Concubine Mo rose to her feet and locked eyes with her, then casually curled her lips.
"The Empress Dowager didn't come here today just to tease me, did she? It's been several days since you last saw me."
Shi Muyuan nodded slightly and sat down on a chair nearby.
"I'd like to take you back to the palace. You never really belonged in this Baotuo Temple. It was because of me that you ended up in such a situation. Taking you back is my way of making amends to the late Emperor."
These words made Concubine Mo freeze in her tracks.
She dropped the stick on the ground. The once - orderly ants scattered in an instant, just as chaotic as Concubine Mo's current state of mind.
"Actually, I don't really want to go back to that place. The late Emperor doted on me just because I was young and beautiful back then. Now that he's gone, there's no point for me to return. Am I supposed to get entangled with those jealous women in the deep palace?"
She saw things quite clearly. However, Shi Muyuan was determined to take her out today.
"Don't worry. With me in the palace to protect you, no one will dare to cause you trouble."
Concubine Mo lowered her head as if deep in thought. Shi Muyuan thought she had a chance and continued to persuade, "Moreover, you still know martial arts. Even if those people in the palace want to plot against you, they'll have to think twice."
Finally, after her persistent efforts, Concubine Mo agreed to return to the palace with her.
When Concubine Mo returned to the palace with her, it caused quite a stir.
The first one to lose her composure was probably Concubine Rui. She had always been jealous of Concubine Mo for being more favored than herself. Those old stories had almost become a shadow in her heart. Now that they were being brought up again, it made her restless.
"Are you sure? Is it really that bitch?"
Her fingernails dug into the maid's shoulder, and blood seeped through the maid's palace uniform. But even so, the maid didn't dare to utter a sound.
"Your Ladyship, it's absolutely true. Everyone saw it. Concubine Mo was brought back to the palace by the Empress Dowager today."
As soon as these words were spoken, a slap landed on the maid's face. Then, all the ornaments on the table were swept to the ground.
Almost all the servants held their breath, for Concubine Rui was extremely cruel, and no one dared to forget that.
She flew into a great rage. It took a long time for her anger to subside.
However, everyone knew that this was just the calm before the storm.
Sure enough, "Come here at once. I have something very important to tell you."
When the maid followed her in, her body was still trembling.
"What are your commands, Your Ladyship?"
Seeing her like this, Concubine Rui got angry all over again.
"What? Are you afraid I'll eat you? I have an important task for you. If you do it well, I won't bother you anymore and will even return your indenture."
The once - frightened maid's expression changed after hearing this.
"Is Your Ladyship serious?"
Seeing her so excited, Concubine Rui couldn't help but feel disgusted. What a country bumpkin! "Don't worry. I never go back on my word."
After saying that, she lowered her head and whispered something in the maid's ear. The maid's face turned pale after hearing it.
"Your Ladyship, do you really want to do this? If this gets exposed, not only the Empress Dowager, but the Emperor definitely won't tolerate it."
Hearing this, Concubine Rui lowered her head and twirled her armor. "If you don't want to do it, don't blame me for sending you to the laundry later."
The maid almost knelt on the ground in fear. The laundry was a place one could never get out of. One would have to stay there for the rest of their life, until they grew old and died.
No, she had worked so hard to get to where she was today. She couldn't give up so easily.
Thinking of this, the maid knelt down immediately. "Please spare my life, Your Ladyship. I'm willing to help you. I'll definitely handle this well."
Concubine Rui was very satisfied. She patted the maid's face. "This is what I like. As long as you're obedient, I can satisfy all your wishes."
"I understand, Your Ladyship."
Watching the maid's retreating back, Concubine Rui curled her lips slightly. Let's see how you're going to deal with this. Just those people in the harem will give you enough headaches. I don't even need to step in.
...
On the other side, Shi Muyuan was as usual chatting with Concubine Mo about some interesting things when she suddenly heard scolding from outside.
"How dare you! If you dare to talk nonsense again, do you believe I'll punish you to other places?"
"But Aunt Xiao, the rumors outside are spreading like wildfire. Shouldn't we tell the Empress Dowager?"
"Shut up! Is this the place for you to talk? Go do your own work. If you bother the Empress Dowager again, you don't need to come to the Shoukang Palace anymore."
Hearing the voices outside, Shi Muyuan was a bit puzzled. "Xiao Xiao, what's going on outside?"
Xiao Xiao walked in with a helpless look on her face. "Empress Dowager, I didn't want to bother you with this, but suddenly there are rumors outside saying that you brought Concubine Mo back without regard for the late Emperor's edict and disrespected the late Emperor. Some officials in the court are impeaching you because of this."
It seemed that the situation was quite serious. At first, Shi Muyuan had considered that there might be some influence, but she didn't expect it to be this big.
She raised her eyebrows slightly and said, "Don't worry. I'll go see Heng'er myself later."
Seeing that she showed no sign of anger, Xiao Xiao finally let out a sigh of relief. However, she was still a bit worried.
"Empress Dowager, don't take those rumors to heart. Those people are just opportunists."
Concubine Mo, who had been listening, couldn't hold back anymore. She slapped the table and stood up.
"Before I left, I knew there were always people in this place plotting behind others' backs. I didn't expect that even now, after the late Emperor's passing, they still can't be quiet. This matter must not be unfounded. Those maids don't have the guts to talk behind others' backs. I'll go find out who's behind this."
Saying that, she was about to leave, but Shi Muyuan helplessly pulled her back.
"You don't need to be in such a hurry. This matter isn't that serious."
Shi Muyuan had already guessed that there was someone behind the scenes fanning the flames. However, she knew that someone would take care of everything. The Shi family wouldn't let this happen. She just needed to wait for the right moment.
Seeing her calm and composed, Concubine Mo felt strange. "Sister, you're so calm. Do you know who's behind this?"
"Just wait and see."
At this moment, in the court.
Ji Heng was almost annoyed to death by the officials below. He couldn't understand what they were all so obsessed with. They were so pedantic.
"Your Majesty, now that such a thing has happened, shouldn't the Empress Dowager come out and give us an explanation?"