"Well, this is not a bad idea," the Empress Dowager finally spoke. "Then send someone to search. Send my own people and let them conduct the search personally."
The maids and eunuchs in the Empress Dowager's palace were all shrewd and capable veterans. Naturally, they could conduct a thorough search.
"His Majesty, the Emperor, has arrived—"
Just as the Empress Dowager had sent a group of people out, she heard Fang Xi shouting in a shrill voice outside the hall. Then Si Junlin entered.
"Your son pays respects to Mother," Si Junlin first glanced at Su Wan'er, then bowed to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager didn't look happy at all. "Do you think I can still be at ease, Emperor?"
"Your son has made a mistake. Please punish me, Mother," Si Junlin immediately admitted his fault. Concubine Mei, who had been kneeling on the ground and was about to bat her tear - filled eyes to win Si Junlin's sympathy, quieted down when she heard the Emperor admit his mistake first.
"First, take a look at that poisonous woman kneeling on the ground. She's so bold that she has harmed me twice!" The Empress Dowager still couldn't calm down. She glared at Concubine Mei and said sharply, "I've always said that concubines should be dignified and steady. With her looks..." Somehow, halfway through her words, the Empress Dowager suddenly glanced at Su Wan'er.
"With her looks, she can't have a good temper!"
"Yes, Mother is right," Si Junlin also frowned as he looked at Concubine Mei. "Concubine Mei has made mistakes repeatedly. She really shouldn't be forgiven anymore!"
"Forget it. I've already sent people to investigate. We'll punish her later when they come back."
"Your Majesty, I'm wronged, Your Majesty..." Concubine Mei pitifully hugged one of Si Junlin's calves. Usually, when she wasn't wronged, she could cry beautifully like a pear blossom in the rain. Now, she was in floods of tears.
"Kneel properly for me!" Si Junlin frowned. Seeing that Su Wan'er was looking at him, he quickly stepped away from Concubine Mei.
"Whether you're wronged or not doesn't depend on me. Mother will surely uphold justice in the Ci Ning Palace."
Hearing these words, Concubine Mei felt even more aggrieved. She was used to Si Junlin's partiality when he was around. But now, seeing Su Wan'er sitting beside Si Junlin, all her grievances turned into hatred for her.
It was because of Su Wan'er that the Emperor no longer believed her! It was because of this bitch. She must be whispering in the Emperor's ear every day. She would never let her go!
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, I must have been framed this time. It seems that although the harem appears peaceful on the surface, it's actually full of discord. I'm really wronged—"
Su Wan'er was feeling guilty because Si Junlin kept staring at her when he sat down. She had just done something bad, so of course, she was afraid of being found out. Who would have thought that at this moment, Concubine Mei would come up with a way to harm her again.
"What Concubine Mei said makes sense!" The Empress Dowager had been wanting to pin a crime on Su Wan'er. Naturally, she thought Concubine Mei was helping her out. "The disharmony in the harem is due to the failure of the Queen to fulfill her duties."
"Mother, during the morning court today, the envoys from Western Xia sent a lot of food and supplies to help our Great Jin in the front - line battle against the Southern Border. There was also a coral tree. Your son wants to put it here for you to calm your nerves." Western Xia, as a common neighbor of Great Jin and the Southern Border, was a weak country and had always relied on the Jin Kingdom. Afraid that the Southern Border would attack them after defeating Great Jin, they naturally came to help.
Obviously, Si Junlin mentioned this to change the topic and prevent the Empress Dowager from blaming Su Wan'er.
"I know you're filial! But I still have to say that the Queen is hard to absolve of her blame in this matter!" The Empress Dowager still pointed the finger at Su Wan'er.
Su Wan'er pressed her lips tightly. Let the Empress Dowager blame her. It would be better if she hated her thoroughly. She would need the old lady's push when she left the palace.
"What mistake have I made? I know nothing about today's matter. Mother can't wrong me," Su Wan'er deliberately retorted.
"You!" The Empress Dowager was furious. "Lin'er, look at your Queen! Look at her!"
Si Junlin sat upright, wondering why Su Wan'er's reply was so impolite.
"She's trying to anger me to death!"
"Calm down, Mother. Calm down," Si Junlin winked at Su Wan'er. All she needed to do was bow her head and admit her mistake. But Su Wan'er seemed to see nothing and looked innocent.
"Your son also thinks... this matter can't be blamed on Wan'er," Si Junlin thought that Su Wan'er was really angry because she felt the Empress Dowager had wronged her since she ignored his hint.
"Can't blame her?!" The Empress Dowager was shocked. Her Lin'er, who had always been the most filial, dared to contradict her now?
"Mother, please listen to your son first. Although Wan'er is the Queen, she can't take care of everyone. Just like your son in the court, it's also very difficult to distinguish between the loyal and the treacherous. We can only do our best," Si Junlin said and deliberately smiled at Su Wan'er.
But Su Wan'er was secretly anxious. Why didn't he stop the Empress Dowager from punishing her before? Now that she had something important to do, he just had to cause trouble!
"Your servant is guilty. Please punish me, Mother," Su Wan'er didn't appreciate his help.
"Your son is also guilty. Please punish me, Mother," Si Junlin was also anxious. He knelt beside Su Wan'er, as if he was saying that if the Empress Dowager wanted to punish Su Wan'er, she had to punish him too.
"The Queen failed to manage the harem well. She should be punished. When I was the Queen, the Grand Empress Dowager punished me a lot. Does the Emperor want to stop me today?!" The Empress Dowager frowned.
"Your son doesn't dare. How about just deducting the Queen's monthly allowance for three months as a warning?"
"Your Majesty! How can you be so partial?" Concubine Mei was almost furious. The Emperor was clearly protecting her. Even she could see that the Emperor was afraid that the Empress Dowager would punish Su Wan'er too much!
The female official who had gone to search outside came back. Si Junlin gave Concubine Mei a warning look. With this matter settled, the Empress Dowager had no more intention to argue about punishing Su Wan'er.
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, and the Queen," the female official seemed to be in a dilemma. "Your servant searched for that kind of powder, but it seems... it seems quite common in the palace."
"Oh?" Si Junlin was puzzled.
"What powder?"
"Your Majesty, Concubine Mei has always claimed to be wronged. The Empress Dowager noticed that it was this powder scattered in the room that made the gu worms react. So your servant suspected that if someone really framed Concubine Mei, there must still be some of this powder left in their own palace," Su Wan'er thought it was time for her to explain.
"Really? In this case, I think it makes a lot of sense. It seems that Mother wronged you, Wan'er. You're so intelligent. You're quite good at managing the harem," Si Junlin said.
After hearing his words, Su Wan'er felt something was very wrong. Si Junlin had come back from court so early today. As soon as he came in, he praised her in front of the Empress Dowager. It seemed that he was deliberately trying to ruin her plan.