She turned her head and gave a subtle signal to the people behind. Immediately, someone stepped forward, feigning curiosity.
"Could the matter sister mentioned be the recent rumor in the palace?"
As soon as this question was asked, Grand Concubine Rui almost fainted from anger.
Even a fool could tell that this question was clearly asked with ulterior motives. Yet, Grand Concubine Li looked rather proud and glanced at the others.
See? I'm the quickest one! This chance to show myself in front of Grand Concubine Rui is mine.
Receiving such a provoking look, the other grand concubines looked at each other, suddenly not knowing whether to call her stupid or just plain idiotic.
Shi Muyuan quietly watched as the people below exchanged looks with their eyes. Grand Concubine Rui was so angry that steam was practically coming out of her ears, almost fainting.
If not for Grand Concubine Mo's constant reminders beside her, she might have burst out laughing.
She had thought some people were really capable, but it turned out they couldn't even speak properly. Wasn't this just leaving evidence for themselves?
She withdrew her gaze, finding it all rather boring. It seemed that Grand Concubine Rui's days were numbered.
Xiao Xiao helped her stand up slowly and tidied up her hairpin and the corners of her robe.
Shi Muyuan walked all the way down the steps. Suddenly, she turned around and said something rather cryptic.
"The Shoukang Palace has always been the most coveted place for the women in the harem. This single step makes everyone envy, jealous, and resent, yet they have no choice but to bow to it."
As soon as these words were spoken, almost everyone fell silent. They looked at this young empress dowager with strange expressions, not knowing what new tricks she was up to.
Grand Concubine Li, who had been ignored, was quite dissatisfied. She had finally managed to seize such a chance to shine, but it had been easily overshadowed. How could she bear it?
So, risking punishment, she squeezed into the middle and said, "Sister, you're wrong. We younger sisters have never thought of vying for the main position in the harem. Sister, why don't you tell us the real reason you summoned us today? Is it related to the rumor in the harem?"
Grand Concubine Rui wished she could strangle her right then and there. How could she have recruited such a stupid person in the first place?
But just as she was about to interrupt, Shi Muyuan had already taken over the conversation.
"Yes, I summoned you all today because of that very matter. I've asked the emperor, and it turns out this matter originated from the harem. I am the mistress of the harem, in charge of the six palaces. Now that such rumors have spread, it seems there's someone who doesn't take me seriously at all. I really want to see who this capable person is."
Seeing her sharp gaze, Grand Concubine Rui couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervousness.
No, why should she be nervous? Although this woman used to be rather ruthless, now she had changed. Maybe she wouldn't be able to find out that she was the mastermind behind it all.
After thinking it over carefully, her mood gradually calmed down as she waited for this young empress dowager to continue.
Seeing Grand Concubine Rui so calm, Shi Muyuan dropped a bombshell.
"By the way, just as Aunt Xiao was passing by the imperial garden, she suddenly came across a young maid. Seeing that the maid was so clumsy and absent - minded even about small things, I got curious and brought her back. As it turned out, I did manage to get something out of her."
Grand Concubine Rui suddenly looked up. Could it be Mei'er? No, she had already given Mei'er a sum of money. She should have left the palace by now. Presumably, the people outside had already acted according to her instructions.
Yes, it must be so. She couldn't scare herself and give Shi Muyuan an opportunity.
With this thought in mind, while whispering instructions into the ear of the maid beside her, she tried to calm herself down. "Go and check right away. Ask the people outside if they've taken care of everything."
"Yes."
Grand Concubine Mo was the first to notice something was amiss here. However, Shi Muyuan secretly signaled her not to worry about it. Then she gently clapped her hands.
Soon, the old women outside escorted a maid in.
At first, Grand Concubine Rui thought Shi Muyuan was just trying to scare her, but soon she realized she was wrong.
When the maid raised her head, the face that was exposed to everyone's view was clearly Mei'er, whom she had already sent out of the palace.
She almost fell off her chair. Hadn't she arranged everything properly? She had sent Mei'er away a few days ago. How could she be caught red - handed?
Just as she was at a loss, Shi Muyuan had already walked up to Mei'er and said in a gentle voice.
"Before, you said you wanted to help us identify the mastermind behind this. I fulfilled your wish and saved you. Now it's time for you to repay me, isn't it?"
Mei'er looked extremely downcast. Presumably, she had endured some torture before being brought here.
Hearing Shi Muyuan's words, her gaze swept across everyone's faces and finally landed on one person.
"It's Grand Concubine Rui. It's her! She promised me that if I could accomplish this task, she would let me leave the palace. But she sent people to ambush me outside the palace. If it weren't for the empress dowager's people passing by, I'd probably be a corpse by now. Empress dowager, you must seek justice for me. Grand Concubine Rui is a heartless and venomous woman."
Hearing this, everyone immediately turned their heads. Even those who had been on good terms with Grand Concubine Rui before all distanced themselves from her, afraid of being implicated in this matter.
Spreading rumors about the empress dowager in secret was one thing. Although they had all done such things, they had always been very careful and had never been caught. Now that the matter was out in the open, it would be very difficult for Grand Concubine Rui to get away with it.
Seeing everyone around her changing their attitudes according to the situation, anger flashed across Grand Concubine Rui's face.
"What do you mean? Do you suspect that I did this? Sister, are you going to believe this little maid's words?"
Seeing that she was already trying to excuse herself, Shi Muyuan returned to her high - seat and sat down, as if watching a clown.
"Don't talk nonsense, sister. I've never intended to believe a little maid's words. However, it would be better for you to clarify this matter so that everyone will feel more at ease."
Grand Concubine Li was actually afraid that Grand Concubine Rui would implicate her, but she still held out hope.
"Then sister, please clarify this matter so that the empress dowager can rest assured."
This stupid woman. She would definitely cut ties with her as soon as they got back. Grand Concubine Rui took a deep breath.
"We're all women in the harem. It's normal for someone to play some tricks behind the scenes. Maybe this little maid was bribed by someone to frame me."
It was indeed a possibility, but it was also the most basic of tricks.
Shi Muyuan certainly didn't believe it. "What's your opinion on what Grand Concubine Rui said? Or do you have any evidence of your own regarding this matter?"