Transmigrating into a book, seducing him to rise to power

The moment Yan Shuhan saw the Crown Prince, he quickly released Princess Minghui and Su Jingyao.

"Your Highness, this humble subject pays your respects."

The young men bowed deeply, their heads slightly lowered, their voices filled with reverence.

Su Jingyao was surprised for a moment, but she calmly straightened her sleeves and then bent her knees slightly with Chu Yinxue.

"This humble woman pays her respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince."

When Princess Minghui, now freed, saw her elder brother, her eyes showed a mixture of surprise and fear.

I hope her brother didn't see her looking so fierce just now.

Princess Minghui, feigning composure, walked up to Jun Zechen.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

"Brother, you are returning today without our knowledge. If we had known, Minghui would have come to meet you."

Princess Minghui forced a smile, her eyes full of ingratiating intent.

Jun Zechen ignored Princess Minghui's words and fixed his gaze on Yan Shuhan.

Yan Shuhan felt uneasy and a little scared as the Crown Prince stared at him with his sharp eyes.

Could it be that the Crown Prince was displeased because he had just stopped the princess? Yan Shuhan wondered to himself.

"Who are you?"

Jun Zechen looked coldly at Yan Shuhan and asked.

"Your Highness, I am Yan Shuhan, a censor. My father holds the position of Grand Master of the Palace in the court."

Yan Shuhan suppressed the inexplicable panic in his heart and answered in a calm and respectful voice.

So it's the Yan family. No wonder they dared to court Yao Yao.

"Lord Yan seems to have some leisure time. On my way back to the capital, I passed through Qingping County in Jizhou. It seems that something has happened there recently. As the Imperial Censor, Lord Yan, why don't you go and investigate the local officials' administration and understand the people's sentiments?"

Jun Zechen remained expressionless, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Are His Highness the Crown Prince and Princess Minghui so close that he was transferred to a distant post for her sake? Although inspecting local counties would only take a few months at most, the Crown Prince usually wouldn't care about such things.

Sending him away suddenly was clearly a punishment for him.

Even though Yan Shuhan was shocked, he dared not utter a single rebuttal.

This was indeed his duty, so he had no choice but to agree.

"Yes, Your Highness. I have failed in my duty. I will thoroughly inspect Qingping County to make amends."

Yan Shuhan felt a mix of emotions, and his expression was complicated.

When Minghui saw that her elder brother was transferring Yan Shuhan to a distant place, she became anxious and wanted to stop him.

Yan Shuhan is gone, how can she ever see him again?

But when she met her brother's eyes, which revealed no emotion whatsoever, she panicked and dared not utter a word.

Since the Emperor has punished Yan Shuhan, the culprit should not be let off the hook either.

Princess Minghui immediately filed a complaint.

"Your Majesty, Miss Su was disrespectful to me just now. I only punished her by making her kneel down and admit her mistake, but she refused. Isn't this a great disrespect to the royal family? Your Majesty must help me punish this Miss Su!"

Princess Minghui glared fiercely at Su Jingyao.

Upon hearing Princess Minghui's complaint, Si Nanyu and Wang Xiuwen's expressions changed drastically, filled with tension and worry.

If His Highness the Crown Prince were to punish Miss Su, given their status and position, it would be very difficult to stop him.

Si Nanyu gritted his teeth and forced a smile as he explained to the Crown Prince, "Your Highness, Miss Su did not..."

Jun Zechen turned his head to the side, his gaze sharp as a sword, and looked at Minghui.

"How old are you? I have returned victorious, but your temper has not been restrained. You are becoming more and more arrogant and domineering outside the palace. Go back to the palace immediately and copy the palace rules a hundred times. You are not allowed to come out until you have finished copying them."

Is this how Minghui bullies Yaoyao outside the palace, relying on his power? He's been away for the past two years; has Yaoyao been bullied the whole time?

Upon hearing the Crown Prince's accusations against Princess Minghui, Si Nanyu immediately shut up.

Fortunately, His Highness the Crown Prince was reasonable and did not help Princess Minghui.

Princess Minghui, who was being punished, widened her eyes instantly, her gaze filled with disbelief and grievance.

"Brother, I..."

She wanted to defend herself.

But when he met his brother's emotionless gaze, it was like being doused with a bucket of cold water, and he immediately dared not continue speaking.

Why did my brother punish her without asking any questions?

Princess Minghui felt a lump in her throat and her eyes reddened.

How long would it take her to copy the palace rules a hundred times?

Princess Minghui glanced at the calm Su Jingyao, then at Chu Yinxue who seemed to be mocking her, and felt that she had lost all face and dignity.

With a snort, she flicked her sleeve and ran downstairs.

Qi Wanyin kept her head down, and the furious Princess Minghui did not notice her.

After Princess Minghui left, Qi Wanyin slowly raised her head and looked at Su Jingyao and the others.

Why did the Crown Prince's cousin suddenly come here?

Did you come to Mofenglou to see a performance, or for someone else...?

Qi Wanyin's gaze lingered on Su Jingyao for a long time, her eyes filled with inquiry.

Chu Yinxue didn't expect to see the Crown Prince so suddenly today. She then secretly glanced at Su Jingyao and then at the Crown Prince. Just now in the private room, Yao Yao said that she wanted to marry the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince had just defended Yao Yao so much.

Could it be that the two of them already knew each other?

After Princess Minghui left, the scene became quiet and awkward for a moment.

Su Jingyao hadn't expected Jun Zechen to return so suddenly. She tilted her head slightly and asked, "Is Your Highness also here at Mofeng Tower to see the courtesan's performance today?"

There seemed to be a hint of sarcasm in his tone, though it wasn't obvious.

When Wang Xiuwen heard Miss Su speaking to His Highness the Crown Prince in such a manner, his heart skipped a beat, and he immediately panicked.

He wanted to remind Miss Su, but didn't know how to start, and was somewhat worried that she might anger the Crown Prince.

Jun Zechen's eyes were deep.

Doesn't she know why he came to Mofeng Tower?

If she didn't want to expose their relationship, Jun Zechen would have wanted to take her to a private room and beat her up right now. How could he tolerate her being so nonchalant here, as if they didn't know each other at all?

"I've heard that the tea at Mofeng Tower is delicious, and I only thought of coming to have a cup after returning to court today. I wonder if Miss Su would like to have tea with me?"

Si Nanyu was immediately surprised.

His Highness the Crown Prince has always been averse to women, yet he has invited a woman to drink tea?

Could it be that His Highness has taken a liking to Miss Su?

Wang Xiuwen was originally worried that Miss Su would anger the Crown Prince, but upon hearing the Crown Prince's words, he instantly began to worry that the Crown Prince had ulterior motives towards Miss Su, and his heart was filled with anxiety.

"Your Highness, there's no need. I've been out long enough today and am about to return home. Your Highness and Miss Qi, please enjoy tea and watch the performance together."

Su Jingyao bowed slightly.

"This humble woman takes her leave."

After saying that, she turned and left.

Si Nanyu and Wang Xiuwen both breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Miss Su refused. The Crown Prince was cold and not gentle, which was really not suitable for the delicate Miss Su.

Qi Yixu, like a clueless young man, failed to notice the subtle atmosphere between them.

Seeing that Su Jingyao was about to leave, everyone bowed and took their leave.

Jun Zechen didn't stop Su Jingyao from leaving. Instead, he turned around and looked at Qi Wanyin, who had been barely noticeable behind him, with impatience in his eyes.

"Why are you following me?"

Although he was questioning her verbally, he was secretly wondering if Yao Yao's attitude just now was because she was jealous.

She thought it was him who brought Qi Wanyin?

"I just haven't seen my cousin for a long time, and I also want to go back to the palace with him later, so..."

Her voice grew softer and softer, and her head drooped lower and lower.

Jun Zechen knew that Qi Wanyin seemed to have some other thoughts about him at this moment, so he put on a stern face.

He said in a deep voice, "I am tired today. I will not return to the palace. I will rest at the Crown Prince's residence. You can go back by yourself."

Qi Wanyin looked up in shock. Wasn't her cousin going back to the palace to pay his respects to his aunt?

Although she was filled with doubt and resentment, she dared not say anything more and could only timidly reply, "Yes, Wanyin takes her leave."

He curtsied and turned to leave.

After everyone had left, Jun Zechen stood alone on the third floor, gazing down at the ground floor with a deep, unfathomable look.

Su Jingyao had already reached the first floor when Jun Zechen's deep eyes were fixed on the figure of Su Jingyao leaving, surrounded by four men.

He unconsciously turned the ring on his hand.

Yao Yao, you'd better not have fallen for anyone else.

A dangerous glint appeared in Jun Zechen's eyes.

"Anshun, go and bring Miss Su to the Crown Prince's residence for dinner. Inform Lord Su that I will personally escort Miss Su back to her residence tonight."

"Yes, this servant will go right away."

Anshun was well aware of the Crown Prince's feelings for Miss Su, which had remained unchanged for the past two years while they were in the border region.

He was also puzzled. When His Highness first met Miss Su two years ago, Miss Su was only eleven years old. How could His Highness have fallen deeply in love with Miss Su so quickly?

Anshun bowed respectfully, then hurriedly turned to attend to his business.

Jun Zechen returned to the Crown Prince's residence, first washing off the dust, then changing into a light-colored python robe. He lay lazily on the couch, seemingly relaxed, but in reality, his gaze kept glancing towards the door, anxiously waiting for someone.

When Su Jingyao came in, she bowed to him respectfully.

"This humble woman pays her respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince."

The tone and the manner were so unfamiliar, as if there were thousands of miles between them.

Jun Zechen stared intently at her now, looking much more grown up. Her eyebrows, eyes, and figure were no longer those of a child when he left.

Time really flies, no wonder there are so many men around her.

Jun Zechen felt a pang of sadness.

"come over."

"Your Highness, men and women should not touch each other. What business do you have with me?"

Jun Zechen's suppressed anger after returning home was instantly ignited by her words. He got off the couch and walked up to Su Jingyao.

He bent down, looked down at her, and his eyes were extremely oppressive.

"Should men and women not touch each other?"

"Who swore they wouldn't get close to other men? Who said they'd only be intimate with me?"

"I was young at the time, Your Highness shouldn't have taken it seriously."

Su Jingyao's voice rose a few decibels, her eyes filled with stubbornness.

He's angry, but isn't she angry too?

He went to the border region for more than a year without writing to her, and when he was about to return, he didn't tell her in advance. There was another woman following him around.

Jun Zechen saw her expressionless face. Was she angry? Shouldn't he be the one who was angry?

Jun Zechen frowned, reached out and lifted her face, forcing her to look him in the eye.

"He's definitely grown up, and his temper has gotten worse too."

"How am I supposed to know why you're unhappy if you don't tell me?"

Although his tone remained firm, his eyes showed concern.

He should know even if she doesn't say it.

Having spent so long in ancient times, Su Jingyao had almost forgotten how to date. However, he still had to guess what she was thinking, otherwise how could she keep him on the edge of his seat and anxiously waiting for her?

Seeing that she stubbornly kept her lips tightly closed and refused to speak, Jun Zechen could only sigh helplessly.

This is a patriarch; you can't hit him or scold him.

Even my anger has to come after hers.

"Did Minghui bully you? Shall I teach her a lesson for you?"

Su Jingyao's expression did not change in the slightest.

Jun Zechen's eyes flickered, and he tentatively asked, "Because of Qi Wanyin?"

"When I returned to the capital today, I went to the Su residence to find you. But when I heard that you had gone to Mofeng Tower, I came here to find you without stopping. I was only thinking about you. Qi Wanyin was following behind me without my knowledge."

Jun Zechen explained at length, but seeing that she remained unmoved, he couldn't help but frown.

Could it be that she actually likes those young boys?

"His Highness the Crown Prince has been away for so long and has never written to me. I suppose His Highness doesn't care at all how I am doing."

Su Jingyao's eyes were slightly red, as if she was trying hard to hold back her tears.

"Your Highness returned to the capital without my knowledge, which suggests that I am not important to Your Highness."

Hearing her words, Jun Zechen felt relieved, as long as it wasn't because of another man trying to distance himself from him.

"It is my fault, but before I went to the borderlands, I did not hold military power. The other princes were watching my every move. When I sent letters back to the capital from the borderlands, they were especially watching me. If they knew that Yao Yao was my weakness, how could I be at ease in the borderlands if Yao Yao was in danger?"

"I didn't tell Yao Yao about my return to court today because I wanted to give her a surprise."

His voice softened, and Su Jingyao's expression also softened considerably.

Then, with a hint of ingratiation, he said, "I brought back a lot of novel and fun things from beyond the Great Wall. Yao Yao, would you like to pick some out later?"

He had some experience in coaxing her, apologizing, explaining, and giving gifts—all in one smooth motion.

Su Jingyao finally relaxed her posture, which had been held upright.

The preemptive strike worked quite well; it would be best to make him forget that Yan Shuhan touched her arm back then.

"I want to choose now."

Her voice still carried a hint of coquettishness.

"Let's go, I'll take you there."

Jun Zechen smiled indulgently, took her hand, and walked out.