With such a big "pie" right in front of her, it wouldn't be like Ziyi if she didn't take a bite.
"The imperial concubine dowager was kind enough to make such a promise to this humble maid. Naturally, I won't give up this opportunity."
After saying that, the two began to discuss their next plan.
At this moment, Shi Muyuan had no idea that danger was approaching. Instead, she was discussing the upcoming Hundred Flowers Banquet with Xiao Xiao with great interest.
"Why is this wonderful flower - viewing event, the Hundred Flowers Banquet, held at night?"
Xiao Xiao shook her head helplessly and began to educate her mistress.
"This banquet was established by our ancestors. It's also a kind of test for emperors and empresses of each generation, challenging them to make the flowers bloom with a different charm at night."
So that's how it was. She just realized that the ancients could be so romantic.
However, she looked rather troubled. In modern times, as a low - level urban management officer, she was only good at slacking off. Now, suddenly being given such a huge task, she felt she wasn't up to it.
"Can we find someone else? Or Xiao Xiao, could you go and check it out first? I really don't know how to handle this."
Xiao Xiao said she was also helpless. "My lady, have you forgotten the promise you made to those imperial - title - holding ladies? You were so confident back then, saying that you would make this year's Hundred Flowers Banquet more splendid than ever. How come you're getting cold feet even before the banquet starts?"
Shi Muyuan twitched the corner of her mouth. This was the pit dug by the original owner. Why did she have to fill it now? She was just a small urban management officer who was used to slacking off. She really didn't know how to do this and definitely didn't want to go. If she made a fool of herself and the whole world found out, her days as the empress dowager might be over.
"Or maybe you can go and oversee it in person. I've never really cared about such things before."
But Xiao Xiao still insisted that her mistress should fulfill the promise.
The two were arguing when Fan Zhen, bored of watching, finally stepped in to smooth things over.
"If the empress dowager feels unsure, why not ask Concubine Dowager Mo? You two are good sisters. You'll surely figure something out together."
"Yes! Why didn't I think of that?"
Seeing the woman rushing away in a hurry, Xiao Xiao couldn't help but smile. Then she stopped the person who was about to follow.
"Fortunately, Mr. Fan knew how to handle things that day. Otherwise, I would have stepped in myself. I hope you can tell right from wrong like this in the future."
Fan Zhen stopped in his tracks, his eyes filled with surprise.
"Does the empress dowager distrust me so much? Does she think I can't tell right from wrong?"
Xiao Xiao curled her lips. "This has nothing to do with the empress dowager. I decided to look into it myself. Considering your close relationship with Concubine Dowager Rui before, who knows if you'll really do as you said?"
It was understandable for her to suspect him, as long as it wasn't Shi Muyuan who doubted him. He didn't want to follow someone who was two - faced.
"Follow if you want, as long as it's not the empress dowager's order. Let's hurry over. Concubine Dowager Rui has a strong vengeful streak. Who knows what she might do next."
The two used their light - body skills to follow, but Xiao Xiao didn't take his words to heart.
"Now that Concubine Dowager Rui has lost your help, even if she wants to harm the empress dowager, she has to think twice. So don't worry."
"It's hard to say. That woman managed to hide under my nose for so many years. I won't be surprised if she does something else. Besides, do you really think a person like her wouldn't have any tricks up her sleeve?"
It made sense.
...
The Hundred Flowers Banquet was held after intense preparations by several people.
As night fell, the officials and their families began to enter the venue. Soon, all the seats were filled.
However, everyone was puzzled by the arrangement that night.
"Why aren't there any lights in the imperial garden? I almost tripped on my way here."
"Yes. I heard the empress dowager has prepared a different kind of Hundred Flowers Banquet for us tonight, different from the previous ones."
"I think the empress dowager is good at dealing with people, but it'll be difficult for her to arrange this banquet. We offered to help her before, but she refused."
"That's because the empress dowager is so proud. Otherwise, why would she keep insisting on doing it alone?"
The officials' wives who said these words were naturally those whose husbands had always been at odds with the Shi family. They came here today just to watch the show.
Concubine Dowager Mo, who was standing behind and listening, almost couldn't hold back her anger. Fortunately, Shi Muyuan pulled her back in time.
"Are you just going to let these people talk nonsense? You're the empress dowager. Even if you punish them now, no one will dare to say a word."
Shi Muyuan had a confident smile on her face. "Have you forgotten our plan for today? Even if we want to teach these people a lesson, it won't be on the surface. Only by really slapping their faces hard can we make them remember their place."
Although what she said was reasonable, Concubine Dowager Mo still felt annoyed. Finally, she decided to go out and give those people a warning.
"Concubine Dowager Mo is here!"
Seeing the approaching figure, the ladies who had just been talking all shut their mouths. They knew how powerful this imperial concubine dowager was.
But it was too late. Concubine Dowager Mo had already heard everything they said.
She walked straight up to them. Before they could react, she struck quickly, accurately, and fiercely.
"What? Have the guts to repeat what you just said so that everyone in this hall can hear what kind of faces you noble ladies really have."
The ladies who were hit were furious but didn't dare to say a word. They could only kneel on the ground. Even their husbands beside them were trembling.
"Please calm down, imperial concubine dowager. My wife was impolite and spoke out of turn. Please forgive her."
Hearing this, Concubine Dowager Mo kicked the official who had just spoken in the chest.
"Who do you think you are? How dare you talk to me like this?"
The official covered his chest. His wife was terrified, and the others didn't even dare to breathe, afraid of angering the imperial concubine dowager even more.
"Please calm down, imperial concubine dowager. I didn't mean it."
"Really?"