Transmigrating into a book, seducing him to rise to power

Su Jingyao finished dinner with Jun Zechen, and then played a game of chess with him.

As it drew nearer to bedtime, she gracefully rose and said softly, "Your Majesty, it is getting late. I shall return to Zhaochun Palace. I shall take my leave."

After saying that, Su Jingyao turned slightly, as if to leave.

Jun Zechen immediately took her small hand and said slowly, "Stay in Qianqing Palace tonight?"

Su Jingyao's eyes instantly showed a hint of doubt and grievance, and her eyes seemed to shimmer with light.

"Your Majesty promised to find butterfly carp for me, but Your Majesty has not found them yet."

Her meaning was clear: she wouldn't sleep with him until she found the butterfly carp.

Jun Zechen increased the pressure in his hand slightly, and gently pulled her towards him. Su Jingyao stumbled and was pulled between his legs.

Jun Zechen sat steadily, raising his head slightly, while Su Jingyao looked down at him.

"I promised Yao Yao that I wouldn't go to bed in Zhaochun Palace if I didn't find the butterfly carp, but I didn't promise Yao Yao that I couldn't go to bed in Qianqing Palace."

Jun Zechen's eyes held a hint of mockery, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

A look of shock flashed in Su Jingyao's eyes, and she bit her lip slightly.

She gritted her teeth and said, "Isn't Your Majesty too cruel? Your Majesty clearly knows that this is not what I meant."

Jun Zechen ignored what she said, stood up on his own, and took her hand tightly as they walked towards the Qianqing Palace.

With a slight struggle, Su Jingyao tried to free her hand from his, anxiously calling out, "Your Majesty!"

However, her strength was nothing to Jun Zechen.

Su Jingyao stared fiercely at his tall back.

Sure enough, a man who can become an emperor cannot patiently coax a woman forever; his gentleness cannot last long.

His true nature is autocratic and domineering.

Su Jingyao followed him into the bedroom, which was her first time entering the bedroom of Qianqing Palace.

Jun Zechen's dragon bed was particularly eye-catching, astonishingly large, and the bed sheet was not the usual bright yellow, but rather a mysterious black.

The top is also embroidered with a lifelike five-clawed golden dragon in gold thread, which shimmers slightly in the candlelight.

"Go up." Jun Zechen said expressionlessly, his voice indifferent.

Su Jingyao was suddenly annoyed by his words.

Unable to resist, she retorted sarcastically, "I don't like sleeping in a bed that other sisters have slept in. Why doesn't Your Majesty simply change the bed?"

Jun Zechen's expression remained unchanged after hearing her words.

"No woman has ever entered my bedchamber before. Yao Yao is the first. Even if I summon concubines in the future, they will only go to the side hall."

Su Jingyao raised her eyebrows slightly, somewhat skeptical, but still reluctantly moved her feet and got into bed.

As soon as she got on the bed, she quickly shrank to the innermost part of the bed, just like a frightened kitten.

The person was in a completely defensive posture.

Jun Zechen couldn't help but find her appearance somewhat amusing.

Which woman in the harem didn't long for his favor day and night? But this woman was different; she actually started to be wary of him.

Jun Zechen took off his dragon robe, leaving only his undergarments, and then gently lifted the quilt and lay down inside.

"Does Yao Yao want to sleep in her dress?"

Su Jingyao certainly didn't want to sleep in her clothes, as it would be very uncomfortable, but she was afraid that this jerk wouldn't be able to control himself.

Seeing that she didn't speak, Jun Zechen reached out and pulled her into his arms, his large hand beginning to untie her belt.

"I'll do it myself!" Su Jingyao hurriedly called out.

Seeing her resistance, Jun Zechen didn't say anything more, but helplessly let go of her and let her take it off herself.

After taking off her dress, Su Jingyao was only wearing her undergarments, her beautiful face full of wariness.

A pair of beautiful eyes stared at him warily, while she huddled far away in a corner of the bed.

Jun Zechen's dark eyes locked onto her, and then he slowly spoke, "If I want it, Yao Yao, do you think you can escape?"

Then, his voice softened, "Come here, I just want to hold you."

Su Jingyao looked at him with suspicion. Could a man really believe what he said?

A look of doubt was evident on her face.

Seeing this, Jun Zechen couldn't help but laugh in anger. He moved with incredible speed, getting up and pinning Su Jingyao down.

His hands were firmly planted on either side of her body, his deep eyes staring directly into her gaze.

"Does Yao Yao think my temper is getting better and better these days?" His voice carried a hint of anger.

Upon hearing his words, Su Jingyao slowly lowered her eyelashes, her long eyelashes trembling slightly.

Then she quietly and slowly took off her undergarments.

"What are you doing?" Jun Zechen quickly stopped her movements, his brows furrowing slightly.

"Didn't Your Majesty want it?" Su Jingyao's voice carried a hint of defiance.

"Does Yao Yao have to speak to me like this?" Jun Zechen's brows furrowed even more.

"Since Your Majesty has said you like me, what is it about me that you like? Is it my kindness and generosity, and my tendency to fawn over you?"

Su Jingyao's voice was very low, even carrying a faint hint of a sob.

"Your Majesty, I merely envy you..."

"What do you envy about her?"

Jun Zechen's expression turned serious, his brows furrowing tightly. He wanted to know what she was thinking.

"I envy the Imperial Concubine, who can indulge His Majesty no matter how much she makes a scene or throws a tantrum."

Her voice was small, and her slightly trembling tone was full of grievance.

"I envy that the Imperial Concubine is always His Majesty's favorite."

Jun Zechen sighed softly, then got off her, lay down to the side, and pulled her tightly into his arms.

A deep voice slowly sounded in her ear, "Yao Yao is my favorite."

Jun Zechen spoke these words with utmost seriousness; of all the women in the harem, she was his favorite.

Su Jingyao buried her face in his chest, her voice slightly muffled.

"Can I trust you, Your Majesty?"

In truth, Su Jingyao believed it, even though Jun Zechen himself might not be able to see his own heart clearly.

However, as an outsider between Jun Zechen and Ling Yue, Su Jingyao knew clearly that Jun Zechen didn't have much love for Ling Yue, only guilt.

It's just lingering memories from my youth and past promises at play.

"Yes, Yao Yao is my favorite. I only feel guilty towards the Imperial Concubine."

When Jun Zechen said those words, he seemed to feel much more relaxed. He finally acknowledged the change in his feelings for Ling Yue, and a sense of relief appeared on his face.

His previously tense expression relaxed slightly.

He didn't like Ling Yue; in fact, you could say that his feelings for Ling Yue in the past weren't really love.

He had never felt the same emotions as Ling Yue as the woman in his arms—the same feelings of excitement, heartache, sorrow, helplessness, joy, and anticipation.

After hearing his affirmative answer, Su Jingyao finally felt relieved and slowly let down her guard.

A slight smile played on her lips, and then she reached out and gently hugged his waist.

If he can admit it, that's good; she will also help him to remove all the guilt in his heart.

"Go to sleep. I'm keeping Yao Yao here tonight just so I can hold her while we sleep. If Yao Yao doesn't want to, I won't force her."

Jun Zechen's voice was deep and gentle, as if it could soothe all unease.

Su Jingyao rested her head on his broad chest, quietly listening to his strong heartbeat. She was getting closer and closer to her goal.

This man's heart is her most crucial trump card in the power struggles of the harem. Only by truly winning his heart can she remain unshaken in the harem.

Since she couldn't sleep this early anyway and wasn't doing anything else, she decided to probe Jun Zechen's thoughts on the matter of the Imperial Concubine's poisoning.

Su Jingyao gently closed her eyes, parted her lips slightly, and spoke softly.

"Your Majesty, why did you and the Empress Dowager order me to investigate the Consort's poisoning?"

Jun Zechen pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "I originally intended to convict Consort An directly, but the Empress Dowager was not satisfied with my decision. Since the Empress Dowager has asked you to investigate, then investigate."

At this moment, a subtle hint of contemplation flashed in Jun Zechen's eyes.

In this harem, the only one who harbored resentment towards Ling Yue was Consort An, and the evidence also subtly pointed to Consort An.

He originally intended to take advantage of the situation and deal with Consort An, but his mother insisted on intervening.

As far as Jun Zechen was concerned, the further the investigation went, the more disadvantageous it would be for Ling Yue, so he didn't want to continue the investigation.

The longer the investigation drags on, the faster the murderer will destroy the evidence, and they might even frame someone else. In the end, it might be those lackeys who will take the blame.

But when his mother ordered Yao Yao to investigate, he had no choice but to agree.

Su Jingyao frowned slightly, a hint of doubt in her voice, and said softly, "Does His Majesty want to directly convict Consort An because of the Imperial Concubine?"

"After reviewing the evidence you have uncovered, while Consort An is indeed a suspect, it cannot be directly proven that she was the one who committed the crime."

"When Consort An was in the Eastern Palace, she also came to see me. She was just a pitiful person who longed for Your Majesty."

"Perhaps there were times when she was jealous of the Imperial Concubine, but could Consort An really do something like poisoning the Imperial Concubine, which would implicate her entire family?"

Jun Zechen reached out and gently stroked her hair.

"Yaoyao had never witnessed the power struggles in the inner palace while she was still in her maiden quarters. After entering the Eastern Palace, my inner court consists only of you and the Imperial Concubine. Both of you are pure-hearted people, so naturally you do not understand the dark and secretive affairs of the inner palace."

Jun Zechen felt disgusted when he thought of his father's harem, and his eyes darkened.

"Consort An has impure intentions, Yao Yao, you'd better avoid dealing with her."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will listen to you. However, since the Empress Dowager trusts me, I will naturally investigate this matter thoroughly and find the culprit who harmed the Consort." Su Jingyao said with a determined expression.

"Yaoyao, you don't need to worry too much," Jun Zechen said calmly.

Su Jingyao frowned slightly upon hearing this.

Jun Zechen should be very concerned about Ling Yue's poisoning, so why does his attitude seem a bit off now?

Did he realize that Ling Yue was staging the whole thing, which is why he didn't want to investigate any further?

If the investigation continues, Jun Zechen himself is afraid that the results will be hard for him to accept. He has always thought that his kind and innocent wife has hurt him in order to win his favor.

If Jun Zechen had noticed something and that's why he didn't want to continue investigating and wanted to deal with An Zhaorong as soon as possible, then Ling Yue's poisoning wouldn't have been in vain.

Su Jingyao scoffed inwardly.

Ling Yue's move may seem commonplace, but it was brilliant.

Even if Ling Yue uses tricks, she does so in a way that harms herself. Even if Jun Zechen knows the truth, it's uncertain whether he will feel disgust or more guilt.

However, based on Su Jingyao's understanding of Jun Zechen, she would most likely feel even more guilty.

Ha, then don't blame her for splashing dirty water on Ling Yue.

Ling Yue did not harm anyone, but what if she framed someone and made an innocent person bear the consequences of harming her?