In their view, this Empress, who had no background or backing, certainly wouldn’t dare to easily offend them.

Moreover, how much courage and insight could a woman possibly have?

Nan Zhaojian squinted his long, narrow eyes, and smirked:

"What the Empress said is very true. It’s just that after we paid a visit to the Empress, we went to see our own sister.

Since we hadn’t seen each other for a long time, we lost track of time while chatting and missed the last two hours to leave the palace, so we stayed overnight here.

Tomorrow morning, we will certainly leave the Imperial Palace as soon as the gates open."

"Indeed, today we will stay overnight at Qinghua Palace. Empress, we will definitely leave tomorrow," Nan Zhaoxun echoed as he stepped forward.

Su Yan suddenly sneered and asked, "Who is so bold as to dare let you stay overnight here? And who arranged for you to stay in Qinghua Palace?"

"Empress, wasn’t it you who received us? We didn’t make it in time to leave the palace, so we stayed, didn’t we?" Nan Zhaojian said with a sly smile.

The others all had expressions indicating that this was indeed the situation.

"I remember that in the afternoon, I asked you all to leave. I certainly didn’t say you could stay overnight in the Imperial Palace!"

Su Yan suddenly raised her voice and shouted coldly.

They really thought she was someone who could be easily manipulated.

With a sharp glance at the palace maid kneeling on the ground, she sternly asked:

"Speak, who arranged for them to stay here?"

The palace maid was trembling all over and stammered, "It was Princess Su Ya of Nanzhao..."

"Guards, bring the Princess to me!"

"Yes." Two guards received the order and immediately left.

Seeing this, Nan Zhaojian and the others began to feel guilty.

Staying overnight in the Imperial Palace without the Emperor’s permission was a capital offense. If the Emperor really found out about this, it would be trouble.

Exchanging glances, they all came to a decision in their hearts.

They would never admit that Princess Su Ya of Nanzhao had left them here. They would insist that the Empress had received them and they had missed the time to leave the palace.

As long as they dragged the Empress into the water, for the sake of her reputation and status, she would definitely find a way to cover up this matter.