The reason for this concubine framing Qi Wan'er was her deep love for Li Heng and her hatred for his favor towards Qi Wan'er.
She thus wished to ruin Qi Wan'er, preferably in public, so that Qi Wan'er would have no chance of recovery.
Originally, according to her plan, Qi Wan'er, having been drugged, was to be discovered in a secluded spot in the garden with the guard.
This would have led to Qi Wan'er's certain death.
However, plans did not go as expected. As soon as the guard emerged and embraced Qi Wan'er, another concubine saw them and screamed, attracting people earlier than intended.
Nevertheless, the subsequent events proceeded relatively smoothly. Li Heng was furious with Qi Wan'er and dealt with her accordingly.
Later, she also sent people to the laundry bureau to severely torment Qi Wan'er.
Upon hearing the concubine's confession, Li Heng indeed felt immense pain and immediately went to retrieve Qi Wan'er.
Due to this storyline, Qi Wan'er and Li Heng endured a long period of emotional and physical torment.
As for the concubine who framed Qi Wan'er, she was mentioned only briefly in the original plot and not detailed.
Therefore, when Yue Qing recalled this plot, she did not know who the concubine framing Qi Wan'er was.
Yue Qing was uncertain if this plot would still occur, as the current most favored concubine of Li Heng was Liu Wenfang.
However, just in case, she still reminded Qi Wan'er to be cautious of the wine at the banquet.
Unexpectedly, an hour later, Qi Wan'er still met with trouble in her own sleeping quarters. The incident was the same as in the original plot, being framed for illicit relations with a guard.
Had Yue Qing not intervened, Qi Wan'er's fate would have been the same as in the original story.
However, by observing the expressions of the people in the hall, Yue Qing had a rough idea of who had framed Qi Wan'er.
Yue Qing recalled these events, scanned everyone in the hall, and then stepped forward to bow to Li Heng, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
Li Heng looked at Yue Qing and said coldly, "Consort Yun, why are you here? What is this matter you had the Imperial Guard report earlier?"
Yue Qing said calmly, "Your subject just received news that Beauty Wan is suspected of illicit relations with someone. Your subject knows Beauty Wan's character and knows she would not do such a thing. Therefore, your subject believes someone has plotted to frame Beauty Wan and rushed here. I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly and not let Beauty Wan be slandered."
Li Heng's expression changed upon hearing this.
He was angered by how quickly news of Qi Wan'er's situation had spread.
However, deep down, Li Heng did not wish for Qi Wan'er to betray him. But now, with concrete evidence, the matter of Qi Wan'er's affair with the guard seemed as solid as iron.
Li Heng looked at Yue Qing, his gaze profound, and asked, "Consort Yun, why do you say someone plotted to frame Beauty Wan? Do you have any evidence?"
Yue Qing shook her head, "Your subject has no evidence. It's just that before the banquet, when your subject went to the privy, I accidentally overheard two women talking. They were whispering about drugging Beauty Wan at the banquet."
"Upon hearing this, your subject immediately took Xue Mei to search for them. But when we approached, the two women heard us and fled quickly, disappearing without a trace. Your subject had no choice. To prevent any mishap, I reminded Beauty Wan to be careful of the wine at the banquet."
"After the banquet, nothing happened to Beauty Wan, and your subject was relieved. However, I did not expect Beauty Wan to still encounter trouble. Upon hearing this news, your subject rushed over. Your Majesty, your subject guarantees that Beauty Wan was framed and implores Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly."
A flicker of joy flashed in Li Heng's eyes upon hearing this. He looked at Yue Qing and asked, "Consort Yun, is what you say true?"
Yue Qing nodded, "Of course it's true. Your subject would not dare deceive Your Majesty."
While saying this, Yue Qing glanced sideways at Noble Consort Zhang and keenly noticed a look of panic in her eyes.
Although she concealed it well, Yue Qing still detected it.
Therefore, Yue Qing was certain that the concubine who framed Qi Wan'er was Noble Consort Zhang.
Noble Consort Zhang's original plan was likely to deal with Qi Wan'er at the banquet, but since Qi Wan'er did not drink the wine, her original plan failed.
So, she had to change the location for framing Qi Wan'er, choosing Qi Wan'er's sleeping quarters, and then feigning indignation to lead Li Heng to catch them in the act.
At this moment, Noble Consort Zhang was indeed somewhat nervous.
What Yue Qing said made her suspect that Yue Qing knew something.
Otherwise, the words, apart from the different location, were identical to what she had instructed her maids to do.
Noble Consort Zhang looked at Yue Qing with a mixture of doubt, panic, and apprehension.
Li Heng looked at Yue Qing and continued, "Then can you find those two people who intended to drug Beauty Wan?"
Yue Qing shook her head, "I couldn't find them. When your subject went to look for them earlier, they ran too fast."
Of course, these people couldn't be found, as what was said earlier was fabricated by Yue Qing based on the original plot, simply to find a reason to defend Qi Wan'er.
Upon hearing Yue Qing's words, Li Heng's eyes darkened slightly.
Noble Consort Zhang felt a sense of relief. She looked at Yue Qing and questioned, "Consort Yun, why do I feel what you're saying is false? How could you so coincidentally overhear someone planning to frame Beauty Wan, and then so coincidentally be unable to find them? Aren't you making things up to help Beauty Wan escape punishment?"
"Noble Consort, your words are truly unreasonable. Your subject would not deceive Your Majesty and is speaking the truth. At that time, the banquet was a mixed crowd, and those two women fled in an instant, blending into the crowd. How could they be found?" Yue Qing's gaze was clear as she stared at Noble Consort Zhang.
Noble Consort Zhang's heart tightened, she felt Yue Qing's gaze had a deeper meaning.
Li Heng frowned and asked Yue Qing, "Consort Yun, besides this matter, do you have any other evidence to prove that Beauty Wan was framed?"
Yue Qing shook her head, "No."
Li Heng remained silent. At this point, there was both eyewitness and material evidence proving Qi Wan'er's affair with the guard. Yue Qing's simple words could not dispel his suspicion and anger towards Qi Wan'er.
Yue Qing calmly said, "Your Majesty, may your subject ask a few questions to this guard and Beauty Wan's personal maid? Is that permissible?"
Li Heng nodded, "Ask away."
He had also calmed down slightly and wanted to see what Yue Qing intended to do.
Noble Consort Zhang let out a scoff upon hearing Yue Qing's words, "Consort Yun, it's useless to ask them. They have already confessed everything. One admits to having an illicit relationship with Beauty Wan and even has tokens. The other, as Beauty Wan's personal maid, repeatedly helped her pass messages. These are irrefutable. I wonder what else you wish to ask?"
"Is that so?" Yue Qing retorted.
Noble Consort Zhang nodded, "Of course. Beauty Wan's crime is proven with solid evidence."