Xiao Luzi returns.

He found ten similar letters in Concubine Ji's room. After comparing the handwriting, he determined that they were written by Qin Lixue himself, which meant that what Concubine Ji said was correct.

The Queen read the letters one by one and concluded, "The truth is now clear. There is no such thing as a private affair between Qin Lixue and Concubine Ji."

"Qin Lixue was infected with a special habit that is hard to describe. The letters between Ji Guiren and him were just a doctor's kindness to help him cure his illness."

"Miss Qiao." Concubine Lin's eyes fell unwaveringly on Qiao Xiao.

"Do you have anything else to say? I don't think that Lady Ji wants to silence you just because of this matter."

Even though the situation was hopeless, Qiao Xiao still refused to give up, because she still had a trick up her sleeve.

——The wound on her neck was not caused in vain.

Now in her room, there is a young eunuch who is unconscious. And that eunuch was once a palace servant of Ji Guiren.

Qiao Xiao shouted, "Your Highness, please be wise. I really did not lie. Lady Ji definitely sent someone to kill me!"

Wu Qing couldn't help rubbing his ears and asked helplessly: "Excuse me, girl, who came to kill you?"

Qiao Xiao's eyes were red. "Jingyixuan was hit by a sudden disaster. I fled in panic, but was attacked by a eunuch. He was going to strangle me and make it look like I died accidentally due to the collapse."

"Just based on this, young lady, can you conclude that the eunuch is my man?" Wu Qing asked back.

Qiao Xiao said without flinching, "He was Ling Meiyuan's former Xiao Quanzi. Your Excellency was his former master, how dare you say you have nothing to do with him?"

Wu Qing laughed, "You are a young lady who has just entered the palace, but you know that Xiao Quanzi was my former servant? That's amazing."

Qiao Xiao's heart tightened when she heard this. She realized her carelessness in her words, and a trace of annoyance appeared on her face.

Wu Qing: "First, I don't know any Xiao Quanzi. Second, there is no one else around me except Jinxiu. Third, if there is a need to take action, I will do it myself without asking anyone else to do it."

She had no expression when she said this, and seemed a little gloomy.

Do it yourself?!

"...Your Highness is very scheming and decisive. I, an official, cannot even compare to you." Qiao Xiao involuntarily took a half step back, secretly marveling at her ruthlessness and decisiveness.

Wu Qing quickly held out his hand and said, "You misunderstood. When doing things in the palace, everything needs to be arranged, which is really incredibly expensive. It would cost dozens of taels of silver to hire a eunuch to do the job. I might as well do it myself."

She said it with a bit of pain.

Concubines: “…” How stingy! Who was it that just said that he was generous?

Qiao Xiao wanted to argue again, but saw the queen gently waving her hand, signaling others to take her away.

They have had enough of this farce.

Being held hostage by the maids, Qiao Xiao's eyes were full of unwillingness.

She twisted her body vigorously, struggling without giving up, "Empress? You can't do this to me! The Emperor hasn't even seen me in person, how can you make such a decision on your own?"

The queen turned a deaf ear to him and characterized Qiao Xiao's behavior: "Qiao's daughter's words and deeds are inappropriate, and her moral character is lacking. She should be expelled from the palace to set things right."

Qiao Xiao couldn't believe it.

The Queen doesn't even give the Queen Mother any face?

She almost screamed as she revealed her last bargaining chip: "Madam! Aren't you afraid that if this gets to my aunt's ears, what will she think?!"

The queen smiled faintly, "If your aunt knew what you did today, she would probably be more heartbroken than me. Qiao Xiao, there is no shortage of smart people within the palace walls. But you used your intelligence in the wrong place."

…

That afternoon, Wu Qingzheng and Xi Yan were fencing in the open space of Linhua Palace.

Xiyan is now able to wield a sword quite well. She has practiced the Eight Extreme Swordsmanship to the point where it seems like her own swordsmanship, which can be described as a natural talent.

However, Wu Qing's sword swing was too powerful, and Xi Yan had to fight back with all her strength to barely block her move. This was the result of Wu Qing's restrained strength.

As time passed, Xiyan began to feel a sour taste in her knuckles.

She raised her sword again and was about to attack, but heard Concubine Lin beside her calling for a pause.

Concubine Lin clapped her hands twice and said, "You have practiced for a long time. You are not tired, but I am tired of watching you. Sit down, have a drink of water and take a rest."

The two men put away their wooden swords and approached the imperial concubine at the same time.

Wu Qing picked up the cup first and drank it all in one gulp.

Concubine Lin frowned, "Drink slowly, you won't choke."

"I'm wrong, I'll do it again next time." Wu Qing smacked his lips and looked at the imperial concubine innocently, "Your Majesty, one cup is not enough. I'll go get another one."

While speaking, Wu Qing's eyes were fixed on the imperial concubine's porcelain cup on the table, and he was reluctant to move.

Concubine Lin: "...Okay, don't run so far to get water. I'll give you my flower tea, too."

Xiyan also felt dry mouth and tongue, but as soon as her fingertips touched her porcelain cup, her hands began to shake uncontrollably. It seemed that she was numb from the force exerted by Ji Guiren during the practice.

Concubine Lin glanced at Wu Qing and said, "What did I say? You are not suitable to teach others."

Wu Qing was also a little distressed. She hesitated for a moment and said tentatively: "How about...let Concubine Mu come and teach us?"

Concubine Lin's eyes turned slightly, and after a moment, she nodded slightly, tacitly agreeing to Wu Qing's proposal.

Xiyan blushed and said, "My Lady, please don't bother Noble Mu."

Xiyan was already grateful for the care given to her by the Imperial Concubine and Noble Lady Ji. Now with the addition of Noble Lady Mu... she felt that she was unworthy.

Her faint voice of resistance was drowned out by the conversation between Wu Qing and the imperial concubine.

"I feel like the princess is still too thin. I'm afraid she didn't have a good foundation before."

"I am also worried." Concubine Lin sighed.

"How about... inviting the princess to come over for meals? The meals in Kunning Palace are indeed exquisite, but they are a bit too light. I can't eat too much every time I eat."

"The small kitchen is your second home, you have the final say." Concubine Lin nodded.

After a period of exchanges between the two, Xiyan's three meals were taken care of by Linhua Palace from then on.

Xiyan took back what she was about to say and drank the water silently.

It seems... not bad, she thought.

The ingredients in Kunning Palace were naturally of top quality, but the taste was light, and she often couldn't eat anymore after a few bites.

Xiyan immediately thought of the seafood porridge cooked by Concubine Ji. The porridge was so fresh and delicious that she couldn't help it and ate two big bowls of it, stunning Zijuan who was serving her.

After a short rest, Wu Qing and Xiyan stood side by side, holding their swords and preparing to practice again, but they saw Qingfang hurriedly walk in with a worried look on her face.

Concubine Lin's brows immediately frowned.

Qingfang is the most stable person around her, and even she has this expression, so she is afraid that something bad may happen.

"My lady, my lady,"

Qingfang's voice was somewhat uneasy. "The Cining Palace has sent an order, asking Lady Ji to come and see the emperor immediately."