Shi Muyuan nodded. "The palace is so boring. While I was idle, I heard Concubine Rui mention something, so I took Yao Kun out secretly."
She repeated in detail to Shi An what she had promised Huo Qizhou.
"Do you mean she deliberately set you up?"
"I guess so. Otherwise, there couldn't be so many coincidences happening to me. Big Brother, don't you think this rumor spread too strangely? It's as if they were just waiting for me to do something and then the switch was turned on, and all the rumors came out at once."
"Yo, it's rare for you to use your brain."
"What do you mean, Big Brother? You're looking down on me."
"How dare I!" Shi An's words were as sarcastic as they could be.
Shi Muyuan was speechless. What was going on? Where was her cold and handsome big brother? Who was this poisonous-tongued guy! No, she had to go to Ling'er's class later to see her second brother Shi Li to soothe her eyes.
Speaking of which, she still hadn't seen her third brother Shi En. The memory in her mind was rather vague. She vaguely remembered that he was a man of few words who only loved wood.
Shi Muyuan became serious and stopped joking with him. "Big Brother, Huo Qizhou and the others are going to the Hundred Flowers Tower to check for information tonight. I want to go too. Please help me get there." Shi Muyuan showed a pitiful and pleading look.
But Shi An blushed. "What are you, a girl, going there for!"
"Why can't I go!"
"You just got back from outside the palace after getting into trouble. The mess hasn't been sorted out yet, and you're already thinking about running out again!"
"So that's why I'm asking you for help! This matter is aimed at me. I want to see for myself. Big Brother, send two capable people with me!"
"No, there's no room for discussion." Shi An refused without hesitation.
"You're already the Empress Dowager. Why are you still so willful? The Shi family almost got dragged down because of you this time."
"So that's why I want to check at the Hundred Flowers Tower. I can't just be framed for no reason."
"What can you find out?" Shi An retorted.
Shi Muyuan puffed up her cheeks angrily. You haven't seen the tricks I used when I was a small urban management officer.
But obviously, this path with Shi An was a dead end.
She thought that since that person had calculated to frame her, they couldn't have expected her to leave the palace for a second time. So it would be safe for her to go out this time.
After Shi An left, Shi Muyuan collapsed on the bed without saying a word. Xiao Xiao and Ze exchanged worried looks but chose to leave the inner palace, leaving some space for Shi Muyuan to be alone.
Shi Muyuan was just very unconvinced and felt wronged. Being the Empress Dowager was not as comfortable as being a small urban management officer. Could it be that she would have to stay in this deep palace forever? And she would have to worry without reason that her life might be used as an excuse by some minister again.
It was really fucking tiring!
No! This was not her style!
Shi Muyuan sat up and rubbed her eyes. A small urban management officer would never admit defeat. She must find out the person who framed her by herself.
She quietly opened the window and climbed out. Fortunately, there was a soft layer of snow on the ground, and the height for climbing out was just right.
She walked to the place where Yao Kun had taken her to fly out that day and took a look. There were many things piled up there, which were enough for her to climb onto the wall. Shi Muyuan climbed up happily, but as soon as she got on, she was dumbfounded.
She could climb onto the wall, but how was she going to get down?
Moreover, looking around, there were all such walls. She didn't know how many times she would have to climb over them to get outside the palace.
It was unrealistic!
Shi Muyuan had to climb down dejectedly.
She had to find another way.
Shi Muyuan was walking and thinking, not noticing at all that there was a person in front of her.
After Huo Qizhou came out of the Imperial Study, he wanted to ask Shi Muyuan some more questions. He wondered if she had heard anything when she was captured that day. Then he saw her walking alone beside the outer wall of the Palace of Longevity and Peace, staring blankly at the top of the wall.
And the next second, this woman lifted her skirt and started climbing the wall.
He frowned. It seemed that she still hadn't given up the idea of leaving the palace again.
"Is Her Majesty the Empress Dowager still thinking about how to leave the palace?"
Shi Muyuan was startled by the voice above her head. Looking up and seeing it was him, she felt a bit guilty.
"If Her Majesty the Empress Dowager wants to leave the palace, she has to agree to a condition of mine." Instead of letting her sneak out by herself, it would be better to let her follow him. Moreover, what he wanted had something to do with the Shi family. Taking her out of the palace was just a small thing for him. Getting a favor from her was a win - win situation.
Shi Muyuan's eyes lit up instantly, and she grabbed his sleeve. "Sure, no problem!"
Huo Qizhou disgustedly pulled his sleeve out of her hand. "I haven't thought it through yet. You'll owe me for now."
"Let's make it clear first. It can't be too excessive, or I won't be able to do it."
"Of course. I won't force others to do things they can't. However, no one can guarantee just by words. Please, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, draw up a written agreement with me and affix your private seal."
Shi Muyuan nodded happily. She thought that although Huo Qizhou was a bit strange, he wasn't a bad person. Although their relationship wasn't very good now, he had already helped her many times, so she immediately agreed.
So the national master watched as Her Majesty the Empress Dowager turned around and climbed into the back of the house. After a while, she ran out with a piece of paper. The words on it were scribbled, and one could barely tell it was a guarantee. The only neat thing was the small square seal.
Then Shi Muyuan happily went back to the room and lay down, waiting for Huo Qizhou to pick her up at night.
She had just lain down for a while when Xiao Xiao ran in to tell her that Yao Kun was waiting for her outside the door and wouldn't listen no matter how she was called.
She immediately bounced up. "Why didn't she just come in?" This silly girl usually just came in directly.
"I don't know, Your Majesty. She came in just now and then ran out and sat there. I thought Your Majesty was angry with her."
"How could I be angry with her!" Shi Muyuan hurriedly ran out. Maybe it was because she climbed out of the window just now. This girl came in and didn't see her, so she had to wait for her outside. And she climbed back in through the window just now, so they missed each other.
Yao Kun was sitting on the stone steps outside with her eyes closed tightly. Her lip color, which was red from lipstick, didn't match the paleness of her face at all.
Shi Muyuan patted her little face, and Yao Kun slowly woke up. Seeing it was her, she hugged her neck like a little kitten and rubbed against it. Shi Muyuan was afraid of touching her wound, so she loosely put her arms around her and asked Xiao Xiao to help lift her up and lead her into the room.
"Why didn't you wait inside? It's so cold outside."
Yao Kun didn't say a word and just stared at her with her eyes.
Shi Muyuan couldn't stand her like this. The words she wanted to say changed their meaning immediately.
"Your health is important. If you get sick, how could Lady Yao rest assured leaving you by my side? Look this morning. When Lady Yao knew you were injured, she almost took you back, right?" Shi Muyuan reasoned with her.