The Embroidered Uniform Guard was Song Ting's man, so no one could interfere. However, the Imperial Guard was divided into two factions: Commander Yang Zhaowen was Zhang Bingzhi's man, while Deputy Commander Liu Yao was Song Ting's man.

This time, Song Ting only brought the Imperial Guards, while Liu Yao stayed in the palace to protect the young emperor.

Currently, Song Ting has dispersed the Imperial Guards to keep an eye on the monks in the temple, which has given Yang Zhaowen an opportunity to take advantage of the situation.

But he would never let anyone take Chu Huaixu away from under his nose!

"Words are meaningless. There are so many people at Baima Temple. How can Elder Zhang be so sure that Huaiyue is that sorcerer?" Before he could say anything more, Chu Huaixu stepped out from behind him.

He glanced at Yang Zhaowen and said, "Could it be that the Grand Secretary is petty and still holds a grudge against Huaiyue for refusing to accompany him because he was poor, and is now taking revenge?"

"You!" These words were clearly meant to humiliate him, and Yang Zhaowen's face turned ashen with rage. "Spreading heresy! Guards, seize him!"

"Let's see who dares!" Song Ting pointed his longsword directly at Yang Zhaowen's heart, his whole body radiating killing intent. "Commander Yang, you really have a lot of nerve. Do you not take me seriously?"

Yang Zhaowen: "This humble servant dares not."

"Of course you wouldn't dare. Not to mention you, even Zhang Bingzhi wouldn't be able to take anyone away from me. Otherwise, what authority would I have to command the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

Song Ting spoke slowly and in a deep voice. The pressure he had accumulated over the years in a high position was released unconsciously, making Yang Zhaowen and the others afraid to look him in the eye.

Logically speaking, the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Imperial Guard each had their own duties, and there was no difference in rank between the two. However, Song Ting had rendered meritorious service in supporting the young emperor and was a favorite of the emperor and empress dowager, whose prowess was unmatched.

Since he came to power, the Embroidered Uniform Guard has also risen in rank and has suppressed the Imperial Guard in every way.

"Why should the commander be angry? Lord Yang is merely following orders." An aged voice echoed through the winding, secluded path, and a figure slowly appeared.

It turned out that Zhang Bingzhi had come in person. The two sides were on the verge of war, but the old fox's murky eyes were fixed on Chu Huaixu with ill intent.

"On your orders?" Song Ting stepped aside and blocked Huai Xu's path, separating the two.

He sneered at Zhang Bingzhi, "Your Excellency is going to take action against my people based on a baseless guess. You are far too disrespectful to me."

"Or is it that the Grand Secretary has finally lost his patience and is about to make a move against me?"

Over the years, both of them have built up their own power. Although they secretly want to kill each other, they still maintain a polite facade and do not actually break off relations.

Zhang Bingzhi narrowed his eyes: "What are you saying, sir? You and I are both subjects of Dayan, His Majesty's right and left hands. How could I possibly be an enemy of you? I am only here on orders."

"And whose orders is the Grand Secretary acting on?" Song Ting asked sternly.

Zhang Bingzhi brandished the jade token in his hand: "Naturally, I am acting on the orders of the Empress Dowager, Commander Song," his face solemn, "The Empress has awakened..."

...

The Empress Dowager's bedroom reeked of medicine. Song Ting knelt beside the bed, with Chu Huaixu, dressed in red, behind her.

The Empress Dowager was awake, but she was in very poor spirits. When Song Ting and the others entered the room, she opened her eyes and looked for a long time before she could barely recognize Song Ting.

When her gaze fell on Chu Huaixu, her pupils widened in shock and she almost fainted again.

Aunt Ruyi was also poisoned, and the maidservant who was taking care of her at the moment was a palace maid named Chunxin who served Consort Shu.

He was of average appearance but efficient in his work. Seeing that the Empress Dowager was not in a good mood, he knelt respectfully to the side and rubbed her chest.

On the other side is the Dakini Master who calculated that there were demons causing trouble in the White Horse Temple.

He was a middle-aged monk with dark skin and a fierce look on his face. If it weren't for the ordination scars on his head, one would really suspect that he was some bald bandit or outlaw pretending to be a high monk.

The White Horse Temple had many eminent monks, but Song Ting was unfamiliar with this Master Kongxing and did not remember him.

But now, this master has clearly gained the Empress Dowager's trust, and she has kept him by her side, ordering him to chant sutras to exorcise evil spirits.

The person whom this bald monk accused of causing trouble was Chu Huaixu.

The Empress Dowager had already issued an imperial edict, ordering a search of Huaiyue's room. Song Ting was worried, so he sent Qi Zhou to accompany them. At this moment, everyone was waiting for the results of the search.

Song Ting was very nervous.

Although Huaixu had told him that he no longer had Qianrizui, there was no guarantee that the man was lying to him.

As if history were repeating itself, Song Ting was once again put to the test by the choice he had made at the palace. His hands, resting on his lap, tightened continuously, and the muscles in his legs were taut beneath the fabric.

"Cough cough cough... cough cough..." The Empress Dowager coughed violently, her eyes were glazed over, as if she might faint at any moment.

She used to trust Song Ting the most, a trust that even Zhang Bingzhi couldn't match. But when she woke up today, she wouldn't even glance at Song Ting, letting Song Ting kneel upright at her feet.

She even hesitated to accept the glass of water that Song Ting offered her when she was coughing badly.

Song Ting's heart sank.

He has already lost the initiative today.

Or rather, he had already lost the initiative from the moment the rumors of the curse began.

The Empress Dowager almost died, and now is the most sensitive time for such matters. Anyone with ulterior motives could easily sow discord and gain her complete trust.

In such a situation, if those people were to find any more evidence in Huai Xu's room, it would be adding insult to injury, making a peaceful resolution impossible.

However, what he feared most came to pass. Just as the thought crossed Song Ting's mind, the team of guards in charge of the search returned, and leading the way was none other than Yang Zhaowen, the commander of the Imperial Guards.

Song Ting looked up and met the gaze of Qi Zhou, who was standing behind him with a serious expression. Qi Zhou opened his mouth and fixed his gaze on Yang Zhaowen.

"..." Song Ting immediately understood his meaning, and her heart sank to the bottom.

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager." Yang Zhaowen strode over and knelt a step behind Song Ting, presenting the items in his hands. "These are the evidence I found under Young Master Huaiyue's bed."

"This, this is..." The Empress Dowager was shocked after just one glance. She pointed tremblingly at a wooden box held by Yang Zhaowen and could not utter another word.

He could barely breathe, as if something was choking him, letting out a sharp, long cry, his eyes staring upwards, and he looked like he was about to faint again.

"Your Majesty!" Chunxin quickly rubbed her chest, managing to catch her breath.

After waking up, the Empress Dowager still stared at the box, filled with fear and dread.