Transmigrating into a book, seducing him to rise to power

After arranging everything, Li Jing found a reason that wouldn't arouse suspicion and left the palace.

After leaving the palace, he hurriedly went to the courtyard on the outskirts of Beijing.

Su Jingyao has been living here for more than three months.

The maid who took care of Su Jingyao was a mute girl that Li Jing had purchased from a clandestine underground exchange in the capital.

These past few months have been a critical period, and Li Jing has had to be extra careful. Su Jingyao has just given birth, and her appearance is not something an ordinary young lady could have. In a place like the capital, news travels fast, and he cannot allow anyone to become suspicious.

These days, Su Jingyao is enjoying herself in the courtyard.

When tending to flowers and plants, her gaze is focused and gentle, as if she is whispering to each flower; when reading, she can forget everything, as if she is amused by the wonders in the book; when playing the piano, her fingers dance nimbly on the strings, and she is completely absorbed in the music.

At this moment, she is holding a water ladle, carefully watering the lush crabapple blossoms in the small garden.

The crabapple blossoms are colorful, some as delicate as lotus flowers emerging from water, others as vibrant as the sunset, truly captivating.

Su Jingyao did not tie up all her long hair, but simply combed it into a bun as she did before she got married, leaving the rest of her jet-black hair loose.

As she bent down to water the plants, her long hair cascaded down to her chest like a waterfall, swaying gently.

Li Jing walked towards her from afar, gazing at her figure, his heart filled with countless emotions.

He had noticed that she was quite different from before. After just one trip to the palace, her whole demeanor had become so serene and detached, as if she were untouched by worldly affairs.

He had always known of her ambition and thirst for power, so when he learned that she had already secured her position as Empress and was the mother of the nation, yet insisted on leaving the palace, Li Jing was so shocked that he couldn't recover for a long time.

However, he ultimately did not ask why.

She wanted to leave the palace, so he did everything he could to help her.

The emperor, high above all others, has three thousand concubines in his harem, and will hold another selection of women to take his place in the future.

Perhaps it was only after she became empress that she realized that power was nothing more than that, and she was unwilling to spend her life in the harem scheming and fighting with other women for the emperor's favor.

Leaving the palace is fine too.

Although he could not give her overwhelming power, Li Jing was willing to do everything in his power to grant her a lifetime of wealth and leisure, and to protect her peace and happiness throughout her life.

Li Jing walked up to Su Jingyao, his eyes gentle, and said softly, "Miss, I'm back."

Upon hearing Li Jing's voice, Su Jingyao straightened up from her bent-over posture, which had been focused on watering the plants.

She turned her head and smiled, "Li Jing, from now on there will be no more Su Jingyao, the eldest daughter of the Su family, only Ning Qian, the adopted daughter of the Ning family. Just call me Qianqian."

Li Jing was slightly taken aback at first, then said, "Okay, Qianqian."

"elder brother."

Su Jingyao returned Li Jing's smile, her eyes curving into crescent shapes, conveying a sense of warmth.

Li Jing's heart was instantly filled with a warm and fulfilling emotion.

He was an orphan who had never felt the warmth of family in this vast world. The only person he truly cared about and held dear in his heart was the woman in front of him.

He knew very well that even if she left the palace, it would be difficult for their relationship to make any real progress.

However, being able to be her brother, having such a legitimate identity to protect her for life, is already very good.

-

After leaving the palace, Li Jing didn't waste a moment. He packed his things and left the capital with Ning Qian.

Only after arriving in other cities did he begin to systematically arrange various matters.

They selected maids, grooms, and even hired a group of skilled guards at great expense to ensure the safety of the journey.

In addition, he specially invited Zhongli Mingchuan, a man of great martial arts skill and fame in the martial arts world, who was also a close friend of Li Jing.

Knowing that Jun Zechen would soon be attacking Canglang, Ning Qian carefully considered her options and ultimately chose to travel west to the mysterious Western Regions to avoid conflicting with his schedule.

At this moment, Ning Qian, Li Jing, and Zhongli Mingchuan were sitting in a luxurious and exquisite carriage.

Zhongli Mingchuan had his black hair tied up high and was dressed in a black outfit. The fabric looked sturdy yet supple, clearly prepared with care for his travels in the martial arts world.

His skin, perhaps due to his long years of wandering the world, was not fair but had a healthy bronze hue, exuding a mature charm that came with experience.

Beside him lay a sword, its hilt adorned with simple yet exquisite decorations.

If you simply ignore the faint smile at the corner of his mouth, you might really think he's a cold, ruthless, and unapproachable handsome swordsman.

However, after spending some time with him, Ning Qian knew very well that he was a free-spirited and unconventional person.

"Qianqian, why do you want to go to the Western Regions?" Li Jin asked with a hint of curiosity.

Ning Qian raised an eyebrow and smiled, her beauty radiant and captivating.

"They say, 'In the West, there are beauties, their pavilions reaching the clouds. Their eyebrows are as beautiful as the morning moon, their smiles can topple cities.' Of course, I have to go and see for myself."

Upon hearing her reply, Zhongli Mingchuan's gaze involuntarily fell upon the woman opposite him.

Brother Li Jing's younger sister is indeed beautiful, but I never expected her to have such a free-spirited personality.

Zhongli Mingchuan has never been one to be obsessed with beautiful women, but these past few days he has had to force himself not to stare at girls so intently, otherwise he would lose face.

It was fate that I was able to travel with Brother Li Jing this time. Originally, I just wanted to travel around the beautiful mountains and rivers of the kingdom, but I never expected to be with Brother Li Jing and have such a beautiful woman as my companion.

Having spent the past few days with her, I've noticed that Miss Ning exudes an elegant and refined air, both in her actions and speech.

But her unrestrained words just now made him even more curious about Ning Qian.

"Why is Miss Ning interested in beautiful women?"

Zhongli Mingchuan raised an eyebrow, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"I love all beautiful people and things," Ning Qian replied with a light laugh.

"Then I'd also like to see, between this beauty from the Western Regions and Miss Ning, who is more beautiful?"

Zhongli Mingchuan blinked, his expression somewhat teasing.

"I'll take it as a compliment from Young Master Zhongli on my beauty. But if Young Master Zhongli keeps comparing women, I'm afraid he'll have a hard time finding a wife."

Ning Qian's lips curled up slightly, her eyes filled with a playful glint, as if she were deliberately teasing Zhong Limingchuan.

Zhongli Mingchuan subconsciously touched his nose, a hint of embarrassment flashing across his face, as if he realized that his words just now were somewhat inappropriate.

"Qianqian, Zhongli is used to being carefree and speaks without thinking."

Li Jing smiled and smoothed things over, a gentle smile on his face.

Zhongli Mingchuan quickly seized the opportunity and nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, it was just a joke, Miss Ning, please don't take it to heart."

Ning Qian waved her hand gently, her face still smiling, clearly not angry.

The three of them traveled from east to west in a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere, chatting and joking.

After three months, they finally arrived in the Western Regions.

The moment Ning Qian set foot on this land, a surge of emotions welled up within her.

This was her second time here, and memories of the past surged through her mind.

She tilted her head slightly, gazing at the familiar yet unfamiliar sky.

In her second life, she came here with Jun Zechen.

However, that was several years after Jun Zechen unified the world, and by then Xingxing had already begun to participate in politics.

Her thoughts drifted back to the past, her eyes becoming somewhat unfocused, as if she could see scenes from the past through the present.