In the Queen's Palace at this moment, three people had gathered.
"What on earth is the Emperor up to?" the Empress Dowager asked with a raised eyebrow, a hint of displeasure in her eyes.
Just now, it seemed that he was pleading for his queen again. She wondered what kind of spell that woman had cast on him to make him side with her so firmly.
Hearing this, Helian Qi frowned and then replied, "We'll find out by testing it. Making hasty judgments is never a good idea."
Upon hearing this, Dongfang Yi nodded vigorously and echoed, "I'll never admit to something I didn't do. Moreover, Empress Dowager, are you willing to let the real culprit who hurt you go scot - free? They're committing a crime of deceiving the monarch!"
She spoke clearly, every word filled with indignation. She also wanted to find out the person who framed her. If it was really that woman as she suspected, this time she would never let her go because of any concerns.
The Empress Dowager watched the man and woman in front of her singing in chorus, frowned deeply, and then let out a cold snort, as if it came from the back of her throat. Then she said, "Well, I'll give you a chance. What should we do now?"
It wasn't that she wanted to show kindness to the woman in front of her, but rather for the Emperor's sake. After all, he had grown up, and she should give him as much space as possible.
Helian Qi lowered his eyes and thought for a while. Just as he was about to say something, the woman beside him spoke first.
"Empress Dowager, I have a plan!" Dongfang Yi said, her eyes shining, as if she had come up with a good idea.
Then she continued, "After you leave the Queen's Palace, you can say that you haven't found any means of my crime for the time being. And say that the Emperor offended you in order to protect me, so that everyone in the palace will know that you haven't punished me."
As she said this, a sly smile crept onto her lips.
She knew that the person behind all this staged the haunted incident just to frame her and then use the Empress Dowager's hand to kill her. So as long as that person heard that she was still safe and sound, they would stage the "haunted" incident again. Then the truth would surely come to light.
"What? This is out of the question!" the Empress Dowager frowned and scolded, with a hint of reluctance in her tone. After all, she had come with such a grand show. If she then said she had achieved nothing, wouldn't she be laughed at by the people in the harem, saying that the Empress Dowager was being led around by others?
Thinking of this, she firmly rejected the proposal.
But Helian Qi stood up and then said to his mother, "Let's do it like this for now. Empress Dowager, you should know that if an innocent person is wronged in the harem, it will damage your dignity. Once the case is solved, all problems will be easily resolved."
Dongfang Yi also nodded in agreement and then said, "I can swear that if I can't catch the real culprit this time, I'm willing to be at your mercy, Empress Dowager!"
As soon as she said this, the man beside her hesitated for a moment. Then he wanted to say something, but saw her shaking her head at him, indicating that she could handle it.
After hearing this, the Empress Dowager's expression softened a little. Then she said, "Fine, I'll trust you one more time. But if something goes wrong, don't even think about being the queen anymore!"
With that, she stood up, flicked her sleeves, and left the Queen's Palace.
After her figure completely disappeared from everyone's sight, Dongfang Yi let out a heavy sigh and then murmured, "Alas, sure enough, old ladies are the most difficult people to serve in the world, especially mother - in - laws!"
Helian Qi didn't quite catch what she was muttering. Instead, he said with a determined look in his eyes, "Don't worry. Even if you can't find out anything, I'll protect you. You'll always be the only queen in this harem."
He was willing to go against his mother for the woman in front of him. As long as she was happy, it was worth any sacrifice.
"Do you have so little faith in me?" Dongfang Yi asked, raising an eyebrow provocatively, her eyes showing no sign of retreat. Then she yawned and said, "Alas, it's going to be another busy day!"
Helian Qi watched her helpless yet cute expression and couldn't help but smile. Then he said, "Then go ahead and do what you want. I'll always be your strongest support."
On the other hand, after the Empress Dowager returned to Cining Palace, she sent people out to spread the rumor that she wasn't going to hold the queen accountable anymore.
In Concubine Chu's palace, as soon as Concubine Chu heard this news, she threw the water cup in her hand to the ground. Then she shouted outside the palace, "Cuiping!"
Immediately, a woman in a peach - colored maid's uniform ran in. It was Cuiping, and behind her was Lv Jie with her head down, silent.
"What's going on? Why did the Empress Dowager suddenly decide not to pursue the matter? What on earth did Dongfang Yi do?" she roared again, her eyes full of bloodshot. She thought to herself whether that woman was just lucky or had a charmed life.
Seeing that the woman in front of her was angry, Cuiping immediately knelt on the ground and then said nervously, "It was the Emperor who suddenly appeared and saved her. Otherwise, the Empress Dowager would surely have taken her away."
It was the Emperor again! Concubine Chu couldn't help but bite her lips hard. Every time she wanted to get rid of Dongfang Yi, it was always the Emperor who came to her rescue, as if he could foresee her danger.
Thinking of this, the killing intent in her eyes became even stronger. Then she roared angrily, "So what should we do now? Cuiping, don't forget what you promised me!"
"Don't worry, Your Highness. I definitely won't forget. I'll go to the Empress Dowager's palace tonight. This time, I'll surely make her determined to kill the queen!" Cuiping said with her head down, her tone full of venom, and her eyes filled with cruelty, as if she wanted to tear the person in her words to pieces.
After hearing this, Concubine Chu sneered and then said, "I'll trust you one last time. If you fail again this time, come and see me with your heads in your hands!"
With that, she waved her hand to signal them to leave.
After they came out, Lv Jie asked nervously, "Are we really going to deceive the Empress Dowager again tonight? But I..."
Her words were interrupted before she could finish.
"But what? Have you forgotten who saved your life? It was me! Don't be ungrateful. Either come with me tonight or go to Concubine Chu and ask for death yourself!" Cuiping said harshly, making the woman in front of her not dare to say another word.