Xie Jinbai said, "Li Wanrong was poisoned. The Empress was behind it. She meant to harm you, but I turned her own scheme against her, redirecting it to her niece."
'The Empress... tried to poison me?'
Cui Lingyao's eyes widened. "Why?"
'In our three years of marriage, I never once defied my mother-in-law.'
'Whenever I visited the palace for festivals or New Year's, I was always respectful and proper, never daring to show the slightest neglect.'
'When we were married for over two years without an heir, the Empress suggested her son take a concubine. I agreed immediately, without the slightest protest.'
'I thought I was a thoughtful daughter-in-law in every respect.'
'Aside from failing to produce an heir, what was wrong with my character or my conduct?'
'So what if I came out of nowhere and took the position of main wife from her niece? When Xie Jinbai insisted on marrying me, didn't the Empress eventually give her approval?'
