The face of Grand Tutor Wang Yuyao instantly darkened, as if he had been slapped hard.
It wasn't the pain but the shame that burned his face.
As the head of the Langya Wang Clan, he had sent his daughter into the palace back then. Step by step, through joint efforts, the Wang Clan had climbed higher and higher in the previous court, and his daughter had even ascended to the position of the queen in the harem. He had been extremely proud of himself.
Although Queen Wang (now the Empress Dowager) had lost her child after getting pregnant, the late emperor had clearly been out of his mind.
He truly doted on Queen Wang, but that didn't stop his concubines from giving birth one after another.
That was fine. In any case, Queen Wang would still become the Empress Dowager.
However, the late emperor had been creating sons non - stop while also doting on Queen Wang and trusting the Wang Clan.
In the later years of the late emperor, the princes had fought for the throne. Who didn't want to sit on that supreme imperial throne?
Before the late emperor's death, there had been turmoil and chaos for a long time. Finally, it was the Wang Clan and the Empress Dowager who had supported a prince to ascend the throne and ended the chaos.
In that so - called "rebellion", the Langya Wang Clan and its partisans had emerged victorious. Their enemies had either been killed or exiled.
Since then, it had become an irresistible trend for the Wang Clan to control the court.
Wang Yuyao was already used to the looks of admiration, flattery, and deference from others. He was used to being on top.
He had never imagined that one day he would lose face in front of a beardless eunuch.
Wang Yuyao lowered his eyes to hide the cold killing intent and the gradually overwhelmed body.
If it weren't for the current inappropriateness of taking rash actions and the occasional frictions on the border, he would definitely make that arrogant dog on the dragon throne regret being born into this world.
"Are you done arguing?"
In the silence, with everyone having their own ulterior motives, a hoarse and low voice, obviously just waking up, emerged.
All the court officials: "..."
They weren't shrews. What did it mean by "done arguing"?
The previous debates were just reasonable and friendly exchanges.
His Majesty definitely didn't fall asleep because he was annoyed by their noise!
After the court officials apologized, a representative reported the things they had debated just now.
Jun Wuyuan thought for a moment, then quietly turned his neck. Under the eager gazes of the court officials, he slowly said,
"For such a major matter, let Grand Tutor Wang and Grand Tutor Cui make the decision. I only know how to kill people. You all know that."
All the court officials: "..."
Your Majesty, although your reputation as a cruel and tyrannical tyrant is well - known, you don't have to be so proud, do you?
It's okay if you don't care about the important affairs of the court. Anyway, it seems you're not cut out for it.
But how can you remain so detached even on such an important matter as the emperor's trip, which may be related to life and death?
Didn't you see that the faces of Grand Tutor Wang's faction were almost splitting with laughter?
The old officials of the royalist faction turned pale and then red. They looked at Jun Wuyuan with a sense of frustration.
"Or, I'll take the Imperial Guards out. Grand Tutor Wang told me that the palace guards are the most elite troops in the Great Yan. If I take the Imperial Guards out, which small fry would dare to cause trouble?"
All the court officials: "..."
Thud! All the court officials knelt on the ground in fear. Their knees hurt, but their expressions remained unchanged.
"Your Majesty, please forgive us. We would never dare to have such thoughts!"
The Imperial Guards were the emperor's private army. Only the emperor and the concubines in the harem were qualified to command them. How could they, the outer officials, dare to have such ideas?
Moreover, without them suggesting, the Imperial Guards would naturally accompany and protect the emperor.
Jun Wuyuan was obviously annoyed by them.
But for such an important matter as the emperor's trip, especially near the Luo River, if there was really an assassination...
His Majesty was brave and not afraid of death, but they were!
The defense around the Luo River had to be strictly controlled. It was not only for the sake of loyalty to the emperor but also for their own lives.
After scolding everyone and taking another nap, Jun Wuyuan felt extremely good - tempered. He waved his sleeves and turned to head towards the Taiji Palace.
He left all the court officials looking at each other, not knowing what to do for a moment. Finally, it was Grand Tutor Wang who led the way and they all returned to their offices to perform their duties.
——
Cough, cough, cough!
As soon as Jun Wuyuan, who was in an extremely good mood, returned, he saw a table full of his favorite dishes. A faint smile appeared on his usually gloomy and cold face.
His eyes were full of joy, and he couldn't help but praise Ling Shan in his heart.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he took a bite of the sour and spicy cucumber, his handsome face instantly distorted for a moment.
Immediately afterwards, a violent fit of coughing came on.
[This stupid goose put so much chili and vinegar. Does she want to murder me in a devious way?]
A flicker of amusement flashed in Ling Shan's eyes, but on her face, she immediately poured tea and handed a handkerchief with great concern.
Jun Wuyuan didn't expect this dish to be such a "surprise". It was so heavy - flavored that he couldn't say a word.
It was his mistake after all.
Otherwise, how could he have been deceived by this stupid goose?
It was really hard for her to taste the dish without changing her expression just now!
This little liar!
Ling Shan's eyes were red with worry, and Jun Wuyuan's eyes were also red from coughing.
After drinking two cups of tea, he finally managed to suppress the irritating cough. He stared at Ling Shan with wide - open eyes.
[Don't think that just because you put on this expression, I'll be merciful and forgive you!]
Ling Shan ignored him at all and said guiltily,
"Your Majesty, are you okay? This servant is at fault. I shouldn't have added so much chili and vinegar without a sense of proportion. I made Your Majesty uncomfortable while eating. This servant is guilty. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"
[Is this amount of chili and vinegar something a normal person can swallow? I think this stupid goose did it on purpose!]
"Didn't you notice anything wrong when you tasted the dish just now?"
Jun Wuyuan's throat was still a bit uncomfortable. His peach - blossom eyes were red as he sized up Ling Shan.
Ling Shan shook her head innocently:
"Replying to Your Majesty, this servant thought the taste was just right, sour and spicy in moderation. So I thought Your Majesty would like it too."
Jun Wuyuan: "..."
[Of course I like it. With just this bit of sour and spicy, if this stupid goose can eat it, how could I not be able to?]
Ling Shan: "..."
A man who is always competitive!
"Your Majesty, this servant will remove this dish..."
Jun Wuyuan raised his head proudly: "No need. I like it very much."
"Then this servant will serve the dishes for you?"
"No need. You sit down and eat with me."
[It's better for two people to suffer together than for one person alone. I'll pick the dishes for her myself and let her eat them all. After all, it's sour and spicy in moderation, right?]
Ling Shan: "..." Damn tyrant!
So, the servants in the palace later found that their cruel Majesty actually picked dishes for Ling Shan himself.
The first time, it was cucumber salad.
Ling Shan was flattered.
The second time, it was still cucumber salad.
Ling Shan smiled on the surface.
But in her heart, she cursed and quickly served a plate of cucumber salad to Jun Wuyuan.
"Your Majesty, this is your favorite."
She looked extremely considerate.
As if she really understood him.
Jun Wuyuan's face remained unchanged, but an organ in his body began to ache faintly.