Transmigrating into a book, seducing him to rise to power

In the past few days, Su Jingyao's inner thigh injury has fully recovered, and she is currently practicing calligraphy attentively in the study of Xiyan Palace.

"Your Majesty, Aunt Jinhua, who serves the Empress, has arrived and is waiting for you in the main hall."

Miaoyun hurriedly entered the study, her expression revealing a hint of worry.

Su Jingyao paused, her eyebrows slightly raised, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.

The Empress finally came looking for her; if she hadn't, how would she have been able to continue her act?

"Okay, let's go."

Su Jingyao calmly put down her pen, slowly stood up, and walked unhurriedly towards the hall.

In the main hall of Xiyan Palace, Aunt Jinhua stood upright and solemnly in the middle of the hall.

Upon seeing Su Jingyao enter, he immediately gave a standard bow.

"This servant greets Consort Su."

"Please rise, Aunt. May I ask what brings you to Xiyan Palace today?"

Today, Su Jingyao wore a light pink long dress with an elegant trailing hem, her figure graceful, lively and beautiful.

Aunt Jinhua looked up and stared directly at Su Jingyao, her eyes filled with amazement.

What a charming and beautiful woman! It's a pity that such beauty cannot capture a man's heart; it's all in vain.

Aunt Jinhua's expression turned serious again.

"Consort Su, it has been ten days since you married into the Eastern Palace. Her Majesty the Empress has some free time today and has specially invited you to Kunning Palace for a chat."

"Yes."

Su Jingyao responded softly, and then followed Aunt Jinhua to Kunning Palace.

Inside the Kunning Palace, the palace is magnificent and solemn.

The Empress sat regally at the head of the main hall, her demeanor dignified and imposing without her showing any anger.

Su Jingyao gracefully stepped into the hall. After walking to the center of the hall, she slightly bent her knees and bowed, with a gentle smile on her face.

She said softly, "This humble servant greets Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."

The Empress slowly raised her right hand, picked up the teacup beside her, took a small sip, and gently put the teacup down.

She lowered her eyes slightly, her indifferent gaze sweeping over Su Jingyao with a cold, electric intensity, her eyes revealing a hint of authority.

The Empress was quite dissatisfied when the Crown Prince chose the daughter of a military general as his wife.

After all, the Crown Princess not only grew up in the borderlands, but also had no manners whatsoever.

She had no children after marriage and even told the Crown Prince not to marry anyone else but her.

However, the Crown Prince was her only son, and he had been carefully taught by her since childhood. The bond between them was deep, and naturally, they would not have any rift because of a woman.

Since the Crown Prince likes her, what's wrong with marrying her?

Could it be that the Crown Prince can truly remain chaste for the Crown Princess for the rest of his life?

The empress understood men, and even more so the emperor, so naturally she didn't believe it.

As the daughter of the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, the head of the civil officials, Su Jingyao was well-versed in poetry and literature from a young age and was a gentle and quiet lady from a prominent family.

The Empress originally favored her to become the Crown Princess.

Originally, the plan was to wait until Su Jingyao was two years older before requesting His Majesty to appoint her as the Crown Princess.

Unexpectedly, the Crown Prince was bewitched by a wild woman during his campaign.

In order not to affect her relationship with the Crown Prince, the Empress had no choice but to suppress her dislike for the Crown Princess.

After all, she had been in the imperial harem for many years and was well aware of the power struggles and tactics involved.

She knew her own son well; the more she opposed him, the more counterproductive it would be. It would be better to wait for the Crown Prince's feelings to fade on their own.

The Crown Princess's infertility for two years provided the Empress with a reason to personally request His Majesty to issue an imperial decree to grant them marriage.

As the daughter of the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Su Jingyao had been the subject of much inquiry from noble families since she was ten years old, who had heard about her appearance, talent, and personality.

The Empress was no exception, as she was also concerned for the Crown Prince.

The Su family's daughter grew up pampered by her parents and had a simple and innocent nature, which pleased the Empress greatly.

In addition, Su Jingyao's appearance was truly outstanding, which made the Empress even more satisfied.

Even the most determined man can be completely unaffected by a beautiful woman.

However, after Su Jingyao married into the Eastern Palace, the Empress waited for a full ten days.

Her informant in the Eastern Palace reported that the Crown Prince had not visited Xiyan Palace since the first day when he stayed overnight there.

This won't do!

As the crown prince, in order to inherit the throne, he must gain the trust of the court officials, and he must have a son before ascending the throne.

Without a prince, how can the empire be secure?

How can we suppress the ambitions of the other princes?

The Empress was filled with a myriad of thoughts.

He carefully examined Su Jingyao's face.

Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her eyes like autumn water, and her lips were naturally red; she was even more beautiful than she had imagined.

Even though the Empress was used to seeing all kinds of beauties in the harem, she couldn't help but be slightly stunned when she saw Su Jingyao.

"Get up, do you know your sin?"

The empress's voice was cold, exuding authority and intimidation.

Su Jingyao had been performing the half-kneeling salute for quite some time when she suddenly heard the Empress's question, and her heart trembled.

Her face showed panic. Although she didn't know what was going on, she was so frightened that she knelt down with a "thump".

"Please enlighten me, Your Majesty." Her voice trembled slightly.

"What brings you into the Eastern Palace?"

The Empress's condescending gaze, sharp as an arrow, coldly swept over Su Jingyao.

"Your Majesty, I entered the Eastern Palace for two reasons: first, to serve His Highness the Crown Prince, and second, to ensure the continuation of the imperial line."

After Su Jingyao finished speaking, she bit her lip tightly and frowned slightly.

These were the words in the imperial edict, and indeed, they were her responsibilities and obligations upon entering the Eastern Palace.

But could she really tie up the crown prince to give birth?

Su Jingyao lowered her head, looking pitiful, but she wanted to roll her eyes to the heavens in her heart.

If you're so capable, go find your own son!

"I heard that you've been married into the Eastern Palace for ten days, and the Crown Prince hasn't even consummated your marriage yet?"

The Empress's words were direct and sharp, like a sword piercing Su Jingyao's heart.

Su Jingyao's pretty face instantly turned bright red.

When the Empress asked her about such a private matter, tears welled up in her eyes, as if they were about to burst forth at any moment.

At home, she was always the apple of her parents' eye, and even when she made a mistake, her older brother would protect her.

Now that the Empress is questioning him so disrespectfully, he is naturally filled with grievances.

Su Jingyao fought back tears that threatened to spill, her eyes red and swollen, desperately trying to keep them from falling.

"Your Majesty, His Highness and the Crown Princess are deeply in love. His Highness also has to deal with many complicated government affairs during the day. Whether His Highness visits the Crown Princess or me, as long as His Highness is at ease, I will not have any complaints even if His Highness does not come to me."

Her voice trembled with a hint of sobbing.

The Empress had already learned that Su Jingyao was a gentle and simple person when she asked around earlier, but she did not expect that she was really so uncompetitive and unassuming.

The Crown Prince didn't go to her place, and she really didn't try to win him over, just guarding her own little world in Xiyan Palace.

"The crown prince is the heir apparent of the country, and the continuation of the imperial line is his heavy responsibility."

"Since ancient times, there have been three unfilial acts, the greatest of which is having no offspring. I originally thought that you, as a noble lady from a prominent family, would naturally understand this principle."

"If the crown prince of a country acts solely on his own whims, how can he gain the trust of the court officials and the love of the people?"

"Today you will copy the 'Rules for Women' ten times in Kunning Palace before returning."

The Empress's tone was stern, revealing her dissatisfaction with Su Jingyao's lack of ambition.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will remember your teachings."

Get up.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Su Jingyao got up and, led by Aunt Jinhua, walked slowly toward a side hall with slightly heavy steps.

The palace maids had already prepared all the necessary writing materials.

By the time Su Jingyao finished copying, it was already dark, and her wrists were aching terribly, as if they were being gnawed by a million ants.

Meanwhile, the Crown Prince has been in the Imperial Study for almost a whole day.

Recently, some cities in the south have suffered from drought, and Jun Zechen has been discussing countermeasures with his father and many ministers for a long time.

After the morning court session, they began to discuss various aspects.

How to provide disaster relief and tax exemption, which cities need to open their granaries to distribute grain, which people should be sent to relocate disaster victims, how the Ministry of Works should carry out water conservancy projects, how to appease the people, and how to send people to investigate the disaster situation, etc.

The day's discussion finally came to an end. Jun Zechen breathed a sigh of relief, slowly stood up, and prepared to bow to his father and take his leave.

Unexpectedly, Emperor Jingsheng's chief eunuch, Dehai, suddenly entered.

Eunuch Dehai knelt respectfully and bowed, saying, "This servant greets Your Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince."

"Get up, what brings you here?"

Emperor Jingsheng sat upright on the dragon throne, his majestic gaze still fixed on the policies and plans that had just been discussed, his voice authoritative without being angry.

"Your Majesty, Aunt Jinhua, who serves the Empress, requests an audience."

The Crown Prince felt a chill run down his spine. Someone close to his mother?

Could it be that something has happened to the Empress Dowager?

Thinking of this, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.

"Let her in."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

After entering the hall, Aunt Jinhua first respectfully bowed to Emperor Jingsheng and the Crown Prince, and then explained her purpose.

"Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress knows that you and His Highness the Crown Prince have been handling state affairs in the Imperial Study all day. She did not wish to disturb you, Your Majesty, but His Highness the Crown Prince..."

At this point, Aunt Jinhua glanced slightly at the Crown Prince, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped herself.

Upon seeing this, Emperor Jingsheng frowned slightly and asked, "How is the Crown Prince?"

He had already roughly guessed the Empress's intentions in coming here.

"Your Majesty, please discipline your own Crown Prince. The continuation of the imperial line is of utmost importance to His Highness."

As soon as Aunt Jinhua finished speaking, she lowered her head, not daring to look at the two most honored people in the hall.

Upon hearing Aunt Jinhua's words, Jun Zechen's expression instantly turned ugly.

His mother actually complained to his father right in front of him!

After hearing what Aunt Jinhua said, Emperor Jingsheng's expression relaxed.

He sighed helplessly to himself. The Empress was really getting more and more demanding of him.

"You may leave. I understand the Empress's meaning."

After Aunt Jinhua quietly withdrew, the Crown Prince slowly rose and walked steadily to the center of the hall.

"Father, your son..."

"Crown Prince."

Emperor Jingsheng's voice was not loud, but it contained supreme majesty.

He raised his head slightly, his gaze fixed intently on Jun Zechen.

"Although your mother was slightly dissatisfied with the Crown Princess, she did not stop you because you were in love with her."

"Now that the Crown Princess has not conceived for two years, your mother has requested my decree to bestow a marriage upon you and the eldest daughter of the Su family. Do you harbor resentment?"

Jun Zechen bowed his head and replied respectfully, "Your subject dares not. I know Your Majesty's love and care for me."

A hint of satisfaction flashed in Emperor Jingsheng's eyes, and he nodded.

The Crown Prince was exceptionally intelligent from a young age, and after entering school, his talent shone brighter among all the princes.

Emperor Jingsheng looked at his outstanding son and felt gratified.

"Now your decisions on state affairs are no less than mine."

"Father, how dare I compare myself to you?" Jun Zechen raised his head, his eyes filled with awe.

"When you were seventeen, I sent you on a military expedition. Do you know why?"

"A man of courage and ambition should sweep across the world and protect the country and its people."

Jun Zechen's voice was firm and powerful. He straightened his body, his eyes revealing determination.

"Haha, that's true, but there are other reasons as well."

Emperor Jingsheng's gaze deepened, as if he were recalling bygone days.

"You grew up in the deep palace, and your mother never hid the secrets of the harem from you, so that you would understand the wickedness of people's hearts early on."

"After you entered the court, the conspiracies and schemes of the previous dynasty became countless. You must have been extremely disgusted by them when you were young."

Jun Zechen listened to his father's words and a look of surprise appeared on his face.

He never imagined that his father would understand his heart so well.

Jun Zechen and Emperor Jingsheng looked at each other, feeling deeply moved. They wanted to say something, but didn't know where to begin.

"You are still young and should not be trapped in these many schemes. As the crown prince, you must not only navigate these schemes but also have a broad mind and a heart for the world."

"I am sending you on this expedition so that you may witness firsthand the carnage, see the displacement of the people, and experience the cruelty of war, thereby gaining a profound understanding of what it truly means for a nation to be strong."

"And you."

Emperor Jingsheng's gaze was sharp as he met Jun Zechen's eyes, his voice resounding.

"As the crown prince, the country is your most important responsibility."

"Even if you have a woman you admire when you are young, you must make sacrifices for your country, for the woman you love, for the things you desire, and even for yourself."

"Father, I know that the country and the emperor are the most important things in my heart, and I will do my utmost to serve them until my dying breath."

"Minister Su is a pillar of the nation. Your neglect of your concubine chills the hearts of your subjects."

"Since I arranged this marriage for you, and you did not refuse, you should shoulder the responsibilities of being the Crown Prince."

"Even without Consort Su, there will be many more consorts and concubines in the future. Are you going to marry them all and treat them as decorations?"

Emperor Jingsheng's words left Jun Zecheng speechless.

His expression changed slightly, and he said sincerely, "Your subject knows his mistake, and will certainly treat Consort Su well."

"Yes, you may leave."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I take my leave."

Jun Zechen stepped out of the imperial study, his face grim.

Each step he took carried a hidden anger as he walked towards the Eastern Palace.

He had a lot of things to do today, and after finishing them, he was also lectured by his father because of his mother's complaint. He felt very frustrated.

"Anshun, what did the concubine do today?"

Jun Zechen's voice was as cold as frost, his eyes flashed with a cold light, and he stared coldly ahead, as if he wanted to freeze everything in front of him.

Anshun hunched over and followed cautiously behind Jun Zechen.

"Your Highness, the concubine went to the Empress's residence in Kunning Palace today."

Upon hearing this, Jun Zechen's heart sank.

He originally thought that Su Jingyao had been well-behaved in the Eastern Palace for ten days and was a simple, innocent, and unambitious woman.

Unexpectedly, she was so cunning. Knowing that seducing her would not work, she tried to please the Empress Dowager in order to gain a better position.

His fists clenched involuntarily, and the anger in his eyes surged forth like burning flames.

Jun Zechen strode forward, his speed suddenly increasing, and entered the East Palace with an imposing gait, heading straight towards the Xiyan Palace.

Anshun took small steps, running at full speed to keep up, secretly lamenting his predicament.

Alas, His Highness the Crown Prince, why does he show no pity whatsoever for this old man?

Qiluan Palace.

Upon hearing the news that Jun Zechen had returned to the Eastern Palace, a hint of joy flashed in Ling Yue's beautiful eyes.

He immediately ordered the servants to bring up dinner, unable to hide his anticipation.

Mei Xiang's eyes flickered, revealing hesitation; her lips trembled slightly, as if she wanted to say something but stopped herself.

Seeing her mistress's happy expression, she couldn't bear to break her joy, but she also really didn't want her mistress to be busy only to be met with the absence of His Highness the Crown Prince.

Finally, Meixiang took a deep breath.

"Your Highness, after returning to the East Palace, His Highness immediately went to Xiyan Palace."

Upon hearing this, Ling Yue trembled violently, her smile froze instantly, and a hint of astonishment flashed in her eyes.

But she quickly regained her composure.

"Aze must have gone to the Yuyan Palace for something important. Let's keep the dinner warm."

However, her trembling eyelashes and tightly clenched handkerchief betrayed her inner unease.

Ling Yue slowly sat down on the couch, and with a gentle wave of her jade hand, Mei Xiang bowed her head and withdrew.

She sat there alone, a hint of disappointment gradually appearing on her beautiful face, and the light in her eyes dimmed.

It's clear that Aze has been neglecting Consort Su for ten days, so his visit to Xiyan Palace today might really be for something important.

But for some reason, she couldn't calm down, as if an invisible force was stirring her emotions.

The pitiful image of Su Jingyao at the horse farm last time kept flashing through her mind.

She was born into a noble family, a beautiful and charming young woman, and a pure and kind-hearted concubine of the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince's visit to Xiyan Palace was perfectly legitimate.

But......

Even Ling Yue, a woman herself, was captivated by Su Jingyao's beauty, let alone the Crown Prince.

Thinking of this, Ling Yue's unease grew stronger. She really didn't want the Crown Prince to have too much contact with Su Jingyao.

However, this fear and unease had nowhere to be expressed and could only be buried deep in the heart.