Lüqiu saw Pei Jinxu first and hurriedly made a face at Ning Wanwan to warn her.
“Lüqiu, is your face cramping up?” Ning Wanwan was amused by her comical expression and even mimicked her by making a strange, distorted face.
Lüqiu was speechless. She could only whisper, “His Majesty is here.”
Ning Wanwan, swinging on the swing, acted as if she were deaf. “What did you say?”
“I said, His Majesty is here!” Lüqiu said loudly.
Only then did Ning Wanwan look toward the familiar black figure in the distance.
There was no expression on Pei Jinxu’s handsome face; only his jet-black eyes held a hidden emotion.
Ning Wanwan had learned her lesson this time and properly went over to curtsy to him.
The light in Pei Jinxu’s eyes dimmed. Ning Wanwan had always been arrogant and never curtsied. Her behavior today was undoubtedly strange and unfamiliar.
Pei Jinxu said nothing, letting Ning Wanwan remain in her half-squat. Her legs grew sore, and seeing that he had no intention of telling her to rise, she finally looked up curiously.
“Look at you. You haven’t even done your hair or makeup,” Pei Jinxu said, pointing at Ning Wanwan’s unbound hair.
Ning Wanwan wasn’t falling for his act this time. He could think whatever he wanted.
“I like it this way,” Ning Wanwan said, tilting her head with an upward curve of her lips.
This coquettish look ignited a fire in Pei Jinxu’s heart. Seeing that Ning Wanwan was struggling to hold her position, a playful impulse arose in him, and he deliberately refrained from telling her to rise.
Ning Wanwan didn’t indulge him either. She simply plopped onto the ground with a complete lack of decorum.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Pei Jinxu was so angry he laughed.
“My legs gave out, so I sat down on my own. I couldn’t help it,” Ning Wanwan said with a wronged expression, though inwardly she was cursing this split-personality emperor to death.
You pretentious bastard, who are you trying to fool?
Pei Jinxu pulled her up in one motion, scooping her into his arms.
Ning Wanwan froze for a moment, then immediately shoved him away. She used so much force that Pei Jinxu even staggered back.
“Are you mad? You dare to push Us?” Pei Jinxu looked like a storm was about to break, clearly enraged.
An idea struck Ning Wanwan. She quickly clutched her rear and started running around, shouting, “Aah! Aah! I have to poop!”
Pei Jinxu walked away with a look of utter disgust. Soon after, the news that Ning Wanwan had gone mad spread throughout the entire imperial palace and even reached the outside world.
Madam Ning sent a letter requesting Ning Wanwan to return home for a family visit. Ning Wanwan fell into deep thought as she looked at the letter.
Had something happened to the Ning Family? After all, Madam Hua had just come to the palace to visit her not long ago.
Ning Wanwan had just offended Pei Jinxu, and she had no idea if he would even let her leave the palace. Under normal circumstances, leaving the palace would have been an easy matter for her.
But now, her status was far from what it used to be. Pei Jinxu’s sudden coldness had also allowed her to see the man for who he truly was.
These past few days, Ning Wanwan had been constantly dreaming of the original owner’s past experiences. She was filled with a myriad of emotions; perhaps the original owner’s consciousness was gradually fading away.
“Then let me give you a taste of my culinary skills,” Ning Wanwan said with a wicked, charming smile.
When Ning Wanwan arrived at the entrance of the Hall of Mental Cultivation carrying a plate of exquisite pastries, she heard the delicate laughter of several women from inside.
Ning Wanwan couldn’t help but roll her eyes. The damn emperor certainly knew how to enjoy himself. He was like someone with a split personality. Just a short while ago, he was “exclusively doting” on her, pretending to be a devoted and affectionate emperor, but not even a month had passed and he was already surrounding himself with a flock of new beauties. As expected, not a single man was any good.
Eunuch Li, who was standing outside, saw Ning Wanwan and properly bowed to her.
“I’ll have to trouble Eunuch Li to go in and announce that I have a matter to request an audience for,” Ning Wanwan said with a false smile.
Eunuch Li gave Ning Wanwan a deep look before going inside. He came out a moment later and said, “His Majesty says he is busy with political affairs at the moment and will not see you.”
Ning Wanwan’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. Busy with political affairs? Who knew how much fun he was having in there.
“Niangniang, perhaps you should come back another day. It’s likely His Majesty cannot see you right now,” Eunuch Li said, a hint of apology in his tone.
But just as he finished speaking, he saw Lin Xi approaching, dressed in a simple and elegant cyan dress.
“Lin Xi greets Guifei,” Lin Xi said, curtsying slightly.
Ning Wanwan looked at the increasing number of ornaments on her head, then at the scar on her neck, and apologized with a hint of remorse, “Is your injury any better?”
“Thank you for your concern, Niangniang. It has mostly healed.”
“That’s good,” Ning Wanwan smiled politely. “I heard His Majesty has promoted you to Jieyu?”
“Niangniang is indeed well-informed. However, Lin Xi prefers to keep a low profile,” Lin Xi replied with a gentle smile, appearing graceful and demure.
Upon seeing Lin Xi, Eunuch Li immediately beamed and said right in front of Ning Wanwan, “Jieyu Lin, please come in. His Majesty is waiting for you.”
Lin Xi smiled faintly and looked at what Ning Wanwan was holding. “Shall I help Niangniang bring that in?”
Hearing this, Ning Wanwan’s heart leaped with joy. She finally took the bait!