A cold, emotionless voice drifted into her ears.
Ling Shan inexplicably found herself quite fond of it.
Wasn't this straightforward personality simply awesome?
Although she hadn't seen the woman's face, in Ling Shan's mind, an image of a cold and sassy beauty emerged.
Ling Shan became even more curious.
According to the common tropes of palace intrigue dramas, unless this Lady Yu had a powerful background, like the virtuous consort with her prominent family, or was backed by someone important, otherwise, family status and rank would be enough to make one domineering in the harem.
Ling Shan carefully recalled that there didn't seem to be a noble Yu family in Chang'an.
If she was from a humble family, given the current situation, it would be even more impossible for her to compete with the daughters of noble families.
How was this cold Lady Yu going to get out of this situation?
"What did you say?"
The woman who claimed to be a concubine was in a daze for a long time before she realized what Lady Yu had said.
She had heard before that Lady Yu from the Yilan Hall in the Yongning Palace was extremely beautiful but had an aloof and eccentric personality. She never liked to interact with others. If it weren't for Concubine Lian being in a bad mood and unfortunately running into her today, she really wouldn't have known that Lady Yu was so incredibly beautiful that it was jealousy - inducing.
"Lady Yu, did I hear you right? How dare you disrespect your superiors? Who gave you the courage? Guards, hold down this insolent maid for me."
Ling Shan's heart tightened involuntarily.
The next moment, two shrill screams rang out, and two palace maids fell to the ground.
The clear voice showed no sign of weakness: "Your Ladyship Concubine Lian has a high rank, but this concubine doesn't remember when His Majesty or the Empress Dowager handed over the affairs of the harem to you. I don't think you're qualified to punish this concubine."
Concubine Lian was enraged: "You... I'm just teaching you a lesson for your lack of respect and manners. Even if I don't have the power to manage the harem, I can still punish you. Even if this matter is brought before the Empress Dowager..."
Lady Yu raised her eyebrows indifferently: "If that's the case, then this concubine would like to go to the Cining Palace with Your Ladyship and let the Empress Dowager punish this concubine."
"Are you threatening me with the Empress Dowager?"
Ling Shan found it interesting and turned to look at the two palace servants from the Cining Palace.
"Both ladies seem to be going to the Cining Palace to see the Empress Dowager. Why don't we go together? It'll be more lively with more people."
The palace servants: "..."
The Empress Dowager was of noble status. How could just anyone see her?
"Miss Ling Shan, we were ordered by the Empress Dowager to invite you to the Cining Palace. We have no obligation to meddle in other people's affairs. I wonder if you've rested enough? If the Empress Dowager waits too long, she might be unhappy."
Ling Shan seemed not to notice the veiled warning from the palace servants. She clutched her chest, looking a bit pale, and turned to look again.
She saw the blue - clad figure striding straight towards the Cining Palace like the wind, bringing a coolness with it.
The anger on Concubine Lian's face froze. She seemed to have never expected that Lady Yu would be so decisive. Before she could even reach out to stop her, Lady Yu was already gone. Only later did she realize that this insolent woman was going to the Cining Palace to complain. She cursed and quickly followed.
"Just in time. I've rested enough. Let's hurry to the Cining Palace. Don't keep the Empress Dowager waiting."
The palace servants: "..."
---
In the Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager Wang didn't expect that after sending someone to invite Ling Shan, it was actually Jun Wuyuan and the others who came.
The main hall of the Cining Palace gathered some of the most noble people in the Great Yan Dynasty. The atmosphere was momentarily stagnant and dull.
The Empress Dowager Wang never thought that Jun Wuhao, that timid fellow, would actually have the courage to stand up one day.
He even wanted to divorce his wife from the Xiao family?
What a good - for - nothing!
The Empress Dowager Wang was already in a bad mood. She could still put on a show in front of Jun Wuyuan. But towards Jun Wuhao, with whom she had old grudges, there was no need to be nice.
Moreover, this marriage was arranged by the Empress Dowager Wang and the Wang family to win over Jun Wuhao and the Dingyuan General's Mansion.
Jun Wuhao had blindly and cowardly refused. The Empress Dowager Wang had been holding a grudge ever since.
She hadn't bothered him because there were already too many deaths among the late emperor's princes. She never expected that he would actually come to the palace and openly ask for a divorce?
Humph.
Wasn't this just like slapping the Empress Dowager Wang in the face?
In the Empress Dowager Wang's opinion, it would be better if Jun Wuhao, that timid fellow, was beaten by his wife from the Xiao family. After all, it wasn't her who would lose face.
Jun Wuhao was naturally afraid of the Empress Dowager Wang. It was a fear deeply ingrained in his bones. If it weren't for this urgent matter and the necessity of this divorce, he really wouldn't have wanted to meet the Empress Dowager Wang.
For example, right now, although the Empress Dowager Wang's face looked calm and there was a smile in her eyes, making her seem very amiable, for some reason, Jun Wuhao felt that the occasional glances she cast at him were like a cold snake crawling up his back.
"The Princess of Jing has gone too far in her actions, but since the Xiao family is from a general's mansion, it's normal for her to be straightforward and unconstrained. As a man and a royal clan member, the Eleventh Prince should be more magnanimous."
The Empress Dowager Wang's seemingly consoling words sounded like a warning to Jun Wuhao.
"Your Ladyship, I'm ashamed. If it were before, I would definitely follow your advice, but this time, I really can't do it."
It was unexpected but also within reason.
Jun Wuhao clenched his fists and summoned the courage to look at the Empress Dowager Wang.
"I know I'm mediocre in talent and cowardly in character, but I also want a wife with whom I can live in harmony, have children, and accompany each other for a lifetime.
The Xiao family was specially chosen for me by Your Ladyship. But perhaps the Xiao family and I are not compatible in character. I still want to continue my family line. Please, Your Ladyship, agree to the divorce."
The Empress Dowager Wang's heart skipped a beat, and her eyebrows furrowed.
She looked at Jun Wuyuan, who had been acting like an outsider since he entered the room, and threw the topic to him.
"Does the Emperor think the same way? Allowing the Eleventh Prince to act so recklessly. The Dingyuan General's Mansion has been a loyal family for generations. Letting a loyal family down like this is not good for the foundation of the Great Yan Dynasty."
Jun Wuyuan hooked his lips with a good mood. "Your Ladyship is absolutely right. This is also my original intention. But we can't really watch the Prince of Jing become childless, can we?"
Jun Wuhao: "..."
He really could still have children!
There was no need to keep bringing this up.
The long - awaited gaze finally fell from the main seat, covering Jun Wuhao with a look of scrutiny and mockery.
A strong sense of humiliation washed over him again. Jun Wuhao felt so uncomfortable that he really wanted to run away.
"To avoid turning them into bitter enemies and affecting the harmony between the royal family and the Dingyuan General's Mansion, I think we should ask the Princess of Jing for her opinion and then let Your Ladyship make the decision. How about that?"
The Empress Dowager Wang almost rolled her eyes.
What did he mean by letting her make the decision?
Did she, as the Empress Dowager, have to manage these trivial matters?
But Jun Wuyuan's meaning was very clear.
She even detected a hint of: Didn't you arrange this marriage? Who else should be responsible for the divorce if not you?
This damned ungrateful wretch!