It was Cui Qizhou, who had been silent all along, who suddenly spoke up.
"If I'm not mistaken, about a year ago, the Sun family outside the city was completely wiped out for their involvement in an assassination attempt. That Sun family was your relatives, right?"
Upon hearing this, Yuru reacted violently. His expression was almost crazy.
"What do you know? All those things that happened back then were the fault of that vice - minister. If it weren't for that vice - minister bewitching my relatives, how could our merchant family have ended up like this?"
Looking at his expression, Shi Muyuan slowly retrieved the memory of that incident from the original owner's mind.
Back then, the Sun family was engaged in business. Although they were not merchants with a nationwide influence, they had a monopoly on the silk trade. After several generations, they had enough to eat and wear.
Originally, if they had continued to develop according to their wealth, there would have been no problem. Even if the country was in turmoil due to bad luck, the Sun family could still survive in the troubled times.
However, the Sun family didn't want to live in peace, at least the current generation of the Sun family.
For several generations before, the heads of the Sun family had made a rule that the family must never get involved in disputes, and they would never marry into the imperial court.
But the current head of the Sun family married his own daughter to the vice - minister and secretly supported the vice - minister in raising private troops.
About a year ago, during Shi Muyuan's birthday banquet, the vice - minister wanted to stage a rebellion. While everyone was off - guard, he secretly sent assassins into the palace.
Then, they attempted to assassinate the current empress dowager.
During that incident, Shi Muyuan almost died at the hands of the assassins. Several of the bodyguards arranged by the Shi family to protect her also died at the banquet.
Shi Muyuan's thoughts slowly returned. She carefully recalled the head of the Sun family. She had seen his portrait, and after a close look, he actually resembled Yuru in front of her by eight or nine out of ten.
So that was the case. But she felt that things were not that simple.
In that power - grabbing incident, all the troops raised by the vice - minister and all the members of the Sun family died. A little monk surely didn't have the ability to help Xiao Yue.
Moreover, Xiao Yue's secret chamber must have taken several years to build. According to the timeline, Yuru had only been in Baotuo Temple for a short time. He was probably used as a pawn and was exploited at this critical moment.
In this case, it was understandable.
"Those things that happened back then were beyond my control. Should I have let those who wanted to kill me live? Yuru, if you confess the person behind this now, I can spare your life."
Hearing this, Yuru wasn't tempted at all. He snorted and suddenly took out a dagger from somewhere.
"Even if I die today, I will never let you harm my savior."
As soon as he finished speaking, the dagger stabbed into his abdomen in an instant. Before anyone could react, Yuru had already fallen to the ground, completely lifeless.
Seeing this, Shi Muyuan suddenly felt a sense of defeat. Although she was not a saint, it was hard for her to accept that a living life had just disappeared in front of her.
Cui Qizhou saw her closing her eyes. He waved his hand, and the guards walked in from outside and dragged the body out directly.
"The empress dowager didn't even blink an eye when dealing with others back then. How come she can't bear to see this monk die today?"
Knowing that he was deliberately mocking her, Shi Muyuan didn't have the mood to argue with him now.
"What should we do next? We still don't know who the person behind this is, and the rumors outside surely won't subside."
The national master also became serious when it came to important matters.
"I heard that the empress dowager has already asked Master Sikong to handle this matter. He should have some leads, after all, this incident happened in Baotuo Temple."
The two discussed carefully and then went directly to Master Sikong's courtyard.
As soon as they walked in, they happened to meet someone who was in a hurry to come out.
"Master Sikong?"
"Hey, just the two of you came. I have some new clues to tell you. Come in and talk."
The three of them walked into the room. Having learned from the previous incident, Cui Qizhou asked the guards to stand guard at the door.
Master Sikong placed a cup of tea in front of each of them.
"When I went to investigate today, someone I trusted in the temple said that the abbot had appeared in my courtyard the other day when I was talking to the empress dowager."
As soon as these words were spoken, the two of them fell silent.
The abbot of Baotuo Temple. Regardless of whether he was involved or not, his appearance at that time must have something to do with this matter.
However, his identity in this incident was too delicate. If handled improperly, it would easily arouse public indignation.
Master Sikong obviously also considered this point, which was why he was in a hurry to find them.
Finally, it was Cui Qizhou who broke the silent atmosphere.
"The most important thing now is to appease the hearts of the common people. The common people are the foundation of the country. The common people at the foot of the mountain have lived in Changjing City for a long time. If they are dissatisfied, it will surely have a great impact on the imperial court."
His words hit the nail on the head. Although Shi Muyuan didn't understand these things very well, during her civil service exam preparation, she had read some historical materials about this aspect. Thinking of her current identity, she also became a little anxious.
"Then I'll go and explain it to the common people now."
As she was speaking, she was about to get up, but then she was met with the man's ridicule.
"Heh, the empress dowager is becoming more and more impatient. This is not like you before."
Shi Muyuan felt a headache. Could she just throw this national master out? He always undermined her and made her lose face in front of others. It was really hateful.
Seemingly receiving her look, Cui Qizhou slightly curled his lips. His mood inexplicably improved, and he stopped teasing her.
"I think it's better for Master Sikong to handle this. Master Sikong has been in Baotuo Temple for so long, and many pilgrims trust your words."
After hearing this, Master Sikong seriously considered it for a while and then readily agreed.
The three of them quickly finalized this matter. Due to Shi Muyuan's special identity, she would go with them. Cui Qizhou would protect her on the side and temporarily act as a bodyguard.
When the three of them appeared at the foot of the mountain, there was a commotion.
The common people saw Shi Muyuan first. "Empress Dowager, we've heard that you're a monster in disguise. We're here today hoping that you can give us a reasonable explanation. Otherwise, we'll have to offer sacrifices to heaven."
Even though Shi Muyuan had seen the world with the original owner, she was a bit overwhelmed by this situation.
She originally wanted to take a step back, but Cui Qizhou was always blocking her behind.
"If the empress dowager takes a step back, she should be prepared to be scolded by everyone. We won't be able to protect you then."
There was no other way. The woman had to stop her retreating steps.