Transmigrating into a book, seducing him to rise to power

That day, amidst thunder and rain, the sky seemed to be stained with ink. Su Jingyao summoned Jun Zechen to the Shui Ning Palace.

Jun Zechen did as he was told and stayed by her side until Su Jingyao fell into a deep sleep before quietly leaving.

However, Su Jingyao was puzzled and dissatisfied. The rain was so fierce that day. If she hadn't sent someone to Qiluan Palace to summon him, wouldn't Jun Zechen have stayed at Ling Yue's place?

Why would he resist resting at her place?

Su Jingyao sometimes felt that Jun Zechen doted on her a lot, and he would usually grant her any request she made.

Yet sometimes I feel that he is as hard as a rock, cold and unyielding, and has an astonishing level of self-control.

Perhaps, deep down he wanted to stay, but his so-called principles and long-standing habits always drove him to suppress his emotional impulses and make only the most rational choices.

This is precisely what troubles Su Jingyao the most; this old man is truly unpredictable!

Troublesome.

From that day on, no one knew what Jun Zechen was thinking, but he did not step into the backyard for nearly ten days.

Su Jingyao could not sit idly by and wait for her fate. Ling Yue had already discussed taking a concubine with the Empress. If she did not try to gain some favor, how could she possibly get what she wanted?

Ling Yue was more difficult to deal with than expected. Now that there were only the two of them in the backyard, neither Ling Yue nor she could do anything openly.

Ling Yue remained calm and composed, hardly caring where Jun Zechen rested. She simply followed the nanny to handle affairs in the backyard or went to Kunning Palace to see the Empress every day.

Su Jingyao gazed into the distance, lost in thought.

Perhaps, the more people Ling Yue selects to come in beforehand, the more lively the backyard will be, making it easier for her to carry out her plans...

The most pressing matter right now is Jun Zechen; Ling Yue can wait for other women to enter the palace before dealing with them.

"Miaoyun, make a calming soup. We're going to Yude Hall."

When Su Jingyao arrived at Yude Hall with the carefully prepared calming soup, Jun Zechen was not reviewing documents at his desk as she had expected. Instead, he was lounging on the couch, holding a book in his hand, looking relaxed.

So this man is deliberately avoiding her, right?

Su Jingyao happened to glance at the cover of the book, and it turned out to be the Book of Changes!

He really is an old man. What man in his early twenties would study philosophy?

At least at this age, Jun Zechen should be reading history books, political treatises, or military strategies.

No wonder he was so determined. He studied the Book of Changes all day long, and his mind was probably filled with thoughts of yin and yang balance, adapting to change, and making reasonable decisions. How could he possibly care about romantic love?

Su Jingyao sighed softly to herself.

But she still wore that sweet and charming smile on her face, walked gracefully to Jun Zechen, and bowed slightly.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

"Today, I specially prepared a calming soup for Your Highness. Your Highness has been busy with state affairs in Yude Palace for the past ten days or so, and you must be exhausted both physically and mentally. I hope this calming soup can relieve some of your fatigue."

Jun Zechen's gaze shifted to her. "You did this?"

Su Jingyao's eyes darted away for a moment, then she gave a soft "hmm." She had been watching the cooking process the whole time, so she figured she had done it herself.

Jun Zechen knew she was lying just by looking at her.

"Leave it there, I don't have much of an appetite right now."

He was already tired of drinking these calming soups in the palace. He originally thought that she really made them, so he would give her a sip. If she didn't, he wouldn't be interested at all.

Su Jingyao didn't care. After all, delivering the calming soup was just a pretext. She put down the calming soup and then sat down next to Jun Zechen, tilting her head slightly.

He asked softly, "What is Your Highness looking at?"

Jun Zechen lightly tapped a line in the book he was reading with his slender fingers.

Su Jingyao leaned closer, her gaze falling on the line of words. She parted her cherry lips slightly and read it aloud softly.

"A virtuous person is constantly diligent and cautious, even at night, and will be free from blame."

This saying is meant to remind a virtuous person to strive for self-improvement throughout the day and not to slacken at night, but to always remain vigilant and not to indulge in comfort and pleasure.

The reason why the Book of Changes is regarded as philosophy is that different people will have different interpretations when reading the same sentence in different contexts.

What would Jun Zechen think when he saw this sentence?

Does he devote all his energy to government affairs during the day, and even at night he must remain rational and not be seduced by women?

No wonder he's an emperor; he really knows how to manipulate himself. He's the chosen one, the working class.

"What does the concubine think of this statement?"

Jun Zechen asked the question seemingly casually, but Su Jingyao keenly sensed that he was digging a hole for her.

If we agree with this, wouldn't we be encouraging his behavior of treating women as tools for procreation?

If you don't agree, are you suggesting that Jun Zechen should indulge in romantic love?

I'm afraid Jun Zechen will think she's just like any other woman, greedily trying to gain power from him, and might even mock her for overestimating herself.

Su Jingyao didn't respond directly, but pouted and whispered, "Anyway, I can't do it."

Being vigilant and diligent day and night is something best left to the emperor; she certainly couldn't do it.

Jun Zechen couldn't help but chuckle, "You're quite honest."

"Besides bringing me some calming soup, is there anything else you've come for today?"

"Your Highness, I have missed you dearly. Will Your Highness visit Shui Ning Palace tonight?"

Jun Zechen was taken aback; this woman was always so direct in her attempts to win his favor.

After visiting the Water Condensation Palace during that stormy day, I was startled to realize that I seemed to find it hard to resist her. So I decided to stay in the Yude Palace for a month to calm down, and even took out the Book of Changes to read, trying to cultivate my character.

Seeing her again today felt like my heart was gently tickled by a kitten.

It seems that no matter what you talk to her about, there are always unexpected answers. The daughter of the Su family is indeed well-educated and has a very high level of cultural literacy.

However, having already resolved to restrain himself, Jun Zechen was never one to give up halfway.

He immediately replied, "I haven't finished dealing with my official duties for today..."

Su Jingyao couldn't bear the refusal. Before he could finish speaking, her face instantly turned cold, and she immediately stood up from beside him.

She gave a slight curtsy and said stiffly, "Your Highness, please continue with your work. I will return now."

A moment of stunned silence flashed in Jun Zechen's eyes. He was caught off guard by her swift and fluid movements—standing up, bowing, turning and leaving.

Is she giving me the cold shoulder?

That evening, Jun Zechen finally went to the Water Condensation Palace.

When he stepped into the hall, Su Jingyao had just finished bathing.

She wore a form-fitting silk strapless dress, her graceful figure curvaceous and alluring. However, she gently gathered her damp long hair to her chest, subtly concealing some of her charming allure.

She moved gracefully out of the inner room, and as soon as she looked up, she saw Jun Zechen sitting in front of her dressing table.

"Isn't Your Highness very busy with state affairs?"

Su Jingyao's tone carried a hint of reproach and dissatisfaction.

They say they won't come, but their actions tell a different story.

I'm afraid you'll go back to your bedchamber alone and cry secretly.

Jun Zechen's eyes held a hint of mockery.

"I've already cried since I got back, Your Highness is too late."

Su Jingyao stood gracefully beside him, her pretty face scrunched up in a frown. She looked down at him with eyes full of grievance.

Jun Zechen was amused by her appearance and pulled her into his arms with his large, warm hand.

He gently turned her face towards the mirror on the dressing table, then brought his warm lips to her ear.

His voice was deep: "Such a pretty little face must look beautiful when it cries. Since I'm late, why don't you cry for me again?"

She lies effortlessly, as if it were second nature.

Her eyes weren't even red, and she didn't look like she had cried at all. The same thing happened the day she hurt her ankle; there wasn't even a red mark, but she couldn't walk.

Su Jingyao never expected this old man to be so shameless. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, and her eyes instantly turned red.

Don't question her ability to shed tears.

Tears welled up in her eyes, ready to spill over.

Jun Zechen's gaze remained fixed on her reflection in the mirror, watching helplessly as tears quickly welled up in her eyes.

Suddenly, I panicked.

"Are you made of water? You cry so easily." His voice carried a hint of panic.

"Anyway, Your Highness doesn't like me. You don't want to see me every day. Even when I personally go to invite you, you still find it very distasteful. How many times have I cried when Your Highness can't see me?"

She sobbed as tears streamed down her cheeks.

"His Highness won't feel sorry for him."

Su Jingyao got up from him angrily, walked quickly to the bedside, sat on the bed, and then forcefully pulled down all the bed curtains.

A person was curled up inside, and faint sobs could be heard coming from inside.

"Your Highness, please go back. It is because I cannot please Your Highness, nor can I make Your Highness comfortable. In any case, the Empress and the Crown Princess are also selecting concubines for you. Soon, you will have more choices."

Her voice, muffled and choked with sobs, came from behind the bed curtains.

If it were based on Jun Zechen's usual temper, he would probably have stormed out of the Shui Ning Palace long ago.

Unexpectedly, after she left him this time, he followed her to the bedside and stood there quietly, like a statue, motionless, listening to her complaints.

Jun Zechen frowned, reached out and lifted the bed curtains, "You're saying one thing and meaning another."

After he finished speaking, he bent down and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with his long, slender fingers.

He hadn't visited her for over ten days, and she must have mustered up a lot of courage to come see him today. But he still rejected her. Was it because he was worried about his mother's plan to select a concubine for him?

Afraid of falling out of favor?

Seeing that he had become much gentler, Su Jingyao took the opportunity to wrap her arms around his neck and pull him closer to her.

Then, before Jun Zechen could react, she brought her lips to his.

Jun Zechen's pupils dilated instantly, the gentleness in his eyes vanished in a flash, replaced by a coldness.

He hadn't kissed a woman in many years, and he would never allow anyone to kiss him without his permission.

The women in the harem of the previous life all knew that if they took it upon themselves to do something intimate with him, it would be an act of insubordination, a serious crime of disrespect. At best, they would lose favor; at worst, they would be banished to the cold palace. No one dared to challenge Jun Zechen's authority.

But Su Jingyao seemed completely unaware of this, looking at him innocently with her big, tearful eyes.

Seeing his cold expression, she not only did not back down, but instead became even bolder, gently prying open his lips with the tip of her tongue.

Jun Zechen lowered his eyes, his emotions growing increasingly intense.

He suddenly grabbed the back of her head with his hand, like a ferocious beast, and plunged in, frantically devouring his "food." The wet sounds of their kiss echoed in each other's ears.

Under his fierce kiss, Su Jingyao couldn't help but lean back, her whole body like a drawn bowstring, presenting a captivating curved arc.

She didn't know how long they kissed, but she felt it becoming increasingly difficult to breathe and began to push against his chest with her hands.

"No, I don't want it."

She gasped softly, her voice tinged with pleading.

Jun Zechen then released her, straightened up, and stared at her with deep, unfathomable eyes.

At this moment, both of their lips were glistening with an alluring moisture, their expressions quite ambiguous.

If Jun Zechen had pushed Su Jingyao away the moment she kissed him, he would have had enough reason to scold her for her insolence. But he couldn't help himself and completely took the initiative in the kiss.

At this moment, Jun Zechen was furious but didn't know where to vent his anger.

He felt as if he had been split in two: one was the rational and clear-headed him, and the other was the one who couldn't resist the temptation.

He stared intently at Su Jingyao, his heart filled with resentment. It was all this woman's fault for seducing him!

"Your Highness."

Su Jingyao was frightened by his deep gaze; she couldn't just kiss an older man and then deny it.

She timidly took his hand in her two small hands, knelt on the soft bed, and pulled him back little by little.

Before Jun Zechen even realized it, he had already followed her movements onto the bed and pinned her beneath him...