Transmigrating into a book, seducing him to rise to power

After leaving the Crown Princess's quarters, the eunuchs from the Empress Dowager's side rushed towards the concubine's quarters.

Arriving at the palace of the concubine, he composed himself before stepping inside.

He stood in the palace, cleared his throat, unfurled the imperial edict, and loudly proclaimed in a shrill voice:

"In accordance with the Empress Dowager's benevolent instructions."

The Crown Prince's concubine is gentle, virtuous, and outstanding in character.

The birth of the eldest prince adds another bloodline to the royal family, a truly great achievement.

She was immediately granted the title of Consort Shu and granted residence in Zhaochun Palace.

He was granted the title "Chun" to signify his extraordinary merit.

I hope that Consort Shu will uphold a pure and kind heart and maintain a respectful and dignified demeanor.

In the future, you must be even more diligent and respectful in fulfilling your duties.

To ensure the continuation of the royal family's lineage and to add further glory to the royal family.

So be it.

After reading the imperial edict, the eunuch hurriedly and respectfully placed it in Consort Shu's hands, his face instantly plastered with a fawning smile.

The smile seemed to squeeze all the wrinkles on her face together.

He bowed slightly and said, "Congratulations, Consort Chunshu! You are the only one in the entire palace to receive a title bestowed by His Majesty."

After receiving the imperial decree, Su Jingyao slowly stood up, a slight smile playing on her lips.

"Thank you for your hard work today, Father-in-law. Miaoyue, please give him some money for tea."

After saying that, Miaoyun quickly stepped forward, took out a handful of gold melon seeds, and steadily handed them to the old man.

The eunuch's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly took it with both hands, nodding and bowing repeatedly.

"This servant thanks Your Highness, Consort Shu. This servant has other imperial edicts to read out, so I will take my leave now."

As he spoke, he backed away and slowly left the palace.

After the investiture, Su Jingyao moved gracefully to the dressing table.

She changed into a more magnificent palace dress, the silk threads of which shimmered brilliantly in the candlelight, every stitch telling a story of royal nobility.

All the hair was neatly styled into a bun, not a single strand out of place, and a few gold hairpins inlaid with gemstones were used as perfect embellishments.

This made her appear even more noble and glamorous, like a blooming peony, elegant and graceful, outshining all others.

Afterwards, Su Jingyao straightened her back and led the palace servants of Xiyan Palace to Zhaochun Palace in a grand procession.

She sat upright in a palanquin carried by twelve men, her eyes slightly closed, her expression calm and dignified.

On the way from the East Palace to Zhaochun Palace, there is a long street. She opened her eyes and looked into the distance. The long street seemed to have no end.

But Su Jingyao's eyes revealed a kind of determination, as if she saw from this road her long journey to the highest position, and her eyes shone with light.

Soon, the sedan chair came to a steady stop in front of Zhaochun Palace.

As Su Jingyao stepped gracefully out of the sedan chair and into Zhaochun Palace, a hint of surprise still welled up in her heart.

Upon entering, you are greeted by a very spacious courtyard, with artificial hills and water features arranged in a harmonious manner, and pavilions and towers in a unique style.

It's only February, not yet the season for flowers to bloom, but the garden is already filled with beautifully cultivated flowers vying for attention and exuding fragrance.

Stepping into the palace reveals a magnificent and opulent scene.

All of the previous Consort Shu's belongings have been taken away, and the current Zhaochun Palace has been renovated by the Imperial Household Department.

Su Jingyao looked around and her gaze fell on the precious objects and calligraphy and paintings.

She knew that these were precious items that the Imperial Household Department had retrieved from the storeroom at Jun Zechen's behest.

Su Jingyao revealed a satisfied smile.

I don't know how long I'll stay in Zhaochun Palace. I'll renovate it according to my own preferences later.

Su Jingyao walked towards the seat in the main hall, each step exuding an innate noble air.

After she was seated, he slightly raised his chin, his eyes revealing authority.

Then, all the palace maids and eunuchs knelt down in unison, their movements perfectly synchronized.

They all said in unison, "This servant greets Her Highness Consort Chunshu. May Your Highness enjoy boundless blessings and peace."

Their voices echoed in the hall, filled with awe and reverence.

Su Jingyao waved her hand gently, parted her lips slightly, and said softly, "Yes, get up, all of you." Her voice was not loud, but it carried an air of authority.

Then, she turned her gaze to Li Mama beside her, nodded slightly and said, "Li Mama, today I am being granted a title, and all the palace servants of Zhaochun Palace will receive a reward."

Granny Li quickly and respectfully replied, "Yes, Master."

Su Jingyao then slowly said, "From now on, the head eunuch of Zhaochun Palace will be Granny Li, the chief eunuch will be Xilu who has followed me since the Eastern Palace, and my personal maids will be Miaoyun, Miaoxia, Miaoyue, and Miaoxue."

Her gaze swept over them one by one, her eyes full of trust.

Then, she looked around at the crowd below.

He solemnly said, "Besides them, there are currently forty-five palace maids and twenty-five eunuchs in Zhaochun Palace. Here in my palace, everyone who performs well has the opportunity to be promoted."

"When you were assigned here, the Imperial Household Department had already determined your ranks. But here with me, if you don't perform well, your rank can be replaced at any time, while if you perform well, you can be replaced."

There was a sharp glint in her eyes.

In the imperial harem, the head maid of a palace and the personal maid of the principal concubine are all female officials with ranks, while other palace maids are divided into first-class, second-class, and third-class.

After Su Jingyao finished speaking, everyone below looked solemn and responded in unison, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Su Jingyao gave a few more instructions, and then rubbed her temples wearily.

"I am tired today. You may all leave and go about your own business."

After the palace servants left, the palace suddenly felt much more spacious.

Only Granny Li, Xilu, and Miaoyun remained.

Su Jingyao leaned back slightly in her seat, her gaze slowly sweeping over them, a thoughtful look in her eyes.

"Granny Li, from now on, I'll be relying on you to oversee all matters, big and small, in Zhaochun Palace."

"Now that there are so many people and eyes in the palace, I don't know if I have been spies myself. I must be careful in my dealings with people in Zhaochun Palace and slowly cultivate more of our people."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will manage Zhaochun Palace flawlessly and provide you with a comfortable environment," said Granny Li with a determined look in her eyes.

Su Jingyao nodded gently.

Such a large palace is almost like a small company; it's not easy to manage.

Afterwards, she would discuss with Granny Li in detail the arrangements for the palace maids, the promotion plan, the daily check-in system, and the mutual monitoring among the servants.

She wanted to ensure that even if this palace maid was someone else's spy, she wouldn't be able to easily go out and pass on messages.

She still needs to carefully consider the management plan for the entire palace.

Then, Su Jingyao slowly turned her gaze to Xilu.

"happy Lu, you have served me for over a year, and I trust my judgment in people."

"We must not allow other people's spies to infiltrate Zhaochun Palace, but we must cultivate spies who can infiltrate other people's palaces."

Her eyes were filled with ruthlessness as she looked at Xilu.

Without informants in the palace, it's like groping forward in the dark, making every step extremely difficult.

Not to mention that there is no way of knowing whether someone is like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, ready to harm you at any moment.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I have served in the palace for many years and have some connections. I also have a good eye for people. I will do my utmost for Your Majesty." His expression was serious and his tone was firm.

Su Jingyao nodded slightly. She approved of Xilu, finding him reliable and somewhat clever.

"Granny Li, Xilu, go out and make arrangements for your respective people," Su Jingyao said calmly, waving her hand.

"Yes, we take our leave." They replied in unison, and then respectfully withdrew.

After they left, Miaoyun carefully stepped forward and took Su Jingyao's arm.

Su Jingyao slowly got up and, with Miaoyun's help, entered the bedroom.

Meanwhile, Miaoxia, Miaoyue, and Miaoxue were outside, tidying up some things in an orderly manner, their movements gentle and meticulous.

Upon entering the bedchamber, Miaoyun could hardly contain herself. She bit her lip slightly, hesitated for a moment, and then couldn't help but speak.

"Your Majesty, I thought that since you gave birth to the eldest prince and the Crown Princess is not the Empress, you would surely be made Empress."

Su Jingyao chuckled softly after hearing this.

"I never thought that I would become Empress after His Majesty ascended the throne. My goal has always been to prevent the Crown Princess from becoming Empress."

As she said this, a sharp glint flashed in her eyes, and her expression became somewhat serious.

One reason why the Crown Princess was not allowed to become Empress was that she did not want to become a so-called successor Empress, which sounded terrible.

Another reason, of course, is to drive Jun Zechen and Ling Yue apart.

Ling Yue now holds a certain place in Jun Zechen's heart, whether it's due to their years of friendship or Jun Zechen's guilt over a past promise.

Even after he ascended the throne, it was impossible for him to both demote Ling Yue to a concubine and make her empress.

The reason why An Liangdi and Tang Fengyi were able to successfully scheme against Ling Yue's disrespect before the late emperor's spirit was because of this.

Firstly, Tang Fengyi was a victim, and secondly, during the period when the late emperor's body lay in state, the Empress Dowager and Jun Zechen had too many things to do.

If the people under her command investigate, they will only find conclusive evidence, and the results will naturally be more biased towards An Liangdi and Tang Fengyi.

After all, what they did didn't reveal much about their actions.

If Jun Zechen were to investigate personally, he would have already placed his trust in Ling Yue, and would have more to consider when faced with certain evidence.

If they use Ling Yue's perspective as a victim to investigate the truth, then Tang Fengyi and An Liangdi might not be able to escape it.

However, more than half a month has passed since Ling Yue made her mistake, and the Empress Dowager has already given her final verdict.

Even if Jun Zechen wanted to investigate now, he would find almost no evidence.

Furthermore, the Empress Dowager truly loved Jun Zechen, and Jun Zechen genuinely respected her. It was impossible for him to insist on making Ling Yue Empress despite the Empress Dowager's "conclusive evidence."

Given this, it is not surprising that Ling Yue was conferred the title of Imperial Concubine.

It's just unclear what Jun Zechen is thinking now. Perhaps he's still thinking of saving the Empress's position for Ling Yue?

Su Jingyao narrowed her eyes.

That scoundrel is probably still fantasizing about beautiful wives and concubines.

Oh.

After listening to her master's words, Miaoyun nodded thoughtfully, then frowned.

With a worried expression, he asked, "My lord, tonight is His Majesty's first night on the throne. Will you take the initiative?"

"Logically speaking, if His Majesty were to appoint an Empress, one should naturally visit her on the first night of his reign. However, the position of Empress is currently vacant. Shouldn't Your Majesty try to secure it?"

Su Jingyao looked at herself in the mirror.

She had indeed always wanted Jun Zechen to come to her palace on the first night of his ascension to the throne.

This would only make Ling Yue's already wounded heart even worse.

After all, with so many people in the harem, she didn't think anyone else could enter Jun Zechen's heart.

Whether it was Ling Yue or her, the fact that Jun Zechen could lower his guard and fall in love with her was simply a matter of timing.

Ever since Jun Zechen talked with the late emperor, Su Jingyao could clearly feel that Jun Zechen had become more restrained in his feelings when they were together.

Now she needs to determine the extent of Jun Zechen's feelings for her.

Tonight, she wants Jun Zechen to go to the Imperial Concubine's palace.