Zhao Yuancheng ignored her and just raised his hand to signal Zhu Yu to bring Aunt Zhou in.

When Aunt Zhou came in, her body was trembling slightly, her eyes wandering around, and she knelt in front of Zhao Yuancheng, "This servant pays respects to the emperor, may the emperor be blessed with good health."

Zhao Yuancheng's expression was gloomy, and a storm was brewing in his dark eyes. "Zhu Yu said that only Wanpin and Xi Zhaoyi went to the Shangshi Bureau today. Tell me clearly, what exactly happened?"

Aunt Zhou glanced up at Xi Zhaoyi before slowly speaking, "Your Majesty, Wanpin arrived at the Imperial Food Bureau first today, saying she wanted to make cakes for the Empress Dowager. A little later, Concubine Zhaoyi arrived as well. She said Wanpin was out of favor so she was trying to curry favor with the Empress Dowager, and that the Imperial Concubine was guilty of murdering the heir to the throne, a crime worthy of death. Wanpin was so angry that she argued with Xi Zhaoyi for a few words. Then, Xi Zhaoyi slapped Wanpin and made her return to the palace to kneel as punishment."

"Then what?"

Aunt Zhou took a deep breath and continued, "Then, Concubine Zhaoyi said she wanted to make some cakes to send to the Empress Dowager's palace. She said she had a secret recipe that she couldn't share with outsiders, so she sent me out. Concubine Zhaoyi stayed in there for nearly an hour before coming out. As for what she did, I don't know."

Xi Zhaoyi was stunned and hurriedly defended herself, "Your Majesty, this lowly maid is clearly framing me. I did ask her to make some cakes, but they were all made by Aunt Zhou herself. I didn't interfere at all."

"God and Heaven, Your Majesty, how could you slander me like this?" Aunt Zhou was horrified. "Your Majesty, every word I said is true. Your Majesty, please summon the palace maids who were on duty today and question them. They can all testify on my behalf!"

Concubine Xi was so angry that her face turned red. "You, you are talking nonsense. You said that I poisoned you, but do you have any evidence?"

Zhao Yuancheng seized on the mistake and said coldly, "She only said that you stayed in the Shangshi Bureau for nearly an hour, but she didn't say you poisoned her. And you're admitting it yourself?"

"I……"

Xi Zhaoyi knelt down eagerly, raised her right hand and swore solemnly, "Your Majesty, I swear to heaven that every word I say is true. If I tell even one lie, I will die a miserable death!"

Concubine Li and Concubine Hui also hurried over after hearing that Fu Xiyu was poisoned. When they heard the quarrel in the hall, they stopped and listened for a while.

Only after Xi Zhaoyi swore to the sky did the two men walk in.

"Your Highness, I pay my respects to you."

Zhao Yuancheng was displeased, "Why are you here?"

Concubine Li said quietly, "I heard that Sister Fu was poisoned. Concubine Hui and I were really worried, so we came to see her. However, I just heard Concubine Xi say that she never poisoned anyone, so I have some foolish opinions."

"you say."

"Everyone in the harem knows that Concubine Xi and Sister Fu are not on good terms. Now that Sister Fu is under house arrest, isn't this the best opportunity for Concubine Xi?"

Xi Zhaoyi raised her eyes and glared at Concubine Li, gritting her teeth and saying, "My Lady Concubine, you have no evidence, what right do you have to slander me?"

Concubine Li ignored her and continued, "As the saying goes, if you catch a thief, you must seize the stolen goods. Why not have Eunuch Zhu search Zhilin Palace? He might find evidence that Concubine Xi poisoned Sister Fu. If not, it will at least clear Concubine Xi's name."

When she heard that the palace was to be searched, Concubine Xi held her neck high, her face showing no fear at all: "Search me if you will. I am upright and have nothing to fear from my own shadow."

Zhao Yuancheng pondered for a moment, then gave Zhu Yu a wink.

Zhu Yu understood and walked out immediately.

Half a cup of tea later, when Zhu Yu returned to Huayang Palace, he had a small porcelain bottle in his hand.

"Your Majesty, this was found by me at the bottom of Concubine Zhaoyi's dressing box."

Concubine Xi was puzzled. "I have never seen this before. How did it appear in my dressing box?"

Zhao Yuancheng opened the porcelain bottle and smelled it, then handed it to Qin Zhaochuan who was not far away, "Come and see what's in it."

Qin Zhaochuan took it and sniffed it, his face suddenly changed, "Your Majesty, this is arsenic!"

All the voices fell silent, and the eyes of everyone in the hall were fixed on Concubine Xi.

Concubine Xi's breathing hitched. Qin Zhaochuan's words exploded in her ears like thunder. Her eyes widened in horror. "Impossible! This is absolutely impossible! I have never seen this thing before!"

Zhao Yuancheng's eyes were gloomy, but the imperial concubine sneered: "Sister Fu was wronged to begin with, and if you poison her now, everyone will think that Sister Fu committed suicide out of fear of punishment. Concubine Xi, you really have such a vicious mind."

Qiancao kowtowed, her heart aching. "Your Majesty, although our queen has a somewhat impetuous temper, she would never be so audacious as to murder the imperial concubine. Even if it was truly our queen who did it, she should have destroyed the evidence immediately. Why would she bring this filthy thing back to the bedroom and hide it close to her body? Isn't that an admission of guilt?"

But even so, with all the evidence now in hand, even if Xi Zhaoyi had mouths all over her body, she would not be able to explain her grievances.

At this time, Peirong walked out with tears in her eyes, "Your Majesty, the Queen has woken up."

Hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhao Yuancheng let out a long sigh, then remained silent for a moment before saying, "Xi Zhaoyi poisoned the Imperial Concubine, a heinous crime. However, the Imperial Concubine was blessed with a long life. Considering Heaven's mercy, I will strip her of her title effective immediately and demote her to the rank of Selected Concubine. She is forbidden to leave the palace without being summoned."

Xi Zhaoyi's face turned pale. She knelt at Zhao Yuancheng's feet and pleaded bitterly, "Your Majesty, I am innocent. I am truly innocent."

"Come here, send Concubine Yun back to the palace."

After saying this, Zhao Yuancheng hurried towards the bedroom.

Fu Qianyu, who had just woken up, had no color on her face. Zhao Yuancheng sat down beside the bed, looking into her tearful eyes, his Adam's apple slowly rolling, "Don't be afraid, I'm here."

Fu Qianyu struggled to stand up, propping herself up with her arms. She reached out and hugged Zhao Yuancheng's neck tightly, her voice filled with fear: "I thought I would never see the emperor again."

Zhao Yuancheng coaxed her softly, as if she were a young child, "Don't be afraid. I am the emperor. Even the King of Hell wouldn't dare take your life without my permission."

Concubine Li looked quietly at the two people hugging each other behind the bed curtain through the screen, and raised the corners of her lips bitterly.

She had never seen the emperor, who was so high and mighty, use such a gentle voice to coax a woman.

Even when she had just entered the Eastern Palace and was in the highest favor, she did not dare to lose her temper in front of Zhao Yuancheng. No matter when and where, she always flattered him and praised him.

Lady Hui saw the sadness in the Imperial Concubine's eyes and advised, "Your Majesty, since Sister Fu is fine, let's go back first."

Concubine Li turned her head and a tear fell quietly.

She nodded and smiled at Hui Meiren, but she couldn't suppress the sadness in her eyes.