The magnificent main hall of the Ci Ning Palace fell into a tense silence.
Ling Shan bowed with great respect, just as she always did.
However, it didn't stop the Queen Mother from sizing her up and speculating.
"Get up. You're a good and grateful child who remembers old kindness. I'm glad you came to visit me," the Queen Mother said.
Ling Shan pursed her lips and gave a shy smile. "Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. You're so kind and gentle, like a reborn parent to me. My little gesture is nothing compared to your great kindness."
"Bring a seat for her," the Queen Mother softened her tone a bit. "You're so thoughtful. I've been looking forward to seeing you. Now that I see you're in good health, I'm relieved."
Ling Shan blushed. "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. With your protection and His Majesty's kindness... I'm doing well."
The charming shyness of this beautiful woman was truly breathtaking. Even the rather narrow - minded Queen Mother couldn't help but be amazed.
"Good child, you came from my palace. As long as you're well, I'll be at ease."
"I've always remembered your great kindness, Your Majesty."
Ling Shan's eyes were full of gratitude and trust. "I'm ashamed to say that I've done nothing, yet you were so kind as to send Eunuch Cao to deliver medicine for me. I really don't know how to thank you. I'll surely do my best to relieve your worries in the future."
The Queen Mother's eyes flashed, and her tone softened further.
"The medicine was meant for you. If it weren't for the rules of the Ci Ning Palace, I wouldn't have treated you like that. By the way, speaking of Cao Jing, I do have a question. I wonder if Ling Shan would be willing to clear my doubts?"
"Please ask, Your Majesty. I'll tell you everything I know," Ling Shan replied respectfully.
Her words seemed carefully chosen.
"Don't be afraid. I just want to know when you met Cao Jing?"
Ling Shan thought for a moment and said firmly, "I met Eunuch Cao at around a quarter past the Mao hour near the rockery in the Biyun Pavilion outside the Tongming Gate. Eunuch Cao, as a trusted servant of yours, knew you valued me and kindly gave me some advice."
Ling Shan's face was full of sincere gratitude. "Your Majesty, next time I get the chance, I must thank Eunuch Cao properly."
The Queen Mother was speechless.
If she didn't know the true nature of her servant, she would have really thought Cao Jing was a kind - hearted person.
Next time?
The man was already dead. Was she going to chase him to the underworld to thank him...
No.
The Queen Mother's gaze turned cold and sharp, like a blade, landing on Ling Shan.
Ling Shan's smiling face froze instantly, as if she was frightened.
The aura of a person who had been in the palace for decades was not something an ordinary person could bear.
At least, Ling Shan's act of kneeling down in panic and pleading for forgiveness had about half - truth in it.
The Queen Mother's solemn gaze pressed heavily on Ling Shan's gracefully curved back. The hall was so quiet that not even a breath could be heard.
"Do you know that Eunuch Cao has disappeared?"
Ling Shan was greatly shocked. She looked up in panic, her eyes full of disbelief.
If a living person disappeared in the treacherous harem, it meant they were truly gone.
"How could this be? Your Majesty, I saw Eunuch Cao this morning. He..."
Ling Shan's panicked face turned pale, and she shook her head in horror. "Your Majesty, I went straight to the palace after seeing Eunuch Cao. I really don't know what happened to him later!"
The Queen Mother's face was solemn.
Ling Shan was so anxious that she was almost crying. "Your Majesty, please believe me. I left right after receiving the medicine. I haven't seen Eunuch Cao since then. I really don't know what happened!"
She was telling the truth.
She really hadn't seen the eunuch after his death, so it wasn't a lie.
In a moment, her almond - shaped eyes, as clear as autumn water, were filled with panicked tears, looking extremely pitiful.
"Silly child," the Queen Mother sighed gently. "I'm just wondering who on earth was so bold as to make that eunuch Cao Jing, who carried my jade token, betray me?"
Ling Shan shivered, and a tear finally rolled down from the corner of her eye due to her nervousness.
"Your Majesty, I..."
Looking at Ling Shan's beautiful but panicked face, the Queen Mother's suspicion faded for the moment.
"Zhi Mei, quickly help Ling Shan up. Don't let this delicate beauty hurt herself by kneeling."
The Queen Mother interrupted Ling Shan's self - defense. She thought that a weak woman who was poisoned and could only survive with her monthly antidote couldn't cause much trouble.
The Taiji Palace had finally made great progress.
At this moment, Ling Shan couldn't just be threatened with poison; some sweet rewards were also needed.
Sure enough, hearing the Queen Mother's caring words, Ling Shan's eyes turned even redder with gratitude.
"As long as Your Majesty believes in my loyalty, I'll have no regrets even if I die."
Ling Shan, with red eyes, took the opportunity to show her loyalty again.
The Queen Mother's eyes softened even more. "You came from my palace. How could I not trust you?"
After a pause, she said kindly and affectionately, "The cherries are rare. The Emperor is thoughtful. Hurry up and prepare some for Ling Shan. These cherries are really good."
Ling Shan was flattered, as if she hadn't expected such an honor.
The Queen Mother saw this and her smile deepened.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
After Ling Shan finished the cherries, the Queen Mother gave her some veiled warnings before letting her leave.
Nanny Dou supported the Queen Mother into the inner hall with a solemn expression.
"Qin, do you think that girl was lying?"
"Your Majesty, I don't think anyone would seek death when facing an incurable poison," Nanny Qin replied.
The hall was silent for a moment, then a soft sneer came out.
"I remember that Cao Jing was a greedy and lecherous dog. Send someone to investigate. How could a living person just disappear without a trace?"
Nanny Dou responded in a deep voice.
After leaving the main gate of the Ci Ning Palace, Ling Shan finally relaxed the tense string in her mind.
That damned tyrant must have noticed something about Cao Jing.
Otherwise, why would he choose this moment to send her to the Ci Ning Palace?
If she had shown the slightest mistake just now, with the Queen Mother's cruel nature, she would never have been spared.
A disobedient chess piece had no place on the chessboard.
Ling Shan cursed and kicked a pebble on the stone path, as if she was kicking someone's head.
Suddenly, she stopped.