Shi Muyuan shook her head and refused.
"The State Preceptor risked his life to save us. We can't just stand by and watch. Anyway, he's our benefactor."
Since her mistress had spoken, Aunt Xiao had no choice but to draw out her soft sword from her sleeve.
"Then please wait here for a while, Your Majesty. We'll be back soon."
Shi Muyuan responded with a nod. Seeing that Aunt Xiao was handling the situation with ease, she finally let out a sigh of relief.
However, things didn't go as smoothly as expected.
Just as Xiao Xiao left, many dark shadows appeared around Shi Muyuan. As a person with no martial arts skills, she didn't notice them at all.
All her attention was on the group of black - clothed men and the two charging figures. Watching those people being beaten to a pulp, Shi Muyuan couldn't help but clap her hands in delight.
"Good! Good! Good! Right, just like that! Upper hook, lower kick, give him a slap!"
Hearing what the Empress Dowager was saying under the tree, the figures in the trees couldn't help but pause for a moment.
"Brother, are we in the wrong? This can't be the person we're looking for. She seems like a fool. The rumored Empress Dowager is supposed to be very shrewd."
Another person began to think, "I'm sure the painting is correct. Anyway, as long as the face matches."
"Since you said so, brother, I have no objections."
After saying that, the two of them flew down from the trees. Their hands were about to touch Shi Muyuan's shoulders.
If she was caught by these people, it would be very difficult to get her back.
Xiao Xiao widened her eyes, looking at the two suddenly - appeared men, and shouted at the top of her voice, "Your Majesty, run! Run!"
Shi Muyuan frowned, looking puzzled.
"There's no threat here. You guys just fight with peace of mind."
Cui Qizhou cursed under his breath. He actually didn't want to care about this woman, but her maternal family was very influential in the court. If he left her alone, the Shi family would never let it go.
By the time the man arrived, the two had just grabbed the corner of Shi Muyuan's clothes.
"Don't move! If you come any closer, I'll kill the hostage. We know who the person in our hands is. Do you believe that we'll spread this news?"
The implication of their words was obvious. Cui Qizhou's eyes darkened. From these words, he could tell that the two men's intentions were definitely not simple. Maybe they were sent by someone.
He pursed his lips slightly. Since they were bought off, he could try to buy them back.
So, the following conversation took place between the two sides.
"All you've done is for money, right? I can give you money, but you have to let the person in your hands go."
The two looked at each other, and a flash of greed crossed their eyes.
"Humph, we won't believe your words. Someone has already given us enough money."
Although these words seemed out of the blue, they were actually a reminder to the man.
The man naturally understood.
"If it can be solved with money, then this matter is not that difficult. You can name your price. As long as it's within my means, I'll give it to you."
At this, the two made a bold decision.
"We don't ask for much. Just five hundred taels of gold. As long as you can raise it within three days, I'll release this noble Empress Dowager."
Sure enough, they came prepared.
Cui Qizhou narrowed his eyes. "I agree. We'll meet at this trading location three days later."
"Deal."
"But how can you guarantee that the person I redeem will be absolutely safe?"
The two thought for a long time but couldn't come up with a good idea. Finally, they threw the question back at him.
"Then tell us, what does it mean for the person to be safe?"
Cui Qizhou hooked his lips. "Well, as long as you tell me who's behind this, I'll believe that you'll take good care of the Empress Dowager."
Almost instinctively, these words enraged the two men.
"Do you think we're such easy - going people? We won't tell you who's behind this."
"Right. Unless you add more money."
Unexpectedly, after knowing each other for so many years, his younger brother was still so stupid. Li Da kicked him.
"You useless fool! You've just revealed our bottom line. How can I negotiate now?"
Seeing that there was still room for negotiation, Cui Qizhou pressed on.
"Adding money is no big deal. Don't forget, I'm the current State Preceptor. It's easy for me to get some money. I just want to know who's behind this. I won't make you break the rules of your profession."
Since he had said so, if the two continued to decline, they would seem ungrateful.
Li Da coughed twice and stated his bottom line.
"Remember to add an extra hundred taels when you pay the ransom. Actually, it's not that we can't tell you. We're in this line of work for money. It was Concubine Rui who suddenly approached us a few days ago and said she'd give us five hundred taels to kidnap the Empress Dowager."
Cui Qizhou understood. Watching the two men open their mouths, a sneer appeared on his lips.
"So this is your first move, but I didn't say you can leave."
The two didn't understand what he meant. Just as they were about to turn around and run away, the next moment they lost consciousness.
Shi Muyuan blinked her eyes. She had thought she was almost dead just now.
Now she realized that it was all this man's plan. With his profound martial arts skills, he must have planned it from the very beginning.
No, this man just watched her cry in fear. What was his intention?
After figuring everything out, the young Empress Dowager wished she could strangle this man to death.
Sensing her gaze, Cui Qizhou was unhurried, acting as if nothing had happened.
"Let's go. It's time for us to go back and see that little girl, as well as our Concubine Rui. Let's ask her what kind of wisdom she has to come up with such a plan."
Shi Muyuan understood the intention of going to settle the score with Concubine Rui, but wasn't that little girl the one who helped them find supplies? And she had also helped them a lot in the court.
Thinking about it, she voiced her doubts.
"Why do we have to go find Qin'er? She helped us this time and made great contributions."
Unexpectedly, the always - shrewd Empress Dowager couldn't figure this out. The man had no choice but to patiently explain.
"That little girl appeared at a very coincidental time. Moreover, we never had any witnesses prepared before. So this little girl has been problematic from the start. Either she really saw something, or she was instigated by someone."
Since the words had been said to this extent, if Shi Muyuan still didn't understand, she wouldn't have passed the imperial examination back then.