"Enough! Your sobbing is annoying. Do you think this place of mine is a trash can for your unreasonable complaints?"
Inside the Ci Ning Palace, the Empress Dowager's people had rummaged through every corner of the harem, but not even a single hair of Cao Jing was found.
She was just attributing this provocation to that brat Jun Wuyuan out of conspiracy theory, so angry that her chest heaved with fury.
Who would have thought that before her anger subsided, another annoying person came.
In the past, with the virtuous concubine around, suppressing all the "demons and ghosts" in the harem, the most they could do was quarrel and pull each other's hair.
But who would have thought that just a few days after the virtuous concubine was punished and confined by the Empress Dowager, even someone from their Wang family was almost murdered?
The Empress Dowager, out of conspiracy theory, once again blamed Jun Wuyuan. She didn't expect that after the Concubine Xue sobbed and whined for so long, it made her so annoyed.
The sobbing of Concubine Xue was interrupted by a hiccup due to the Empress Dowager's gloomy anger. She choked back her sobs and didn't dare to cry anymore.
But in her heart, she was a bit confused. She still remembered the scene when she saw the Empress Dowager last time.
At that time, the Empress Dowager was still holding her hand lovingly, telling her to persuade and help the virtuous concubine.
Even though the virtuous concubine was sometimes annoying and hateful, given the long - standing friendship between their two families since childhood, Concubine Xue always followed the virtuous concubine's lead.
In the past, she also respected and trusted the Empress Dowager very much in her heart.
But today, Concubine Xue's extremely fragile heart seemed to catch a hint of something wrong.
The Empress Dowager... was not as she had thought.
While Concubine Xue was sobbing weakly, Concubine Cui's gentle and well - organized voice told the whole story fairly and objectively.
The Empress Dowager's anger in her chest finally subsided for a moment, and her eyes flickered slightly.
Looking at Concubine Cui, she praised, "A gentle maiden is so charming. The Cui girl truly lives up to her reputation."
"If the virtuous concubine and Concubine Xue could learn even a third of you, I wouldn't have to worry so much!"
The Empress Dowager's tone showed no concealment of her fondness for Concubine Cui and her disappointment with Concubine Xue.
Concubine Xue's sobbing gradually subsided.
Concubine Cui gave a gentle smile, with respect for the Empress Dowager in her tone.
"Your servant thanks the Empress Dowager for her praise. Your concubine is stupid. I just inherit a bit of the elegance of the Cui family. The virtuous concubine and Concubine Xue are the models of noble ladies."
There was a smile in the Empress Dowager's eyes. She looked at Concubine Cui with satisfaction for a few times.
Soon, a maid from the Ci Ning Palace came out with a box and bestowed it on Concubine Cui. The Empress Dowager praised her a few more times.
Concubine Cui thanked her with a humble smile and then wisely withdrew with the gift.
"Idiot!"
As soon as the person left, the gentle smile on the Empress Dowager's face vanished instantly. Her face darkened as she roared, "Kneel down!"
Concubine Xue's heart trembled. Her face turned pale immediately as she knelt on the ground.
"Please calm your anger, Your Majesty. Your concubine is stupid. Please forgive your concubine this time."
"Stupid?" The Empress Dowager sneered. "I think you're quite smart and bold!"
Concubine Xue's body couldn't help but tremble. She shivered and didn't dare to speak.
"Do you know why the virtuous concubine was confined?" The Empress Dowager's voice was extremely cold.
Hearing this, Concubine Xue's body stiffened. It seemed that even her heart had become rigid.
"You idiots! Ling Shan was sent out from my palace. You are all so useless. You've been in the palace for almost half a year, but none of you has even got close to the Taiji Palace, let alone successfully served the emperor.
You good - for - nothing things! I didn't blame you. Instead, I cleaned up your mess for you. But you dared to act against my people. Who gave you the courage? Hmm?"
If it weren't for considering the overall situation, just because of the virtuous concubine and Concubine Xue's stupid acts of going against her will and ruining things, the Empress Dowager would never have just given a light punishment of confinement.
Although that brat Jun Wuyuan was known for his tyranny and cruelty, he hadn't interfered much in the court affairs since he ascended the throne half a year ago. But half a year was too long.
On the premise that the death of the emperor by accident could not be allowed, they needed a more obedient "pawn".
What could be more reassuring than an innocent and clean infant?
The Empress Dowager and the Wang family needed a prince who was closely related to the Wang family.
In the past, the Empress Dowager had placed her hopes on the virtuous concubine, her own niece. If not for her, there were also in - laws like the Xue family who were close to the Wang family. She even arranged many maids to climb into the emperor's bed in the Taiji Palace.
But in the past half a year, without exception, all of them had failed.
It was okay for the concubines. Although they were humiliated and tortured, they didn't lose their lives. But the maids in the Taiji Palace were not so lucky.
Ling Shan was a pawn that she had painstakingly cultivated three years ago. She was also the first one who could survive in the Taiji Palace for so long and even talk to Jun Wuyuan.
Maybe next year, that obedient crown prince would be born. By then, wouldn't the Great Yan Empire be under the control of their Wang family?
Even more, the Langya Wang family would remain powerful for more than twenty years.
The Empress Dowager really couldn't understand what those two idiots were up to.
Even if they wanted to win the emperor's favor and were jealous, did they really have to do it themselves after the pawn had outlived its usefulness?
After all, they were born into noble families. How could they be so stupid as to not tell the important from the unimportant?
"Please calm your anger, Your Majesty. Your concubine knows her mistake. I will never dare to do it again. Please believe your concubine this time. I will never act recklessly again."
Concubine Xue trembled as she prostrated herself on the ground to plead guilty.
The main hall of the Ci Ning Palace was completely silent. The silent pressure was like a heavy mountain, making it hard to breathe.
After a very long time, Concubine Xue finally heard the Empress Dowager's cold and menacing voice.
"This is the only time. I don't have much patience. If it happens again..."
——
[The fish is so salty! The imperial kitchen is trying to murder me. I'll have them all beheaded!]
"Your Majesty, your servant heard that eating sweet - and - sour fish with Cloud - top Lingwu tea will make it more delicious."
Ling Shan was as considerate as a gentle breeze. She poured a cup of tea and placed it beside Jun Wuyuan, easily dispelling the rising killing intent.
Jun Wuyuan looked up for a moment, then lowered his eyes. The green tea leaves were floating and swirling, giving off a faint fragrance.
He looked up again at the little maid who was so close and incredibly beautiful.
The salty taste still lingered on his lips and teeth. Jun Wuyuan gracefully picked up the teacup and took a slow sip.
The elegant fragrance immediately spread, and the strong heat dispelled the saltiness in his mouth. The mild bitterness slowly turned into sweetness after a brief aftertaste.
The disgusting saltiness disappeared. Jun Wuyuan even couldn't bear to put down the teacup for a moment.
[You clumsy goose. You're quite observant. Fortunately, you didn't spill it all over me again!]
Ling Shan: "..."
"This fish is good. Liang Jiusi, go and reward the imperial kitchen well for me."
What a "reward".
Ling Shan silently retreated to her original position.