As soon as these words were spoken, they immediately struck a chord, and many commoners around couldn't help shedding tears.
Some commoners even stepped forward voluntarily at this moment.
"Please, Empress Dowager and Prince, help us punish this unscrupulous corrupt official. He took a lot of silver before, squeezed our taxes, and even robbed commoners' daughters. This kind of thing has happened more than once. We're not unwilling to help, but we were powerless against what he did before."
Although the second half of the sentence made Shi Muyuan want to complain, she carefully remembered every word of the first half.
"How dare you! You've done so many things behind the royal family's back. You've defied the law. What punishment do you deserve?"
"I dare not, Your Majesty! I've realized my mistakes. Although I've done many wrong things before, my contributions to Yijin City cannot be ignored. Can my merits offset my faults?"
"No way, Empress Dowager! Several of my daughters died at the hands of this corrupt official. He's so cruel. He's like a local tyrant here. If it weren't for your appearance, we don't know when our grievances would be redressed."
It was hard to tell whether the magistrate had really robbed many commoners' daughters or his long - term exploitation had made the commoners extremely angry. Anyway, in just a turn, all the onlookers around knelt on the ground.
They had only one purpose, which was to punish the corrupt official and let him get his due retribution.
The magistrate thought for a long time at this moment. Finally, in desperation, he kicked the big man beside him on the leg, forcing him to kneel down.
"Empress Dowager, although he's my nephew, from ancient times till now, people have to pay for their mistakes. At first, I didn't understand the principles. Now I'll hand him over to you. You can dispose of him as you like."
The big man never expected that his momentary lust would lead him to such a tough situation.
He wasn't stupid. He took three steps in two and ran to the young girl.
"Miss, it's all my fault. I didn't mean to make things difficult for you. I said those words here just because I wanted you to come with me, so that I could give your father a decent burial, and you could live a carefree life in the future."
Hearing what his nephew said, the magistrate quickly echoed beside him.
"Yes, yes. He's always been cold - faced but warm - hearted. His mouth is a bit mean, but he never has any bad intentions. Miss, how do you want to settle this matter today? I'll listen to you as long as you can vent your anger."
The girl trembled but remained silent. However, fear and hatred were intertwined in her eyes.
Shi Muyuan saw it clearly. She slightly hooked her lips, bent down, and looked at the girl squatting on the ground.
"I'll give you a chance. Do you want to take revenge?"
She didn't miss the flash of pleasure in the girl's eyes.
But she bit her lip and tentatively asked,
"Can I really?"
"Why not? Meeting me today means we're fated. Consider it as fulfilling one of your wishes."
The girl lowered her eyes and murmured the last two words.
"Wish?"
"That's right."
"Forget it. I'm just an orphan girl. I don't know how I'll live in the future. I don't want to make enemies at this time."
The girl forced a smile and then began to gather the things on the ground.
Watching her struggling and awkwardly holding the body, Shi Muyuan winked at Ji Huang.
Immediately, a guard stepped forward to help.
"I'll let you follow me. The condition is that you take revenge on your own now. How about it? After it's done, I'll also help you give your father a decent burial."
The girl opened her eyes wide, as if she never expected things to be so simple.
She still couldn't believe it. After all, there was no one in this world who would act without considering their own interests.
Shi Muyuan saw through what the girl was thinking. "It's up to you to make the decision now."
The girl looked conflicted, but only for a moment, she made up her mind.
"Please, Empress Dowager, uphold justice for this commoner girl. This commoner girl is willing to be a servant for you in this life to repay you."
"I'll give you this dagger. No matter what you do to these two people today, I'll back you up."
The young girl smiled carelessly, but her words sent chills down the spines of the two people opposite.
The magistrate and the big man knew that if they really let this girl take action, she might take their lives.
"Empress Dowager, I really know my mistakes. I'll definitely correct myself in the future, start a new life, and do my best for this country. Such things will never happen again."
"It's too late to admit your mistakes now. You've committed a heinous crime. What's the use of saying these words?"
As she spoke, she cast her gaze at the girl.
The girl tightly grasped the dagger. After a long time, she raised and then dropped her hand. The magistrate's head rolled to the ground. The big man was splashed with blood all over his body, and some unknown liquid flowed under him.
Everyone present smelled the stench of urine and avoided him.
But the girl seemed to have summoned up her courage. She struck another blow, which caused an outcry.
Although the young girl deliberately turned her head to avoid the terrifying scene, unexpectedly, she still met the big man's unclosed eyes.
Even though she was used to such scenes, she still couldn't help being startled.
Shi Muyuan tried to keep a straight face so that the people around wouldn't notice her state.
After it got quiet, the smile on her face remained.
"It seems that everything is almost over. In that case, let their relatives take these two people back for burial. What's your name?"
The girl knelt on the ground, looking respectful.
"From now on, this commoner girl will follow the Empress Dowager. Please, Empress Dowager, give me a name."
She was a smart one. Shi Muyuan thought for a moment and her gaze fell not far away.
"Yun Xing."
The girl's eyelashes trembled slightly as she thanked. "Thank you, Empress Dowager."
This matter finally came to an end. Shi Muyuan took her newly - recruited maid and returned to the mansion.
As soon as she entered the door, a figure walked towards her.
Looking at the person's face, the young girl gently parted her red lips.
"Is Concubine He about to go out?"
Her gaze fell on Concubine He indistinctly.
Concubine He always felt that she seemed to have seen through something. She nervously pulled up her collar.
"You're joking, Empress Dowager. I haven't seen Jun Lin for a long time. I miss him a bit. I'm afraid he'll displease you."
"So that's it. But your worry is unnecessary. Jun Lin is very obedient. How could he cause trouble for others?"
Concubine He waved at the child and watched Ji Junlin run closer.
"That's good. Jun Lin, let's go home."
"Goodbye, Grand Empress Dowager. I'll come to play with you next time."
"Okay."
After sending the little guy away, Shi Muyuan returned to the courtyard. Looking at the dozen or so maids, she began to name them.
"You're all quite good - looking. After following me, you should be whole - hearted. As for your names, I may give you simple ones."
"We'll follow all your arrangements, Empress Dowager."
"Okay. Mei, Lan, Zhu, Ju, Mu Dan, Shao Yao, Fu Ling..."