Knowing that Shi Muwǎn had other intentions, Lan Xi wasn't annoyed when he failed to give her the gift in his hand.
"Well, if Her Majesty the Empress Dowager doesn't like these treats, I'll take my leave then. If Her Majesty thinks of something she'd like to eat later, just let me know. I'll surely accompany Her Majesty to enjoy the food."
He was so enthusiastic that Shi Muwǎn found it hard to refuse any further, so she casually agreed.
She thought the matter was over, but to her surprise, the next day when she just stepped out, she ran into an unexpected person.
Seeing the maid not far away, she turned around to leave, but was called out just as she did so.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, our master would like to invite you for a chat."
Shi Muwǎn was clearly reluctant, but she couldn't refuse. The maid had already left.
She had no choice but to lead her entourage towards the back mountain.
Xiao Xiao noticed her master's reluctance and offered, "If Your Majesty doesn't want to go, I'll go and decline the envoy's invitation myself. After all, it's not appropriate for an external official to get too close to Your Majesty. It might even cause gossip if word gets out."
Such a simple truth was clear even to a fool. She didn't believe the envoy was unaware of this.
Shi Muwǎn helplessly rubbed her forehead. "This envoy may seem good-tempered on the surface, but he's actually not someone to be trifled with. If he keeps pestering us, he might dig out the matter of the missing glass beads. Then we won't be able to explain it to the king of the Western Regions. The diplomatic relations between the two countries can't be ruined because of me."
"Alright then. If Your Majesty really can't refuse, I'll go and fetch the eldest young master. He surely won't tolerate anyone pestering Your Majesty."
As they were talking, they arrived at the pavilion on the back mountain.
Looking at the figure sitting with its back to her, Shi Muwǎn sighed and took two steps forward.
"Envoy, you've summoned me here in such a hurry. What on earth has happened? Could it be that something has happened to the glass beads?"
Lan Xi waved his fan and slowly turned around.
He seemed even more charming these days, as if he had dressed up carefully. But it had nothing to do with her.
"Your Majesty, there's no need to be so anxious. The glass beads are fine. It's just that I couldn't get an audience with Your Majesty, so I had to resort to this."
Shi Muwǎn rolled her eyes right in front of him.
"Is the envoy really that idle? Or is there nothing else for you to do during your visit to the capital? Your Majesty and I are of different genders and statuses. If you keep seeking me out, aren't you afraid that it will disappoint the people of the Great Liang if word gets out?"
Lan Xi lowered his head, looking a bit aggrieved.
"Your Majesty has done such a great favor for the Western Regions and even found someone to consecrate the glass beads. I just want to find a way to thank Your Majesty. If Your Majesty minds, I'll just take the glass beads back. Your Majesty can rest assured that I'll tell the king that it's my fault that Your Majesty is so averse to me."
Shi Muwǎn twitched the corner of her mouth. She had never seen such a "tea boy" (a term for a manipulative and charming man).
Such a man would be irresistible even in modern times. Fortunately, she wasn't interested in this type.
She had been at Baotuo Temple for several days and hadn't eaten any meat for a long time. She just wanted to finish the consecration quickly and then go back to indulge in delicious food.
Thinking of the delicious food that seemed so far away, impatience gradually showed in her eyes.
"Envoy, why say such things? You just want an opportunity to thank me, right? Well, I've heard that there's a good restaurant at the foot of the mountain. How about we disguise ourselves and go there?"
Seeing that he finally managed to invite her out alone, Lan Xi couldn't hide his joy.
...
They walked in silence all the way. When they reached the foot of the mountain, they went straight into the restaurant.
The waiter came up. Although he couldn't see their faces clearly, he could tell from their clothes that they were of high status.
"May I ask what you two would like to order? Our restaurant has some new special dishes recently."
Shi Muwǎn didn't say a word. Since it was Lan Xi who was treating, she left the decision to him.
And this man, as if on purpose, spoke in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft. "What does Your Majesty the Empress Dowager like to eat? I'll have someone prepare it."
As soon as the first four words came out, the surroundings fell silent. Many people thought they had misheard and started whispering to each other.
"Did you hear what that man called the person beside him just now?"
"Who couldn't hear such a loud voice? But the Empress Dowager is so noble. How could she possibly be here? We must have misheard."
"Are you stupid? If it was a mishearing, it couldn't be that everyone misheard. I'm sure that person is the Empress Dowager."
Hearing the discussions around her, Shi Muwǎn's face fell.
"I don't think I've ever offended the envoy, not even met him before. Why do you keep pestering me?"
The envoy still looked as innocent as ever, blinking his eyes which seemed to be filled with mist, making Shi Muwǎn feel that he was about to cry the next moment.
"Your Majesty, how could you wrong me? I've been addressing you like this for so long. It wouldn't be appropriate to change the address today. If others heard it, they might misunderstand."
Couldn't he hear what the people around were saying? What good would it do him that her identity had been exposed?
With great difficulty, Shi Muwǎn managed to suppress her anger. She knew she mustn't stay alone with this man for too long, or she would surely be angered to death.
Moreover, Shi Muwǎn suddenly had a sixth sense that this man's approaching her was definitely not that simple. There might be a bigger conspiracy waiting for her.
She bit her lip, determined to see what kind of conspiracy this man had.
"Alright, let's quickly find a private room. Staying out here has already caused quite a stir. If word spreads to the city, who knows how outsiders will misunderstand. Our statuses are different. Let's not cause such a big trouble and bring unnecessary disputes to the two countries."
Lan Xi nodded obediently with a wronged look on his face and followed Shi Muwǎn into the private room. But when Shi Muwǎn wasn't looking, a smile appeared on his lips.
It wasn't that easy to avoid being noticed. Besides, he had come here on purpose today. Most of the people around were his arrangements. Today's plan was bound to succeed.
After they entered the private room, the people below were still discussing.