She originally thought that even if Concubine Xiao was hiding her true strength, there wouldn't be much in the secret chamber. But when she walked in, she realized she had underestimated it.
The secret chamber was almost entirely built with gold. It was even more magnificent than the imperial palace. She thought the outside was already glorious enough, but when she reached the innermost part, she knew she had been naive.
The walls were illuminated by night pearls as big as goose eggs. The sandalwood in the air was only used by the royal family. The floor was littered with priceless treasures. It was even richer than the national treasury.
Shi Muyuan looked at the box on the high platform and gradually calmed down. Presumably, this was what she was looking for.
She curled her lips and slowly opened the box. To her surprise, besides the fragments of the treasure map, there was also a jade pendant. But this jade pendant looked somewhat familiar. Before she could think further, she noticed something else.
As soon as she picked up the box, another mechanism was triggered.
Shi Muyuan tightly held the dagger in her sleeve. This dagger was given by Cui Qizhou when she came in. Cold sweat broke out on her back. Did Concubine Xiao set up some dangerous mechanisms here to prevent outsiders from breaking in?
While thinking, she approached the wall triggered by the mechanism.
When the wall opened, Shi Muyuan felt that she might have caused a big problem today.
Because, right in front of her, was a magnificent palace. At the end of it was a throne, exactly the same as the one in the imperial palace. If she didn't know that the imperial palace was heavily guarded, she might have thought Concubine Xiao had moved the throne here.
Shi Muyuan swallowed hard. She was also very familiar with the layout of this palace. After all, no one was more familiar with it than her. Wasn't this her Shoukang Palace?
What on earth was going on? How many secrets did Concubine Xiao have?
Just as she was scared and about to turn around and leave, there was a sudden noise behind her.
Almost instinctively, she stuffed the jade pendant and the fragments into her bosom, then closed the box and threw it to one side. Her movements were smooth, but it was already too late for her to hide. She had no choice but to turn around bravely.
Sure enough, the person who came in was Concubine Xiao.
However, when Concubine Xiao saw her, there was not much surprise in her eyes. Instead, she calmly twirled the Buddhist beads in her hand.
"I knew Her Majesty the Empress Dowager wasn't here to pray. I just didn't expect you to set your sights on me."
Shi Muyuan tried her best to stay calm. The more flustered she was at this moment, the more likely something would go wrong.
"I just couldn't sleep all night and really wanted to have a heart - to - heart talk with Concubine Xiao, so I came here. I didn't expect you to be out of your yard. So I accidentally stumbled in. Now that you're back, let's go out and talk, shall we?"
She stepped aside and was about to run out. As long as she got out, that man would surely come to her rescue. But how could Concubine Xiao give her such a chance?
The moment she turned around, Concubine Xiao directly drew out her sword. "I advise Her Majesty the Empress Dowager not to move around. Swords are merciless. If anything happens to our noble Empress Dowager, I won't be able to explain it to those outside."
Shi Muyuan's expression stiffened. She knew she couldn't escape after all. She gritted her teeth and said, "What on earth are you doing, Concubine Xiao? I remember you were devoted to Buddhism and had long since stayed out of worldly affairs. You've also been in the harem. You should know that if any of these things here were taken out, the crime would be enough to exterminate your nine clans."
She was the current Empress Dowager and the apple of the Shi family's eye. Presumably, the person in front of her wouldn't easily hurt her. After all, Concubine Xiao had worked hard to get where she was today. She must be reluctant to let it all go to waste.
Shi Muyuan thought that she could intimidate her and make her scared. Once a person was scared, there would be flaws.
But she underestimated Concubine Xiao. "Heh, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager doesn't need to use those words to pressure me. I'm not one of the little maids in your palace. Now that you're in my hands, I can do whatever I want. If you anger me, even if I take your life, no one will know."
Her words made Shi Muyuan tremble with fear, but she also knew that Concubine Xiao wasn't joking.
Shi Muyuan took a deep breath. No, she had passed the extremely difficult civil - servant recruitment exam back then, and she had died once. How could she be afraid of such a thing?
As long as she didn't come out for a long time, that man would surely notice something was wrong and come in to rescue her. She just needed to buy time.
Thinking of this, she started to change the topic.
"I'm a bit curious why you have such a layout?"
This made Concubine Xiao laugh without hesitation. "Doesn't Her Majesty the Empress Dowager feel familiar with this layout? My layout is also in line with your wishes. Surprised?"
Shi Muyuan was stunned and didn't understand her words for a long time.
"What does this have to do with me? All I can see is that you seem to be planning a rebellion."
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager doesn't need to pretend here. Anyway, there are only the two of us now. Don't you always want such a result? Rule the harem alone and have absolute power as the Empress Dowager. It would make everyone envious."
So that was it. Concubine Xiao thought she had always wanted that position, which was why she had such a layout and was doing the same thing as her.
Shi Muyuan thought it was ridiculous. "Are you overestimating me? I've never wanted that position. Didn't the well - informed Concubine Xiao know that I've already established a new emperor?"
Concubine Xiao's face changed slightly. She didn't believe at all that Shi Muyuan would give up the power she had obtained. This was simply not her style.
"How is that possible? If you really wanted to give up your power, you wouldn't have held onto the government for so many years. Since the late emperor passed away, what you've done is well - known throughout the Liang Dynasty."
Following her words, Shi Muyuan directly pointed out her thoughts. "So you want to rebel and take my place?"
Even though her thoughts were exposed, Concubine Xiao wasn't flustered.
"Is there anything wrong with what I'm doing? Besides, if you can do it, why can't I? What am I inferior to you?"
She waved the sword in her hand. Accidentally, the sword left a mark on Shi Muyuan's slender neck.
"Oops, I'm really sorry, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager. I hurt you. It's okay. After today, you won't feel pain anymore."