Bang—
Suddenly, the sound of a porcelain item shattering echoed in the palace hall. Liang Jiusi's heart skipped a beat, and an inexplicable sense of unease welled up within him.
When the emperor got angry, it was as if a million lives were at stake.
Before the sound even died down, all the servants in the vicinity had already knelt on the ground in a flurry.
When Jun Wuyuan was handling state affairs, no one except Liang Jiusi was allowed to approach. Naturally, Liang Jiusi was the only one facing the emperor at this moment.
As Liang Jiusi entered, the sun was setting, and the candles in the hall had not been lit yet. In the dim light, the emperor's handsome and cold face took on an even more sinister and menacing look.
"Your Majesty..."
What on earth had happened this time?
Liang Jiusi muttered to himself as he stepped forward. But the next moment, he was frozen in his tracks by the emperor's gloomy gaze. The anger churning in those eyes sent a shiver down his spine.
However, for some reason, Liang Jiusi seemed to detect a hint of grievance and heartache beneath the deep - seated anger.
Well, there was no need to ask. It must have something to do with Concubine Zhao again.
Last time, when the concubine had simply failed to ask after the emperor's meal in time, the emperor had been in a foul mood.
This time, he wondered what had happened!
Wasn't the emperor just happily going to dine with the concubine?
Why?
Jun Wuyuan's chest heaved up and down. The anger he had suppressed in the Jiuzhou Qingyan Hall earlier was now intensifying with each passing thought.
Previously, he could justify Ling Shan's behavior, considering that she might be unwell. But his feelings wouldn't deceive him.
Ling Shan was clearly growing distant from him!
Jun Wuyuan wasn't stupid.
He could sense that during their brief time together in the past few days, that subtle sense of estrangement had pricked his heart like a thorn.
Why?
Ling Shan used to be so in love with him, so dependent and close to him.
Why had everything changed after she woke up from the poison?
Was it because Ling Shan was feeling wronged about the poisoning incident?
Or did she think he was too busy and had neglected her?
A myriad of thoughts raced through Jun Wuyuan's mind. He was experiencing the headache of dealing with a difficult situation for the first time.
However, even so, even if Ling Shan felt wronged or sad, she shouldn't have avoided him and kept her distance!
Jun Wuyuan only felt aggrieved in his heart.
But he couldn't figure out the reason. He couldn't bear to be angry with Ling Shan, so he could only vent his frustration on the servants in front of him.
Naturally, Liang Jiusi became the scapegoat!
Not only did he have to bear the emperor's anger, but as an old and rootless servant, he also had to come up with ideas for the emperor!
"Tell me, is your mistress, Concubine Zhao, angry with me?"
"The concubine has always cared about Your Majesty. She knows how busy Your Majesty is. She would only feel sorry for you. How could she possibly be angry with you?"
"If she's not angry, then why is she deliberately ignoring me?"
Jun Wuyuan's gloomy face was filled with deep - seated grievance and confusion. His eyes were fixed on Liang Jiusi, as if demanding an answer.
Liang Jiusi: "..."
How could he know?
Maybe the emperor had done something without realizing it that had angered the concubine.
He couldn't even figure out the reason for her anger, yet he was asking him?
If he really had offended the concubine, how could she not be angry?
Although he was muttering to himself in his heart, Liang Jiusi didn't dare to show it on his face. He could only follow Jun Wuyuan's words and suggest:
"Perhaps the concubine is feeling unwell during her recuperation and has been confined to the palace all day, so she's in a bad mood. Why doesn't Your Majesty take the concubine out for a stroll? This way, you can be with the concubine and make her happy."
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw the gloom in Jun Wuyuan's eyes fade a little. It was obvious that his suggestion had hit the mark.
Liang Jiusi's hanging heart gradually settled, and the stiffness in his back also relaxed.
Jun Wuyuan let out a soft grunt. "This is a good suggestion."
After saying that, he frowned and began to think about where he should take Ling Shan for a stroll.
Liang Jiusi didn't dare to disturb the emperor's train of thought, nor did he dare to call in the servants at this moment. So he quietly tidied up the hall by himself.
He also made a mental note to pay more attention to the relationship between Concubine Zhao and the emperor in the future, as well as the concubine's mood swings, so that he could help the emperor solve problems in advance.
—
Ling Shan gulped down the bitter medicine in one go. The flesh on her cheeks wrinkled up in a bitter expression.
The bitter liquid seemed to seep all the way into her heart as it slid down her throat.
Banchun, unaware of her feelings, saw the frown on Ling Shan's beautiful face and quickly offered her some candied fruits, feeling extremely心疼.
Ling Shan let out a soft cry and popped two candied fruits into her mouth. The sweetness instantly exploded on her tongue, suppressing the bitterness in her heart.
She knew she shouldn't show any sign of estrangement or other emotions.
However, the sudden disappearance of her cheat ability had caught her off guard.
Previously, she hadn't felt the weight of the emperor's authority. Relying on the mind - reading ability, she had been proud of being able to manipulate the emperor at will.
Now she realized how deeply she feared the emperor's authority.
What was terrifying wasn't Jun Wuyuan himself, but the huge gap between her previous carefree self and her current cautious self. She had gotten used to using the mind - reading ability to respond in the way the emperor liked, but now she had to be extremely careful.
She was afraid.
She was also skeptical.
Was Jun Wuyuan's kindness to her genuine, or did he have some ulterior motives?
She could no longer participate in his future plans, let alone take the initiative.
All these were questions.
In the final analysis, Ling Shan just couldn't trust Jun Wuyuan.
This was a big problem.
Jun Wuyuan wasn't stupid. He would eventually notice.
She couldn't keep avoiding and distancing herself like this.
She had to come up with a solution...
"Your Highness."
Banchun's voice sounded outside the hall, approaching like a lucky magpie.
"Your Highness, the emperor has sent a letter."
A letter?
Ling Shan's eyebrows furrowed slightly. Her somewhat downcast face instantly showed a hint of a smile, and her tone was a bit eager.
"Bring it here."
Banchun walked forward quickly, hiding the smile on her lips. She quickly handed over the letter.
Ling Shan's lips curved slightly. Just as she was about to open the letter with her fair hand, she shyly glanced at Banchun.
Banchun smiled knowingly and retreated tactfully.
Ling Shan's eyes flickered. She opened the letter and saw only one sentence on it:
[My Dearest Love:
Reading this letter is like seeing you. May you be happy upon reading it. It has been a while since I last saw your elegant appearance, and I miss you deeply. Your beauty is as charming as a flower and as bright as the moon. You are the one my heart yearns for, the one my heart is attached to. All my emotions are placed on you.
Your smiling words constantly linger in my heart, like the echoing sound of a beautiful melody. I miss you all the time. I wish to be like the wind following the shadow, always by your side.
...N
Words are limited, but my feelings are endless!]
Ling Shan squinted her eyes. Great.
After reading the whole letter, she couldn't understand nearly half of it.
Jun Wuyuan shouldn't expect a reply from her, right?