He Hui clearly saw the sneer in the eunuch's eyes in front of her. She was so angry that she almost lost her temper.
He was just a useless wretch, yet he dared to talk to her like this.
But he had been by Ji Heng's side for so many years. Even if she wanted to sow discord, this was not the right time.
There was nothing she could do but suppress the emotions in her heart for the time being.
He Hui remained calm on the surface. She even bowed, seemingly not minding at all that the object of her bow was an eunuch.
"I'll leave first then."
She followed the direction the young emperor had left. However, this direction didn't lead only to the Shoukang Palace, so no one suspected her.
She always felt that the young emperor's sudden change of attitude towards her was too abrupt. There might be some hidden reasons she didn't know about.
She had to figure everything out.
...
The young emperor rushed to the Shoukang Palace in a hurry. Before he even entered the door, he shouted anxiously.
"Mother! Mother! Don't drink anything given by others casually."
As he spoke, he walked in. But as soon as he entered, he saw a scene that surprised him.
The Grand Concubine He was tied up and kneeling in the yard. At this moment, she was on the verge of death. Presumably, she had just endured torture.
The person he was so worried about was sitting leisurely on the high seat, cracking melon seeds.
Seeing the young emperor coming, Shi Muyuan was touched.
The people she sent had been following He Hui and the Grand Concubine He. Naturally, they knew what was going on, and the young emperor also knew all the schemes of these two people.
She originally thought that the young emperor still had some feelings for He Hui. Unexpectedly, he would still come to save her.
Shi Muyuan curled her lips, withdrew her gaze, and stood up.
"Why does Heng'er have the time to come to mother's place?"
Ji Heng looked into her eyes and always felt that everything was within her calculations.
"I... I got the news that someone wanted to plot against mother today, so I planned to come and take a look myself. Unexpectedly, mother has already caught the person."
He implied something. Shi Muyuan glanced at the disheveled woman and thought it was ridiculous.
"I'm very happy that you can think of mother in your heart. Come in first."
She knew that many things couldn't be hidden today.
The two sat in the room. Shi Muyuan personally poured a cup of tea for the young emperor.
"Last time, mother noticed that you were a bit strange, so I arranged for someone to investigate. Finally, I found out about what happened in the imperial garden. Later, I arranged for someone to follow them all the time, and I also knew about their arrangements last night."
Sure enough, nothing could escape his mother's eyes. Thinking of this, his expression was a bit frustrated.
He originally wanted to handle everything by himself, but unexpectedly, his mother still got involved.
As if sensing the young emperor's thoughts, Shi Muyuan smiled slightly. "You can still do what you originally planned, but there may be one person less in your plan. The Grand Concubine He was caught red - handed in public. She can no longer stay in this harem."
"It doesn't matter. The Grand Concubine He was not originally in the initial plan. But mother said just now that the Grand Concubine He was caught red - handed in public. What's going on?"
"This matter is a long story."
Half an hour ago.
Shi Muyuan had just finished her breakfast when the Grand Concubine He came to visit.
When she came, she also brought a lot of things.
"Sister, I was really too abrupt yesterday, so I came today to apologize specially. I hope you can forgive me."
Since having a meal with the little kids yesterday, Shi Muyuan hadn't taken this matter to heart.
"It's okay. If you came today just to apologize, then go back. I've already forgotten about yesterday's matter."
She waved her hand and was about to go for a walk in the imperial garden.
But the Grand Concubine He was determined not to leave.
She looked innocent. "To make up for my rudeness to sister yesterday, I specially brought some things today to apologize to you, and I also want to show my cooking skills for sister."
As she spoke, the things she brought were displayed in front of everyone.
Inside were all crawling red bugs. Just this scene directly made many shadow guards around appear.
In the blink of an eye, Shi Muyuan was surrounded in the middle, and Xiao Xiao put her sword on the Grand Concubine He's neck.
"What does the Grand Concubine mean by this? How dare you bring bugs for the Empress Dowager to eat? Do you think the Empress Dowager has no temper, and neither do we who are by her side?"
The Grand Concubine He didn't expect that there were so many hidden experts in the Shoukang Palace. Her body trembled, and she quickly waved her hand.
"How could I use these things to harm the Empress Dowager? These are all new and strange things I had people bring back from outside the palace. Someone from my mother's tribe has tried cooking with these bugs. Not only are they delicious, but they can also nourish the body. I've been eating them for a long time myself before bringing them here for the Empress Dowager."
She tried her best to prove her innocence, but no one present was willing to believe her.
Just as Xiao Xiao was about to order someone to send the Grand Concubine He to prison, a familiar voice came from behind.
"Wait. This thing can really be eaten. It tastes quite good. You've misunderstood the Grand Concubine He."
Xiao Xiao widened her eyes, hardly believing it.
"Your Majesty, how can this thing be eaten? You'd better not eat these things of unknown origin, in case someone puts medicine in them. Even if we kill that person, it won't be enough to relieve our anger."
Shi Muyuan stared closely at the red bugs crawling in the basket, listening to the occasional sound of their pincers. She explained to them, "This kind of bug is called crayfish. If cooked well, it's a rare delicacy. In the past, they were all in the sea. Presumably, it wasn't easy for sister to get them. You've really gone to a lot of trouble."
Hearing that someone was finally willing to believe her, the Grand Concubine He let out a long sigh of relief.
"Thank you, sister, for your trust. I really just wanted sister to taste the dishes I made. I have no other intentions."
"Alright, all of you step back first. The Grand Concubine He is a timid person. Don't scare her sick. Otherwise, people who don't know might think I'm not good to the sisters in the harem."
"The Empress Dowager is right. We were being a bit over - reactive."
After all the shadow guards had retreated, Shi Muyuan smiled casually, not blaming her subordinates.
"If sister wants to show her cooking skills, go to the small kitchen over there. If you need any help, just say so. I'll also send someone to help you."
When she heard the last sentence, the Grand Concubine He's reaction was quite strong.
She quickly refused.
"Don't trouble sister's people. Since I'm here to apologize to sister, I'll definitely handle everything myself. Sister can just wait here at ease and enjoy the food."