You take on two husbands, I'll turn around and marry the tyrant and rule the world.

All eyes turned to Consort Yue.

Jiafei and Shen Lanbing exchanged a glance, while Shen Zhinian quietly hid in the crowd, watching the show with a smile on her face.

The news of what just happened has already spread. Consort Yue was demoted by the Empress and publicly reprimanded, losing all face.

Consort Shu's face turned completely black. She never expected that the one who had harmed her was this self-righteous little bitch.

She gritted her teeth and shouted, "Consort Yue, what were you doing in the flower room? What did you whisper with Yun'er? Did you instruct Yun'er to harm me?"

Consort Yue's heart sank to the bottom.

She didn't know who was framing Consort Shu, and she never imagined that this matter would involve her.

That fair and aloof face instantly lost its color, revealing a layer of grayish-blue, which looked rather eerie.

Seeing that everyone was looking at her, she steeled herself, raised an eyebrow, and still maintained her aloof demeanor. She walked to the center of the hall and knelt down before Duanmu Qingyu: "Your Majesty, I did speak with Yun'er, but it was just a chance encounter when I went to the flower room to select flowers, and we chatted for a bit."

Consort Shu hated the person who poisoned her, especially seeing Consort Yue still acting high and mighty. Her anger flared, and she suddenly drew her long whip: "You're spouting nonsense and trying to cover it up! You harmed me? And you dare to put on airs in front of His Majesty? I think you have to be taught a lesson. Today I'll beat your face to a pulp!"

How can force be used in front of the emperor?

Before she could even step out, she was stopped by two eunuchs, one on each side.

"Consort Shu," Duanmu Qingyu spoke, his voice not loud, but cold and sharp, making her pale. "The truth is still unclear, yet you dare to lay a hand on me? It seems I have been too lenient with you all this time."

Consort Shu dropped her whip to the ground, overwhelmed with grievances, and tears streamed down her face. She threw herself before the Emperor, sobbing, "Your Majesty, only she approached Yun'er. If it wasn't her who instigated it, who else could it be?"

It is said that women are made of water, and Chu Nianci felt that this saying did not apply to Consort Shu, but she did not expect that she would be the same in front of the man she loved.

Consort Yue stood ramrod straight, her voice cold: "Your Majesty, I have no one to rely on in the palace, and I have no grudge against Consort Shu. She has the Prime Minister's mansion backing her up, so why would I want to harm her? What benefit would I gain from harming her? If you insist on pinning this crime on me... I have no way to defend myself."

Duanmu Qingyu's beautiful face was framed by deep, unreadable eyes.

After scrutinizing her for a moment, Duanmu Qingyu coldly ordered: "Consort Yue shall remain in Yongfu Palace for the time being, and shall not be allowed to enter or leave at will. Send all the palace servants in her palace to the Yeting Palace for thorough interrogation."

Consort Yue shuddered and looked at the emperor with sorrowful eyes.

"Yes!" The eunuch stepped forward, bowed, and invited Consort Yue to leave.

Seeing that the Emperor hadn't also imprisoned Consort Yue in the inner palace, Consort Shu became even more anxious: "Your Majesty, how can you let this wicked woman go like this? She should be sent in for interrogation as well!"

Duanmu Qingyu's gaze swept towards her.

With an undeniable air of authority, she said, "The head steward of the flower room only said he saw her talking to Yun'er, but there is no concrete evidence to prove that she instructed the poisoning. Consort Shu, you have repeatedly lost your composure. Do you still have any semblance of decorum befitting a concubine?"

The Consort Shu, scolded and no longer daring to shout, could only clench her handkerchief, her eyes red, and whisper, "But... if it wasn't her, who else could it be?"

Duanmu Qingyu said calmly, "Who it is will become clear once we investigate."

Duanmu Qingyu stood up with a headache; there were still so many things to deal with in the previous dynasty.

He also had to deal with these troublesome concubine disputes every day. He really didn't understand these unbearable things.

Why are there still so many men who are happy to take wives and concubines?

They argue constantly, but for him, having a wife he likes is enough.

Duanmu Qingyu flicked his sleeves and got up to leave.

The concubines rose to their feet, their inner garments rustling in the palace.

Just then, Empress Lin suddenly cried out "Ouch!" and gently frowned as she clutched her wrist.

All eyes were drawn back to them.

Chu Nianci immediately understood.

Empress Lin, who is in charge of the six palaces, was just whipped for no reason. How could she really let it go like this?

She wasn't as dignified, virtuous, and easy to bully as she appeared; she was about to complain to the young emperor.

Duanmu Qingyu turned around and saw a red mark that was particularly noticeable on Empress Lin's fair wrist.

He frowned slightly: "How did the Empress injure her wrist? What happened?"

Xia Dong, a lady-in-waiting beside the Empress, stepped forward with a stern face: "Your Majesty, just now when Consort Shu was disciplining me, her whip accidentally brushed against the Empress."

Duanmu Qingyu's face instantly darkened, and his bright black eyes suddenly turned as cold as ice in early winter.

Consort Shu's face paled, realizing that she had indeed acted too impulsively and gone too far.

Just as she was about to speak in her defense, her personal maid, Lü Qiao, quickly gave her a wink and pointed to her sleeve.

Consort Shu is not usually stupid; as long as the emperor is not involved, she is fairly clear-headed.

She immediately understood and softened her stance in the blink of an eye.

She appeared frail and helpless, her voice soft and gentle: "Your Majesty, I really didn't mean it... I was poisoned with oleander powder by the thieves, which caused me to lose my mind and become violent, accidentally injuring the Empress. I didn't want to either. If Your Majesty wishes to punish me, I will accept it."

As she spoke, tears streamed down her face again. She took out the painting of winter plum blossoms from her sleeve. "Your Majesty's feelings for me are clear to me. Even if I am punished severely, I will accept it willingly."

She knelt down miserably at Duanmu Qingyu's feet and unfolded the painting.

"My intentions?" Duanmu Qingyu's gaze fell on the painting, and his expression clearly stiffened when he saw the inscription.

Immediately, his eyes sharpened like needles and shot towards Chu Nianci, who was standing in the crowd.

The hand that was exposed outside the sleeve immediately clenched into a fist.

Chu Nianci's heart skipped a beat.

Oh no, we've been exposed so quickly.

She was thinking of finding an opportunity to explain to him in a couple of days.

Now she can only lower her head slightly, like a child caught doing something wrong, avoiding his gaze.

Duanmu Qingyu remained silent for a moment before slowly loosening his unconsciously clenched hands, his tone devoid of emotion: "I understand. Keep the painting safe."

He paused, then said, "But your words and actions today were reckless. Go back to the palace and reflect on your mistakes in seclusion."

"Your Majesty..." Consort Shu wanted to plead again when she saw that he hadn't given a specific deadline.

Chu Nianci thought, "This one won't listen to reason. Since no time limit was mentioned, it's the same as no punishment. He can be released tomorrow."

The clever Green Bridge understood immediately and quickly stepped forward to support her, whispering, "Your Majesty, His Majesty is also tired today. Please let His Majesty rest."

Consort Shu looked up and saw that Duanmu Qingyu's face did indeed look tired, so she had no choice but to swallow her words and reluctantly retreated.

Empress Lin wanted to investigate further, but seeing Duanmu Qingyu's brows furrowed and his unbearable slapping down with his chin, clearly extremely agitated, she had no choice but to give up.

The only saving grace was that Consort Shu was also confined to her quarters.

The turmoil has finally subsided.

The concubines bowed and took their leave in turn, each with their own thoughts.

Chu Nianci followed the concubine, bowing as she backed away. Just as they reached the door, she chatted casually with Shen Lanbing, saying, "It's been so long since I visited you. Let's go to Yuxiu Palace today..."

"Hui'er...I have something to ask you." Duanmu Qingyu's light voice came from behind.

Chu Nianci was taken aback. Seeing that there was no way to avoid it, she had no choice but to follow him in the imperial carriage.

Full of anxiety, I followed him to the Hall of Mental Cultivation... I turned around and tried to slip away... but I almost bumped into someone... Jingxi.

He stopped Chu Nianci with a half-smile and said, "Congratulations, Congratulations, His Majesty has chosen you again..."