As these words were spoken, everyone in the room was stunned. Not only the woman but also Cui Qizhou and the shadow guards fell silent for a long time.
The woman's hands trembled slightly. "What is equality? Who told you that people can be equal?"
Her eyes were bloodshot, making it hard to fathom her thoughts for a moment.
Shi Muyuan didn't think there was anything wrong with it. She shrugged.
"Everyone should be equal. Doing things for others is just out of willingness. If one is not willing, there's no need to sacrifice one's life."
Cui Qizhou opened his mouth and stopped the shadow guard who was about to speak. He didn't interrupt the conversation between the two women.
The woman blinked her eyes, and tears fell like broken pearls.
"I've lived for more than twenty years and been through life - and - death situations. So, there's such a saying in the world? No, it's impossible. Even at the beginning of the founding of the country, there was never such a saying. You must be lying to me to get the information you want. I tell you, it's absolutely impossible."
"Humph, just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it's impossible."
As she was speaking, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind.
Shi Muyuan turned around in surprise and saw the little girl she had been worried about during this period.
She stepped forward, extremely excited.
"Where have you been? You've scared me to death. I thought you were killed by He Hui, and I've thought of many ways to avenge you."
"Your Highness, don't cry. This servant is fine. Moreover, this servant is so bold as to tell the Empress Dowager something today. Can the Empress Dowager promise not to drive me away?"
Suddenly, she became so formal and knelt on the ground directly, which made Shi Muyuan a little flustered.
"What are you doing? Just say what you want. Why do you have to be like this? You've saved me from danger several times. I've long regarded you as my own younger sister."
"No, this servant deserves to die. I've been hiding this matter from the Empress Dowager. At first, I didn't dare to believe that your kindness to me was real. Later, I was afraid that the Empress Dowager would drive me away after knowing those things."
"Little girl, no matter how big the matter is, I won't drive you away. Get up and answer."
"This servant... this servant still wants to tell the matter first and let the Empress Dowager make a decision."
Since she insisted so much, Shi Muyuan could only nod.
Ziyi told her entire background in one breath. Finally, the room was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
Even Cui Qizhou didn't expect that there was such a big hidden danger beside Shi Muyuan.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, drew out his long sword. In a flash, there was a bloodstain on Ziyi's neck.
If Shi Muyuan hadn't stopped him in time, there would be an extra corpse on the ground now.
She firmly protected Ziyi in front of her, which made the man extremely angry.
"Do you know what you're doing! This person was sent by Concubine Rui! Who knows when she'll stab you in the back. She can't be kept!"
Shi Muyuan looked into his eyes. Although she was clearly afraid of death, she just didn't want to move aside.
"Let bygones be bygones. I don't want to dwell on the past. It's a fact that Ziyi almost sacrificed her life for me several times. This cannot be denied. If such a small matter can't be offset by her life - saving grace, then in the future, how many loyal people will be by my side?"
The woman seemed to think of something and interrupted.
"Yes, if a life - saving grace can't offset a mistake, then what's the meaning of people's lives in this world?"
The woman's interruption surprised everyone. However, at the moment, the man's most urgent thing was to kill Ziyi. She couldn't be kept.
Ziyi seemed to have expected such an outcome. She slowly closed her eyes and didn't even protest.
Seeing this, the man sneered.
"Look, Empress Dowager, she herself knows she did something wrong."
"Still no. I won't let anyone hurt her."
"Empress Dowager! Don't be confused."
"Your Highness, I'm content to have been treated sincerely by you for so long. It was my misfortune to meet the wrong people before. With you, I have no regrets in this life. I just hope that in the next life, I can still stay by your side."
"Why are you guys acting like you're saying goodbye forever? It's not a big deal at all. I don't mind. What else do you have to say? Alright, listen to me. Let this matter go. Moreover, it was thanks to her that the National Teacher was able to find me this time. She has done enough."
There was nothing the man could do. After being persuaded by the woman several times, he finally sheathed his sword and gave a warning.
"Don't forget whose mercy saved your life. If you ever betray us in the future, I'll be the first to take your life."
"Don't worry, National Teacher. Don't worry, Empress Dowager. This servant won't let your kindness down."
After kowtowing, she stood up and respectfully waited aside.
The woman was a little touched by what had happened.
"The Empress Dowager is really kind to the people around her. It's a pity that not all masters in this world are as kind. If a person has a hard - fated life, even if they are reincarnated several times, it's useless."
"It seems that you have something to tell us."
"Anyway, you'll find out sooner or later. I do have a question to ask."
"Go ahead."
"If I tell you everything voluntarily, can the Empress Dowager give me a chance?"
"What do you mean?"
Shi Muyuan felt a bit confused.
She blinked her eyes and always felt that she seemed to be tricked.
And indeed, she was.
The woman said, "My name is Jinghong. I have unique skills. I know disguise, martial arts, and medicine. If the Empress Dowager keeps me by your side, you'll never regret it. In the future, I can also gather all kinds of information for you. There's nothing in this world that I don't know."
The young girl was stunned. How could this person be like selling herself?
Before she could react, Ziyi beside her couldn't hold back anymore.
"Hey! You're openly stealing someone's job. Isn't this a bit inappropriate? I'm still here. When did it become your turn to be by the Empress Dowager's side? Besides, even if you know so many things, so what? As the saying goes, it's better to be an expert in one thing than to know a little of everything. Maybe you only know a bit and aren't as amazing as you claim."
Jinghong rolled her eyes hard.
"Then how about we have a competition? If you can't beat me, then let me stay by the Empress Dowager's side too."
"Okay, who's afraid of you? I don't believe that a wounded person like you can beat me."
As Ziyi was speaking, she was about to step forward to unlock the chain.
Fortunately, Shi Muyuan pulled her back directly.
"What are you doing! Do you guys think I don't exist? I haven't said anything yet, and you two have already decided everything. Have you considered me?"
Ziyi shrank her neck and regretted it.
"Your Highness, I was wrong. How could she be worthy of staying by your side? Don't worry. There can only be me and Aunt Xiao by your side."
"Doesn't the Empress Dowager want He Hui to regret? I have all her handles in my hands. It'll only be beneficial for the Empress Dowager to let me follow you."