Ling Yun sneered: "He is only a fifth-rank official, where did he get so much money? He must have been bribed."

"Baozhan, is there any movement in the palaces this afternoon?"

As they were talking, a thick satin curtain with a carved plum blossom pattern was lifted, and Xiang Yue hurried in with a gust of cold wind. "Your Majesty, I have been ordered to keep an eye on the Purple Palace. An incense stick ago, I saw with my own eyes that Jin Mei and Fan Li were acting suspiciously. Not long after, Fan Li left the palace with a package. I followed Fan Li all the way and heard him say with my own ears that he would resign and return home in a few days."

Baozan replied, "I was just about to say this. Half a cup of tea ago, Jinmei met with Imperial Physician Han in private."

"Doctor Han? But the director of the Imperial Hospital, Han Suliang?"

"That's him."

"No wonder the Imperial Hospital can't find the cause of the Emperor's illness no matter how hard they try." Fu Qianyu's hands gripped the corner of the table tightly. She could even hear the sound of her teeth chattering. "Even the director can't find the cause, let alone others."

Lingyun said bitterly, "Now the truth is out. Your Majesty, should we tell the Empress Dowager and ask her to investigate thoroughly?"

"No, the Empress is the mistress of the six palaces, the legal wife bestowed upon the Emperor by the late Emperor. I am caught up in this matter. If I were to speak out, even with irrefutable evidence, it would be open to criticism. Worse still, they might accuse me of slandering the Empress for the sake of fame and wealth. Therefore, even if I were to speak out, it would have to be someone else's doing."

Lingyun said anxiously, "The Imperial Concubine is arrogant, Concubine Wan is sweet-mouthed but treacherous, and Concubine Yue and Concubine Xi regard you as their mortal enemy. Who else in this palace can speak up for you now?"

Fu Qianyu supported her forehead with one hand, with unspeakable anxiety in her lowered eyes. Her heart was like the surging sea, and she couldn't calm down no matter what.

Suddenly, a gleam of light flashed in her eyes, and someone instantly came to her mind.

When he looked up, he happened to meet Lingyun's bright eyes. They both said in unison, "What a talented person!"