Emperor Xuanming continued the interrogation, "Minister Chu, how long did you and the lady stay in the side hall this morning?"
"Two quarters of an hour," Chu Heng replied without hesitation.
"Where did you meet."
"Inside the side hall."
"Didn't you go to see the vegetables and fruits in the yard?" Emperor Xuanming asked with a raised eyebrow in surprise.
Chu Heng shook his head, "My spouse is frail, I didn't dare let her stay outside for long, so we went straight into the hall. We talked there for a while."
"The palace lady attending to my spouse can testify."
Noble Consort Qi sneered, "Lord Chu, that palace lady is one of the Empress's people, how can she provide testimony."
"Madam, you are mistaken. The entire Imperial Harem is managed by the Empress. Everyone is qualified to testify. As to the truth or falsehood in their words, that is for the Department of Respectful Service to examine," Chu Heng reminded the other party calmly and resolutely.