“Imperial Consort Chen says she was framed. She claims she was under the influence of spring poison, and the one who administered it was you, Princess Consort of Xuan Qing.”

Han Yan was startled, immediately responding: “I am wrongly accused. I have never done such a thing.”

The Empress Dowager said: “Don’t you want to hear why Imperial Consort Chen says you framed her?”

Han Yan stared at her blankly.

“Imperial Consort Chen says she saw you in an affair with a strange man.” After speaking these words, a hidden smile curved the Empress Dowager’s lips—confident and sinister, sending chills down one’s spine.

At these words, Han Yan immediately cried out: “I am wrongly accused! I have never engaged in such filthy acts with any man! Your Majesty, please be discerning!”

The Emperor remained silent. The Empress Dowager smiled: “Are you saying Imperial Consort Chen wrongly accused you?”

Han Yan shook her head repeatedly: “I wouldn’t dare say that, but adultery is no small matter, and I have never done such a thing.”

The Emperor looked at her: “Princess Consort of Xuan Qing, according to imperial law, the punishment for a woman’s adultery is to be stripped naked and paraded through the streets, branded with hot iron, and in severe cases, beaten to death in court.” He paused before continuing: “Do you… admit your guilt?”

Han Yan almost laughed coldly in her heart: “As I’ve said, I’ve never done such a thing, so how can there be any guilt to admit?” She had always met strength with strength, and when faced with unreasonable force, she didn’t even bother to pretend anymore. Was it because she had appeared too docile that they thought she could be bullied into silence? What an enormous joke!

She looked directly at the Emperor on his high seat, neither servile nor arrogant: “Everything in this world must have cause and effect. If the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty believe I’ve committed such acts, please provide evidence. The law applies equally to the emperor and commoner. Now Imperial Consort Chen’s adultery has been confirmed, yet she’s only imprisoned. Why should I admit to something I’ve never done?” A flash of mockery passed through her clear eyes: “If it’s because Imperial Consort Chen’s status is more noble than mine, and thus receives different treatment, then I have nothing more to say.”

“You…” The Emperor was speechless. As emperor, he prided himself on being fair and just, examining matters meticulously, and most despised officials who abused their power. Now Han Yan’s words had lumped him in with such people, truly making him lose face.

The Empress Dowager waved her hand: “The Emperor has always been just and upright.” Her imposing presence bore down: “As merely a daughter of a fifth-rank official, how dare you question the Emperor this way? Where is your regard for imperial authority?”

Han Yan smiled slightly: “The Empress Dowager seems to have forgotten, I am not just a fifth-rank official’s daughter, I am also the Princess Consort of Xuan Qing.” Her lips curved upward, her voice light and lively: “Or does the Empress Dowager consider the title of Princess Consort of Xuan Qing equal to a fifth-rank official’s daughter?”

The Emperor narrowed his eyes slightly. He suddenly realized that this seemingly innocent young girl before him was essentially identical to his proud and cold brother—never willing to be taken advantage of. Even the battle-hardened Empress Dowager hadn’t gained the slightest advantage over her in several exchanges. Her words carried deep meaning in every sentence, effortlessly blocking all retreat paths. Without even needing clever tactics or roundabout methods, she charged straight through.

Killing intent permeated the air.

No one spoke—neither the expressionless Emperor, nor the leisurely tea-sipping Empress Dowager, nor the smiling Han Yan. The Golden Palace Hall, usually full of bustling activity, was now cold enough to pierce through to one’s bones.

After a long while, the Empress Dowager finally looked up: “Since the Princess Consort of Xuan Qing claims she hasn’t done this, and where there’s smoke there’s fire, you must provide proof of your innocence.”

Han Yan smiled back: “What does the Empress Dowager suggest?”

“The Guardian Seal.” Her gaze finally left her teacup, looking meaningfully at Han Yan: “The Guardian Seal—if you’re innocent, you’ll naturally still have it.”

The Guardian Seal was a substance used to verify a woman’s chastity. It was said that when applied to a woman’s body, it would remain throughout the year, only disappearing upon intercourse with a man. Because of this property, it was used to test chastity. Daughters of noble families received the Guardian Seal at birth, which would remain until their wedding night. For the Empress Dowager to demand Han Yan undergo this test was a massive insult, regardless of the outcome. It showed distrust in both her chastity and character. A woman of a more volatile temperament might have chosen death to prove her innocence.

Seeing Han Yan’s hesitation, the Empress Dowager’s smile deepened, her gaze growing more intense, bearing down with heavy pressure. Her voice turned hard: “Princess Consort of Xuan Qing, do you dare?”

So this was their plan, Han Yan understood inwardly. The spring poison Imperial Consort Chen had given her must have been some rare variety—Han Yan herself had felt its potent effects. The Empress Dowager believed that her ability to overcome the poison meant she must have had relations with a man. Once the Guardian Seal was gone, no explanation would suffice.

If Han Yan was found not to be a virgin, she would certainly face adultery charges. If Fu Yun Xi claimed he was the one who had relations with Han Yan, once word spread, he too would face public shame. In their society, premarital relations between betrothed couples carried the same stigma as adultery—only the basest commoners and courtesans engaged in such behavior.

The Empress Dowager’s move was truly vicious. If Fu Yun Xi admitted it, he would be dragged down with her. If he denied it was him, she would be branded an unchaste woman, forever condemned by all. How to break free from this impossible situation?

The Empress Dowager unhurriedly played with her teacup while the Emperor watched Han Yan impassively. They had come prepared. Though unclear what the Empress Dowager had said to the Emperor, she was desperate to eliminate Han Yan, even using Imperial Consort Chen’s words to strike another blow. Did they want to see her panic? This time, however, they would be disappointed.

Han Yan’s eyes flashed, and she immediately widened them in disbelief: “Your Highness, this shows distrust in me. I have never done such things, why must I be examined…”

The Empress Dowager’s smile deepened: “How is this distrust? I trust you so much that I’m giving you a chance to prove your innocence… Your Majesty, don’t you agree?”

The Emperor nodded: “Indeed. Just go check if you still have the Guardian Seal. If not, I will punish you for deceiving your sovereign. If you do, then you are naturally innocent.”

Han Yan kept shaking her head: “I refuse to be examined. I am innocent. This is an insult… Empress Dowager, you cannot…”

The Empress Dowager seemed to tire of this, waving her hand: “The Princess Consort of Xuan Qing must be too young to understand my good intentions. Matron Li, take the Princess Consort down for examination.”