Tangli Fried Snow

The next day, she slept until late morning, and only at noon did she hear from a palace maid that the emperor had fallen critically ill the previous day, and the imperial physician had stayed by his side all night, only improving slightly by morning. The Empress Dowager returned to sleep in the morning, and after waking up in the afternoon, she went to the Buddhist hall. Princess Yaoguang, whom she hadn't seen for a long time, also came upon hearing the news and accompanied the Empress Dowager in worshiping Buddha for three consecutive days.

Princess Yaoguang lived like a ghost in the harem, rarely speaking and simply laughing it off.

Aside from their first meeting, she had never spoken to Shirley, and to avoid suspicion, Shirley hadn't taken the initiative to approach her either. Su He, on the other hand, was quite familiar with the princess, often discussing flower patterns together and sometimes embroidering together.

When Yin Tong returned, he didn't see Xue Li and even lost one of his men, yet surprisingly, he didn't cause any trouble.

A few days later, Shirley had just finished her errands and returned to the gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace when she saw a group of people gathered in front of her house.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she hurried over, only to find Yin Tong leading a group of people who had ransacked her house. He was arrogant and slightly sinister, dressed in brand-new palace attire, his waist adorned with numerous tokens, jade pendants, and purses. His eyes lit up the moment he saw her return.

Just then, someone inside shouted, "Eunuch Yin, we've found it! We've found it!"

As he spoke, a young eunuch ran out with several talismans and wooden dolls in his hand, causing a stir among the crowd.

Seeing Xue Li standing there dumbfounded, Yin Tong first looked her up and down a few times, then ordered the items to be handed over. After glancing at the items in his hand, he frowned, pointed at Xue Li, and shouted, "Caught red-handed! Men, arrest her!"

Before Shirley could speak, Su He was the first to step forward and protect her, saying, "Steward Yin, are you mistaken? This can't possibly belong to Miss Muyan."

The people in the Empress Dowager's palace around her echoed her sentiments, all saying nice things about Shirley.

Sherry never expected that in broad daylight she would be so blatantly smeared. She shouted, "These things are not mine. I'm afraid someone is framing me."

Yin Tong sneered, her face turning sinister, and said, "Are all these eyes breathing? Didn't you all see these filthy things being rummaged through her house? Still trying to deny it? Guards! Take her away!"

Just as Shirley was about to argue, a group of fierce-looking men came and tied her up. Su He shouted loudly to come and save her, causing a commotion at the scene.

Just then, Ruyi helped the Empress Dowager arrive late, and Ruyi called out loudly, "The Empress Dowager has arrived!"

A stir ran through the crowd as everyone bowed their heads to the Empress Dowager, and the scene fell silent.

The Empress Dowager said coldly, "Yin Tong, how dare you cause trouble here! This is not your master's Funing Palace."

Ruyi stepped forward and carefully examined the items in his hands. Yin Tong's eyes flickered unnaturally a few times.

Ruyi looked at Xueli and asked, "Are these things from your room?"

Sherry knelt down with a thud and said to the Empress Dowager and Aunt Ruyi, "These things do not belong to me. Someone has framed me!"

The Empress Dowager and Ruyi's expressions softened somewhat. The Empress Dowager said coldly, "Yin Tong, did you hear that? This matter hasn't been thoroughly investigated, so it's not good to make baseless accusations."

Yin Tong stepped forward and bowed to the Empress Dowager, smiling as he said, "Your Majesty, I am only acting under orders. Her Majesty the Empress said that the palace must strictly investigate witchcraft. His Majesty's health is getting weaker and weaker, which must be the work of the mastermind behind it. Only by cleaning up this harmful thing can His Majesty's health be fully restored."

He then looked at the pear on the ground and said, "I'll take her back to Her Majesty the Empress for a personal interrogation. That way, I can at least give her an answer. If she didn't do it, then I'll naturally let her go."

The Empress Dowager thought for a moment, then snorted coldly and said, "The innocent are innocent. Since she says she didn't do it, I believe she is innocent. However, now that you've taken her away, whether she's right or wrong is still up to you to decide."

Yin Tong said, "Her Majesty the Empress will certainly handle this matter impartially."

The Empress Dowager stopped looking at him and only looked at Shirley, saying, "Good child, you don't need to be afraid. Just tell the truth."

She then said to Ruyi beside her, "Ruyi, come along and take a look."

As soon as Yin Tong saw that the Empress Dowager had agreed to release the person, he immediately ordered his men to tie up Xue Li and take her away.

Ruyi followed them, and the group of people arrived at the Empress's palace in a grand procession.

Upon arriving at Funing Hall, incense was being burned inside. I don't know if it was Huanyi incense, but the fragrance was overwhelming, domineering, and rich, instantly enveloping everyone.

The exquisite decorations and expensive ornaments exuded luxury. Sherry looked up a few times and saw a radiant beauty sitting behind the curtain. It was none other than the powerful and favored Empress Jin.

She wore a fiery red palace dress, her hair was styled in a high bun, and she wore a golden phoenix crown inlaid with rubies. She was adorned with a necklace of eight treasures, and her whole body was sparkling with jewels. Even her shoes were inlaid with pearls.

The group greeted her respectfully and waited for her to speak. The Empress seemed oblivious to the crowd, continuing to look at a letter in her hand.

After a long while, when Shirley's legs were numb from kneeling, she finally spoke softly, "Have you brought the person?"

Sherry couldn't help but look up and glance at him. Yin Tong, the lackey, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the person has been brought. Some witchcraft items were found in her room. Please take a look, Your Majesty."

The Empress frowned slightly and said, "Burn all that stuff. I don't want to look at that filthy thing."

"I can't believe someone would dare to commit such a heinous act at this critical juncture! Tell me now, who ordered you to do this despicable thing? Who exactly told you to use these vile methods to plot against His Majesty and the Princess!"

Sherry was speechless. This label was way too big, it was way too big.

She could only hurriedly explain, "Your Majesty, those things are not mine. Someone has framed me."

It's a shame that we don't have the technology to verify fingerprints yet. If we could verify fingerprints, we could immediately convict Yin Tong.

Yin Tong stared intently at her and said fiercely, "I personally led my men to search your room and found these things. You think you can deny it with just empty words?"

Sherry sneered and said, "Then may I ask, who found these things, and where did they find them?"

Two eunuchs immediately stepped forward, knelt on the ground, and bowed to the Empress before saying, "Your Majesty, we found these things by ourselves; we searched her quilt."

The Empress said coldly, "What else do you have to say?"

Sherry calmed down and thought for a moment before saying, "Since these things are related to witchcraft, they should be burned after the ritual. Why would I put such filthy things in my bedding close to my body? Would I leave myself a handle to bring trouble upon myself?"

"I entered the palace because my family was too poor to afford food. I am only here to have enough to eat. I usually pray with the Empress Dowager, asking Heaven to grant His Majesty a speedy recovery. What good would it do me to curse His Majesty the Emperor and his princes and princesses?"

(Thank you to all the book fans for your love and support. I will read all your encouragement, suggestions, and book reviews carefully. Thank you to all the friends who have contributed their love and support. The new book doesn't have any review scores yet, so I'm begging you all to remember to give it a five-star review and some rating points. Thank you, thank you all for your support.)