What? His mouth is crooked and eyes are askew???

Yuwen Lan's eyebrow twitched. Had she seen it???

He tried to imagine Duke Cheng'en's appearance...

Yuwen Lan shuddered and said to Rendong and the others, "You may leave first."

Rendong, Lianxin and the rest had been on tenterhooks. Hearing this, they felt greatly relieved and immediately complied, exiting the hall.

The hall was finally quiet. Just as Yuwen Lan was about to speak, he heard Yanshu exclaim, "It's about to burn!"

She quickly took three steps in two towards the charcoal brazier.

The fire in the brazier was blazing. Yanshu quickly flipped the food items over and took the opportunity to pop some of the cooked ones into her mouth. As she ate, she remarked, "Tofu must be eaten while it's hot! Whew!"

The potato slices had also been grilled to a crisp. She tried a piece and found it had the texture of potato chips.

The most amazing were the steamed bun slices - fragrant and crispy, absolutely delicious.

After eating for a while, she suddenly remembered a certain someone. She looked up and saw the emperor gazing at her intently.

Yanshu: "..."

What did that look mean?

Was he craving some?

She coughed and said, "Your Majesty, won't you try some? It's very tasty."

Tsk, just say something if you want to eat or not! If you don't eat soon, I'll finish it all.

Just as she finished that thought, she heard him suddenly say, "Alright then."

With that, he picked up the chopsticks and started eating the tofu directly.

Mmm, hot!

That was Yuwen Lan's first impression.

However, it was crispy on the outside and tender inside. The salty and spicy seasoning blended with the tofu's natural bean flavor - it was indeed quite good.

After finishing the tofu, he saw Yanshu munching on potato slices, making crisp sounds between her lips and teeth.

He followed suit and tried some. Hmm, it was unexpectedly good. Prepared this way, the potato had a strong roasted aroma and was quite interesting to eat.

After finishing the potatoes, he asked, "What else is there?" His tone had already become expectant.

Yanshu handed him a piece of steamed bun, saying, "Your Majesty, try this."

Yuwen Lan took it, still somewhat doubtful. Could this be tasty?

But seeing how she enjoyed eating it, he reluctantly gave it a try. His eyes lit up.

The pan-fried steamed bun had formed a crispy shell on the outside from the seasoning and oil, while the inside remained soft. Taking a bite, it was crispy outside and soft inside, full of wheat fragrance and rich in flavor.

After finishing the steamed bun, Yanshu broke off a piece of sweet potato for him. It was sweet and soft, with one bite feeling as sweet as honey in his heart.

The two ate like this together, and in less than half an hour, they had successfully demolished all the food items.

Yuwen Lan still felt somewhat unsatisfied and asked, "Is there no more?"

Yanshu nodded, "We've eaten it all."

For a late-night snack, there's no need to be too full - just satisfying a craving is enough.

Speaking of which, she suddenly remembered the main issue and asked him, "Wasn't Your Majesty not supposed to come to the harem for these three days? Why did you come tonight?"

Yuwen Lan: "..."

Distracted by all that food, he had also just remembered the main issue. So he smoothly said, "I remembered that this cord is not mine."

As he spoke, he took out the purple cord she had given him earlier that day.

Yanshu could only laugh it off, "Is that so? Then perhaps I remembered incorrectly..."

As she spoke, she took back the purple cord.

In her heart, she thought, [You only realized it wasn't yours now? Could it be you deliberately came to sneak a late-night snack?]

Yuwen Lan: "..."

Did she think he was like her, only knowing how to eat?

He said meaningfully, "Did you really remember incorrectly? Or did you have something you wanted to see me about?"

Yanshu blinked her big eyes innocently and said, "How dare I deceive you? Of course I remembered incorrectly. Besides, I don't have anything I need to see you about."

In her heart, she thought, [What a thing to say. If I hadn't informed you, who knows what state you'd be in now. Not only are you ungrateful, you even suspect me. Hmph, heartless!]

Yuwen Lan: "???"

She dared to say he was heartless?

But thinking carefully, regardless of how she knew about this matter, her rushing to the imperial study today was out of concern for him.

Moreover, from what he could see so far, although she knew about his hidden ailment, she had never told anyone else about it, nor had she ever used this information to do anything. On the contrary, she had twice reminded him to be careful of others.

So, at the very least, she wasn't dangerous.

Thinking of this, Yuwen Lan softened his tone and said, "I was just a bit curious, since you've never come to see me before."

He then casually asked her, "What did you do after you returned today?"

Yanshu replied, "I was just doing the same as always, writing novels in my palace."

Yuwen Lan raised an eyebrow and asked, "Any new works?"

Yanshu proudly said, "Of course, I've written five or six more these past few days."

Seeing his very interested expression, she asked, "Would you like to take a look?"

Yanshu: "..."

She wanted to say no.

Not only did he like to nitpick, but reading the steamy parts would also stimulate him.

The silently listening person coughed and said, "I can now accept things like 'The Passionate General and the Young Widow'..."

Yanshu: "..."

She still didn't really want to show him, but considering his status as emperor, she reluctantly said, "Alright then, but please keep your word. If you read something you don't like, you mustn't blame me."

Yuwen Lan nodded in agreement.

She then brought out several stacks of manuscript papers.

Yuwen Lan picked up the thickest stack and tried reading it. He saw the title was "The Amorous Beautiful Wife".

"..."

Indeed, it was still this style.

Since he had nothing better to do, he might as well have a look. He started reading from the beginning.

However, before long, he discovered that this seemed to be a story about the Linwu Marquis's household.

That was good, as he wanted to know whose child the Linwu Marquis's heir really was. So he continued reading with interest.

-- Xia Chunlan, a beauty from Jiangnan, came from an already declined noble family. Young and beautiful, she was as lovely as the moon and as delicate as a flower. By chance, she met a young nobleman.

-- Yuwen Lan guessed this referred to the Marquis Xiayi.

The young nobleman fell in love with Xia at first sight, and Xia also experienced the first stirrings of young love. However, the young nobleman's parents strongly disapproved of the girl's background and firmly opposed the match.

The young nobleman had no choice but to marry someone else. In a fit of anger, Xia turned to the arms of another young nobleman and successfully became his official wife. She even received a title thanks to her husband's military accomplishments.

-- Needless to say, this young nobleman was naturally the Linwu Marquis.

This marriage allowed Xia to vent her anger and also helped her declining family regain some status. However, her husband was cold by nature and often away on duty. Xia, being in her passionate years, by chance met an actor and fell in love again.

Reading to this point, Yuwen Lan couldn't help but guess - could the heir be this actor's child?

However, as he continued reading, he saw her write -- The actor was at the height of his popularity and had many other admirers. Soon, Xia discovered that while he was meeting her in secret, he was also involved with a princess and a noblewoman. She immediately cut off all ties and kicked the actor out of her bed.

Yuwen Lan: "???"

So it wasn't the actor's child?

He hurriedly read on and saw that not long after, Xia met a wealthy merchant. The merchant was captivated by her beauty and gifted her many treasures. Xia, in turn, admired his handsome looks, wealth, and worldly knowledge, so they had an affair for a while.

But later, when her husband returned to the capital, they had to end it.

Yuwen Lan pondered silently, could this be the real father of that heir?

Calculating the age, the Linwu Marquis's heir Sun Zhanpeng was about the same age as himself. The Linwu Marquis had also returned to the capital from his border posting in the southeast about twenty years ago, after which his son was born.

If so, it was very possible!

However, before he could read further, he saw Yanshu yawn beside him. With tears in her eyes, she said, "Your Majesty, I'm tired. Why don't you continue reading tomorrow?"

Then suddenly remembering that tomorrow was still a fasting day, she added, "Or the day after tomorrow is fine too. I've finished writing it anyway."

Yuwen Lan raised an eyebrow and looked at her, "Eat and sleep, are you a pig?"

Yanshu grumbled discontent, "You ate earlier too."

If you're so capable, go back and don't sleep!

Her cherry-like small mouth pouted high.

Yuwen Lan laughed and reached out to poke her cheek, saying, "Then you sleep. I'll take it back to read."

"Huh?" Yanshu was stunned, "Take it back to read?"

Yuwen Lan made an affirmative sound and tucked the manuscript into his sleeve.

-- He had read to a crucial point. If he didn't figure out whose child that heir was, he probably wouldn't be able to sleep tonight.

But he heard her exclaim in her heart, [So my writing is this engaging? He even wants to take it back to read! There's hope! It looks like it's going to be a hit in the future!!! Tsk, maybe I can add a selling point later, something like "The novel that the Emperor couldn't put down!" It will definitely be a bestseller!!!]

Yuwen Lan: "..."

What nonsense is this?

Late at night, when all was quiet, Yuwen Lan returned to his bedchamber and continued reading the storybook.

As he had expected, since Madam Xia's husband returned to the capital, she had no more dealings with other men. However, her son was born soon after, confirming that the child was indeed the merchant's.

Putting down the story, Yuwen Lan felt rather conflicted. Fortunately, the Linwu Marquis had divorced her - how many times had he been cuckolded over the years!

With his doubts resolved, he finally closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Little did he know that on this night, he would once again lose his dreams.

He slept fitfully until dawn. Upon waking, he discovered something else—the changes that had been occurring in his body for two consecutive days had abruptly ceased.

Yuwen Lan's heart sank, but he became even more convinced that the changes were related to Yanshu.

Only when he was near her, by her side, would he have dreams and experience changes. Without her presence, he would become numb again, just as before.

Suddenly feeling restless, he realized for the first time how excruciatingly long these three days of abstinence felt.

However, no matter what, he couldn't rush things. He forced himself to eat breakfast, then saw that the Imperial Guards he had sent to investigate the Minister of Revenue's household had returned to report.

Yuwen Lan composed himself and asked, "What did you find?"

The Imperial Guard replied, "Your Majesty, we have confirmed that the Minister of Revenue's household spent 8,000 taels of silver on food and wine for the birthday celebration alone. In addition to that, there were expenses for decorating the mansion, purchasing flowers, gifts, and so on, totaling 13,000 taels of silver."

Yuwen Lan frowned.

Very well, spending 13,000 taels of silver just for a birthday celebration - truly more extravagant than the imperial palace.

"Where did he get the money from?"

The Imperial Guard said, "We found several account books in his home, Your Majesty. Please take a look."

Yuwen Lan took them and opened them. As he looked, the Imperial Guard continued, "Apart from the accumulated embezzlement since he took office, and tributes from his subordinates over the years, the bulk of the funds for this birthday celebration came from Duke Cheng'en, who gifted him 10,000 taels of silver."

"Duke Cheng'en?"

Yuwen Lan paused.

Due to his connection with the Empress Dowager, Duke Cheng'en's family was currently the most powerful clan in the capital. As a result, for many years, although Duke Cheng'en was unlearned and incompetent, countless people had curried favor with him.

Under normal circumstances, others would be bribing him. Why was he now sending money to the Minister of Revenue?

He asked further, "Besides Qi Weizhai, has Duke Cheng'en sent anything to anyone else?"

The Imperial Guard replied, "In addition to gifting silver to the Minister of Revenue, Duke Cheng'en also presented four concubines to the Minister of Rites, and precious treasures to the Chancellor of the Wenhua Court and Tutor Sun of Crown Prince, among others."

Yuwen Lan understood.

These were all high-ranking officials. It seemed that his uncle was planning something big.

Very well, he would settle the account for those chestnut cakes along with this.

In Ganlu Palace.

Early in the morning, Yanshu washed up, changed her clothes, and came to the dining table to find breakfast already laid out.

Of course, it was still all vegetarian fare, without even a single egg.

She felt as if she had turned into a rabbit or a sheep, having completely forgotten what meat tasted like.

Seeing her dejected expression, Rendong quickly consoled her, "My lady, just bear with it a little longer. You'll be able to eat meat tomorrow."

Yanshu replied, "...Forget it. The ancestral worship is only tomorrow morning. We still have to eat vegetarian for breakfast and lunch. We won't see meat until dinner."

Unexpectedly, as soon as she finished speaking, she heard the system alert, [Warning: There's a situation. Someone plans to harm you during tomorrow's ancestral ceremony at Fengxian Hall.]

Yanshu was startled. [What? Who's causing trouble now?]

System: [Guess?]

Yanshu: [...Do I have to guess?]

System: [Use your little brain. Who hates you the most right now?]

Yanshu: "..."

What a question to ask. As the target of everyone's enmity, who in the harem didn't hate her?

But thinking about it, Consort Ning was under house arrest, Consort Li was in the Cold Palace, and that Consort Wang was still busy striking the night watch every day.

These three were unlikely candidates.

Moreover, tomorrow's ceremony was a grand occasion. The Emperor, consorts, royal relatives, civil and military officials would all attend. Who would dare to cause trouble at such a time?

It seemed that only... Noble Consort Zhou could pull it off.

System: [Bingo! Correct answer. Noble Consort Zhou has instructed Consort An to get rid of you tomorrow.]

Yanshu: [Consort An? As far as I know, she's quite cunning. Isn't she afraid of ending up like Consort Li?]

System: [Indeed, that's why she's not acting personally. She's found an old acquaintance of yours. Get ready.]

Yanshu: [An old acquaintance?]

She thought for a moment about her old acquaintances in the palace...

Tch, there was only one, wasn't there?

Well then, she hadn't settled the score for the humiliation she suffered last time. This was a perfect opportunity to sort things out.

The twenty-fifth day of the twelfth lunar month was the day for ancestral worship in the palace.

At the hour of Mao, before dawn, everyone had already risen, washed up, and eaten a simple breakfast. They then dressed in their ceremonial robes and headed to Fengxian Hall.

This was Yanshu's first time participating in such a grand ceremony, and even Rendong felt a bit nervous.

After all, all the civil and military officials and royal relatives would be present today. If they made the slightest mistake and embarrassed His Majesty, who knew what punishment they might face.

The mistress and maid arrived at Fengxian Hall to find many ancestral tablets arranged inside, representing the imperial ancestors of past dynasties. Giant candles burned brightly in the hall, and various pastries and dishes were laid out on the offering table.

The royal clan members and civil and military officials of the court stood quietly in their places, some even standing outside the hall.

Yanshu discreetly surveyed the scene and raised an eyebrow—wasn't that Duke Cheng'en standing near the front?

Tch, the man who couldn't even get out of bed three days ago had actually shown up today?

This was truly... impressive!

However, looking at his pale face and dark circles under his eyes, it was clear he was forcing himself to attend.

Then again, this was one of the most important days of the year, and important court officials couldn't be absent without good reason.

If he didn't come, he'd have to provide an explanation, but if he said he was unwell, wouldn't that risk exposing the chestnut cake incident?

Thinking about this, Yanshu couldn't help but want to laugh.

However, today was an extremely solemn occasion, and she absolutely couldn't laugh.

As she struggled to hold it in, she felt Rendong gently tug at her sleeve.

Yanshu followed Rendong's gaze and saw that Concubine Zhang had also come today.

Since damaging her voice, this woman hadn't appeared in public, and given her rank, she shouldn't have been allowed into Fengxian Hall.

Yanshu closed her eyes briefly to maintain her composure.

Ever since Consort Ning had been confined, Noble Consort Zhou had complete control over the harem. With so many people here today, she could summon whoever she wanted.

Besides, the system had already warned her, so she just needed to be ready to adapt to the situation.

Everyone had arrived, and after a short while, the Emperor finally made his appearance.

Yuwen Lan wore the twelve-dragon robe, looking majestic and solemn. Yanshu sneaked a glance and couldn't help but think, "Damn, he's so handsome!"

This jade-like face, this powerful aura, who could compare?

Yuwen Lan silently twitched the corner of his mouth. Calling him handsome was fine, but the first two words were unnecessary.

"Greetings to Your Majesty."

A thunderous voice resounded through the hall as everyone knelt down in salutation. He calmly ordered everyone to rise, then signaled the ceremonial official to begin the ritual.

Musicians struck the bells and chimes, and ceremonial music filled the hall as the official began to recite the sacrificial text.

After the text was read, Yuwen Lan stepped forward to offer incense. Everyone in the hall knelt with him, performing the grand ceremony of three kneelings and nine kowtows to the ancestors of the Yuwen family.

Once the ceremony was complete, the ancestral worship was considered finished, and a sacrificial banquet awaited everyone at noon.

Just as people were about to leave the hall, a voice suddenly called out, "This concubine has been wronged and begs Your Majesty to uphold justice."

The voice was coarse and hoarse, almost like a man's.

But everyone saw a woman dressed as a palace concubine suddenly kneeling on the ground.

It was none other than Concubine Zhang.

Yanshu's heart steadied. Well, she had been waiting for two days and nights, and it had finally come.

To cry injustice at such an occasion, and from a consort no less—while surprised, people began to speculate internally.

The Emperor naturally couldn't ignore this and stopped to ask, "What injustice have you suffered?"

Concubine Zhang said, "This concubine's voice was originally fine. On the night of the eighth, I even sang for Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager. But after that night, I fell victim to someone's malicious act, and my voice became like this. I beg Your Majesty to severely punish the culprit..."

As she spoke, she began to cry.

Indeed, with her harsh voice and such a narrative, it was easy to move people's hearts at first hearing.

A court official was heard saying, "How could such a thing happen in the palace?"

Yuwen Lan's expression remained unchanged as he asked, "Then who did this to you? Do you have any evidence?"

"I do!"

Concubine Zhang immediately said, "At first, I didn't know I had been poisoned. It wasn't until a few days ago that I learned from my father's acquaintance in the Imperial Medical Institute that I had caught a cold, and someone had bribed a palace doctor to add poison to my medicine, causing my voice to become like this. That person was Li Guiyi."

As she spoke, she pointed directly at Yanshu.

Everyone turned to look at Yanshu.

Ah, finally it was her turn to enter the scene.

Yanshu immediately put on a surprised expression and said, "Could Concubine Zhang be mistaking me for someone else? I have no grudge against you, why would I poison you?"

Concubine Zhang spoke with conviction, "Because you were jealous that my clothes and accessories were better than yours, and you were also jealous that I sang for His Majesty and the Empress Dowager that night, so you deliberately ruined my voice!"

As soon as she finished speaking, before Yanshu could say anything, Yuwen Lan asked, "Do you have any evidence?"

Concubine Zhang immediately replied, "I have a female doctor from the Imperial Medical Institute as a witness."

Yuwen Lan said, "Bring her in."

Concubine Zhang complied and immediately instructed her maid Chun'e. Soon, a female doctor was brought in from outside the hall. She knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, on the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month, Li Guiyi sent someone to find me and gave me fifty taels of silver, asking me to add some powder to Concubine Zhang's medicine. I was tempted by greed and couldn't resist the temptation, so I..."

She then took out a package from her bosom and said, "These are the fifty taels of silver. I've been regretting it ever since and didn't dare to spend it. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Fu Hai stepped forward to take the package. When he opened it, he saw that it indeed contained shiny silver ingots.

With this, everyone once again turned their gaze towards Yanshu.

However, she remained calm and even smiled, saying to the female doctor, "You really think too highly of me. To be honest, on the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month, I didn't even have fifty taels of silver myself."

What?

Everyone looked doubtful upon hearing this.

Yanshu sighed, "Since I entered the palace until recently, I was only a Beauty, with an annual salary of just fifty taels. After sending some to my family in Ande County every year, and often helping people in my palace, I didn't have much left. Last month, Xiao Dongzi's mother fell ill, and I gave him twenty taels. In summer, Lianxin's brother got married, and I gave her ten taels. Last year, when Xianghe's father who boiled water passed away, his family couldn't even afford a coffin, so I gave them money too. Let alone fifty taels, I only had small silver pieces, not such large ingots."

She then looked at Concubine Zhang and continued, "My family is not as prominent as the other ladies here. I have neither power nor money in the palace. Even Xiao Chunzi was once bribed to frame me. How could I possibly command others to harm you?"

As she finished speaking, Rendong also quickly knelt down and said to Yuwen Lan, "Your Majesty, please see the truth. I can swear to heaven that everything my mistress said is true. Whenever anyone in the palace had difficulties and sought help from my mistress, she always generously gave what she could. She never turned anyone away."

Of course, the salaries of concubines were all clearly stipulated by court etiquette. Those of higher rank naturally received more, but those of lower rank like Beauties indeed only received this much.

Everyone also knew that her family held a low official position in the poor and remote Ande County. According to her words, she indeed wouldn't have much left.

Yuwen Lan instructed Fu Hai, "Have someone investigate these silver ingots and see where they came from."

— The silver used in the palace was different from that used by commoners, with official serial numbers on them, so this wouldn't be difficult to investigate.

Fu Hai quickly complied and had someone take away the bag of silver ingots.

Seeing this, Concubine Zhang paused for a moment, then said to Yanshu, "But the witness is right here. That day, someone also saw you sending Rendong to find her at the Imperial Pharmacy!"

Rendong quickly said, "Doesn't the Concubine know? Our mistress was also unwell those two days. I went to the Imperial Pharmacy to get medicine for my mistress, but I never saw this female doctor. If you don't believe me, you can ask the doctors at the Imperial Medical Institute to check."

Yuwen Lan then instructed Hu An, the Chief Eunuch of the Ceremonial Office, "Go to the Imperial Pharmacy and see who was on duty that day."

Hu An complied and hurried to the Imperial Pharmacy.

Not long after, two imperial doctors arrived at the hall.

One of them was familiar to Yanshu, the doctor who had treated her carbuncle that day.

Fu Hai pointed at Rendong and asked the two, "Did either of you see this young lady from Ganlu Palace, oh no, it was Yongning Palace at that time, on the tenth?"

One of them lowered his head and said, "This official did see this young lady on the tenth. She first came to get medicine for Li Guiyi, and then she went to talk with the female doctor Chunjin."

Upon hearing this, Rendong was about to argue anxiously, but Yanshu stopped her with a look.

Then Fu Hai looked at the doctor who had cured her carbuncle and asked, "What about you?"

The doctor said, "This humble servant was consulting with patients and didn't pay attention to whether this young lady came or not. However, the female doctor Chunjin was not on duty at the Imperial Pharmacy on the tenth."

Fu Hai quickly asked, "Is that true?"

The doctor affirmed confidently, "I stake my life on it. Chunjin is on duty on the 2nd, 4th, and 7th of each month. She wasn't even in the palace on the 10th."

As he finished speaking, everyone looked at the Emperor.

These two had completely contradictory statements. How would the Emperor decide?

Then Yuwen Lan said, "Go check the duty roster at the Imperial Pharmacy."

He had already discerned the truth from everyone's inner voices, but what was needed now was for the people present to know the truth and falsehood.

In a moment, a guard brought over the duty roster from the Imperial Pharmacy.

At first glance, there was indeed a record of Chunjin being on duty on the 10th.

But Fu Hai leaned in to smell it and immediately said, "Your Majesty, the ink here seems to have been newly applied."

The smell hadn't even dissipated yet.

The Minister of Justice was present, and Yuwen Lan said, "Take a look."

The Minister of Justice complied, immediately stepping forward to smell and wipe with water. After a series of examinations, he reported to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, this ink was newly applied in the past few days."

With these words, everyone had already made their judgment.

Yuwen Lan looked at the first imperial doctor who had spoken and said, "As a doctor, one should heal the sick and save lives. If you harm an innocent person for a little personal gain, where is your conscience?"

The man's face turned pale. After hesitating for a moment, he suddenly fell to his knees and started kowtowing desperately, "Please forgive me, Your Majesty. Someone threatened the lives of my entire family, which is why I told a lie..."

Yuwen Lan said sternly, "What's the truth? I may spare your life."

The imperial doctor wept bitterly, "On the 10th, this humble servant only prescribed medicine for peach blossom allergy to Miss Rendong. Chunjin was indeed not on duty."

Everyone turned to look at the female doctor Chunjin, who had already turned pale and was trembling uncontrollably.

Yuwen Lan said coldly, "Take her away for severe interrogation. Find out who instructed her to falsely accuse Li Guiyi."

Everyone complied, and someone immediately dragged her out.

The remaining Concubine Zhang was extremely nervous and could only say, "I don't know who instructed Chunjin, but my voice has indeed been ruined. I have truly been harmed by someone. Since I entered the palace, I've only been close to Li Guiyi. Apart from her, no one would harm me."

This reason was too far-fetched, and everyone clearly didn't believe it anymore.

But Yanshu spoke up, "It's strange, actually. Around that time, I also had a peach blossom allergy, with rashes all over my body and even some difficulty breathing. It's odd to have a peach blossom allergy in the depths of winter, isn't it? I found it peculiar when I thought about it a few days ago, so I mentioned it to Chief Eunuch Fu. I wonder how your investigation is going?"

Hearing this, Fu Hai quickly said, "Indeed, this matter is strange. In the depths of winter, where would peach blossoms be blooming except in the greenhouse of the Imperial Gardens Bureau? I sent someone to inquire at the Imperial Gardens Bureau and found out something interesting. It turns out that on the night of the 8th, someone went there to get some peach blossom pollen."

Peach blossom pollen?

Everyone became interested. Could this be the source of Li Guiyi's peach blossom allergy? So she was actually the one who had been poisoned!

Yuwen Lan had just learned about this matter as well and asked, "Who requested the peach blossom pollen?"

Fu Hai quickly answered, "This servant was planning to report to Your Majesty after the ceremony. It was Chun'e, the maid from Linhua Hall, who requested the peach blossom pollen."

Upon hearing this, Chun'e, who was standing beside Concubine Zhang, immediately fell to her knees and said, "Your Majesty, please see the truth. This servant only requested some peach blossom pollen to make perfume for the Concubine. I never went to Yongning Palace."

Fu Hai smiled coldly, "Indeed, you didn't go to Yongning Palace. You went to the Laundry Bureau."

Chun'e shuddered visibly.

Fu Hai continued to report to Yuwen Lan, "This slave thought about how the peach blossom powder could have gotten on Li Guiyi's body to cause her displeasure. It seemed sprinkling it on clothing would be the best method, so this slave sent someone to the Laundry Bureau to investigate. We discovered that on the evening of the 8th, after Chun'e obtained the peach blossom powder from the Imperial Gardens Bureau, she went directly to the Laundry Bureau and bribed a washerwoman to sprinkle it on Li Guiyi's clothes."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Zhang turned deathly pale.

The Emperor coldly ordered, "Bring her in."

Fu Hai complied and sent people to fetch her. Soon after, a bloodied and barely conscious palace maid was dragged into the hall. She weakly pleaded, "Your Majesty, spare me... Concubine Zhang told Chun'e to come... She gave this slave fifty taels of silver..."

Everyone realized that this was where the fifty taels of silver had been used.

Suddenly, sobbing could be heard in the hall. Yanshu looked at Concubine Zhang with tears in her eyes and said, "You just said that since entering the palace, we've been good friends. At that time, besides you, no one else knew me. I considered you my closest sister, yet you would harm me like this... *sob*..."

Come on! Let's cry together! See who can shed the most tears!

As if others wouldn't know how to do it. The one who harmed others first still thinks she's in the right!

Yuwen Lan: "..."

He knew it.

Beside him, Concubine Zhang still shook her head in denial, "No, it wasn't me, it wasn't me..."

Yuwen Lan had already lost patience. He glanced at Chun'e and directly ordered, "Take this woman away and torture her severely."

Severe torture?

Chun'e looked at the washerwoman lying on the ground, now barely recognizable as human. Her soul had already fled. Trembling, Chun'e could only say, "Your Majesty, please spare me. It was the Concubine who ordered this slave to do it. This slave was forced..."

Yuwen Lan disdained to speak to her. Fu Hai quickly asked, "Then why did Concubine Zhang want to harm Li Guiyi?"

Chun'e cried, "Because on the night of the New Year's Eve banquet, Li Guiyi deliberately dressed simply to attract His Majesty's attention. The Concubine misunderstood that His Majesty was looking at her, so she took the initiative to perform. Unexpectedly, she was ridiculed by Consort Li and lost face. My mistress couldn't bear it, so she ordered this slave to disfigure Li Guiyi..."

It's over. Everything is over.

Concubine Zhang completely collapsed on the ground.

The Emperor's cold voice was heard, "You committed evil first, showed no remorse, and then did it again. Who gave you such audacity?"

Concubine Zhang could only glance secretly at Consort An, thinking, "Save me! Wasn't it agreed that Noble Consort Zhou would ensure nothing would happen to me?"

However, Consort An only looked at her coldly, her eyes conveying an unspoken warning.

If she dared to say a word, the entire Zhang family would be finished.

Concubine Zhang hesitated, and finally could only say with difficulty, "It was this concubine's own idea."

-- That day Consort An had found her and asked if she could remain calm seeing Yanshu so favored.

Indeed, for the past half month, she had spent every day in jealousy.

Why was she unable to speak again, while Yanshu could accompany the Emperor in bed every day?

So she decided to take a gamble.

She thought that with Noble Consort Zhou's support, she could bring down Yanshu no matter what.

But how could it turn out like this?

His Majesty actually trusted her so much! In front of so many people, he was actually so biased towards her!

Concubine Zhang gritted her teeth and said, "This concubine couldn't accept it! Why is she the only one among all the palace concubines to receive Your Majesty's favor?"

The hall fell silent, with everyone coldly observing.

Only Yuwen Lan answered her coldly, "Because her heart is pure and she has never thought of harming others."

As his words fell, many in the hall felt uneasy.

The Emperor continued, "Your character is vicious, and you deliberately disrupted the sacrificial ceremony. Your crime is unforgivable. You are sentenced to death by white silk. Your mother's clan members will all be exiled and can never enter official positions again."

With these words, Concubine Zhang was dragged away, leaving everyone terrified.

Only Noble Consort Zhou spoke up, "The evil person has received her just deserts. I hope Your Majesty will calm your anger and not harm your health."

As she finished speaking, Yuwen Lan suddenly looked at her and said meaningfully, "Why are there repeatedly such evil people in the palace?"

Noble Consort Zhou's heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to say, "This concubine does not know."

What does he mean? Does he suspect her?

Yuwen Lan gave a cold laugh, "Previously, the Empress Dowager entrusted you with the authority to manage the six palaces, yet the palace is in such chaos. Even a washerwoman from the Laundry Bureau can be bribed to harm her masters."

Noble Consort Zhou bit her lip and could only say, "This concubine is incompetent and has disappointed Your Majesty."

Yuwen Lan said, "Since you know you're incompetent, then step down."

Noble Consort Zhou paused. What did he mean? Was he going to strip her of her powers?

She hurriedly looked towards the group of ministers.

"Your Majesty, please allow this old minister to say a word."

Everyone looked over to see that the speaker was Qi Weizhai, the Minister of Revenue who had just celebrated his birthday a few days ago.

Yuwen Lan stopped and said, "Oh? What does Minister Qi want to say?"

The minister replied, "In this old minister's opinion, we cannot entirely blame Noble Consort Zhou for evil people giving in to greed and committing wrongdoings. Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, there has been no Empress, which has led to disorder in the rear palace. Perhaps Your Majesty should establish an Empress soon to pacify the people's hearts."

As soon as he finished speaking, another white-haired old man chimed in, "Minister Qi speaks wisely. We implore Your Majesty to establish an Empress soon, to act as mother of the nation and bring stability to the rear palace."

It was the Minister of Rites.

After he finished, three or four others followed suit, "We beseech Your Majesty to establish an Empress soon, to pacify the people's hearts."

Yuwen Lan's face showed no emotion as his gaze swept over each person. He said, "Who do you think I should make Empress?"

At these words, Noble Consort Zhou suddenly became excited. She had waited for countless days and nights, and finally, the moment had come!

With so many important ministers recommending her today, and in front of the ancestral temple no less, surely he couldn't refuse this time?

The Minister of Revenue, Qi Weizhai, said, "In this old minister's opinion, Noble Consort Zhou comes from a noble family and has received the Empress Dowager's teachings for three years. She is worthy of the position of Empress."

Yuwen Lan said, "Oh? Is this truly what you think, or is it because Duke Cheng'en sent you ten thousand taels of silver a few days ago that you say this?"

Hearing this, everyone was stunned. Duke Cheng'en had sent the Minister of Revenue ten thousand taels?

Qi Weizhai was startled and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, it's not like that. Duke Cheng'en has never given this old minister any silver. These are truly my heartfelt words, unrelated to anything else."

"Is that so?"

Yuwen Lan threw an account book in front of him and said, "This book records every single transaction you've made over the years. The largest recent entry is ten thousand taels of silver from Duke Cheng'en."

Saying this, he suddenly turned to Duke Cheng'en, "Why did Duke Cheng'en give the Minister of Revenue so much money? Did you have some favor to ask of him?"

His gaze was sharp, and Duke Cheng'en was startled. He hurried to step forward and kneel, but his body was already weak, and he lost control, falling flat on the ground.

Everyone: "???"

How guilty must one be to perform such a grand gesture?

Yanshu, who was watching the drama unfold, tried hard to suppress her laughter.

Duke Cheng'en, with the help of those around him, finally managed to kneel properly and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, this old minister and the Minister of Revenue were classmates many years ago. Our friendship is deep. The gift of silver was merely to congratulate him on his birthday, with no other intention."

However, the Emperor asked again, "Then why did uncle also send several concubines to the Minister of Rites? Are you also old classmates with deep friendship?"

What? Concubines?

Everyone widened their eyes and looked at the white-haired Minister of Rites.

Isn't he over seventy years old?

At such an age... can he still... manage?

The Minister of Rites hesitated, then quickly said, "Your Majesty, please understand. Duke Cheng'en did indeed send several maids to this old minister's household recently, but I have already distributed them to my sons' and grandsons' quarters. At my age, how could I do such an outrageous thing?"

-- He knew that since the Emperor asked in this way, he must have already investigated. In such a situation, denial would not be wise, so it was better to find an excuse to cover it up.

Although he said this, everyone began to speculate in their hearts --

So the Minister of Rites is like this... Still vigorous in his old age!

Yanshu also internally exclaimed, she had just learned about this, which was unusual!

She hurriedly called out to the system, "How come you didn't tell me about such an interesting piece of gossip? This old man, at his age, can still handle concubines? Could it be that Duke Cheng'en sent over his own mistresses?"

The system replied, "More or less. But this is just an appetizer. Do you want to know an even bigger piece of gossip?"

Yanshu's eyes lit up, "What gossip?"

The system said, "This old man is having an affair with his daughter-in-law."

Yanshu: "!!!"

Scandalous!