At this point, she suddenly had a thought. If the family name was used as a token, then wouldn't the maple leaf in her hand be able to command that organization?
Seeing that she had come to the same conclusion as herself, the maid didn't beat around the bush any longer.
"That's right. Concubine Rui used this token to mobilize the people in that assassin organization before."
Xiao Xiao curled the corner of her mouth slightly. This was really great news.
"Do you know why Concubine Rui was able to get this token? Or is her identity actually not simple?"
"I'm not in a position to draw a conclusion, miss. I once eavesdropped secretly. The people in that assassin organization only recognize this token."
This was also an indirect reminder to Xiao Xiao that if Shi Muyuan was willing, this assassin organization could also be at her service.
For Shi Muyuan, this was also a means of self - protection.
The maid saw that her smile remained unchanged and knew that her gamble had paid off this time.
"Now can you take me back, miss? I'm willing to serve the Empress Dowager with all my might."
"Yes, but I have one last question to ask you."
"Please go ahead, miss."
"First, explain how you got this token. And tell me why you didn't keep it with you. If you had, you might not have ended up in such a miserable situation."
The maid gently bit her lower lip. "I've tried, but it's no use. To put it bluntly, that assassin organization still recognizes people. They can work for the token - holder, but they also need sufficient rewards."
So that was the case. Xiao Xiao gave a subtle signal to one of the shadow guards, asking him to verify the truth of this information. Then she took the maid back to the Palace of Longevity and Health.
A woman who had been sound asleep was suddenly pulled up straight. The woman, who had a serious case of morning grumpiness, was extremely annoyed.
"Who is it? Disturbing someone's sleep. Don't you know that if you do this, you'll have no meat in your dishes tomorrow?"
Xiao Xiao twitched the corner of her mouth. The maid was still curiously looking on and naturally didn't miss what the Empress Dowager had just said.
Thinking of the image of her mistress, she decided to try to salvage it a bit.
She coughed twice and ordered, "Take her out first and wait. I need to attend to the Empress Dowager's toiletries."
Soon, the maid was taken out. Xiao Xiao seized the opportunity to report to the half - awake woman.
"Empress Dowager, I've brought the person back. And there was an unexpected bonus this time."
Hearing the last two words, the woman in the bed immediately perked up.
"What bonus?"
"Empress Dowager, take a look at these two things."
Shi Muyuan pursed her lips. She became much more alert and carefully flipped through the information that Xiao Xiao had someone collect and the maple leaf token.
After she finished reading, shock appeared in her eyes.
"Have you checked the identity of this maid? Will she cause any hidden troubles for us?"
"Your Majesty, please rest assured. I've had people clear the obstacles to ensure that there will be no problems."
"That's good. But why didn't she keep this token for herself?"
"Because most of the people in that assassin organization recognize money first and then the token."
That explained everything. A little maid surely couldn't afford to bribe the people in that assassin organization.
Following the plot in the TV dramas, she directly threw the envelope into the incense burner. As it burned, she put away the token and then walked out with Xiao Xiao.
The maid had been waiting in the main hall for a long time. Seeing her was even more exciting than seeing her own relatives.
Looking at the tearful little maid, Shi Muyuan wasn't quite used to it for a moment.
She coughed dryly and tugged at her skirt.
"There are so many people here. If you want to serve me well in the future, don't do such embarrassing things. If others laugh at you, it'll also make me look bad."
The little maid retreated with a slightly embarrassed look on her face. Then, blushing, she took the initiative to speak.
"The Empress Dowager is right. I hope I can stay by the Empress Dowager's side from now on. Whether it's going up the knife - mountain or down the sea of fire, I will never let the Empress Dowager down."
Shi Muyuan had done nothing yet, and the maid was already flattering her. She felt a bit uncomfortable.
Her expression was a bit stiff.
"Then what do you think you're best suited to do by my side?"
The little maid thought carefully and finally gave an answer that satisfied everyone.
"With my qualifications, it's impossible for me to be a first - class maid by the Empress Dowager's side. I'd better start from the lowest level so that the Empress Dowager can see my sincerity."
A flash of admiration crossed Shi Muyuan's eyes. Being neither over - humble nor over - assertive was the right attitude for staying by her side. If someone couldn't handle the ups and downs, there was no place for such a person around her.
Moreover, she had come from Concubine Rui's side. If she was really sent by Concubine Rui, even if she was at the lowest level, Shi Muyuan could still find a way to get rid of her.
With this thought in mind, Shi Muyuan hooked her lips. "Then I'll give you a name. You can't use the name you had when you were with Concubine Rui. How about Qing'er?"
Hearing this, Qing'er knelt on the ground, extremely grateful. She finally could live a decent life.
Xiao Xiao had others take the little maid out. Then she looked at her mistress and still felt a bit skeptical.
"Is this little girl trustworthy? Will she cause trouble for us behind our backs?"
"Time will tell. No one can hide from us forever. Xiao Xiao, don't be too hasty. Haste makes waste."
Xiao Xiao forced herself to calm down and sighed.
"I'll follow your orders, Your Majesty. I'll have others keep an eye on her to prevent any problems."
After the two of them settled this matter, they decided to find a time to visit that assassin organization to see if they could find any useful information.
"How about we go out of the palace and check it out tomorrow? If we can clarify this matter earlier, we might be able to find more useful clues earlier and bring down Concubine Rui sooner."
"I'll send some people tomorrow, Your Majesty."
"You can arrange this matter. Well, I'm tired. You may leave."
Just as Xiao Xiao had walked out the door, the window of her bedroom was opened.
Shi Muyuan could tell who it was just by the sound. She twitched the corner of her mouth helplessly and first went to close the outer door tightly.
"I would appreciate it if the national master could come during the daytime next time. If others see you breaking into my bedroom in the middle of the night, there will surely be a big stir outside."
Hearing this, Cui Qizhou casually patted the dust off his clothes and then closed the window tightly.
"I've heard clearly what the Empress Dowager said to that little girl and Aunt Xiao just now."