Quick Transmigration: Knowing I'm a Bad Woman, Yet Still Liking Me?

The room fell silent, with only Consort Xue's sorrowful cries remaining.

Zhiyi helped the Empress to her feet. "As the Empress, I have never imagined that anyone would be so audacious as to plot against the imperial heir right under my nose."

Her gaze swept over the concubines in the room, and when she saw Bai Yuan sitting there alone, she was taken aback for a moment, but then her gaze swept past her.

"From today onwards, the six palaces will be thoroughly investigated. Each palace servant and eunuch will be examined one by one. Food, medicine, utensils, and even correspondence must be carefully verified by the Imperial Household Department. No omissions are allowed."

"Yes."

"Go back, everyone."

After walking quite a distance, Wan Yue asked in a low voice, "Your Highness, this servant doesn't feel that this was done by the Empress. After all, if something happens, she, as the Empress, has to take responsibility. That leaves Consort Hui, Consort Li, and Consort Shu. Among them, only Consort Shu has a son, so this servant guesses that it's most likely Consort Shu."

Bai Yuan smiled and said, "Not necessarily. But whoever it is, as long as we didn't do it, it's fine."

It was already night, and Bai Yuan had just entered the house when she saw someone standing inside, which almost made her scream.

Then she grabbed Wanyue and said, "Go outside and keep watch, don't let anyone get close."

After everyone left and closed the door, Bai Yuan stepped forward. "Wei Ci? What brings you here?"

Wei Ci slowly raised his head. Bai Yuan could tell that he was in a very bad state. His eyes were bloodshot, and he was filled with anger and sadness.

Wei Ci looked into her eyes, then knelt down with a thud. "I'm sorry."

Bai Yuan understood; he must have found out about Shen Xun'er.

She quickly stepped forward and helped the person up. "Why are you saying that? What happened?"

Wei Ci pushed her hand away. "Let me kneel. It's my fault that I ruined my family, that I caused my father's tragic death, and that I led you into the palace."

Bai Yuan stopped pressuring him and sat down beside him. "Alright, Brother Xuan, calm yourself down first."

To everyone's surprise, Wei Ci knelt down and moved in front of her, resting his head on her knees and crying.

Bai Yuan didn't push him, but gently patted his shoulder one pat at a time.

Wei Ci cried for a long time before finally speaking in a muffled voice, "When I was helping you investigate His Majesty's people, I happened to see Shen Xun'er leaving Yu Fu Palace in the middle of the night. At first, I thought she had sided with the Empress, but who would have thought that she would actually..."

Bai Yuan's hand paused. "What do you mean?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Ci burst into tears again. "It's all my fault. I only saved her because I felt sorry for her, and... and she looked somewhat like you. I really didn't expect..."

Bai Yuan withdrew her hand, her tone full of surprise, "You mean to say, Shen Xun'er is the emperor's person?"

Wei Ci nodded. "She has always been the Emperor's person. She infiltrated the Qi family to help His Majesty eliminate them. Now that she's by your side, it must also be His Majesty's will. When General Bai returns to the capital, you must remind your family to be extremely careful."

"That can't be right. If she really is the emperor's woman, how could you still be unharmed? Isn't there some misunderstanding?"

There is no misunderstanding.

Wei Ci then looked up at Bai Yuan, "Her ambitions go beyond this. She wants to keep me here, using my family's affairs to keep me on my toes and make me work for her."

"Then, what should we do now?" Bai Yuan asked anxiously.

"Ah Yuan, I can't let her find out anything yet. Besides, she needs me, so I can play along."

Shen Xun'er dared to keep him, so she must have already planned her escape route. It's unlikely she could use him as a threat; his weakness is too fatal.

Bai Yuan sighed and gently placed her hand on the man's shoulder. "Brother Xuan and I will avenge Lord Qi and protect our General's Mansion."

Wei Ci nodded and grabbed Bai Yuan's arm. "A Yuan, thank you. But it's not a good idea to keep Shen Xun'er by your side all the time. I need to think of a way to get rid of her."

"No need. Since she has other ideas, she probably won't stay with me for long."

Wei Ci thought about it and agreed with Bai Yuan.

Wei Ci came silently and left silently.

That night, Shen Xun'er drugged the maid in her room and climbed over the wall to leave Yufu Courtyard again, with a very smooth journey.

When I came back, I ran into Xiaoqi as soon as I entered the backyard.

If it were anyone else, she could have simply killed them and faked an accident.

But Xiao Qi is a close friend of Bai Yuan. If something happens to him, Bai Yuan will definitely investigate the matter thoroughly. Moreover, Xiao Qi also has some martial arts skills.

Unable to guarantee she would be killed in one blow, she had to think of other ways.

"It's so late, why aren't you staying indoors? What are you doing?" Xiaoqi asked with a stern face.

Shen Xun'er lowered her head. "Seventh Eunuch, I was just about to rest when I realized my earring was missing, so I came out to look for it."

Xiaoqi glanced at her from head to toe. "Be more careful next time."

"Yes, I understand."

Watching Xiaoqi walk away, she touched her chest and looked back at Xiaoqi a few more times.

The imperial concubine was foolish, and the people around her were not very smart either.

But she still felt a little doubtful. Was this too easy?

Back in her room, Shen Xun'er paced back and forth. She wasn't afraid that Bai Yuan would discover her problem, but she was afraid that Bai Yuan would find out and tell Wei Ci.

Wei Ci is now one of her biggest trump cards.

It seems I can't stay in Jade Hibiscus Palace any longer.

Bai Yuan had a few more days of leisure. The next day, she got up early, which was unusual for her. Wan Yue helped her wash up and said happily, "It's been three years. Not to mention the mistress, even I miss the master, the madam, and the eldest young master."

Three days ago, Bai Yaoting returned to the capital, and the emperor, accompanied by his court officials, personally greeted him at the city gate. Victory gifts were presented, and a banquet was held in the Taiji Hall.

However, according to the rules of this dynasty, women could only meet each other at the banquet held three days later.

"This rule is really something, even though Father went to the palace three days ago," Bai Yuan muttered softly.

With her backer back, Bai Yuan was naturally happy, especially since the original owner's parents doted on her.

Wan Yue chuckled, "We've made it through three days, so we're sure to see you today. His Majesty has issued a special decree, granting the General's wife permission to enter the palace to see you this morning. She should have already passed through the maternal relatives' passage by now and is being led by her nanny to our Jade Hibiscus Palace. She should arrive soon."

Tingxue brought the imperial concubine's court robe into the room. "I've already prepared this robe for you. Would you like to wear it now, Your Highness, or wait a while?"

Bai Yuan turned her head to look at her, her gaze falling on the clothes. She reached out and touched them, saying, "This pheasant pattern is a bit lacking. The phoenix and peony patterns are much prettier."

Wan Yue and Ting Xue exchanged a glance, but ultimately didn't dare to respond.

"Let's talk about it this afternoon. I don't want to see my mother in my court robes."

Moreover, the court robes were too bulky and tiring to wear.

Bai Yaoting has returned. Xiao Chengyu said he was busy with court affairs, but he still came to Yufu Palace for three consecutive days. She was quite tired from all the trouble.