Transmigrating into a book, seducing him to rise to power

Kunning Palace.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."

Jun Zechen walked forward slowly, his posture upright, like a proud pine tree, his every move exuding royal demeanor.

The Empress sat gracefully on her phoenix chair, calmly extending her hand to elegantly pick up a teacup.

She gently blew on the steam rising from the teacup, the wisps of vapor swirling around her. Then, she tilted her head back slightly, slowly bringing the tea to her lips, savoring it carefully.

Her expression was calm and composed, and her eyes revealed a composure and wisdom that came with the passage of time.

"What brings the Crown Prince to my Kunning Palace today?"

The empress's voice was calm and dignified, like a clear spring flowing in the mountains, clear yet carrying an irresistible power.

Jun Zechen frowned slightly, a hint of worry and urgency showing between his brows.

This morning, when he came out of Xiyan Palace, he was shocked to hear Anshun tell him about the Empress Dowager's punishment of Ling Yue.

"Mother, I personally requested Father to bestow the title of Crown Princess upon her. If you take away her golden certificate of Crown Princess, wouldn't that be denying her status?"

"Your Highness!"

The Queen's voice turned stern, and her expression instantly became serious.

"The Crown Princess has not conceived in two years, but because you like her, I have not made things difficult for her."

The Empress's voice was crisp and powerful, each word striking Jun Zechen's heart like a heavy hammer.

"Not only can she not bear you an heir, but she also almost caused your second child to miscarry. Imperial Physician Li said that it is very difficult for Consort Tang to keep this pregnancy. It will depend on luck if she can keep it until six or seven months."

If Consort Tang's pregnancy can proceed smoothly until July, then for the Empress, it would be better to sacrifice the mother to save the child, as the imperial heir is the most important thing.

"Mother, I know the Crown Princess well; she would never harm my child."

Jun Zechen's voice was firm and powerful. He raised his head slightly and looked directly into the Empress's eyes.

He understood Ling Yue's character; she might be careless, or she might do more harm than good.

But his heart is never bad.

The Empress's gaze lingered on the Crown Prince, her eyes filled with disappointment and helplessness, like a deep pool containing endless thoughts.

In the decades of navigating the treacherous waters of the imperial harem, she had witnessed far too many women adept at disguise. She was all too familiar with those who appeared gentle and kind on the surface but were ruthless and cruel in secret.

Now, she never expected that her own son would be just like his father, so easily bewitched by a woman.

She slightly raised her head, her voice tinged with sorrow.

"As the Crown Prince, do you really think your words of belief can convince me?"

"I am fair in rewarding and punishing, and the evidence against the Crown Princess is conclusive. She took medicine from the Imperial Hospital and secretly took out the medicine to prevent miscarriage and gave it to Consort Tang. She even shamelessly claimed in front of me that she was unaware of it."

The Queen's speech gradually quickened, each word seemingly squeezed out from between her teeth, her fierceness undiminished.

Her fingers gripped the armrest tightly, her knuckles turning slightly white from the force, revealing her anger and dissatisfaction towards the Crown Princess.

"Even if the pastries weren't intentional on her part, she not only committed the crime of concealing the truth but also the fault of negligence. As the Crown Princess, her conduct is so lacking and she has no ability to manage others. What's wrong with me accepting her golden book?"

The Empress's voice grew increasingly stern, like thunderclaps exploding in Jun Zechen's ears.

Jun Zechen's expression was solemn.

He knew that Ling Yue was indeed lacking in the management of internal affairs.

After all, she had never received a proper education from a noble family, nor had she learned how to manage the affairs of the inner quarters of the household.

Now that many women have entered the Eastern Palace, she needs time to learn and adapt, rather than being directly deprived of her rights.

Jun Zechen took a deep breath, slowly raised his head, looked directly into the Empress's eyes, and spoke with a hint of pleading in his voice.

"Mother, the Crown Princess does have shortcomings, but I knew very well when I married her that she was not good at managing the affairs of the inner court."

He spoke slowly but firmly, every word filled with his protection of Ling Yue.

"Now, Mother should patiently teach her instead of so ruthlessly stripping her of her rights as Crown Princess."

The Empress spoke slowly, each word carrying a heavy weight.

"The Crown Prince is willing to give the Crown Princess the opportunity to learn and grow, but the price is that your second child may not be born safely."

"Does the Crown Prince really not care about such a price? Does he only feel satisfied if Consort Su's unborn child becomes a sacrifice for the Crown Princess's growth?"

The Empress's voice grew increasingly stern, each word like a sharp knife piercing Jun Zechen's heart.

That's how people are; when they haven't encountered anything truly hurtful, they always think in a positive light.

But if it actually happens, you'll regret it immensely.

At this moment, the Crown Prince was blinded by the Crown Princess's tenderness and could not see the reality before him.

As an outsider, the Empress was naturally well aware of the situation and would not allow her grandson to suffer any mishap.

Upon hearing the Empress's words, Jun Zechen's heart trembled violently.

I wanted to say something, but it got stuck in my throat, and I couldn't utter a single word.

His mother's reasons were sound, and he could not refute them.

Yao Yao is due to give birth in a little over two months, and we can't afford any more accidents.

When Ling Yue possessed the Golden Book, she wielded considerable power as the Crown Princess. She could not only command the people in the Eastern Palace but also interfere in some matters of the Imperial Household Department.

However, she is simple-minded and has a carefree personality, making her easily taken advantage of by those with ulterior motives.

Thinking of this, Jun Zechen pursed his lips even more and stopped speaking.

"After dealing with the Crown Princess's matter last night, I also sent people to carefully investigate the matter of the concubine's palace dress being stained with motherwort."

The Empress spoke slowly, her voice tinged with weariness and solemnity.

"I discovered that the palace maid Ru'er not only had the Crown Princess's gold hairpin, but also Consort An's handkerchief."

"There are many suspicious points about what happened last night. I have to guess that the target last night was not only Consort Tang, but the biggest target may be your concubine."

The Empress's tone grew increasingly serious, her face filled with worry.

"Imperial Physician Li was summoned to the Hall of Supreme Harmony because of Consort Tang. If Consort Su hadn't been taking good care of her pregnancy, she might have met with misfortune last night..."

At this point, the Queen stopped speaking and did not continue, but her eyes said it all.

Jun Zechen remained silent, his face expressionless.

He could not refute a single word his mother said.

He knew very well that Ling Yue was indeed unsuitable to be the Crown Princess.

But he was the one who married her, and now his mother's severe punishment of Ling Yue made him feel even more guilty towards her.

Perhaps, what my mother said back then was right.

Liking someone doesn't necessarily mean being compatible; by marrying her, he might really be harming her.

A trace of pain appeared on Jun Zechen's face. He lowered his head slightly, clenched his fists, and blamed himself in his heart.

He sighed inwardly, a hint of helplessness on his face.

Since it was his fault, Ling Yue shouldn't have to bear the entire burden.

"Mother, I will send someone to carefully instruct the Crown Princess. Please keep the Golden Book safe for me. Once the Crown Princess has grown up, I will ask you to bestow it back upon her."

Jun Zechen said slowly, "As for the matter of the concubine's palace dress being stained with motherwort yesterday, I will send people to investigate carefully and will not let go of any clues."

A sharp glint flashed in Jun Zechen's eyes.

"Your Highness, you are my son. I dislike the Crown Princess for two reasons: first, she is incapable of bearing you an heir; second, she will leave you feeling physically and mentally exhausted."

The Empress's voice carried her dissatisfaction with the Crown Princess and her heartache for her son.

Jun Zechen frowned slightly, a look of confusion on his face.

What does the Empress Dowager mean by this?

The Empress sighed softly.

"Now that your father is seriously ill, all policies require your decision-making, and all memorials require your review. You spend more than six out of twelve hours a day dealing with state affairs. Do you really want to go back to the Eastern Palace and bother with these trivial matters between women?"

"Your focus should be on the 108 cities of the kingdom, on the people of the world, and on the affairs of the previous dynasty."

"I have never caused your father any trouble or worry about matters of the harem. As Empress, I believe I have been magnanimous, decisive, and virtuous." The Empress's eyes were full of determination.

"But what about your Crown Princess?"

The Empress shook her head, ceasing her discussion of the Crown Princess with the Crown Prince, and turned to talk about Su Jingyao.

"I will investigate the matter of the concubine thoroughly. The Crown Prince need not interfere. Since your Crown Princess is so incompetent, I, as your mother, will naturally help you manage the inner court."

The Queen's tone was firm and left no room for argument.

Jun Zechen knew that his mother was always strong-willed and that once she made a decision, it was difficult to change it.

Moreover, everything his mother said was for his own good, so how could he refuse?

However, he will continue to have Anshun investigate Yao Yao's matter.

"Mother, I will also investigate the matter of the concubine. No matter who hurt her or my prince, I will not let them get away with it."

Jun Zechen's voice was firm and powerful, his eyes filled with determination.

The Empress shook her head helplessly; she really didn't want her son to waste too much energy on the struggles in the inner court.

But she also knew that the Crown Prince, like his father when he was young, always had too many unrealistic expectations about relationships.

She never doubted her son's outstanding ability in politics, but he still viewed women's various disguises and tactics too one-sidedly.

All he knew was that the women in his father's palace were venomous.

Well, perhaps when he ascends the throne and experiences more in the future, he will truly understand that a woman's heart is not simply black and white, but rather complex and changeable.

"If the Crown Prince is willing to investigate, then let him. I will not let the person behind this get away with it." The Empress's voice carried a hint of weariness and determination.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I take my leave."

Jun Zechen bowed slightly, then slowly turned and left, his back revealing a hint of weariness and helplessness.

After leaving Kunning Palace, he felt extremely troubled, as if a huge boulder was pressing heavily on his heart.

His brows were furrowed with worry, like thick clouds enveloping him.

He didn't know how to comfort Ling Yue.

He didn't know what to do when he thought of Ling Yue's sad and grief-stricken expression.

He also needed to investigate the truth behind Yao Yao's palace attire, and there were piles of memorials waiting for him to deal with in the imperial study.

To handle these tedious matters, he even had to move his afternoon meetings with court officials to the evening.

Despite his many worries, Jun Zechen, having been the crown prince for several years, had become accustomed to maintaining a composed demeanor in front of others.

He didn't want anyone to see his vulnerability.

In the eyes of others, he will always be a majestic crown prince, a high and unassailable figure.

Jun Zechen walked slowly toward the Qiluan Palace.

At this moment, Ling Yue looked exhausted and sat helplessly on the couch, her eyes dull and lifeless, like a stagnant pool.

Her once bright eyes have now turned gray, filled with disappointment and helplessness.

She never expected that her mother would so resolutely take away her golden book; this action was like a bolt from the blue for her.

This directly negated her title and rights as the Crown Princess!

Does Aze know about this?

Or perhaps, Aze also agreed with his mother's approach...

These thoughts kept flashing through her mind, making her even more confused.

"Your Highness has arrived," Mei Xiang said softly, her voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible joy.

She knew that her mistress was sad and upset at the moment, and that the prince's arrival might cheer her up.

When Ling Yue heard that the Crown Prince had arrived, her heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly got up from the bed.

Without bothering to straighten her slightly disheveled clothes, she quickly stepped forward.

As Jun Zechen entered the hall, she rushed up and hugged the crown prince tightly around the waist.

Her voice was choked with sobs, filled with endless grievances and sorrow.

"Aze, I really didn't hurt Tang Fengyi's child. Tang Fengyi is carrying your child. I wouldn't do such a thing. Aze, please believe me, okay?"

Her voice trembled, and tears streamed down her face like a burst dam, soaking the prince's clothes.

Jun Zechen's eyes were filled with struggle and helplessness, his complex expression seemingly containing endless worries.

He trusted her all along, but...

"I believe you, but the Empress Dowager took back your golden book not only because of the loss of the imperial heir of Tang Fengyi, but also for other reasons."

The crown prince's voice was slightly low. He paused for a moment before continuing.

"Yue'er, you need to learn how to manage the household affairs. I will hire a few nannies to teach you. Once you have improved and the Empress Dowager sees it, she will naturally bestow the Golden Book back upon you."

When Ling Yue heard Aze say that he believed in her, an indescribable joy welled up in her heart; it was the joy of being trusted.

But why can't Aze get her golden book back?

Without the golden book, would she still be the Crown Princess?

This thought kept swirling in her mind, making her feel incredibly lost and confused.

Ling Yue shoved Jun Zecheng away abruptly, her eyes filled with anger and grievance, tears welling up in her eyes as if they were about to spill over at any moment.

"Aze, I did nothing wrong, why did Mother take away my golden book? If the golden book is taken away, am I still your Crown Princess?!"

Ling Yue's voice was full of resentment and sorrow.

"Since Aze trusts me, why not let Mother return the Golden Book?"

Ling Yue's voice grew increasingly agitated, as if she were on the verge of a breakdown.

"Does Aze still remember the promise he made to me?!"

Ling Yue shouted these words with almost all her might, her voice filled with grief and indignation.

Her body trembled with excitement, and her desperate cries were heartbreaking.

All that she has been through recently has left her physically and mentally exhausted.

Her husband was becoming distant from her, and she had to suppress her fear and try to please him.

Yesterday, he showed such concern for Consort Su, ignoring her kneeling on the ground about to be punished by the Empress, and left without looking back, which made her heart sink even further.

Today he said he believed her, but then made her accept the punishment of having the Empress take away her golden book.

Why is he being so cruel now!

Jun Zecheng's face darkened. It was because of the promise he made to her that he was now so conflicted and guilty!

But she couldn't understand his difficulties at all. Was he just her husband?

"Yes, I have not kept my promise to you, but Yue'er, we are not an ordinary couple. The affairs of the inner palace are your responsibility as the Crown Princess, just as the entire world is my responsibility."

Jun Zechen's voice was low and hoarse, his dark and deep eyes fixed on the desperate and sorrowful Ling Yue, his gaze filled with complex emotions.

However, Ling Yue remained distraught and ignored the Crown Prince's words.

She seemed to have lost all hope, sinking into an abyss of pain from which she could not extricate herself.

Jun Zechen took a deep breath.

"It was I who confined you, this free bird, to the deep palace. If you regret it, I can let you leave."

Ling Yue's eyes widened instantly as she stared at Jun Zechen in astonishment.

Let her go?

Is he going to divorce her?

Ling Yue's tears flowed like a burst dam, and her body trembled slightly.

Then she hugged the man in front of her tightly again.

"Aze, don't you want me anymore?"

"You said I would be your wife for life, you can't break your promise, sob sob..."

Ling Yue's crying was heartbreaking.

"Yue'er, being my wife will be a difficult path."

It was much more difficult than Jun Zechen had imagined. He used to think he could support Ling Yue, but he found that he was so powerless to do so.

Now, it's not just that he feels powerless; he feels his heart is changing too. He doesn't know what he still likes about Ling Yue.

He used to feel relaxed and comfortable with Ling Yue, which allowed him to forget the worries of the court.

But now?

"Aze, I'm not afraid. I will grow up. I will study hard with Granny and become a qualified Crown Princess, a daughter-in-law that Mother will approve of."

Ling Yue said anxiously, her eyes filled with earnestness and determination.

She clung tightly to Jun Zechen's clothes, as if afraid he would leave her.

Jun Zechen sighed inwardly, his large hand slowly stroking Ling Yue's back, but his eyes were filled with unfathomable emotions.