Empress Wen walked around twice before returning to her seat, saying: “This is the first time I have let outsiders see the scars on my wrists. Are you satisfied with what you’ve seen?”

Her tone was indifferent. With Emperor Delong’s earlier words about wanting to kill them, followed by Empress Wen’s swift punishment of Mu Tianxiang in just a few words, how could Imperial Consort De and Lianpin dare to underestimate Empress Wen even slightly?

Imperial Consort De and Lianpin shook their heads like rattles: “Your Majesty, this subject was presumptuous. Please forgive this subject…”

Empress Wen sighed deeply: “What crime do you have?”

Imperial Consort De said: “Your Majesty, this subject failed to manage the inner palace strictly, allowing rumors to run rampant. Though this subject tried to stop them, this subject was actually deceived by the rumors herself. Only today does this subject understand why Your Majesty lives in seclusion and avoids meeting outsiders for so long. Your Majesty has suffered such torment, yet not only could this subject not sympathize, but actually aided the wrongdoers by allowing rumors to spread. This subject is guilty!”

Empress Wen looked at her without speaking.

Lianpin also hastily kowtowed: “Your Majesty, this subject is the same. This subject also harbored some doubts privately. This subject is guilty!”

Empress Wen still remained silent, then looked at Mu Tianxiang again.

Mu Tianxiang said in terror: “Your Majesty, this subject was possessed by demons, blinded by prejudice, unrepentant, and audaciously presumptuous. Please punish this subject. This subject accepts the guilt!”

Finally, Empress Wen turned her gaze to Qin Shuying.

Qin Shuying rose and knelt down: “Your Majesty the Empress, this subject’s wife thought herself clever but was actually extremely foolish. Your Majesty has a pure heart and is generous and merciful. Whatever punishment Your Majesty gives this subject’s wife, this subject’s wife will have absolutely no complaints.”

Empress Wen smiled slightly and looked toward Emperor Delong: “Your Majesty, you see, they all know to repent. How does Your Majesty think they should be dealt with? This subject does not wish to be criticized and discussed anymore.”

Emperor Delong looked at Imperial Consort De.

Imperial Consort De was startled with fear and quickly declared her position: “Your Majesty, this subject knows what to do. Your Majesty, please rest assured! Absolutely no one will dare to wildly speculate and discuss Your Majesty’s identity again!”

Lianpin also chimed in: “Your Majesty, this subject will definitely fully support Sister Imperial Consort De.”

Mu Tianxiang said tremblingly: “This subject’s wife, this subject’s wife will definitely sincerely repent, definitely…”

Finally, it was Qin Shuying’s turn. She said: “Your Majesty, this subject’s wife will definitely work hard to eliminate the misunderstanding this subject’s wife has caused.”

How intelligent was Empress Wen? If anyone tried to play tricks before her, she could see through them at a glance. With Emperor Delong’s unwavering support, just a light word from Empress Wen could leave someone with no place to be buried.

So who would think their attitude was too sincere?

At this moment, Empress Wen seemed satisfied and looked toward Emperor Delong. Emperor Delong’s expression softened slightly as he waved his hand: “You all leave. I want to speak with the Empress.”

Imperial Consort De hurriedly withdrew, and naturally, none of the others wanted to stay behind either.

Once outside Phoenix Coming Palace, Imperial Consort De looked back with lingering fear, patted her chest, but didn’t dare say a word. She hurriedly led the palace maids waiting outside toward Delin Palace.

Qin Shuying and Mu Tianxiang followed behind Lianpin. Everyone remained silent along the way until they entered Frost Cloud Hall, where Lianpin seemed to suddenly realize her legs ached from walking. She let out an “Aiya” and slumped ungracefully into a chair.

“That really scared me to death!”

Lianpin patted her chest and let out a long sigh of relief.

Then she looked at Mu Tianxiang and sneered: “Mu Tianxiang, don’t think I don’t know your little schemes. The Empress was absolutely right! What did you want to do? Tell me, what did you want to do?!”

As she spoke, Lianpin kicked out, striking Mu Tianxiang’s legs and causing her to fall to the ground with a “thud.”

Ever since entering Phoenix Coming Palace, Mu Tianxiang’s heart had never settled. Empress Wen had nearly taken her life with just a few words. Though she had managed to keep her life now, she knew all too well what kind of days awaited her from now on.

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty, spare my life! I was possessed by demons. Imperial Consort De offered me benefits, saying we could use this matter to expose the Empress’s identity. If the Crown Prince’s status was illegitimate, he couldn’t compete with the Fifth Prince for the throne. I thought this could be a collaboration—if the Crown Prince’s status was illegitimate, it would benefit the Prince too. So, so I…”

Still making excuses when facing death? Did she really think everyone was stupid?

“Bah! You think you’re something special, that Imperial Consort De would use your hand to overthrow the Empress? Imperial Consort De just saw through your intentions and wanted to use your hand to trip me up! You really thought you had some cleverness, that you could deceive heaven and earth, that you could manipulate us all in the palm of your hand?”

As she spoke, Lianpin viciously kicked Mu Tianxiang several more times, knocking her over so she couldn’t get up, then trampled on her several times.

Even so, Lianpin still wasn’t satisfied and harshly slapped Mu Tianxiang several times.

Qin Shuying watched this scene with indifference, only feeling extremely disgusted.

Their intentions weren’t hard to guess—none of them were good people anyway.

It was only because Emperor Delong insisted on bringing these people to see the Empress today. If it hadn’t been for this move by Emperor Delong, but rather a thorough investigation into who spread the rumors, the one in trouble would have been Qin Shuying herself.

For no other reason than that Qin Shuying was the one who had caused the commotion at the ice sculpture banquet.

Mu Tianxiang was quite clever, actually saying that Lianpin and Qin Shuying had coordinated their act, deliberately prompting Old Madam Liang to reveal that Empress Wen was Lin Yuan.

It seemed that Mu Tianxiang had originally intended to trip up Lianpin, but who would have thought that Emperor Delong would suddenly decide to have them meet the Empress?

Mu Tianxiang’s scheme failed to succeed, and Imperial Consort De and Lianpin had also been humiliated before the Empress. From now on, as long as Emperor Delong lived, Imperial Consort De and Lianpin wouldn’t dare provoke the Empress again.

Not only that, Imperial Consort De and Lianpin would have to rack their brains to dispel the rumors.

Lianpin had truly gotten herself into trouble without gaining anything—no wonder she hated Mu Tianxiang!

But how did Fu Qu, who was supposed to take Mu Tianxiang for a stroll, end up letting Mu Tianxiang overhear others’ gossip? And how did Mu Tianxiang end up at the Cold Palace?

Qin Shuying looked at Lianpin’s face, twisted with anger, and lowered her eyes with a cold smile.

Lianpin had quite a few plans for today.

None of them were easy to deal with. As long as the fire didn’t burn her, she didn’t care how they fought each other.

After Lianpin vented her anger for a while, she suddenly seemed to remember that Qin Shuying was still present. She restrained her fury, called for someone to come take Mu Tianxiang to clean her face, and forced a smile toward Qin Shuying: “Shuying, that was really dangerous today.”

Qin Shuying smiled: “Your Majesty, before going to the Cold Palace, this subject’s wife already said those rumors couldn’t be taken seriously.”

Lianpin choked, remembering Qin Shuying’s earlier words. Her face showed some embarrassment: “You were indeed clever.”

“It’s not that this subject’s wife was clever, but that the facts were plain to see.”

At the ice sculpture banquet, Old Madam Liang had only said a few words, yet Emperor Delong, who originally still had some old feelings for Old Madam Liang, immediately changed his mind and established Old Madam Liang’s “false” identity.

Didn’t this already explain the problem?

Curiosity killed the cat, yet you insisted on investigating thoroughly.

So, after this trip to Phoenix Coming Palace, did you discover the truth?

However, Qin Shuying didn’t intend to say these words to Lianpin.