The news of the assassination attempt during the Dragon Boat Festival race quickly spread throughout the imperial city and the palace.
In Xianfu Palace, Concubine Xian, Wang Chengbi, received this earth - shattering and life - threatening news and could no longer sit still.
Disregarding the order of confinement from the Queen Mother, she changed into a gorgeous palace dress and left Xianfu Palace.
When she reached the square under the city wall of Chengtian Gate, she found a group of concubines standing there.
Wang Chengbi had been confined for more than ten days, and her heart was filled with pent - up anger.
Seeing this group of charming concubines at this moment, she felt that her anger could not be suppressed no matter what.
The Wang family had ambitious plans. Sending their legitimate daughter into the palace was aimed at having their descendant become the future crown prince.
Although Wang Chengbi knew the purpose of her entering the palace, there was also a great deal of her own self - interest.
She was head - over - heels in love with Jun Wuyuan.
On normal days, Wang Chengbi was extremely domineering and didn't like any woman getting close to Jun Wuyuan. Even among the concubines, in her eyes, they were all enemies.
Except for Concubine Xue, who had grown up with her since childhood and was also a relative of the Wang family, Wang Chengbi's attitude towards her was relatively good.
As for the other concubines, none of them had escaped Wang Chengbi's open and covert harassment and torment.
Now, Wang Chengbi's appearance brought a lot of pressure to the concubines present.
In particular, her sharp and cold eyes, like knives, landed on them as she scanned the crowd.
No one had expected that Concubine Xian, who had been confined by the Queen Mother, would show up.
These days had been a wonderful time for the concubines in the harem.
Although the emperor in Taiji Palace still ignored them, without Concubine Xian's bullying, they could get together with like - minded people to enjoy the flowers, compose poems, and enjoy delicious food, fine clothes, and precious jewelry.
Wasn't this kind of life more enjoyable than being a fairy?
If they had known that Wang Chengbi would also come out today, they would have pretended to be invisible and definitely not come.
It was only because they had heard that the emperor and the Queen Mother had been assassinated outside that they had to come to the palace gate to show their concern. In fact, it was not really necessary for them to be here.
"Your servant / concubine pays respects to Concubine Xian. May the concubine be in good health and blessed."
Under the scorching sun, Wang Chengbi held her head high as the palace servants carried her sedan chair. She looked down haughtily at the concubines kneeling on the ground.
Her phoenix - shaped eyes, a characteristic of the Wang family, with upturned corners, showed a hint of mockery and disdain, and deep within her eyes was intense disgust.
Under the blazing sun, all the concubines who had entered the palace were daughters of noble families, delicate young ladies.
Although they didn't need to perform the full kowtow on non - important occasions, they still had to perform a half - bow when facing higher - ranking concubines.
Wang Chengbi seemed not to notice at all, resting her long fingers on her forehead.
The concubines had to squat there, maintaining the saluting posture. In just a short while, their foreheads were covered with sweat.
As time passed, their makeup was ruined by the sweat, and their backs were also covered in cold sweat. The heat was unbearable.
Thud!
A weak concubine couldn't hold on and fell to the ground. Immediately, there was chaos.
Wang Chengbi opened her eyes unhappily. Looking at the pale and embarrassed concubines, she felt a bit more comfortable.
"What bad luck! Just performing a simple salute and you're all acting so delicate. Who are you trying to impress?"
The uncomfortable concubines were angry but dared not speak out. In their hearts, they hated this bitch who could talk so easily while standing.
Feeling satisfied, Wang Chengbi mercifully said:
"Since you're so weak, send them back quickly and let the imperial doctor treat them well. We don't want them to spread their illnesses to the emperor and the Queen Mother later, do we?"
Just as she finished speaking, before anyone could move, the sound of the emperor's carriage approaching came from outside Chengtian Gate.
Immediately, even Wang Chengbi got out of her sedan chair. She glared threateningly at the others, then put on a smile and walked proudly to the front, leading the somewhat disheveled concubines to await the emperor's arrival.
Empress Dowager Yun got out of the carriage first. She was already in a bad mood but still had to force a gentle smile. It was extremely frustrating.
But unexpectedly, as soon as she got out, she saw her niece's longing look. Instantly, a surge of anger welled up in her heart.
This fool! All she could think about was love.
The Queen Mother didn't want to dwell on all the stupid things she had done in the past. As long as she obediently gave birth to a prince, it would be fine.
But now, this fool actually dared to violate her order and run out on her own?
Looking at the disheveled appearance of the concubines around, the Queen Mother didn't even need to think to know that it was this fool's doing.
"Aunt..."
Wang Chengbi, still unaware, took a step forward with a shy smile. But as soon as she called out, she was immediately frightened by the Queen Mother's gloomy look.
The Queen Mother had been extremely angry today. At this moment, her head ached, and her vision began to blur.
The imperial carriage soon stopped, but the emperor's figure was nowhere to be seen for a long time.
The concubines had first suffered from Wang Chengbi's torture of saluting, and now they were suffering from waiting for the emperor while saluting.
They were in great distress. They thought it would have been better to pretend to be invisible.
Wang Chengbi was too scared to say much after being glared at by her aunt. But seeing that Jun Wuyuan didn't show up for a long time, her fear gradually turned into deep worry. She wasn't even afraid of the Queen Mother's gloomy look anymore.
"Aunt, why isn't the emperor getting out? Could he be injured? I have to go and see the emperor..."
The Queen Mother: "..." Her face was dark.
How could there be such a stupid fool in their Wang family?
The Queen Mother had felt so tired today. If it weren't for the public eye, she really wanted to...
Pry open this fool's head and see if there was no brain inside, just bean curd?
Before Wang Chengbi could move, Nanny Dou behind the Queen Mother grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
"Concubine Xian, the Queen Mother was frightened during the assassination attempt on the Luo River. Please stay by the Queen Mother's side to take care of her."
Wang Chengbi: "..."
The noble and extremely spoiled Concubine Xian, a daughter of the Wang family, pursed her lips. She was filled with dissatisfaction but didn't dare to refuse.
Inside the dragon carriage, Jun Wuyuan's handsome face showed a hint of helplessness.
Why was this stupid goose such a heavy sleeper?
She had been sleeping for almost two hours and still hadn't woken up.
Was she a pig?
Jun Wuyuan cursed as he reached out and kneaded her plump, white cheeks.
Soft.
It was just like the osmanthus - flavored lotus root starch cake made by the nanny.
Soft and glutinous.
Jun Wuyuan looked down intently, his fingers kneading as if it were something fun.
He wondered what it would taste like?
Jun Wuyuan's eyes flashed, and his head slowly lowered in a daze...
When he was just inches away from her lips, he suddenly stopped.
A sweet and alluring scent seeped into his nostrils. Jun Wuyuan's forehead twitched.
He quickly raised his head and averted his gaze in a bit of a panic.
The next moment, he shrank back in fright.