Madam Zhao's words were filled with intense emotion, like a pebble thrown into boiling water, instantly stirring up the ladies present.

"It was actually Madam Zhao. She said those words with such genuine emotion that it didn't seem like she was acting."

"Madam Zhao is usually kind to people, but when she first met Song Xizhi, she deliberately made things difficult for him. I have never seen her be so mean to any other wife."

"If her disgust for Song Xizhi stems from his promiscuity, then it makes perfect sense."

The other ladies nodded, their eyes filled with doubt: "Yes, she hates fickle people the most."

Consort Liang raised an eyebrow, eager for a good show, and asked, "Madam Zhao?"

“You live in the same courtyard as Song Xizhi, so you are the best witness. If even you saw Song Xizhi having a secret rendezvous with a man, then it is an indisputable fact.”

Madam Xin gripped Song Xizhi's hand tightly, her expression indignant: "Madam Zhao has a history of grudges with him, how can her testimony be trusted?"

Consort Liang lowered her eyes to look at the two clasped hands, and said with a forced smile, "There are only the three of you in the courtyard, so her testimony is more reliable than yours."

"Moreover, now that we have both witnesses and physical evidence, the undergarment and the adulterous woman have been caught red-handed. Unless Song Xizhi can produce evidence to prove that he did not have an affair with another man."

Consort Liang gave the same excuse again, demanding that Song Xizhi produce evidence, which was exactly the same as last time.

But no matter who it was, even if she hadn't done anything and had just stayed quietly in the house, she wouldn't have been able to produce any evidence in this situation.

They couldn't escape the trap they had set.

That's really ruthless.

Madam Xin had clearly thought of this as well, and her eyes were filled with worry as she looked at Song Xizhi.

Song Xizhi merely glanced calmly at everyone present, her gaze lingering briefly on Zhao Qianlan and Madam Zhao.

He then turned to Consort Li and said, "Your Highness Consort Li, if it is ultimately proven that I am innocent, may I ask if you would severely punish the murderer to set the record straight?"

Consort Li nodded: "No matter who made the mistake, I will punish them severely."

Upon hearing this, Song Xizhi finally laughed, a very unrestrained laugh that seemed to convey a sense of confidence.

She lowered her head, looking down at the kneeling eunuch: "You say I had an affair with you? Then tell me when and where I had an affair with you?"

The young eunuch was pale and drenched in sweat. He shivered, then weakly raised his head, meeting Song Xizhi's eyes timidly, and spoke:

"We...we naturally always meet at night..."

"You said you love me, so you want to see me every night, so we met last night and the night before last..."

"Today you said that the ladies have all gone to copy scriptures and no one will notice us, so you asked me to go ahead and we would meet in secret. You then told me to bring your undergarment back as a keepsake."

Upon hearing this, Consort Liang couldn't help but exclaim several times, "Filthy language! It really is filthy language!"

"So, when Consort Li asked the ladies to copy scriptures today, you kept making excuses and refused to come, all because you were going to have a secret rendezvous with this man!"

Song Xizhi completely ignored Consort Liang's words and turned to look in the direction of Madam Zhao.

Madam Zhao, wearing a veil, had her eyes slightly red, likely due to the wind. Everyone then heard Song Xizhi ask her:

"And what about you? When did you see me having an affair with a man?"

Madam Zhao said, "I don't see him every night, but last night I felt a man enter your room, and then all your maids stood guard outside."

Consort Liang nodded, wanting to make a definitive statement: "Then it matches up. Song Xizhi's affair is a done deal."

"I have informed His Majesty now, and ordered him to punish them severely! Also, Consort Li's lax governance should be dealt with as well!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Xin's heart tightened, and she quickly turned to look in Song Xizhi's direction.

But to everyone's surprise, Song Xizhi laughed: "What a joke, what a joke."

“Last night, the night before, and for several nights before that, I was not in the house.”

Are you never home?

Song Xizhi's words shocked everyone present, even Consort Li and Consort Liang stared at her with wide eyes.

I thought she had gone mad.

Song Xizhi continued, "I've been going out at night lately to see patients, so I have an alibi. How could I be having an affair with a man in the house?"

Consort Liang's eyes narrowed, and she hurriedly asked, "Who is being treated?"

Song Xizhi recalled the solemn promise made by the Prince of Qi at the bottom of the cliff that night, and his eyes darkened: "Prince Qi, not long after I arrived at Heyan Mountain, the Prince of Qi hurriedly sent someone to invite me to treat the Princess of Qi's illness."

"So after that day, for several days in a row, Prince Qi and Princess Qi could be my witnesses. Consort Li can send someone to ask Prince Qi what exactly happened."

Princess Qi has indeed not appeared in front of everyone recently. Even when Consort Li personally went to invite her, she did not show up. Originally, it was thought that she had not come, but it turned out that she was bedridden and therefore could not go out.

Upon hearing Song Xizhi's words, Zhao Qianlan's smug smile froze on her face, and she felt as if the blood in her body had solidified.

Song Ruoan stared wide-eyed in disbelief at Song Xizhi's direction.

Even Consort Liang's body swayed twice.

Madam Zhao was completely dazed. She couldn't believe her husband was lying: "Impossible! You could never have been treating Princess Qi every night! You must have some moral failings!"

Song Xizhi smiled at her, a hint of meaning in his eyes: "I didn't want to say it before, but I couldn't stop someone from making false accusations."

Her gaze swept over Consort Liang, Zhao Qianlan, Song Ruoan, and Madam Zhao: "As for whether I'm telling the truth or not, we can find out by sending someone to inquire. However, during the Fengshan Ceremony, someone with ulterior motives deliberately framed others. What should be done then?"

None of them can escape.

Upon hearing this, Consort Li's entire body trembled, and her eyes clearly brightened: "Guards! Go and question Prince Qi now to see if what Lady He said is true or false!"

Upon receiving the order, the old nanny hurriedly went outside.

Consort Li then turned around and looked at the crowd behind her: "Today's events are egregious and far-reaching. Whether someone was involved in collusion or deliberately framed, I will definitely report this to His Majesty and severely punish the mastermind behind it."

Madam Zhao straightened her back, still looking defiant.

She turned her head again, looking in Zhao Qianlan's direction, giving Zhao Qianlan a reassuring look, telling Zhao Qianlan not to panic.

Madam Zhao felt that Song Xizhi was merely stalling for time and making a last-ditch effort.

If she is truly innocent, then with a compassionate heart, going out every night to save people, how could her discerning husband say such things in front of her?

Unbeknownst to her, Zhao Qianlan was secretly clenching her fists even tighter.