After a brief moment of contemplation, Concubine Lin finally nodded her head in agreement.

"In this case, for Qingfang's sake, I will not pursue the matter any further." The imperial concubine said softly, with a hint of tolerance and concession.

Upon hearing this, Zijuan kowtowed repeatedly and thanked the imperial concubine for her magnanimity. While thanking her, she took the time to cast a grateful look at Qingfang.

Concubine Lin turned around and told Qingfang, "You have been watching from the side for a whole day, so you will be the one to judge the man. Everyone else can go away."

Zijuan bowed and prepared to leave.

"Wait a minute." The imperial concubine opened her red lips slightly, with a hint of majesty in her voice.

Zijuan's heart suddenly tightened, thinking that the imperial concubine had forgotten some punishment.

However, Concubine Lin's next words made her feel relieved: "There is a bottle of scar treatment ointment left in the corner under my dressing table. Go and get it. Otherwise, if the scars on your face are seen by others, they will mistakenly think that I am mistreating my servants."

Zijuan heaved a sigh of relief, as if she had survived a disaster, and suddenly an indescribable feeling of gratitude welled up in her heart. She knew that the ointment was very valuable, so she retreated happily.

Concubine Lin waved her hand slightly, and Zijuan stood up immediately as if she had been pardoned, and walked out lightly.

Qingfang saw this scene, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, and she praised softly: "Your Majesty's skills in controlling your subordinates are really becoming more and more sophisticated, using both kindness and power, which makes people admire her."

After hearing this, Concubine Lin raised her lips into an elusive smile, as if she was mocking Zijuan's clumsiness, or as if she was mocking her own cruelty.

She turned the conversation back on track: "Have you checked Doctor Guo's background?"

"Yes, I have found out that Guo Wenbo came to Beijing 20 years ago and practiced medicine at Jishidiang in the city. Later, he was appreciated by Liu Yuanpan and recommended as an imperial physician, and then he entered the palace." Qingfang replied.

The corners of Concubine Lin's mouth tightened the moment she heard this. She silently repeated Liu Yuanpan's name several times in her heart, and her anger burned like a flame in a strong wind.

Great, it's the Liu family again! She sneered in her heart. The Liu family is really omnipresent and capable of doing anything.

According to Wu Ying, she had already suffered at their hands when she was still in her mother's womb. The Liu family is so shameless!

Qingfang's eyes flickered, and she finally mustered up the courage to ask softly, "My lady, I have a question in my mind, but I don't know whether I should speak of it or not."

Concubine Lin looked at her softly and smiled, "Why can't we speak frankly between you and me? Just say it."

Qingfang said bluntly: "Your Majesty, I don't understand why you suddenly want to interrogate Doctor Guo? Is it just because of the dispute between Liu and Lin? Or is it a problem with the Queen?"

The conflict between the Liu and Lin families was obvious to everyone. Therefore, everyone in the palace knew that the queen and the imperial concubine did not get along.

Concubine Lin's eyes darkened, and she lowered her eyes and said, "I have learned something from somewhere else..."

Concubine Lin's fingers unconsciously rubbed her lower abdomen, and her tone revealed a hint of anger and frustration: "Qingfang, do you know? I was originally infertile."

Her words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples.

Qingfang's face turned pale instantly. She asked hurriedly, "Madam, where did you hear this news?"

For women, being unable to bear children is undoubtedly a huge taboo, especially for women of noble status like the imperial concubine. Once such news leaked out, not only would it be difficult for the emperor to explain, but other concubines in the palace would definitely take the opportunity to add insult to injury and suppress her.

Even if Concubine Lin's maternal family, the Lin family, knew about this, there is no guarantee that they would send another young and beautiful daughter to serve the emperor.

Concubine Lin shook her head and did not mention Wu Ying's name. She said, "He is just an unimportant person. According to that person, I was attacked when I was still in my mother's womb, and the poison my mother took was made by Imperial Doctor Guo."

Concubine Lin continued, "When I first heard about this, I couldn't believe it. However, Doctor Guo and I are from the same hometown, this is one thing. After I was born, he jumped from an unknown country doctor to become the imperial physician in the palace, and was strongly recommended by Liu Yuanpan, this is another thing. Ha," Concubine Lin raised the corners of her mouth slightly, revealing a hint of sneer, "If there is no trick, how can I be easily convinced?"

The more Qingfang listened, the more frightened she became.

She knew the seriousness of the matter and nodded, "Don't worry, Madam. I will investigate this matter thoroughly and leave no clues unturned."

There was a glimmer of ruthlessness in Concubine Lin's eyes. She said calmly, "Since Zijuan has already made him half crippled, you don't need to show mercy. If he dies, it can only be regarded as his own retribution. If anything happens, I will bear the responsibility."

…

A basin of cold water suddenly came, awakening Doctor Guo from his chaotic nightmare. He coughed violently a few times, and his eyes gradually focused, and he saw the interrogator in front of him clearly.

The reckless little girl was gone, replaced by a middle-aged woman in simple clothes. Her face was as calm as water, but her eyes were shining with sharp light, as if she could see through people's hearts.

Doctor Guo's heart tightened, and his tired spirit instantly perked up. He knew very well that this woman was no ordinary person, and her methods would be more cruel and ruthless than Zijuan. However, things had come to this point, and he could only bite the bullet and deal with it.

And in the shadows in the distance, in a dark and inconspicuous corner, Concubine Lin sat upright on a bench, holding the stove tightly in her hands. Her eyes were as calm as a lake, but with a bit of elusive depth.

Doctor Guo's pupils suddenly shrank and an inexplicable panic surged in his heart.

He stared at Concubine Lin in disbelief, with countless questions in his mind. Why did Concubine Lin appear here? Why did she come here in person? Could it be that... Could it be that she knew about that matter?

Impossible, he immediately rejected this idea. That incident happened 26 years ago. Aren't all the people who knew the truth, except him, killed one by one? How could anyone else know? Concubine Lin couldn't know that secret.

Doctor Guo secretly withdrew his gaze and tried hard to suppress his inner panic.

However, Concubine Lin had keenly caught the evasive look in Doctor Guo's eyes. This subtle change made her sure that what Wu promised was true.

Hidden under her long sleeves, Concubine Lin clenched her hands into fists until deep bloody marks were left.

Qingfang approached quietly, her shadow shrouding Guo Wenbo in darkness like a ghost.

"Doctor Guo, long time no see." Her voice seemed to travel through time and space, soft and distant, "It has been twenty-six years since we parted hastily at your house."

This long-lost title was like a heavy hammer, almost shattering the wall of Doctor Guo's heart that had weathered so much wind and rain.

Doctor Guo's hands trembled slightly. He suddenly raised his head, with disbelief flashing in his eyes, and stared at Qingfang as if he had seen a ghost.