Chapter 16

Jun Zechen was already filled with anger. This woman still didn’t understand her place. Not only did she get involved with another man, but she was also more concerned about comforting Ling Yue than him.

His own woman was trying to fix his relationship with another woman—this made him feel frustrated and suffocated.

“Your Highness, I really just met Young Master Si by accident today,” Su Jingyao said, looking at him with innocent, pleading eyes. She felt completely helpless.

Jun Zechen ignored her explanation. He only said those words to make her more careful in the future. He didn’t truly believe she had an improper relationship with another man.

He tightened his grip around her slim waist as if he wanted to break it. His other hand grabbed the back of her neck, forcing her to look up at him.

“As my side consort, your heart should only belong to me. Do you understand?”

“Your Highness, why are you so possessive? I try to care about you, but you’ve never truly cherished me,” Su Jingyao pouted. Her delicate, deer-like eyes looked at him with grievance.

“How do you know that if you give me your heart, I won’t be moved?” Jun Zechen asked, staring at her with deep, unreadable eyes.

Their gazes locked. Su Jingyao felt like she was drowning in his dark eyes, as deep as the ocean.

Slowly, she leaned forward, her small hands resting on his shoulders. She whispered in his ear,

“Can I trust you, Your Highness?”

Jun Zechen’s voice, low and husky, brushed against her ear.

“Whether you trust me or not, I am your only support.”

He was confident. As the crown prince, second only to the emperor, he would one day rule the nation.

Whether it was Su Jingyao or Ling Yue, they all belonged to him.

Su Jingyao trembled slightly. She knew he was right. He was her only support—and the country’s support.

That was the reality of this world. Unless she had the power to overthrow the monarchy, there was no point in resisting.

Rather than trying to help someone else take the throne or even become empress herself, it would be easier to capture Jun Zechen’s heart and make her son the future emperor.

Su Jingyao wrapped her arms around his neck, her watery eyes meeting his gaze.

Her lips, still moist from their earlier kiss, looked especially tempting.

She looked at him with innocent, pleading eyes and whispered,

“Please, Your Highness, cherish me.”

Then, she leaned in and kissed him.

Jun Zechen’s desire and dominance were instantly ignited.

This woman had finally accepted him, no longer resisting.

That night, their passion filled the room.

~The Next Morning~

Warm sunlight streamed through the window, falling softly on the bed. Su Jingyao slowly woke up in Jun Zechen’s arms. She opened her bright, clear eyes, a hint of cleverness flickering in them. Jun Zechen was still asleep.

A playful and calculating look crossed Su Jingyao’s face. Since he had told her to focus only on him, she would now seduce him even more boldly. After all the humiliation and patience she had endured, at least now, if she clashed with Ling Yue, Jun Zechen wouldn’t blindly take Ling Yue’s side anymore.

As she stirred, Jun Zechen sensed her movement and slowly opened his eyes, looking at her gently.

“Awake?” His voice was low and husky from sleep.

“Mm… Your Highness, are we returning to the palace today?” Su Jingyao asked, her voice still soft and lazy from just waking up.

“Why? Not ready to leave yet?” Jun Zechen smirked slightly.

“It’s not that… I’ll get up and freshen up now,” she said, slipping out of his arms.

Outside the door, An Shun had been waiting all night. Hearing movement inside, he entered with Miao Yun.

“Greetings, Your Highness, Side Consort,” An Shun said respectfully.

An Shun skillfully assisted Jun Zechen in dressing, while Miao Yun helped Su Jingyao freshen up behind a screen.

“Where is the crown princess?” Jun Zechen asked, his voice emotionless.

Su Jingyao immediately perked up her ears, listening carefully.

“Your Highness, the crown princess left for the palace this morning. I arranged a carriage for her,” An Shun reported.

Jun Zechen frowned slightly. Ling Yue truly had a strong temper. But it was his past promises that had led to this situation. He felt guilty toward her, but he also had no plans to change things. If he became emperor, Ling Yue, as his empress, needed to be more composed and dignified. She couldn’t continue acting so recklessly, like last night, when she had stormed in without caring about propriety.

After getting dressed, Su Jingyao gracefully stepped out in a water-blue strapless dress, which Miao Yun had specially picked for her. The dress was tied with a white silk belt, embroidered with intricate patterns, and the fabric draped beautifully over her figure.

When she put on this dress, her elegance stood out even more, and her figure looked graceful and enchanting, like a fairy descending to the mortal world. Every time Jun Zechen saw her like this, he would be momentarily stunned by her beauty.

Su Jingyao noticed his brief daze, so she lifted her dress slightly and ran lightly towards him. Then, she wrapped her arms tightly around his slim waist, lifted her delicate and beautiful face, and her bright, sparkling eyes shone like stars.

“Do I look good?” Su Jingyao’s voice was clear and sweet, like the sound of silver bells.

Jun Zechen was caught off guard by her sudden affection. Hearing her question, he nodded unconsciously and murmured,

“There is no beauty like yours; you are a sight to behold.”

Hearing his praise, Su Jingyao’s eyes sparkled even more.

“So, Your Highness likes my face after all.”

“Why are you so affectionate today?”

Jun Zechen felt a little unaccustomed to it. After all, this little woman had always kept her distance from him, avoiding him whenever she could. Even in bed before, he had to push her to take the initiative.

Su Jingyao gently rubbed against his chest and said softly,

“Because Your Highness said that you are my only support, so I am trying to please you.”

After saying this, a blush spread across her cheeks, and her bright, shy eyes seemed to burn into Jun Zechen’s heart. Jun Zechen bent down, wrapped his arms around her slim waist, and whispered tenderly,

“Yaoyao is so obedient. I like it very much.”

Jun Zechen couldn’t deny that this side of Su Jingyao made his heart race. He had thought she was just a proper and reserved noble lady, dull and boring. But in reality, she was full of surprises—knowledgeable in poetry, skilled in chess, humorous, charming, and wise…

Every side of her made him happy and made him want to discover more about her. During the Flower Festival, the court in Jun Country was dismissed for three days, allowing officials a short holiday. The Crown Prince, of course, also had a break.

However, since the Emperor’s health was worsening, Jun Zechen had to handle most of the state affairs. Even during this short holiday, he still had official matters to attend to. While sitting in the carriage, Su Jingyao remained in the same seat she had occupied when they left the palace.

But this time, the Crown Princess was no longer sitting across from her. She sat properly with her head slightly lowered, looking a little uneasy. Jun Zechen gazed at her and asked softly,

“What are you thinking about?”

“I don’t know how to face my sister…”

Su Jingyao bit her lip, then slowly raised her head to look at him. Her eyes were filled with worry and uncertainty.

“Did I ruin Your Highness’s relationship with my sister?”

For a moment, Jun Zechen didn’t know how to answer. In truth, it wasn’t her fault—it was his. Jun Zechen absentmindedly turned the jade ring on his finger, lost in thought. He had made a promise to Ling Yue before he truly understood love. Neither Ling Yue nor Su Jingyao was wrong—the one at fault was himself.

“This is between me and the Crown Princess. You don’t need to worry too much about it. I will handle it properly.”

Su Jingyao frowned slightly and lowered her gaze. Her long eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings, and she absentmindedly twirled her fingers together. Clearly, his words didn’t bring her much comfort.

Seeing this, Jun Zechen sighed softly. Then, he reached out and gently pulled her onto his lap. Su Jingyao’s beautiful eyes widened in surprise as she looked at him.

“If I had always treated you coldly, would you have spent your entire life in the Eastern Palace without fighting for anything?”

Su Jingyao nodded obediently.

“I admire the poet Feng Menglong. He once said, ‘If you do not think carefully before acting, you will regret it. If you endure patiently, you will have no worries.’ Your Highness does not love me, and I can accept that. I can endure it and would not see it as a burden.”

“You’re truly an understanding woman… So understanding that it makes my heart ache.”

Jun Zechen spoke so softly that if they weren’t so close, Su Jingyao might not have heard him. Su Jingyao wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Then Your Highness must treat me well. I don’t like crying, but the words you said before really hurt me. Even when I looked up at the sky and thought of happy memories, I still couldn’t stop my tears from falling.”

After saying this, she rubbed gently against his neck like a little kitten seeking affection.

Her words made Jun Zechen’s heart ache.

He suddenly felt the urge to protect and cherish her.

He couldn’t resist pressing a gentle kiss on her forehead.