A flicker of disdain crossed Nanli’s lips.
Doctor Shen, what happened to our agreement on confidentiality?
Nevertheless, she wasted no time and swiftly shouldered her bag, saying, "Let’s hurry."
She had previously drawn a talisman for Lady of Bright Deportment of Yang, although in theory, the talisman couldn’t have any effect against evil spirits.
Nonetheless, she felt compelled to go and see for herself.
The streets were already sparsely populated at this late hour, and with the Imperial Guards clearing the way, they reached the palace in less than the usual time.
Yang Zhaoyi resided in the Biyu Palace.
Even though it was the hour of 9:00 PM, the Biyu Palace was still bustling with people.
Emperor Muwudi and Empress Xie were naturally present, along with several concubines.
"Sixth Miss, you’ve finally arrived!" Emperor Muwud’s furrowed brow slightly relaxed upon seeing Nanli.
Nanli didn’t need to kneel and perform the grand ceremony, only a slight bow was required.
"No need for such formalities, please go and see what’s wrong with Yang," Emperor Muwudi couldn’t contain his impatience any longer.
The palace was filled with deceit and treachery, and when he was the Crown Prince, he couldn’t protect his own flesh and blood, which caused him immense pain.
Now that he had become the Emperor, he couldn’t afford to fail in protecting his own child.
"Yes," Nanli replied and followed the palace attendants into the sleeping quarters.
The Imperial Physician and Doctor Shen were waiting behind a screen.
As soon as Doctor Shen saw Nanli, he intentionally avoided making eye contact with her.
Nanli couldn’t be bothered to argue with Doctor Shen and went around the screen.
Yang lay on the bed, her abdomen slightly swollen.
Due to the pain, her face was pale, and beads of sweat formed on her forehead.
She was in a daze, muttering something incoherent, as if she had been possessed.
Nanli took a look and confirmed that there was indeed a lingering aura of evil spirits in her abdomen.
She furrowed her brows slightly, formed hand seals, and cleared away the lingering aura of evil spirits in her abdomen.
Instantly, Yang was relieved of the torment of the evil spirits.
The pain subsided, and she regained consciousness.
Blinking her eyes, she saw Nanli and weakly asked, "Sixth Miss? What... what happened to me?"
"You were possessed by evil spirits, but now you’re fine," Nanli replied.
Behind the screen, Doctor Shen exclaimed, "See, I told you, she must have been possessed by evil spirits."
This couldn’t be concealed for long, and soon Emperor Muwu and the others entered the sleeping quarters.
Emperor Muwud’s face was so gloomy that it seemed as if water could drip from it.
He said, "Sixth Miss, didn’t you give Yang a talisman for protection? She has been carrying it with her, so how could she be possessed by evil spirits?"
Moreover, they were in the palace, which had protective formations against evil spirits and demons.
Everyone exchanged glances, afraid to speak further.
It seemed that Emperor Muwu was blaming Miss Chu Li for this.
Empress Xie was about to say something when a deep voice sounded from behind, "What do you mean by this, Your Majesty? Do you think that the talisman offered by A’li is useless?"
It was Ye Siheng who had arrived.
He was dressed in his regular attire, exuding a cold aura.
His phoenix-like eyes slightly raised, his expression icy.
Emperor Muwu furrowed his brows, "That’s not what I meant. I just want to know the reason."
Before Ye Siheng could retort, Nanli had already stepped forward and said, "If the evil spirits are powerful, talismans may not always be effective. However, I just examined it, and my talisman can indeed ward off the aura of evil spirits. Where is Yang’s talisman? I want to see it."
"It’s here," Yang propped herself up, "Ever since I started feeling unwell, I’ve been clutching the pouch, and the talisman is inside."
Nanli looked at the pouch in her palm, and there was a faint black aura lingering above it.
Her eyebrows furrowed, and her heart felt as if it was being pulled downwards by something.
Just a small opening, the black aura started to fly around, about to escape from the Biyuu Hall.
Her expression turned resolute as she took out a talisman to block their path.
Upon colliding with the barrier of the talisman, the black aura actually took form! Everyone saw a few strands of black aura and shouted to protect the Emperor.
Before the Imperial Guards could draw their swords, Nanli had already gathered the black aura into a cloth bag.
Emperor Muwud was momentarily at a loss for words, "Sixth Miss, this talisman of yours..."
His words came to an abrupt halt.
One of the concubines quickly glanced at Ye Siheng and angrily said, "Chu Nanli, do you know the crime you have committed by plotting against the royal heir?!"
Nanli remained calm, "Madam, please choose your words carefully."
The concubine, surnamed Zou, came from a family of military officials and was only eighteen years old.
She had long admired Ye Siheng and was willing to serve by his side even if he was disabled.
Unexpectedly, her voluntary confession had attracted nothing but disdain from Ye Siheng.
This matter somehow became known to her elder brother, who was afraid of displeasing Ye Siheng, so he hastily sent her into the palace!
She was only eighteen!
But Emperor Muwud was already over fourteen!
Originally, Ye Siheng always held himself in high regard, untouchable by anyone.
She didn’t care about it.
However, unexpectedly, Ye Siheng became infatuated with a maid who had returned from the countryside.
How could she bear this humiliation?
So now, with a rare opportunity at hand, she intends to crush Chu Nanli beneath her feet.
Yet, Ye Siheng seemed to have forgotten all those past events.
His face turned cold as he spoke, "Imperial Brother, can a mere concubine speak to you and the Empress Consort? The rules of the harem have truly surprised me." Judging by her appearance, this concubine seemed to be nothing more than a beautiful decoration.
Zou saw the indifference in Ye Siheng’s eyes, as if an arrow had pierced through her heart in an instant.
But that wasn’t the worst part.
Emperor Muwu gave a signal, and the eunuch supervisor called for two young eunuchs to drag Zou out.
She knelt in front of the main hall, and the sound of slaps echoed one after another.
Before she could be slapped too many times, Zou was already crying and begging for forgiveness.
Although Nanli was a cultivator, she adhered to the principle of not seeking death, so she did not plead for mercy.
After the beating had subsided, the eunuch pulled her away.
Both inside and outside the hall fell silent, and Nanli finally opened the talisman pouch, saying, "Your Majesty, this is not the talisman I drew."
She wasn’t foolish; if she was going to deliver something to the palace, she would leave a mark on the talisman paper.
At that time, she showed the mark to Emperor Muwu and then concealed it.
Even without the mark as evidence, the eunuch supervisor, who carried the talisman Nanli drew, recognized that it was not her work.
"This is a talisman that attracts evil spirits. Fortunately, there is a formation in the palace, so the gathering of evil spirits is limited. As long as Consort Yang recuperates well, the fetus will not be harmed," Nanli explained.
Emperor Muwu was already furious and declared, "Arrest all the palace maids in the Biyu Palace and interrogate them rigorously!"
Only the palace maids in the Biyu Palace could have switched the talisman in Yang’s pouch!
Daring to plot against him right under his nose, he would personally flay and dismember that person!
Seeing that this matter had nothing to do with Nanli, Ye Siheng’s expression eased slightly.
Yang also sobbed, "Your Majesty, you must find the person who replaced the talisman, otherwise... I will be restless in my heart."
Emperor Muwu consoled her repeatedly.
The Yulin Guards were about to take the palace maids to the Chilong Guards, but at this moment, a palace maid knelt down and pleaded, "This servant is willing to reveal the truth. Please, Your Majesty, spare this servant’s life!"