Transmigrating into a book, seducing him to rise to power

Yesterday, Jun Zechen spent the entire day in a daze, like a walking corpse.

He spent the entire day with the Empress in Kunning Palace, his gaze never leaving her serene face.

Even at night, he stubbornly refused to leave, sitting quietly by the bed as if time had stood still.

Anshun entered the Kunning Palace's sleeping quarters in the morning, preparing to wake His Majesty for the morning court session.

As soon as he stepped into the palace, he looked up and saw that His Majesty had already changed into his court robes, his expression as cold as ice that had never melted for a thousand years, chilling people to the bone.

An Shun's heart trembled, and he immediately lowered his head, not daring to meet His Majesty's gaze. At this moment, he even tried to keep his breathing as soft as possible, wanting to minimize his presence as much as possible.

Jun Zechen seemed oblivious, only glancing very slowly at her, who was sleeping motionless on the bed, his eyes filled with longing and pain.

Then, he resolutely turned around and left Kunning Palace.

Taiji Hall.

Even before His Majesty arrived, the court was already bustling with activity, with ministers exchanging ideas in a lively and intense atmosphere.

However, Minister Su stood there blankly, as if he had lost his soul.

He was still reeling from the news of the Empress's death yesterday.

He couldn't believe that his daughter had suddenly passed away after giving birth to his eldest son.

Has His Majesty really been using the Su family all along?

These questions kept swirling in his mind.

But the news that came from the palace yesterday shocked everyone.

His Majesty actually issued an imperial edict that if the real culprit who murdered the Empress was not found within seven days, all the concubines in the harem would be buried with the Empress.

This included Consort De, who was pregnant with the emperor's child, and Consort Tang.

Not to mention the other court officials, even Su Hongyu, who was used to seeing great storms, was so shocked that he couldn't speak for a long time.

At this moment, the ministers in the hall were also arguing heatedly because of His Majesty's words yesterday.

The Left Censor, filled with righteous indignation, exclaimed loudly, "We ministers understand His Majesty's grief at the Empress's passing, but how could His Majesty issue an edict ordering the concubines of the harem to be buried with the Empress?!"

Although this Left Remonstrance Official held a low-ranking position, only the eighth rank, as an advisor, he was responsible for other matters in addition to offering advice, making it a position with some real power.

Su Hongyu couldn't help but sneer when he heard Zuo Shiyi's words.

The daughter of the Left Censor-in-Chief is also a concubine in the inner palace. Instead of speaking up himself, he allows a lowly clerk to passionately criticize His Majesty.

Even the highest-ranking remonstrating official, Lord Li, was frowning deeply, extremely dissatisfied with His Majesty's actions.

"Consort De and Consort Tang are both pregnant, so Your Majesty's actions are indeed inappropriate," Lord Li said in a steady and powerful voice.

Seeing that Lord Li was also on his side, Zuo Shiyi felt as if he had a strong backing. He straightened his back considerably, and his previously trembling voice became firm.

Seeing this, several officials also began to echo the sentiment.

At this moment, Grand Commander Ye, like Su Hongyu, stood there silently without saying a word.

He knew perfectly well that the Empress had died; it was at his instigation that his daughter carried it out.

As expected of his daughter, she is truly meticulous in everything she does.

He didn't believe His Majesty could really disregard the opinions of his court officials and commit mass killings for the sake of the Empress. The Grand Commander lowered his head, a slight smile of smugness playing on his lips.

Suddenly, Anshun's sharp voice rang out in the Taiji Hall.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

The ministers, who had been discussing amongst themselves, immediately fell silent, stood in their positions in unison, and knelt down respectfully to pay their respects.

"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty!"

Their voices were loud and resonant, echoing throughout the hall.

Jun Zechen strode up to the high platform with an imposing presence, his posture upright, like a majestic mountain peak.

He wore a black and gold dragon robe, the gold thread embroidery on the robe shimmering with dazzling light. He wore a crown with long beaded curtains that swayed slightly, obscuring most of his cold and aloof face, as well as his deep and sharp eyes.

"My beloved subjects, rise."

Anshun proceeded with the formalities methodically, saying, "If there's anything to report, speak now; otherwise, the court may adjourn."

Having just engaged in a heated discussion with other officials, Zuo Shiyi felt increasingly confident. He took a deep breath and resolutely stepped forward.

"I have something to report."

"Your Majesty, I have heard that the Empress has passed away and her body has not yet been laid to rest. You have just ascended the throne, so you should bury the Empress's remains in the imperial mausoleum as soon as possible."

Zuo Shiyi observed His Majesty's expression.

"I have my own arrangements for this matter, my dear minister, you need not say more." Jun Zechen's voice was cold and left no room for argument.

The Left Remonstrance Official first mentioned this trivial matter, but His Majesty still went his own way. He was extremely conflicted, unsure whether he should continue to offer advice.

At this moment, the Right Grand Counselor also stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, we are deeply saddened by the passing of the Empress. However, we have heard that Your Majesty intends for the concubines to be buried with the Empress. Is this true?"

"true."

Jun Zechen's answer was concise and to the point, with no change in expression on his face.

Seeing that His Majesty remained unmoved, the Right Grand Counselor steeled himself, immediately knelt down, and slammed his forehead heavily against the ground.

"Your Majesty, I implore you to reconsider. The late Emperor practiced benevolent governance, and Your Majesty has just ascended the throne. You must not commit such a heinous act!" His voice was filled with pleading.

At this moment, Grand Commander Ye also slowly knelt down, his expression solemn: "Your Majesty, please reconsider."

When the ministers of the Ye family lineage saw that Grand Commander Ye had made his stance clear, they all knelt down and shouted in unison, "Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

The sound was deafening.

Two-thirds of the officials standing in the court now are either followers of the Su family or firmly stand on His Majesty's side.

Even though some of them felt that His Majesty's actions were inappropriate, the court was always divided into factions, and if they knelt down with Grand Commandant Ye at this moment, they would be unable to explain themselves.

They stood there, their expressions complex; some frowned, others sighed softly, but none dared to make a move.

"My decree is that if the true culprit who murdered the Empress cannot be found within seven days, the concubines of the harem shall be executed."

"Do you kneel down because you think I'll never find out?"

Jun Zechen's sharp eyes swept over the kneeling officials.

"If I cannot find the real culprit, then can I assume that since someone in the harem could kill the Empress, then someone could also kill me?"

"For my safety, it is better to kill the innocent than to let the guilty go unpunished. Are you, who oppose me, trying to put me in danger?"

His gaze was piercing, and every word he uttered left the court officials speechless.

If someone is killed for the emperor's safety, then no one can question how many they kill.

The kneeling officials looked at each other, speechless and bewildered.

"this....."

No one dared to utter another word.

Seeing that everyone else was silent, Zuo Shiyi gritted his teeth and spoke again.

"Your Majesty, two of the concubines are pregnant with the Emperor's children. If we kill them..."

"Why is the Left Censor so certain that I cannot find the real culprit? Or what evidence does the Left Censor have to prove that the two pregnant concubines are not the real murderers of the Empress?"

Jun Zechen stared intently at Zuo Shiyi, his icy gaze landing on Zuo Shiyi as if it were a physical object.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I was only thinking of your imperial heirs."

Zuo Shiyi was so frightened that his face turned ashen, and then he kowtowed heavily to the ground.

But Jun Zechen had been unable to vent his rage since yesterday. When Zuo Shiyi came along, he gave the order without thinking.

"Left Remonstrance Official, for insubordination and uttering wild words, drag him away and execute him."

This Left Censor is one of Grand Commander Ye's men. Jun Zechen only discovered this in his previous life when he was dealing with the Ye family. He never expected that Ye had already sided with the Ye family so early on, pretending to be a neutral party all along.

ridiculous.

Grand Commander Ye's kneeling body trembled violently. He looked up, intending to plead for mercy, but met the Emperor's icy gaze and immediately lowered his head.

Does His Majesty know that the Left Censor is one of his men?

No, we absolutely cannot expose the Ye family at this stage. It seems we must find a scapegoat for our daughter.

A sinister glint flashed in Grand Commander Ye's eyes, and his hands unconsciously clenched.

As he was being dragged away, Zuo Shiyi struggled desperately, never expecting His Majesty to be so ruthless. When the late Emperor was alive, he was a benevolent ruler, but His Majesty had just ascended the throne and was already killing a remonstrating official.

After that, will anyone in the imperial court dare to speak the truth?!

But now none of the ministers dared to plead for him; everyone hung their heads and dared not utter a sound.

"Your Majesty, spare me! Your Majesty, spare me! I was only making a suggestion!"

Zuo Shiyi screamed hoarsely, his voice filled with fear and despair. He struggled desperately to break free from the guards' dragging him, but to no avail.

Jun Zechen seemed not to hear, his face remained expressionless, and he continued to sit coldly on the dragon throne.

Left Censor was thus dragged away, and the cries for mercy gradually faded into the distance until they disappeared outside the court.

The other ministers kneeling on the ground were trembling with fear, the difference between the new emperor and the old emperor was simply too great.

The new emperor went on a killing spree immediately after ascending the throne, which is quite typical of a "tyrant".

But they didn't dare to breathe loudly, let alone say another word.

Didn't you see that among the military generals in the court, apart from the Grand Commander's faction, no one dared to advise His Majesty?

The military power His Majesty wields is not to be underestimated.

Now that the Left Censor has been executed, how could they dare to provoke His Majesty at this time?

After that, the officials behaved themselves and only discussed court affairs with trepidation.

After Jun Zechen finished court, he went to the Imperial Study to review memorials as usual, but he couldn't concentrate on reading the words on the memorials.

The warm scene of holding her in the East Palace and reviewing memorials together kept flashing through his mind, and his heart ached in waves, so much so that he could hardly breathe.

Suddenly, Anshun rushed in, creating a flurry of noise.

"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! Kunning Palace is on fire!"

Anshun's voice was shrill with fear.

He couldn't even imagine how furious His Majesty would be upon hearing such news. The wrath of the emperor could cause millions of corpses to float in the water—that's no joke. Just who hates the empress so much, and who is so audacious!

"What did you say?!"

Jun Zechen suddenly stood up and slammed the memorial in his hands to the ground.

He immediately turned around and strode quickly toward Kunning Palace.

Anshun jogged alongside His Majesty, panting as he recounted the whole story.

"Your Majesty, I originally intended to have the experienced Minister of the Court of Judicial Review handle the Empress's case, but the palace maid who poisoned the Empress had disposed of all the poisons, so the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review could only investigate the case through an autopsy."

Anshun spoke rapidly as he ran.

"Not long after the news reached Kunning Palace, the Empress's bedchamber caught fire."

"It is likely that someone wanted to destroy the Empress's body, prevent the Dali Temple from conducting an autopsy, and also prevent His Majesty from finding out the truth."

The more Jun Zechen listened, the angrier he became, and veins bulged on his forehead.

In his palace, thieves were able to set fire to the Empress's palace with such impunity.

When Jun Zechen arrived at Kunning Palace, the fire in the sleeping quarters was still not completely extinguished. The fire was raging and engulfing everything, with thick smoke billowing into the sky.

Jun Zechen stared blankly as the fire spread, his heart suddenly feeling cold and empty, as if the whole world had collapsed at that moment.

He couldn't even preserve her body!

All the palace servants were working hard and busily to put out the fire. Buckets of water were quickly poured onto the flames, and shouts and footsteps mingled together.

It took a full half hour for the fire to finally be extinguished. Jun Zechen, who had been steady, was now swaying slightly. He walked into the bedroom, which was completely unrecognizable.

The woman lying on the bed was now just a charred body.

"Except for the Empress's personal maid and Granny Lin, all the other palace servants in Kunning Palace were executed."

Following behind His Majesty, Granny Lin suppressed her grief and tried her best to maintain a shred of rationality.

Her eyes were red and swollen, and her body was trembling slightly.

"Your Majesty, before her death, the Empress said that she did not want Your Majesty to commit murder and wished to pray for the Crown Prince's well-being."

Lin Mama's voice trembled, each word seemed to have used up all her strength, as she knelt on the ground.

"The deaths of the palace servants of Kunning Palace are insignificant, but Her Majesty the Empress surely only wants those who truly killed her to pay with their lives. Today, the Dali Temple officials were just about to come and examine the body when the person behind it hastily destroyed Her Majesty's remains. This servant begs Your Majesty to find the true culprit and avenge Her Majesty as soon as possible!"

As she spoke, Granny Lin kept kowtowing.

"The people in Kunning Palace are all people who used to serve Her Highness. If innocent people die because of Her Highness, Her Highness will not be able to rest in peace after her death. I beg Your Majesty to consider Her Highness's feelings."

Lin Mama burst into tears.

There may indeed be traitors in Kunning Palace, but there are also loyal people she had carefully cultivated for the Empress and the First Prince.

Now that the Empress has passed away, she must preserve manpower for the Crown Prince, so naturally she can only kill her enemies!

Jun Zechen clenched his fists, recalling the last few words she had said yesterday.

Did she know he would lose control and kill, which is why she told him not to take his anger out on the innocent? But now Jun Zechen only wants to massacre the entire palace and cleanse it of all its filth with blood!