Transmigrating into a book, seducing him to rise to power

Yesterday, Her Majesty the Empress learned of the Crown Prince's trip to Jinzhou. Since then, Anshun has been on tenterhooks, his heart constantly in his throat, fearing that His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress would have a major conflict over this matter.

Fortunately, the two did not end up having a heated argument.

However, Anshun naturally wanted to thoroughly investigate how the Empress had learned of this matter.

Today, having finally obtained all the investigation results, he dared to appear before His Majesty.

In order to have enough time to investigate the matter, he also gave Fuquan a lot of benefits and asked Fuquan to cover his shift.

That's really too difficult.

"Your Majesty, this servant has investigated thoroughly. The reason why Her Majesty the Empress knew about the First Prince's trip to Jinzhou the other day was because Princess Ruixi overheard a conversation between two palace maids, and the content of that conversation was spread by these two palace maids after being bribed by Consort Shen."

Anshun spoke with his body hunched over.

Jun Zechen had absolutely no recollection of Shen Cainu.

"Who is Shen Cai Nu?" Jun Ze Chen frowned slightly, his tone revealing a hint of impatience.

"Lady Shen is a noblewoman from the Shen family of Jinzhou. She is an old servant of the Eastern Palace. She was demoted to Lady Shen by Your Majesty for poisoning the Empress's palace attire," Anshun explained.

Jun Zechen's brows furrowed even deeper. "What grudge does Lady Shen hold against the Empress?"

Jun Zechen felt extremely irritated and was increasingly disgusted with the women in the palace.

Even as emperor, he couldn't simply abandon these women. Providing for them was Jun Zechen's responsibility, and the only thing he could offer them.

This is also what Jun Zechen finds frustrating. Although Yao Yao now holds the reins of power in the harem, there are so many women in the palace, how can he possibly keep a close watch on every single one of them, let alone a mere concubine?

This time, she even took advantage of the young princess's worries about her elder brother. Her mind was truly meticulous and impossible to guard against.

He could only deal with these people when they popped up and caused trouble, but he couldn't fundamentally prevent such things from happening.

Jun Zechen rubbed his temples helplessly, his face full of exhaustion.

"This servant interrogated Shen and found that the Empress's palace attire was actually arranged by the disgraced Consort Lin. According to Shen, the two of them were close friends, and Lin had helped Shen a lot in Jinzhou. Their 'friendship' was truly deep."

It's a "friendship" that even Anshun can't understand.

He then continued, "That's why Shen was willing to act as Lin's weapon, helping her to get rid of the Empress."

"The Crown Prince went to Jinzhou this time, which happens to be the hometown of the Lin and Shen families. Perhaps that's why they learned about the Crown Prince's trip to Jinzhou and then used the princess to leak the news to the Empress."

"What is her purpose?"

Jun Zechen lowered his eyes and murmured to himself, his brows furrowed, his gaze deep and solemn.

Few people in the court knew that the eldest prince had set off for Jinzhou. Everyone knew that Jun Zechen had assigned a task to the eldest prince, but no one knew that the eldest prince had gone to Jinzhou.

This news was strictly kept secret within the imperial harem.

Among those in the imperial court who were capable of obtaining information about the eldest prince and harbored ambitions, only the Yan and Chu families were capable.

This Lady Shen informed the Empress about this matter, clearly indicating that she knew he had concealed it from her.

How could a mere courtesan obtain so much confidential information?

Therefore, the Shen family is just a small link in a series of schemes, and there must be someone behind the scenes devising the plan.

Jun Zechen tolerated the Yan family's antics in the court for the time being, since the Yan and Chu families were originally just there for Jun Yihuan to practice on.

But if Consort Yan were to act recklessly in the harem, she would be courting death!

A chilling expression instantly appeared in Jun Zechen's eyes.

"Since Madam Shen has done such a thing, it means she already has the will to die. Let her have her."

Jun Zechen's expression was calm, but his voice was as cold as if it came from the deepest abyss.

"Yan Zhaoyi's side has sent secret guards to keep a close watch on the Empress. The Empress is currently pregnant and cannot afford the slightest mistake. Once evidence is found that Yan Zhaoyi is plotting against the Empress, she will be immediately imprisoned in Yuqing Palace."

Once Jun Yihuan has dealt with the Yan family properly, then he can deal with Consort Yan.

If we act now, we'll only alert them.

Kunning Palace.

Having been reprimanded by her father, Jun Jiayue was now like a wilted eggplant, her head drooping.

She also realized that she had fallen into someone else's trap.

The Empress Dowager was pregnant, and she fainted because of this incident, which even affected her pregnancy. It was all because she was too foolish.

Su Jingyao leaned against the headboard, while Jun Jiayue lay obediently in her mother's arms like a docile kitten.

"Mother, I was wrong. I shouldn't have abandoned the people you placed by my side and fallen into someone else's trap, causing you to worry so much about my eldest brother while you are pregnant."

Jun Jiayue's voice was choked with sobs, and her little face was full of regret.

After saying that, she gently touched her mother's belly with her little hand, and then said very seriously to her mother's belly, "I'm sorry, little brother or sister, for making you feel frightened in my belly."

Su Jingyao gently stroked Jun Jiayue's hair, her face bearing a gentle smile like a spring breeze.

"No one is perfect, and Ning An is still young. As long as she is willing to correct her mistakes, that's the best thing." Su Jingyao's voice was gentle, as if it could soothe all pain.

"But can Ning'an tell Mother why she ran away?"

Su Jingyao lowered her head slightly, looking at her daughter in her arms with loving eyes.

"Your subject simply thinks Wei Zixiao is good-looking, so I wanted to get to know her."

After Jun Jiayue finished speaking, her face flushed slightly, and she lowered her head somewhat shyly.

Wei Zixiao? Su Jingyao quickly recalled in her mind that if she remembered correctly, he should be the grandson of General Wei and now Yichen's study companion, but she had never met him.

Ning An grew up surrounded by princes and princesses in the palace, so it was normal for her to want to get to know any handsome boys she occasionally saw outside.

"Ning'an, you are the most noble legitimate princess of the dynasty. If you want to see him, just summon him. Even if you want to marry him in the future, all the initiative is in your hands. Don't let your emotions be controlled by him, understand?"

Su Jingyao never taught Ning An how to win a man's heart or how to get a man's heart.

Because she was the most honored woman in the dynasty from birth, men could only please her, not the other way around. Even if Ning An wanted to keep male concubines in the future, Su Jingyao would not stop her.

As Su Jingyao's daughter, she should live her life freely and enjoy the world to the fullest.

"Mother, I know that I would rather betray everyone than let anyone betray me."

Jun Jiayue held her head high, looking proudly at her mother, her eyes shining with confidence.

Su Jingyao gently pinched her rosy cheeks, her eyes full of doting affection.

Very good. I hope you will live a carefree life, because your father and brothers will be able to provide you with a vast and secure world.

Your husband... had better cherish you for the rest of his life, otherwise...

A sharp glint flashed in Su Jingyao's eyes.

Jun Jiayue lowered her head, her delicate brows furrowing slightly. She pondered for a while, then raised her head again, her eyes sparkling, and said, "Hmm... besides Mother, Eldest Brother, Father, let's add Jun Moyan too! I can't let you down."

"That's your fifth brother. You've been bullying him since he was little. Don't be so unruly. Is this how your etiquette teacher taught you?"

Su Jingyao deliberately put on a stern face and scolded her seriously, her eyes showing a hint of feigned severity.

"Mother, I have learned proper manners very well. The etiquette master always praises me. Besides etiquette, I have been very diligent in all the other courses that you have me learn. Please do not complain to the etiquette master."

Jun Jiayue quickly shook Su Jingyao's arm, pouting her little mouth, her voice carrying a hint of coquetry and anxiety.

Last time, because the Empress Dowager found a etiquette nanny to accompany her because she was hopping around when she walked, the etiquette nanny stayed by her side at all times for three months, and corrected any slight irregularity.

Thinking back to those days, she felt so tired.

"Should Ning An be changed?" Su Jingyao suppressed a laugh and asked, feigning seriousness.

"Um."

Jun Jiayue pouted and reluctantly agreed, her little head drooping down, looking like a pitiful little girl who had been wronged.

When Jun Zechen entered, he immediately saw the scene of the mother and daughter, which was both warm and somewhat confrontational. He smiled slightly and strode over.

Then he reached out and gently lifted Jun Jiayue, who was leaning against Su Jingyao, saying, "Your mother is pregnant, so don't press on her."

Although his voice was serious, it was filled with deep fatherly love.

Jun Jiayue was suddenly lifted up by her father. She was stunned at first, but then she quickly clung to her father like a nimble octopus, holding on tightly with her two little arms.

He was still muttering, "Father, I am apologizing to Mother."

"Hmm, Ning'an is very well-behaved, but she still needs to be punished for making a mistake this time. I'm ordering you to copy the palace rules ten times. Have you finished?"

Jun Zechen's face remained unmoved, his expression serious, and he did not let her off the hook because of her coquettishness.

Jun Jiayue slid off her father, head bowed, her small hands twisting the hem of her clothes, her voice barely audible: "Not yet."

"I will give your mother a check-up tomorrow."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will go and copy it now. I will take my leave." Jun Jiayue bowed and turned to leave.

Su Jingyao watched her daughter's departing figure, chuckled softly, and turned to look at Jun Zechen, "Your Majesty is now willing to punish Ning'an?"

Jun Zechen sat on the edge of the bed and gently pulled her into his arms.

"Ning An has grown up and should understand things. Her naivety makes her easily manipulated. This time it was used to hurt Yao Yao, and next time it could be Xing Xing or Yi Chen."

We should still take precautions to prevent problems from occurring.

Su Jingyao nodded in agreement.

"I came here today to put your mind at ease and let you take good care of yourself. The secret guard I sent to Xingxing's side has sent word back that Xingxing is safe and sound. In a few days, Xingxing will return with a result that will satisfy everyone."

Su Jingyao's eyes lit up instantly, and she snuggled against Jun Zechen's neck in a coquettish manner.

On her path to becoming Empress Dowager, she wanted him to always be her knife, not a branch that needed to be removed.