Because of what? Could she say she went to cause a natural fire? Shen Hanlu truly wanted to bite off her own tongue. This was what they meant by trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice—she’d lost a large piece of glass, and now she was being suspected as the murderer.

“Only Consort Hua and you visited Yonghe Palace.” Gu Chaobei said, “Consort Hua brought nothing, but you brought a chest. The chest found in Yonghe Palace’s back courtyard doesn’t belong to Noble Consort Yan. The answer seems quite clear.” Gu Chaobei raised an eyebrow as he said this.

Shen Hanlu’s face instantly turned pale. Concubine Jiang kneeling behind saw her chance and quickly added insult to injury. “Wasn’t everyone saying Consort Shen was a semi-divine being? No wonder these things are so effective. Turns out it’s not demonic arts but immortal arts.”

Shen Guiyan returned to her seat. Having cleared herself of suspicion, the remaining matters had nothing to do with her.

Noble Consort Fu frowned at Shen Hanlu. Even the Emperor suspected her—what more was there to say? Consort Hua’s gaze also turned toward her.

“This consort is wronged. This consort has no grievances or enmity with Consort Xi either.” Shen Hanlu said.

“You may have no grievances with Consort Xi, but if you wanted to frame Noble Consort Yan and used Consort Xi as a pretext, that wouldn’t be strange.” Consort Hua said, “In the palace, only you have such abilities—you can kill people with dolls.”

Shen Hanlu was so anxious her body trembled. But calming down to think, yes, she was a semi-divine being.

“Since this consort received the plaque from heaven, I have been bound by heavenly mandate. If I used immortal arts to harm people, I would suffer divine retribution. And now this consort stands here perfectly fine, which proves the one who harmed others wasn’t this consort! This consort has now reformed and wishes to reconcile with Noble Consort Yan. That’s why I sent the glass.” A brilliant improvisation—this answer was both nonsensical yet impossible not to believe.

Even if the consorts present didn’t believe it, the Emperor had to. If heavenly punishment didn’t exist, that openly displayed plaque in the court would become a laughingstock.

Gu Chaobei snorted lightly. His eyes swept over the people below, and he pursed his lips. “I have my own judgment. After three days, when I’ve reached a conclusion, I’ll issue an edict for punishment.”

Three days? It looked like they were about to pin the crime on Consort Shen—why wait three more days?

Consort Hua turned and continued weeping. The chest of dolls was taken away to be burned. Consort Shen was ordered to be confined in Luhua Palace for three days.

“The inner palace is truly a terrifying place.” Gao Jinxiu came forward to support Shen Guiyan, saying quietly, “They want to throw all manner of dirty water on you. Fortunately you explained things clearly and His Majesty believes you.”

How could Gu Chaobei not believe her? He visited her from time to time—there was no need for her to waste effort making curse dolls. Even if the handwriting on those dolls today had been hers, Gu Chaobei wouldn’t convict her.

That man usually wasn’t very serious, but having said he wouldn’t let her be wronged, he meant it. Shen Guiyan smiled gently and took Lady Gao’s hand. “Recently there have been too many incidents in the palace. Since this palace keeps its doors closed, you must be extra careful.”

Lady Gao smiled. “I’m just a small Noble Lady with nothing—how would I catch these ladies’ attention? Don’t worry, I’ll be careful.”

Shen Guiyan patted her hand and turned to glance at Gu Chaobei.

The Emperor remained in Fuyin Palace with no immediate intention of leaving. After all, she had once been a woman who loved him, and now she’d died miserably—his heart must surely be heavy. Shen Guiyan felt she should be magnanimous and allow Gu Chaobei to grieve for a while.

So she turned and headed back to Yonghe Palace quite gracefully.

Shen Hanlu was confined and extremely unwilling, crying and shouting that she wanted to appeal, to clear her name.

Noble Consort Fu waved her fan and snorted lightly. “That’s the extent of her abilities.”

Consort Hua sat to one side, calmly drinking tea. The weather in the Imperial Garden was perfect. These two people who had no real connection sitting together was rather strange.

“Consort Hua is a clever person. You might as well speak plainly.” Noble Consort Fu turned to look at Consort Hua.

This woman had seemed to have close dealings with Consort Shen, quite the allied posture. But today when Consort Shen had trouble, she was the first to step on her, distancing herself completely clean. Her methods were remarkably swift.

Noble Consort Fu didn’t like Consort Hua—too scheming. But her position was currently higher and she enjoyed favor. If she had something to say, Noble Consort Fu naturally had to come listen.

“This palace is very worried about my future.” Consort Hua looked melancholy, getting straight to the point. “Does Noble Consort Fu know why both Consort Zhuang and Consort Xi died so easily?”

Noble Consort Fu froze, looking at her with confusion.

“People without roots are like duckweed in water, only able to be swept along by the lake, unable to decide their own position.” Consort Hua said softly, “Those two and I all came from Zuihuayin together. Thanks to His Majesty’s great favor, we have our current status. But once someone wants to move against us, it’s too easy—no family background behind us, no one to weep at our graves when we die, walking alone even on the road to the Yellow Springs.”

Somewhat moved by her words, Noble Consort Fu said, “Consort Hua’s fate is much better than those other two. At least your life remains and you still have imperial favor.”

“Yes.” Consort Hua smiled bitterly. “But what use is that? Who knows when it will be this palace’s turn to lie there?”

Noble Consort Fu cautiously didn’t speak, just waiting for Consort Hua to clarify her meaning. Consort Hua didn’t delay either, looking up at Noble Consort Fu. “You’re different, Noble Consort. You have Grand Scholar Fu behind you. I hear National Uncle Wen also favors you greatly. Ascending to the Empress position earlier than that one in Yonghe Palace isn’t impossible.”

Looking around, Noble Consort Fu smiled. “Your Ladyship gives too much credit. This consort doesn’t have such grand ambitions. Being able to pass my days peacefully in the inner palace is enough for this consort.”

That’s what she said, but her expression didn’t reflect it. Consort Hua understood clearly. She immediately pushed over an imperially bestowed bracelet and praised Noble Consort Fu for quite a while. The two seemed to instantly become close confidantes.

However, when leaving the Imperial Garden, both sides’ smiles vanished instantly, and the calculation in their eyes didn’t diminish one bit.

Shen Hanlu felt she couldn’t sit and wait for death. Thinking it over, she had no other options—she could only make an issue of that plaque.

She represented heavenly will—Your Majesty, won’t you reconsider?

Gu Chaobei went to Luhua Palace on the second day of her confinement. Shen Hanlu couldn’t get close to him and knelt three steps away, wailing.

“I know it wasn’t you.” The Emperor said this.

Shen Hanlu was overjoyed, tears nearly spilling out. She felt Gu Chaobei was simply coming as a hero to save the beauty.

Gu Chaobei smiled. “But all the evidence points to you. I’m in a difficult position.”

“Then what should we do?” Shen Hanlu looked at him. “Your Majesty, save this consort.”

“It’s not impossible.” Gu Chaobei said, “But you must cooperate with me.”

This conversation clearly had a trap ahead, and Gu Chaobei was leading her to jump in. But he smiled so beautifully that Shen Hanlu’s heart stirred, recalling that first meeting at the wedding hall long ago.

When her bridal veil was lifted, she saw him. She married another, but her heart had been given to him. After struggling for so long, perhaps a happy ending wasn’t impossible?

Shen Hanlu felt she was just fighting for some things—she hadn’t done anything wrong, had she? On the contrary, it was Shen Guiyan trying to kill her, constantly blocking her path. In her view, Shen Guiyan was the villain.

Was it possible, was it possible Gu Chaobei still liked her?

Thinking this way, Shen Hanlu completely failed to see the coldness deep in Gu Chaobei’s eyes and nodded eagerly.

On the third day of Consort Shen’s confinement, Concubine Jiang came to find Shen Guiyan.

She was extremely anxious and uneasy. The blame was about to fall on Consort Shen’s head, and that day at Fuyin Palace, she had turned against Noble Consort Yan. If Noble Consort Yan was fine, wouldn’t she have earned her displeasure?

So she rushed over to explain.

But just reaching the entrance, she was blocked by Baoshan.

“My mistress says before His Majesty announces the punishment decision, she won’t see anyone.” Baoshan smiled gently. “Concubine Jiang, please return.”

Concubine Jiang panicked slightly. “This consort came specifically to apologize.”

“Who’s guilty isn’t certain yet. Why would Your Ladyship apologize?” Baoshan smiled. “Please return.”

Receiving this rebuff, Concubine Jiang had no choice but to turn back. Just leaving Yonghe Palace’s territory, she ran into Consort Hua.

“Everyone’s waiting for His Majesty to announce the result, yet you have the leisure to wander around.” Consort Hua smiled and pulled Concubine Jiang over. “Come, you can wait at this palace’s place too.”

Consort Xi had only died two days ago. Everyone saw how bitterly Consort Hua cried at Fuyin Palace that day. How could she now be all smiles in the blink of an eye?

Concubine Jiang felt a chill in her heart and asked quietly, “When this consort was returning, I suddenly thought—there shouldn’t be many people in the palace who know all the consorts’ birth dates?”

Consort Hua paused, smiling at her. “That’s right.”

Only those with authority to manage the inner palace would have the opportunity to find each consort’s birth date at the Imperial Household Department. In the inner palace, there were only two such people.

One was Noble Consort Yan, one was Consort Hua.

Concubine Jiang’s heart sank. She stopped walking. “This consort needs to use the lavatory. Your Ladyship go ahead?”

“Fine.” Consort Hua didn’t insist, smiling as she watched her run toward the toilet.

Her heart pounding fiercely, Concubine Jiang just wanted to quickly escape Consort Hua’s presence. Only servants’ lavatories were nearby—she couldn’t worry about that now. She’d go first and deal with it later.

Without Consort Hua’s gaze behind her, Concubine Jiang finally breathed a sigh of relief. Her mind in chaos, she didn’t notice a eunuch with a rope approaching from behind.

Her neck tightened. By the time Jiang Biyue reacted, she could no longer breathe.

Someone wanted to kill her?

She wanted to scream but couldn’t make a sound. Her heart immediately understood who killed Consort Xi. Unfortunately it was too late—she didn’t even have a chance to report it.

“Catch him!” A stern shout came from the moon gate ahead. Concubine Jiang immediately felt the rope loosen from her neck and began coughing violently.

Zhuiyun rushed past her, chasing after the fleeing eunuch. The Emperor slowly approached and helped her up from the ground. “Are you alright?”

Jiang Biyue burst into tears with a “wah,” hugging Gu Chaobei’s waist and crying her heart out, her body shaking nonstop. After crying for quite a while, she said, “Hua… Hua…”

“Do you want to continue staying in the palace, or follow my arrangement and spend the rest of your life outside?” Gu Chaobei asked her calmly.

Jiang Biyue froze.

Someone who’d returned from death’s door would especially cherish their own life. Concubine Jiang looked at Gu Chaobei for a long while, unable to help crying bitterly again.

Everyone waited in Fuyin Palace. Consort Shen was also brought out, her expression much more composed. Consort Hua stood to one side with lowered eyes, murmuring prayers for the dead.

Noble Consort Fu looked around and asked curiously, “Where’s Concubine Jiang?”

“She hasn’t arrived yet.” Concubine Ye said quietly.

Noble Consort Yan was already here, but Concubine Jiang still hadn’t come? Noble Consort Fu couldn’t help turning to glance at Consort Hua. Consort Hua gave her a gentle smile.

For a murder case in the palace, Empress Dowager Nian soon arrived as well, bringing Yuwen Changqing and Scholar Fu. Seeing Scholar Fu, Noble Consort Fu was clearly excited. Empress Dowager Nian said, “Scholar Fu happened to enter the palace today to discuss renovating the library with this Empress Dowager. Hearing about recent events in the palace and worried about Noble Consort, this Empress Dowager came with him.”

Noble Consort Fu came forward to kowtow, saying gratefully, “Thank you, Empress Dowager.”

Once entering the palace gates, it’s as deep as the sea—even relatives couldn’t be seen. Being able to meet like this made Noble Consort Fu extremely happy.

However, Empress Dowager Nian was no angel with wings—there was no reason she’d bring Scholar Fu for nothing.

The Emperor soon arrived. Everyone took their seats. Consort Hua spoke first: “Didn’t Your Majesty say you would announce the punishment decision today?”

“Mm.” Gu Chaobei nodded. “I’m waiting for her to come.”

Her? Who? Wasn’t the murderer Shen Hanlu?

Everyone was puzzled when someone entered from outside with long flowing hair and plain clothing.

It was Jiang Biyue.

Consort Hua’s brows furrowed and her expression darkened. The others were very curious—what was Concubine Jiang’s attire for?

“This consort has something to say.” Jiang Biyue knelt in the great hall, tear tracks still on her face as she looked up at the Emperor.

Consort Hua panicked and pursed her lips. “Concubine Jiang, appearing like this for no reason—what kind of decorum is this?”

Concubine Jiang looked deeply at her. Consort Hua felt even less confident and turned to Empress Dowager Nian. “Empress Dowager, according to palace rules, consorts should maintain proper appearance. Concubine Jiang like this—it’s this consort’s poor instruction, failing the authority His Majesty entrusted to manage the six palaces. This consort will take Concubine Jiang down for discipline right away…”

“Why is Consort Hua so flustered?” Shen Guiyan said lightly. “If Concubine Jiang has something to say, let her finish before discussing matters of appearance.”

“But…” Consort Hua’s palms were damp, her expression very ugly. Consort Shen beside her turned to glance at her and sneered.

Concubine Jiang said, “This consort is a criminal. I should remove fine clothing and wear my hair loose—no need for Your Ladyship to discipline me.”

Criminal? Shen Guiyan raised an eyebrow. Noble Consort Fu couldn’t help looking at her several times.

Consort Shen beside her had already stepped forward, raising her chin high. “This palace knew you would come confess.”

Consort Hua was stunned for a moment, staring blankly at Shen Hanlu.

Concubine Jiang below trembled, cooperating fully as she prostrated herself. “Beg Consort Shen for forgiveness. This consort won’t dare again, never again. The taste of heavenly punishment—this consort truly cannot bear it!”

Everyone was in uproar. Scholar Fu was also startled. The Emperor and Empress Dowager on their seats grew serious.

What was this heavenly punishment?