May 20th.
The emperor, accompanied by the royal ministers and concubines, set off for the Yuhua Palace to escape the summer heat. In the early morning, the mighty procession left Chang'an City.
Every summer, the emperor would go to the Yuhua Palace to avoid the sweltering heat. Those who could accompany him were all of noble status in the Great Yan Dynasty.
All the officials above the third - rank in Chang'an and their families were allowed to join the trip. It took a whole day's journey, and they didn't reach the Yuhua Palace until dusk.
The imperial city was magnificent and peerless, but it was unbearably hot in summer, like a huge steamer.
As soon as they arrived at the foot of Yuhua Mountain, the cool breeze blew into everyone's hearts.
Ling Shan was naturally overjoyed as it was her first time out of the palace.
After the long and tiring journey, everyone went to rest on the first day.
It took more than an hour for the hustle and bustle in the palace to subside and for it to finally quiet down.
The largest and most ideally - located palace was, of course, the Jiuzhou Qingyan, the emperor's residence.
Next was the Yaotai Jinfeng, occupied by the queen mother. It was built according to the specifications of former queens, resplendent and magnificent.
The other concubines were arranged to live in the palaces scattered around the Jiuzhou Qingyan.
Wang Chengbi, the once - imprisoned and well - known virtuous concubine, also came to the Yuhua Palace and was staying in the Chunshan Kewang Palace next to the Yaotai Jinfeng.
Naturally, Ling Shan stayed in the Jiuzhou Qingyan, leading the palace servants to tidy up the bedroom.
Don't be fooled by Jun Wuyuan's tyrannical and haughty appearance in public. In private, he was extremely fastidious.
He was good at pretending, though. Except for Liang Jiusi, no other servant who served him could tell much about his preferences. Usually, they just served him carefully, adhering to the principle of making no mistakes to save their own lives.
Ling Shan would never miss such a good opportunity to show herself.
She led the servants to decorate the bedroom according to Jun Wuyuan's preferences. Looking at the sky and just about to go to the small kitchen to arrange the meal, she didn't expect an unexpected guest to arrive first.
"Who did you say is here?"
After arriving at the palace, although the imperial banquet was cancelled for that day, Jun Wuyuan still led the important ministers to the front hall to discuss political affairs.
"Reporting to the steward, the virtuous concubine is asking to see His Majesty outside the palace. We told her that His Majesty is still discussing state affairs, but she insisted on coming in to chat with you and wait for His Majesty."
Ling Shan: "..."
This virtuous concubine really had a lot of energy.
After sitting in the carriage for a whole day, even Ling Shan, who had the privilege of riding in the imperial carriage, was exhausted.
She didn't expect the virtuous concubine to come looking for trouble without even taking a rest.
"Invite the virtuous concubine to the side hall and serve her tea and snacks."
In the side hall, Wang Chengbi was dressed in gorgeous clothes and adorned with countless jewels. Her palace dress was made of the rare Floating Light Brocade.
From afar, she looked like a noble lady from a prominent family, as elegant as a beauty in a painting.
However, as soon as she saw Ling Shan, her gorgeous face twitched with a momentary ferocity. Then, as if thinking of something, her expression calmed down.
"This servant pays respects to the virtuous concubine. May the concubine be in good health."
Ling Shan didn't want other servants to wait on this virtuous concubine and was very respectful in her attitude.
It was as if the person who had won the previous confrontation and left triumphantly, stepping on Wang Chengbi's pride, was not her.
Wang Chengbi showed no sign of resentment on her face. Instead, she calmly sipped her tea as if she hadn't heard a word.
Ling Shan had expected this.
Even though the queen mother had repeatedly confined and scolded Wang Chengbi, a leopard couldn't change its spots.
She didn't believe that Wang Chengbi would be kind - faced to her today.
Ling Shan would be grateful if Wang Chengbi would just be a bit more cautious and stop openly threatening to kill her. Then she could start to plan secretly.
Wang Chengbi couldn't be allowed to live any longer.
Otherwise, wouldn't she be the one who would end up dead?
Maintaining the bowing posture, Ling Shan lowered her eyes to conceal the fleeting killing intent.
Wang Chengbi glanced at the respectful Ling Shan, and a flash of satisfaction crossed her eyes.
She sipped her tea slowly. When Ling Shan's forehead was covered with cold sweat, she finally seemed to come to her senses.
"Get up. The tea here in His Majesty's palace is so fragrant. I didn't even notice you come in to pay respects. Steward Ling Shan won't blame me, will you?"
Ling Shan's calves were trembling slightly. She had maintained a half - squatting position for a full fifteen minutes without showing any sign of weakness...
A faint fragrance approached, and an idea flashed through Ling Shan's mind.
Suddenly, with a thud, she fell to the ground, her face pale.
The proud expression on Wang Chengbi's face was instantly replaced by shock. The first thought that popped into her head was:
This slut is pretending to be weak again. Who is she trying to deceive?
The next moment, a loud announcement "His Majesty is coming!" reached Wang Chengbi's ears.
This bitch!
Wang Chengbi gritted her teeth, and her face darkened. She was so angry that she wished she could rush up and tear that falsely weak face of Ling Shan's.
But she couldn't.
In a blink of an eye, Jun Wuyuan walked into the hall. His calm eyes suddenly changed.
"Shanshan!"
He strode up to the frail Ling Shan, picked her up in his arms, and immediately saw her pale face covered in cold sweat.
His heart seemed to be stung by something. The pain was not intense but spread like ripples. However, it was soon replaced by a strong anger. Although Ling Shan weakly shook her head without saying a word, his gaze was fixed directly on the culprit.
His originally amorous peach - blossom eyes were now filled with cold and gloomy hatred, directed straight at Wang Chengbi.
"Your Majesty..."
Tears of grievance welled up in Wang Chengbi's eyes as she tried to defend herself:
"It's not my fault, Your Majesty. This slut... She fell on her own. Your Majesty, she is deliberately pretending to be weak to frame me! I'm wronged!"
Jun Wuyuan sat down with Ling Shan in his arms. As if by instinct, his hand landed on Ling Shan's knee.
Wang Chengbi, who had been frightened by the emperor's cold look, subconsciously knelt on the cold floor.
Seeing that Jun Wuyuan didn't even look at her, she felt both embarrassed and aggrieved.
"You dared to make my steward kneel until she was injured. You are so bold, virtuous concubine. Have you forgotten that this is the Jiuzhou Qingyan, not your Chunshan Kewang? Do you want to dictate to me?"
"Your Majesty!"
Tears welled up in Wang Chengbi's eyes as she looked up pitifully: "Your Majesty, I would never dare to have such a rebellious thought. I just admire you so much. Can't I even punish a servant?"
"No."
Jun Wuyuan's hands were gentle, but his words were extremely cold: "Since the virtuous concubine likes to punish people so much, Liang Jiusi, make the virtuous concubine kneel outside the hall."
"Your Majesty?!"
Wang Chengbi exclaimed in disbelief, and the tears in her eyes fell sadly.
Jun Wuyuan didn't even want to look at her anymore. His eyes landed on the frail figure on his lap.
His eyebrows softened: "I'll take you to apply some medicine. Don't be afraid."
With a crackling sound in her heart.
Wang Chengbi felt as if her heart was broken. Through her tear - filled eyes, she watched the tall figure walk away step by step.
Hatred and humiliation burned like a wildfire.
"Virtuous concubine, please."
Liang Jiusi's eyes were cold as he flicked his whisk.