Zhenfei confronted Concubine Xian, scolded her first, and then took her to see the Queen.

The Queen went to bed early, and although she didn't fall asleep completely, she couldn't suppress her anger at being disturbed so late.

"Why can't you tell me something tomorrow? Why do you have to come to me so late at night?"

"Your Majesty, the virtuous concubine attempted to murder the maid Bian Tao from the Pepper Palace. Please, Your Majesty, make your decision."

The Queen glanced at Concubine Xian, "Is this true?"

"Your Majesty, I was confused for a moment. It's all the fault of this lowly servant who deliberately provoked me."

Concubine Xian Guipin burst into tears one after another. She first acted pitifully and talked about how loyal she was to the Queen, then described the difficulties of being a woman in the deep palace, and finally shifted the blame to someone else, accusing Bian Tao of committing treason.

After hearing what Concubine Xian Guipin said, the queen's expression gradually softened. Although Concubine Xian Guipin was wrong, as a servant, Bian Tao should not openly talk back to her master.

Zhen Fei's clamor was simply an attempt to make trouble. She was dissatisfied with the Empress Dowager's favor towards Concubine Xian Gui and was deliberately looking for trouble.

Now that Concubine Xian Gui has caught the Empress Dowager's eye, and she's counting on her to give birth to a little prince soon, she can't afford to fail now.

"In this matter, Concubine Xian is indeed at fault. It is inappropriate for a master to argue with a servant."

The Queen paused for a moment and looked at Bian Tao, "Tell me, why did Concubine Xian punish you?"

Bian Tao knelt respectfully, her tone neither humble nor arrogant, "Two hours ago, this servant went to deliver food to Concubine Zhen. On her way back, she ran into Concubine Xian. As soon as she saw this servant, she immediately snatched my food box and slapped me."

"Xian Guipin also said that Concubine Zhen was a fallen phoenix, and she would teach a lesson to anyone who treated her well."

"I tried to explain myself a few times, but Concubine Xian hit me with five sticks without giving me any explanation, and even ordered someone to throw me into a dry well."

After saying that, she unbuttoned her clothes, revealing the purple mark on her shoulder.

Gu Yinwei vaguely sensed something was wrong. When she first met Concubine Xian, Concubine Xian helped her out and was upright, generous and unpretentious. But in just three months, Concubine Xian seemed like a different person.

The queen saw through Concubine Xian's little thoughts at a glance. Dissatisfied with the queen mother's arrangements, she deliberately made trouble in an attempt to get rid of the burden imposed on her by the queen mother.

What a joke! The Queen Mother's order cannot be easily retracted.

No matter what mistakes Concubine Xian made, she had to carry out the tasks assigned to her by the Queen Mother.

"Concubine Xian has innocently murdered a palace maid. I have decided to fine her three months' salary. According to precedent, she would be sent to Huaixiang Palace for such an act. However, considering the Queen Mother's kindness towards her, I have decided to take Concubine Xian to Qiwutong Palace."

"I will discipline her strictly until she..." until she safely gives birth to a prince.

Zhen Fei was the first to object, "This punishment is too light."

"Palace Maid Bian Tao, I grant you a three-month leave. Your monthly salary will be paid on time during this period. In addition, I grant you fifty taels of silver and promote you to the position of Head Maid in the Pepper Palace."

"Gu Gengyi, what do you think?"

Gu Yinwei was dissatisfied with this decision, but the Queen's look clearly showed that she wanted to protect Concubine Xian. After all, Bian Tao was just a servant, and the Queen would definitely not let Concubine Xian apologize to Bian Tao.

Gu Yinwei wanted to retort, but Concubine Zhen tugged at her sleeve.

Gu Yinwei's words were on the tip of her tongue, but she had to swallow them back.

"Since Gu Gengyi has nothing to say, Xia Chan, come and watch the reward."

Xia Chan helped Bian Tao to stand up and helped her button her clothes. When Bian Tao stood up, she put her clothes back on and held a purse in her hand. In the purse was a silver note with a face value of fifty taels.

The queen was very satisfied with her handling of the matter. If Bian Tao had been wronged, she would give him some benefits. If money couldn't solve the problem, she would use power to solve it. If that didn't work, she would use both money and power.

She had been queen for three years in the palace, and this trick always worked.

"Xia Chan, keep a close eye on Concubine Xian. The Emperor will be having dinner at Qiwu Palace tomorrow. Send someone to keep a close eye on her and don't let her out."

"Yes, my lady."

The Queen's eyes were as cold as frost. "You always cause trouble for me, making me restless."

"Empress, I will help you to bed."

"I should have gone to bed long ago. There was such a big commotion in Cheng'en Palace, and Concubine Jin, as the head of a palace, didn't show up to stop it. She just pretended to be asleep to gain a good reputation."

"If she doesn't fulfill her duties, I will make her suffer tomorrow."

The queen was very emotional before going to bed and it took her a long time to fall asleep.

When Gu Yinwei brought Bian Tao and Chuchu back to the Pepper Room, the sweet potatoes simmering in the stove were as black as a piece of pine soot ink.

"It's gone bad, it's burned into charcoal and can't be eaten." Chu Chu felt very sorry.

Bian Tao opened the steamer, took out the food from the steamer, and the two of them ate around the fire.

It was Bian Tao who survived the disaster, but Chu Chu was even sadder than Bian Tao. She held the bowl but couldn't swallow the food.

"Eat quickly. Only when you are full will you have the strength to fight them. The more others look down on us, the braver we must be. If Concubine Xian Gui harms me, I will not let her go."

The two of them ate a few mouthfuls of food, washed up, and returned to their room to rest. As soon as Chuchu's head touched the pillow, she fell asleep immediately.

Almond tiptoed out of bed and found a book from under the bed. There were many dried flowers in the book. She picked a black flower and hid it in her sleeve, then went back to bed and fell asleep.

When the Queen paid her respects the next day, she transferred a batch of fabrics from the Shanggong Bureau, and rows of fabrics were hung on wooden racks like noodles.

The Queen smiled sweetly, "Sister Zhen Fei, you choose first."

Zhenfei was in a bad mood, but she still had to save face for the empress, so she picked out two pieces of goose yellow brocade embroidered with crabapples and a piece of blue Xiang satin.

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!