Transmigrating into a book, seducing him to rise to power

On the second day after returning to the capital, Jun Zechen first went to report the battle situation to his father, the Emperor, and then prepared to go to Kunning Palace to pay his respects to his mother, the Empress Dowager.

At this moment, the Empress was sitting on the couch, slightly turned to the side, one hand holding the edge of the couch, her gaze occasionally drifting towards the doorway.

After Jun Zechen entered, he bowed respectfully, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and bent slightly at the waist, his movements fluid and solemn.

After bowing, he calmly sat down on the other side of the couch.

"The Crown Prince has become more mature and resolute after his trip."

The Empress smiled, looking very pleased.

Jun Zechen nodded slightly, his tone sincere.

"It is my filial impiety to have caused my mother worry. I will live up to the trust placed in me by my father and mother and return victorious."

"I have also heard from your father that you performed exceptionally well in this campaign, completely eliminating the barbarians for the country. You have the demeanor of your father."

"However, since you returned to the capital yesterday, why didn't you go back to the palace to see your father, the Emperor? You stayed at the Crown Prince's residence outside the palace yesterday, so why aren't you planning to rest at the East Palace today?"

The Empress frowned slightly.

She didn't care where her son lived. As the crown prince, he sometimes had to deal with matters and meet with court officials, so it was normal for him to stay at the crown prince's residence outside the palace.

But he should have gone to the palace to see His Majesty yesterday, or even to pay his respects to his mother, the Empress Dowager. Instead, he only came today and did not return to the Eastern Palace.

"It's more convenient for me to handle matters outside the palace. I returned yesterday covered in dust from my journey, so I thought I'd pay my respects to Your Majesty today to avoid causing you any worry."

Jun Zechen spoke calmly and answered flawlessly.

Since Yao Yao doesn't plan to get married to him before she comes of age, then we shouldn't let the Empress Dowager know yet, since she has always wanted him to take a concubine.

Unbeknownst to the Empress Dowager, Jun Zechen refused all offers of service, citing his aversion to women and his busy schedule with state affairs. The Empress Dowager was powerless to stop him.

If the Empress Dowager knew that he didn't want to take a concubine because of Yao Yao, she would probably have a problem with Yao Yao.

After hearing Jun Zechen's explanation, the Empress's expression softened slightly, and she nodded gently.

"Very well, since that's the case, I will not pursue the matter any further."

Fortunately, it's not a big deal. If he likes to stay outside the palace, then he can stay outside the palace. After he becomes emperor, he won't be leaving the palace very often.

"I have another matter I wish to discuss with Your Majesty during my visit to pay my respects."

"What is it?"

The Empress raised an eyebrow and looked at him with great interest.

What could the Crown Prince possibly need to discuss with her?

"Minghui and Qi Wanyin are both sixteen. Why doesn't Mother arrange marriages for them? Hold a banquet and invite the young masters of noble families in the capital to choose from."

Jun Zechen calmly stated the purpose of his visit today.

The empress stared at her son for a long time, her eyes full of suspicion, and remained silent.

Is this her son?

When did her son start caring about other people's marriages?

The Empress narrowed her eyes, her gaze scrutinizing; something was amiss.

"Minghui is indeed of marriageable age, so holding a banquet to welcome her to a new husband would be nice, but..."

The Empress nodded slightly, seemingly lost in thought.

"Wanyin...Does the Crown Prince really not know that Wanyin has always loved you?"

Qi Wanyin was raised by the Empress for several years. Although she wasn't taken very seriously at first, they developed some affection for each other over time, especially since she was her brother's daughter.

This time, with her brother returning to the capital, Qi Wanyin can also enter the Qi family. It's better to be a concubine's daughter than an illegitimate daughter. Although her status is lower, it's fine for her to marry into the Eastern Palace as a concubine, since Wanyin herself admires the Crown Prince.

If she wanted to marry the crown prince, she could only become a concubine.

A hint of annoyance flashed across Jun Zechen's face.

"Your Majesty, I have no intention of taking a wife or concubine at present."

The Empress became displeased at the mention of the Crown Prince's marriage, and her face darkened.

"You're eighteen now. Other young masters already have children. You're the Crown Prince, so the Crown Princess can observe you more closely. But surely the Crown Prince needs to take in a few concubines."

The Queen raised her voice, her tone filled with displeasure.

"Even if you don't like Wanyin, your mother can find you other women."

"Mother, I only want to make achievements in the court now, and I have no interest in personal matters. I will get married when I want to, so please don't worry about it."

Jun Zechen picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and lowered his head, clearly not wanting to say anything more.

The empress frowned as she looked at him, her face full of confusion.

"If you, as the older brother, are not married, then why are you here today to find husbands for your two younger sisters?"

"Your subject dislikes Qi Wanyin. The Empress Dowager's arranged marriage for Qi Wanyin has dispelled her thoughts. As for Minghui, her personality has become increasingly domineering. She will be able to restrain herself after marriage."

The Empress's brows furrowed even deeper.

He didn't like Wanyin, and he wanted to marry her off. She tentatively believed this reason, and Minghui became increasingly domineering.

"Did Minghui cause trouble outside the palace?"

The Empress's eyes were sharp.

"It's just a few minor things, but her temper is getting worse and worse. She's also reached a certain age, and Mother should be looking for a husband for Minghui. I think we should do it as soon as possible."

The Empress was indeed looking for a husband for Minghui, but it was because Minghui was getting on in years.

She looked closely at the Crown Prince's face and saw that he was resolute, so she didn't ask any more questions. If he didn't want to talk about it, she wouldn't get anything out of him.

Moreover, the Empress would grant the Crown Prince's requests as long as they weren't major issues.

"I will have the Imperial Ceremonial Affairs Bureau make preparations."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will not disturb you any longer. I will take my leave."

Jun Zechen stood up, bowed respectfully, and then turned and strode away.

After Jun Zechen left, the Empress fell into deep thought, her fingers unconsciously tapping the table.

Something must have happened outside the palace yesterday.

"Jinhua, summon Minghui." The Empress snapped out of her reverie, her tone stern.

"Yes, Master."

Having received the instructions, Aunt Jinhua gave a slight curtsy and went out to send someone to summon Princess Minghui.

When Princess Minghui was summoned by her mother, she was diligently copying palace rules with a pained expression, her brush moving across the paper as she muttered to herself.

She dared not complain to her mother about her brother's punishment, so her mother was unaware that she had copied the palace rules.

When Princess Minghui arrived at Kunning Palace, she first paid her respects respectfully, and then very affectionately walked to the couch on the other side and sat down.

"Mother, what is it that you summoned me here?"

Princess Minghui blinked, her face full of curiosity.

"The Crown Prince just came by and asked me to host a banquet for you and Wanyin to choose their husbands. What do you think?"

The Empress tilted her head slightly, her face revealing no emotion, but she calmly gazed at Princess Minghui.

Princess Minghui's eyes widened instantly, her mouth slightly agape, and she froze completely.

Not content with punishing her, her elder brother even forced her to marry!

Seeing Minghui's shocked expression, the Empress understood what had happened yesterday.

"Did you run into the Crown Prince yesterday when you left the palace?"

Princess Minghui nodded first, then lowered her head and remained silent, her fingers twisting the hem of her clothes nervously, wondering what her brother had said to their mother.

"Your elder brother said you were arrogant and domineering outside the palace, is that true?"

Princess Minghui suddenly raised her head, her eyes filled with grievance.

Where did she become arrogant?

As a princess, everyone outside the palace fawned over her. She didn't even have the chance to be arrogant. Only Su Jingyao and Chu Yinxue never gave her any face when they met.

She was a princess, but the two of them lived a more carefree and extravagant life than she did, so of course she couldn't stand them.

How could you, Your Majesty, accuse her of being arrogant because of this!

"Mother, I did not... Yesterday at Mofeng Tower, I encountered Miss Su and Miss Chu. Although there was an argument, it was Miss Su who was disrespectful to me first!"

Princess Minghui hurriedly explained, not wanting her mother to misunderstand her.

"Miss Su? Is she the daughter of Minister Su?"

The Empress raised an eyebrow slightly, her expression somewhat puzzled.

"Yes, yes." Princess Minghui nodded quickly.

The daughter of Minister Su has always been on the Empress's shortlist for choosing a Crown Prince's consort. It is said that she is well-educated, has outstanding literary talent, and is virtuous and chaste.

The Empress looked at Minghui suspiciously, her gaze scrutinizing her.

"Are you saying your imperial brother framed you?" The Empress's tone grew increasingly stern.

Minghui was startled by her mother's questioning. Her body trembled violently, and she immediately stood up before quickly squatting down.

"Your subject dares not; it is your subject who failed to uphold the princess's etiquette while out in public."

Princess Minghui naturally dared not act presumptuously in front of the Empress, much less speak ill of her elder brother in front of the Empress.

But she was never arrogant outside the palace. At most, she would flaunt her power in front of Su Jingyao and Chu Yinxue, and every time she ended up losing.

She felt wronged, and her eyes reddened slightly.

"Get up. I won't pursue what happened outside the palace. You are now the legitimate princess, and you must not lose your princessly demeanor, understand?"

The Empress's tone softened somewhat.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will remember your teachings."

Princess Minghui stood up, her expression full of obedience.

Seeing that the Empress had relaxed, Princess Minghui walked to the bedside, sat down next to the Empress, took the Empress's arm with both hands, and began to act coquettishly by swaying her body gently.

"Mother, I do not wish to hold a banquet to select a husband, because I already have someone I love."

Princess Minghui blushed slightly and pouted her lips.

She is quite straightforward.

"Who's the person you like? Why not just have them come along?"

"Your subject likes Yan Shuhan, the eldest son of the Yan family, but he has gone to another place for inspection and work, and I'm afraid he won't be back for several months."

She didn't know why her brother sent Young Master Yan away. At the time, she thought her brother was punishing Young Master Yan because he was helping her, but later her brother was not polite to her at all.

Princess Minghui couldn't understand why her brother treated Young Master Yan this way.

"Mother, how about we postpone the wedding banquet until Young Master Yan returns to the capital?"

Princess Minghui's eyes were full of sincerity, and her voice became even more tender.

She naturally wanted to marry the man she loved, and the Yan family was a prominent and prestigious clan, so marrying into that family wouldn't be a disservice to her.

"It's uncertain how long it will be before he returns. I'm preparing to hold a banquet to welcome you and Wanyin as husbands."

The Empress gently patted Princess Minghui's hand, her smile fading slightly, and her expression becoming somewhat troubled.

The Crown Prince just came to talk to her about this matter, and his purpose was clearly Wan Yin. He didn't want Wan Yin to like him or cling to him.

The Empress usually keeps her promises to the Crown Prince.

"Bang!"

With a crisp sound, the teacup fell heavily to the ground and shattered.