly disheveled. She knew that even if she herself became a heinous and wicked woman, she could never allow her sister, Consort De, to suffer serious consequences.

The Emperor was very annoyed by Hu Lingjing's crying: "Shut up."

Hu Lingjing immediately fell silent.

"Wei Lanling?" the Emperor asked, "Is what Miss Hu said true?"

"Your Majesty...Your Majesty, I...I...No, no, I didn't..."

Wei Lanling trembled violently. She looked up at the Emperor, but was so overwhelmed by his imperial might that she was too frightened to utter a single word.

At this point, she was completely lost.

She had begged Consort De for help! Consort De! The powerful Consort De, who held the title of Empress Dowager and temporarily managed the Imperial Seal! How could her misdeeds be exposed so easily, and all the blame fall on her head at once?!

Fu Siying watched with a sorrowful expression, remaining silent. When she noticed her mother, Li, was about to confront Wei Lanling, she pulled her back and shook her head slightly.