Transmigrating into a book, seducing him to rise to power

"Now that you've seen it, don't you have anything to say?"

Jun Zechen's voice was deep and powerful, like a thunderclap that suddenly exploded in the hall, breaking the oppressive silence.

Startled by the sudden sound, Su Jingyao trembled and knelt down in front of him.

"Your Highness, I did not discover this on purpose. I would not violate palace rules or speak ill of the court. I do not know what the Su family has done wrong, but... but Your Highness, could you spare the lives of the Su family members?"

Su Jingyao's voice was choked with sobs, her words were incoherent and urgent, and she seemed to be in a state of extreme panic.

Upon seeing this, Jun Zechen instinctively reached out to help her up.

But Su Jingyao seemed to be even more frightened, and her body trembled violently.

Jun Zechen's outstretched hand froze instantly, as if it had been frozen in place.

"Afraid of being alone?"

Jun Zechen's voice carried a hint of disbelief as he reached out and lifted her chin, forcing her to look him in the eye.

"Didn't Jiaojiao ever consider that I might let the Su family go because of you?"

Previously, every time Jun Zechen called her Jiaojiao, his voice was full of tenderness and affection, full of romance and doting.

But this time, the word "Jiaojiao" made Su Jingyao feel like a sparrow trapped in his palm, her fate completely controlled by him.

Forced to look up, Su Jingyao's eyes were filled with grievance and fear, and tears welled up in her eyes, like glistening pearls swirling in them, but she kept holding them back.

"Does Your Highness know how?"

Her voice trembled, carrying the last glimmer of hope.

"Is Your Highness's affection and favor towards me genuine?"

"Or... is all of this a ploy by His Highness to deceive the Su family, to make them submit to His Highness, so that His Highness can eliminate the Su family without firing a single shot?"

Jun Zechen's expression changed repeatedly.

Is that what she thinks of him?

An indescribable anger and disappointment welled up in Jun Zechen's heart.

Seeing his horrified expression, Su Jingyao felt as if she had seen a raging flood or a ferocious beast. Her kneeling legs involuntarily took a few steps back, and she broke free from his grip on her chin.

"Your Highness, please forgive me. I spoke without thinking."

"Your Highness is the future emperor of the kingdom. Whether you reward or punish the Su family, they will accept it. Even if you are truly using me or only pretending to love me, I am willing to endure it."

Su Jingyao trembled.

Jun Zechen felt a sudden surge of annoyance as he looked at her kneeling on the ground, so humble and timid.

What he admired was her bright and fearless demeanor in the past.

"True exploitation, feigned affection?"

Jun Zechen's voice instantly rose a few decibels, and a dark current surged in his deep black eyes.

"Then tell me, Jiaojiao, how did I use you? And what were you really thinking?"

His piercing gaze seemed to see right through her soul.

Su Jingyao knelt there, her heart in turmoil. She didn't know whether she should speak or not. If she did, those words would be an act of treason, and could very well make the Su family even more guilty.

She looked up, her eyes filled with hesitation and confusion, but Jun Zechen's dark eyes locked onto her instantly, leaving her nowhere to escape.

"explain."

His voice was cold and authoritative.

Su Jingyao gritted her teeth, as if she had made a great decision, and finally spoke.

"Your Highness, I have always had doubts in my heart."

She took a deep breath and tried her best to calm herself down.

"Before I married into the Eastern Palace, I heard that Your Highness and the Crown Princess were deeply in love. But after I entered the Eastern Palace, Your Highness has always favored me alone and neglected the Crown Princess."

As she spoke, her gaze remained lowered, avoiding eye contact with Jun Zechen. Her long eyelashes trembled incessantly, and her voice grew increasingly soft.

"I don't know the reason, but I think it's just hearsay and shouldn't be believed."

Su Jingyao pursed her lips, her face growing paler.

"However, last time the Crown Princess sent Qingzhi to Huamei Residence to invite His Highness away, His Highness even found contraceptive drugs in Qingzhi's possession, but His Highness did not punish the Crown Princess."

Her voice carried a hint of resentment and grievance.

"Now that I think about it, perhaps I was blinded by your favor."

"His Highness has always protected the Crown Princess."

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she stubbornly tilted her head back, refusing to let them fall.

"Therefore, I dare to ask Your Highness, was the contraceptive medicine in my body administered at your behest when I first entered the Eastern Palace?"

"To deal with the Su family, you must shower me with affection, making them lower their guard and preventing me from conceiving your child..."

Su Jingyao's voice was as light as a breeze, but it was exceptionally clear in the silent palace.

Upon hearing this, Jun Zechen froze, his fingers tightening their grip on the ring, the speed increasing with each turn.

So this was what she really thought; this is how she sees herself?!

Ling Yue did indeed send Qingzhi to summon him away, and he revoked her palace power without hesitation, which he considered a severe punishment.

As for the matter of contraception, it was not Ling Yue's doing. Jun Zechen will deal with the matter objectively and will not punish Ling Yue for something she did not do.

However, Jun Zechen did not explain to Su Jingyao that this matter was related to Consort Shu and Prince Duan. After all, it involved court politics, and how could he easily reveal such power struggles to her?

After Su Jingyao finished speaking, she lowered her head like a flower withered by frost, her curled eyelashes completely obscuring all the emotions in her eyes.

Jun Zechen's heart is hard to win over, but isn't that how it was portrayed in old TV dramas?

The male and female protagonists misunderstand each other, which deepens their feelings for each other.

However, the dramas she watches all involve the male lead misunderstanding the female lead, so what's wrong with her doing the same and misunderstanding the female lead instead?

One person does one thing, another person thinks another.

Since she's not explicitly stating it, she can think whatever she wants, as long as it's reasonable.

If there's no sadomasochistic relationship, Su Jingyao will create one.

It's just Jun Zechen's personal tragic love story, so it's not unreasonable for her to pretend a little.

"This is the first time someone has openly framed me."

Jun Zechen's voice was as cold as frost.

But when he put himself in the woman's shoes, he felt there was nothing wrong with it, and he felt a lump in his throat, not knowing how to vent it.

"With such audacity, why are you kneeling?"

Every word he uttered seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, and explaining it to her felt like a waste of breath.

Su Jingyao's fear intensified at his sudden increase in volume, and she lowered her head even further, almost burying it in her chest, without getting up.

"stand up."

Jun Zechen's authoritative voice rang out again, carrying a commanding tone.

Doesn't she know her own body? She's delicate and frail; she gets bruised after kneeling for a short while.

Su Jingyao could only slowly and cautiously get up, but as soon as she stood up, she seemed to feel dizzy. She subconsciously reached out to touch her forehead, and her body went limp, swaying as if she were about to collapse.

Jun Zechen's gaze had been fixed on her the whole time. Upon seeing this, he panicked and stood up, firmly embracing her.

Su Jingyao went completely limp, as if she had lost all her strength, and leaned weakly against him with her eyes closed.

Jun Zechen frowned and, without saying a word, picked her up in his arms.

"Someone, summon the imperial physician!"

His voice was urgent and flustered. He carried Su Jingyao and hurried into the bedroom, then placed her on the bed.

Upon hearing the words "please summon the imperial physician," Anshun, who was outside, immediately became so nervous that his heart raced. He quickly dispatched a clever eunuch to the Imperial Hospital to fetch Physician Li.

Miaoyun also walked in, looking nervous and worried.

She knew, of course, that her mistress was pregnant. Ever since her mistress read the master's letter, she had been preoccupied with worries. She also knew that her mistress wanted to test the prince's attitude, but she was not sure what her mistress would do.

Jun Zechen looked at Su Jingyao, who was pale and unconscious. He was already in a bad mood and just wanted to vent his anger.

"How are you taking care of your mistress! Why is she unwell?"

I originally thought she was just upset because she had read the secret letter, and that her physical discomfort was just an excuse.

"Your Highness, please forgive me. It was my fault for not noticing your health problem."

Miaoyun knelt on the ground, her face filled with worry and regret.

Jun Zechen knew that Su Jingyao cared about these palace maids she had brought from home. Although he was annoyed, he did not think of punishing them.

If he punishes her, she will probably be even more heartbroken when she wakes up, and she will feel that his affection for her is all fake.

It was still early today, and soon Physician Li rushed over from the Imperial Hospital, panting heavily.

After entering the bedchamber, Physician Li was about to perform his rites when Jun Zechen abruptly interrupted him.

"Come directly to the concubine for a look."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Physician Li quickly responded, not daring to be negligent in the slightest. He strode to the bedside, sat down, and took the concubine's pulse.

As soon as he placed his hand on her, Physician Li's eyes flickered, seemingly with some surprise, and his expression instantly became excited.

Jun Zechen kept a close eye on Physician Li, and seeing his strange expression, he felt a little nervous.

But Physician Li seemed to be immersed in his own world, and carefully savored the sensations.

That's right, the concubine is pregnant!

With a joyful expression, Imperial Physician Li rose and took a few steps back before kneeling down with a thud, saying, "Congratulations, Your Highness! Concubine is more than a month pregnant."

Jun Zechen froze for a moment, as if he were frozen in place, and didn't react for a long time.

"really?"

"It's absolutely true, the concubine is pregnant."

Physician Li answered affirmatively once again.

Jun Zechen couldn't contain his joy and burst into laughter, his laughter hearty and cheerful.

"Very well, a reward will be given! Everyone in the Shui Ning Palace will receive a month's salary. Imperial Physician Li has also been rewarded for his meritorious service in treating the concubine!"

"Thank you, Your Highness." Imperial Physician Li quickly kowtowed to express his gratitude.

The palace maids inside the hall also knelt down happily to thank the Crown Prince for his kindness.

Immediately realizing something, Jun Zechen asked anxiously, "The concubine was emotionally unstable just now and actually fainted. Quickly check if there are any consequences."

She was terrified and panicked just now, and she knelt on the ground. How could a pregnant woman be subjected to such torment?

"Your Highness, based on my examination of her pulse just now, the concubine is fine. Although she has experienced some discomfort during pregnancy, the imperial heir is stable. I will prepare a bowl of medicine to help stabilize the pregnancy for her."

Upon hearing Physician Li's affirmative answer, Jun Zechen finally breathed a long sigh of relief, his heart finally at ease.

"Okay, go ahead."

After Physician Li and the palace servants left, Jun Zechen looked at Su Jingyao's face with affection. Even in her unconscious state, her eyebrows were slightly furrowed, making her look pitiful.

She must have been terrified when she saw those letters.

How could she be so foolish? If he hadn't noticed the unusual thing about the vase in the bedroom, she would have pretended that she knew nothing.

After returning to the Water Condensation Palace, she started having wild thoughts, even conjuring up the idea of ​​him giving her contraceptives.

Jun Zechen gently brushed the stray hairs from her forehead.

"Now that you're pregnant, doesn't that mean you've cleared your name, you little ingrate?" Her voice was gentle as water, her eyes full of doting and tenderness.