She bent down and helped the person on the ground up.
"Sister, what are you doing? I haven't said a word yet. If you kneel like this, won't it make everyone think I'm bullying you with my power?"
The Imperial Concubine Rui didn't expect her to be so calm. She felt a bit embarrassed.
"Sister is right. It's my fault for not thinking it through."
Ignoring this remark, Shi Muyuan helped up the other person kneeling on the ground.
"I haven't said a word yet, but you all came up and started accusing me. Do you really think it's my fault in this matter?"
The big man who had just learned her identity didn't dare to say anything else. He quickly lowered his head and apologized for what he had just said.
"The Empress Dowager is so kind not to bother with us. How could we possibly have any objections?"
Most of the other commoners had lived in the slums for a long time. They weren't all fools. Now they could see the situation clearly. Since the main person had already changed sides, there was no need for them to continue to pester.
So, many people began to apologize one after another.
"Yes, the Empress Dowager is so kind not to bother with us. How could we possibly have the guts to accuse the Empress Dowager?"
"I think the Empress Dowager must have been working hard for the people of Changjing City these days. We are extremely grateful."
Hearing this, Fu Lu couldn't help stepping forward and coldly sneering, "It seems you're not all blind. The Empress Dowager has been following the national master and General Qin to find the antidote for you these days. She came to see you as soon as she got back to Changjing City without even having a rest. But your reaction is really disappointing."
Everyone was surprised that the reason the Empress Dowager hadn't appeared these days was actually for them. Some of the commoners still thought they should seek justice for the Imperial Concubine Rui.
"It seems the Empress Dowager has really worked hard for us commoners. But I have a question. I don't know if I should ask it."
Shi Muyuan twitched the corner of her mouth. She hated it most when people said such things.
Since they had already brought it up, how could she stop them?
But anyway, she still had to put on a show.
There was a gentle smile on her face as if she was all ears.
"Of course you can. You can ask any questions you have today. I won't punish you."
The man nodded without hesitation.
"Some days ago, before the Empress Dowager came, I heard from a maid beside the Imperial Concubine Rui that the Empress Dowager has always been at odds with the Imperial Concubine Rui in public and often made things difficult for her. Is this true?"
The Imperial Concubine Rui had been silent all the time. She was very proud. Sure enough, her efforts these days had not been in vain. It seemed that Shi Muyuan wouldn't be able to sit on her throne for long.
Xiao Xiao frowned. The anger in her tone could almost burn a person.
"Say what you just said again? It seems you people really have no memory. Do you really not take the royal family seriously? Do you think the laws of the Great Liang are just for show?"
After all, she had been killing people for a long time. Her aura was not something ordinary people could bear. Now when she exploded, it really frightened the person who had spoken.
The man was a bit scared. His voice became a bit lower. But relying on the fact that there were so many people present and Shi Muyuan's promise just now, he thought she wouldn't do anything to him. So he whispered back,
"The Empress Dowager has already said that she won't bother with us no matter what we ask today. I suppose you are also a maid beside the Empress Dowager, right? Are you questioning the Empress Dowager's words?"
Xiao Xiao originally regarded the person in front of her as an ordinary commoner. But these words didn't seem to be something an ordinary commoner could say.
She whispered a reminder to her mistress, afraid that her mistress would be tricked by this person.
"This person should have been sent by the Imperial Concubine Rui. He's not simple. Mistress, be careful."
Unexpectedly, the woman who had been yawning had already seen through everything. She let out a burst of laughter and didn't take the person in front of her seriously at all.
"Just watch in peace. All kinds of demons and ghosts have to behave themselves in front of me."
When she said this, her eyes gradually became sharp and her whole aura was fully opened, which even surprised Xiao Xiao.
It seemed that her mistress had grown a lot. Now she was able to handle things on her own. She was even more decisive than before.
The Imperial Concubine Rui didn't know what this interaction between the mistress and the maid meant. She couldn't feel at ease until her plan was finalized.
The man received a look from the Imperial Concubine Rui and started acting even more vigorously.
"Does the Empress Dowager admit what she has done? Even if you went out to work for us, we can't forgive you for treating the Imperial Concubine Rui like this. The Imperial Concubine Rui has been distributing porridge here day and night. We think she shouldn't be treated like this in the harem."
"Oh? Then how do you think the Imperial Concubine Rui should be treated in the harem?"
The question was suddenly thrown back. Everyone present was stunned, and the man who had asked the question was also dumbfounded.
His lips moved, but he couldn't say a word for a long time.
"I... I just want to seek fairness for the Imperial Concubine Rui."
"Then in your eyes, how should I treat the Imperial Concubine Rui to be considered fair?"
It was the second time. But he had no reason to refute. The man was almost going crazy. Fortunately, the Imperial Concubine Rui kept winking at him to calm him down.
"Sister, don't bother with the commoners. How could they know what's going on in the palace? They're just talking nonsense. Don't be angry. I'm almost done here today. Why don't you go back to the palace with me?"
Shi Muyuan pushed away the delicate hand that was holding her arm and took two steps back to keep a distance from her.
"Sister, it's better not to get too close to me at this time. The commoners all think that you've suffered in the harem because of me. If you accidentally fall later, they might even blame me. Then I won't be able to explain myself."
The Imperial Concubine Rui blushed slightly. Her hand stayed in the air for a while and finally she had to take it back awkwardly. She forced a smile and said, "Sister, you're joking. How could I just fall for no reason? I just thought that you've been tired from your journey. You'd better not get involved in such a small thing."
"Oh? Since in your eyes it's just a small thing, why don't you solve this problem for me? Then I won't have to waste time and energy explaining it in the future."
The Imperial Concubine Rui stiffened. She never thought that she would dig such a big hole for herself in the end.
How could it turn out like this? Didn't she calculate everything in advance? Logically speaking, it should be Shi Muyuan who was in a difficult situation.