Transmigrating into a book, seducing him to rise to power

Today, the sunlight was so bright it was almost blinding, and Su Jingyao woke up slowly in the gentle caress of the morning light.

When she opened her eyes, Jun Zechen had already gone to court.

Su Jingyao slowly got up, stretched lazily, and then began to wash up. After washing and grooming, she changed into an apricot-colored dress, which was as soft as silk and seemed to blend into her skin.

She paired it with a blue-green skirt, the hem swaying gently like rippling blue waves.

The gold-threaded belt cinched her slender waist, further emphasizing its delicate shape.

Miaoxia styled her hair into a simple court-style updo, with all the strands piled high, revealing her beautiful shoulder and neck lines.

Su Jingyao's face was exquisitely beautiful, and her skin was as white as snow. She was naturally beautiful without needing much makeup.

"My lady, shall I add some more jewelry? Doesn't it look a bit plain?"

Miaoxia held a beautiful hairpin in her hand, preparing to put it on her, and asked softly.

"Once you put on this hair ornament, that should be enough. There's no need to dress up too extravagantly. There are many ladies from the palace attending the tea banquet hosted by the Empress today, so there's no need to steal the spotlight from them."

Su Jingyao slightly raised her chin and said calmly.

"My lady is so beautiful. Even in such a simple and refreshing outfit, she looks like a fairy, ethereal and exquisitely beautiful."

As Miaoxia spoke, she gently inserted the hairpin into Su Jingyao's hair bun, her eyes full of admiration and appreciation.

"You're so sweet-talking. Let's go to Qiluan Palace."

Although Su Jingyao was listed on the royal decree as a concubine, she was still a concubine. She could only attend palace banquets with the Crown Princess and had no reason to go alone.

When Su Jingyao arrived at Qiluan Palace, Ling Yue was already dressed up.

Today she was dressed in a golden palace gown, which was magnificent and grand, with exquisite patterns embroidered on it, and the gold and silver threads were dazzling.

The jewelry on her head was dazzling and exquisite, exuding an air of nobility.

"This humble servant greets my elder sister."

Su Jingyao bowed slightly to Ling Yue.

"Consort Su, please rise." Ling Yue's voice was indifferent, devoid of any emotion.

Su Jingyao hadn't come to see Ling Yue for the past few days, and this was the first time she'd seen her since the Flower Festival.

It seems that Ling Yue has now regarded her as an enemy, and even the way he addresses her has become distant.

But that's alright, she really can't bring herself to hurt someone who's too kind, Su Jingyao thought with a cold smile.

"Sister, I was wrong about what happened last time. His Highness should have explained it to you. I hope you won't hold it against me."

Su Jingyao frowned slightly, a look of guilt on her face, and slowly spoke through her red lips.

"Consort Su, it is your duty to serve His Highness the Crown Prince and bear him children. I am the Crown Princess, and the children you give birth to in the future will have to call me 'Madam.' I do not mind."

Ling Yue raised her chin, her eyes filled with arrogance. She stood tall and straight, as if showing Su Jingyao her noble status.

"Yes, from now on, my child will be your child, sister. I hope you will cherish and care for them."

Su Jingyao smiled slightly, her smile sincere and radiant, completely free of any ulterior motives. Her gaze fell gently on Ling Yue, full of kindness and obedience.

However, Su Jingyao chuckled inwardly, thinking that Ling Yue had grown up and was now starting to change her tone.

But isn't this exactly what she wanted to see?

As the first woman Jun Zechen fell in love with, Ling Yue's place in his heart is hard to erase completely.

To get rid of the "white moonlight" (ideal love), you have to turn her into mosquito blood.

Doesn't Ling Yue realize that she's becoming more and more like the person Jun Zechen dislikes?

Jun Zechen hated the hypocritical women in the harem, and he hated women whose hearts were full of scheming. Ling Yue was disgusted by her scheming and her attempts to please Jun Zechen.

It's so obvious!

What Su Jingyao found even more interesting was that Ling Yue seemed to have completely lost herself; she could hardly see the carefree and wild Ling Yue she once knew.

Her behavior is gradually eroding Jun Zechen's affection for her. When she becomes no different from the other women in the palace, Jun Zechen may become annoyed just by looking at her.

Tsk.

Isn't this the ending of their novel?

Ling Yue was filled with doubt and confusion; she really couldn't understand Su Jingyao.

Why does this woman always appear so perfect, so unrealistically flawless?

If an ordinary woman were subjected to such sarcastic remarks, she would probably be seething with anger.

But Su Jingyao was different. She could even smile and tell her that her child would be Ling Yue's in the future, which made Ling Yue feel that she was unfathomable.

Ling Yue's complicated gaze fell on Su Jingyao. She carefully examined Su Jingyao, trying to find a flaw in her expression.

Su Jingyao was dressed in an elegant dress, her hair flowing smoothly over her shoulders, and she always wore a gentle smile, making it difficult for people to fathom her true thoughts.

Then, Ling Yue slightly raised her chin and said indifferently, "The tea-tasting banquet hosted by the Empress Dowager is about to begin. Let's go."

"Yes, sister," Su Jingyao replied softly, her voice gentle and melodious, like a babbling brook.

She nodded slightly, still wearing that smile, but there seemed to be a deeper, less obvious meaning in that smile.

She followed behind Ling Yue, her figure graceful and light as a willow swaying in the breeze.

The Imperial Garden.

The ladies-in-waiting invited by the Empress have gradually arrived. Each of them is dignified and dressed in gorgeous palace attire, showcasing their noble status.

Su Jingyao followed Ling Yue and slowly walked to their seats, where they sat down gracefully.

Beside them, the families of other princes had also taken their seats, making the scene quite lively.

Su Jingyao sat quietly in her seat, raising her head slightly to survey her surroundings.

There were quite a few people who came. The ladies of the palace were either dignified and elegant or charming and beautiful, and the princes' families also had their own unique style.

Just then, a sharp eunuch's voice broke the silence.

"Her Majesty the Empress has arrived—" The voice was high-pitched and shrill, echoing through the air.

Immediately afterwards, the concubines and princes' families all rose and said in unison, "Your humble servants/concubines pay their respects to Your Majesty the Empress."

Surrounded by the crowd, the Empress slowly entered. Today, she wore a magnificent bright red palace gown, the vibrant color as dazzling as flames, which made her appear even more dignified and noble.

The Empress's appearance was exquisite and she bore many similarities to Jun Zechen, especially the charm between her brows, which made people feel her majesty as the mother of the nation.

She sat gracefully at the head of the table, her gaze slowly sweeping over everyone, her tone neither hurried nor slow.

"Today, I am hosting this tea tasting banquet because recently, foreign countries, some small countries, and the southern city of my kingdom have presented me with a lot of fine tea as tribute. His Majesty is grateful to all the sisters in the palace and has specially bestowed these tribute teas upon my sisters for their tasting."

"In addition, I have also invited the ladies of the princes to enjoy tea together."

After the Empress finished speaking, she gracefully picked up her teacup and raised it slightly as a sign of respect.

The empresses and princesses all raised their teacups and rose to express their gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress."

"However, there is another important matter today. This year's imperial concubine selection has been discussed with His Majesty to be kept simple. Therefore, we have only selected some women from the list of noble ladies in the capital and a few outstanding women from various cities in the country, for a total of thirty."

The Queen's voice rang out clearly in the hall.

"These thirty women will be chosen by the younger sisters for the princes."

Upon hearing this news, Ling Yue's face turned pale instantly, and her body even trembled slightly.

Today is the day for the princes to select concubines!

Is the Empress going to send more people to the Eastern Palace?

Didn't they just get Su Jingyao?

Does the Crown Prince know about this?

For a moment, countless questions swirled in Ling Yue's mind. She felt her brain was in complete chaos and she couldn't make sense of it at all.

Su Jingyao was shocked when she heard the news; she really hadn't expected this to happen.

She frowned slightly, wondering to herself if the novel had mentioned this talent show. She had absolutely no recollection of it.

Could it be that she gained the Crown Prince's favor, thus creating a butterfly effect?

But it doesn't matter anymore.

Su Jingyao didn't care at all whether a man was clean or not.

If she lived in a matriarchal world, she would probably be much more fickle than Jun Zechen, and much more free-spirited, taking whoever she fancied without any scruples.

Anyway, whether we choose now or not, Jun Zechen will still have to hold a talent show after he ascends the throne.

At this moment, Su Jingyao sat calmly in her seat, her posture elegant and dignified, her face always maintaining a perfect smile, as if nothing could break her composure.

However, the only thing Su Jingyao remembered was that Jun Zechen in the book began to indiscriminately favor the palace concubines because of a conversation with Emperor Jingsheng, but the novel did not describe the content of the conversation.

I wonder what Emperor Jingsheng and Jun Zechen said...

After making the announcement, the Empress glanced in the direction of the Crown Princess and saw Ling Yue's distraught appearance. The Empress was truly annoyed. How could someone with such a temperament be expected to be a model mother to the world?

Su Jingyao's dignified and calm demeanor is the ideal of a noble lady.

Consort Shu gave birth to the Third Prince and the Ninth Prince. The Third Prince was granted the title of Prince Duan and is now twenty-six years old.

The Crown Prince is the seventh among the princes, while the Ninth Prince is only seventeen years old and has not yet been granted a title.

After the Empress finished speaking, Consort Shu gracefully picked up her teacup, took a sip of tea, and then smiled and said, "The second grandson of the Emperor has been born this year in the Duan Prince's Mansion. Looking at these young women, I will reluctantly choose one or two."

"Your Majesty, why don't you choose more for His Highness the Crown Prince?"

Consort Shu's words were clearly meant to provoke the Empress. She had been fighting with the Empress for so many years, but she never expected that it was because of the disappointment of her own son. Consort Shu also resented the Crown Prince's intelligence and ruthless methods.

Yet one has to admit that the crown prince is born with the countenance of an emperor.

When the Empress heard Consort Shu's sarcasm, her eyes darkened instantly. Consort Shu really had nothing else to say except to bring up the imperial grandson.

She couldn't help but turn her gaze to the Crown Princess again, her eyes flashing with a sharp edge.

If it weren't for Ling Yue, that useless Crown Princess, how could she, the Empress, be mocked like this by Consort Shu?

Ling Yue was still reeling from the shock of another person entering the Eastern Palace and didn't notice the Empress's gaze at all.

"Consort Shu, I will naturally select the Crown Prince's concubines. As for whether the Prince Duan's family should select concubines, I will not make that decision. However, it is indeed time for the Ninth Prince to select a few imperial consorts."

"Yes, Your Majesty is benevolent. I will carefully select a consort for my Ninth Prince."

Consort Shu nodded slightly, her face still bearing a fake smile.

Su Jingyao sat quietly in her seat, appearing dignified and elegant, but in reality, she was extremely bored.

She tried her best to maintain her composure, but her body was stiff, and every part of her body seemed to betray her exhaustion.

I've been sitting here for almost two hours now, experiencing all the tedious procedures for the young ladies-in-waiting.

Although the process has been simplified a lot, she still felt exhausted even sitting like this.

Her gaze was somewhat unfocused, while the Empress and the ladies of the various palaces were either selecting concubines for their princes or offering various suggestions.

Their voices rose and fell, chattering away, all of them saying things that were polite on the surface but meaningless in reality.

These ladies had already decided which candidates to select, but they insisted on going through the motions again. At first, Su Jingyao was quite interested in the candidates' talent shows, but later she couldn't bear to watch anymore because she was tired.

All she can think about now is that this will all end soon.

Ling Yue, who was standing next to her, was paying close attention to which candidate the Empress had taken a liking to, since the candidate the Empress had chosen was going to enter the Eastern Palace.

After all that fuss, the Empress finally selected five women from the thirty candidates for the Crown Prince.

The Imperial Study.

"Father, was the tea-tasting banquet hosted by Mother today at your request?"

Jun Zechen frowned slightly, a hint of doubt showing between his brows. He raised his head slightly, looked at Emperor Jing Sheng sitting on the dragon throne, and asked.

Emperor Jingsheng sat steadily on the dragon throne, wearing a magnificent dragon robe with exquisite and intricate embroidery, displaying supreme majesty.

However, his figure appeared somewhat thin, as if revealing a hint of fatigue and vicissitude.

"Yes."

Emperor Jingsheng's gaze fell calmly on Jun Zechen, without the slightest ripple.

"Does Father Emperor know that Mother Empress will be selecting a concubine for me at the tea banquet?"

"Your Highness, now that you have favored Consort Su, I believe you have come to your senses and are no longer confined to petty affections."

Emperor Jingsheng gazed at Jun Zechen with indifferent eyes.

"You were young and impetuous before, and I never told you about the rules for becoming an emperor in the Kingdom."

Jun Zechen was slightly taken aback, his deep eyes revealing a profound sense of doubt.

"I hope my father can enlighten me."

"Your Highness has been an excellent historian since childhood. You should know that there were ten recorded dynasties before your kingdom, but none of them lasted more than five generations. Do you know why?"

Emperor Jingsheng's voice was calm and steady as his gaze met Jun Zechen's.

"Their last emperor was incompetent and foolish, so it was only natural that the dynasty would fall," Jun Zechen replied without hesitation.

"The dynasty has been passed down to me for ten generations, making it the longest-lasting dynasty in history. Why do you think that is?"

"Every emperor of Junguo has achieved remarkable political achievements and possesses outstanding abilities. Junguo's national strength has grown stronger under each emperor, naturally ensuring its continued prosperity."

"Does the Crown Prince know why the emperors of his kingdom have never been incompetent or foolish?"

Jun Zechen was silent for a moment, his brows furrowed.

Emperor Jingsheng continued, "The ancestral emperor of Jun Kingdom once established a rule that every emperor of Jun Kingdom must have at least seven sons, and each of the seven sons must have a different mother."

Emperor Jingsheng paused slightly at this point, his gaze returning to Jun Zechen. "Do you understand?"

Jun Zechen was shocked. So that's how it is.

Every emperor of the Kingdom has been outstanding, making the Kingdom increasingly powerful, until now, when all nations come to pay tribute.

It was because of that.

The struggle for the throne among the seven princes was like raising a venomous insect, where the fittest survive.

Heirs raised in such a cruel way are naturally both excellent and ruthless.

Just as he personally dealt with his eldest and second brothers, it turned out that either they would die or he would die.

This is the royal family, a cruel and realistic royal family.

"You are my most outstanding son. Since you entered politics at the age of fifteen, you have not only been able to hold your own against your older brothers who have long been involved in politics, but you have even been able to propose more ingenious policies than they have."

Emperor Jingsheng paused slightly before continuing, "I know your intelligence is too dazzling, and it's inevitable that you'll attract jealousy. Several of your brothers have secretly tried to assassinate you, and I haven't helped you, nor will I show favoritism to any of them."

"I believe that the Crown Prince is so intelligent that he must have already understood my good intentions."

At this point, Emperor Jingsheng's gaze deepened as he stared at Jun Zechen.

Jun Zechen understood perfectly well that his father was the one who sat on the sidelines and watched the tigers fight, and only the victor would become king and ruler.

"When you were young, I could tolerate your overflowing emotions, but now that you are to ascend the throne, bearing an heir is your inescapable responsibility. I believe that you can guarantee that during your reign, the country will be peaceful and prosperous, and the nation will be strong."

"But the hope of the Jun family generation after generation is that the Jun Kingdom can continue for thousands of years. As for you, it is best to have no emotions. Even if you do, you must not easily show them. The emperor's emotions must not be easily detected by others, and the emperor's dignity must not be offended."

Emperor Jingsheng's voice gradually lowered, and a trace of fatigue and helplessness appeared on his face.

"There is another reason why I am telling you so much today. A few days ago, Imperial Physician Gu took my pulse and said that my five internal organs are failing and I have at most a year to live."

"I shouldn't be telling you these things now. I originally intended to tell you before you ascended the throne, but now that I know you've favored a concubine, I feel it's appropriate to say them now."

As a fellow man, Emperor Jingsheng could naturally understand his son's attitude towards relationships: if you don't love one person, you won't love anyone deeply.

Jun Zechen's previously calm eyes widened instantly, filled with disbelief and shock. His lips trembled slightly, "Father, you..."

Jun Zechen never expected that his father would not have much time left.

"I haven't told anyone about my health condition, including your mother. Before you ascend the throne, I will clear all obstacles for you. The trials of the seven princes vying for the throne are over. You are the heir to the throne chosen by me, and I will not allow you to make any mistakes."

Emperor Jingsheng's voice was firm and powerful, and his eyes were full of trust and expectation.

Jun Zechen clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force. His heart was in turmoil, and he didn't know how to describe his feelings at that moment.

It turns out that the love he had longed for since childhood was simply a luxury for the royal family.

When he was a child, he wanted his father to love his mother and his father to love him, so he worked hard and tried his best in everything.

He thought he had gained his father's favor, but it turned out that the trial was over and he was the successor chosen by his father, which was why his father favored him.

If he becomes emperor, he cannot love anyone, including his children.

Thinking of this, Jun Zechen felt a surge of bitterness in his heart. Everything he longed for as a child, he could not have, and neither could his child.

Jun Zechen took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He slowly knelt down and bowed, "Your subject will follow Your Majesty's teachings. Your subject takes his leave."

His voice was deep and hoarse, carrying a complex emotion that was hard to describe.