Shi Muyuan tidied herself up. Perhaps it was just her imagination, but she deliberately put on a pink dress to meet Shi An. After all, who didn't want to appear well - behaved in front of their elder brother?
Although this elder brother of hers was a newly - discovered relative.
The moment she walked into the outer hall, Shi Muyuan felt her star - struck eyes popping out.
Thick eyebrows, big eyes, a high nose bridge, and somewhat deep eye sockets. Having been on military campaigns all year round, his originally fair skin had taken on a healthy and attractive wheat color. Paired with Shi An's facial features, it had a bit of an exotic charm, and his whole aura exuded masculinity.
Today, Shi An had taken off his imposing silver armor and was wearing a long, dark - colored robe with a round collar, exuding a gentle and refined temperament.
Shi Muyuan was completely stunned by his good looks. She touched her own face. It was an oval face with almond - shaped eyes, a small mouth. There was a plump lip bead in the middle of her thin upper lip, while her lower lip was a bit thicker and pouty. It was a standard cute look, but the ends of her eyes were slightly elongated, giving her a somewhat cold look when she frowned.
In her previous life, she only resembled the original owner by about 30%. When she woke up and saw her extremely beautified face, she was overjoyed. She never expected that Shi An would be even better - looking than the original female character.
If this person weren't her elder brother, she really would... Ah, no! Shi Muyuan, you are now the most noble woman in the world - a widow. Besides, she couldn't do such immoral things.
She must take a good look at him to feast her eyes and keep herself in a good mood for a longer life.
"Big brother, why have you come?" Shi Muyuan asked cheerfully.
Shi An looked up at the sound, with a doting smile in his eyes. Then he stood up and bowed to her.
"Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager."
"Big brother, what are you saying? There's no need for such formalities between us. Sit down and rest quickly. I heard from Ze Ze that you rushed into the palace as soon as you returned to the capital. Is there something important?"
"No. I haven't seen you for a long time, so I came to see you. Your second and third brothers are the same. They don't even come to the palace to visit you."
"I'm doing very well. But big brother, don't overwork yourself."
The siblings chatted for a long time before they stopped.
Shi An rode his horse on the street. When he left the palace, he felt a bit puzzled. When did his stubborn little sister become so sensible and well - behaved? She even knew to show concern for him.
It was strange.
Shi Muyuan, having nothing to do, suddenly remembered that when chatting with her big brother just now, she noticed that there was an injury on his hand. When she asked about it, he brushed it off by saying it was nothing serious.
Shi Muyuan thought for a while and shouted, "Ze Ze, go quickly and find some good things to send to big brother's mansion, especially some wound medicine and tonics."
"Yes, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager." Ze Ze nodded and left from the side after receiving the order.
Not long after Shi An arrived at his mansion, the things sent by Shi Muyuan arrived. Shi An was even more puzzled, but he didn't think too much about it. He just told himself that his younger sister had grown up and become more sensible after becoming the empress dowager.
...
At night, everything was quiet. Many of the palace servants who had been busy like clockwork during the day had gone to rest, and the patrolling soldiers were patrolling in an orderly manner.
Suddenly, there was a noise coming from the direction of the Eastern Palace. As they got closer following the sound, they could clearly hear the clashing of swords.
The whole palace was awakened.
When Shi Muyuan and Huo Qizhou arrived, there were several corpses lying haphazardly on the ground of the Eastern Palace. The remaining assassins who hadn't escaped had already poisoned themselves to death.
Han Suo, the commander of the guards, stepped forward to report the situation and then said, "Your subordinate has failed in his duty. Please punish me, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."
Han Suo had already prepared himself to be demoted, but he heard Shi Muyuan's hoarse voice above him say, "Is the Crown Prince alright?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, the Crown Prince, the Second Prince, and the Third Princess are all safe and sound, but they have been quite frightened."
"Get up. This is not your fault. Go and do what you should do."
Then, ignoring Han Suo's surprise, she walked straight into the palace hall.
Huo Qizhou behind her glanced at her, a bit confused. Seeing that she had walked far away, he said to Han Suo, "Go and receive your punishment yourself."
"Yes!" Han Suo immediately bowed and responded, feeling a bit more at ease.
Inside the hall, the three children were huddled closely together. In the middle, Ji Heng hugged the two younger ones, biting his lips and holding on stubbornly. His small face was cold, and the nervousness between his eyebrows was clearly visible. Beside him were Ji Huang with his head down and Ji Ling with tear - filled eyes.
Shi Muyuan's motherly love was instantly aroused. She opened her small arms and hugged the three children to comfort them.
The three children had never experienced such things before. The youngest, Ji Ling, hugged her arm and started to sob.
After Huo Qizhou finished handling the matters, he waited outside the hall. He waited for a long time before Shi Muyuan came out.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."
"Master National Teacher, why are you still here? Are you worried about me?"
Huo Qizhou had gotten used to her way of speaking these days and automatically ignored her words.
"Your Majesty seemed a bit too merciful just now. Commander Han's negligence led to the chaos in the Eastern Palace. He should be punished. The palace has strengthened its defenses because of Your Majesty's assassination a few days ago. Under such circumstances, how could the assassins easily enter the Eastern Palace to carry out the assassination?"
Shi Muyuan was stunned. If there could still be an assassination under such circumstances, there must be something wrong with the guard team in the palace.
Judging from her reaction, she should have understood.
She was really stupid.
"Your Majesty need not worry. Your subject has already handled everything properly."
Shi Muyuan touched her nose awkwardly. Although she had been in this world for a few days, she still hadn't adapted to the behavior expected of an empress dowager. She still needed more practice.
Shi Muyuan secretly clenched her small fist to cheer herself up.
The slight movement still touched Huo Qizhou's sleeve. The man subconsciously looked down and saw the slightly puffed cheeks of the woman who was a head shorter than him, looking like a smooth piece of mutton - fat jade, making people can't help but want to touch the smooth surface.
Startled by his strange thoughts, Huo Qizhou withdrew his gaze and looked straight ahead.
Shi Muyuan rubbed the small flesh on her face. "I'll go back now. It's very late. Master National Teacher, you should go back early too. Everything should focus on the Crown Prince's enthronement ceremony tomorrow. Send more people to protect the Crown Prince. This matter must be thoroughly investigated."
As Shi Muyuan spoke, she nodded, as if affirming her own words. She looked rather silly.
"Yes, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."
Getting a satisfactory answer, Shi Muyuan left with peace of mind.
Huo Qizhou still stood there, looking at her departing back thoughtfully.
...
Inside the Prince Lian's Mansion outside the palace, the lamp was still lit in the room of the prince's heir, Yun Ting.
Yun Ting was sitting at the table, constantly pulling at the hair of the writing brush in his hand. His fingertips were stained with black ink.
After returning from the palace that day, he had received a lot of cold looks from his father. These days, wherever he went, he felt that people were laughing at him.
Those who used to follow him around, fawning on him and flattering him, now seemed like different people. On the surface, they still treated him respectfully, but the ridicule in their eyes was clearly directed at him without any disguise.