The triplets should’ve known something was wrong when Empress Shen Lihua suggested that their chambers be searched. She wouldn’t ask for that out of the blue.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Lieyin had whispered to Qingyue. But it was already too late. It was either let them conduct the search, or risk being seen as guilty.

General Han Zheng addressed everyone in the hall. "To ensure that the Empress is not being framed since her seal, which is on the documents, is missing. We’ll be searching the chambers of everyone involved."

"That would be questioning the integrity of Princess Qingyue," Cui Mingde said, speaking out of turn.

Qingyue stopped him. "No, it’s fine. But..." she looked straight at Shen Lihua. "If nothing is found then you’ll accept all the charges against you?"

Empress Lihua smiled. "And if something is found?"

The question unnerved Qingyue, the smile on her face even more concerning. But there was really nothing to be found. Right?

"I can assure you that we did not steal your seal to forge documents accusing you of murder. We have better things to do with our time," Lieyin said, her irritation strong in her tone.

The Empress did not raise her voice, didn’t have to. "I have served his Majesty for years," her tone was soft and fragile. "Through loss, through war, through the death of your first Empress whom I deeply respected."

"To be accused of such heinous crimes, it wounds me more deeply than any punishment could."

Qingyue could tell she was trying to sell pity to the court, for them to sympathise with her. For them to throw all logic out of the window for some carefully memorized words.

"The letters written by you, ordering the troops that attacked that night—" Qingyue trailed off, she couldn’t let her emotions get the best of her.

She was logical.

She worked with facts and not emotion.

But...

"Will you say we forged your handwriting too?" she finished, "that we would go through such lengths for a baseless accusation?"

"I am saying that if they all bear my seal," the Empress said, "then there are only two possibilities. Either I am guilty, or you wish desperately for me to appear so."

General Han Zheng spoke, even though Lieyin wished he would remain entirely quiet. "How were you able to acquire the letters? And the documents? The incident with your mother wasn’t targeted, she’d merely been at the wrong place. And why bring it up now when the main concern is the murder of Princess Lin Yuexin."

"We’re bringing it up now because the two are connected." She took a menacing step towards the general. "Does the possibility of the Emperor being poisoned not make you curious? Who else is close enough to commit such a crime without being caught?"

Empress Lihua gasped audibly. "All I’ve ever done is taken care of his majesty."

"Your majesty," Qingyue cut in, "if poison has been administered, it will leave traces within the body. Even now."

The court was still.

"Summon the imperial physician. Let him examine your majesty." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

This was dangerously bold. Lieyin shot Qingyue a look asking, ’what are you doing?’

Qingyue did not look back. Because this was not about saving the Emperor. It was about forcing the truth into the open.

If poison was found then the accusation became real. If not—the Empress would gain ground. Either way, someone was going to be exposed.

The Emperor studied her for a long moment. "You would risk such a claim?" he asked.

"I would risk clarity," Qingyue replied.

And for a moment their gazes locked. Heated. Then something like respect flickered.

"Summon the physician," the Emperor ordered.

"But—" General Han Zheng tried to interfere, the panicked look on his face a perfect mirror to Empress Lihua’s.

The Emperor raised his hand, silencing the general, which was something that had never been seen in court. Everyone knew the General was the one who really called the shots without ever saying a word.

"And while we seek clarity," Empress Lihua said smoothly, "should we not also ensure that no evidence has been misplaced? If my seal has truly been used without my knowledge, then it must be somewhere within the palace."

Empress Lihua bowed her head to the Emperor. "I request that the chambers of the triplets be searched now. Perhaps the seal is in the possession of those who presented these accusations."

The words settled like dust over a battlefield.

"As your majesty commands," Qingyue said before the Emperor could even speak. "Like I said before, we have nothing to hide."

Ru Yi who had been long forgotten on the floor stiffened.

-

-

The imperial physician was summoned while the guards moved through the inner palace, searching the triplet’s chambers.

Servants whispered as doors opened, drawers overturned. Private spaces stripped of dignity under the imperial order.

The court waited, listening. Every distant footstep felt like a verdict approaching. Even Yexue stood rigid, her pulse loud in her ears.

Something was wrong. She could feel it like a shadow she couldn’t see but knew was there.

The physician arrived first and went over to the Emperor to conduct the examination. He requested that they move to a private room but the Emperor insisted that he conduct it in front of everyone present.

With his satchel that contained his tools, the physician walked over to the throne and knelt before the emperor.

First, he checked his pulse. "His majesty’s pulse is irregular, there is heat where there should be none."

It had the entire court whispering as he continued.

Next, he brought out a silver needle which was to be placed against the Emperor’s tongue. He gasped when the silver dulled, which meant—

The doors to the hall burst open and the guards conducting the search walked in. The one in charge dropped to his knee with a tight expression.

A flicker of relief coursed through the Empress. They were just in time.

"We have completed the search."

The physician stepped away, the needle in his hand shaking. How hadn’t he noticed this the last time he examined the Emperor?

His gaze slid to the Empress who looked away immediately she met his eyes. Were the triplets really telling the truth?

"Report."

The guard hesitated. "In the chamber of the third princess..."

Yexue stopped breathing.

"...we discovered an object hidden among her belongings."

The world narrowed.

"What object?" General Han Zheng demanded. "Get on with it."

The guard lifted something in both hands. Even from a distance the shape was unmistakable.

Gold.

Engraved.

Imperial.

And very much familiar with what was on the documents.

"The Empress’s seal."