Transmigrating into a book, seducing him to rise to power

Jun Zechen lay on the bed in the west wing of the hall, his chest rising and falling slightly, as if trying to calm the restlessness in his body.

After a while, he sat up.

Lin Jieyu, who was standing next to her, also sat up from under the covers and then got off the bed barefoot.

She deliberately didn't wear an outer garment, only a thin bodice and underpants, her beautiful figure faintly visible.

After getting out of bed, she knelt at Jun Zechen's feet, picked up the dragon boots, and carefully put them on for him.

Jun Zechen remained expressionless, like a cold statue. He glanced at her briefly before closing his eyes again.

Lin Jieyu bit her lower lip lightly, a hint of resentment and confusion showing in her eyes.

She slightly raised her eyes and secretly glanced at His Majesty.

Why does His Majesty never allow her to stay overnight in Qianqing Palace?

Lin Jieyu felt a little unwilling. She gently pressed her soft body against him, her delicate red lips only a finger's distance from Jun Zechen's mouth, as if she could touch him if she got any closer.

Jun Zechen suddenly opened his eyes, a cold light flashing in them as he stared straight at Lin Jieyu like a sharp sword.

Lin Jieyu was startled by his sudden gaze, her body trembled violently, and she immediately knelt down.

She raised her tear-filled eyes, her voice trembling slightly, "Your Majesty..."

Jun Zechen bent down slightly, reached out and lifted her chin, his voice cold and deep.

"I dislike skin-to-skin contact, so don't do anything that I dislike."

After saying that, Jun Zechen straightened up and walked outside without hesitation, his steps firm and resolute.

After Jun Zechen left, Lin Jieyu's body went limp and she collapsed to the ground.

She simply couldn't understand why His Majesty was so cold in bed.

He never touched her, never kissed her, and never allowed her to kiss him first.

Every time she served the emperor, Consort Lin felt as if he disliked her, because he wouldn't allow her to touch any part of him.

Before entering the palace, her mother had repeatedly instructed her to be alluring and proactive in bed with His Majesty, and she did exactly as instructed.

Does His Majesty not like her?

But His Majesty treated her very differently. Among the thirty-five new concubines, she was the only one who was summoned by His Majesty multiple times, while the other concubines, including Ye Ronghua, were only favored once.

How could His Majesty not like her?

Could it really be because His Majesty is inherently averse to contact with women...?

Lin Jieyu clenched her teeth tightly, enduring the discomfort in her body as she slowly got up from the ground, then put her clothes back on, her movements slightly stiff.

She slowly walked out of the west side hall.

He glanced back at the plaque on the west side hall, his eyes filled with determination and longing.

One day, His Majesty will keep her overnight in the Qianqing Palace.

Zhaochun Palace.

"Your Majesty, this is the palace attire for the Flower Festival that was just delivered by the Imperial Clothing Bureau. It's so magnificent!"

Miaoxia excitedly pushed the clothes rack with palace dresses on it and walked briskly to Su Jingyao, her voice full of barely suppressed joy.

This palace attire doesn't look like something an ordinary concubine would wear. Could it be that His Majesty is going to promote the mistress's rank?

Su Jingyao was focused on the book in her hand, but after hearing Miaoxia's words, her gaze slowly shifted to the palace dress.

Her beautiful eyebrows twitched slightly, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.

Seeing that her mistress also seemed surprised, Miaoxia smiled even more brightly and said, "Mistress, look, this palace dress seems to be bright red."

"The people from the Imperial Clothing Bureau said that this was specially ordered by His Majesty to be made secretly for you and delivered to you on the day of the Flower Festival."

Miaoxia spoke with great enthusiasm, her face beaming with joy.

A satisfied smile gradually appeared on Su Jingyao's face. This bastard finally knew how to make her happy.

Sure enough, she still preferred the satisfaction that power brought her.

Miaoxia suddenly frowned in confusion.

"Your Majesty, although the color is bright red, this palace dress looks like the attire of an Imperial Noble Consort."

"Yes, this is the attire for an Imperial Noble Consort."

Su Jingyao said calmly, "I knew it the moment I saw it."

Today, Jun Zechen is supposed to promote her to Imperial Noble Consort. Although she is not Empress yet, she is definitely Jun Zechen's choice for Empress.

If she wants to truly ascend to the position of Empress, she undoubtedly needs the approval of both the previous court and the Empress Dowager.

Perhaps Jun Zechen could make her empress directly, after all, she has a prince and a good family background, so it wouldn't seem excessive for Jun Zechen to make her empress.

However, such a move might displease the Empress Dowager. Su Jingyao still respected the Empress Dowager, and at least she wanted the Empress Dowager to acknowledge her position as Empress.

The Empress Dowager's approval essentially meant the approval of the court officials, who were not her father's faction.

Then, Su Jingyao walked gracefully to the dressing table and sat down.

Miaoxia picked up the jade comb and began to comb her cascading long hair, coiling it all up with careful movements, as if she were sculpting a precious work of art.

They then adorned her with a headdress that matched her palace attire, a phoenix crown made entirely of gold and precious stones, which was placed securely on her head.

The phoenix crown was enormous, with a row of chains hanging down in front of Su Jingyao's smooth, white forehead, swaying gently with her subtle movements, adding to her charm and nobility.

Miaoxia then meticulously painted a vibrant red flower on Su Jingyao's forehead, making her appear even more charming and alluring.

After dressing up, Su Jingyao was like a dazzling pearl, elegant and graceful, the most beautiful woman in the palace.

Just as Jun Zechen stepped into Zhaochun Palace, Su Jingyao gracefully walked out of her bedchamber.

When Su Jingyao saw him, her eyes immediately filled with a smile, as gentle as spring water.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

Jun Zechen was also dressed in a bright red dragon robe today, embroidered with a golden five-clawed dragon that was lifelike and exuded an extraordinary aura.

He walked towards Su Jingyao under her gaze, and then reached out his slender hand to help her up.

Before Su Jingyao could even say anything, her eyes were already filled with admiration and appreciation.

"Your Majesty is truly radiant and handsome today, with bright eyes and delicate brows, and an extraordinary appearance."

Jun Zechen looked at her, a doting smile playing on his lips.

"Yao Yao's beauty is unparalleled in the world, and she is the most suitable match for me."

Jun Zechen was stunned by her beauty the moment he saw her; her face seemed to possess endless charm, and he could never get tired of looking at her.

What he saw most often was her beautiful, unadorned face, without any makeup. But whenever she dressed up a little, his heart would pound uncontrollably.

She looked so radiant and elegant today that he wished he could hide her away immediately and admire her all to himself.

However, seeing how happy she was, Jun Zechen knew that she had already guessed his conferment of a title upon her.

"Let's go to Penglai Palace."

Penglai Palace is the palace where the family banquet of the Flower Festival is held. It is spacious and magnificent, surrounded by water and planted with all kinds of flowers and plants, making it very suitable for holding the Flower Festival banquet.

Jun Zechen naturally took her hand, and the two walked out of Zhaochun Palace together and boarded his imperial carriage.

At this time, all the imperial concubines had arrived at Penglai Palace, but the Empress Dowager was unable to attend due to illness.

The eunuch beside the imperial carriage shouted in a high-pitched voice.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

Consort Chunshu has arrived!

Upon hearing the sound, the concubines in the hall quickly stood up from their respective positions and waited respectfully.

Many of the lower-ranking concubines showed excitement on their faces, their eyes sparkling. After all, many of the new concubines had never seen the Emperor's face since entering the palace.

Today's Flower Festival banquet is their first opportunity to see His Majesty since entering the palace.

As Jun Zechen and Su Jingyao walked slowly to the center of the hall, all the concubines shouted in unison.

"Your humble servant/concubine greets Your Majesty and the Pure and Virtuous Consort."

Jun Zechen's dignified and steady voice rang out, "Rise."

The concubines then returned to their respective seats, while Jun Zechen held Su Jingyao's hand tightly as they walked together to the dragon throne. After Jun Zechen sat down, Su Jingyao also gracefully sat on the phoenix throne beside him.

Ye Ronghua's gaze was fixed on Consort Chunshu's imperial concubine attire, and the darkness in her eyes grew even deeper, which she could only try to conceal by lowering her eyes.

Has His Majesty already decided to elevate Consort Chunshu to the rank of Imperial Noble Consort?

If that's true, then wouldn't Consort Chunshu be His Majesty's chosen Empress?

Ye Ronghua never imagined that after entering the palace, she would be worse off than a noblewoman from Jinzhou.

She had been eagerly anticipating the chance to become empress, but His Majesty seemed to be giving her no opportunity whatsoever.

It was difficult for her to gain His Majesty's favor, and her rank was so low that she had no access to the affairs of the inner palace, let alone the approval of the Empress Dowager.

If Consort Ling hadn't set such a low rank for the newcomer, how could she have ended up in such a passive situation?

For now, all I can do is conserve my energy and try to win His Majesty's favor so I can be promoted to a palace mistress as soon as possible and give birth to a prince.

Now that Consort Chunshu is very powerful in the palace, she is completely unable to compete with her.

From the moment His Majesty and Consort Chun entered the palace, Consort Lin's eyes never left the hands they were holding.

Her eyes were filled with incomprehension and jealousy. Why could Consort Chunshu do that?

Doesn't His Majesty dislike being touched by women?

Or is it that His Majesty would accept it if it were merely holding hands?

Jun Zechen and Su Jingyao slowly took their seats.

Jun Zechen's expression was calm, and his gaze swept over the crowd with authority before he spoke in a deep voice.

"The Flower Festival is an important festival for the country, and the whole nation is in a state of joy and celebration. At present, there is no Empress in my harem, so Consort Chunshu will perform the duties of the Empress and manage the harem."

"Both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager are very satisfied with Consort Chunshu's abilities, and today we hereby confer upon her the title of Imperial Noble Consort."

Having said that, he waved his hand gently. An Shun understood and stepped forward, holding the imperial edict with both hands.

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

The Flower Festival is a time of joy and celebration.

In my harem, Consort Chunshu, née Su, is gentle, virtuous, and talented.

Since she assumed the duties of Empress and began managing the inner palace, everything has been handled properly and in an orderly manner, demonstrating her full competence.

The Empress Dowager and I both praised him highly, and felt that he was capable of undertaking great responsibilities.

Now, Consort Chunshu, née Su, is hereby specially conferred the title of Imperial Noble Consort and bestowed with the name "Jiayi".

I hope that she will continue to perform her duties diligently, be a model of virtue in the harem, assist me, and together safeguard the peace and tranquility of my country and the harem.

So be it!

"Your concubine/your humble servant greets Imperial Noble Consort Jiayi, may the Imperial Noble Consort live a thousand years!" The crowd chorused, their voices echoing throughout the hall.

Then, Su Jingyao, sitting on the phoenix throne, slightly raised her chin, a faint smile on her lips, and her eyes sparkling.

"Having gained His Majesty's trust and favor, and been granted the title of Imperial Noble Consort, I will naturally do my utmost to assist His Majesty in managing the harem."

She paused, her gaze slowly sweeping over the crowd below, before continuing.

"Today, we celebrate the Flower Festival together. After discussing with His Majesty, I have bestowed titles upon the six palaces."

His Majesty is benevolent and wishes that all his sisters may also enjoy this blessing.

From now on, may all my sisters fulfill their duties, work together, and assist Your Majesty.

Today's joy should be shared with everyone.

Throughout her speech, she maintained a gentle and dignified smile, her hands gracefully folded in front of her.

Upon hearing this, the concubines below all wore expressions of joy, their eyes filled with surprise and anticipation.

In the imperial harem, each promotion meant different treatment, with the monthly allowance doubling.

"Your Majesty, we thank you for your kindness, Imperial Noble Consort." Everyone bowed and expressed their gratitude.

Afterwards, Anshun continued to read out the imperial edict of the Imperial Noble Consort.

In the end, all the concubines were promoted one rank, with Consort An Zhao being promoted to Consort Shen, the highest-ranking concubine below Imperial Noble Consort.

Consort Lin was promoted to Imperial Noble Consort Lin, becoming a principal consort and granted residence in Chang Le Palace.

Ye Ronghua was promoted to Ye Jieyu, and Shangguan Meiren was promoted to Shangguan Jieyu.