The next day, a gloomy atmosphere hung over the palace.

　　I watched as the last winter plum blossoms fell outside, trimming off even the main branches.

　　The hurried and chaotic sound of footsteps broke through the door, and Fuyin screamed.

　　Countless imperial guards surrounded us, leaving no room to escape.

　　Xu Jiao's face was radiant, dressed in a gorgeous palace attire, and she pointed at me in disgust, saying, "It's you! You wicked woman! You dare poison the Emperor! Now the Emperor is coughing up blood and fainted! You can't escape blame, and you deserve a thousand deaths!"

　　"But if it was just you, you couldn't have done this alone.

　　Who was supporting you from behind? Hurry up and tell me.

　　Perhaps I can spare your life!" I remained seated, calmly smiling and questioning.

　　"Does the Empress Dowager want me to say it was her? Or the young Crown Prince Fang Huan?"

　　Her expression froze, not expecting me to expose her thoughts so bluntly.

　　She sneered maliciously, saying, "Just you wait.

　　Once we reach the Ministry of Punishment or the dungeons, there are plenty of methods to make you speak and search you!"

　　As soon as she spoke, the eunuchs and palace maids around her aggressively started smashing things in the hall.

　　She finally felt triumphant because she was the winner.

　　Behind her, the Emperor, who had regained consciousness at an unknown time, coldly locked eyes with me.

　　"Your Majesty..." Xu Jiao was startled.

　　But Pei Qi ignored her.

　　With unsteady steps due to his grave illness, he slowly walked towards me.

　　Lowering his head, he asked, "Chen Suniang?"

　　I respectfully replied, "I am here, Your Majesty."

　　"What is your relationship with Gu Xing?" His voice suppressed a murderous intent.

　　I answered honestly, with a hint of nostalgia in my eyes, "Your Majesty, he was my late husband who died for the country...

　　Ah!"

　　My voice suddenly fell silent because he tightly gripped my throat.

　　The once arrogant Emperor now looked at me with bloodshot eyes and said, "So you want to harm me too! Haven't I been good enough to you? I've given you countless treasures and granted every request you've made! And yet, you dare deceive me!"

　　"Even for a lowly soldier, he schemed and planned to kill me!" He almost roared, "Chen Su-niang! Do you have a shred of conscience left?" The suffocating feeling made tears uncontrollably stream down my face, he wanted to strangle me, but I didn't resist.

　　I even thought I might die today.

　　But I knew, I wouldn't die.

　　The searchers trembled and stammered, "Y-Your Majesty...

　　there's nothing." Pei Qi paused, loosening his grip violently.

　　"How could there be nothing! It's her! Did you search thoroughly?!" Xu Jiao-jiao couldn't believe it and yelled.

　　The palace maid didn't dare deceive the king, "There really isn't any." Pei Qi looked at me in astonishment.

　　I cried and smiled at him, "Your Majesty, what are you looking at? Are you seeing that I have feelings and a heart for my enemies?" "Just kill me." I said to him, "Kill me now." "I am too ashamed to face Gu Lang." He hugged me tightly, gritting his teeth, "You wouldn't dare!"