This was indeed the truth. If there was no one around, Mingde would really do such a thing out of anger and arrogance.

So the few palace servants waited quietly by the bed, even suppressing their breathing, for fear of making a little noise. Who knew how long they waited, but the light between the window lattices gradually brightened, and the young master in the bed lazily stretched and grunted, "Water..."

Someone with good eyes had secretly ordered the imperial kitchen to make yogurt and send it up, keeping it warm with charcoal in an exquisite gold box. After waiting for most of the day without a hint of coolness, as soon as they heard the request, they immediately brought it up.

Mingde lazily got up, rubbed his eyes, yawned again and scratched his hair. Almost all the women in the harem knew how to make themselves look most beautiful at the most appropriate time. Even the maids on the ground, when they were selected, the Palace Bureau specially arranged for nannies to teach them how to achieve the "sleepy appearance on the wedding night" and how to "condense fragrance with a branch of rouge charm".

Throughout the ages, any ordinarily beautiful man or woman in this harem knew how to pay attention to their demeanor and expression at such an ambiguous time in the morning. Who would be as unrestrained as the young man in front of them?

Wan'er coughed and lowered her head. Who knew that Mingde was completely unpredictable. After yawning hugely without any image, he suddenly asked, "Do you have an opinion of me?"

Wan'er said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "This servant does not dare."

The close maids and eunuchs in Qingzhen Palace had seen almost all the concubines and beautiful boys who had slept with the emperor. These decent servants had more authority than some low-ranking masters. As long as their attitude and expression were neither humble nor arrogant, ordinary concubines would not confront those who served closely by the emperor's side.

Who knew that Mingde looked at her and suddenly ordered, "Raise your head."

Wan'er lifted her face. Only then did she see clearly the so-called little noble in front of her. In the morning light, he was like a whole piece of jade carved, with long eyelashes drooping down, indescribably a little cold and a little charming. Those eyes seemed to be glowing faintly, and at a glance, they were as dazzling and crystal clear as gems.

Mingde slowly raised his finger and suddenly knocked over the bowl of yogurt with one hand.

With the sound of porcelain shattering, the few palace people all knelt down: "Master, calm your anger! This is a reward from the Emperor..."

Mingde asked, "I told you to raise your head so that I could look at you. What are you doing looking at me so closely?"

Not to mention Wan'er, even all the people kneeling on the ground had never seen such an arrogant master, and they were all stunned for a moment.

"And this yogurt for sleeping, how long do you intend to let me sleep?"

Wan'er hurriedly steadied her expression and said neither arrogantly nor humbly, "Master misunderstood, this thing is a reward from the Emperor."

Mingde felt extremely incredible: "His brain is not right, but are you all having a brain spasm following him? You really grew such a clever face for nothing!"

He lifted the quilt and got out of bed, bypassing the speechless crowd, yawning and dressing himself in a mess. When he was in the army before, he had never figured out how to tie the straps of armor and underwear.

Every time he went out, the deputy general couldn't stand it and came up to help him with it. This little thing, although there were some sides to him that ordinary people could not match, there were also some sides where he was incredibly confused.

Wan'er reacted and hurried over with a few maids to help him dress. The Qianwan Emperor left a set of snow fox fur clothes before he left, but Mingde took one look and pushed it aside, disdainfully saying, "It's both clumsy and heavy."

Wan'er said cautiously on the side, "This was chosen by the Emperor. According to the rules, when going to pay respects to the Virtuous Consort immediately, one should dress neatly..."

"What did you say?"

Wan'er looked up and saw that Mingde's entire face had darkened. She hurriedly said, "The rules of the palace are like this. Master, please be more accommodating."

Mingde's face looked even more unpleasant: "I asked you who you said to pay respects to just now?"

"The Virtuous Consort."

"Where did a Virtuous Consort pop out from? Why should I go pay respects to her?"

Wan'er almost didn't know what to say. This little noble, did he really have the Emperor's favor that surpassed the heavens, or was he completely ignorant? Was he really sure that the Emperor wouldn't do anything to him, or was he just arrogant and ignorant?

Just at this moment, Zhang Kuo's voice came urgently from the door: "Oh - the little noble is awake? Why are you all standing here? Things without eyes!"

Wan'er and the few maids all felt as if they had been granted amnesty, and they rushed forward to greet him: "Eunuch is here!"

They told the story in a flurry of voices. Wan'er was inwardly disdainful and spoke a few more words: "Eunuch, if someone from the Virtuous Consort's palace comes to ask soon, how should this servant respond? Eunuch also knows the rules of the palace this year. Paying respects to the mistress of the harem after sleeping with the Emperor is also a rule that has been passed down through the ages..."

Zhang Kuo listened with a face that alternated between green and white. Before Wan'er finished speaking, he shouted in a stern voice, "Someone come!"

A few eunuchs from the Department of Ceremonies bowed their heads and said, "Yes."

"Drag all these eyeless slaves out!"

"Yes!"

Wan'er and the few maids were all shocked and terrified: "What are you doing? Are you rebelling?"

Qingzhen Palace had probably never been in such a mess at any time. The maids from the Palace Bureau and the eunuchs from the Department of Ceremonies were almost in a confrontational stance. Everyone was arguing their own reasons, and everyone was justified, but no one could convince anyone.

Mingde's face became more and more gloomy, and he was about to lift his foot and leave. If the Qianwan Emperor was in front of him at this time, he might kick him hard and then leave in a huff.

At this time, a sharp announcement came from outside: "Lady Dechun from the Virtuous Consort's palace is seeking an audience--"

With a tinkling of jade pendants, several senior maids lifted the curtain and entered. As soon as the door opened, the morning chill rushed in. Mingde hadn't dressed properly, so he immediately shivered.

The palace maid named Dechun was a trusted confidant of the Virtuous Consort. According to the rules, those who had been recorded by the Palace Bureau as having slept with the emperor were supposed to pay their respects early in the morning. But today, after waiting for a long time without seeing anyone come, she angrily brought people to demand an explanation.

The situation had turned into a complete mess. Except for Zhang Kuo, almost no one noticed an extremely dangerous signal - the so-called "new favorite" they were vying to put in his place had already turned livid with rage. If he had a knife in his hand at this moment, he would have started chopping people up like vegetables.

Zhang Kuo realized the situation was not good: "My lord! My lord, calm down! These servants don't know any better, leave it to your servant to... to..."

Before he could finish, Mingde could no longer hold back and roared.

"Drag them all out and beat them to death!"

"You were beaten too?"

In the Imperial Study, Zhang Kuo wiped his sweat and said with a forced smile: "How could that be, fortunately your servant ran fast..."

The Qianwan Emperor put down the memorial without changing his expression, as if it was nothing unusual, and asked: "Then what happened?"

"Haha, haha," Zhang Kuo gave two dry laughs with an ugly expression: "When the Virtuous Consort heard that people from her palace were beaten, she couldn't let it go and immediately sent someone to angrily demand an explanation. But who knew that the young noble, he... he said that Dechun had offended him and deserved to be... deserved to be beaten to death..."

"Was she really beaten to death?"

"Almost."

Zhang Kuo stole a glance at the emperor, meaning to ask if the beating should continue.

The Qianwan Emperor expressionlessly opened another military report: "Since she offended him, then let him do as he pleases."

Zhang Kuo quickly lowered his head: "Indeed."

Actually, this could already be considered fortunate. Based on Mingde's usual temperament, he would have directly strangled them with his own hands, perhaps not even leaving an intact corpse. That Wan'er was almost dead, yet Mingde, who was sitting inside reading, actually complained that the sound of the court rods was too loud and disturbing, telling people to stuff all the servants' mouths before continuing the beating!

Only that palace maid from the late Xia Zhaoyi's palace escaped unscathed. She had seen Mingde on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival that year. Later, when Xia Zhaoyi died, she kept her mouth shut tight. Not only did she escape disaster, she was even promoted and given an important position. Today, her discerning eyes saved her again.

When Mingde saw her, he paused for a moment, then asked: "Do you recognize me?"

The palace maid lowered her head without speaking.

Mingde asked again: "Have you seen me before?"

She respectfully replied: "This servant originally served in Consort Xia's palace, how could I have possibly seen the young lord?"

Mingde calmly said: "But I seem to have seen you before."

The palace maid then smiled: "The young lord must be mistaken."

Mingde also smiled and said softly: "This girl is tactful. Go back to where you came from."

She was not the only palace servant who knew the inside story and escaped with her life from Mingde's hands, but she was indeed the first to escape with her life and also receive silver and rewards.

After waiting for a while, seeing that the Qianwan Emperor showed no intention of stopping, Zhang Kuo couldn't help but remind him in a low voice: "Your Majesty, now that the young noble has returned, as for the Virtuous Consort's side..."

The Qianwan Emperor paused and said lightly: "It's gotten out of hand."

Zhang Kuo lowered his head: "Yes."

"Let her return to where she should be."

Zhang Kuo again said yes and slowly bowed out of the Imperial Study. With a final glance before closing the door, he saw the Qianwan Emperor holding a vermilion brush in one hand and pressing down on a memorial with the other, his face completely expressionless, as if just a gust of wind had blown by.

Because of this matter, the midday meal was delayed. Originally, the Qianwan Emperor had summoned Lin Bing and Ding Huang to dine together and present memorials, but the two had already been waiting for a long time in Qingzhen Palace without the emperor arriving.

-

Lin Bing was a martial arts champion from years ago. However, because he had offended the powerful officials at court, he was sent to guard the frontier. Although he could be considered a high-ranking official, the frontier was bitterly cold, military provisions were reduced every year, and people from the court came to make trouble every year, so his days were truly unpleasant.

This time when the Qianwan Emperor summoned him back to the capital, as soon as he entered the city gates, an imperial edict was issued. The original Hanbei Governor, General Lin, had outstanding military achievements and had made great contributions to the country. Therefore, this time he was conferred the title of Jingping General, in overall command of the military provisions and fields in the great northwest. He instantly shot up in fame.

This imperial edict was issued in the Imperial Study. The Qianwan Emperor approved it with his vermilion brush, closed the bright yellow brocade cover, and asked without any change in expression: "Does the beloved official know what merit he has achieved?"

Lin Bing was puzzled in his heart. Wasn't it because I guarded the frontier for many years and made military achievements?

Actually, he himself also knew that these military achievements were not as outstanding as the imperial edict made them out to be. Prince Dongyang Jinyuan had rebelled against the court, but this "rebellion" was far from shaking the foundations of the celestial dynasty.

Those rebel troops were actually just acting arrogantly for a time. When they were forced to the areas of Huaishang and Moling, it was already spring and military provisions were becoming scarce day by day. If the fighting continued, they would be defeated without a battle.

Moreover, he had not completely achieved this full military merit. For a general to be rewarded for his achievements, the best situation was to lead his troops to greatly defeat the enemy army, capture the enemy commander alive, cut off his head, and send it to the capital from ten thousand miles away.

But he had only led his troops to force the enemy army to the north. Just as he was about to begin the extermination, he was recalled to the capital by an imperial edict. It was like drawing a bow to shoot an arrow. He had exhausted all his strength to pull the bow to the end, but the one who actually released the arrow and achieved the military merit was Shangguan Mingde.

If he had been given a little more time, the one to fully achieve the merit would have been him, Lin Bing. That urgent edict summoning him back to the capital had actually come at the most critical moment, making him meticulously create a wedding dress for Shangguan Mingde.

Although Lin Bing was dissatisfied in his heart, he would not show it on the surface. He only kowtowed deeply and said: "This official only did his duty and does not dare to speak of merit."

The Qianwan Emperor sneered: "Leading troops into battle is indeed your duty. If it was only to quell a rebellion, why would I need to reward you with the military authority of the entire realm!"

Lin Bing did not dare to speak.

The Qianwan Emperor glanced at him and said softly: "The beloved official need not be alarmed. I handed someone over to you, and you returned him to me safe and sound. This makes me... very pleased." He gently tossed down the imperial edict, and Lin Bing quickly caught it in his hands. A scroll of bright yellow brocade represented his wealth, prosperity, honor, and boundless future for the rest of his life.

Lin Bing could not guess the Qianwan Emperor's exact intentions no matter what. What did he do that satisfied the Emperor? Who came back safe and sound? He had already endured so many years in the bitter cold frontier due to inexplicable calamities, and now he suddenly became one of the powerful ministers without knowing what good fortune he had encountered.

-

Lin Bing and Ding Huang waited outside Qingzhen Palace for a long time without seeing the Qianwan Emperor arrive. They didn't dare to wander around. After a while, they vaguely heard a bloody smell coming from the courtyard outside, and then a few eunuchs tiptoed over. One of them said in a low voice, "Hurry! Hurry! Clean it up before His Majesty returns, and carry the people out!"

Another one laughed, "What are you in a hurry for? Who doesn't know that the one inside has more holy favor than the sky? Let alone punishing a few servants and subordinates, even if this Qingzhen Palace was overturned, also..."

Ding Huang and Lin Bing looked at each other, both feeling quite unusual. At this time, there was a rustling sound outside the window. Ding Huang looked out and saw the little eunuchs in the courtyard carrying several bloody servants on stretchers, covering them with cloth, and hurriedly carrying them away in a flurry.

Ding Huang was startled and shouted, "Stop right there!"

The leading eunuch Ah Bao was startled. Seeing Ding Huang, he quickly ran over, wiping his greasy sweat, and said with a flattering smile, "Why are you two lords here? Hey! It's been a restless morning!"

Ding Huang lowered his voice and asked, "What's going on? In the Emperor's bedchamber, how can there be people beaten to death? You have too much guts to punish the servants!"

"Oh my! My lord! What does this have to do with us? Even if you lend a few leopard galls to the servants, they wouldn't dare to do such a thing! Sir, don't you see this palace maid is the personal maid of the currently most favored Virtuous Consort?"

Ah Bao said as he lifted the cloth to show Ding Huang Dechun's face, then quickly covered it again, "What a sin! The young master inside just came back and immediately took action against the Virtuous Consort!"

When Ding Huang saw the palace maid's pale face, he involuntarily chanted Buddha's name in his heart.

Since entering the palace, the Virtuous Consort had been especially favored, forcibly suppressing Ding Zhaorong who had always been in the lead. During this period, everyone was spreading rumors that the Virtuous Consort was about to be established as the Empress. Even the rules for concubines and palace maids to pay respects to the Virtuous Consort after attending to the Emperor were explicitly and implicitly set.

Who was so bold to directly take action against the Virtuous Consort!