"Miss Ling Shan is indeed well - behaved," Wang Chengbi said.
Seeing that the girl actually completed the courtesy and then stood up straight on her own without waiting for her to give permission, Wang Chengbi's eyes turned even gloomier.
Although her tone carried praise, the sharp, sword - like look in her eyes swept over Ling Shan's abdomen without the slightest courtesy.
A strong killing intent flashed by.
"Thank you, Your Highness the Concubine Xian, for your praise. Even His Majesty has commended my good manners. Your Highness is truly perceptive," Ling Shan replied.
Hiss.
The pavilion fell silent for a moment. No one had expected that this Miss Ling Shan, a favored maid in front of the emperor, would be so audacious.
Even though her words sounded respectful, they were actually veiled sarcasm.
If Concubine Xian were to pick on Ling Shan's manners again, would it mean she thought His Majesty was wrong? Or did she consider herself blind and deaf?
Watching this first encounter where Concubine Xian was outmaneuvered by Ling Shan's sharp tongue, everyone present started to think carefully.
"I didn't know that Miss Ling Shan was so glib - tongued. You should be honest and dutiful when serving His Majesty. If you have any improper thoughts, the palace will not tolerate those with sinister motives," Wang Chengbi said seriously, with a hint of warning in her tone.
"Your Highness the Concubine Xian is right. I will surely serve His Majesty well," Ling Shan replied with a smile on her beautiful face, looking somewhat spoiled by the emperor's favor.
"His Majesty knew that I was coming to Your Highness's flower - viewing banquet today and specially bestowed a Qiongtai Yulu Peony. I wonder if Your Highness likes it?"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone who was eager to watch the drama could hardly hold back their laughter.
Wasn't this Miss Ling Shan here just to humiliate Concubine Wang Chengbi?
Each of her words seemed to be a provocation, suggesting that Concubine Xian was out of favor.
Wasn't this like stabbing Wang Chengbi right in the heart?
The Qiongtai Yulu Peony was as gorgeous as the clouds, captivating everyone's attention. But in Wang Chengbi's eyes, it was extremely repulsive. She didn't even want to look at it.
When Wang Chengbi had the Qingyun Terrace decorated, she had mentioned this top - grade peony. However, the steward of the palace had said that such a rare treasure was hard to obtain.
So where did this rare treasure come from?
How could a low - born maid deserve such a precious item?
His Majesty really doted on these women!
Wang Chengbi felt a surge of anger rising in her chest. There was a calculating glint in her eyes.
"Of course, I like the Qiongtai Yulu Peony. Miss Ling Shan, would you please come closer so that I can take a closer look?"
Strange.
Everyone felt that there was going to be a series of good shows in the pavilion in the next few days.
With Wang Chengbi's temper, how could she bear being provoked again and again?
Normally, she would have thrown a cup of hot tea at the person right away.
Unfortunately, no matter how smart they were, no one could have guessed that the emperor and a little maid were actually using themselves as bait to set a trap for Wang Chengbi.
If they had known earlier, they would have left earlier and not been so frightened later.
Gossip was fun, but not at the cost of endangering themselves.
"Since Your Highness the Concubine Xian has spoken, I'm naturally willing. However, this Qiongtai Yulu Peony was bestowed by His Majesty, and I like it very much. Please be careful, Your Highness," Ling Shan said.
Wang Chengbi nodded in agreement, but a faint glint of light flashed through her phoenix - like eyes.
She stared at the approaching peony as if nothing was amiss, with a slight smile on her lips.
Ling Shan naturally stepped forward holding the Qiongtai Yulu Peony in person, also wearing a smile on her lips.
Wang Chengbi's eyes turned cold. Just as the peony was about to be taken from Ling Shan's hands, she slightly retracted her hand.
With a loud crash, the gorgeous peony instantly fell to the ground, looking delicate and in disarray.
"Bold maid! How dare you damage the imperial - bestowed item! You deserve death! Guards, arrest this maid for me!" Wang Chengbi roared angrily, standing up and taking two threatening steps forward.
The pavilion had the best view here, and not far on both sides was the rippling lake.
It was the perfect place for her to dispose of a body!
This slut Ling Shan would surely not give in without a fight. In the struggle, it would be easy for her to accidentally fall into the water and drown.
Sure enough, this beautiful and coquettish maid shouted her innocence as Wang Chengbi had expected.
When the sturdy maids and servants tried to arrest her, she struggled and complained, causing the whole pavilion to be in chaos.
The concubines, princesses, and noble ladies watched as the charming figure of Ling Shan ran around the tables and chairs like a colorful butterfly.
Looking at Wang Chengbi's furious and gloomy face, it seemed as if a storm was about to break.
"Rebellious! How dare you defy my order, you slut! Are you all dead? Quickly arrest this audacious maid! I will punish her myself!"
If it weren't for the fact that she couldn't act openly, she would have wanted to get rid of that bastard once and for all.
A cold glint flashed through Ling Shan's eyes.
After running around another circle, as if feeling dizzy, she directly crashed into Wang Chengbi.
Coincidentally, her foot accidentally knocked down the table and chairs beside Wang Chengbi.
Suddenly, a cup of hot tea accidentally splashed directly towards Wang Chengbi.
With a loud crash, accompanied by Wang Chengbi's pig - like scream, it seemed as if the roof of the pavilion was about to be blown off.
"Ah, Your Highness the Concubine Xian, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it. Are you... okay?" Ling Shan said with a worried tone, but only Wang Chengbi, who was close by and screaming like a monkey, could catch the smile and satisfaction in those almond - shaped eyes.
She did it on purpose!
This thought flashed through Wang Chengbi's mind, and her anger overshadowed the pain on her body.
This slut! Before she even took action, this maid dared to act so boldly and presumptuously!
She deserved to die!
She was the mistress of the six palaces, and she had set a trap, but unexpectedly, she had been repeatedly humiliated.
The anger welled up in her, burning her head with a stabbing pain.
Without thinking, she directly reached out and pushed Ling Shan hard, with a fierce look in her eyes.
Ling Shan fell backward and hit the corner of another concubine's table. A sharp pain instantly shot through her abdomen.
"Ah - my stomach hurts so much -"
Watching Ling Shan finally fall to the ground in a mess and groaning in pain, a look of satisfaction flashed across Wang Chengbi's eyes.
Damn slut! For every bit of pain I've suffered, you should pay it back...
Suddenly, Wang Chengbi's pupils shrank.
Someone shouted, "There's blood under her skirt! Why is there blood under Miss Ling Shan's skirt?"
This earth - shattering shout was like a thunderbolt in Wang Chengbi's muddled mind.
Right.
She had come today to get rid of this slut and the bastard!
But why was it her who had pushed?