Inside the wooden box were about a dozen paper figures, colorful and just like the paper figures that people in the neighborhood burn for their deceased relatives and friends.

Especially the two red blushes on the sides of the paper figure's cheeks, which looked truly eerie in the candlelight.

"Your Excellency, Your Excellency, go and see what that is..."

Zhang Bingzhi approached, picked up a paper figure from the wooden box, and his expression instantly changed drastically: "Witchcraft! This is witchcraft!"

Song Ting and Chu Huaixu looked up at the same time.

"The sinner, Chu Xiaoshi Wanlian," Zhang Bingzhi stammered, reading the name from the back of the paper figure.

The Empress Dowager's real name was Xiao, and her name was clearly written on the back of this paper figure.

With trembling hands, Zhang Bingzhi reached for the other paper figures: "The sinner Chu He's Mengwei." "The sinner Chu Yang's Siqiong." "Ruyi." "Chunxi." "Xiaoguizi."

With each name Zhang Bingzhi read out, the Empress Dowager's face paled a little more.

These people were the concubines, eunuchs, and palace maids who were poisoned along with the Empress Dowager.

Zhang Bingzhi still had a paper figure in his hand, dressed in a bright yellow outfit with a nine-clawed golden dragon painted on it.

"The sinner Chu... Chu... Chu..." Cold sweat streamed down Zhang Bingzhi's forehead; he dared not utter the name of the paper figure in his hand. The Empress Dowager lunged forward, snatching the paper figure away with all her might. "Let me see!"

Each paper figure has a silver needle stuck in its name. Some have a dense array of needles covering their entire back, while others have only one or two. The symptoms of each person correspond to the number of needles inserted; fewer needles indicate milder symptoms, while more needles indicate more severe symptoms.

The little yellow paper figure in the Empress Dowager's hand had only one silver needle on its back, which happened to be stuck right on the character "Chu".

【The Sinner Chu Minghuan】

Chu Minghuan.

The name of the current emperor.

Loving one's child is every mother's instinct. As the Empress Dowager looked at the name before her, the silver needles stuck in the paper figure seemed like sharp poisonous thorns, piercing deep into her heart.

"How dare you! You're absolutely audacious!" She slammed the little paper figure into Huaiyue's face, her already pale and sickly features contorted into a grotesque grimace. "Drag this monster out and beat him to death with clubs!"

"Wait!" Song Ting abruptly stood up, shielding Chu Huaixu behind him. "Your Majesty, please forgive me, but there are still many doubts about this matter. I believe—"

"You scoundrel!" Before Song could finish speaking, the Empress Dowager grabbed the porcelain bowl containing medicine and smashed it heavily against his forehead, causing blood to gush out.

Song Ting's vision blurred for a moment, but she didn't bother to wipe the blood that had flowed into her eyes. She knelt at the Empress Dowager's feet:

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I beg Your Majesty to give me some time. I will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly and get to the bottom of it."

"How else can we investigate! The items were found in this sorcerer's room, and my name and the Emperor's name are clearly written on them. Are you suggesting that I'm slandering him?"

The usually good-tempered Empress Dowager was furious and wouldn't listen to Song Ting's words at all.

"When we went to search earlier, the commander's men went along with us. The commander can ask him if he personally saw these things being dug out from under this sorcerer's bed."

As the Empress Dowager spoke, her gaze fell upon Qi Zhou. The latter dared not look directly at her face, and solemnly lowered his head. However, he did not refute the Empress Dowager's words.

Such an attitude speaks volumes. The Empress Dowager turned her gaze to Song Ting: "Commander, you see, it's clear that no one deliberately framed you."

The Empress Dowager was stern for a moment, but she was still wary of Song Ting. Her tone had softened somewhat, but her attitude remained very firm:

"The art of witchcraft is extremely vicious and has been condemned by all dynasties. However, Commander, you have devoted yourself to the Emperor and the Dayan Dynasty. I know you are loyal and devoted. You have only been bewitched by this sorcerer."

"I may not punish you, but if you remain obstinate, then don't blame me for dealing with you according to the law!"

The Empress Dowager was stern for a moment, but she was still wary of Song Ting in her heart. Her tone gradually softened, but her attitude remained firm, clearly indicating that she wanted to punish Huaiyue.

This is not hard to understand. In the eyes of the Empress Dowager, Huaiyue was just an insignificant person. It would be better to kill the innocent than let her go.

Now that things have come to this point, if Song Ting insists on protecting Chu Huaixu, she will inevitably be punished by the Empress Dowager in her rage. At that time, death will probably be all that awaits them.

Song Ting understood these principles well, but he couldn't bring himself to watch Chu Huaixu be taken away.

As the Empress Dowager said, throughout history, almost everyone who was associated with witchcraft and sorcery suffered the fate of having their entire family implicated and executed.

For example, the former Imperial Noble Consort Rongde was originally deeply favored by the emperor and was the most favored concubine in the harem. However, she was later implicated in witchcraft and was banished to the cold palace by the emperor, who also gave her a three-foot-long white silk ribbon, thus implicating her maternal family.

Song Ting simply couldn't imagine what Huai Xu would have to face.

He swore that he would never let this person suffer the slightest harm again, unless he died.

He's already lost this person once; there can't be a second time.

He is no longer the powerless little bodyguard he once was.

Song Ting gripped the longsword in his hand even tighter, his gaze passing over Yang Zhaowen to meet Qi Zhou's. The latter understood and quietly retreated to the window.

Outside the Empress Dowager's quarters, secret guards stood by at all times. All Song Ting needed to do was nod.

But just then, a slightly cool arm reached out from behind Song Ting and grasped his wrist: "My lord, don't be anxious. Huaiyue has not done such a thing. She has a clear conscience and believes that the Empress Dowager will clear Huaiyue's name."

Song Ting's body was already stiff from standing. He turned around with difficulty and looked into Chu Huaixu's smiling eyes through the cold silver mask.

His mouth opened weakly, clearly wanting to stop, but he couldn't utter a word.

“Young Master Huaiyue is quite a remarkable person.” Zhang Bingzhi, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward at the opportune moment. “Since the young master has said so, I urge Lord Song not to obstruct him any further. Once the truth of the matter is found, if the young master is truly innocent, the Empress will surely clear his name.”

These words, seemingly meant to smooth things over, actually put Song Ting in a difficult position, leaving him with no choice.

"What are you all standing there for? Seize him immediately!" At the same time, the Empress Dowager gave the order.

Yang Zhaowen immediately stood up, keeping an eye on Song Ting while pulling Huaiyue back and forcefully twisting his shoulders to restrain him.

A long, gleaming blade was pressed against his neck, and blood was faintly visible.

Song Ting's heart felt as if it had been slashed open, the pain so intense it made even breathing difficult. But in the end, he did nothing, only saying to the Empress Dowager:

“This matter is of great importance, and I earnestly request that it be investigated as well.”

The wound on his forehead was deep, and the blood had only just begun to clot. The dried blood left a horrifying red mark on his face, and his murderous intent was almost impossible to conceal.