The King of the Western Regions wasn't angry. He glanced at Shi Muyuan beside him and suddenly took out a small knife from somewhere.
"I know for sure that Your Majesty won't give in easily. So, do you think the Empress Dowager would be a big enough bargaining chip?"
Shi Muyuan's neck had a small cut, and blood was slowly oozing out.
Ji Heng's eyes were bloodshot. The teenage boy almost couldn't hold back and rushed forward.
But he quickly calmed down. After all, having received years of training as an emperor, he quickly knew what was beneficial to him at this moment.
"Fine, I agree to make a deal with you. Say it, what do you want?"
"Simple. Exchange the Empress Dowager for the safety of me and Concubine Rui. That shouldn't be too greedy, right? Anyway, the lives of me and Concubine Rui are definitely not as precious as that of the Empress Dowager."
He had put forward his conditions, and now it was up to Ji Heng to make a choice.
The young emperor knew that if he let the King of the Western Regions go today, it would be extremely difficult to catch him again. Moreover, the king might cause great harm to the Great Liang Dynasty after he returned.
Shi Muyuan pursed her lips and unexpectedly began to cry for help.
"Your Majesty, save me!"
These words left everyone stunned. The guards around had been serving the royal family for so many years, but it was the first time they had seen the Empress Dowager show weakness.
The way she was so afraid of death at this moment couldn't be connected with the once high - and - mighty Empress Dowager.
However, the guards quickly averted their gazes.
So what if the Empress Dowager was afraid of death? In the end, they were just like dogs behind the royal family.
After Shi Muyuan's cry for help, the young emperor made a decision.
"You just want Concubine Rui? I'll fulfill your wish."
Not long after, a person tied up tightly appeared in everyone's sight.
"The person you want is here. Can you let go of the Queen Mother now?"
"Your Majesty, don't be in a hurry. I haven't escaped yet, right? Don't worry. As long as I leave here, I'll definitely let go of our noble Empress Dowager."
As he spoke, he led Shi Muyuan to the side.
The surrounding guards also moved accordingly, but because of the young emperor's order, they didn't dare to be too radical.
When they reached a safe place, the King of the Western Regions pushed Shi Muyuan over. The shadows behind him immediately brought Concubine Rui over.
Then, they threw something down. It exploded on the ground, raising a cloud of dust that blocked everyone's sight. At this moment, it was impossible for them to catch the people back.
The guard stepped forward helplessly. "Your Majesty, having missed this opportunity, it will be extremely difficult to catch the King of the Western Regions next time."
The young emperor waved his hand casually, seemingly not caring much about this matter.
"Only a few people have escaped. Alright, they will definitely show up again. Let's go back first. The Empress Dowager has been frightened and needs to rest well."
"Yes."
...
The King of the Western Regions found a safe place to rest. Looking at the person in the hands of his shadow guard, he slapped her.
"I've never liked to do anything to women, but if someone is ungrateful, I don't mind giving that person a lesson."
Concubine Rui was still tied up tightly. She was hit, and blood oozed from the corner of her mouth. Tears slowly welled up in her eyes.
"This isn't my fault, Your Highness. I just wanted to go back to gather information for you at that time. I didn't expect to be caught on the spot. Fortunately, you're so kind to me and exchanged me back. Otherwise, I don't know what they would have done to me."
"Heh, really? Concubine Rui, do you think you can deceive me just because you've deceived others?"
"What, what do you mean? Your Highness, don't you trust my feelings for you?"
"Alright, Concubine, don't play those fake tricks in front of me. The people in the palace may not know what you're thinking, but do you think I don't? From the day you came to me, I knew that what you wanted was not only the position of the Empress Dowager but also the throne of the Great Liang Dynasty."
Her long - hidden secret was suddenly exposed.
Concubine Rui was obviously flustered. "Your Highness, I really just want the position of the Empress Dowager. I have no interest in anything else. I know that you also want the throne of the Great Liang Dynasty. How could I compete with you? Besides, I'm just a weak woman. I don't have the ability to compete with you."
The last sentence pleased the man. He was still a bit skeptical. "You're telling the truth? You have no interest in the position of the young emperor?"
Knowing that her words had worked, Concubine Rui added more fuel. "Of course it's true, Your Highness. You're the only one I've ever seen who is suitable for that position. The Ji family simply doesn't deserve it."
Her words completely inflated the King of the Western Regions. Even his previous doubts about her disappeared.
"It seems you have good judgment. Alright, I won't hold the previous matter against you. But it's no use for me to take you back. You might as well just die."
The man who had smiled at her just a moment ago now wanted to kill her. Concubine Rui felt a chill in her heart.
Fortunately, she was already familiar with this man's ways and wasn't the least bit panicked at this moment.
"Your Highness, do you think there's anyone who knows the layout of the palace and every member of the royal family better than us from the royal family?"
It had to be said that Concubine Rui had accurately grasped the King of the Western Regions' thoughts. He gradually began to abandon his previous idea.
"Sure enough, Concubine is a smart person. It's really easy to talk to you. I suddenly want you to always stay by my side."
Concubine Rui was immediately overjoyed. She knew that there was no man she couldn't handle. Wasn't the King of the Western Regions also at her feet?
Heh, as long as she could gain the trust of the King of the Western Regions, from then on, she would rise steadily. One day, she would return to that place and become the emperor worshiped by thousands of people.
Thinking of this, she looked out of the window. In the King of the Western Regions' eyes, she was sad because of his distrust.
Seeing this, he softened a bit. He stepped forward and personally untied the ropes, and all the shadow guards retreated.
He hugged the absent - minded woman into his arms and began to apologize. "It's my fault. I even suspected you before. You should be angry. Don't worry. I'll never doubt you again. When we return to the Western Regions, I'll make you my Lady - in - Waiting. How about that?"
Concubine Rui almost cried out. This man was so hateful. He even wanted her to be a low - ranking Lady - in - Waiting. When the late emperor was still alive, she had never suffered such grievances. Back then, she was a concubine only one step away from the position of the queen. Now, he wanted her to be such a low - ranked and humble Lady - in - Waiting.