The abbot wasn't like this when he received them before. His sudden change must have a reason.
The others present weren't fools either. Shi Muyuan and Cui Qizhou exchanged a glance, and they already had a rough idea in their minds.
However, due to their special identities, they couldn't use torture. They could only make him confess voluntarily.
Shi Muyuan pretended to scold, "Ze Ze, after all, the abbot is an old-timer in Baotuo Temple. It's understandable if he makes a slip of the tongue for a moment."
"But, Empress Dowager..."
Before Ze Ze could finish his words, Shi Muyuan interrupted him.
"Alright. Since the abbot thinks everyone has other things to attend to, how about this? We'll stay here for the time being. When you all are free, we'll continue today's interrogation."
Her words allowed no refusal. The abbot had no choice but to agree.
Just as they were about to leave, Master Sikong suddenly called out to Shi Muyuan.
"Empress Dowager, I have something to talk to you about. Are you free now?"
Shi Muyuan turned around and met his gaze, then casually replied.
When she averted her gaze, she felt a lingering fear.
They still hadn't completely found out who was helping Xiao Yue here. Cui Qizhou and Concubine Shen almost spoke up at the same time.
"Empress Dowager, perhaps you shouldn't go. If it turns out that Master Sikong is the one helping Xiao Yue behind the scenes, he must have some means to protect himself. How could you escape then?"
Both of them were thinking about her well - being, but Shi Muyuan still decided to find out. She always felt that Master Sikong probably wasn't the one helping Xiao Yue.
After bidding them farewell, she went to Master Sikong's meditation room.
"Come in."
As soon as she walked in, a strong scent of candle incense assailed her nostrils. At the same time, she keenly noticed that every corner of this meditation room was spotless, and the cassock hanging on one side was so shiny that it could blind one's eyes.
Now, she could be completely sure that this Master Sikong had absolutely nothing to do with Xiao Yue. Then what on earth did he want to talk to her about?
"Master Sikong and I have never had any dealings before. You suddenly ask to see me today. Is there something urgent?"
Master Sikong twirled the Buddhist beads in his hand, and his gaze stayed on her face for a long time without saying a word.
This inexplicable look made Shi Muyuan feel extremely uncomfortable. Could it be that the original owner had done something wrong to this Master Sikong before?
But that didn't seem right. The original owner had always scorned to come to Baotuo Temple, and Master Sikong had already converted to Buddhism before the original owner entered the palace. They should have never had any dealings.
She racked her brains for a long time but couldn't recall anything. Could it be that she had really lost some important memories?
Just when she began to doubt herself, Master Sikong finally broke the silent atmosphere.
"Empress Dowager, there's no need to be so nervous. I asked you to come here today just to talk to you about your real identity."
Shi Muyuan's heart skipped a beat. This was even more terrifying than her memory loss.
But thinking that if people knew about her time - traveling identity, she might become a monster that everyone wanted to kill, she immediately decided not to admit it.
"Master Sikong, I don't quite understand what you're saying. My identity is well - known to everyone."
Master Sikong wasn't impatient. He turned around and poured a cup of tea for Shi Muyuan.
"Empress Dowager, please rest assured. I called you here today just hoping to solve this matter properly with you."
Seeing that the matter had been laid out on the table, she knew that it was futile to cover it up anymore. She said helplessly, "Master Sikong, just say it straight."
She wanted to know how much this Master Sikong really knew.
And Master Sikong didn't disappoint her.
"A soul that doesn't belong to this place can still live safely. Empress Dowager, you've really been through a lot."
Shi Muyuan tightly clutched the handkerchief in her hand. It really felt bad to be seen through.
Her little face fell. "Master Sikong, just say what you have to say."
Master Sikong smiled and placed the Buddhist beads in his hand on the table. "I'll give this to you, Empress Dowager. Don't worry. This matter today is only known to you, me, the sky, and the earth. No one else will know. I have no other intentions. I just hope that the Empress Dowager can be different from before, spare the innocent, and don't add unnecessary killings."
Her gaze fell on the string of Buddhist beads. Shi Muyuan hesitated for a while, but finally decided to trust the person in front of her.
"Master, please rest assured. I won't wrong any good person."
After leaving Master Sikong's courtyard, she had been a bit absent - minded.
Xiao Xiao stepped forward worriedly. "Empress Dowager, are you okay?"
Shi Muyuan casually waved her hand and closed the door.
"I want to be alone. Don't disturb me for the next few days."
Ze Ze always felt that the Empress Dowager like this wasn't right. He wanted to say something, but was taken away by Xiao Xiao.
"Why didn't you let me persuade the Empress Dowager?"
"Do you think your persuasion will work when the Empress Dowager is like this?"
Ze Ze was a bit depressed. "How about I go and ask Master Sikong what he said to the Empress Dowager? Why did it make the Empress Dowager like this?"
But just as he lifted his leg, he was yanked back by Xiao Xiao.
"Come on, don't cause more trouble for the Empress Dowager. Just wait patiently. I'm sure the Empress Dowager will be fine."
Just like this, Shi Muyuan's courtyard remained quiet for several days. However, soon, this tranquility was broken by a piece of news.
A little palace maid stumbled back from outside, her face still showing a bit of panic.
Seeing this, Xiao Xiao stepped forward and stopped the little palace maid.
"I've already told you to be quiet. Why are you so reckless? What if you startle the Empress Dowager?"
The little palace maid had no choice but to tell the news she had just heard.
"It's rumored in the streets that the Empress Dowager has been possessed and is a monster. Now some common people have gathered at the foot of the mountain, demanding that the Empress Dowager come out and give them an explanation."
As soon as the little palace maid finished speaking, a crisp sound came from inside the room.
Xiao Xiao glared at the little palace maid who had spoken, then strode into the room.
"Empress Dowager, what's wrong?"
Shi Muyuan still hadn't fully recovered from the little palace maid's words. "N...nothing."
Xiao Xiao quickly stepped forward to check. After making sure that her hand wasn't injured, she let out a sigh of relief, then asked someone to come in and clean up the room.
"Empress Dowager, those people don't know anything. Don't take it to heart. Someone will soon deal with those rumors."
Even with the comfort of those close to her, her heart still couldn't calm down.
Since someone had spread this matter and at this particular moment, it proved that the person had ill intentions. Moreover, the other side must have some evidence.
No, she couldn't just sit and wait for death. If this matter was really confirmed, she didn't even dare to think about the consequences.