However, as if she had thought of something, the sarcasm in her tone became even more evident.
"I almost forgot. If there were laws in the Great Liang, this imperial concubine wouldn't have been allowed to kill someone in the street back then."
No one could refute her words. Even Cui Qizhou could only sigh.
None of them knew about that incident at that time, so naturally they couldn't help this poor little girl.
"Lin'er, go with the divine doctor first. This is the best choice for now."
The little girl stubbornly stayed where she was and refused to leave no matter what.
"Just because of this so - called golden medal, I was separated from my relatives by life and death. After all these years, I finally had a chance to avenge myself, but now I can only watch that chance slip away. It seems that the imperial concubine had planned everything long ago. Next, are you going to settle accounts with me?"
Concubine Rui's shoulders trembled slightly. "I don't want to haggle with a little girl like you. I can apologize to you for what happened before, but today you injured me. You should give me an explanation for this. Otherwise, how can I manage my subordinates in the future?"
"What do you want to do?"
"Well, with your current status, it's not suitable for you to stay by the divine doctor's side. How about coming to serve me and atone for your sins?"
Her words sounded high - minded, but everyone present was not a fool. Everyone knew what Lin'er would face if she stayed.
Shi Muyuan immediately spoke out in opposition and made her stance clear.
"The imperial concubine offended others first. Now you still want others to work for you like a horse. This is a bit unreasonable, isn't it?"
"I'm doing this for the reputation of the royal family. Doesn't the empress dowager care about the reputation of the royal family at all? Or do you plan to let today's incident spread? Then everyone will think that the royal family can be bullied and the laws are just for show."
"You keep talking about the laws, but they seem to mean nothing to you. Have you forgotten the massacre of my clan members before?"
"I've already said that I can apologize to you. And if you stay by my side in the future, I will definitely not treat you badly. What's wrong with that?"
"Don't make it sound so nice, imperial concubine. It would be good enough if you don't secretly kill me. You may torture me in all sorts of ways. Anyway, once I'm out of the empress dowager's sight, no one will know even if you do something to me."
She clearly pointed out the pros and cons, and for a moment, Concubine Rui was at a loss for words.
Shi Muyuan seized the opportunity to speak.
"Anyway, my sister and Lin'er definitely can't get along well. Moreover, you didn't mention the gold medal for immunity from death before. You deceived the emperor first. Even if this gets out, it won't sound good for my sister's reputation. I think we'd better just let this matter go. Lin'er can learn a lot by staying by the divine doctor's side. What do you think? If you don't agree, we can discuss this matter with the court officials."
How could this be allowed? If those old men knew what she had done, those who had grudges against her family in the past would definitely interfere. Even with the gold medal for immunity from death, she wouldn't have an easy time.
Taking a deep breath, Concubine Rui finally compromised under her threat.
"Since the elder sister has said so, it won't be good if I keep refusing. Then let's settle it like this. There's no need to trouble the court officials."
Shi Muyuan didn't entangle the matter any longer. After exchanging a few polite words, she led everyone out of Qingning Palace.
As they walked on the road, Lin'er's shoulders were constantly trembling, obviously still in a state of shock from what had just happened.
Shi Muyuan shook her head helplessly. For the time being, this was the only way this matter could be resolved.
Shi Muyuan gently comforted the little girl. "Lin'er, although we didn't succeed this time, at least we exhausted one of her gold medals for immunity from death. If we find her fault next time, I will definitely take action without hesitation and make sure she never has a chance to rise again."
Lin'er felt rather aggrieved.
"Do you know how I felt when I first heard that someone was going to stand up for me, Empress Dowager?"
Shi Muyuan fell silent. In such a situation, if it were herself, having grasped the last straw of hope, she would definitely not be willing to let go. She had initially promised the little girl confidently, but in the end, she had let her down.
"I'm sorry. I failed to keep my promise..."
"Heh, the empress dowager doesn't need to apologize to me. I'm just an ordinary commoner. I don't dare to trouble the empress dowager. In the future, if the empress dowager can't do something, don't easily promise anyone. It will disappoint others."
A trace of sadness appeared in Shi Muyuan's eyes.
Seeing her talk to her own master like this, Xiao Xiao quickly scolded.
"Miss Lin'er, you saw the situation just now. You should at least understand the empress dowager. It's not that the empress dowager didn't want to stand up for you. It's just that this matter requires more consideration for the empress dowager."
"I'm not in a high - ranking position like you. I'm just an ordinary person, a person with flesh and blood. I've lost my relatives for so many years. You gave me hope and now you've let me down. You keep saying that everyone has their own hard - to - say difficulties. Can this matter just be let go like this?"
Didn't everyone present understand what Lin'er said?
However, they had no other choice. In the face of such power, they could only bow their heads.
Shi Muyuan didn't know how she got back to her bedroom. She only remembered that she had been lying in bed, just staring blankly at the bed curtain, her hand constantly waving in front of her eyes, as if thinking about something.
This was the scene Xiao Xiao saw when she came in. She felt very sorry for her own master.
Putting the plate in her hand on the table, she walked over and sat on the ground beside the bed.
"Master, what's wrong with you? Are you still unhappy because of that little girl?"
But Shi Muyuan's answer left her rather confused.
"Xiao Xiao, why did I become the empress dowager? What have I gained from being the empress dowager? My hands are clearly covered in blood, but at the critical moment, I can't even protect the person I want to protect."
The person on the ground thought for a moment, sighed, and knew that her own master still hadn't gotten over that incident.
"Master, Miss Lin'er has left with the divine doctor. They won't enter the palace unless it's necessary. No one can change the past, so you don't need to take it to heart. She's just a little girl and doesn't understand your difficulties. Besides, who can predict what will happen next in this palace?"
"But, with such obvious evidence right in front of me, I still failed to catch her myself."