Bai Zhi staggered out of the Jiuzhou Qingyan Hall, her face deathly pale.
Just thinking about Ling Shan's extremely cold attitude and those eyes that seemed to see into one's soul filled her with fear.
She quickened her pace, eager to return to the Yinlan Pavilion as soon as possible and inform Concubine Shu of what had happened.
As she hurried through the lush gardens, her face flushed with anxiety, she almost bumped into someone.
"Your humble servant pays respects to Noble Consort Cui. May the noble consort enjoy good health. Your servant is guilty of offending the noble consort. Please forgive me," Bai Zhi said, bowing deeply.
Noble Consort Cui gave a gentle smile.
"Get up quickly. This palace sees that you're in a hurry. Is there something urgent? Is Concubine Shu free? This palace was just about to go and congratulate Concubine Shu. I wonder if it's convenient?"
As Bai Zhi got up, she noticed the maids behind Noble Consort Cui, each carrying a gift box, indicating her sincerity.
A faint smile appeared on her pale face as she replied respectfully,
"Your humble servant was just coming from the Jiuzhou Qingyan Hall after delivering a gift to Concubine Zhao. I'm on my way back to the Yinlan Pavilion. My mistress is waiting to have a chat with the noble consort."
"Oh? So Miss Bai Zhi went to the Jiuzhou Qingyan Hall to see Concubine Zhao. This palace was also planning to go and congratulate Concubine Zhao. It seems Concubine Shu and this palace think alike."
Noble Consort Cui's gentle face was full of an amiable charm that made people feel at ease.
"I'm sure Concubine Shu is as happy as this palace for Concubine Zhao. With Concubine Shu and Concubine Zhao now, the harem has a backbone. We sisters can rest assured. This is truly a great joy."
The respectful smile on Bai Zhi's face gradually froze, and the suppressed resentment and unwillingness in her heart resurfaced.
"Noble Consort Cui is right. My mistress is also happy for Concubine Zhao."
After they went their separate ways, Bai Zhi's face darkened with anger.
She never thought that Noble Consort Cui would be so sycophantic. She had truly disgraced the prestigious Cui family of Qinghe!
—
The issuance of the two imperial edicts sent shockwaves through the Yuhua Palace, which had already been in a state of unrest. It was like a small boat tossed about in a storm.
The Yinlan Pavilion of Concubine Shu was suddenly bustling with visitors. People came to offer congratulations, inquire about the news, and try to align themselves with her... In short, it was extremely lively.
On the other hand, at Ling Shan's place in the Jiuzhou Qingyan Hall, not just anyone could go.
After seeing the people from the Yinlan Pavilion and Noble Consort Cui that day, Ling Shan was so bothered that she issued an order not to see anyone.
As a result, the concubines in the palace who had other motives didn't even have the chance to get close to the Jiuzhou Qingyan Hall before they found out they were not allowed to approach.
"Did you say that Shi Wei is ill?"
Ban Chun was helping Ling Shan take off the hairpins on her head. Her fingertips gently massaged Ling Shan's scalp to relieve the fatigue.
"Your humble servant reports that the beauty has been ill for several days. She didn't make a fuss about it and has been recuperating in her palace. If your servant hadn't been sent by your ladyship to deliver something today, perhaps no one would have known about her illness."
Yu Shiwei was a cold and aloof person who didn't like to socialize.
It was only in recent days that Ling Shan and Yu Shiwei had become closer. Otherwise, no one in the harem would have known about this.
Ling Shan's closed eyes suddenly opened, and her eyebrows furrowed.
"How could this happen? Has a royal physician been summoned to prescribe medicine and diagnose her?"
She thought it was unlikely. If a royal physician had been summoned, she would have surely heard the news.
"Your humble servant reports that the beauty said it's just a minor illness. It's hot these days, and she doesn't want to go out. She'll just recuperate slowly."
Ling Shan let out a soft sigh, and the frown on her forehead relaxed.
This sounded like something Shi Wei would say and do. But...
"Your ladyship doesn't need to worry. Your servant took a good look at the beauty's complexion today. Although it was a bit pale, her spirit was very good. It seems the beauty knows what she's doing."
Perhaps, Beauty Yu was just using her illness as an excuse to decline going out?
"Remember to take some tonics to see Shi Wei tomorrow. Tell her to take good care of herself. I'll go and see her in a couple of days."
"Yes, your ladyship. Please rest assured. Your servant will surely remember."
After everything was done, Ling Shan reclined on the soft couch in a light and sheer nightgown, reading a storybook while waiting for Jun Wuyuan.
Since the incident in Jiangzhou broke out, Jun Wuyuan had become significantly busier.
However, in the past, he would always send a message to let her know. Why was there no news today even at this hour?
Could it be...
[Is that old hag crazy? Or have I killed too few people recently? Asking me to spread my favor and have more heirs...]
With a thud, the storybook in Ling Shan's hand fell to the ground. Ban Chun turned around in surprise.
She saw Ling Shan's beautiful face with her mouth agape in shock, as if she was extremely confused.
"Your ladyship..."
Ban Chun stepped forward worriedly, picked up the storybook, and was about to ask when her eyes accidentally glanced at it. Her face instantly turned as red as if it was on fire.
Her cheeks were so red that she stammered as she spoke.
"Your ladyship, this... this..."
How could her ladyship be so blatant in reading such a thing?
She remembered that several times when she came in to serve tea, her ladyship was reading a storybook beside His Majesty.
And the storybooks that her ladyship had asked her to buy from outside the palace...
Could it be that all those storybooks were so lascivious and alluring?
Ling Shan didn't have time to think about how this inexplicable voice in her mind had appeared. She was completely distracted by Ban Chun's blushing face.
Her gaze fell on the storybook in Ban Chun's hand, which seemed like a hot potato. She couldn't help but find it rather amusing.
"What's wrong? Could it be that our Sister Ban Chun is having a budding romance?"
Ban Chun's face flushed even redder, and there was a hint of shyness in her eyes. But her tone was firm.
"Your ladyship, your servant only wants to stay by your ladyship's side. I have absolutely no intention of leaving the palace or getting married. Please don't drive your servant away!"
Ling Shan was taken aback by Ban Chun's serious expression. She quickly sat up straight, took the storybook from Ban Chun's hand, and comforted her earnestly.
"Sister Ban Chun, don't worry. As long as you don't want to, no one can force you. I'm really reluctant to part with you."
After getting this assurance, Ban Chun finally felt relieved.
[That old hag has such a big nerve. What kind of Concubine Shu? She doesn't deserve it!]
Ling Shan: "..."
What on earth was going on?
If she hadn't really heard it, Ling Shan would have thought she was having an illusion.
In the past, she could only hear those unspoken thoughts when she saw or got close to Jun Wuyuan.
But today...
"Is His Majesty still busy with government affairs in the front hall?"
Ban Chun glanced at the hourglass and immediately understood what Ling Shan meant. She curtsied and left the inner hall. After a while, she came back and reported,
"Your humble servant reports that His Majesty was summoned by someone from the Empress Dowager's side two quarters of an hour ago. It seems that the Empress Dowager is seriously ill. His Majesty has been at the Yaotai Jinfeng for a while."