Transmigrating into a book, seducing him to rise to power

After watching the new concubines leave, Su Jingyao leisurely lay down on the chaise longue.

He gently propped his head up with one hand, while turning the pages of the book with the other, his eyes focused intently on the words on the page.

When it was almost time for Xingxing to wake up, someone brought her over.

With a gentle smile on her lips, Su Jingyao held Xingxing in her arms, her slender fingers gently teasing Xingxing's little face.

This is truly the cutest time for children.

Xingxing can't talk yet. Every time we tease him, he gets so frustrated that he just stares blankly and makes some childish noises like "ooh ooh ah ah," which is so funny.

This made Su Jingyao chuckle softly.

After relaxing for a while, Su Jingyao prepared to start dealing with the trivial matters of the six palaces.

Although each of the three palaces and one department under her jurisdiction was equipped with corresponding female officials, Su Jingyao was well aware that interests would bring all sorts of turmoil.

Although it is said that water that is too clear has no fish, she does not need the three palaces and one office under her management to be particularly clean and honest.

However, all the dirt must be within her control.

Currently, she has quietly promoted several female officials in the Three Palaces and One Office to become her people, and of course, no one else would know exactly which ones are her people.

Moreover, many people in the six palaces have the Emperor and Empress Dowager as their masters, and these people should not be touched lightly.

Su Jingyao also put in a lot of effort to ensure that the Empress Dowager's people did not notice anything unusual when promoting her own people.

The day passed quietly amidst various tasks. After having dinner, Su Jingyao thought about going out for a walk to help digest her food.

As soon as she stepped out of the palace gate, Jun Zechen walked towards her.

Su Jingyao raised an eyebrow slightly. Was Jun Zechen not going to summon any new concubines today?

Then, she gracefully bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

Jun Zechen quickly walked to her, gently helped her up, and asked softly, "Have you had dinner?"

"Yes, I just finished eating. I was just about to take a walk in the Imperial Garden to digest my food," Su Jingyao said with a slight smile.

"I haven't eaten yet. How about Yao Yao ate with me, and then I'll take her for a walk in the Imperial Garden to aid digestion?"

Su Jingyao lowered her eyes slightly, her thick eyelashes concealing the hint of disdain that flashed in them.

She didn't want to...

She ate a little more today, and was just thinking about digesting the food as quickly as possible.

This man is affecting her beauty maintenance.

Then, Su Jingyao raised her head, her beautiful eyes sparkling with bright light as she stared at him expectantly.

"Why doesn't Your Majesty have dinner at the Peony Pavilion in the Imperial Garden? Enjoy the sunset, the bright moon, the gentle breeze, the fragrance of flowers, and..."

At this point, Su Jingyao stretched out both hands and gently grasped one of his large hands, her slender fingers trembling slightly.

She said in a coquettish tone, "And Your Majesty, how does it feel to have me accompany you?"

Upon hearing her words, Jun Zechen envisioned a beautiful scene in his mind and nodded in agreement.

"Very good, let's go to the Imperial Garden."

After receiving Jun Zechen's affirmative answer, Su Jingyao smiled even more brightly and turned to instruct An Shun.

"Anshun, set His Majesty's meal at the Peony Pavilion."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Anshun replied respectfully.

Then, Jun Zechen took her hand, and the two walked towards the Imperial Garden.

It was dinnertime, and there weren't many people in the Imperial Garden at this time.

Behind them followed a large group of palace servants.

It is springtime now, and the flowers in the Imperial Garden are blooming in all their splendor, creating a beautiful and captivating scene.

As she walked, Su Jingyao suddenly stopped, her gaze fixed on a flower with extremely vibrant colors.

Seeing this, Jun Zechen smiled and asked softly, "Does Yaoyao like amaryllis?"

Su Jingyao gently shook her head, but a hint of melancholy suddenly appeared on her face.

"Your Majesty, the amaryllis is the most beautiful flower I have ever seen. Its petals are layered and its colors are bright and eye-catching. It can immediately capture people's attention at a glance."

She paused slightly at this point.

"This morning, the newly arrived sisters came to Zhaochun Palace to pay their respects. I saw Consort Chu (Chu Yinxue) and realized that there are such beautiful and dazzling women in this world."

Jun Zechen frowned slightly. He knew very well how much the woman in front of him valued and cared about his appearance.

He simply did not believe that anyone in the world could compare to her.

Seeing her downcast expression, Jun Zechen quickly put his arm around her slender waist, his eyes full of concern and tenderness.

"Yao Yao's beauty is unparalleled in ancient times and unseen in the world; her exquisite appearance and graceful bearing are beyond praise."

Jun Zechen didn't want her to be down because of other women; he wanted her to be happy.

After saying that, he lowered his head, bent down and brought his lips close to her ear, and whispered, "I do not like glamorous women."

Upon hearing this, Su Jingyao's expression immediately became lively.

She gave him a coquettish glare, her eyes seemingly brimming with a thousand charms.

"Your Majesty, please take back those words. How heartbroken Consort Chu would be if she heard them."

"I only want Yao Yao to be happy." Jun Zechen looked at her affectionately, his tone firm yet gentle.

Su Jingyao immediately smiled, her smile as beautiful as a spring flower in bloom, breathtakingly beautiful.

Then, Su Jingyao bent down slightly, leaned forward, and approached the amaryllis. She brought her face close to the flower, closed her eyes slightly, and gently inhaled the scent emanating from the amaryllis.

She then slowly turned her head, her clear and bright eyes looking at Jun Zechen, her gaze filled with a thousand tender feelings.

"Although amaryllis is beautiful, it has a delicate fragrance."

"So this flower, I think, resembles Yao Yao." Jun Zechen replied with a doting smile.

Upon hearing this, Su Jingyao smiled slightly, her lips curving upwards.

Suddenly, a glint seemed to flash in her eyes, as if she had come up with some novel idea.

"Your Majesty, I already have many embroidery patterns for my dresses, including chrysanthemums, peonies, plum blossoms, crabapples, and azaleas, but I don't have any patterns for amaryllis. For the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, I would like to use amaryllis patterns for my palace dress."

As she spoke, she tilted her head slightly, her eyes full of anticipation.

"If Yao Yao likes it, she will instruct someone to make it. Amaryllis is a bright and festive color, which is very suitable."

Jun Zechen smiled and said that he didn't really care what was embroidered on the woman's dress.

However, she paid great attention to these things. Every time I saw her, not only were the embroidery patterns on her dresses different, but the styles were also unique.

Each piece carries a unique touch, always catching the eye and bringing a special surprise.

Having gained his approval, Su Jingyao also thought that the amaryllis was quite good. With a smile in her eyes, seemingly with a deeper meaning, she continued walking forward with Jun Zechen.

I wonder if Jun Zechen has ever heard the poem, "The amaryllis is beautiful and delicate, standing tall and graceful, its charm subtle and understated."

The following line is: "Though its appearance is beautiful and alluring, it contains a subtle poison; do not underestimate it."

Amaryllis sap is poisonous.

Chu Meiren was so flamboyant and arrogant, and today she gave Jun Zechen a hard time.

What will Jun Zechen's attitude be when he summons Consort Chu?

She was genuinely a little curious.

Su Jingyao and Jun Zechen walked towards the Peony Pavilion, stopping and starting, sometimes to admire the beautiful scenery, and sometimes to chat and laugh.

It took almost half an hour to reach the Peony Pavilion.

Su Jingyao also felt that she had digested her food almost completely.

Anshun is always very efficient, and the meals have been arranged perfectly.

At this time, the Peony Pavilion was brightly lit, as if it were daytime. In order to repel mosquitoes, Anshun thoughtfully prepared incense, and the fragrance permeated the air.

Jun Zechen took Su Jingyao's hand, and the two sat down together in the Peony Pavilion.

Su Jingyao wasn't particularly interested in the meals prepared by Jun Zechen, and since she had already eaten dinner, she obediently sat to the side and reached out her delicate hand to serve Jun Zechen some food.

With a beautiful woman by his side, a gentle breeze blowing, and the bright moon hanging high, Jun Zechen felt incredibly comfortable.

Not long after, the sound of a pipa drifted over.

Jun Zechen's brows furrowed suddenly, his face darkened instantly, and he spoke with displeasure.

"Anshun, get rid of that pipa player."

Just as Anshun was about to respond, Su Jingyao suddenly said with a smile.

"Your Majesty, I originally felt that the surroundings were a bit too quiet, but this pipa music is just right and very fitting for the occasion."

Upon hearing this, Jun Zechen turned to look at her and asked softly, "Does Yao Yao like it?"

Su Jingyao nodded slightly.

"In that case, Anshun, bring the person over for Consort Chunshu to play," Jun Zechen instructed.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Anshun quickly replied.

When Anshun brought the person over, Su Jingyao looked up.

The woman following behind Anshun, holding a pipa and with her head bowed, wore a light-colored dress and had little jewelry on her head, yet she exuded a faint, ethereal aura.

"Your Majesty, Consort Yan (Yan Xiaofei) pays her respects to Your Majesty and Consort Chunshu."

Consort Yan, holding her pipa, gracefully bowed and greeted the lady.

"Rise," Jun Zechen said in a calm tone.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Yan Cairen stood up, her voice revealing an undisguised joy.

Unexpectedly, this pipa really caught His Majesty's attention.

"Consort Yan's pipa playing is quite beautiful, but why are there no palace maids serving her?"

Su Jingyao looked at her and asked softly, a hint of curiosity on her face.

"Your Majesty, I found the Imperial Garden to be very beautiful. After dinner, I wanted to come here to play the pipa and relax. However, I accidentally lost my handkerchief on the way, so I asked my personal maid to look for it."

Consort Yan explained slowly, her eyes moving slightly as she spoke, her gaze occasionally falling on His Majesty, who was eating with his head down.

Your Majesty is truly handsome and dashing; Consort Yan's smile grew even more irrepressible.

"Anshun, please take a seat. Since Consort Chunshu likes your pipa playing, please continue playing." Jun Zechen instructed in a calm tone, his face as serene as still water.

Yan Cairen's joyful smile suddenly froze.

It wasn't His Majesty who liked her pipa, but Consort Chun Shu?

Her gaze was somewhat complicated as she quickly glanced at Consort Chun Shu, who always wore a gentle smile beside her.

She then said softly, "Yes, it is my greatest honor to be able to play for Consort Chunshu."

After speaking, Consort Yan sat down, gently placed her hands on the pipa, and began to play.

As she played, a melodious tune rose up, complementing the surrounding beautiful scenery; it was truly wonderful.

Su Jingyao looked at this Lady Yan. She hadn't left any special impression on her during the palace selection, but tonight it seemed she had quite a few tricks up her sleeve.

She and Jun Zechen had been out for quite a while, and anyone in the palace with good connections knew that Jun Zechen had taken her for a walk in the Imperial Garden.

The other newcomers were all wise enough not to bother them, but this Yan Cairen was quite courageous.

But what means wouldn't someone use to climb the social ladder?

Moreover, Jun Zechen, this highly sought-after guy, is openly appearing in the Imperial Garden. If she could really catch his attention, it would be a meteoric rise to the top.

Su Jingyao didn't think there was anything wrong with Yan Cairen's behavior.

However, to openly snatch someone from her, one must be able to accept failure; she is not a pushover.

Seeing that Jun Zechen had almost finished his meal, Su Jingyao said softly, "Your Majesty, it's still early today. Would you mind playing chess with me?"

Jun Zechen nodded slightly and said, "Indeed, it has been a long time since I played chess with Yao Yao. The atmosphere today is quite pleasant."

Seeing that he agreed, Su Jingyao then instructed Miaoyun, "Go and fetch my chessboard."

Once Miaoyun brought the chessboard, Su Jingyao and Jun Zechen leisurely began to play chess, their expressions completely focused, as if everything around them was irrelevant.

Yan Cairen, standing to the side, forced a smile, but it appeared extremely strained, with her lips twitching slightly.

She felt as if she had been forgotten by these two noblemen, treated as nothing more than an insignificant courtesan, with no one caring about her feelings.

She gritted her teeth, watching Consort Chunshu's coquettish and playful demeanor as she played chess with His Majesty, and the incredibly tender look His Majesty gave Consort Chunshu.

Envy surged within him like a tidal wave, and his eyes revealed an undisguised longing and jealousy.

On the day of the imperial concubine selection, His Majesty was high above, so majestic and aloof that no one dared to look him in the eye. But now, in front of Consort Chunshu, his eyes seemed to be filled with water, full of tenderness.

Consort Chunshu is truly favored by His Majesty!

Yan Cairen had already played two pieces without stopping, and her fingertips and wrists began to ache slightly.

She originally came here to play the pipa to attract His Majesty's attention, not to create a romantic atmosphere between His Majesty and Consort Chunshu.

Yan Cai's anger and resentment rose like flames, growing ever stronger.

The music seemed to be affected by her emotions, carrying a faint hint of anger.

Su Jingyao stopped moving her chess piece, glanced at Yan Cairen with slight worry, and then quietly gestured to Jun Zechen.

It was as if they were asking whether Yan Cairen should go back?

Jun Zechen naturally understood her meaning, but he still frowned slightly and looked coldly at Yan Cairen who was playing the instrument.

He can't even play the pipa properly, yet he tries to show off.

A gaze as cold as ice shot straight at Yan Cai Ren.

Consort Yan's somewhat absent-minded thoughts were suddenly pulled back, and then she was startled by His Majesty's sharp gaze.

In her panic, she accidentally broke a string.

Consort Yan was startled and immediately knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I know I was wrong."

"Consort Yan needs to practice her pipa more. Anshun, send someone to escort Consort Yan back."

"Since your skills are lacking, Consort Yan shall play the pipa for two hours every day from now on," Jun Zechen ordered expressionlessly.

Yan Cairen's face turned pale instantly, her lips trembled slightly, and her voice also trembled a little.

"Yes, Your Majesty."