Verdant was taken aback, her beautiful eyes filled with astonishment.

“Your Highness!” As if remembering something, she turned around the wooden door, lowered her head, and vomited.

Tanya fiddled with her nails, her large eyes containing arrogance, the corners of her mouth curled in a barely noticeable mocking smile.

“Your Highness… why…” Verdant's small face turned pale, devoid of color. Upon seeing this, Tanya raised her chestnut hair, revealing a large expanse of snowy white skin.

“Why would I poison the white magnolia cake? Why would I plot against you, right?”

Tanya squinted, her beautiful phoenix eyes shimmering with starlight, but as soon as they touched Verdant's face, they became still and lifeless.

“Verdant, let me ask you, have you ever truly cared for me?”

A surge of emotions stirred within Verdant’s eyes, her pale lips trembling as she knelt on the ground, continuously bowing to Tanya.

“Why would Your Highness think this way? Verdant's loyalty to Your Highness is as clear as day, filled with sincerity!”

Tears glimmered in her eyes, her forehead hitting the ground with a dull thud. When Verdant looked up, Tanya clearly saw traces of blood on the ground where she had bowed.

It resembled a beguiling amaryllis, spreading recklessly on the stone slab, touching the softest strings of Tanya's heart.

Tanya's gaze flickered, Verdant's sorrowful voice ringing in her ears.

“Verdant begs for Your Highness's forgiveness. Verdant does not know what has caused Your Highness's displeasure, but Verdant has never done anything to wrong Your Highness, please see clearly!”

Tanya bit her lip, her cherry-colored lips slightly contorting, recalling what Verdant had done for her. If it weren't for Alexander's reminder, she might not even know how she had died.

A flicker of determination passed through her eyes.

Tanya leaned forward, delicately raising Verdant's chin with her slender fingers, leaving a mark on her exquisite face. “Verdant, you say you haven't wronged me, but is that the truth?”

Tanya exerted a considerable force, her tone chilling.

Verdant dared not remain silent, the pressure on her jaw made her words somewhat slurred. “Your Highness, please see clearly, Verdant has never betrayed you!”

“Since that’s the case,” Tanya paused, her mouth curling into a cold, indifferent arc, tinged with mockery, “then you should eat the white magnolia cake on the table.”

Her words were devoid of any emotion, the pressure of her fingertips dissipating in an instant as she stood, her green veil brushing past Verdant’s eyes.

“Your Highness… do you intend to execute your servant?” Verdant's voice trembled slightly, her petite body shaking uncontrollably, panic evident on her face.

Tanya returned to her seat, turning her back, her dress spreading on the ground, her pure white chin slightly raised. “It is not I who wish to execute you, but you who have cut off your own path to survival.”

“Verdant, have you ever considered that the emperor has ordered me to find the true culprit within three days? You clearly suspected Evelyn to be the mastermind behind it, yet you still chose to leak information for her.” Tanya spoke expressionlessly, as if she were discussing something completely unrelated to her.

But the hatred embedded in her words made even Verdant shudder.

“If I hadn’t discovered this early, the entire Fragrance Hall would have been dragged down with you!” Tanya's voice suddenly rose with jealousy, her delicate brows flashing with deep-seated resentment. “Even at this point, you can shamelessly tell me that you are loyal to me.”

“Verdant, do you really take me for a fool?”

As Tanya's words fell, Verdant remained in a daze, tears streaming down her delicate eyes.

“Your Highness…” She pressed her thin lips together, unable to utter a word. “Verdant begs for Your Highness's forgiveness, please, Lady Vivienne, grant Verdant an opportunity.”

Verdant curled up, trembling, “I beg Your Highness to forgive me. Verdant knows her mistakes and will never dare to offend Your Highness again.”

Tanya tightened her brows, a wave of fatigue washing over her.

Is this what the palace struggles are like?

Tanya felt uncertain whether to feel relieved or disheartened.

Relieved that she didn't actually live in such an era, yet disheartened that she had thoroughly experienced the deceit and treachery.

She gathered her thoughts again, but her lips could not lift into a smile. “Eat that cake, and I will believe you.”

Tanya's eyes locked onto Verdant, betting on her sincerity.

Verdant's eyes were already filled with tears, her small, exquisite face full of fear.

“Verdant will listen to Your Highness.” Her long fingers picked up a piece of white magnolia cake from the golden nanmu table, Verdant still maintaining her kneeling posture, a bitter smile tugging at her lips.

The white magnolia cake had a faint fragrance, a pleasant scent filling her nostrils.

However, as Verdant lifted the cake towards her mouth, she failed several times to get it in.

“What? Should I find someone to feed you?” Tanya's cold voice lingered in Verdant's ears, the candlelight illuminating her smooth, white forehead, her stunning features betraying no hint of emotion.

Verdant shook her head, finally putting the cake into her mouth, chewing it vigorously as cold sweat beaded on her forehead.

Tanya's gaze flickered, her delicate face hidden in shadow, emotions unreadable.

Verdant chewed forcefully for a few bites, suddenly covering her lips, the rejection in her eyes boiling over, and she couldn't help but spit it all onto the ground.

Accompanied by violent coughing, it took a long while for Verdant to raise her head, her face even paler.

“Your Highness, please forgive me…” At this moment, she couldn't even say half a sentence.

Tanya remained indifferent, her slender fingers tapping rhythmically on the table. Then she waved her hand, and Tiffany entered through the door.

“Take her down and lock her in the woodshed, make sure she is closely guarded.” Tanya lifted her chin defiantly, the coldness in her brows making one shudder involuntarily.

“Yes.” Tiffany acknowledged the command, and Verdant gently bowed her head to the ground.

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for sparing my life.” She lowered her body, and Tanya couldn’t discern the true thoughts in her eyes.

Tanya felt a wave of fatigue wash over her, but the coldness in her gaze did not diminish in the slightest.

As Tiffany was about to take her away, her tone turned a bit colder, “Verdant, there is no poison in that white magnolia cake, it won’t kill you.”

As soon as Tanya finished speaking, Verdant looked slightly taken aback, her cherry lips parted slightly, but in the end, she said nothing. She performed a low bow and then stepped back.

Tanya gazed at the window of the inner chamber, where she could just see the moonlight outside, pure and shining in the sky.

She suddenly felt a bit at a loss, was she hoping to make Verdant feel more guilty by revealing the truth before she left?

A gentle breeze brushed against Tanya's cheeks, and the shimmering light in her eyes layered over each other, slowly extending towards the distance.

The next day, when Tanya woke up, Verdant was no longer in Fragrance Hall, and she felt a bit uncomfortable.

After getting up, Tanya poured herself a cup of tea, her eyes resting in the shadows, revealing no emotion.

As she stepped outside, the sunlight poured down, warming her shoulders.

“You’re awake.” A cold voice came from behind her. Tanya rarely turned around but responded softly.

“How did you end up near Fragrance Hall?”

Alexander walked around to face Tanya, his silver armor enhancing his handsome features.

“Today marks the third day of the deadline. I came to discuss the case of the murderer and, incidentally…” He paused, his expression darkening, “I came to check on you.”

Tanya nodded in understanding, her eyes returning to a smile. “I’m fine.”

“Don’t put on a brave face, little maid. With such a soft heart, how can you do the laundry?” Alexander moved in front of her, his voice unusually gentle.

“I’m not putting on a brave face,” Tanya shook her head softly. “I’ve already locked Verdant in the woodshed.”

Alexander raised an eyebrow but chose not to respond.

The two walked side by side, the path ahead extending before them.

Suddenly, Eunuch Belmont’s voice rang out.

“Please stop, both of you.”

Tanya turned around, roughly guessing what he was here for, but still knelt. “What brings you here, Eunuch?”

“Your Majesty, I’m here regarding the decree from three days ago.” He paused, noticing the worry in Tanya’s expression. “Do you still remember?”

Tanya lifted her chin slightly, a hint of mockery in her eyes, as the sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a dappled shadow on her forehead.

“Of course, I remember.”

Eunuch Belmont lowered himself slightly. “Then I kindly ask you to accompany me and Knight Alexander.”

In front of Harmonious Hall, a group of guards waited outside. Tanya recalled Heliam’s enchanting face and his unpredictable moods. She had confronted him so boldly a few days ago, given his temperament, she feared trouble today.

She glanced at Alexander for help, who merely smiled back at her, a hint of mockery in his expression.

Tanya saw his reluctance in his eyes but ultimately said nothing.

“Lady Vivienne, Knight Alexander has arrived!” Eunuch Belmont raised his voice, and Heliam, on the high platform, wore a smile as he dropped the bamboo scroll from his hands.

“My beloved, I had someone make a fiery-colored fur coat. Come take a look.” Heliam's melodious voice reached Tanya’s ears as she raised her gaze to him, who held up a pink shawl in front of Francois.

Francois’s long hair was tied back neatly, his eyes were cold, yet he still bowed slightly in accordance with Heliam’s wishes. “It looks magnificent.”

Heliam smiled in satisfaction and then noticed Tanya entering the grand hall, placing the fiery-colored coat aside, his gaze landing on her.

“You’re here.”

His voice was low, revealing no emotion.

“I’ve heard His Majesty wishes to discuss the executioner’s matter with me.” Tanya intended to fully disclose Amber’s situation, even without evidence, it was her only lifeline.

Heliam waved his hand dismissively. “We’ll discuss this later.”

He stepped down from the platform, his handsome face appearing even more mesmerizing under the candlelight, his smile carrying a hint of wickedness. “My beloved, come take a look at the fiery coat I had made for you!”

Tanya stepped back and performed a low bow. “It must be exceedingly beautiful, coming from Your Majesty.”

This flattery was not heartfelt, Tanya didn’t even glance at the fiery coat. She merely stated that anything crafted by Heliam's hands would be beautiful, but without Heliam, her evaluation would have been quite different.

The light in Heliam’s eyes flickered, the words ‘I made this especially for you’ lodged in his throat, unspoken.