Sure enough, when the young emperor saw the jade pendant, he hesitated immediately.
He pursed his lips. This jade pendant was a birthday gift he had once given to his mother. Usually, his mother carried it close to her body. If she parted with it so easily, she must have made a great determination, just like in the situation today.
Since his mother had reminded him in this way, even if he wanted to rescue her, he couldn't do it now.
The young emperor rolled his eyes and came up with another idea.
Since he couldn't go to rescue his mother himself, he might as well find another way to save her.
He first ordered someone to take Concubine Rui away. Now he only needed to confirm whether his speculation was true.
After only he and Cui Qizhou were left in the imperial study, he slowly began to speak.
"Why could Concubine Rui return so easily? Is there some hidden story behind it?"
As expected of the young emperor, he hit the nail on the head.
Cui Qizhou had already intended to tell this matter.
"Concubine Rui has long colluded with the King of the Western Regions. Not long ago, she even tried to kill the Empress Dowager."
Hearing this, the young emperor's face darkened. He almost couldn't hold back and went to kill Concubine Rui.
Fortunately, he still retained a shred of reason.
Ji Heng said coldly and issued an order.
"Someone! Go and tie Concubine Rui up immediately. I'm going to make a deal with the King of the Western Regions."
Cui Qizhou standing beside didn't stop him. The Empress Dowager had only asked him to come back to protect the emperor and prevent him from making wrong decisions. Negotiating with the King of the Western Regions was not within the scope of her order.
Soon, the concubine was brought back, tied up tightly. When she saw the young emperor sitting high above, she widened her eyes, still not knowing what had happened.
"Your Majesty, these dog servants dare to lay hands on this palace. It seems these servants can't be kept any longer."
The young emperor rolled his eyes and didn't take her words to heart.
"It was I who ordered them to do so. After all, I still don't know why the concubine was able to return safely. Shouldn't you give me an explanation?"
Concubine Rui's face turned a bit pale. Although she had already prepared how to persuade the young emperor next, she never expected that the young emperor would suspect how she had returned.
Her silence was the best proof. In the end, Concubine Rui was tied onto a carriage, and a group of people headed towards the outskirts in a grand manner.
When the King of the Western Regions noticed them, they were already at the door. It was too late for him to run. He had no choice but to grab the unconscious woman on the ground.
At this time, Shi Muyuan "slowly woke up" and looked around in confusion.
"Where is this? King of the Western Regions, where is Concubine Rui? Did you take advantage of my fainting and do something to her?"
Hearing this, the King of the Western Regions thought carefully. Concubine Rui had gone out and still hadn't come back.
He couldn't help but start to suspect that the woman had secretly gone to report the news. Otherwise, how could the young emperor and the others have known this place?
Looking at the guards surrounding the place outside, he cursed under his breath and roared, "How would I know what's going on? It seems that woman secretly went to report the news. I should have never trusted her."
After he finished speaking, he snapped his fingers, and many dark shadows appeared in the darkness.
Seeing those dark shadows emerging from around, Shi Muyuan couldn't help but feel a chill down her back. Fortunately, the King of the Western Regions had believed her when she pretended to faint. These people around should have gone hunting with the King of the Western Regions at that time. Otherwise, he should have noticed when she deceived him, instead of being completely unaware like now.
Did he already anticipate what might happen and thus make preparations?
It seemed that most of these people were death - warriors. She didn't know how good their martial arts were, nor did she know if the young emperor had brought enough troops. If a fight broke out, would he be in danger?
Unconsciously, Shi Muyuan had completely gotten used to the identity of the original owner and was also used to the company of these "relatives" around her.
She didn't want the people around her to get into trouble.
Her nervous expression was all taken in by the King of the Western Regions. He remained silent but had another thought in mind.
Perhaps, although this Empress Dowager was unarmed, she could be of help to him.
Just like this, he spoke up, "I think the Empress Dowager should be eager to see the emperor, right?"
Shi Muyuan turned around and looked at him in shock, her face full of caution. Every word this man said was absolutely untrustworthy. Every word he said was calculated.
Just like now, "What do you want to do? Do you still want to use me to deal with the emperor? I tell you, we will never become enemies."
"Heh, why not? As long as I want, there's nothing in this world I can't do."
He waved his hand, and two Gu worms suddenly appeared in his hand. Shi Muyuan's eyes shrank slightly, and her tense mood gradually relaxed.
By her ear, he was introducing these Gu worms, "One of these Gu worms is the mother worm, and the other is the child worm. The mother and the child are connected. As long as the mother worm is alive, the child worm will be safe. But if something happens to the mother worm, the child worm will also suddenly die. For now, I'm afraid I have to trouble the Empress Dowager. Once I return to the Western Regions, I will naturally remove these Gu worms for you."
After he finished speaking, the worms crawled onto Shi Muyuan's hand and then crawled into her sleeve before she could react.
Seeing this, Shi Muyuan looked resigned. Watching the King of the Western Regions swallow the mother worm, she only felt nauseous.
It seemed that the way these Gu worms were cultivated wasn't very clean. She must take a bath several times when she got back.
After doing all this, the King of the Western Regions led Shi Muyuan out and timely whispered in her ear, "I forgot to tell the Empress Dowager that the mother worm can control the child worm to do anything. Even if you return to the emperor's side today, it will still follow my orders."
He looked at Ji Heng, curled his lips, still looking as nonchalant as when they first met.
"The emperor has come. I assume the emperor is here for the Empress Dowager?"
After Ji Heng confirmed that his mother was okay, he snorted, "Since you know, then let go of my mother quickly. King of the Western Regions, you've been surrounded by my men. If you dare to do anything, I can shoot you dead at any time."
The King of the Western Regions pouted and shrugged. The dark shadows behind him were eager to move but were blocked back by him.
"We've been surrounded. Struggling now is just a futile effort. So, how about I make a deal with the emperor?"
"At this point, do you think you have the capital to negotiate terms with me?"