❝So you will be leaving in 3 days with the Empress?❞ Empress Dowager asked looking at her son.

❝Yes, we will go and solve the trading matter there.❞ Zhang Wan said looking at Xu Yang who was sipping her tea quietly.

❝Ah, we are so lucky to have Xu Yang here. ❞Empress Dowager praised her daughter-in-law.

❝This daughter doesn't deserve such praise.❞

❝Don't be so modest, you solved a problem even the old officials couldn't, of course you deserve praise. When you come back from your journey, I will prepare a banquet and reward you.❞ Empress Dowager said smiling.

❝This daughter is thankful, but there is really no need, your majesty.❞

❝Ay, such a good girl.❞

Zhang Wan continued to analyze Xu Yang, recently, he felt an emptiness every time he looked at her cold stare.

❝Did you learned about politics from your father?❞ He finally spoke.

❝Yes,your majesty.❞ Xu Yang said looking at him and then back at her tea cup.

Somehow her cold and short response made Zhang Wan tense up. He expected her to talk more about it, but she didn't. He felt like she tried to avoid speaking with him as much as she could which made him uncomfortable. Zhang Wan knew he treated Xu Yang cold and barely spoke to her until recently, but he still felt wronged.

❝Is there anything else you learned from your father, child?❞ Empress Dowager asked.

❝I learned a lot of things, your majesty. My father gave me the same educations as my brothers. I know how to fight with a sword, even if my talents aren't good since I didn't practiced for such a long time. I learned archery, medicine, in case I'm wounded and I need to treat myself, politics and war strategy. My mother taught me how to play the zheng and flute, literature and calligraphy and even dance.❞

Xu Yang's parents gave her the choice to choose what kind of education she desires and she choose to also learn how to fight and medicine like her brothers who trained to be soldiers. Xu Yang worked hard since she was a child and excelled in both manly labeled activities and feminine labeled activities.

As Xu Yang spoke, both The Empress Dowager and Zhang Wan were speechless looking at each other. An akward silence filled the room after Xu Yang finished speaking.

❝Oh my, you left this old woman speechless, you're so young and yet know so much, a true genius.❞ Empress Dowager said.

❝I'm surprised myself, actually. I hope we can have a friendly match with our swords one day.❞ Zhang Wan looking at the motionless face Xu Yang had when looking at him.

❝It would be my pleasure, your highness. ❞Xu Yang said putting a fake smile on her face.

Their friendly chat was interrupted by a eunuch entering in the room without knocking.

❝Insolent! How dare you enter like this?❞ Empress Dowager shouted.

The man trembled in fear.

❝This low one begs for forgiveness, but there is an urgent matter. ❞the man was on his knees with his forehead pressed on the floor.

❝Speak.❞The Emperor said looking at the man on the floor.

❝Imperial concubine Jong was poisoned!❞ the man shouted.

The Empress Dowager stood up immediately.

❝What? Let's go there, now!❞ Empress Dowager said before leaving with her maids after her.

Zhang Wan followed his mother and Xu Yang went after them rolling her eyes.

At Tranquility Palace, the royal doctor checked on concubine's Jong state when the three arrived.

❝How is Imperial Concubine Jong doing? ❞The Emperor asked worried.

❝She is fine now, luckily the poison wasn't enough to kill her.She would wake up soon.❞ the doctor said

❝What about the baby?❞ Empress Dowager asked tensed.

❝The baby is fine too, your majesty. ❞

Empress Dowager sighs relieved.

❝Find who did this!❞ she shouted commanding the imperial guards.

The other three concubines heard about the incident and came to see concubine Jong together.

❝How is her grace doing?❞ Concubine Ki asked hesitant.

❝She is fine now.❞ Xu Yang said.

She knew something is fishy. None of the concubines will risk to poison Mu Jong. Something definitely is off here, but she couldn't put her finger on it.

❝Y- your highness?❞ the weakly voice of Mu Jong filled the room.

The Emperor who sat at the edge of her bed looked at her.

❝You came to see me? This concubine is sorry for worrying your majesty.❞

❝Don't worry, we will find who did this and punish them. Don't talk now, you're weak.❞ Zhang Wan said touching her face.

❝Your majesty, we found a suspicious pouch in the Empress chambers.❞ an imperial guards said.

Everyone gasped shocked and looked at Xu Yang.

She got it now, this was a scheme to frame her?

"How ironic." She thought remembering her past life when she was framed and killed.

❝What did you said?❞ The Emperor asked with a mad look on his face.

He looked at Xu Yang who looked indiferent.

❝That can't be! Xu Yang wouldn't do such lowly scheme!❞ Empress Dowager said.

❝Explain, Empress.❞ Zhang Wan demanded. He stood up and approached Xu Yang.

❝There is nothing to explain, your majesty, I haven't done anything. ❞She said confidently.

Mu Jong was smirking in her bed, but no one could see since their eyes were on Xu Yang now.

❝THEN WHAT IS THIS?❞ The Emperor took the pouch from the guards and thrown it in Xu Yang's face.

❝I don't know.❞ she said looking him in the eyes with a hateful look.

She remembered how he screamed at her in the past life and tortured her for a crime she didn't did and couldn't help but scoff.

❝Are you laughing now, Xu Yang? ❞Zhang Wan asked angry, looking threatening at the woman in front of him.

❝You're a fool, your highness.❞ She whispered only for him to hear.

Before he could scream again, one of his shadow guards came and whispered something in his ear. Zhang Wan eyes widened.

❝What did you said?❞Zhang Wan looked at hid trusted shadow guard who was the same one he appointed to keep an eye on concubine Jong.

❝What is happening?❞ Empress Dowager asked with her body stiff because of the atmosphere in the room.

Zhang Wan looked at the ground and clenched his teeth before stepping away from Xu Yang who was puzzled.

❝Tell everyone what you told me. ❞Zhang Wan said in a defeated voice.

❝This low one was heard concubine Jong plotting to poison herself and blame it on her highness. The pouch was placed in her majesty's chambers by one of the maids who worked for concubine Jong.❞

As the man told the informations Empress Dowager felt fatigue and nearly fainted and Mu Jong jumped from her bed.

❝It's not true your majesty! Why would I poison myself?❞ tears fell from her eyes.

Zhang Wan looked at her angry.

❝Concubine Jong will be arrested in her Palace, her food will be the same as servant's. She is stripped of her Imperial Concubine title and downgrades to Lady in waiting.She isn't allowed outside her room, not even in the garden and whoever dares to disobey my order will be beaten. ❞Zhang Wan said in a low voice.

❝Your highness, please! Forgive this lowly one! I was foolish, I only wanted his majesty attention, I'm sorry. Please don't punish this lowly one.❞ she begged, but Zhang Wan didn't spare her a glance and left the room.

❝Shameless woman!❞ Empress Dowager said leaving followed by Xu Yang and the other concubines.

After exiting Mu Jong's Palace the Emperor stopped and looked back at Xu Yang. Everyone stopped.

❝I'm sorry for accusing you, I should've known it was just a scheme.❞ Zhang Wan said avoiding Xu Yang's gaze.

❝I told you Xu Yang won't do something so low.❞ Empress Dowager said trying to comfort Xu Yang.

❝This one doesn't mind, there is no need for apologies.❞ Xu Yang said through her teeth.

She couldn't openly curse the Emperor so she had to suck it up.

❝No, I was wrong. I know you won't forgive me so easily, no need to hide it, Empress. I saw the hateful look in your eyes.❞ Zhang Wan said with a sad look.

He felt bad back in the room when he saw the hate in Xu Yang eyes, he felt somehow hurt. Zhang Wan let his foolish feelings for Mu Jong stay in his way and accused someone innocent, he regretted it.

❝Then if you know, please excuse this one, I feel sick suddenly.❞ Xu Yang excused herself and left Zhang Wan who didn't moved.

❝Don't worry son, your mother will talk with the Empress and calm her down. ❞The Empress Dowager said patting her son's shoulder.

❝She hates me...❞ Zhang Wan whispered for himself.

❝Did you said something, son?❞

❝No, no.❞

Zhang Wan left and went to rest in his room. He still couldn't understand why he felt hurt seeing the hate in Xu Yang's eyes.