Ling Shan stared at the wild boar at her feet. It was bound hand and foot, with its mouth gagged, and its body was pitch - black. For a moment, she felt lost.
This wild boar was “physically disabled but mentally tough”. Even though it couldn't move, it still managed to let out angry roars with all its might.
Ling Shan really didn't expect that Jun Wuyuan would actually hunt this wild boar back.
Yesterday, Jun Wuyuan specifically took Ling Shan to the racecourse to learn horse - riding, and then they entered the dense forest for hunting.
However, this time Ling Shan didn't go with him.
Firstly, after experiencing the danger that day, she wasn't that interested anymore. Secondly, after learning to ride a horse, her leg muscles were so sore that she couldn't get on a horse again.
Thankfully, Jun Wuyuan didn't forget about her when he went hunting.
From time to time, he would send people back with prey like rabbits. Ling Shan then got interested and, together with the imperial attendants, roasted the rabbit meat by themselves.
With her secret recipe, the rabbit meat Ling Shan roasted smelled so good that the imperial attendants almost drooled.
Without Jun Wuyuan, the terrifying presence, around, the imperial attendants and Ling Shan had a great time.
It wasn't until Jun Wuyuan sent people to bring this wild boar over that Ling Shan twitched the corner of her lips, feeling both amused and helpless.
She didn't expect that Jun Wuyuan would still remember the matter of this wild boar after that day.
Even though Ling Shan was already full, thinking of his thoughtfulness, she still had the boar carried away to be prepared and decided to personally roast something to reward everyone.
The hunting ground had been extremely quiet in the past two days. No one knew what benefits the Grand Tutor Wang and the Queen Mother had offered, but in just two days, the “evidence” had been finalized.
To prevent Jun Wuhan's body from rotting in the hot weather, it had been sent back to Chang'an City first. The old Prince of Su, who was eager to return, personally took charge of the funeral arrangements.
People turn cold when others leave, and lights go out when people die. The higher - ups had concluded that Jun Wuhan was just unlucky. He accidentally encountered the tiger that the crazy Lady Xue had released out of the blue and died.
Even though the Qi Palace and some of Jun Wuhan's close subordinates had their doubts, how could a widow and orphans go to the Queen Mother's faction or the Emperor to appeal for justice and court death?
This is just how the world is.
Even if you are a noble prince, so what?
Ling Shan stared blankly at the flickering fire, her thoughts gradually drifting.
It was said that the Queen Mother was “ill”. No one knew if she was just extremely angry or deeply sad, but anyway, she was sick.
She grandly summoned Consort Ning into her tent to attend to her illness, treating Consort Ning as if she were her own niece.
One couldn't help but wonder how Wang Chengbi, the former “niece”, would feel if she were still alive and saw this scene.
In the treacherous and power - hungry deep palace, chasing pure love is simply courting death.
The Queen Mother's ruthless and heartless nature truly lives up to her position as the Queen Mother, who can manipulate the selection of emperors and control the court. Every time, people can't help but be in awe.
It's a pity that the Queen Mother and the Grand Tutor Wang were insatiable. Their ambitions were too big, and they didn't take the imperial family seriously.
They even harbored the idea of massacring the royal family of the Great Yan one day and supporting the Langya Wang Clan to ascend the throne. Isn't that just asking for death?
The royal family of the Great Yan had just declined a bit, but thanks to the late emperor's fecundity, there were more than a dozen princes. After being purged by the Queen Mother and the Grand Tutor Wang, only half of them remained.
Coupled with the royal relatives of the clan, it was still a considerable force, not to mention that each emperor would have his own court officials.
Once the Wang Clan had the idea of replacing the Jun royal family, they couldn't blame the clan and the royal family for eradicating the powerful families.
From their respective positions, it's hard to say who is wrong.
However, from Ling Shan's perspective, she sincerely and whole - heartedly hoped that the Queen Mother and the Langya Wang Clan would die soon!
The sooner, the better!
All the grievances and fears Ling Shan had experienced since she came to this world were thanks to the Queen Mother. If the timing had allowed, she really would have liked to strangle that old hag.
As a woman in a high position, she should have known better about the hardships of women's survival. Even if she couldn't empathize, she shouldn't have been so crazy as to treat people like animals!
Ling Shan could understand the rules and the hierarchy of this era, but she couldn't accept being treated like an animal.
Ling Shan didn't care how the Queen Mother had fought with Jun Wuyuan in the past or how she had used other women as chess pieces.
She didn't have the obligation or the ability to act like a saint. She could only seek justice for herself and the original owner.
Who said that those of humble birth and good looks were only fit to be chess pieces and playthings for the powerful?
The Queen Mother never took these humble maids like Ling Shan seriously. One day, she would surely pay a heavy price for her arrogance!
Ling Shan was really looking forward to that day.
Those who are good at manipulating people's hearts will one day die with their eyes wide open in regret...
Plop, plop.
Just as she was lost in thought, suddenly a few drops of coolness landed on the back of her hand. Ling Shan looked up.
From the clear blue sky, strands of rain suddenly fell. The sound of the rain accompanied by the dazzling sunlight created a beautiful picture.
The imperial attendants quickly started to clean up. Ban Chun picked up an umbrella and properly held it over Ling Shan's head.
“Ban Chun, look at the rainbow!”
Not far in front of the mountains, a gorgeous rainbow hung between the mountain cliffs, looking like a ladder leading to the depths of the sea of clouds. It seemed that if one climbed up it, they could reach the clouds directly.
Ban Chun had been in the deep palace all year round and had never seen such a direct and spectacular beauty. She was immediately stunned.
Not only Ban Chun, but even the imperial attendants who had quickly packed up the love - filled roasted meat Ling Shan had prepared for Jun Wuyuan couldn't help but stand in the rain to watch this beautiful scene.
Clip - clop, clip - clop, clip - clop.
The sound of muddy hooves was getting closer, but it didn't disrupt everyone's mood.
The summer rain came fast and fierce. By the time the messenger on horseback arrived, the rain had already stopped. The scorching sun was shining brightly, and the rainbow on the mountain cliff became even more brilliant.
“Your subordinate pays respects to Consort Zhao!”
“Get up. Does His Majesty have any orders?”
“Your subordinate is here by His Majesty's order to invite Your Ladyship. His Majesty said that he has found something good and asks Your Ladyship to move there.”
Found something good?
What could it be?
A rare spiritual herb?
Or some peerless treasure?
Ling Shan was a bit curious. The hidden - guard maids who had always been by her side finally had something to do. They led the horse and took her to meet Jun Wuyuan.
After the rain, the fresh smell of the plants in the forest was even stronger. The whole world exuded a healthy aroma, making people feel refreshed.
All the way, Ling Shan was extremely excited and curious. She kept guessing in her mind what that “good thing” could be.
However, no matter how much she guessed, Ling Shan never expected that the “good thing” Jun Wuyuan was talking about would actually be...