The wicked imperial concubine is courting death again; the comments section teaches her how to win w

If we return the goods now, what do we take the ministers for? Are we playing house?

We can only let nature take its course and properly settle the concubines after the harem is dismissed.

One day, Xie Ling, who was once again driven out of the palace by Qi Yitang's cold words, was upset. In the evening, he passed by the Imperial Garden and saw palace people burning things, and their words were full of regret.

Xie Ling asked Li Degui to inquire, and learned that what was being burned was a letter that Consort Xian's beloved had written to her in the past.

He then realized that the Empress Dowager's actions had not only upset him but also inadvertently separated a couple who were meant to be together.

Afterwards, Xie Ling had someone investigate and learned that Consort Xian's beloved was Song Xinghe, the eldest son of the Minister of War.

Originally, the man and woman were in love and their families were well-matched, but the Minister's wife was reluctant to agree because Tan Yuanshuang had a heart ailment and she was afraid that if she married him, he would not be able to manage the household affairs and even have children.

Song Xinghe had been trying to persuade his parents, and he was almost convinced when Tan Yuanshuang suddenly became the emperor's concubine, making a relationship between the two impossible.

Heartbroken, Song Xinghe had a fierce argument with his parents and fell ill for two months before joining the army.

When Xie Ling found out, he gave Song Xinghe the position of Xuanjie Xiaowei, a fourth-rank military officer, and allowed him to gain experience in the army.

After hearing this, Qi Yitang remarked, "You're actually a pretty good person."

The main reason was that Xie Ling was also troubled by love at the time, and they felt a sense of sympathy for each other. He pinched Qi Yitang's cheek and said, "It's enough that you know I'm doing well."

"Alright, stop meddling in other people's business. The ginger soup has cooled down enough, drink it and go to sleep."

……

After fooling around outside and hearing a lot of gossip, Qi Yitang was indeed tired.

After drinking the ginger soup, he fell into a deep sleep.

The next day, Xie Ling woke up early and checked her forehead; thankfully, she didn't have a fever.

He instructed Yunzhu to go to the front hall to report that the Imperial Concubine was unwell and would not be attending the Dharma assembly today.

Anyway, today is the last day, so it doesn't really matter whether you go or not.

The main hall of Baohua Temple was filled with the smoke of incense and candles.

Qin Lianyue was so excited that she barely slept all night and arrived at the main hall very early.

Not seeing Qi Yitang, she sneered inwardly, thinking that the bitch was probably too tired from her affair last night to get out of bed.

This idea was confirmed when Yunzhu came to report, but Qi Yitang herself was not seen.

Mengzhu reported in a low voice, "Your Highness, I have been secretly observing that Prince Gong is indeed not in his own courtyard, and there are men's voices coming from Consort Qi's room."

Qin Lianyue was utterly disdainful. They were glued together so early in the morning; were they really that inseparable from a man?

It was one thing to be pretentious in front of her cousin, but to be so unrestrained and shameless in front of Prince Gong was another.

Are you trying to cheat on your cousin?

"Alright, let Consort Qi rest well." After hearing Yunzhu's report, the Empress Dowager didn't think much of it and waved her hand in approval.

Qin Lianyue, on the contrary, showed a considerate smile, "Aunt, Consort Qi is always very proper and respectful of etiquette. She must have been unable to hold on any longer to be absent today. Since it's already the last day, why don't we go and see Sister Qi?"

The Empress Dowager gave Qin Lianyue a strange look.

Didn't this girl used to hate Qi Yitang the most? Why has she changed her mind today?

Qin Lianyue added, "We're going back to the palace tomorrow. If my cousin finds out that Sister Qi is sick at the temple... It could be a big deal or a small one, but given how much my cousin cares about Sister Qi, he'll probably blame us for not taking good care of her."

Xie Ling cared about Qi Yitang like the apple of his eye; everyone inside and outside the palace knew it, even more so than King Zhou.

Because of this, the Empress Dowager had countless arguments with Xie Ling, but to no avail.

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager frowned. Why was it that only Qi Yitang was so delicate, while Consort Xian's heart ailment was not cured and neither of them said they were too sick to get out of bed?

But remembering Xie Ling's stubborn nature, he still said, "Fine, let's go take a look."

Their relationship with their mother was already strained; there was no need for it to worsen because of Qi Yitang.

Qin Lianyue lowered her head in response, a triumphant smile playing on her lips.

The old nanny helped the Empress Dowager walk in front, while Xie Changqing walked almost side by side with Qin Lianyue.

His expression was grim, and he lowered his voice, "...Is everything written on it true?"

Before the Dharma assembly began, Qin Lianyue secretly slipped him a note.

Qin Lianyue said, "Eleventh brother, there's no smoke without fire. Even if I have some grudges with Sister Qi, I would never fabricate rumors out of thin air and frame her with baseless accusations."

"Whether it exists or not, we'll find out soon enough."

Xie Changqing clenched his fists, his expression growing even uglier. He knew this woman wasn't one to stay quiet!

It's one thing for the Emperor to misjudge, but she was completely blind as well—how could Prince Gong compare to the Emperor?

If you don't want your eyes, you can just gouge them out, okay?

His elder brother was still toiling away in the palace for the war in the northwest. Xie Changqing couldn't even imagine how heartbroken he would be if he knew the truth.

Over the years, her brother had given her his whole heart, only to have it misplaced like this.

A heartless person deserves to swallow a thousand needles. Xie Changqing wished he could hang Qi Yitang from a tree and whip him severely!

The group of women, including Tan Yuanshuang, followed the Empress Dowager in a grand procession toward Qi Yitang's room.

Just as the group approached the room, someone suddenly exclaimed—

"Let's go, the fire's started!"

"Help! Fire!"

Looking up, there were faint lights in the direction of Qi Yitang's room, and thick smoke was seeping out from the cracks in the window.

The palace servants inside rushed out in a panic, some carrying buckets, others carrying basins, creating complete chaos.

Everyone was stunned.

During the Dharma assembly at Baohua Temple, only distinguished guests stayed there. The fire was checked repeatedly, so how could it have easily caught fire?

Qin Lianyue exclaimed in shock, "Oh my god, Sister Qi is still inside! Aunt, Sister Qi wouldn't..."

The Empress Dowager then realized the seriousness of the matter. Qi Yitang had come out with her, and if anything happened to him, or even if he was burned to death, her son would definitely go crazy.

"Quickly, send someone to rescue them!" The Empress Dowager, supported by her nanny, hurried forward.

The gate was wide open, and the group saw that the inside was filled with smoke, but they dared not rush in. They could only instruct the eunuchs and palace maids to hurry up.

"Where is Consort Qi?" the Empress Dowager asked anxiously.

Yunzhu, her face smeared with cigarette ash and her voice trembling with tears, cried, "The Empress is still inside..."

"What are you waiting for? Go save them!"

The Empress Dowager was genuinely afraid that if she arrived too late and rescued a charred corpse, then by the time "Qi Yitang" was carried back to the palace, most of the people present, as well as the entire Baohua Temple, would be reduced to ashes.

Just as everyone was in a panic, the door was kicked open from the inside with a "bang".

Everyone watched helplessly as Qi Yitang was carried out of the thick smoke.

Perhaps to prevent inhaling toxic fumes, the two had wet cloths covering their heads, obscuring their faces. However, the figure holding Qi Yitang was tall and robust with broad shoulders and back, making it impossible for her to be a woman.

Qin Lianyue gasped, "Why is there a man in Sister Qi's room?"