Emperor Xuan took the imperial edict and glanced at it, finding it was about executing Wen Pin by strangulation.
He was somewhat puzzled, "Why is this in the Empress's handwriting?"
"Indeed, it's written by the Empress. Noble Consort Bing came to me wanting the Phoenix Seal. Your Majesty, handling an imperial concubine must be justified, especially since Wen Pin's status is not trivial. She is the legitimate daughter of Marquis Zong Zhou. To sentence her to death by strangulation without cause could upset Marquis Zong Zhou, which could threaten the peace of Sky Poison Country."
The Empress Dowager sternly questioned Emperor Xuan.
Noble Consort Bing had anticipated the Empress Dowager would speak thus, so she pitifully said to Emperor Xuan, "Your Majesty, please don't blame the Empress Dowager. I took the Poison Pigeon Pill of my own accord; it has nothing to do with the Empress Dowager."
There's a situation where the more you explain, the messier it becomes.
