Empress Dowager Xiao's words seemed to be referring only to Luo Peiyu's recklessness.
But Luo Peiyu still sensed a threat in his words.
Empress Dowager Xiao wanted to tell her: You are still young, don't do anything foolish in a moment of impulse.
Some things are best left in the past; don't dwell on them.
Otherwise, if you really anger her, even praying to Buddha and chanting scriptures won't save you.
The "matter" that Empress Xiao was alluding to should be the spies' identities of Luo Peiyu and others, and the fact that Lanling Trading Company was an inner guard stronghold!
Or perhaps Empress Dowager Xiao wanted to remind Luo Peiyu not to dwell on the past, much less pursue it further.
Luo Peiyu was not a spy sent by the late emperor, nor did she know anything about the Lanling Trading Company.
Luo Peiyu: ...What a fine Empress Dowager Xiao! She is thoughtful and cautious in her actions.
If Luo Peiyu hadn't sided with Xie Yuan early on, she would still be the spy sent to Lingnan.
Having finally achieved a relatively stable life in the harem, they certainly wouldn't want to mention their identity as "spies" again.
She should have been overjoyed by Empress Dowager Xiao's "negation" and actively cooperated.
Empress Xiao herself could also eliminate the hidden dangers.
Unfortunately, Luo Peiyu was not the same Luo Peiyu as before; she was now an embroidered maidservant under Empress Xie.
"This servant thanks Your Majesty for your kindness!"
Luo Peiyu feigned gratitude, bowed, and then withdrew.
Watching Luo Peiyu's retreating figure, Empress Dowager Xiao began to fiddle with her prayer beads again.
On her beautiful face, which had become calm and serene due to the late emperor's death, her eyes flickered between light and shadow.
"The Lanling Trading Company cannot be allowed to remain!"
Empress Dowager Xiao sighed silently in her heart.
And the palace too! No! Don't touch it!
Empress Dowager Xiao had barely conceived of the idea when she rejected it herself.
She needed to continue observing and figuring out Xie Yuan's character before making any arrangements.
"Anyway, there's still Ashina Clan; she definitely won't let up!"
With Empress Dowager Ashina leading the charge, Empress Dowager Xiao was able to strategize more effectively.
She didn't even send anyone to follow Luo Peiyu.
Who is Luo Peiyu?
What is the purpose of her visit to Yongshou Palace?
Is there a conspiracy behind this whole thing?
Empress Dowager Xiao had considered all these issues, but she didn't pay too much attention to any of them.
Empress Xiao had only one principle: the more you do, the more mistakes you make; the less you do, the fewer mistakes you make; and if you do nothing, you won't make any mistakes.
Even when Luo Peiyu went to Xie Yuan to report the Lanling Trading Company, Empress Dowager Xiao only had one response—shaking her head.
She was a woman trapped in the inner palace, completely unaware of what was happening outside.
She had a partnership with Helian Jue, and after Xie Yuan entered the palace, she didn't provoke or cause trouble. Even if she discovered something, Helian Jue and his wife couldn't do anything to her.
It's a pity that Lanling Trading Company, a stronghold that could gather a lot of intelligence, and several members of the Xiao family were lost.
However, as long as it doesn't damage the foundation, Empress Dowager Xiao won't care too much!
Empress Dowager Xiao's "foundation" was herself.
...
After leaving Yongshou Palace, Luo Peiyu made a point of observing the surroundings and discovered that no one from Yongshou Palace had been sent to follow her.
"Your Majesty is right, Empress Xiao's methods are indeed far superior to those of Empress Ashina!"
No wonder she went from being a prisoner of war to a favored concubine, and then to an empress dowager. If she hadn't been ruthless, she would have been devoured long ago, leaving not even bones.
Thinking to himself, Luo Peiyu deliberately put on a relieved expression.
It was as if her biggest crisis had been resolved.
She didn't beat around the bush any longer and went straight to the Empress's palace.
Just as they were about to reach the Jiaofang Palace, a figure suddenly rushed out from the side and grabbed Luo Peiyu's arm.
Who are you? What do you want?
Luo Peiyu was terrified and instinctively wanted to shout for help.
"Shut up! If you don't want to die, shut up now!"
Luo Peiyu quickly shut her mouth. She looked at the palace maid with feigned fear and whispered, "I...I won't shout! Who are you?"
"If you want to live, come with me!"
The palace maid spoke to Luo Peiyu with a stern face and a cold voice.
Luo Peiyu was still hesitating.
Seeing that she had failed to intimidate the other party, the palace maid was somewhat annoyed. She lowered her voice and said, "The Empress Dowager summons you to an audience."
Luo Peiyu opened her mouth, but ultimately feared the Empress Dowager's authority and obediently followed the palace maid away.
Upon arriving at Yong'an Palace, Luo Peiyu exclaimed in surprise, "It's...it's Empress Dowager Ashina?"
"Otherwise what? Who else do you think has such methods in this palace?"
The palace maid, having received instructions from Empress Dowager Ashina, deliberately put on airs in front of Luo Peiyu, saying, "Let me tell you, everything you do is within Her Majesty's expectations."
"You can't escape the Empress's eyes at all."
"If I were you, I would obey obediently in order to save my life."
"Otherwise, one day when you die, you won't even know how you died."
Luo Peiyu began to tremble, as if she was truly terrified.
When she was led back to Empress Dowager Ashina, she knelt down with a thud and cried out in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, spare my life!"
"This servant is willing to serve you like a slave!"
Empress Dowager Ashina looked down on Luo Peiyu with an air of superiority, like a god.
The feeling of being able to control other people's fates at will returned, and Empress Dowager Ashina smiled triumphantly.
...
That evening, Xie Yuan received a secret report from his subordinates.
Luo Peiyu gave a detailed account of what happened during the day, and carefully wrote down her thoughts and how to deal with the reactions of the two empress dowagers.
Xie Yuan's gaze was focused on the description concerning Empress Dowager Xiao.
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