Seeing Lanqin's subtle expression, Lady Ji pleaded, "Your Majesty, please listen to me. I was blinded by Consort Nian's words. She promised me a rank and favor, which is why I was so bewitched to harm the prince... Your Majesty, I was wrong, I truly know I was wrong..."

Lanqin disdainfully shook off Madam Ji and asked, suppressing her anger, "You've been with me for many years, and Hongli recognizes you. How did you manage to hide it from him?"

Lady Ji lowered her head and said softly, "I...ever since the Emperor took me as his concubine, I've been neglected. Your Highness wouldn't understand what it feels like to wait for dawn alone. In my utter boredom, I slowly studied some disguise techniques. With just a slight change, I wouldn't be easily recognized. Consort Nian chose me as a scapegoat because of this...The Prince was in a hurry to get there and didn't look at my face carefully, which is why he succeeded...Your Highness, I've said everything I needed to say. I truly know I was wrong..."

Lady Ji wept uncontrollably, repeatedly confessing her sins to Lanqin. Lanqin finally learned the whole story of how Hongli was poisoned, but she remained terrified, her hatred for Consort Nian growing ever stronger. Looking at Lady Ji kneeling on the ground, Lanqin suddenly felt this was an opportunity…

"I might be able to save your life, but you have to do something for me..." Although Lanqin hated Ji Shi, she hated Consort Nian even more, as she was the mastermind behind it all. In order to protect the person she loved, Lanqin had no choice but to take action.

Upon hearing this, Madam Ji hastily wiped away her tears and nodded vigorously at Lanqin. Lanqin asked, "Aren't you going to ask me what I need you for?"

Lady Ji laughed, "What right do I have to ask Your Highness now? I'm always being used, I'm used to it. But this time, Shui Ling is willing to do anything for Your Highness! As long as it can bring revenge and make Consort Nian pay the price, Shui Ling is willing to do anything..."

Lanqin stood up and said towards the direction of Yikun Palace outside the door, "I have never intended to harm anyone, but my kindness cannot be the reason for being bullied! Hurting the one I love cannot be forgiven..." Lanqin turned around and said firmly to Ji Shi, "I want you to come forward as a witness and expose Consort Nian's evil deeds..."

After thinking for a moment, although she was afraid, considering what Consort Nian had done to her, she resolutely replied, "Alright! I promise Your Highness..."

Lanqin smiled, already understanding the situation: "As long as you do well, I'll consider pleading with the Emperor for you! At least you can save your life. As for the rest, you'd better pray for good fortune..."

Madam Ji kowtowed three times to Lanqin, saying gratefully, "Shuiling thanks Your Highness. I will definitely repay Your Highness's great kindness..."

Baoqin, unable to contain her anger, stamped her foot and said to Madam Ji, "Forget it! Last time, your act of repaying her almost killed the prince. What more do you want to repay, Your Highness?" She then turned to Lanqin and advised, "Your Highness, are you really going to plead with the Emperor for her sake? Shuiling has harmed the prince. Everything she said might just be a lie she made up to save her own life. Your Highness, you must think carefully..."

Lanqin interrupted her, muttering to herself, "No! She wasn't lying! Although she deserves to die, she wasn't the real culprit. Even if we kill her a thousand times, countless Ji families and countless Shui Lings will still appear in the future, causing endless trouble... Only by catching the mastermind and cutting off the root can we truly have peace..."