Qiu Yi nodded and replied, "This servant was born to be the Empress's person, and will die to be the Empress's ghost. There is absolutely no way I could do anything to betray the Empress."
Consort Ling lowered her eyes, her gaze falling on what Qiu Yi was holding. She then looked up at Qiu Yi and said, "These are special times. Her Majesty the Empress is under house arrest. Aren't you afraid of arousing suspicion by coming out now?"
Qiu Yi calmly replied, "This servant is also acting on the orders of Her Majesty the Empress."
Although the Empress was confined to her quarters, Feng Guche naturally took into account the power of the Shen family, so he did not strictly prohibit the Empress from exercising her power, which was incomparable to other concubines.
"The Imperial Guards are everywhere in the palace now. If you are discovered, it's hard to guarantee that people won't get suspicious. Give me the things, and I will deliver them to Cining Palace on behalf of the Empress. That way, it will be safe."
Qiu Yi was taken aback, then looked up at Consort Ling. "There's no need to trouble Consort Ling. This servant will deliver it."
Lingfei narrowed her eyes slightly, "You don't believe me."
Qiu Yi hurriedly replied, "This servant wouldn't dare. It's just that Her Majesty the Empress instructed me to deliver it personally. If I trouble Consort Ling, I won't be able to explain it to Her Majesty the Empress when I return."
The more Qiu Yi insisted, the more suspicious Ling Fei became.
"How about this, you come back to Fengyi Palace with me first, and I will talk to the Empress and go to Cining Palace myself."
"Her Majesty the Empress has already retired for the night. There shouldn't be any problem sending things to Cining Palace."
Consort Li suddenly spoke up: "Qiuyi, the Empress and Consort Ling have always been on good terms. Consort Ling is here to visit the Empress. If she were to deliver the gifts, the Empress would feel more at ease. Why are you insisting on this? Or are you saying that you secretly came out behind the Empress's back?"
Seeing that the two showed no intention of making way.
Qiu Yi's expression grew increasingly flustered. "How dare this servant sneak out behind Her Majesty the Empress's back? Noble Lady Li, please don't wrong this servant."
His tone sounded somewhat anxious, as if he were worried about something.
Consort Ling clearly had no intention of letting her go. "This is probably nothing important or urgent, and it won't take long. Let's go."
Consort Ling did not give Qiu Yi any chance to refuse. When she finished speaking, she gave a signal to the maid next to her, who understood.
Qiu Yi had no choice but to follow Consort Ling back to Fengyi Palace.
On the way back, a palace maid who was walking alongside Qiu Yi suddenly felt dizzy and fell towards Qiu Yi. In a panic, Qiu Yi reached out to support the maid, but the thing she was holding fell to the ground, scattering some incense ash on the ground.
Consort Ling and Noble Lady Li saw it at a glance and subconsciously exchanged a look.
Qiu Yi hurriedly sent the item away, which made it obvious what the incense ash was. It seemed the Empress had indeed discovered it.
When Qiuyi saw the things fall, she quickly wrapped them up.
Consort Ling pretended not to have seen anything, spoke a few words of concern to the palace maid, and then had her helped back to rest.
The group then continued on to Fengyi Palace.
We arrived at Fengyi Palace.
When the Empress saw Consort Ling and Noble Lady Li arrive, her eyelids drooped slightly, and a dark glint flashed in her eyes.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."
Consort Ling and Noble Lady Li paid their respects at the same time.
The Empress looked at the two women and said, "No need for formalities, Consort Ling and Noble Lady Li. What important matter brings you here at this hour?"
Consort Ling stood up and said gently, "Your Majesty has been unjustly confined to your quarters, and I was somewhat worried, so I came to visit Her Majesty the Empress."
The Empress said in a slightly tired tone, "Indeed, it was my poor management that led to someone harboring evil intentions and plotting to harm the princes."
Consort Li comforted her, "But we can't blame Her Majesty the Empress. There are so many people in the harem, and their hearts are unpredictable. It's really impossible to guard against them all."
The Empress's expression darkened slightly as she looked at Consort Li and asked with concern, "Consort Li, how have you been feeling lately?"
Consort Li replied respectfully, "I am much better. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I wonder who is so cruel as to frame Consort Rong. It seems that their purpose is to harm Your Majesty."
"Just as you said, Consort Li, there are many people in the harem, and you can know their faces but not their hearts."
Upon hearing this, Consort Li felt inexplicably guilty, but she didn't show it much in her expression. She simply said, "Indeed, but I wonder who has such audacity."
Consort Ling said, "I believe His Majesty will be able to find out the truth and clear Your Majesty the Empress's name."
"The innocent will clear themselves." The Empress said, then looked at Qiu Yi and asked, "Qiu Yi, how is the matter I asked you to handle?"
Before Qiu Yi could speak, Consort Ling answered first: "I met Qiu Yi on my way here. Seeing how hurried she was, I was worried that something had happened to Your Majesty. I asked her and found out that you had something to send to Cining Palace. Now that Your Majesty is under house arrest, I was afraid that Qiu Yi would attract attention and cause unnecessary trouble if she went out. I thought it would be safer for me to deliver it to you later."
"Consort Ling is very thoughtful. It's nothing special, so it doesn't matter if it's discovered."
Seeing the Empress's unwavering resolve, Consort Ling grew increasingly suspicious.
"In that case, Your Majesty, I am relieved to hear that you have said so."
The Empress didn't say anything more, and looked at Qiu Yi, "Qiu Yi, go quickly!"
"yes!"
Qiu Yi left Fengyi Palace and deliberately headed towards the main road.
At this moment.
A voice shouted from behind, "Stop!"
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