After becoming pregnant, the cold-hearted nobles all went mad.

With Rongxin's intervention, things naturally become much easier.

On the way to Chaolu Palace, Shen Lingyi couldn't help but ask, "How is the Empress Dowager?"

This matter was originally intended for her, but in the end it harmed the Empress Dowager, and Shen Lingyi felt extremely guilty.

Seeing her cautious manner, Rong Momo sighed and said softly, "Second Miss, there's no need for this. The Empress Dowager has eyes to see and believes that it wasn't you who did it."

Upon hearing this, Shen Lingyi breathed a sigh of relief.

In the Chaolu Palace, there were no other palace maids, only the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager, who had been rubbing her temples, smiled upon seeing her arrive. "Rongxin, quickly offer her a seat."

Then he pulled Shen Lingyi aside and said:

"I know you've been wronged by what happened today, but don't blame the Emperor. After all, the Wan clan is a cancer; everyone is afraid of them. He has to make a statement."

"...I am only worried that the Empress Dowager will distance herself from me because of this."

The Empress Dowager was taken aback. Looking at Shen Lingyi's tearful appearance, she looked sad and gently stroked her hand, saying, "You child, you are just like Duanyi in temperament."

"When I see you, I always feel like I'm back by my mother's side, so I can't help but be closer to you."

Shen Lingyi had already discovered it, but in any case, the Empress Dowager's feelings for her were genuine.

She didn't care about using these things to achieve her own goals, even if it meant feeling somewhat sorry for the Empress Dowager.

"As long as Your Majesty the Empress Dowager trusts me, I have nothing to fear," Shen Lingyi smiled, "but I fear that even if I clear my name after this matter, I will still be burdened with the reputation of being a scourge..."

Given Shen Tingjiao's methods, this is entirely possible.

The Empress Dowager narrowed her phoenix eyes, her cold face filled with anger, "I'll see who dares to gossip!"

She paused, then softened her voice: "Don't worry, I will issue an imperial edict to prohibit entry and exit from the palace. Most of the officials who returned home early this morning are unaware of what happened, and even if they are, they dare not say anything."

"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager." Shen Lingyi leaned on the Empress Dowager's shoulder, and the latter patted her affectionately.

When Shen Tingjiao received the news that the palace was sealed off, she panicked for a moment, but quickly calmed down.

It must be Shen Lingyi deliberately spreading rumors!

We can't panic now... If we panic, we'll lose everything, and they won't be able to find out.

Shen Tingjiao glanced at Linlang, who was trembling in the corner, and asked coldly, "Have you dealt with all the people I asked you to handle?"

"The officer has taken care of the young lady."

Linlang didn't dare to look up at the woman in front of her.

How could she have ever thought that the young lady was gentle and kind?

The thought of the blood on her hands and the astonished and incredulous look in the palace maid's eyes when she stumbled filled Linlang with despair.

She crawled to Shen Tingjiao's feet, grabbed the latter's clothes and pleaded, "Miss, I have done everything you asked me to do. Please, Miss, spare my family."

"My younger brother is only seven years old; he won't survive!"

Shen Tingjiao kicked the person to the ground. Her face no longer showed the timidity and cowardice she used to have; her eyes were clearly filled with venom.

"Don't worry, I'll take you to see them after it's all done."

"I have prepared money for you. When the time comes, take this money and you can run away with your family and live a life free from want for the rest of your life."

Linlang felt a slight sense of relief, and a glimmer of hope suddenly ignited within her.

She sighed again, her fingers gently tracing Linlang's delicate face: "...Actually, I did all this just to protect myself. You must be able to understand me, right?"

Linlang could only nod repeatedly.

"Okay, if anyone asks, you know what to say."

"This servant understands."

Pei Heng only gave her three days, but Shen Lingyi wasn't in a hurry. She even went to the Shenxing Division to take a look at the peony.

Peony, crouching in the dark and damp dungeon, ran over the moment she saw that familiar figure appear.

"Miss, what are you doing here? Go back right now!"

"If people find out that Miss came to see me, they might think we're colluding, and then we'll really be unable to clear our names."

"I know I shouldn't have come," Shen Lingyi said, her anger rising at the sight of her filthy face. "But look at the kind of life you live! Does the Censorate have no money? If I had known, I would have donated some!"

Peony paused, then felt compelled to remind her mistress, "This servant is in jail."

It's not just temporary confinement, it's jail time!

What is the Shenxingsi (慎刑司)?

When a high-ranking official enters the court, he has to endure a lot of hardship before leaving. He doesn't care about power or wealth; he only cares about the emperor.

If Pei Heng hadn't given prior instructions not to torture Shaoyao, Shen Lingyi would probably not be seeing such a perfectly healthy person now.

Shen Lingyi felt terrible. "Peony, you've suffered so much."

"I will definitely rescue you from here as soon as possible..."

Even at this point, Peony was still comforting her, "It's alright, Miss. They said I have ties with the rebels, so I just spat in their faces."

"Now no one dares to wrong me, so I think it won't be long before I'm released."

Shen Lingyi really didn't expect the peony to be so fierce.

The person who was spat on must have been quite upset. It was the first time they'd encountered such an arrogant prisoner, and they couldn't hit or scold him.

It must be pretty frustrating.

Feng Ren returned late at night.

The wind gently rustled the windows, and the pattering sound woke Shen Lingyi from her sleep. When she opened her eyes, she found her personal guards squatting by the bed.

Even though she was only wearing a semi-transparent thin shirt, he didn't raise an eyebrow.

Shen Lingyi quickly dressed, having no intention of teasing, and kept asking, "How is it?"

"I let that man get away," Feng Ren handed over a file. "I only found the names of the important people he recently received, but none of them were registered; they only had fingerprints."

Shen Lingyi looked at the dense fingerprints on the scroll, which resembled bloodstains.

In Wuyi Lane, a fingerprint is worth a life.

How many lives are lost here, unnoticed and unnoticed?

The thought that she almost became one of them sent chills down Shen Lingyi's spine. "This kind of place shouldn't exist."

After saying this, he put away the scroll.

Although they haven't confirmed that Shen Tingjiao went to Wuyi Lane, finding this information is enough to prove her innocence.

Seeing that Feng Ren was still blaming himself, Shen Lingyi comforted him: "Let it go, it's not your fault. Shen Tingjiao would never let herself leave such an important handle."

"We can deal with people later; the priority right now is to clear their names and get them released."

Even so, she still held Shen Tingjiao accountable for this.

Peony had followed her for so many years, loyal and devoted, never wavering.

Shen Tingjiao almost broke her arm this time, how could Shen Lingyi not care at all?

"Let's inform His Majesty about this matter first."

Feng Ren paused for a moment, then said hesitantly, "There's something else that happened tonight that led me to come here."