Song Jingxi wished she could faint immediately and smooth things over, but the thought of Shen Mingzhuang ordering someone to eat snakes sent a chill down her spine.

This woman is absolutely insane. If I were to actually pretend to faint, who knows what horrifying things she might do.

"Your Majesty, I was afraid of offending the noble ladies in the palace. You don't know, but I've been staying in the small Buddhist hall for the past few years and rarely go out. My face is as pale as paper. If I don't wear any blush, I look really frightening. I even scared Aunt Shuangxi, who serves the Empress Dowager, before. That's why I've been careful. Now I always wear a little makeup when I go out so that I don't look so scary."

This explanation was like forcing a cow to drink water; Shen Mingzhuang didn't believe a word of it.

This Song Jingxi must have racked her brains trying to regain Jiang Wang's favor. But five years have passed, and if Jiang Wang were truly willing to favor her again, he probably wouldn't have waited until now.

Shen Mingzhuang didn't dwell on that. What she cared about was that Song Jingxi had heard things she shouldn't have heard, and she needed a way to shut her up.

"You were hiding in the bushes because you recognized me and wanted to eavesdrop on what I was saying, didn't you?"

Shen Mingzhuang tilted his head, leaned casually against the back of the chair, and a faint smile appeared on his lips. However, in Song Jingxi's eyes, that smile was too creepy. She could almost hear Shen Mingzhuang ordering her to eat the snake!

The thought that this woman had been asleep for five years and was still able to wake up sent chills down Song Jingxi's spine. She always felt that this woman was a bit strange, not like a normal person, and had such a vicious heart. Just thinking about it made her chest churn, and she felt like she could vomit at any moment.

"Your Majesty, I am innocent! It was my pendant that fell into the bushes. I was trying to find it, which is why I was in the bushes. I absolutely did not mean to listen to Your Majesty. Besides, I really didn't hear anything. I was frightened by the snake as soon as I got here."

Her face was full of fear, as if she was afraid that Shen Mingzhuang would not believe her.

Shen Mingzhuang indeed did not believe it.

"You didn't mean to listen, but you still heard it. And no one can prove how much you heard. How can I believe you?"

Shen Mingzhuang looked sharply at Song Jingxi, and Song Jingxi's legs went weak. This meant that no matter whether she heard or not, he would not let her go.

Song Jingxi was almost in tears!

"Your Majesty..."

"Since you are unwilling to leave the palace, then I will have your tongue pulled out. After all, you didn't use your tongue to copy scriptures for the Empress Dowager, so it doesn't matter whether it's there or not, don't you think?"

After saying that, Shen Mingzhuang's voice suddenly turned serious, and she directly ordered Manhuan, "Bring me a small knife. I want to personally watch Consort Song's tongue fall to the ground."

Song Jingxi couldn't believe it. Her pupils widened, and she couldn't hold back any longer. Her neck tilted to the side, and she fainted.

Seeing this, Shen Mingzhuang couldn't help but smile and instructed Man Huan: "Tie her up and throw her into a side hall of Jiaofang Palace. Have someone keep a close eye on her these days, and don't let her escape."

Manhuan nodded, understanding what her mistress meant.

It seems that Her Majesty only intends to detain the person temporarily for a while, and release them once the situation calms down.

After all, if Consort Song were to spread those words, wouldn't the whole world know that the Emperor was seriously ill? Wouldn't that shake the people's hearts and cause chaos throughout the land?

However, thinking of something, Manhuan hesitated and asked, "Your Majesty, what did Cixi Palace say?"

"What do you mean?" Shen Mingzhuang didn't even blink. "Just say that I invited Consort Song to come and copy some scriptures for a few days. Once she's finished, she'll be released."

Actually, she felt there was no need to worry so much. Song Jingxi was nothing now. She was just a pawn back then, but now the people in charge are too busy to care about their own lives. Who would care about the life or death of a small pawn?

Manhuan nodded, "This servant knows what to do."

And so, Song Jingxi and the fake Ciyuan were both placed under the guard of Shen Mingzhuang's men, and Shen Mingzhuang turned and went to the study.

Jiang Wang was rubbing his forehead, looking troubled by a memorial in front of him, when Shen Mingzhuang entered. Only then did Jiang Wang put away his expression and get up to go forward: "Why did you suddenly come here? I had someone send you a box of pearls and two coral trees from the East Sea. Have you seen them?"

Shen Mingzhuang didn't speak, avoided Jiang Wang's hand, and sat down in the chair.

Jiang Wang was already used to his wife's unruly behavior in front of him, so he just smiled and personally poured her a cup of hot tea.

"Who upset you this time?"

Shen Mingzhuang took the tea, took a sip, and let out a cold snort.

This cold snort immediately left Jiang Wang somewhat bewildered.

What happened?

Behind the red-lacquered beams and pillars, large beads of sweat dripped down Tan Yonglin's face. The Empress was becoming increasingly audacious, and he was truly worried that one day the Emperor might lose his patience and punish her!

Although he knew his worries were unnecessary, he still couldn't help but feel alarmed every time he saw the Empress acting wildly in front of the Emperor! Who would dare to be so audacious in front of the Emperor? Even the Crown Prince Jiang Xuan would have to think twice. Although the Emperor loved the Crown Prince, he didn't love the Empress as much as he loved the Crown Prince.

"Why did you have someone impersonate Ciyuan?"

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