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

Yanqiu lay on the ground, her breath coming in short, weak gasps: "Your Majesty, this servant truly did not know that it was Cold Food Powder. My Lady... My Lady was heartbroken after her face was injured, and since we could not summon a physician from the Cold Palace, this servant asked someone to buy Jade Blessing Ointment... My Lady did gradually feel better, but this morning... when this servant called my Lady to get up, her body was already cold..."

"Jade Fortune Cream?" Duanmu Qingyu frowned slightly.

Chu Nianci was also secretly surprised.

Although Yu Fu Gao is also a banned drug, it is made from a mixture of datura and other medicinal pastes, making it less toxic and less likely to cause addiction than cold food powder.

Because of its low price and lax inspections, many people used it as a substitute when the Cold Food Powder was strictly inspected. Moreover, the imperial court had not yet formulated strict punishment measures for this product, so even if people consumed it, they could not be punished for the time being.

Empress Lin immediately spoke up: "That's not right... what was just discovered was clearly Cold Food Powder."

As he spoke, he glanced at Chu Shunqing beside him.

Chu Shunqing hurriedly stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I swear on my life, it is indeed Cold Food Powder."

After pondering for a moment, Duanmu Qingyu immediately summoned the imperial physician to examine him.

Several imperial physicians examined the body and reported back: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, Consort Bai died from an overdose of cold food powder."

Upon hearing this, a low murmur rippled through the Tangdi Palace.

Fear appeared on everyone's faces... Everyone knew that Cold Food Powder was something that could not be touched; getting involved with it was a heinous crime that would lead to the confiscation of one's property and the extermination of one's entire clan.

"In broad daylight, someone actually poisoned palace concubines with cold food powder!"

"If the culprit isn't found, how can the harem ever have peace?"

"Who could be so cruel..."

"Your Majesty," Chu Shunqing replied, "Upon my examination, it is true that the scars on Bai's face have improved. It seems that the villains intentionally misled her into believing that the method of fighting poison with poison could cure the scars on her face. As a result, Bai overdosed and died of poisoning."

The pretty noblewoman feigned pity: "That thief is truly ruthless. Bai Shuren really suffered a great loss; his face wasn't healed, but he lost his life."

"That's right," Chu Shunqing replied, bowing his head.

At this moment, Yanqiu struggled to support herself, her voice trembling as she hurriedly shook her hands and said, "This servant... this servant absolutely did not know that this was Cold Food Powder. I only thought it was Jade Fortune Cream. My original intention was just to treat your face, but I never expected it to turn out like this... This servant even found this by your side."

Unable to bear the pain any longer, she rolled her eyes and fainted, dropping the note to the ground.

Two eunuchs stepped forward and dragged the person aside.

Jingxi stepped forward, picked up the note, and presented it to Duanmu Qingyu.

Duanmu Qingyu already knew the contents, so she didn't even look at them and simply gestured for them to be handed to Consort Shu.

Consort Shu took the note and, still somewhat naively, muttered to herself, "Consort Shu, Noble Lady Hui, I will haunt you even as a ghost."

The concubines were in an uproar.

Consort Shu's face instantly turned ashen, her beautiful face turned deathly pale, her chest heaved violently, and a metallic taste rose in her throat, which she managed to suppress only by sheer willpower.

Only now did she fully realize... someone had set up a trap, waiting for her to fall into it.

All eyes were on Consort Shu.

Consort Shu retorted sharply, "I would never do such a thing, nor would I have such a vile creature. That lowly servant Bai dares to frame me with her death!"

After saying that, she looked at Duanmu Qingyu with her beautiful eyes and said, "Your Majesty, you must stand up for me."

Empress Lin gave her a sharp look, a hint of a triumphant smile flashing in her eyes.

Since she fell out of favor, Consort Shu has become increasingly domineering, and her servants have also begun to become restless.

However, she was well-prepared. All the evidence had been dealt with, and none of her people had interfered in the matter from beginning to end, so she could act with confidence.

Empress Lin coldly replied, "The innocent are innocent. Since you didn't do it, why are you so agitated?"

Consort Shu glanced at her sideways, her anger barely contained, and she was about to explode when Lü Qiao quickly stepped forward and grabbed her sleeve.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness," Chu Nianci stepped forward and knelt down, "Since this matter involves me, I must say that even if she is dead and there is no evidence, it is still a great crime to falsely accuse a high-ranking concubine."

She had to get rid of Consort Shu first. It wasn't that she was a pushover; although the Empress was targeting Consort Shu, she was actually planning to suppress Consort Shu first before engaging in a power struggle with herself.

Only by exonerating Consort Shu can one extricate oneself from the situation.

Moreover, the Empress can't touch Consort Shu at all, so she might as well find an outside ally herself first.

Consort Shu did not expect that she would speak up for her.

The anger in his chest gradually subsided, and he began to find her more agreeable.

Empress Lin also knew that it was unlikely that she could bring down Consort Shu with just a note.

Given Consort Shu's family background, unless her crimes are heinous and the evidence is irrefutable, no one can touch a hair on her head. This is the benefit of having a top-tier family background, and even the Empress is helpless against it.

But if you can't catch a tiger, catching a fox is not bad either.

It's good to drag Chu Nianci down and get her into trouble.

Not long ago, everyone knew that Consort Shu had sent her a precious red coral in an attempt to win her over.

This is a perfect opportunity to drag her into the mess and regain control of the harem.

Empress Lin feigned just the right amount of shock: "Your Majesty, I also do not believe it was Consort Shu who did this. This matter must be thoroughly investigated, otherwise, how can the harem be peaceful with everyone in turmoil?"

Her gaze sharpened as she turned to Chu Nianci, then glanced at the pretty noblewoman.

Consort Qiao immediately understood and stepped forward: "Your Majesty, Your Highness, I have something to report."

"Speak," Duanmu Qingyu said.

Consort Qiao looked at Chu Nianci and said slowly, "I remember... a few days ago, Zhui'er from Consort Hui's palace came to see my maid Yuxing and said that she knew the reason for Bai Shuren's death."

Her icy gaze then pierced Chu Nianci.

Empress Lin said, "Summon Zhui'er for questioning."

A eunuch responded and went to fetch the person.

Before long, Zhui'er lowered her head and cautiously moved into the hall.

Before I could even ask her a question, she suddenly cried out in surprise and fell to the ground.

Everyone frowned and looked over.

Zhui'er suddenly crawled a few steps on her knees and kowtowed repeatedly to the crowd.

With that movement, his sleeve slipped down, revealing gruesome scars on his arm...

A gaping wound, like a horrifying centipede crawling on snow-white skin, was so large it was unbearable to look at.

She trembled all over, crawling and crying to Chu Nianci's feet, pleading, "My lady, spare me... please spare this lowly life of mine..."

Aunt Lan had the utmost disdain for those who didn't know their manners, and she sternly shouted, "What's with all this panicking? Kneel down and answer me!"

The pretty lady gave Yu Xing a wink.

Yu Xing understood and stepped forward to roll up her sleeve.

The scars on his arms were immediately exposed to everyone's eyes... There were not only ice marks and needle marks, but also burn marks, old and new mixed together, ferocious and terrifying.

Everyone gasped, their eyes turning to Chu Nianci with suspicion and shock, some even whispering among themselves.

Consort Qiao feigned surprise: "Consort Hui, what terrible mistake did this palace maid commit to deserve such torment?"

Chu Nianci remained unmoved and countered, "You're quite clever, Miss Qiao. How did you determine at a glance that it was me who did it?"

"This is someone from your palace. If you didn't give the order, who would dare to do this to her?" Consort Qiao covered her lips, feigning surprise.

The crowd whispered among themselves.

"How could this be?"

"Palace maids are human beings too."

"This is too brutal."

Duanmu Qingyu swept his phoenix eyes over the crowd with a chilling glint, his profile sharp and cold.

The noisy discussions inside the hall immediately subsided.

Seeing this, Empress Lin coldly looked at Chu Nianci and said, "Palace maids are also from respectable families. How can they be abused so wantonly? Tell me, what happened to her injuries?"

Chu Nianci was about to speak.

Nai'er trembled all over, and rushed forward, kowtowing repeatedly: "Your Highnesses, please don't ask anymore. It's all my fault for making Your Highness angry... It's only right for Your Highness to punish your servant. Even if you beat me to death, I will accept it. Please don't make things difficult for Your Highness!"

Chu Nianci watched her quietly, her face filled with terror and tears.

She sneered inwardly. These words sounded like they were defending her, but in reality, every word confirmed her guilt.

Tuanyuan, standing to the side, couldn't help but scold, "Zhui'er, what nonsense are you talking about? When has the young master ever laid a finger on you? I serve the young master personally, following him every step of the way every day. How can you say that I've never seen such things!"

Zhui'er raised her tearful eyes and said in a pitiful voice, "Sister Tuanyuan, I have never offended you, but last time I just knocked over a basin of water, and you burned me with a branding iron... I only beg you to be gentler next time, next time..."

As she spoke, she slightly lifted a corner of her shirt, revealing a charred, burnt scar.

Everyone's pupils contracted, their expressions changed, and their gazes towards Chu Nianci were filled with suspicion and shock.

The group member's eyes widened; now she understood why this woman never took a bath.

So all those horrific scars on her body were there to solidify the charge of abusing her today.

Duanmu Qingyu remained silent, his handsome face cold and sharp, his gaze piercing.

To be honest, he didn't believe it.

Having known her for so long, I have never seen her so cruel.

Their eyes met, and Chu Nianci smiled sadly, saying, "I didn't, I'm innocent."

Upon hearing this, Duanmu Qingyu withdrew his gaze and looked straight ahead.

At this moment, Shen Lanbing stood up and advised, "Your Majesty is wise. Consort Hui is not insane. Why mistreat her?"

"Why didn't she seek help when she was being abused? Instead, she kept covering for her master. This doesn't make sense," Consort Jia also raised her question.

"Yes," Consort Shu's opinion of Consort Hui had improved, but she also had a vague feeling that this matter was directed at her, so she began to speak up, "Your Majesty, I also think this woman is suspicious. We should send her to the Department of Penalties for proper interrogation."

He saw three high-ranking concubines questioning him at the same time.

Zhui'er's shoulders trembled slightly with fright.

Empress Lin hadn't expected the three to share the same fate, but she quickly regained her composure and said, "Zhui'er, explain yourself clearly. Why did Consort Hui mistreat you? What did she force you to do? Since you dared to expose your injuries in front of His Majesty, you are accusing your mistress. If you still don't speak up, then send you to the Imperial Prison. There will be ways to make you talk!"

Zhui'er trembled like a leaf, lying on the ground crying out, "Your Majesty, spare me! I'll tell you everything... I accidentally caught you secretly having Sister Tuanyuan send cold food powder to the Yongxiang Palace..."

The young mistress then threatened me, saying that if I dared to tell anyone, she would have my mother killed... I only have this one relative, and I really dared not disobey, but I was really afraid that she would kill me, so I asked Yuxing for help, hoping to be transferred out of Tangdi Palace..."

These words shocked everyone present...

I never imagined she would dare to poison a palace concubine with cold food powder...

The forbidden substance brought from overseas by the previous dynasty can make people feel lightheaded for a while, but it will ruin their health if inhaled for a long time. It is also addictive and makes people unable to stop.

The downfall of the previous dynasty was inextricably linked to this little bit of powder, and the court and palace had long ago issued explicit prohibitions against it.

The pretty lady, clutching her handkerchief, said sarcastically, "I heard that if you use that stuff, your body will become as limp as if you have no bones..."

"I never expected it would be through such despicable means," someone whispered in agreement.

Suspicious gazes lashed at Chu Nianci like whips.

Shen Lanbing gently took her hand under the table, but her fingertips were slightly cold.

Even though he was kind, gentle, and easy to talk to, Tuanyuan was trembling with anger. Just as he was about to speak, Chu Nianci silenced him with a look.

Consort Shu glanced at Chu Nianci, then looked at Lü Qiao beside her. Lü Qiao remained standing with her head down, her face calm, and she did not speak.

Duanmu Qingyu's handsome face was gloomy.

Finally, he spoke: "As the saying goes, a single piece of evidence is not enough. A single piece of paper or one person's testimony is not credible."

Zhui'er hurriedly kowtowed, "This servant secretly inquired and found out that Xiao Guizi also knows about this matter."

Soon, Xiao Guizi was summoned. He knelt on the ground with his head down and said, "Miss Tuanyuan did indeed send something to Yongxiang, but I don't know what it was."

Empress Lin thrust her weapon directly at Chu Nianci: "Consort Hui, what else do you have to say?"

Chu Nianci sneered inwardly... The matter was basically clear at this point. The Empress instructed Consort Qiao to send poisoned Cold Food Powder to Bai Qianrou, and she didn't know what methods she used to coerce Yanqiu into poisoning her to death. Then she arranged for Xiao Guizi and Zhui'er to frame her.

She glanced at Tuanyuan calmly, and Tuanyuan nodded almost imperceptibly.

The package that Xiao Guizi had hidden in the garden had long been disposed of.

When the truth was revealed, she understood... it was time to fight back.