"How dare you, Yi Pin! How dare you slander like this? This is an act of rebellion. Tell , who sent you to accuse ?"
Upon hearing Yi Pin’s words, Lady Li Fei was trembling with anger. Treason is a grave cri; if proven, not only her life would be at stake, but her son Jun Lian would also suffer. Even if Qi Yun doesn’t execute him, being demoted to a commoner would be the least of his worries.
This accusation she absolutely cannot accept, so she imdiately refuted it.
Yi Pin gently stroked her hair, smiling faintly: "Oh dear, Lady Li Fei, I was rely speculating, not outright accusing you. Why are you so fierce?
Alas, seeing you this impatient makes it seem suspicious to those with an agenda. The result, if not a spy, is sothing else! So, Your Ladyship, relax, will you!"
"You..."
Lady Li Fei was so angered that she trembled, desperately wanting to strangle Yi Pin—this wretch!
"Lady Li Fei, this item was indeed found in your side hall. What do you have to say about that?"
Qi Yun questioned her coldly.
Lady Li Fei hurriedly knelt: "Your Majesty, please hear my words. I am truly innocent. I have never even seen this dicine!"
"Lady Li Fei must be joking. Those who poison never admit to it. If this poison truly belonged to you, of course you’d deny knowing about it!"
At first glance, this statent didn’t seem problematic, but upon closer examination, it was damning. It’s insinuating that Lady Li Fei’s defense makes her the true culprit because it shows her guilt!
This was deadly!
"Your Majesty!"
Lady Li Fei exclaid, turning to look at Qi Yun.
But Qi Yun rely waved a hand, "Take Lady Li Fei away, confine her in Lixiu Palace, and do not let her step outside!"
This was house arrest—not severe, yet a life-threatening punishnt.
Once under house arrest, one cannot investigate the matter outside. This allows Queen Qiao to do as she pleases!
"Your Majesty, I am innocent, truly innocent. I have never poisoned anyone..."
Lady Li Fei pleaded bitterly, but Qi Yun rely waved his hand, and she was taken away.
"Alas, how pitiful, how lantable. She has only just regained her status as a concubine, and now she’s being sent back to the Cold Palace. Ah, life is so tragic, it brings tears to one’s eyes!"
Yi Pin shalessly dabbed a silk cloth, feigning sympathy.
Before departing, Lady Li Fei saw Yi Pin’s smug look, grinding her teeth in anger, yet unable to react.
Acting irrationally would invite criticism, even assault by others.
Lady Li Fei must endure. She now only considered not her own interests but those of her son Qi Junlian, for his future.
She glanced towards Li Qingmu, seeing him nod, which finally eased her mind.
She trusted no one else, but if she couldn’t trust Li Qingmu, then she had no place in the struggle for the throne in Capital City.
"Your Majesty, regarding this case..."
Zhao ngran, watching the departing Lady Li Fei, looked conflictedly at Qi Yun.
Qi Yun said coldly, "Lady Li Fei conspired with Beiliang to fra the Empress, using special poison, villainous thods—demote her from concubine to talented lady!"
With that, Qi Yun departed with hands behind his back.
"Boom—"
The mont Qi Yun’s words fell, it was as if a bomb exploded here. This was the most severe demotion in history, from a concubine to the lowest rank of talented lady—this was colder than being sent to the Cold Palace.
"Your Ladyship, everything is in place."
Zhen Shu whispered to Queen Qiao.
Queen Qiao smiled softly, gently brushing her rouge, revealing a triumphant expression: "That wretch, wanting to fight , does she even consider her worth?"
"Indeed, Your Ladyship, when you make a move, it’s remarkable! Today’s tactic not only resolves the hidden danger with the Crown Prince but also suppresses Lady Li Fei and earns His Majesty’s favor—truly killing three birds with one stone! Your Ladyship is wise!"
"Alright, let’s go! Let think of how to deal with her! Strike while the iron is hot. I was too lenient to allow her resurgence, but this ti, I won’t repeat that mistake!"
Queen Qiao was delighted by Zhen Shu’s complints, smiling as she returned to Kunyuan Palace to finalize her plan against Lady Li Fei, unaware that Long Yue was swiftly heading to a rural hideout outside the Imperial Palace.
"Drive, drive, drive!"
Horses galloped, leaving a trail of dust behind. Qingming accompanied Long Yue, saying, "Madam, that person is in the village ahead!"
"Alright, hurry, I’m worried Queen Qiao will deal harshly with Lady Li Fei—that woman is ruthless and seizes opportunities well. If Lady Li Fei is punished by His Majesty, the Empress will surely exploit it!"
As Long Yue spoke, she whipped the horse urgently.
This matter shouldn’t have been her task. Li Qingmu or Qi Jingyu should have handled it, but that would make it easier for the Empress to anticipate.
But for Long Yue, who was rely a woman staying ho with her children, after disguising herself, no one would recognize her, enabling her to complete this task.
They rode swiftly and finally reached the village before nightfall.
The village was extrely remote, several dozen miles from Capital City, with mountain roads up ahead surrounded by hills—very hard to locate.
Yet only such a place could assure survival.
Entering the village, Long Yue and Qingming arrived at a house and gently knocked on the courtyard gate.
"Who’s there?"
A hoarse voice sounded from within, followed by rustling noises.
An elderly woman, leaning heavily on her cane, wobbled out.
The woman’s face bore a deep scar, and from one cheek down to the neck, there were marks of burns from flas.
She dressed in tatters, her hair disheveled, eyes dull and lacking spirit.
Long Yue closely observed—the elderly woman seed to be in her fifties, matching the description of that person from years ago.
"Excuse , is this Li Ji’s residence?"
Long Yue asked softly, causing the elderly woman to shudder and promptly slam the door shut.
"Help, robbery! Soone wants to rob , an old woman!"
The elderly woman scread endlessly, quickly prompting nearby farrs wielding butcher knives and hoes to rush over.
"Who? Where’s the thief? You scoundrel, co out, and I’ll kill you!"
"Indeed, Aunt Chenma, don’t worry, we’re here, the thief won’t dare act against you!"
Leading villagers eyed Long Yue, initially planning to intimidate her, but upon seeing her extraordinary beauty, they were stumped on how to proceed.
"Miss, you don’t seem like a robber, yet Aunt Chenma says you want to rob her. What exactly is happening? If you can’t explain, we won’t show any rcy!"
A young man approached, aggressively slamming his hoe to the ground.
Buoyant villagers had sincere intentions, so Long Yue wouldn’t harm them. She smiled: "This good sir, you’re truly kind-hearted, speaking straightforwardly! I’ll be honest then, I’ve co seeking Aunt Chenma’s assistance, but she misunderstood !"
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