Transmigrating into a book, seducing him to rise to power

Su Jingyao sat there quietly, her face calm and her eyes undisturbed.

She listened to the conversation of the concubines with a leisurely air, as if she were an outsider.

Midway through, she extended her slender, jade-like hand, picked up the exquisite flower tea, brought it to her lips, and took a light sip. Her movements were fluid and graceful, exuding nobility and elegance.

"Alright, Consort Shen (An Jinyan) is indeed late today. After paying your respects, please copy the palace rules in the side hall of Zhaochun Palace before leaving."

Her eyes seemed calm, yet they held a hint of authority, as if she were talking about something trivial.

Upon hearing this, Consort Shen was slightly taken aback at first, then a look of reluctance appeared on her face. She bit her lip and sat down in her seat as if she was unwilling.

His expression suggested he was angry but dared not speak out; a hint of resentment flashed in his eyes, but he tried his best to restrain himself.

Su Jingyao found it somewhat amusing to look at her expression; all the concubines in the palace were excellent actors.

Ye Jieyu (Ye Yaqin) frowned slightly, her gaze shifting back and forth between Consort Shen and Imperial Noble Consort.

She originally thought that Consort Shen had already pledged allegiance to the Imperial Noble Consort, since His Majesty had never summoned Consort Shen since she entered the palace, and yesterday he bestowed titles upon the six palaces.

The title "Shen" was certainly not bestowed by His Majesty, but by the Imperial Noble Consort.

Could it be that the Imperial Noble Consort bestowed this title upon Consort Shen to make her more cautious in her words and actions?

Consort Lin (Lin Miaoyin) listened silently to the sarcastic remarks of the other concubines, a thoughtful look flashing in her eyes.

Now, Consort Shangguan (Shangguan Yi) is clearly on the side of the Imperial Noble Consort, and the position of Consort must have been decided by the Imperial Noble Consort.

Otherwise, His Majesty has never even summoned Consort Shangguan, so how could he have ordered her to be promoted two ranks? Look at how obsequious she is today when she pays her respects; she really doesn't hold back at all.

However, this Consort Bai (Bai Mengli) is usually quite unusual; she spoke so carelessly.

Consort Lin glanced at the Imperial Noble Consort and couldn't help but wonder what His Majesty's attitude was towards her.

After entering the palace, she heard that the Emperor's favorite was Consort Ling. However, Consort Ling had not received any benefits despite being confined, demoted, and even having her harems drastically reduced due to the Imperial Noble Consort's previous miscarriage.

Furthermore, the Imperial Noble Consort's miscarriage was not caused by Consort Ling; Consort Ling was merely negligent in her oversight. The real culprit was her...

Consort Lin therefore assumed that Consort Ling held little importance in His Majesty's heart, but last night her people learned that His Majesty had entered Yikun Palace late at night.

Last night was the day the Imperial Noble Consort was to be conferred her title. Could it be that His Majesty only pretends not to care about Consort Ling, but actually cares about her very much?

After all, Consort Ling was His Majesty's first wife, and His Majesty had never taken a concubine even when he was the Crown Prince.

Could it be that the Imperial Noble Consort is a target placed in the harem by His Majesty to protect Consort Ling?

Because Consort Ling came from a humble background and was not favored by the Empress Dowager, His Majesty was making plans for her step by step.

Consort Lin sat there, her mind a jumble of thoughts, extremely chaotic.

She racked her brains but still couldn't figure out His Majesty's attitude towards Consort Ling and Imperial Noble Consort.

A strange, indescribable glint flashed in his eyes; he had to find a way to test His Majesty.

She had to figure out who His Majesty truly favored between Consort Ling and Imperial Noble Consort.

Before entering the palace, she only thought about living a peaceful life in the harem. However, when she first saw His Majesty, his majestic and handsome appearance was deeply imprinted in her heart.

He was the most powerful man in the world. Even if his appearance was average, women would flock to him. Moreover, His Majesty was even younger and more handsome than she had imagined.

Every time she saw him, Consort Lin felt a strong desire to possess him.

Her mother had said that she should fight for the man she liked, and His Majesty seemed to treat her differently as well, so she naturally had to fight for him!

She longed to become the emperor's favorite concubine, his only favorite concubine.

She hoped that His Majesty would smile at her and be incredibly gentle with her.

However, she had only been in the palace for a short time. His Majesty was by nature aloof, and she was confident that if she spent more time with him, he would eventually come to like her.

Seeing that none of the concubines intended to continue speaking, Su Jingyao slowly opened her mouth.

"I have something to announce today. The spring hunt will be held in half a month. His Majesty and I have decided to lead ten concubines to the Spring Hunt Pass. I have already prepared the list and will send someone to inform you all later. You all need to make good preparations for the spring hunt."

After saying that, Su Jingyao's gaze fell on Consort Shen.

"Currently, Consort Shen holds the highest rank in the palace. During the Spring Hunt, both I and Consort Ling will go to the Spring Hunt Pass, while Consort Shen will remain in the palace to handle the affairs of the inner palace."

Upon hearing this, Consort Shen's eyes immediately showed shock. The Imperial Noble Consort actually wouldn't let her go?

She clenched her teeth and squeezed out a few words: "Yes, Your Majesty."

Seeing Consort Shen's appearance, Consort Ye finally breathed a sigh of relief.

If Consort Shen is also one of the Imperial Noble Consort's people, and there are not many high-ranking consorts in the harem, wouldn't the Imperial Noble Consort really be able to control everything?

Then, Su Jingyao spoke again: "I am also feeling a bit tired today. My sisters, you may all go back. Consort Shen, please stay and copy the palace rules. I will also tell you how to handle affairs in the harem."

The other concubines all withdrew respectfully, and in the end, only the two of them remained in the vast palace.

Consort Shen slightly raised her eyes, her gaze fixed on the Imperial Noble Consort sitting high on the throne.

Watching the Imperial Noble Consort gradually change from being dignified and composed to nonchalant, and the sense of strategic planning that she exuded in her every move, Consort Shen felt her heart tremble involuntarily.

I was so ridiculous to think that the Imperial Noble Consort was stupid back then; I was just being played for a fool.

But even now that she knows, she can only depend on her.

Sometimes, she secretly rejoiced, glad that when she first entered the Eastern Palace, she hadn't been foolish enough to make an enemy of the Imperial Noble Consort.

Consort Shen knew very well that the Imperial Noble Consort had been using her all along. However, if she hadn't chosen to attach herself to the Imperial Noble Consort, she probably wouldn't have even been able to reach the rank of Consort, let alone be able to slightly surpass Consort Ling now.

Consort Ye comes from a powerful family. Even though she is not currently favored by the Emperor, her family background alone guarantees her a position as a concubine.

In addition, Consort Lin, who has become a principal consort in a short period of time since entering the palace, will likely be promoted to the rank of imperial concubine soon.

"Your Majesty, why do you want me to stay in the palace?" Consort Shen asked cautiously.

Su Jingyao leaned lazily against the back of the Phoenix Throne chair, her slender fingers casually twirling the dazzling gemstone ring on her hand, exuding an indescribable calmness.

"This spring hunt, I will be taking Consort Ling, Noble Consort Lin, Consort Ye, and others with me. Their personal maids will also be going with them. Take this opportunity to place some people in their palaces. I will leave Granny Li in the palace to assist you," Su Jingyao said leisurely.

It's called collaboration, but it's really just supervision.

Su Jingyao doesn't trust anyone.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Consort Shen replied hastily.

After agreeing, Consort Shen had another question she wanted to ask, but she didn't know how to bring it up and hesitated for a while.

She finally mustered her courage and asked, "Your Majesty, while His Majesty and the high-ranking concubines are out of the palace, would you like me to get rid of Consort Chu's child?"

As she said this, a hint of ferocity unconsciously crept into Consort Shen's eyes.

Consort Chu's rank is too low to raise the child herself. Currently, only she and Consort Ling hold the rank of Consort. It's possible that His Majesty will give Consort Chu's child to Consort Ling.

Since she and Consort Ling were already at odds, she naturally couldn't let Consort Ling be smug.

"Don't you think His Majesty dislikes you enough?"

"With the Empress Dowager still in the palace during this spring hunt, even if His Majesty doesn't care about Consort Chu's pregnancy, do you think the Empress Dowager wouldn't send someone to look after her?"

Even Su Jingyao couldn't manage to abort Consort Chu's pregnancy right under the Empress Dowager's nose without leaving any trace.

Even if no evidence is left, if Consort Chu's pregnancy is lost, the Empress Dowager will suspect her first.

Moreover, she had just ascended to the position of Imperial Noble Consort. If Consort Chu were to miscarry, wouldn't that make her appear even more incompetent as Imperial Noble Consort?

"You must not only not harm Chu Meiren's child, but you must also protect this child, understand?" Su Jingyao said calmly.

Consort Shen looked embarrassed by the Imperial Noble Consort's merciless words, and her eyes lowered slightly.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I did not consider this carefully."

He then frowned slightly and asked hesitantly, "What if His Majesty gives Consort Chu's child to Consort Ling?"

Su Jingyao had a faint smile on her face, a smile that seemed gentle, but the words she spoke were chilling.

"This child can be transferred from his birth mother to Consort Ling, or from Consort Ling to you. Doesn't Consort Shen want to see Consort Ling gain something only to lose it again?"

Upon hearing this, Consort Shen was slightly taken aback at first, then a smile appeared on her lips, and a glint flashed in her eyes.

He quickly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty is wise."

Consort Shen smiled faintly, but her smile concealed a hint of ruthlessness, and her heart was filled with disgust and resentment towards Consort Ling.

If it weren't for Consort Ling, how could she have incurred His Majesty's such dislike? Because of Consort Ling, she no longer enjoys His Majesty's favor in the harem and can only rely on others.

Since that's the case, she will not let Consort Ling have an easy time no matter what.

Chang Le Palace.

Consort Lin sat quietly on the couch, leaning slightly forward, one hand holding the edge of the couch, the other gently resting on her leg, her brows slightly furrowed as she carefully considered the current situation in the harem.

The Imperial Noble Consort now wields immense power in the harem. Not only does she come from a distinguished family and have a prince by her side, but she is also deeply favored by His Majesty and even controls the palace.

Faced with such an imperial concubine, she could not possibly confront her directly.

But is His Majesty's affection for the Imperial Noble Consort genuine, or is it merely because of her family background and the prince?

Looking at Consort Ling, she had no powerful family background and no children; everything she possessed was entirely bestowed upon her by His Majesty.

Consort Ling seems to have been demoted because of the Imperial Noble Consort, but His Majesty went to Yikun Palace last night.

The new concubines all said that she was the most favored among the newcomers. In the harem, apart from the Imperial Noble Consort, she received the most favor.

However, only Consort Lin herself knew that she could not feel His Majesty's favor at all.

Therefore, she desperately needed to know whether His Majesty treated Consort Ling with the same indifference as he had towards her.

She wanted to see if His Majesty was truly so cold-hearted by nature.

She needed to confirm whether she was truly favored by the Emperor, or... whether she was being promoted by the Emperor only to serve as a shield for Consort Ling!

During the spring hunt, she was determined to find out the truth no matter what!

"Yuqi, I remember that Consort Ling grew up in the borderlands and was especially good at horsemanship," Consort Lin asked.

"Yes, Master."

"My uncle is the commander of this spring hunt. Find a way to send a message to him and ask him to find the horse that Consort Ling and I rode during the spring hunt. I will make arrangements for that."

She wanted to know, if Consort Ling and she were injured at the same time, who would His Majesty save?

If His Majesty saves Consort Ling, then her favor will be seen as shielding Consort Ling from harm, and she will definitely try to find a way to get rid of Consort Ling.

If His Majesty saved her, it means he cares about her, but he's just naturally cold and doesn't like to smile. Then, once she becomes a concubine, we can figure out how to deal with the Imperial Noble Consort...