Lin Wan returned to the palace with an uneasy heart. This time's events had completely exceeded her expectations and were entirely beyond her control.

  The matter of Linji Palace seems to have fallen into a curtain, but it is far from over.

  The matter of Xiang Fei being poisoned and Rong Fei being framed has been ordered to be kept secret by the Emperor. Except for Lin Wan, the Empress, Xiang Fei, and the trusted palace staff who were present that day, no one else knows anything about it. Everyone is talking about Chu Hua Xin, who is under house arrest in Xian Fu Palace, and Bai Xiuyi, who has died. As for the sudden search of Yong Shou Palace by the Empress and the subsequent lockdown of the entire palace, no one knows what's going on, so they can only speculate and spread various rumors.

  It wasn't until three days later that the imperial edict regarding this matter was transmitted to Changxin Palace when all the consorts went to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager - Shu Xiu Chushi plotted against the Crown Prince, stripped of her title and position, punished by being sent to a cold palace for life imprisonment. Rongfei Shen Shi privately hid poisonous substances, stripped of her title and demoted to Zhao Yuan.

  As for Xiang Fei being poisoned, there was no mention of it in the imperial edict.

  When Lin Wan rose, she saw the shock that everyone had expected. The consorts of Yongshou Palace, such as Consort Rong and others, all looked panicked; apart from them, the others were gloating, but they didn't dare to cover their mouths and laugh secretly because the emperor had just lost a crown prince.

  Smiling is not possible, but other words can be said. Liu Jieyu then scolded with a face full of disgust: "In the past, I still thought that Chu Shi was a very respectful person, unexpectedly she could commit such a heinous crime against wifely virtue! How can she repay the great kindness of the Emperor!" After speaking, she raised an eyebrow and coldly snorted at Chu Huashang.

  Liu Jieyou was suppressed by Chu Huaxin for two or three years, and the old enemy suddenly fell. How could she not vent her anger? Chu Huashang was naturally ashamed of his sister's guilt, hanging his head in shame and not daring to argue back.

  Wanyi, who was sitting in front of her, pinched her handkerchief and sighed, biting her lip: "Rou... Shen Zhaoyuan, how could she be such a person? How could she hide poison..."

  As soon as she spoke these words, the grand hall fell silent.

  After a while, someone murmured: "Does Zhang Wan'er think Shen Zhaojuan is innocent?"

  Zhang Wan-yi, although gentle and simple in nature, had been in the palace for many years after all, and instantly understood the meaning of these words. She hastily waved her hand and said: "No, no, the concubine was just shocked and didn't dare to question the imperial decree..."

  In her flustered explanation and gesticulation, the imperial consorts in the hall all fell silent, their expressions varied. Even Liu Mei, who had just been busy reprimanding Chu Shi, changed color and bowed her head in thought.

  Lin Wan only felt the sorrow and dullness emanating from these young consorts, like flowers, at this time, although most of them had already hardened their hearts.

  Shen Yunrong's private storage of poisonous substances was announced in the six palaces, and everyone understood what this crime meant.

  Actually, everyone knew that Shen Yunrong couldn't be a truly good person, because this palace can't accommodate a Bodhisattva's heart. But seeing her daily behavior of never doing evil to others and never participating in any dirty matters, people thought she was at least an "uncontentious" person, at least more gentle and virtuous than others, and someone who would only protect herself but not take the initiative to attack others.

  But apparently, Shen Yunrong is actually what kind of person, and the original impression of the crowd is simply a huge difference. This palace is more cruel than they imagined.

  Inside the palace, there are always cases of severe illness, miscarriage, and sudden death among the concubines every year. The people in the palace who do not bother to investigate the cause of death are countless. Everyone understands that this palace is raising devils. Women with beautiful appearances mostly hide evil intentions. It's a common occurrence to find poisonous substances that shouldn't exist in any corner of the palace, including various palaces, six bureaus, and imperial courts... Now, look at what was found in Yongshou Palace! The things discovered are truly eye-opening. What kind of arsenic, croton seeds, and other poisons from the Western Regions were placed together is simply incomparable. Did Rong Fei hide these things to use poison to treat difficult and complicated diseases or to feed poisonous mice?

  No matter whether Shen Yunrong had ever laid hands on anyone, just looking at the things she had prepared was enough to make one's hair stand on end. From today onwards, her reputation as a virtuous and gentle lady would be utterly destroyed.

  Zhang Wan-yi's face was still gloomy, she had once been helped by Rong Fei's kindness and truly felt that Rong Fei was much better than others. But now... She couldn't help but feel a little frightened again, fortunately, she didn't gain favor with her and the two people didn't get too close. Otherwise, she would have died long ago.

  Inside the palace, there were still some innocent people like Zhang Wan'er and Liu Jieyu, but there were not a few people like Lin Yuan who had too many defenses and were too deep. Wen Pin, who had long been out of favor, looked at everyone's silence and coldly smiled: "Others just made mistakes, they didn't become different people! Why do you all seem to be unfamiliar with Shen Zhaoyuan?"

  Wen Pin was very proud when she was in favor, now that she has lost favor, her temperament is even colder. She rarely speaks in front of many people, today is rare.

  Xu Jieyu took over and said: "Princess Wen is absolutely right."

  Those who have fallen out of favor will not be treated with respect, but what Wen Pin said today is quite insightful. Xu Jieyu feels that she has learned something from it. Liu Jieyu listened and mocked herself in her heart, originally Wen Pin's heart was clear as a mirror, no matter how gentle and kind Rong Fei was, she couldn't deceive her, only someone like herself would feel shocked after the incident with Rong Fei...

  Besides, even if Rong Fei is a truly virtuous person, you shouldn't think that she is virtuous in your heart!

  Everyone's face had a different expression. After a long while, the empress raised her hand and said lightly, "Let this matter pass today, don't discuss it again."

  The imperial consorts all chimed in agreement.

  The queen's expression was somewhat tired, and she let out a slight sigh: "You can all disperse now."

  The crowd also did not want to stay longer and dispersed.

  The air at the end of August was refreshing, but not as cold as October. It was one of the most comfortable days of the year. However, Xu Ronghua, who had just stepped out of Changxin Palace, was hugging her arms tightly, as if she was very cold.

  She didn't dare to lift her head and let people see the panic on her face, a pair of clever eyes hidden behind her dense bangs, carefully observing the people around her. Suddenly, she saw Hui Gui Ji, who was wearing a pale purple fine cloud embroidery shirt, walking past her.

  After a moment's thought, he hastily stepped forward and took hold of Huigui's arm, saying in a warm tone: "I heard that you've been wronged these past few days..."

  Lin Wan was wronged, and the emperor had not been stingy in bestowing gifts of gold, silver, and jade to comfort her. The boxes upon boxes of silk fabrics were almost enough to collapse the small storage room of the Mirror Moon Pavilion. Everyone understood that Lin Wan's favor would rise even higher from now on, and there were many people like Xu Ronghua who actively sought to curry favor with her.

  Xu Ronghua was originally a gentle and warm person.

  However, Lin Yan does not think that Xu Ronghua's purpose is the same as Xu Jieyu's yesterday.

  The sound of the woman's enthusiastic concern still echoed in her ears: "...... I said that Guī Jī has great fortune and a long life, it's not something that those Chu people can tarnish. The miserable end of the Chu family is really well-deserved, and it's also a warning to the people in this palace that Guī Jī is not someone who can be trifled with......" As she spoke, she looked at Lin Yu's skirt again: "Ah, sister, this cherry blossom purple dress is a new reward from the Emperor, right? Originally, we were not allowed to wear such noble colors, but it's rare for sister to be the Emperor's favorite. Sister really has good fortune......"

  Lin Wan lowered her head and said: "The purple color was originally only available for those above the fourth rank, Concubine Yu has overstepped."

  "What's wrong with that!" Xu Ronghua hastily said: "As long as it's not too out of line, and it's a gift from the Emperor himself, what taboo is there? In my opinion, only a sister as beautiful as you can pull off cherry purple, if someone else wore it, it wouldn't be right!"

  Lin Yan smiled and didn't say anything.

  She never used to overstep the boundaries. She would put on an act according to her status, and Lin Wan had always been like that, making it impossible for others to catch her in a mistake was her principle. But after the incident with Rong Fei, she suddenly felt that she needed to change herself.

  In this harem, being watertight is not the best strategy...

  Leaking out one or two drops at a time can actually make life easier.

  Besides, Lin Yan hated being bound by etiquette and liked to wear clothes without worrying about what others thought.

  Xu Ronghua continued to hold her wrist, and the two of them walked in the direction of Jingyue Pavilion. Before long, they arrived at a fork in the road near Siji Pavilion, where Lin Yuan stopped: "Ronghua Niangniang, this place goes west to Yongsou Palace and east to Jingyue Pavilion. The concubine bids farewell to Niangniang here."

  Saying goodbye and bowing, I don't want to leave any regrets behind.

  Xu Ronghua's face was slightly awkward: "Gu Ji, today the sky is high and the air is refreshing. I'm not in a hurry to go back either. It's also good to chat with you."

  "What bad timing! The concubine still has to go to Jianzhang Palace to serve later."

  Xu Ronghua gritted her teeth, but still managed to squeeze out a smile and said: "Then let's do it another day. To be honest with you, sister, now that Shao Yuanniang has been demoted, the days at Yongshou Palace are not easy either. Your imperial favor is currently strong, in the future when I fall out of favor, I can only rely on your help."

  She finished speaking and dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief.

  Lin Wan looked at her like that, and hastily exclaimed: "Rong Hua, you... Alas, I'm just a daughter of a humble family, a low-ranking position, how can I be compared to my sister? Not to mention helping out..." She said, turning her head to support the palace maid's hand, wanting to leave: "It's windy here, Rong Hua Niangniang should hurry back."

  Lin Yan slipped away in the blink of an eye.

  Xu Ronghua's palace maid was so angry that she jumped up: "What a thing! Born in a humble family, dare to be disrespectful to the princess!" She then advised Xu Ronghua: "The princess doesn't have to bother with her. In my opinion, she is just a nobody who can't even get on stage. Seeing Yongshou Palace losing power, she's afraid of being implicated and wants to take advantage of the opportunity to step on the princess's head."

  Xu Ronghua was no longer angry. She sighed and said, "Yingyue, do you think she really just doesn't want to get along with me, or did she see through our attempt to test her?"

  "Your Ladyship?" Ying Yue had just been scolding Lin Yuan, but suddenly remembered her own lady's intentions. She couldn't help but be shocked: "How is this possible? Your Ladyship was clearly trying to win her over, and there have been many people doing the same in recent days."

  "That day in Linji Palace, except for the Empress and Xiang Fei, there was only her." Xu Ronghua pressed his forehead: "You say, did she know something?"