Fighting in the harem is no match for raising a dog.
Really.
Under the scorching sun, Ling Shan knelt on the ground, cursing inwardly.
"Slut! Don't think that just because my aunt picked you, you can sneak into the Emperor's bed behind my back. With your seductive looks, the Emperor would never take a fancy to you!"
Ling Shan rolled her eyes mentally: Sure, sure, you're the least seductive. You just can't wait to rush to the Imperial Study three times a day!
But on the surface, she shook her head nervously:
"Your Highness the Virtuous Concubine, please calm your anger. I'm just a humble maid. I dare not even dream of the Emperor's favor. Please see clearly, Your Highness. I just want to follow the Empress Dowager's instructions and live a good life."
The Virtuous Concubine raised her head haughtily: "It'd better be so. Don't covet what you don't deserve, or I'll have plenty of ways to make your life a living hell!"
"I'll surely remember Your Highness's teachings."
Ling Shan trembled as she bowed down in response, but a glint of coldness flashed across her panicked almond - shaped eyes.
A fool like the Virtuous Concubine would have died hundreds of times in the harem if it weren't for the Empress Dowager.
She clearly knew that she was just a disposable pawn in the Empress Dowager's hands.
Yet she was so stupid as to come and warn her. She was truly a hopeless case.
"I bet you don't dare."
The Virtuous Concubine looked at the Imperial Study not far away. A blush of shyness flashed across her eyes, and she snorted:
"Kneel here and reflect on your mistake. You almost spilled the tonic soup I personally made for His Majesty. It's my kindness not to kill you. Just kneel for two hours."
Ling Shan's shoulders trembled nervously again.
"Cuiliu, help me go and deliver the soup to my cousin."
Cuiliu, wearing a green maid's uniform, held the Virtuous Concubine's hand haughtily and walked towards the Imperial Study.
Idiot!
As soon as the foolish mistress - maid pair walked away, Ling Shan half - squatted down. Her skirt covered her movements, and no one would notice.
On such a hot day, rushing to deliver tonic soup to the irritable tyrant?
Did she think her head on her neck had been there for too long?
Or did she really think that their cousin relationship could arouse the tyrant's compassion?
Humph.
No wonder the Empress Dowager didn't choose her own niece but instead picked a low - ranking maid like her to be placed in the Taiji Palace. It was because the Virtuous Concubine was so stupid and love - struck that she couldn't see through Jun Wuyuan's cruelty.
In this regard, she, a maid who had just been unlucky enough to be transported here yesterday, was wiser.
The body she had possessed was also named Ling Shan, and her surname was Xu. She was sixteen years old this year. Her family was poor, and she had been sold into the palace since childhood, suffering humiliation.
At the age of thirteen, she offended a scheming eunuch in charge. She spent all her savings to get a chance to deliver flowers to the Cining Palace.
She was luckily favored by Zhimei, a senior maid in the Cining Palace, and had been secretly trained there ever since.
In the following three years, the Empress Dowager in the Cining Palace remained in power, while five emperors had come and gone in the Taiji Palace.
Emperors came and went like flowing water, but the Empress Dowager remained as firm as iron.
Ten days ago, after being "nurtured" for three years, Ling Shan finally met the high - and - mighty Empress Dowager and was willing to do things for her.
It was not until new maids were recruited into the Taiji Palace that Ling Shan got a chance.
On that day, she saw the extremely handsome Emperor stabbing a coquettish and made - up maid like a terrifying ghost.
The blood splashed on Ling Shan's face at that time, but she didn't dare to move a muscle.
Even the plan of seducing the Emperor to conceive an heir was postponed, and she just honestly did her duties.
Just yesterday, the Virtuous Concubine came to the Taiji Palace in full regalia with her trusted maid to deliver a sachet. She came full of affection but left looking dejected.
Poor trusted maid. She came in upright but was carried out horizontally. She didn't even get to keep a whole body after following the wrong master.
Unexpectedly, although the Virtuous Concubine was so dejected during the day, she summoned Ling Shan over just because the Emperor glanced at her in the evening. She was so crazy that she pushed Ling Shan into the lake, creating the illusion of drowning.
As a result, the original owner died, but she, this unlucky girl, was transported here.
Before her body had fully recovered, she still had to work hard like a beast of burden, and now she met the Virtuous Concubine who was asking for trouble.
Counting silently in her heart, Ling Shan saw the Virtuous Concubine covering her face, her dress stained with a strong and dirty smell of blood. She rushed past in a hurry.
Ling Shan slowly stood up and walked a few steps forward. Head - on, she met Cuiliu, who was being carried on a stretcher by eunuchs. Her face was pale and her eyes were wide open in death.
Well, another trusted maid of the Virtuous Concubine was dead.
"You, come here and serve His Majesty to change clothes!"
Ling Shan was minding her own business when suddenly, Liang Jiusi, who was pacing anxiously, grabbed her before she even got close to the Imperial Study.
"Eunuch Liang, are you talking to me?" Ling Shan couldn't believe it.
Are you kidding me?
Liang Jiusi affirmed and urged: "Yes, it's you. Hurry up and go in to serve. If you're late, be careful of losing your head!"
Oh my god!
This seemingly kind - hearted but actually ruthless old eunuch was clearly pushing her to her death!
This damned feudal society!
Ling Shan cursed inwardly but put on a "smiling" face as she stepped into the Imperial Study.
The large rosewood door slowly closed. Ninety - nine jade palace lanterns hung from the ceiling, shining brightly on the twelve rosewood imperial desks inlaid with mother - of - pearl below.
A noble and majestic figure sat upright in front of the imperial desk. Just getting close to him made one feel a bone - chilling cold.
His handsome and cold face was like a carving of a god, showing an air of authority without even getting angry. His originally charming peach - blossom eyes were as deep and cold as the dark sea. Every gesture of his exuded a domineering aura.
This was the first time she had seen the Emperor since she was transported here.
A living one.
Ling Shan composed herself, bowed, and then stepped forward bravely.
On the tray prepared by Liang Jiusi, two sets of clothes were neatly arranged.
One was a noble and steady black robe, and the other was a beautiful and gorgeous red robe.
This was a life - threatening question.
[I guess this one is as tasteless as the others and will choose the black one.]
Ling Shan's hand trembled.
What the hell?
Ling Shan didn't dare to move. She didn't even dare to raise her head. Her body was on high alert, and she quietly scanned the surroundings with her peripheral vision.
Looking around, the only one in the hall who dared to make a sound was Jun Wuyuan, the tyrant.
But he didn't say a word.
What on earth was going on?
Ling Shan tentatively reached out her hand towards the black robe.
[That's right. Hurry up and choose. After you choose, I'll cut your head off and use it as fertilizer for the poppies I just planted!]
Ling Shan quickly changed the direction of her hand and landed on the red robe.
[Unexpectedly, the old hag sent someone with taste this time. Interesting (sneering). Just choose this one. I'll surely "reward" you well!]
Ling Shan: "?!"
It was him!
It was really him!
[Do you think you can save your life by not moving? How dare you ignore my existence like this. Let me think. Should I cut off your hands first and use them as fertilizer, or...]
"Your Majesty, let me serve you to change clothes."
Ling Shan knelt straight and gritted her teeth as she reached across the tray and made a move.
With a snap.
The jade belt and the black dragon - patterned trousers unexpectedly fell onto the imperial kiln gold bricks.
A flash of bare skin.
The hall fell silent for a moment.
Jun Wuyuan's eyebrow twitched. His face was cold and stern as he held the trouser belt.
[Very good. Offending the Emperor's dignity is a great crime that deserves the extermination of the nine clans. I'll cut off her head myself!]
Ling Shan: "......"
"Guards! Drag this audacious little maid out!"