After a while, Shen Meizhuang noticed that the fish food in Caiyue’s hands was almost gone, so she instructed Xiao Shi, who was holding the lantern, to fetch more.

Xiao Yunzi carefully observed the surroundings. Suddenly, he seemed to catch sight of a woman dressed in a palace maid’s uniform slowly approaching.

Song Zhi?

When she came closer, Xiao Yunzi confirmed that it was indeed Song Zhi, one of Hua Fei’s close attendants.

Based on his years of experience in the palace, he was certain this was not a casual encounter. Song Zhi was undoubtedly up to no good! But for now, he couldn’t act recklessly. Staying hidden might yield unexpected results.

“If I manage to uncover something big, my mistress will surely praise me for being capable!”

Xiao Yunzi thought to himself, while keeping his eyes fixed on Song Zhi’s every move.

When Song Zhi approached Shen Meizhuang, Xiao Yunzi overheard her saying something about Hua Fei planning to gift Shen Guiren a “fine cat” from the tribute sent by Huizhou.

Hearing this, Xiao Yunzi was puzzled.

“A fine cat?”

In all his years in the palace, he had never heard of anyone offering cats as tribute.

More importantly, he knew his mistress, Zhen Huan, had a deep fear of cats. He absolutely couldn’t let Shen Guiren bring a cat to Suiyuxuan.

Soon, Xiao Yunzi saw Caiyue following Song Zhi away, leaving Shen Meizhuang happily feeding the fish alone by the lake.

Xiao Yunzi instinctively glanced around and noticed a young eunuch sneaking toward Shen Meizhuang. His steps were cautious and quiet, as if he was deliberately avoiding being heard.

This is bad!

A diversion!

Realizing this, Xiao Yunzi noticed the eunuch’s hand reaching toward Shen Meizhuang.

“Shen Guiren, watch out! Move!”

Xiao Yunzi couldn’t worry about staying hidden anymore. His mistress’s instructions were clear—he had to ensure Shen Guiren’s safety.

Startled by the sudden shout, Shen Meizhuang instinctively dodged aside. In the process, she dropped the fish food into the lake.

“Splash!”

Shen Meizhuang was shocked to see a large figure fall into the water, sending up a huge spray that soaked half of her dress.

When she looked closely, she realized it was a living, breathing person struggling in the water.

“This…”

Shen Meizhuang was so startled that she couldn’t speak for a moment.

At that moment, Xiao Yunzi hurried over to her side.

“Shen Guiren, are you alright?”

“That…” Shen Meizhuang, still shaken, pointed at the person in the water. When she recognized the person’s face, she was visibly surprised.

“Xiao Yinzi!”

Xiao Yunzi glared at the figure flailing in the water, his expression dark with anger.

“That scoundrel just tried to push you into the lake!”

As he spoke, Xiao Yunzi knelt and bowed deeply.

“This is all my fault for being careless. I almost allowed this lowlife to harm you, Guiren.”

Shen Meizhuang quickly helped him up.

“This is all thanks to you. If it weren’t for you, I might be the one in the water right now.”

“Enough talk for now, Xiao Yunzi. Pull him out first. Whether he lives or dies doesn’t matter, but we can’t let the person behind him escape responsibility for plotting against me.”

“If it weren’t for the fact that keeping him alive might be useful, I wouldn’t dirty my hands saving him. Let him drink some more water while we’re at it!”

Only when Xiao Yinzi had swallowed enough water did Xiao Yunzi jump into the lake and haul him out.

“Help! Someone tried to harm Shen Guiren! Help!”

Xiao Yunzi’s cries quickly drew the attention of the palace guards, and the matter soon reached the emperor.

When Zhen Huan learned that the person who fell into the water wasn’t Shen Meizhuang, the weight on her heart was finally lifted.

Hua Fei, Li Pin, and Cao Qinmo all rushed to the scene upon hearing that someone had been apprehended.

The emperor glanced at Shen Meizhuang, whose face was pale and bloodless, and his heart filled with pity.

“Speak! Why did you try to push Shen Guiren into the lake?”

Xiao Yinzi, trembling with fear, knelt on the ground, his entire body shaking.

“Your Majesty… I… I…”

Li Pin, standing nearby, nervously twisted the handkerchief in her hand. Hua Fei, noticing this, rolled her eyes at her with disdain.

This subtle exchange did not escape Zhen Huan’s notice.

“Your Majesty, Xiao Yinzi is merely a servant. How could he have the audacity to plan harm against Shen Guiren on his own?”

Jing Pin, though usually quiet, was sharp and insightful.

The Qianli Pond was less than a hundred meters from Yikun Palace. Who would dare cause trouble in Hua Fei’s domain unless it was Hua Fei herself?

Jing Pin had always been at odds with Hua Fei, and with Shen Meizhuang being from Jing Pin’s palace, she naturally spoke up in defense.

Li Pin was quick to interject.

“Jing Pin, what are you implying?”

Jing Pin was about to respond when Hua Fei shot her a fierce glare.

“Jing Pin, you’ve grown quite bold, haven’t you?”

Jing Pin had once served in Hua Fei’s palace and suffered under her rule. Despite her resentment, she still feared Hua Fei’s power and chose to remain silent.

Watching Li Pin’s flustered and panicked reaction, Zhen Huan couldn’t help but feel amused.

“Jing Pin only spoke the truth. She didn’t accuse you directly, Sister Li Pin. Why are you so quick to lose your temper?”

Li Pin, with guilt written all over her face, was unable to conceal her fear. Her anxious demeanor was obvious to everyone present.

She quickly defended herself.

“I didn’t do it! Your Majesty, I truly didn’t…”

“Enough! All of you, stop arguing.” The emperor’s gaze darkened under the lantern’s glow, making his tone even more commanding.

“Xiao Yinzi, confess everything truthfully. If you dare lie, I will have your entire family executed!”

The emperor’s calm tone made his words all the more chilling.

Xiao Yinzi, soaked and shivering, was utterly terrified. Crawling to the emperor’s feet, he kowtowed repeatedly.

“Your Majesty, please spare my family. I’ll tell the truth!”

His eyes darted nervously around the room before he finally pointed at Li Pin.

“Your Majesty, it was Li Pin! Li Pin Niangniang instructed me to do this…”

Li Pin’s legs gave way as she collapsed to the ground.

Xiao Yinzi continued.

“Li Pin Niangniang said she hated Guiren Wan and Guiren Shen, that she hated them to the bone. She said it was because of them that Your Majesty no longer favored her as before.”

“She specifically ordered me to wait for an opportunity after learning that Hua Fei Niangniang had summoned Shen Guiren today…”

“Just as I was about to act, Eunuch Yun spotted me, and that’s when…”

Xiao Yinzi’s body trembled so violently he could barely finish his words.

“Guards! Drag Xiao Yinzi out and execute him with a beating!”

The emperor’s expression remained unchanged as he delivered the order, his tone as indifferent as if discussing a trivial matter.

“Li Pin Niangniang, save me! I only did this because of your orders! Your Majesty… Your Majesty, please spare me…”

Xiao Yinzi’s desperate cries echoed as he was dragged out.

Li Pin shuddered at the sound of the blows outside, each one making her body tremble as if the pain were her own.

“Your Majesty… Your Majesty, I’ll confess everything…”