Ling Shan noticed that Jun Wuyuan had been acting a bit strange these days.
It wasn't his behavior but his inexplicably erratic inner thoughts, which were somewhat eerie and hard to fathom.
One moment, he was talking about the previous dynasty's encirclement and suppression of the Wang faction, and the next, he suddenly shifted to trivial matters about food, clothing, housing, and transportation.
In short, it was very strange.
At first, Ling Shan didn't react. Gradually, however, she understood.
Jun Wuyuan was testing her!
Could it be that she had revealed some flaw?
Ling Shan remained silent and continued to be the considerate confidant by Jun Wuyuan's side.
Her calm and caring attitude made Jun Wuyuan hesitate.
Ling Shan had no intention of exposing herself at this moment. If Jun Wuyuan really found out, wouldn't she be doomed?
Jun Wuyuan was at most infatuated with her now. He definitely hadn't reached the point of loving her so much that he could accept her deception.
The plan to tame the emperor's heart was not yet complete. How could she let all her efforts go to waste at this moment?
"Did Lady Wang go to Yaotai Jinfeng?"
Ban Chun was now serving beside Ling Shan and was obviously more well - informed about the news in the palace.
"I heard that three days ago, the Empress Dowager sent someone to invite Lady Wang. But Lady Wang seemed to be ill and only went to pay respects to the Empress Dowager today when she recovered."
Ling Shan listened, her eyes gradually darkening. Her fingers unconsciously tapped on the small table.
Ban Chun added a cup of flower tea. Her eyes happened to glance at the tapping fingers. She stood quietly on one side but couldn't help thinking.
The Empress was becoming more and more like the Emperor in some of her small gestures.
Ling Shan didn't know Ban Chun's inner complaints. Instead, she couldn't help making speculations.
At this time, the Empress Dowager suddenly summoned Lady Xue, the mother of Wang Chengbi and now the wife of the Wang family, to Yaotai Jinfeng. It must be something significant.
Ling Shan went through the recent events in her mind and a speculation emerged.
The coldness in her almond eyes gradually spread. She picked up a cup of flower tea and sipped it slowly.
Let her guess what this was about.
——
"Your Majesty, why did the Prince of Su suddenly hold a banquet for the royal clan?"
Ling Shan was sitting on Jun Wuyuan's lap, naturally playing with the jade pendant around his waist that symbolized the emperor's authority.
Liang Jiusi happened to take a look and quickly lowered his eyes, not daring to look around.
The jade pendant that represented the emperor's power could be played with by Consort Zhao. The Emperor even had the nerve to laugh at him for being useless.
That jade pendant could mobilize two - thirds of the troops in the inner palace and the areas near the capital in an emergency. It was no ordinary jade pendant.
Unexpectedly, the Emperor let Consort Zhao play with it so casually, with a faint smile on his face.
Tsk.
It was really unbearable to watch.
Just as he was complaining in his heart, a sharp and cold gaze suddenly fell on him. Liang Jiusi stiffened his back and silently recited the Heart - Cleansing Sutra.
He really didn't think or say anything.
"Shanshan, don't worry. That old witch is still causing trouble even when she's ill. Wait for me to cut off a couple more of her minions. I'll accompany you to watch the stars tonight, okay? Be a good girl and have your meal. Don't eat too many cold and raw foods..."
"Got it, got it. Your Majesty makes it sound as if I'm a glutton. With your order, who would still give me such things?"
Ling Shan's eyes flashed. The little face resting on Jun Wuyuan's chest pouted coquettishly.
Her soft and tender voice carried a hint of complaining. It was like a feather wrapped in honey, tickling Jun Wuyuan's heart.
He was already defenseless against Ling Shan's beauty. Now that she was sitting on his lap and acting coquettishly, it made his heart flutter.
If it weren't for the concern that too much cold and raw food was bad for her health, Jun Wuyuan wouldn't be so stingy.
As the Son of Heaven who ruled the world, some food was nothing. How could he be reluctant?
But this ungrateful girl in his arms not only didn't appreciate his kindness but also became more and more willful, lying in his arms and complaining coquettishly.
This was truly unique in the world.
Liang Jiusi paused in his silent recitation of the Heart - Cleansing Sutra and silently complained in his heart.
How could the Emperor be willing to treat her coldly?
If it were someone else, their head would probably have been chopped off long ago. But...
Tsk.
Comparisons were indeed odious.
Sure enough, Liang Jiusi heard the emperor's low and somewhat displeased voice, accompanied by a light tap.
"Nonsense! When have I ever treated you poorly in terms of food and clothing? Have you forgotten what Chang Wei said? If you have another stomachache next time, see if I'll care about you!"
He was also secretly scolding her in his heart. If he didn't, wouldn't he be proving Liang Jiusi's words that he was useless?
A smile secretly spread in Ling Shan's heart, and her eyes were filled with the brightness of one who was doted on.
"Your Majesty wouldn't be willing to ignore me."
Ling Shan buried her face in Jun Wuyuan's chest and rubbed against it obediently and endearingly.
"Your Majesty, don't worry. I'll wait for you to come back obediently. But Your Majesty, drink less at the dinner. Remember that I'll be waiting for you in Jiuzhou Qingyan."
Her delicate and gentle tone, and her fingers tapping on his chest bit by bit. The caring look in her eyes made Jun Wuyuan's heart burn.
A hint of emotion suddenly appeared in his peach - blossom eyes. He scolded her lightly.
"Naughty!"
Tsk tsk.
Liang Jiusi was amazed in his heart. How could this be the attitude of a concubine towards the emperor?
Even a common - folk wife's nagging towards her husband was nothing more than this.
But his emperor wasn't angry at all. Without even looking up, Liang Jiusi could imagine the curve of the emperor's lips.
It was not hard to imagine how proud and happy the emperor was at this moment.
Ling Shan was no longer afraid of him at all. How could she be intimidated by his pretense?
Immediately, as if frightened, her almond eyes trembled. She looked at Jun Wuyuan with tearful eyes, buried her face in his chest aggrievedly, and said nothing.
Jun Wuyuan panicked.
His heart suddenly tightened, and a feeling of love and pity welled up unconsciously. He hugged her tighter and gently patted her back.
He softened his tone and coaxed her:
"Alright, I'll drink less and come back to accompany you as soon as possible, okay? Don't be angry."
[This charming little vixen. How could I really be angry with her?]
Thinking this way, a strange feeling flashed through Jun Wuyuan's heart.
As if complaining and also as a punishment, he lowered his head and gently bit her bright red lips. Meeting her misty almond eyes, his heart trembled, and he couldn't help but increase the force a bit.
A blush gradually appeared at the corners of Ling Shan's eyes. Their breaths intertwined, and her cheeks became flushed. She was extremely beautiful.
She was like honey. Once one got a taste, one couldn't bear to let go.
Even for Jun Wuyuan, the emperor who ruled the world, it was the same. After biting for a while, he kissed her lingeringly.
"Be a good girl. Don't be angry. I'll ask the small kitchen to make you a bowl of Yangmei Keshui. How about that?"