Transmigrating into a book, seducing him to rise to power

Qianqing Palace.

An Shun stood respectfully beside Jun Zechen, holding a booklet in both hands.

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine has already assigned the palaces and ranks to the young ladies-in-waiting. Would Your Majesty like to take a look?"

Jun Zechen was processing memorials when he heard An Shun's words. He stopped writing and waved his hand impatiently.

"The Imperial Concubine can make the decision; there's no need for me to review it."

He had absolutely no interest in these women; if his mother hadn't insisted that he go during the palace selection, he wouldn't have wanted to participate at all.

Moreover, the selection of women was mostly based on the Empress Dowager's wishes, with her valuing factors such as family background and appearance.

For Jun Zechen, a woman's family background was not important; whoever he wanted to promote was simply a matter of his word.

As for appearance, although Jun Zechen does not deny that he loves beautiful women, he values ​​a woman's character and the feelings she can bring him more than her looks.

On the day of the palace selection, no woman left any impression on him.

When An Shun heard that His Majesty did not want to see the roster, a conflicted look appeared on his face. He moved his lips a few times and hesitated before speaking.

"His Majesty……"

Hearing him hesitate, Jun Zechen turned to look at him, a hint of impatience in his eyes. "Is there anything else?"

Anshun lowered his head and whispered, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine has sent two talented women to Zhaochun Palace."

After saying that, he lowered his head even further, feeling somewhat uneasy.

Based on his recent speculation about His Majesty's thoughts, His Majesty has taken a liking to Consort Chunshu.

If he didn't report this matter, he was really worried that His Majesty would skin him alive once the new masters entered the palace and new concubines moved into Zhaochun Palace.

So Anshun still had to bite the bullet and report it.

Upon hearing this, Jun Zechen's expression instantly hardened, and he said in a low voice, "Let me see it."

Anshun quickly presented the booklet, and Jun Zechen reached out and took it, then began to read it carefully.

The Imperial Concubine did indeed assign two talented women to Zhaochun Palace.

Moreover, the overall rank of the women selected for the imperial concubine examination in this batch was relatively low.

Jun Zechen frowned, his face darkening, and he pondered for a moment.

"Consort Chunshu needs to take care of the eldest prince. When the eldest prince grows up, there may not be enough room for him in Zhaochun Palace. Tell the Noble Consort not to arrange for any other consorts to enter Zhaochun Palace. As for the others, let her arrange them as she pleases."

Jun Zechen was somewhat puzzled by the Consort's actions. He and the Empress Dowager had given her power in the hope that she would consider things thoroughly and comprehensively.

This would allow her to live up to her current status as a Noble Consort, who assists in managing the six palaces.

However, Jun Zechen glanced at the ranks on the register and knew that with such ranks and palace allocations, the Empress Dowager would most likely not be satisfied with the Consort's actions.

After all, the imperial court and the harem are always intricately connected. The daughters of second-rank officials were only granted the title of "Beauty," which would likely make the officials in the court even more dissatisfied with the Imperial Concubine.

Jun Zechen shook his head helplessly.

He didn't know whether Ling Yue had given him such a position because of his low status and lack of consideration, or because she was jealous of other women.

However, Jun Zechen was clearly dissatisfied with this title, and even felt a sense of disappointment.

Is the Imperial Concubine truly capable of being his Empress?

Ling Yue waited for An Shun's reply in Yikun Palace. Upon hearing An Shun's report, her face instantly turned gloomy.

A surge of anger welled up inside him like a raging sea, and his eyes flashed with fury.

He gritted his teeth and growled in a low voice, "Why is it Consort Chun Shu again?!"

She suddenly turned her head to look at Meixiang beside her, her emotions slightly agitated.

"Meixiang, why is it Consort Chunshu again? I only sent two people to Zhaochun Palace."

"Besides, I didn't just send people to Zhaochun Palace; I even sent people to Yikun Palace. Is Your Majesty really so unwilling to let Consort Chunshu suffer even the slightest grievance?"

Her tone was filled with resentment and bitterness, and her chest heaved violently.

Zhaochun Palace was the largest palace in the harem besides Kunning Palace. Even though the number of servants in the palace increased by more than a dozen after the birth of the eldest prince, Zhaochun Palace was still spacious enough to have many side halls available.

Why can't new people live here?

Meixiang quickly comforted her softly, "Your Highness, didn't His Majesty say that Consort Chunshu has a Crown Prince? As the Crown Prince grows up, he will take up more space. It's normal for His Majesty to have such considerations."

She knew that because of her past friendship with His Majesty, her mistress always felt that it was only natural for His Majesty to treat her well.

However, as an observer, Meixiang saw things more clearly than the Imperial Concubine, who was involved in the situation.

His Majesty has changed his mind; his favoritism no longer belongs solely to his master.

Then, Meixiang continued cautiously, "My lord, the female officials who were appointed last time wanted you to elevate the ranks of the imperial concubines. Why didn't you do that, and instead presented the list of appointments directly to His Majesty?"

Ling Yue frowned, and said dismissively, "My title was given according to the rank bestowed upon the concubines during the late emperor's reign. What's wrong with that?"

She didn't feel there was anything wrong with what she was doing; she wasn't the first person to bestow a title in this way.

When the late emperor was alive, wasn't the empress dowager also given a title in the same way?

"But Master, that was during the late Emperor's fourth selection of consorts, so it's normal for their ranks to be lower."

"Now that His Majesty is holding his first imperial concubine selection, and the ranks offered are so low, won't His Majesty be dissatisfied?"

Meixiang's tone was somewhat worried.

Ling Yue scoffed lightly.

"His Majesty only sent Anshun with a message: no one will be admitted to Zhaochun Palace. Do you think His Majesty cares about the titles of the other new concubines?"

The reason she wanted to give the newcomers a low rank was that there were several women of noble status among the newly selected ladies. If they entered the palace with high ranks, wouldn't that threaten her future position as empress?

Now that there is only one Consort Chunshu, she is already very wary of her.

However, she understood Consort Chunshu. Consort Chunshu was not someone who would fight for someone easily. Although she disliked Consort Chunshu because of Jun Zechen, Consort Chunshu had indeed saved her and helped her many times.

Other newcomers have lower ranks, so even if His Majesty wants to promote them, he will do so step by step, thus posing less of a threat to her.

Meixiang frowned, her face full of worry. She just felt that this kind of conferment of a title was inappropriate, but she couldn't give a specific reason.

However, the master still has a childhood bond with His Majesty, so there shouldn't be any major problems.

Time flies, and before we knew it, it was time for the newlyweds to enter the palace.

Zhaochun Palace.

"Your Majesty, thirty-five new concubines have entered the palace today," Miaoyun said softly from the side.

Then, Miaoyun continued, "Among them are five beauties, ten talented women, ten precious ladies, and ten imperial concubines."

Upon hearing this, Su Jingyao's beautiful willow-leaf eyebrows furrowed slightly.

Are these newcomers' positions too low?

"Are Ye Yaqin and Chu Yinxue both beauties?"

As Su Jingyao spoke, she turned her head slightly to look at Miaoyun and asked softly.

After all, these two are of high status and must be among the highest-ranking newcomers.

"Yes, Your Majesty, Consort Ye will be given residence in Zhongcui Palace, sharing a palace with Consort An, and Consort Chu will be given residence in Yanxi Palace, sharing a palace with Consort Bai," Miaoyun said in a very calm tone.

Where is Lin Miaoyin?

Su Jingyao asked Lin Miaoyin because she had a slight impression of this woman during the palace selection that day.

At least at first glance, I felt that she was somewhat similar to Tang Ronghua, with a gentle and delicate appearance.

However, Lin Miaoyin comes from a good family, so she naturally doesn't have the inferiority complex that Tang Ronghua has. Overall, although she has a gentle temperament, you can tell that she is confident.

"Lady Lin is granted residence in Liushuang Pavilion, which is close to the Imperial Garden; it is indeed a good place."

"She doesn't need to live in the same palace as other concubines. Now that there is no empress, Consort Lin doesn't need to pay her respects to the master every day like other lower-ranking concubines in the palace," Miaoyun explained in detail.

Su Jingyao fell into deep thought, her hand unconsciously stroking her hair, her slender fingers slowly wandering through the strands.

This time, whether it was promoting the concubine or assigning her a palace, the Empress Dowager entrusted the matter to the Consort.

Su Jingyao didn't think that the Empress Dowager trusted the Consort; on the contrary, she felt that it was all a test for the Consort by the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager truly deserves to be the champion of the previous palace intrigue.

He showed great respect for the Imperial Concubine in front of Jun Zechen, entrusting her with various matters.

If the Imperial Concubine performs well, she can gain favor with His Majesty and the Empress Dowager. However, the problem is that Su Jingyao felt something was off about this title as soon as she heard it.

The Imperial Concubine is so petty and lacks any class. She doesn't know what Jun Zechen's attitude is, since Jun Zechen doesn't seem to care about newcomers during the talent show.

However, the Empress Dowager will likely become increasingly disappointed with the Consort.

"Did His Majesty choose a concubine tonight?"

Su Jingyao suddenly asked, her gaze snapping out of her reverie, a hint of curiosity in her expression.

"It was the Imperial Concubine who personally ordered the head eunuch of the Imperial Household Department to go to the Qianqing Palace. His Majesty chose Consort Lin's nameplate," Miaoyun said.

Upon hearing this, Su Jingyao frowned again, revealing a hint of doubt.

Is the Imperial Concubine no longer bothered by Jun Zechen favoring other concubines?

As night fell, under the careful and respectful care of the maids who were to attend to her in bed, Lin Meiren changed into a gossamer-thin gauze dress, specially made for her to serve in bed.

Consort Lin never expected that she would be the first person to serve the emperor. Did His Majesty notice her on the day of the palace selection?

With a mix of trepidation and excitement, Consort Lin boarded the magnificent Phoenix Spring Grace Carriage and headed towards the Qianqing Palace.

Upon arriving at the Qianqing Palace, she sat upright in the west side hall of the Qianqin Palace, her delicate body trembling slightly involuntarily.

The side hall was unusually spacious. His Majesty was still handling state affairs in the Imperial Study. She was dressed in a thin, misty gauze robe and sat quietly on the dragon bed.

Although she had seen His Majesty from afar on the day of the palace selection, she could not see him clearly.

I could only vaguely sense that His Majesty exuded an awe-inspiring aura of majesty.

Therefore, Lin Meiren always carried a hint of nervousness and fear, but even more so, anticipation.

As Jun Zechen stepped into the side hall, he immediately noticed the woman's hands, clasped together on her lap, nervously tugging at each other as if she wanted to crush her delicate hands.

Hearing the noise, Consort Lin quickly looked up and saw His Majesty. She then hurriedly stood up and bowed.

"This humble concubine greets Your Majesty."

Jun Zechen remained calm and composed, simply saying, "Get up."

Then, he stood upright to the side and stretched out his arms.

Having received rigorous training from the bedchamber attendants, Consort Lin naturally knew that she should help His Majesty change his clothes at this time.

So she slowly walked behind His Majesty and carefully unbuttoned the dragon robe.

Every movement was so gentle, as if afraid of disturbing the noble emperor before her.

Then, Jun Zechen lay lazily on the bed, slightly raising his head to look at the woman beside him who had been keeping her head down because of shyness.

If it weren't for the Imperial Concubine sending someone to ask him to choose a concubine today, he really wouldn't want to summon a new one. However, Jun Zechen didn't want to offend the Imperial Concubine again and again.

Consort Lin sensed His Majesty's gaze, so she took small, light steps and slowly approached the bed.

With shy and timid eyes, she looked at Jun Zechen, "Your Majesty..."

Jun Zechen glanced at her with his deep, unfathomable eyes, and Lin Meiren's heart began to pound wildly.

Your Majesty is indeed handsome and has an extraordinary bearing.

Jun Zechen replied in a calm tone, "Settle in."

Lin Meiren became increasingly shy, her cheeks flushed crimson. She knelt on the bed, her hands trembling as she slowly removed her clothes.

Jun Zechen flipped over and pinned the person beneath him.

Half an hour later, Jun Zechen got up, dressed, and left the side hall expressionlessly.

Lin Meiren stared blankly at Jun Zechen's departing figure, somewhat dazed.

Her first time serving the emperor was filled with the deep, bone-chilling pain she vividly remembered, yet she dared not utter a sound.

The old lady who served the emperor had taught her that when serving him, she must not harm his body, nor should she shout or yell, lest she lose her manners.

She gazed at His Majesty's imposing back, a chill creeping into her heart.

Is His Majesty truly such a cold-hearted person?

No, she was the first new concubine to serve His Majesty in bed, so His Majesty should treat her differently, but His Majesty is just cold-hearted.

Lin Meiren recovered her strength and then boarded the same sedan chair to return to her palace.