"That woman just now really seemed to be the Empress Dowager. In my daze, I seemed to see the jade pendant on her. The design of a dragon and a phoenix, a symbol of prosperity, is something that no one but the royal family of the Great Liang Dynasty would dare to use."
As soon as the words "a dragon and a phoenix, a symbol of prosperity" were uttered, the entire hall fell silent instantly.
If that woman was really the Empress Dowager, then this matter wouldn't be easy to settle.
Hearing the discussions below, Shi Muyuan glanced at the man beside her. She seemed to understand his intention this time, but she wasn't quite sure.
"After this meal, Your Excellency the Envoy should avoid private contact with me in the future. Otherwise, misunderstandings might arise, and it would be hard to explain to the people of the world."
Lan Xi knew that she must be suspicious, so he quickly changed the subject.
"Does the Empress Dowager suspect that I deliberately planned this?"
"I didn't mean that. However, if Your Excellency has a guilty conscience, it's only natural that you would ask such a question."
Hearing this, Lan Xi's smile froze on his face. For a moment, he couldn't find a retort.
After a long while, it was the person behind him who recovered first.
"The Empress Dowager must have misunderstood. This matter has nothing to do with my lord. He didn't expect to accidentally reveal your identity."
A chill instantly emanated from Shi Muyuan, surprising even Lin Sun, who had experienced years of battles.
Why did she exude such a terrifying aura? She didn't seem like a woman confined to the harem at all. Instead, she was more like... a death - reaper from hell.
Lin Sun was suddenly startled by her own thought. How could she think like this? The woman in front of her was just an ordinary woman in the harem, at most a bit clever and well - connected. She wasn't a threat.
She must be overthinking. She must be too tense recently, influenced by those officials. Taking a deep breath, she pulled herself together.
Shi Muyuan noticed all the changes in her expression. She knew that this maid's background must be more complicated than it seemed.
"Is this how the Western Regions indulges their subordinates? Even a lowly maid dares to defy me. It seems that I haven't visited your king for a long time. I'd like to ask if your king instigated all this."
Hearing this, Lan Xi gave a disdainful look at the person behind him. This maid was really a troublemaker.
"The Empress Dowager must have misunderstood. My maid didn't mean any harm. If the Empress Dowager is angry, I'm willing to hand her over to you for punishment. After all, she's just a maid. How could she represent the king? Let's not let a mere maid affect the diplomatic relations between our two countries."
Although Lin Sun had long suspected that the man might sacrifice her, when it actually happened, she felt as if she was freezing all over. She couldn't even find her voice.
However, Shi Muyuan had never been interested in people with unknown backgrounds.
"No need. Your Excellency should manage your subordinates well. I've come to this meal as promised. Please remember my words in the future."
After saying that, without waiting for Lan Xi's response, she turned around and left.
Lan Xi didn't expect her to react so strongly. Surprise flashed across his eyes. Then he glared at the dejected maid and quickly caught up.
"Empress Dowager, I meant no harm. It was all because of this maid's rudeness. Please forgive me."
By now, they had left the restaurant and were standing beside the carriage outside. Almost everyone passing by heard what Lan Xi had said. People around them all cast disbelieving looks.
Shi Muyuan finally lost her patience.
"Your Excellency should mind your own status. There are so many people around. If things get out of hand and become embarrassing for everyone, don't blame me for being merciless."
After saying that, she no longer bothered to play nice with this man. She got into the carriage and left with her entourage.
Lin Sun just came out at this moment. "How did it go?"
Lan Xi stepped back, keeping a distance from her, and turned his head, not wanting to see her dejected look.
"Didn't you see it all? If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have handled this matter so clumsily. Fortunately, most of the plan has been completed. Otherwise, I wouldn't be so easy - going."
After giving his instructions, the man mounted his horse and rode away gracefully, leaving Lin Sun alone. Her mind was filled with his words.
She didn't know when they could sit down and explain what had happened back then. She had never harbored any hostility towards him, but this man always kept her at arm's length.
Moreover, it seemed that everything had gone off - track since he saw that woman.
Yes, that was it. It was all because of that woman.
She would never allow this Empress Dowager to live in peace. Never.
In a fit of anger, Lin Sun crushed the bracelet in her hand. She seemed not to notice that her palm was bleeding. All she could think about was how to take revenge on the woman who had stolen the man she loved.
People passing by fled at the sight of her.
At this moment, Shi Muyuan was pretending to doze off in the carriage. Her mind was filled with the face of that maid. She felt as if she had seen her somewhere before.
Memories slowly resurfaced. She vaguely remembered yesterday.
The little maid ran in with a smile, holding a letter in her hand.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor misses you and has specially sent this letter."
Looking at the running maid, the woman sitting at the table was a bit helpless.
"Zhiruo, I've told you many times not to be so reckless. If others see you like this, they'll say I don't discipline you properly."
Zhiruo handed over the letter. She knew that the Empress Dowager meant well, but the little girl was carefree and didn't take it to heart.
"Your Majesty, don't worry. No one dares to say anything about you. If someone talks nonsense, I'll beat her up."
The little girl waved her fist, making everyone around her laugh.
Shi Muyuan opened the letter and read it carefully. There was a thoughtful look in her eyes.
"Why does this portrait look so familiar?" She just couldn't remember for a moment. However, she was sure that she had seen this woman somewhere.
Seeing the serious tone of the little emperor in the letter, she knew that there were many problems in the palace this time.
Indeed, it was no ordinary person who could make so many officials disappear in broad daylight and in full view of everyone. She picked up a pen, wrote down her thoughts, and then sent the letter back.
As the memories returned, if she didn't know who the maid was before, she couldn't pretend not to know now.
She just needed to confirm it.
"Xiaoxiao, go and get the letter the Emperor sent the other day."
"Your Majesty, what's going on?"
Her own master hadn't shown such a solemn expression for a long time.