Sixteen, Flame Vine

  On December 12, Cao Jieyu was promoted to Xiang Gui Pin and held the ceremony of granting the title in the palace's Tai Miao. She was also granted a position as the mistress of a palace, and her residence, He Xi Tang, was renamed He Xi Dian. With a smile that was both radiant and restrained, she seemed to have fulfilled an old wish.

  The first day after the ceremony, I met her in Shanglin Garden. At that time, she was in full bloom, watching Wen Yi and the nanny, palace maid playing and chasing in the snowy ground, adding a few touches of tenderness to her usual elegant appearance. We exchanged pleasantries and asked each other if we were well.

  She smiled and said: "Guan's sister is getting better and better."

  I smiled: "How can it not be good? Eldest Sister Cao's good days have just passed, I heard that yesterday afternoon four new noblewomen had already entered the palace, all living in Murong Xuan's former residence, Miao Xiu Palace. What a lively scene."

  Xiang Gui Fei pulled the fragrant tassels on her lotus-green cloak and said, "That's good. When old people leave, new ones come, and it doesn't count as abandoning the Huan Xiu Palace. In the past, when Empress Huai was still around, she spared no expense in luxury, and the Huan Xiu Palace was indeed magnificent. It can be seen that the Emperor attaches great importance to these four new noblewomen."

  I smiled and nodded, since they were the meritorious relatives of Pingjunan Wang's time, it was natural to move into Miaoxiu Palace, and naturally had to show a little more favor. So I smiled: "What kind of people are these four new sisters, we will know in the future."

  She was still reminding the nanny and palace maid to take good care of the princess, chatting with me in harmony, and gradually became less concerned about her surroundings. Suddenly, I heard a loud and clear cry from a little girl, and both Xiang Gui Bin and I turned our heads anxiously, looking for Wen Yi's figure.

  All I saw was a snowy ground, Wen Yi fell to the ground, and next to her was a woman in palace attire, also fallen on the ground.

  The nanny and palace maid rushed over with pale faces to help the woman and Wen Yi, but the woman was quick-witted and swiftly picked up Wen Yi, softly coaxing her.

  Xiang Gui Bin's face turned white with anxiety, and she hastily ran over with me. She made a quick curtsy to the woman and said, "Princess Duan Niang, good health." Then she was about to reach out and hug Wen Yi.

  Wen Yi was young and only recognized her mother. As soon as she was held in her birth mother's arms, she immediately stopped crying, staring at the people around her with a pair of shiny black eyes.

  Xiang Gui Bin's eyes saw her daughter fall, and she immediately became furious, scolding the nanny and palace maid: "You're all a bunch of good-for-nothings, can't even take care of the princess properly, only know how to be lazy and slack off. Tomorrow when the empress returns to the palace, I'll have you all severely punished." The several nannies and palace maids were so scared that they knelt on the ground begging for mercy.

  Xiang Gui Pin still scolded herself, while Duan Fei frowned and looked worried on the side, saying: "Don't you quickly check if Emperor's daughter is injured?"

  Xiang Guihui immediately came to her senses and stopped talking, busily checking with the nanny if Wen Yi was injured. Only after confirming that she was fine did she let out a sigh of relief and said: "Thank you, Princess Duan."

  I saw Empress Du's lips were slightly pale, her left hand was hidden in her sleeve, and her posture was strange. The sleeve of her left arm was also stained with mud marks. I said, "Your Majesty, are you alright?" She shook her head slightly and turned to Concubine Xiang: "Empress Wei only slipped and fell, but the palace has held on tight, so she should be fine. However, it's still better to have the imperial physician come and take a look."

  Xiang Gui Bin repeatedly said "yes", and hastily dispatched her personal palace maid to invite the imperial physician.

  Wen Yi was in high spirits, humming "yi yi ya ya" as she flexed her fingers, when suddenly she raised her head, spread out her arms and pounced on Duan Fei.

  The Empress's expression changed slightly, but she couldn't help smiling and showing affection. She stretched out her right hand to hold Wen Yi in her arms. Consort Xiang said with a smile, "This child is really not shy, looking at the empress so intimately."

  I watched with a smile and chimed in, "Wen Yi really likes Princess Duan Fei." Princess Duan Fei became even more delighted, humming a tune softly, her forehead against Wen Yi's, teasing Wen Yi into laughter.

  I saw Empress Duong lovingly embracing Wen Yi with her right hand, so I knew her left hand must be injured. I took over Wen Yi from her and handed her to Consort Xiang Gui, saying: "Your Majesty is alone, auspicious and harmonious as before?"

  Duan Fei didn't take my words to heart, her gaze lingering on Wen Yi as she casually said: "I've ordered Jixiang Ruyi to collect some snow water from the bamboo leaves, and we're waiting for them to return here."

  "I hastily smiled and said: 'Your Majesty's clothes are dirty, if you don't mind, please move to the Tongli Palace to change into a clean set of clothes.'"

  My gaze inadvertently swept over her left arm, she nodded and said: "Alright." Then I called for Flowing Vermilion to lead Consort Duan to the Tongli Palace, saying: "Your Majesty go ahead first, I'll follow shortly after."

  She nodded and pursed her smile between her lips, took a few steps back and looked at the Emperor's daughter playing in Xiang Gui Bin's arms, with a loving expression.

  Xiang Gui Bin saw Duan Fei walking far away, gazing at her frail figure and sighed softly, saying: "It's a pity that my family has declined. Even if I became a noble concubine, it would be difficult to secure a good future for Wen Yi. If only I could be like Princess Duan, ranked as a princess, it would be much better."

  I heard it in my heart, but didn't make a sound. She turned around and saw me, her expression somewhat awkward, knowing she had misspoken, and hurriedly covered up by saying: "I was just speaking casually, don't take it to heart, sister."

  I smiled and said, "Where. Sister Cao having such a heart is a good thing, not just for her own sake, but also for the emperor's daughter. I will soon become the emperor's daughter's adoptive mother, so naturally I hope that she will marry a noble husband in the future, and I can bask in her glory too."

  Xiang Gui's eyes subtly contained a hint of warning, and also floated with a smile: "Thank you, sister Xiang Yun, for your kind words. How can I compare to my sister who has received the emperor's favor and my brother who has recently made great contributions to the Great Zhou and gained the emperor's trust? It seems that my sister will be appointed as the imperial consort soon, and our family's future is all dependent on my sister's kindness."

  She affectionately called me "sister" one by one, and I just smiled with a hint of warmth. Thinking of Empress Duans frail body, I sighed and said: "Empress Duan loves the princess very much, but her own body is not good, probably can't have children either."

  Xiang Gui's smile suddenly disappeared, and after a moment of silence, she said: "Princess Duan was given the red flower, it is decided that she can no longer bear children."

  I was shocked and even more astonished, saying: "How could this be? Duan Fei is the most senior concubine in the palace!"

  Xiang Gui Bin seemed reluctant to speak again, but couldn't bear my questioning and finally revealed: "Do you think anyone would do such a cruel and vicious thing?" She also seemed somewhat pitiful. "Although Consort Duan entered the palace earliest, she lost favor early on."

  I quickly pieced together the threads of cause and effect in my mind, and exclaimed: "But it was because of the miscarriage of Empress Hua that day?"

  She nodded and walked with me further away from the crowd: "This matter was originally only known to the Emperor, Empress, and Duan and Hua. It's a palace secret, and I also heard it later when Hua Fei mentioned it unintentionally. Sister, please don't mention it to anyone again." Seeing my consent, she continued: "At that time, Hua Fei was still Hua Gui Pin, and the child in her belly had already been determined to be a boy, but unfortunately, she miscarried before the due date. Before that, she had only taken the An Tai Tang medicine sent by Duan Fei, so she accused Duan Fei of treason to the Emperor and Empress, but it was later settled with nothing done. Hua Fei, in a fit of rage, led people into Duan Fei's palace, forcing her to drink Hong Hua Tang medicine, making Duan Fei infertile as revenge. From then on, Duan Fei fell seriously ill and never recovered. The Emperor was furious, scolding Hua Fei and silencing everyone present that day. As for Duan Fei, he treated her with even more courtesy."

  I was shocked: "The Queen's methods are so ruthless, doesn't she suspect that someone else might have done it?"

  "Someone else?" Xiang Gui Fei was puzzled, then smiled and didn't think so: "Maybe there is someone else, but the medicine indeed came from Duan Fei's hands. Moreover, thinking about it in the long run, Duan Fei is ill, Hua Fei has been deposed, who would come to ask for advice again?"

  She smiled and then stopped talking. I thought for a moment, and slowly said: "Xiang means to assist. The Emperor chose this character as the title for Cao's sister, it seems to have a deeper meaning."

  She looked at me intently and said: "As an elder sister, I don't understand written words, but please, little sister, explain it to me."

  I twirled the jade beads on my hand, one by one, and asked, "Sister, how did you become the Xiang Gui Pin? Was it because the matter of the previous dynasty's Ru Nan Wang had been settled, and the Empress of China had always been close to Ru Nan Wang, so someone was needed to take him down, and the Emperor and Empress were thinking along those lines. And sister, you happened to be at the right time, so the Emperor made you Xiang Gui Pin, that's what it means." I paused for a moment, and let out a faint sigh: "Unfortunately, Mu Rong Shi Lan is still just a selection servant, the Emperor probably can't make things too difficult for her because of his feelings."

  Xiang Gui Pin's expression changed slightly, and she smoothed out the embroidered white lion balls on her jacket, saying: "Princess Duan is still in your palace changing clothes, I suppose you want to hurry back, and I'll accompany Princess Di back to the palace too."

  I smiled and let him pass, then turned around and left.

  Returning to the palace, I saw that Xiǎo Sù had already changed into clean clothes for Duan Fei and was bandaging her injured left arm. I told Xiǎo Sù to take away the dirty clothes to wash, and personally applied medicinal powder to Duan Fei's elbow.

  Her injury was not light, a long gash had been cut open, and it was swollen high. I gently applied the medicinal powder, lowering my head to only look at her mouth, saying: "Your Ladyship has always disliked Consort Hua, and Xiang Gui Bin used to be Consort Hua's person, how could Your Ladyship bear to risk her life to save her child?"

  The medicine was bitter and painful to take, but Duan Fei didn't even frown, her expression calm as water, saying: "The child is innocent."

  I took a piece of gauze and wrapped it around her, then helped her adjust her sleeves, saying softly: "Your Majesty seems to truly love that child."

  She smiled wistfully and sadly, "I have no fate with my own children, I can only dote on other people's kids." She smiled: "But that child of Wen Yi is really adorable."

  I smiled and said: "Indeed, she has her mother's cleverness, I just hope that in the future she won't learn her mother's cunning ways."

  Duan Fei sighed and said: "Hearing is believing, I'm afraid it's not going to work."

  I said half-jokingly: "If only she could have a good mother to teach her well."

  Duan Fei's eyes narrowed slightly, and she didn't say anything else. Subconsciously, she stretched out her hand. I hastily said, "Don't move, wait until the wound hurts later."

  The princess smiled brightly and said: "There are many painful things in this palace, why bother with this one."

  I slightly composed myself and said: "Your Majesty must have heard about the demotion of Consort Hua. I wonder what Your Majesty thinks about it?"

  She raised an eyebrow slightly and said with a hint of a smile: "Choosing attendants? It should be that way."

  I smiled and said, "Does the princess think so too?"

  She sat upright, with a smile on her face, but there was no hint of joy in her eyes, as if she had swallowed ice and snow: "On that day, she punished you by making you kneel and lose your child, and the Emperor only demoted her to concubine and took away her title for reflection. Do you think it's just because of the influence of King Yunan?"

  I shook my head: "If it were true, His Majesty would have killed her this morning."

  "She said: 'Not bad. Although I don't know what the reason is, from what I've seen every day, the Emperor is not really heartless towards her.'"

  My heart skipped a beat, and I suddenly raised my head: "Old feelings are hard to forget. Even if Murong Shilan has made great mistakes, she was still the most favored concubine all these years. The Emperor must have had some true affection for her." My smile spilled from my lips: "So at this time, whoever tries to persuade the Emperor to kill her will only make him disgusted."

  Her gaze turned cold for a moment before she smiled warmly again. "I think she's been gone from this palace for a long time."

  My fingers tapped heavily on the table, and I smiled brightly. "On this point, I am in perfect harmony with Her Majesty."

  She restrained her smile: "This is for the best. However, you must be careful of Xiang Gui Bin, she's not a kind person."

  I poured her a pot of "Tongzi Songchun" tea, and she smiled with satisfaction: "This I know, Your Majesty, please savor this tea well, for one day I will have a great gift to present to you."

  "The four noble ladies, Fu Gui Xiang Rui, paid their respects to all the consorts in the palace who ranked above them in the Zhao Yang Palace of the Empress. I sat with Xin Guibin and Xiang Guibin, and Xin Guibin whispered to me while the Empress was instructing the four ladies, 'They look okay, but this title is quite auspicious.'"

  I hastily signaled her to be quiet with a hand gesture and said, "There are quite a few recent happy events." However, Consort Xiang merely smiled without saying a word.

  Upon closer inspection, the four new consorts were all exceptionally beautiful. Fu Gui Ren, Madame Li, had a joyful and elegant appearance; Xi Gui Ren, Madame Guan, was stately and refined; Xiang Gui Ren, Madame Nai, had eyebrows that curved like an autumn moon; and Rui Gui Ren, Madame Luo, was as proud and aloof as a winter plum blossom. Xin Gui Bin couldn't help but say: "Fu Gui Ren is indeed as lovely as her name suggests, with a joyful aura about her. Rui Gui Ren has a fresh and elegant appearance, but upon closer inspection, Xi Gui Ren is even more beautiful."

  Xin Gui Pin was straightforward and outspoken, but her insight into people was surprisingly accurate. I smiled: "Xiang Gui Ren is indeed beautiful, only..." The next words were not pleasant, so I didn't continue, but in my heart, I thought that Xiang Gui Ren's beauty was too cunning, with schemes hidden in every eyebrow and corner of her eyes.

  Xiang Gui Fei smiled and said: "The more people there are, the more disputes there will be."

  I gazed at her and smiled faintly: "It's a pity that in this palace, there will always be more people who won't understand, rather than those who will."

  That night, Xuan Ling summoned Qi Guiren to serve her in bed, presumably because she liked her. The next day, she moved Qi Guiren into my palace to live with me, occupying the former residence of Shi Meiren. I had no objections, as Qi Guiren's family, the Guan clan, was originally supposed to form an alliance with mine through marriage, and this way we became even closer.

  Xuan Ling originally intended to promote her according to the rules after serving in the imperial bedchamber, but the Empress Dowager intervened on the grounds that Huafei was also a daughter of a meritorious official who entered the palace and became arrogant due to her merits. The Empress Dowager had always been dignified and virtuous, Xuan Ling was constrained by her dignity, and took Huafei as a warning example, so he did not raise any objections. Once this precedent was set, these four new noblewomen were not promoted after serving in the imperial bedchamber. Among the four new noblewomen, Xiang Gui Ren was the most favored, often being summoned to the emperor's chambers but without promotion, she understood the reason behind it and deeply resented Murong Shi Lan.

  Xiang Gui was not convinced, relying on her few good looks, Xuan Ling also favored her, and in front of Xuan Ling, she severely slandered Murong Shilan. Xuan Ling didn't take it to heart, just smiled and let it go.

  Xiang Gui heard the news and also stepped forward to advise that Mu Rong Xuan should be severely punished, killing her would calm the anger of the harem. However, before she could finish speaking, Xuan Ling had already changed his expression and ordered her to withdraw.

  I just smiled after hearing it, Duanyi said: "Xiang Gui Bin is clever for a lifetime and confused for a moment. The emperor still has old feelings for Murong Shilan, Xiang Gui Ren is the new favorite and the daughter of Gongchen, so she will naturally not say anything if she coquettishly teases the emperor. But Xiang Gui Bin used to be friends with Murong Shilan, at that time it was timely to bite back at her, but if she speaks again and again, it would make the emperor think that she is ungrateful and disloyal." She lightly laughed: "It must be you who instigated from the side."

  I leaned against the soft pillow on the noble bed, smiling and playing with my own hair, saying: "Your Majesty is too kind to me, she also has her own motives, otherwise how could she listen to my persuasion. Besides, Your Majesty is a clever and cunning person, you can think of things that others may not be able to think of."

  She said, "Although the emperor didn't say anything, he has only summoned the other three nobles to accompany him for the past two days and doesn't care about Xiang Gui Ren anymore. She was originally the most favored, but not very obedient, now that she's gone, it's also good."

  I snapped my fingers and smiled: "She can't be considered a major threat, just get rid of her with ease. Every time I see her, I think of the past Li Yu's demeanor."

  The Empress's complexion was still pale and thin, but her spirit and color had improved a lot, and she no longer looked ill. I praised: "Your Majesty's body seems to have improved a lot recently."

  She smiled calmly: "The medical skills of Dr. Wen that you recommended are indeed good, and I also feel that the illness is not as severe as in previous years."

  I used the armor to pick open the pearl buttons on his collar, a smile also containing sharp meaning, saying: " Imperial Physician, isn't it that you not only know how to heal people, but also know how to kill?"

  Her eyes flashed, and in an instant she was calm again, saying: "There is someone who should leave."

  The heavy snow had been falling for over ten days without any signs of clearing, but the New Year's atmosphere was getting heavier. Each palace and courtyard was busy adding clothes and sweeping the palace gardens. Tangli Palace was also bustling with joy and celebration.

  That day, I was in a good mood and personally wrote the couplet. I called Xiaoyuanzi to bring people to climb the ladder and stick it on the palace gate. A group of palace maids were laughing and surrounding below, looking up with their necks stretched out. I smiled and said: "Wait until it's finished before you look, like this, all stretching your necks together, later Xiaoyuanzi and others' shoe soles will fall down and blind your eyes."

  "Her Ladyship loves to tease us servants," said Pei'er with a smile.

  I chatted and laughed with them for a while, but feeling the cold was unbearable, I struck the curtain and entered the warm pavilion. Xiao Lianzi slipped in quickly, and seeing his unusual expression, I knew he had something to say, so I called him in. Xiao Lianzi said: "These past few days, I've been paying attention, it seems like someone has been spying on us from outside."

  I was startled and frowned, saying: "Take a closer look?"

  "Yes." He replied, "The servant had two glimpses that were not quite clear, and two that he saw clearly. Pretending to be sweeping in the alley, he was actually hiding at the foot of the wall listening to the corner."

  I felt uneasy and knew it was a serious matter, so I asked, "Have you clearly seen who it is? Which palace is it?"

  He had a hint of anger between his eyebrows and said, "It's one of Murong Xuan's personal attendants." He said, "It seems he also has a flint on him, with ulterior motives. However, the palace guards are strict, so he hasn't made a move yet. Does Your Highness want me to capture him and bring him before the Emperor?" The sound of metal clashing against my hand warmer was deafening, "How dare he spy on the situation in my palace." But then I smiled and said, "Don't mind him, just be careful of his actions in private. Don't startle the snake."

  Xiao Lianzi didn't understand but nodded and left.

  Mei Zhuang has been furious for days because of Xuan Ling's leniency towards Murong Shilan, and upon hearing that Xiang Gui Pin was rebuked for suggesting to kill Murong, she became even more depressed. I took advantage of the sunny weather after a snowfall and invited Mei Zhuang to my palace to play chess and lift her spirits.

  Mei Zhuang leaned back in her chair, lazily dropping a black piece. Realizing her mistake, she wanted to take it back, but I wouldn't let her. She pushed the chessboard away and said, "Forget it, forget it. It's clear I'm going to lose anyway, let's not play anymore."

  "This is outrageous! You can't even admit defeat graciously, you've lost all sense of dignity and decorum. Come on, let's play another round!"

  Meizhuang fiddled with the white parrot on the golden frame and said, "I'm feeling annoyed, losing another ten rounds is also a loss."

  I slowly picked up the chess pieces on the board, rearranged them, and said: "I know what you're annoyed about, but unfortunately, the opportunity hasn't arrived yet. We have to find a major flaw in order to get rid of her. After all, she has been favored for so many years, it's not easy for her to die."

  Mei Zhuang bit her lip and said: "How would you know the hatred in my heart..."

  I interrupted her, calmly saying: "I will only hate more than you. What fell from my abdomen was my own flesh and blood."

  Mei Zhuang fell silent and sat back down in front of the chessboard once again.

  The sky gradually darkened, and I only chatted with her about which of the four newly arrived nobles was more favored. Following Xiao Yanzis lead, people came in one by one to light the candles.

  "Where is Guiren?"

  "Your Ladyship has forgotten," replied Yulan, "the other day Liu Sheng's palace sent someone to say that Gui Ren is going to the theater today."

  I uttered a "hmm" and said: "The snow has just melted, she'll be back tonight and might not see the slippery road, you'd better light more lanterns at her temple gate."

  Yan Shui agreed to go out. I saw Xiao Lianzi walking at the end, and hinted that he should stay behind. He said: "I'm coming, under the west wall."

  Meizhuang saw that he had spoken nonsense and couldn't help but feel suspicious. I let Xiaolianzi go out, and smiled lightly at Meizhuang: "Sister wants to see how Murong Shilan dies?"

  I smiled slightly, picked up the candle holder and pulled her into the bedroom. My bedroom is adjacent to the warm pavilion of Qi Guiren's palace, and she is not there at this time, presumably no one else is either. I took advantage of the situation and threw the candle holder under the wooden table in the corner of the room, and the flames sprang up with a "whoosh".

  Mei Zhuang was greatly startled and exclaimed: "What are you going to do?"

  I slowly said, "Sister, don't panic, and don't make a sound." I opened the window, and cold wind poured in. The stronger the wind, the bigger the fire. I quickly pulled her out, and we continued to sit in the western warm pavilion playing chess as usual.

  Meizhuang's fear had not dissipated, I estimated that the fire would need a little more time to be discovered by others, and quickly told her. Meizhuang smiled calmly, opened her sleeves and let out a large fluttering sleeve, saying quietly: "Since we're putting on an act, we have to do it thoroughly, I don't want her to have any way to escape."

  She suddenly got up and rushed towards the inner chamber, I knew it was bad, hurriedly rushed in, the bed curtains, wardrobe and club were already on fire, Mei Zhuang's wide sleeves were also on fire, my mind buzzed, picked up a basin of water and splashed it on.

  Mei Zhuangning smiled and said in a clear, icy voice, "I don't want to die." Suddenly she shouted loudly for help.

  Xuan Ling rushed to the scene, only to find that the rear hall of Tong Li Palace had been burned down by more than half. Everywhere was filled with the pungent smell of burning, blackened beams and water stains, a scene of utter devastation.

  I was soaked to the bone, shivering with cold, and had barely managed to wrap myself in a quilt for warmth. Mei Zhuang was also like that. Xuan Ling rushed in, wrapped me in his bright yellow fox fur coat, and hugged me, saying "It's okay, it's okay."

  I was chilled and startled, suddenly being held in his arms to comfort me, a burst of triumphant joy emerged in my heart, but I cried out with a sob: "Your Majesty..."

  He hastily looked at me and asked, "Nothing's wrong, is it?"

  I shook my head hard, tears streaming down my face, and pointed to Mei Zhuang beside me: "Your Majesty, Mei sister she—" I burst into tears again. Wen Shi Chu was half-kneeling in front of Mei Zhuang, bandaging her burned arm, while Xuan Ling let go of me and asked Mei Zhuang: "Jie Yu, how's your injury?"

  Meizhuang seemed to be in a daze, oblivious to Xuanying's concern. I suddenly burst into tears and said, "Your Majesty, sister must have been frightened out of her wits. It's all my fault for inviting her to play chess, which ended up scaring her."

  "Your Highness, don't worry. Shen Zhen's mind is fine, it's just that the wound on her hand is a bit more serious."

  Mei Zhuang's eyes glazed over as he turned his head, and his hand involuntarily twitched, revealing half of the wound that had been covered. The skin on his forearm was charred and blood-red, with a patch the size of his palm covered in yellow and green medicinal powder, looking extremely terrifying at first glance.

  Xuan Ling hastily and angrily shouted towards his back: "How could this happen?! Where is the eunuch in charge of the palace's internal affairs?!"

  Xiao Yuanzi was busy with her hands and feet, when she heard Xuan Ling's angry shout, she hastily ran over and said: "Your Majesty please forgive me. It was all due to the servant's carelessness. However, the arsonist has already been caught and is waiting for punishment."

  Xuan Ling heard the two words "arson", his expression changed, and he said: "Bring him here."

  The arsonist has been caught, it was Su Xi who served as Mu Yong Xuan's servant. At the time of the incident, he was lurking outside my palace and a flint and fire oil were found on him. With both the person and the evidence caught, even if he vehemently denied and shouted his innocence, no one would believe that he did not commit arson.

  At this time, Qi Guiren, who had gone to listen to the opera, also rushed back and saw that his own residence was burnt down. After hearing about what had happened, he couldn't help but feel shocked, frightened, and sad, crying even more sorrowfully.

  Xuan Ling's expression changed again and again, her eyebrows were still in a daze as if she had been frightened. I sobbed: "I don't know where I offended this official, but I was retaliated against so severely that my palace was destroyed and my people were killed. Fortunately, the slaves discovered it early, otherwise, I would have lost my life before seeing the Emperor."

  Xuan Ling coldly said: "A mere slave like you doesn't have the heart of a bear or the guts of a leopard. The Murong clan has always been ruthless, I underestimated her."

  "Your Majesty, my brother and the father of Imperial Concubine Gui are both meritorious for their contributions in pacifying the south. I've also heard that Mu Rong Xuan has never gotten along with Imperial Concubine Gui. Now that they're being demoted, it's only natural that they would harbor resentment towards me and Imperial Concubine Gui. Why else would a mere eunuch like him go so far as to set fire to the Tongli Palace? Someone must be behind this! I implore Your Majesty to take charge of this matter!"

  I disheveled my hair, and simply tied it up with a random knot: "Even if Mu Yongxuan is dissatisfied, it's only towards me, but unexpectedly, it also implicated Qi Mei and Mei Jiejie, all because of my fault."

  Xuan Ling pulled me and said, "What's not yours? I didn't want to be too extreme, I wanted to give her a chance to reform herself, but who would have thought she'd become even more vicious. Forget it!" He raised an eyebrow and turned to Li Chang: "Tell the Empress and Jing Fei to interrogate Murong overnight, if it's true, send her to the Cold Palace immediately and have her executed, no need to report back to me."

  I looked back, and saw Mei Zhuang's mouth corner condensed into a cold smile, also from the bottom of her heart. Suddenly, I remembered my lost child, only feeling pain and hurt, mixed with excitement. The Empress and Jing Fei have always been enemies with Murong Shilan, falling into their hands, even if she didn't order the arson, there would be conclusive evidence, let alone now that there is "ironclad evidence".

  I leaned on Xuan Ling's shoulder and sobbed again.