In the Great Zhou Dynasty, the most taboo thing in the palace was witchcraft.
Among the latest evidence found by Jiang Yuanzheng, there is indeed one thing that is eye-catching.
The incense burner was covered in bright yellow talisman paper, with spells drawn in blood on it. Furthermore, it wasn't just the incense burning inside. After pouring it onto the handkerchief, a few strands of hair and a half-burned, blackened nail could be vaguely seen.
"Ridiculous! Who dares to do such a thing in the harem?!" The Queen was obviously frightened and stepped back several times. "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance and must be thoroughly investigated!"
Xie Yanci stared at the small stoves and answered irrelevantly: "I seem to remember... Concubine Min also has these?"
"In reply to the Emperor, not only does Consort Min have one, but Consort Wang and Song Wanyi also have one each! The one mixed with witchcraft and sorcery belongs to Song Wanyi, who has been frightened recently and often screams in the middle of the night."
Something unclean had entered the Lin'an Palace; this was a rumor that the palace people had recently believed without a doubt.
It was a fact that the woman's screams that tore through the night sky often woke up the servants sleeping peacefully nearby.
"Your Majesty, this must be the cause! Before Wanyi's accident, I had several private conversations with her. She was conscious and showed no signs of illness! To have become like this overnight, it must be caused by witchcraft!"
"Yes, Your Majesty, such filthy things are strictly prohibited in the palace! Now she only dares to attack the concubines around her. In the future, if she gets bolder and offends the master..."
"How dare you!" Xie Yanci shouted angrily before Jiang Yuanzheng could finish his words. "It seems the Imperial Hospital has too little work to do, leaving you with the leisure time to study the duties of the Imperial Observatory!"
Everyone in Fengluan Palace knelt down, and the atmosphere was solemn.
After venting his anger, he looked at the incense burner again. He could vaguely see the profile of the beautiful woman standing on tiptoe to investigate under the lamp.
"Check it for me!"
As a result, all the halls in Lin'an Palace were blocked.
The imperial guards were stationed here, and someone came to question them.
Every day, the palace maids who were taken away had to go to the Ministry of Punishment. In the palace shrouded in witchcraft and curses, the cries of some people were heard more loudly.
Jing'an and Jingning were also taken away.
Wei Shuyi sat alone on the couch, feeling uneasy.
These days, she had heard words like "curse", "witchcraft", and "witch" intermittently.
Compared to plotting to murder Long Si, this charge was tantamount to taking her one step back to hell.
Until the evening, the two sisters came back with disheveled and dirty clothes.
"My dear, don't worry! We are upright and have no fear of being questioned!"
Wei Shuyi straightened Jingning's bun and asked worriedly, "Are you okay? Did they give you any trouble? Are you hurt?"
"Don't worry, my lady. We have done nothing wrong. The Ministry of Punishment will not use torture lightly. The reason we are back like this is because it is dirty there, and there are tortured palace maids imprisoned everywhere." Jing An touched his face and said, "Oh, I don't know how the dirty ink got on my hands. My lady, please allow me to clean it!"
"Okay, Jingning will go too."
After learning that the people around him were not forced to confess, Wei Shuyi finally calmed down.
At this moment, an unexpected figure appeared outside the hall!
"Wen Yu?!"
"Miss, I'm here." The still slender woman walked quickly into Sang Yuxuan. "I heard that something happened in Lin'an Palace, so I quickly asked the imperial physician to pass on the message, and tried to get back to you as soon as possible. Looks like I made it!"
"Fool, why are you coming here at this critical moment? I'm afraid I'm going to fall into the quagmire again. Not only will I be unable to protect myself, but if I drag you down with me, this..."
Wen Yu shook her head, her eyes firm. "The prince asked me to come here to protect you from harm in your time of need. The emperor hasn't convicted anyone yet, so you still have a chance to sort out your thoughts and try to leave a mystery in his mind when we confront each other face to face!"
Yes, the emperor is suspicious.
Since this matter has nothing to do with her, there must still be some loopholes, making it difficult to justify herself.
She closed her eyes: Clivia and Amaryllis, Wang Changzai lying in bed with diarrhea, sending Jing'an to bring food, personally delivering gifts, Song Wanyi falling ill...
All the events of the past flashed by like a kaleidoscope.
Until Eunuch Yang came and delivered a verbal order: "The emperor has ordered that the concubines Sang Yuxuanmin should go to Fengluan Palace for questioning immediately! My lady, please come in!"
What is meant to come will come.
Wei Shuyi followed immediately, just like he did in the past, leaving his maid behind and walking alone behind the group of people.
"Miss Min, you'll have to pray for good luck this time!" Eunuch Yang deliberately slowed down his pace. "This matter has touched the emperor's sore spot, and it can't be easily covered up."
"Thank you for your reminder, eunuch! However, I did not plan this matter, and I don't know the reason. I will just tell the truth when the time comes. As for whether the emperor believes it or not, I will leave it to fate."
In Fengluan Palace.
Song Wanyi arrived, looking exhausted. Her face was pale, and she leaned back against her seat with a blank look in her eyes. Concubine Wang was still wearing her veil, but she was still energetic as she ate the cakes on her plate, showing no signs of abnormality.
As for the other concubines who were called in temporarily, they were all whispering to each other and had no idea of the current situation.
"I won't elaborate on the recent rumors in the harem. The fact that a concubine used witchcraft was actually discovered is a dereliction of duty on my part. I apologize to all my sisters for this."
"I dare not!"
The Queen softened her tone and looked at the sickly Song Wanyi: "Sister Wanyi has left the main hall. She looks much better today."
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty." She gasped for breath as she spoke, staring angrily at Wei Shuyi, "I want to know right now who is trying to kill me!"
"Hey, bring up the witness!"
Wang Changzai's attendant spoke frankly, "Your Majesty, Empress, since my young mistress fell ill, Consort Min has been sending her meals. Soon after, she developed a rash, forcing her to wear a veil. Then, Consort Min personally delivered a homemade incense burner. Since then, she's been plagued by nightmares, screaming incessantly in the middle of the night!"
"My young lady was in the same situation." Shi Qing frowned as she recalled, "Before, the young lady had many arguments with Concubine Wang and was injured. Thanks to the Empress' mediation, the young lady immediately sought out Concubine Wang to reconcile after regaining consciousness. Everyone at Sang Yuxuan heard this firsthand! When I went to fetch Concubine Wang, she happened to be at Concubine Min's place."
Dean Jiang then added, "Food and pastries have conflicting ingredients, and coupled with Consort Wang's unique physique, this is the reason for this stubborn illness. As for the two young ladies experiencing nightmares and screaming, it's definitely related to the incense burner! The one with the hallucinogenic spices didn't have very serious consequences. But the one covered in voodoo talismans has left Young Lady Wanyi in this state!"
When Wei Shuyi heard the confessions of the three people, he pointed the finger at himself.
In addition, the key evidences all included incense burners that she had made herself. This situation was difficult to solve!
Before the emperor could speak, Song Wanyi struggled to stand up with the help of the handrail, stumbled over, and slapped her in the face!
"You have such a vicious heart!"
"It's because you have a deep grudge against me that you intentionally added a piece of talisman paper!"
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