"I remember that the Palace Department just presented a batch of cherries. Let Ling Shan go to the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility tonight."
Liang Jiusi, who was waiting on the emperor during the meal, paused, looking up at Jun Wuyuan, who was enjoying his meal, in astonishment.
This...
Did His Majesty change his mind again?
Was he planning to fan the flames and make the people in the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility fight tonight?
But His Majesty had just carefully put away the dagger used in the attack like a precious treasure.
His Majesty's mind really changed too quickly.
"The old traitor Cao Jing is dead, and the position of the junior supervisor of the Palace Department is vacant."
When it came to business, Liang Jiusi became more serious.
Back then, after the original Seventh and Eighth Princes ascended the throne but successively died of illness or accidents, Queen Mother Wang looked around and chose the Ninth Prince, who was suffering in the Cold Palace at that time, that is, Jun Wuyuan, to be the emperor.
At that time, they had an agreement that Jun Wuyuan would be in charge of the Palace Attendants' Office, and Liang Jiusi would be the supervisor.
As for the Palace Department, it was under the control of Queen Mother Wang.
The imperial guards in the palace were divided into two parts, one under the command of the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility and the other under the command of the Palace of Supreme Harmony.
As for other major political affairs, they were all in the hands of the Wang family of Langya. Most of the officials were their minions.
Leaving aside the court affairs, unexpectedly, the first crack in the inner palace was opened by that Miss Ling Shan.
"Your Majesty, don't worry. This old servant will surely make the arrangements beautifully without alarming anyone."
Jun Wuyuan nodded slightly, elegantly wiping his lips.
"The three - day period is up. Come with me to see how the vegetables in the peach orchard are growing."
Liang Jiusi secretly curled his lips. His Majesty probably didn't want to see the vegetables in the peach orchard but the people in it.
Ling Shan in the peach orchard suddenly sneezed twice. She put away the porridge on the table and couldn't help but go to check the vegetable garden again.
The little Chinese cabbages, which were wilted three days ago, were now thriving in the morning breeze.
Now, that crazy tyrant should have no reason to cut off her head, right?
[Tsk, this silly girl is so dedicated. It seems she really doesn't want to die.]
Ling Shan, with her back turned, stiffened. Her slender waist, which could be easily grasped, looked even more delicate. Just from the back view, one could tell she was a beauty.
"Are you healed?"
The footsteps behind gradually approached. Ling Shan put on a panicked yet flattered expression on her face.
She was about to turn around and pay her respects when she seemed to be frightened.
Her feet went weak, and her soft waist swayed as she fell towards Jun Wuyuan.
[Your face healed so quickly (what a pity).... Stop for me!]
Ling Shan rolled her eyes silently in her heart.
Jun Wuyuan shifted his gaze from Ling Shan's beautiful face and coldly stepped aside to the left.
Ling Shan's pupils suddenly widened. Like a squirrel, she fell at Jun Wuyuan's feet.
Pfft.
In the quiet air, there seemed to be a suppressed laugh.
[Such a clumsy girl still wants to seduce me? What a joke!]
Ling Shan, with the skin on her elbows scraped off: "......" Damn it!
"It's all because this servant is so clumsy. I was so excited to see Your Majesty that I almost offended Your Majesty. Please calm your anger, Your Majesty."
"You are indeed clumsy."
Jun Wuyuan glanced at the bowed waist of the girl who was pleading for forgiveness and calmly lifted his foot to move forward.
[I miscalculated. I really have no reason to chop this silly girl up as fertilizer for the flowers.]
Ling Shan: "......"
"Get up." Jun Wuyuan smiled. "You've taken good care of the vegetable garden. What reward do you want?"
"To relieve Your Majesty's worries is this servant's duty. I dare not claim credit, let alone be so shameless as to ask for a reward."
Before Jun Wuyuan could say something annoying in his mind, Ling Shan sincerely expressed her loyalty.
"This servant only has one wish. As long as I can stay by Your Majesty's side and serve Your Majesty for a long time, that will be the greatest reward for this servant."
Jun Wuyuan clicked his tongue.
[Shameless. She actually dares to dream of being with me for a lifetime. What a scheming person!]
But his hand unconsciously pinched Ling Shan's chin and examined her. His gaze was like a tangible thing, carefully tracing every inch of her face for the first time.
Her eyebrows were like distant mountains shrouded in mist, her almond eyes were as clear as autumn water, her nose was small and delicate, and her lips were as red as cherries...
All her features combined made her an extremely beautiful and charming woman.
She was truly a rare beauty.
"Didn't I promise you?"
Jun Wuyuan calmly withdrew his hand, turned to look at the lush greenery, and a cold and fierce glint flashed in his eyes.
"From now on, you will stay by Nanny Yang's side and learn the rules well. Serve... me."
[I'd like to see how you're going to stay by my side and serve... me for a long time!]
Ling Shan was overjoyed. "Yes, this servant thanks Your Majesty. From now on, I will surely follow Nanny Yang and serve Your Majesty loyally."
Jun Wuyuan suddenly laughed.
Ling Shan immediately felt as if she was facing a great enemy but still had to force a smile.
Sure enough, the next moment, she heard this dog - tyrant say something that was not human.
"The Palace Department presented a basket of cherries. I remember that Her Majesty the Queen Mother likes this the most. You go to the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility in person later and send them to the Queen Mother. Have a chat with her. I'm sure Her Majesty the Queen Mother misses you too."
Ling Shan: "?"
What did this dog - tyrant mean?
His eyes looked very strange, and his tone also hinted at something.
[Today is really a good day. Don't thank me.]
The scene of the murder in the rockery immediately flashed through Ling Shan's mind.
Why today, neither too early nor too late?
It couldn't be that she was really rewarded just because she had planted the vegetables well, could it?
Then it must be that the matter this morning had been exposed.
Ling Shan quickly thought it over in her mind. She was panicked for a moment but then calmly pretended not to notice and respectfully agreed.
Before, she had guessed that there must be someone secretly watching her.
When she killed Cao Jing this morning, Ling Shan didn't hesitate at all.
It was not only to save her own life but also to test Jun Wuyuan's attitude.
Under Jun Wuyuan's malicious gaze, Ling Shan cursed in her heart but with a smile on her face, she stepped into the gate of the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility again.
"Ling Shan, why are you free to come to the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility?"
After sending someone to announce her arrival, Zhimei greeted her in astonishment. Seeing the cherries in her hand, she immediately understood.
"Sister Zhimei, His Majesty ordered me to send cherries to Her Majesty the Queen Mother."
Zhimei was the chief maid in the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility. She led Ling Shan inside and casually lowered her voice to remind her.
"Her Majesty the Queen Mother is in a bad mood today."
The two looked at each other and waited at the door of the main hall for the Queen Mother's summons.
Queen Mother Wang indeed seemed to be in a bad mood. Ling Shan stood under the scorching sun on the stone steps, not daring to move an inch.
But in her heart, she had already cursed Queen Mother Wang to pieces.
"Miss Ling Shan, Her Majesty the Queen Mother summons you."
I don't know how much time had passed when Ling Shan heard Nanny Dou's cold voice again.
The inner curtain was lifted, and a gush of cool air rushed towards her. Ling Shan felt much more comfortable.
"This servant, Ling Shan, pays respects to Her Majesty the Queen Mother. May Her Majesty the Queen Mother enjoy eternal peace and good fortune."
Queen Mother Wang sat high on the throne. Her phoenix eyes were gloomy as she sized up Ling Shan, who was kneeling in the hall to pay her respects.