After passing through several bamboo groves, they came to a delicate small courtyard. Although it was not as grand as the imperial palace, it was still a decent place to stay in this temple.
The abbot escorted them there, bowed, and then intended to leave.
"The sky is getting dark. If Her Majesty the Empress Dowager and Her Highness the Imperial Concubine wish to pray, they may have to wait until tomorrow."
Shi Muyuan waved her hand casually. She hadn't forgotten the main purpose of this trip.
"Let's talk about it tomorrow. By the way, I heard that the previous two imperial concubines have been in Baotuo Temple all along and never left. I wonder if I could meet them?"
Although this was a question, with her status, it would be easy for her to meet them.
The abbot directly asked another monk to stay.
"My disciple Yuru has lived in this temple for many years. He will lead Your Highness there."
"Very well. Thank you, Abbot."
After bidding farewell to the abbot, Shi Muyuan intended to set off immediately, but someone grabbed the sleeve of her robe.
"Sister, the other two imperial concubines have been in this temple for many years. They may not be familiar with the royal family anymore. Why don't we not go? It would be bad if they offend you."
Shi Muyuan certainly understood this, but she had to complete the task assigned by the cold - faced national master.
She gently patted the hand of Concubine Shen and comforted her, "I'll be back soon. I just want to take a look. After all, I'm already here."
Helplessly, Concubine Shen could only ask her to go quickly and come back quickly.
For this "visit", Shi Muyuan only took Ze Ze and Xiao Xiao with her. That man had already sent a message. He had secretly sent people to protect her.
Although they were said to be for protection, in fact, they were for surveillance. Everyone knew it well, but she knew that if something happened to her, those people in the dark would not stand by.
Moreover, the little girl Xiao Xiao was both literate and skilled in martial arts. With two - pronged preparations, she was not afraid at all.
However, the further they followed the little monk, the more strange Shi Muyuan felt. Weren't they going to find the two imperial concubines? Why had they been walking for so long?
Seeing that the surroundings were getting more and more secluded, her heart skipped a beat. Could it be that they had really met villains?
Xiao Xiao also noticed the abnormality around. Her little face fell. She directly took out a soft sword from her sleeve and without hesitation put it on Yuru's neck.
Yuru had lived in the temple for so many years, and it was the first time someone drew a sword at him. Fear immediately appeared on his face.
"Your... Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, I wonder if this poor monk has offended Your Majesty?"
Shi Muyuan didn't say a word. Xiao Xiao reacted and took over the conversation, "Tell me! Who sent you? What's your purpose?"
Yuru was stunned. After coming to his senses, he cried and defended himself.
"I'm wronged! I'm a Buddhist cultivator. How could I do such a rebellious thing? I hope Your Majesty the Empress Dowager will investigate clearly."
The atmosphere gradually cooled down, and the surroundings fell into silence. Shi Muyuan stared closely at the man kneeling on the ground.
After a while, after confirming that she might have thought too much, she smiled and helped the man on the ground up.
"Yuru, don't take it to heart. It's just that I'm really puzzled. Aren't you leading us to find the two imperial concubines? Why is the road getting more and more secluded?"
So that's it. As long as they didn't really want to kill him.
Yuru was no longer afraid. He seriously explained to them.
"Since the two imperial concubines entered Baotuo Temple, they have been living in a secluded courtyard in the back mountain, always accompanying the green lamp and ancient Buddha. Usually, few disciples come here. It's normal for it to be secluded."
All the doubts were solved, and only then did they feel relieved and follow him.
However, when they came to the nearest courtyard, upon hearing Yuru's introduction, Shi Muyuan's hand trembled and she almost fell to the ground. Fortunately, Ze Ze was quick - eyed and quick - handed and caught her.
"This is Concubine Mo's courtyard. Her behavior has been abnormal in recent years. Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, it's better to stay away when you go in later."
Immediately, the letter left by that man appeared in Shi Muyuan's mind. It introduced these two imperial concubines in detail. Concubine Mo was Mo Yi. She was the one who had been forced into Baotuo Temple by herself. It must be a lie to say that she didn't hate her. Would she be strangled by Concubine Mo when she went in later?
Xiao Xiao had been by her empress dowager's side for a long time and was familiar with her expression. She whispered to comfort her, "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, don't worry. If there's any danger, I'll definitely kill her."
Shi Muyuan couldn't help twitching the corner of her mouth. This girl was really too loyal. Slowly, she calmed down and stepped forward.
Ze Ze pushed open the door. At the same time, his shrill voice rang out, "Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is here! Concubine Mo, come and pay your respects quickly."
They waited at the door like this. The main room was empty. Apart from the tables and chairs, there wasn't even a set of tea sets. It was really miserable.
Shi Muyuan couldn't help thinking whether she should take this imperial concubine back to the palace to make up for the sins of the original owner.
However, the owner of the courtyard simply ignored her.
They had been standing at the door for about half an incense stick's time, but no one came out to greet them, not even a single sound.
If it weren't for the smell of incense candles coming from the next room, they would have thought that the owner of the courtyard was dead.
Ze Ze frowned, a little dissatisfied. His own empress dowager had never been treated like this outside. Concubine Mo was too impolite.
He couldn't help but speak up on his own initiative, "Your Majesty, why don't I go and take a look?"
Shi Muyuan shook her head. She pursed her lips and said, "I'll go myself."
With everyone's surprised looks, she raised her hand and pushed open the door of the next room, "Concubine Mo, sorry to disturb you today."
Ze Ze and Xiao Xiao curiously leaned over, not understanding why their master was so sure that Concubine Mo was in this room.
The next moment, the situation inside the room came into view.
A woman in a cyan dress with her hair half - pulled up, wearing a string of Buddhist beads on her hand, was kneeling on a cushion, knocking on a wooden fish. She didn't pay attention to them at all.
Seeing that his master was ignored again, Ze Ze wanted to step forward to argue, but Xiao Xiao directly pulled him back.
"Since Her Majesty hasn't said a word, don't interrupt. Let's wait outside."
She directly pulled Ze Ze away, leaving only the two women in the room, one kneeling and the other standing. Shi Muyuan even thoughtfully closed the door for her again.
Just like this, they were in a stalemate for about two hours. Finally, the person on the ground showed some movement.
She calmly supported herself to stand up, glanced at Shi Muyuan, and snorted, "The Empress Dowager is in power now. It's really rare that you still remember this discarded concubine. What? Do you want to come and see my joke? Do you think I can't live without the late emperor? Then you may be disappointed."
Concubine Mo's reaction was already within Shi Muyuan's expectation, "It's been a long time since we last met. I came to see an old acquaintance during this prayer."