Transmigrating into a book, seducing him to rise to power

When Jun Zechen arrived at the Water Condensation Palace, his face was expressionless, but his eyes were filled with urgency.

Miao Yun, who was waiting outside the palace, was filled with doubt when she saw the Crown Prince rushing over. Her face showed a look of bewilderment.

Didn't His Highness the Crown Prince go to Huamei Residence?

"Where is your master?"

"The master is resting in his bedchamber."

Miaoyun was confused about what had happened and felt a pang of panic, but she forced herself to remain calm and answered respectfully.

Upon hearing this, Jun Zechen strode into the bedchamber without saying a word.

Inside the bedroom, Su Jingyao was not yet resting. She was sitting cross-legged on the bed, while Miaoxia sat on the edge of the bed. The two of them were playing leaf cards and chatting and laughing to pass the time.

Since Jun Zechen didn't come to Shui Ning Palace, she had plenty of time in the evenings. Besides reading, she naturally wanted to find some enjoyment for herself.

It's no wonder that women in ancient times, whether in the imperial palace or in the mansions of noble families, were full of scheming. If they didn't think about scheming against others every day, life would be far too boring.

Su Jingyao has always loved herself the most, so no matter what situation she is in, she always tries to make her life comfortable and happy.

The closer Jun Zechen got to the bed, the clearer the woman's laughter and voice became to his ears.

His hurried steps slowed instantly, and his face, like the sky before a storm, became terrifyingly gloomy.

His tightly pursed lips betrayed his extreme displeasure.

Headache?

Oh.

Just as Jun Zechen reached the bedside, Miaoxia was the first to notice him. She was startled at first, then hurriedly got up and bowed, saying, "This servant greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."

After bowing, Miaoxia noticed that His Highness seemed to have a bad expression, but she still tactfully withdrew.

When Su Jingyao heard that Jun Zechen had arrived, her shock was even greater than yesterday.

Why is he here?!

Then, she moved closer to the edge of the bed and gave him an innocent wink.

Why do you look so pale?

Su Jingyao's heart sank, but she remained calm on the surface, showing no sign of panic.

She got out of bed, not even bothering to put on her shoes, and walked barefoot to Jun Zechen. She took his large hands in her own and curtsied.

She asked softly, "Your Highness, what brings you here?"

Jun Zechen pursed his lips and didn't speak, but his dark eyes were fixed on her, his gaze so cold it was frightening, as if it could freeze a person.

He lowered his eyes and approached her step by step.

Under his imposing aura, Su Jingyao could only retreat step by step in a panic until she had nowhere left to go, and her delicate body suddenly sat down on the bed.

"What's wrong, Your Highness?"

Su Jingyao's voice trembled slightly, and a hint of panic appeared in her eyes.

Jun Zechen snorted coldly, bent down, and clamped her chin with his thumb and forefinger, forcing her head to tilt back.

"What's wrong?"

"Your palace maid came to Huamei Residence saying you had a headache. I was extremely worried and came to see you, but you were here leisurely playing cards."

His voice was oppressive, each word sounding as if it carried shards of ice.

"What? You've become so bold as to dare deceive even me?"

Jun Zechen's eyes grew colder, and the pressure on his hands unconsciously increased.

When Su Jingyao heard that the palace maid in her palace had gone to Huamei Residence to invite Jun Zechen, a moment of doubt flashed in her eyes, but she quickly understood what was going on.

Ling Yue is really amazing.

She was in charge of all affairs in the Eastern Palace, and Su Jingyao had long known that there must be Ling Yue's people in Shui Ning Palace. Therefore, she specially instructed Lin Mama to take strict precautions and never allow these palace maids to enter her bedroom, let alone touch her food.

Even palace maids who inexplicably leave the palace are closely monitored, but recently the palace maids of Shui Ning Palace have been behaving themselves and doing their jobs well, without having any involvement with Qi Luan Palace.

No wonder they didn't need to tip each other off; they were just waiting for this show.

Last time, she sent people to Qiluan Palace to snatch Jun Zechen away. This time, Jun Zechen is so angry that he must be convinced that she was the one who sent people to invite him.

Although her arrogant and domineering persona always made her feel good, Jun Zechen thought it was perfectly natural for her to do these things in order to win favor, and he never doubted it at all.

However, since Ling Yue had set a trap for her, she might as well use it to test Jun Zechen's attitude.

"Your Highness, I did not send anyone to invite you; it must be the Crown Princess who framed me."

Su Jingyao's eyes were incredibly firm, as if she had suffered a great injustice and was eager to complain.

"Was it a setup by the Crown Princess?"

Jun Zechen raised an eyebrow slightly, his deep eyes remaining unmoved, clearly indicating his disbelief.

He knew she loathed and was hostile towards Ling Yue, but did she think that his doting on her had reached the point where he couldn't distinguish right from wrong or black from white?

"Speaking of the Crown Princess, I was just about to ask you: did you flaunt that bracelet in public this morning, embarrassing the Crown Princess?"

Jun Zechen's tone grew increasingly stern, his gaze fixed on her, not allowing her the slightest chance to escape.

Su Jingyao slowly lowered her eyes, her thick eyelashes trembling slightly, a dark look flashing in her eyes.

Sure enough, given her past record, Jun Zechen found it difficult to easily believe her words again.

If she were to insist on accusing Ling Yue now, she would have to produce evidence that Ling Yue had framed her. However, it was clear that unless she could find the token between the palace maid and Ling Yue, she might be falsely accused by Ling Yue.

Since Ling Yue was determined to make her a true favorite concubine, she might as well go along with her wishes!

"Yes, it was I who went to Huamei Residence to invite Your Highness tonight."

Su Jingyao suddenly raised her eyes, which were glistening with tears, yet also revealed a fearless stubbornness.

"I am the Crown Prince, and there will be many more women in the future."

Jun Zechen's voice was cold and hard, devoid of any warmth, and his taut facial features made him appear exceptionally serious.

Ling Yue resented him for having many women, but he would become emperor, and that was something that couldn't be avoided.

"I don't care how many women Your Highness has. Today, Your Highness came out of Yude Palace. Huamei Residence and Shuining Palace are close by. I was originally overjoyed and full of anticipation, thinking that Your Highness would come to my place. But you went to Huamei Residence instead."

Su Jingyao's voice choked with sobs, tears welling up in her eyes, but she stubbornly held them back.

"I dare not be jealous, I dare not throw a tantrum, and I will stay obediently in Shui Ning Palace."

"But Your Highness has stayed at Huamei Residence for almost two hours. Your Highness has never stayed overnight at Shui Ning Palace before. I thought you had fallen for someone else and wanted to stay overnight at Huamei Residence. Waaah."

Su Jingyao finally couldn't hold back anymore, and tears streamed down her face like a burst dam. Her petite body, sitting on the bed, trembled uncontrollably with each sob.

Jun Zechen hadn't originally planned to stay at Huamei Residence for long, but it was a hot summer day, and it wasn't too dark after dinner. Jun Zechen had some unspeakable reasons in his heart: he didn't like doing intimate things with women during the day, and he could only deceive himself in the dark.

So he started reading at Huamei Residence, but Lin Miaoyin's melodious and leisurely zither music captivated him, and he lost track of time, which is why he stayed at Huamei Residence a little longer than usual.

"I have no intention of staying overnight at Huamei Residence."

Jun Zechen's voice remained cold. Although what she said was indeed understandable, such willful and reckless behavior was still not good.

His expression did not soften in the slightest.

"Then you must really like Consort Lin, and you have endless things to talk about with her, while you're always scolding or cursing me."

Su Jingyao's tone became increasingly aggrieved, her voice filled with sorrow, as if she had suffered an immense injustice.

Jun Zechen gently brushed his thumb across the corner of her reddened eyes, his brows furrowing slightly. "Scolding you? Cursing at you?"

She had never seen him in his true, fiercest form. Jun Zechen almost never cursed anyone, and if someone was worth cursing, their head was not far from being chopped off.

"If you do this again, I will not come here. Don't come crying in front of me when you have no face left."

Jun Zechen's expression remained grim, and every word he uttered carried a warning.

Tonight's performance will surely be known to the Empress Dowager tomorrow, and she will probably be summoned by the Empress Dowager soon. The Empress Dowager is not as easy to talk to as he is.

Although he was still rude, Su Jingyao noticed that his tone seemed to have softened a bit.

"Your Highness, I will never do such a thing again."

Her voice was soft and slightly ingratiating. She raised her head, her watery eyes filled with clear innocence.

"Your Highness, please forgive me this time."

Su Jingyao hugged his waist tightly with both hands, rubbing against him gently like a kitten, looking both charming and endearing.

As for showing off this to Ling Yue this morning, it was her doing it, so there's no way to deny it. The best solution is for Jun Zechen to stop mentioning it himself.

He was the one who gave it to her, so how could he not know what she was going to do?

Since he gave it to her, then it's safe to assume she rode on Ling Yue's face.

"A three-day confinement is a minor punishment to serve as a warning; he must not repeat this offense."

Jun Zechen deliberately kept his voice low and his tone serious.

After he finished speaking, seeing Su Jingyao's face scrunched up, looking unconvinced, and her mouth slightly open as if she wanted to say something but then stopped, he added another sentence.

"I won't let outsiders know, so as not to embarrass you."

"If you do it again, I will not let you off easily," Jun Zechen emphasized again.

Hearing this, Su Jingyao breathed a sigh of relief. What was the point of being confined? She didn't want to go out in this sweltering heat anyway.

Then she obediently hummed in agreement.

With expectant eyes, she asked, "Will Your Highness stay at Shui Ning Palace tonight?"

"I will return to Yude Palace." Jun Zechen answered without hesitation, his expression resolute.

She's already acting so recklessly; if someone stays at her place tonight, wouldn't that just encourage her bad behavior even more?