“Wuwuwu…” Consort Hui cried, tears streaming down her face.

【Wuwuwu…】Her inner voice echoed even louder than Consort Hui’s sobs.

Consort Hui: “…” She almost couldn’t keep up the act.

A moment later, Han Chu, a figure as elegant and imposing as jade, strode into Yu Hua Palace. His face, like polished jade, was cold and indifferent, his imposing aura causing those who faced him to tremble with fear.

The moment he stepped into Yu Hua Palace…

“Wuwuwuwu…” Consort Hui cried even harder, followed by another strange, whimpering sound.

【Wuwuwuwu… Why hasn’t the Emperor arrived yet?】

“Wuwu…” Consort Hui continued to cry.

【Wuwuwuwu… My legs are going numb.】

“W…wuwu…” Consort Hui was almost exasperated by Chu Jiu Jiu, but for the sake of her pitiful act, she had to grit her teeth and continue crying.

【Wuwu… I’ve waited so long, Your Majesty, where are you~?】

Han Chu: “…”

Many of the concubines, already dazed by the noise: “…” Who will save them?

“This concubine/This servant pays respects to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty, ten thousand years of Your Majesty.”

Han Chu strode past, his imposing figure moving with grace, like the moon in the sky, unattainable.

His arrival successfully silenced Yu Hua Palace. Consort Hui only dared to cry for a moment. As the tall, imposing figure entered Yu Hua Palace, she dared not cry anymore, fearing she would anger the Emperor.

“Consort Hui, you speak.” He didn’t even want to ask another word, his tone lazy yet filled with cold indifference.

Consort Hui tearfully recounted the events of the previous night: “…This concubine was too scared to speak, afraid of angering that person and being…killed.”

After speaking, she wept uncontrollably.

The concubines in the hall were silent, afraid that the blame would fall on them, including Consort Li, who was usually deceitful, not daring to wade into this muddy water.

Han Chu remained silent, the entire hall falling into deathly silence.

At this moment, a calm, questioning voice emerged from among the concubines.

【Am I that terrifying? I just dug some dirt, and they’re this scared? My bad, my bad.】

Most people in the hall: “???”

Instantly, those who could hear Chu Jiu Jiu’s thoughts turned their gaze towards her.

Han Chu’s gaze fell lightly upon her, showing a clear interest compared to his previous indifference.

Consort Li looked at Chu Jiu Jiu in surprise. It was actually…her…

Xin Meiren frowned, regaining her usual gentle demeanor within seconds.

Consort Hui: “…” She had intended to garner more sympathy, but the culprit had confessed herself.

“Consort Rou? Do you have something to say?” Han Chu lightly tapped the armrest, his casualness laced with deadly danger.

The first to be terrified was Xiao Lan. Hearing the Emperor mention Consort Rou, her body trembled uncontrollably. It was all her fault…she wasn’t careful enough…

If it had been Sister Kui, perhaps it wouldn’t have been discovered.

Xiao Kui remained expressionless beside her, seemingly anticipating this situation.

Chu Jiu Jiu couldn’t pretend to be unsurprised. She thought: 【How did he guess? He’s amazing, a true prophet.】She silently added the label “Master Diviner” to him in her heart.

The concubines and Eunuch Li who could hear her thoughts: “…” How do you think the Emperor found out?

Chu Jiu Jiu put away her surprised expression and stepped out of the ranks of concubines: “Your Majesty, this concubine does indeed have something to say.”

Han Chu silently watched her, waiting for her to continue.

“This concubine did it.” Her soft voice was frank.

Gasps echoed through the hall. Everyone was surprised by her frankness. She just admitted it??

Perhaps it was the first time he had seen such a thing, Han Chu paused his movements.

“You hate her?” He asked softly, seemingly enjoying the drama.

Chu Jiu Jiu neither confirmed nor denied her hatred, mysteriously and frankly curtseying: “This concubine begs Your Majesty to allow me to keep this a secret. Once the item is dug up, it will not be too late to punish this concubine.”

【Little one, I know you love a good show. I’ve got you under my thumb.】

This instantly frightened many concubines.

Eunuch Li bowed his head as low as he could. He hadn’t heard anything…

Just when everyone thought the Emperor would have Consort Rou dragged out and executed…

Unexpectedly, Han Chu raised an eyebrow and slowly said, “I permit it.”

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace.” Chu Jiu Jiu again curtsied.

This left Consort Hui’s accusations stuck in her throat, unable to be uttered. She could only follow the others to the courtyard in the hall, aggrieved.

Xiao Lan tried several times to rush out and take the blame for her mistress, as it was her fault for not handling things properly.  She was quickly stopped by Xiao Kui.

The surprise in Xiao Kui’s eyes as she stopped her hadn’t yet faded. Consort Rou hadn’t dragged them out to take the blame…

“Madam, she…” Xiao Lan hesitated.

Xiao Kui shook her head and quietly stopped her: “Don’t act rashly.” If they disrupted Madam’s plan, the situation would only worsen.

Although Xiao Lan was anxious, she always listened to Xiao Kui. In her heart, Xiao Kui was worth ten of her.

With Han Chu leading the way, a large group of people surrounded the courtyard, watching two guards dig up the flowerbed.

Eunuch Li softly persuaded, “Your Majesty, the dust here is heavy, it might choke you.”

“It’s fine.” Han Chu rejected his suggestion, showing no intention of moving.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Eunuch Li could only retreat.

At this moment, a calm voice rang out again: 【A grown man, so delicate.】

This frightened everyone present again. Eunuch Li repeatedly thought Consort Rou would be ordered to be executed by the Emperor, each time marveling at her good fortune.

Han Chu treated her criticism as if it were a passing breeze, neither angry nor annoyed.

After a while, the two guards dug and dug, but still found nothing.

Consort Hui became nervous, afraid that nothing would be found, secretly blaming herself for not digging up the item first before reporting to the Emperor.