Chapter 18

Today, the sun was so bright that it felt almost blinding. Su Jingyao slowly woke up under the gentle touch of the morning light. When she opened her eyes, Jun Zechen had already gone to court. She sat up lazily, stretched, then started freshening up. After washing and grooming herself, she changed into a light apricot-colored dress. The fabric was as soft as silk, blending seamlessly with her smooth skin.

Her lower skirt was a blue-green color, flowing like gentle ripples on water. A golden-threaded belt was tied tightly around her slim waist, making her delicate figure appear even more fragile. Miaoxia styled her hair into a simple palace bun, lifting all her hair up and fully exposing the elegant lines of her neck and shoulders.

Su Jingyao’s features were exquisite like a painting, her skin as fair as snow. Even without much makeup, she was effortlessly stunning.

“Master, should I add a little more jewelry? Don’t you think this looks too plain?”

Miaoxia held a beautifully crafted hairpin, ready to place it in Su Jingyao’s hair, and asked softly.

“This hairpin in your hand is enough. No need to dress too extravagantly. The Empress is hosting a tea-tasting banquet today, and there will be many noble ladies from the palace. There’s no need to outshine them,” Su Jingyao replied calmly, lifting her chin slightly.

“Master, you are so beautiful. Even with such a simple look, you’re as graceful as a fairy, elegant and breathtaking.”

As Miaoxia gently inserted the hairpin into Su Jingyao’s bun, her eyes were filled with admiration.

“You and your sweet mouth. Let’s go to Qi Luan Palace.”

Although Su Jingyao was a side consort and had an official royal title, she was still a concubine. When attending palace banquets, she had to go with the Crown Princess—it wasn’t appropriate for her to go alone. By the time Su Jingyao arrived at Qi Luan Palace, Lingyue had already finished dressing up.

Today, Ling Yue wore a golden palace gown, luxurious and elegant, embroidered with intricate patterns in gold and silver thread, making it shine brightly. Her jewelry was extravagant, with dazzling accessories adorning her head, showcasing her noble status.

“Greetings, Elder Sister,” Su Jingyao said softly, bowing slightly.

“Su Side Consort, you may rise.” Lingyue’s voice was indifferent, devoid of emotion.

Su Jingyao hadn’t visited Ling Yue in the past few days. This was their first meeting since the Flower Festival. Now, it seemed Ling Yue had started seeing her as a rival—her way of addressing her had become noticeably distant. That was fine, though. It would have been difficult for Su Jingyao to deal with someone too kind. She smirked inwardly.

“Elder Sister, what happened last time was my fault. His Highness must have explained it to you. I hope you won’t take it to heart,” Su Jingyao said, furrowing her brows slightly and showing a hint of guilt on her face.

“Su Side Consort, serving His Highness and bearing his children is your duty. I am the Crown Princess, and the children you give birth to will also call me mother. I do not mind,” Ling Yue replied, lifting her chin with a hint of pride in her eyes.

She straightened her posture as if deliberately emphasizing her superior position.

“Yes, in the future, my children will be Elder Sister’s children. I hope Elder Sister will love them dearly,” Su Jingyao said with a warm and sincere smile, her expression full of kindness and obedience.

But in her heart, she chuckled coldly. Ling Yue had grown up—she was learning to be more calculating with her words. But wasn’t this exactly what Su Jingyao wanted? Ling Yue was the first woman Jun Zechen had ever been interested in, so her place in his heart wouldn’t disappear easily.

To remove a “white moonlight” from his heart, she had to turn her into just another ordinary woman. Ling Yue didn’t realize that her current behavior was leading her down a path Jun Zechen despised. Jun Zechen hated fake, scheming women in the palace. Ling Yue’s tactics and constant attempts to please him were too obvious.

The more she schemed, the more she reminded Jun Zechen of those women he disliked. What made it even more interesting was that Ling Yue seemed to be losing herself completely. She was no longer the carefree, slightly wild girl she used to be. Her actions were slowly erasing everything Jun Zechen once liked about her. When she became just like all the other women in the palace, wouldn’t Jun Zechen grow tired of her?

Tsk.

Wasn’t that exactly how the story in their novel ended? Ling Yue, on the other hand, was filled with doubt and confusion. She couldn’t understand Su Jingyao at all. Why did this woman always appear so perfect—so perfect that it felt unreal, without a single flaw? If it had been any other woman, they would have been furious by now after all her sarcastic remarks. Yet Su Jingyao remained as composed as ever, making Lingyue feel even more uneasy.

Su Jingyao, however, was different. She still smiled warmly and said that her future children would also be Ling Yue’s, making Ling Yue feel that she was deep and unreadable. Ling Yue’s gaze became complicated as she observed Su Jingyao carefully, trying to find any flaws in her expression. But Su Jingyao, dressed in an elegant gown, with her silky hair resting gently on her shoulders, maintained a soft smile. She was calm and unreadable. After a brief moment, Ling Yue raised her chin slightly and spoke coldly,

“The tea banquet hosted by the Empress is about to begin. Let’s go.”

“Yes, sister,” Su Jingyao replied softly. Her voice was gentle and melodious, like flowing water.

She nodded slightly, her smile unchanged, but there was a hint of hidden meaning in her expression. She followed behind Ling Yue gracefully, her movements as light as a willow swaying in the wind.

~Imperial Garden~

The empress had invited many noblewomen from the palace, and most of them had already arrived. Each woman carried herself with poise and was dressed in luxurious attire, showing their noble status.

Su Jingyao followed Ling Yue and gracefully took her seat. Around them, the wives of other princes had also arrived, making the gathering lively. Su Jingyao sat quietly, lifting her head slightly to observe her surroundings. There were indeed many guests. The noblewomen each had their own distinct charm—some were elegant and refined, while others were enchanting and beautiful.

Just then, a sharp eunuch’s voice broke the peaceful atmosphere.

“Her Majesty, the Empress, has arrived—”

The high-pitched announcement echoed in the air. Immediately, the noblewomen and princesses stood up and respectfully greeted,

“Greetings to Her Majesty.”

The empress, surrounded by attendants, slowly entered the garden. She wore a grand red palace robe, the bright color as dazzling as flames, making her appear even more dignified and noble. Her features were exquisite, bearing a strong resemblance to Jun Zechen, especially the majestic aura in her eyes, which reflected her status as the mother of the empire. She gracefully took her seat, sweeping her gaze across the attendees before speaking in a composed manner.

“Today, I have gathered everyone for this tea banquet because the empire has received many fine teas as tributes from foreign lands and southern territories. His Majesty, in his generosity, has decided to share them with the ladies of the palace.”

“Additionally, I have invited the wives of the imperial princes to join us in this gathering.”

After speaking, the empress elegantly raised her teacup in a gesture of hospitality. The noblewomen and princesses followed suit, standing and expressing their gratitude.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The empress then continued,

“There is another important matter. This year’s selection for noble consorts has been simplified. Instead of searching across the empire, we have chosen thirty young ladies from noble families in the capital and other major cities.”

“These thirty ladies will be chosen by the noblewomen present today for the princes.”

The moment this announcement was made, Ling Yue’s face turned pale, her body trembling slightly. So today was the selection for new consorts? Was the empress planning to bring more women into the Eastern Palace? Hadn’t Su Jingyao just been brought in recently?

Did the Crown Prince know about this? A whirlwind of questions swirled in Ling Yue’s mind, leaving her completely overwhelmed. Su Jingyao was also surprised by the announcement. She hadn’t expected this turn of events. She frowned slightly, trying to recall if this event had been mentioned in the novel.

Did the changes in the story happen because she had gained the Crown Prince’s favor, causing a butterfly effect? Well, it didn’t really matter.  Su Jingyao wasn’t concerned about whether Jun Zechen remained faithful to her. If she were in a matriarchal society, she would be even more carefree than Jun Zechen—choosing whoever she wanted without any hesitation.

After all, whether or not new consorts were chosen now, there would still be an imperial harem once Jun Zechen became emperor. At this moment, Su Jingyao remained calm, sitting with elegance, her serene smile unwavering, as if nothing could disrupt her composure.

The only thing she remembered from the novel was that Jun Zechen began to show affection to various concubines after a conversation with Emperor Jing Sheng. However, the novel never revealed what that conversation was about.

What exactly did Emperor Jing Sheng say to Jun Zechen? The empress glanced toward Ling Yue and noticed her distraught expression. How could someone like this be a future empress?

She then looked at Su Jingyao, who was poised and calm, displaying the ideal noblewoman’s demeanor. Lady Shu, the mother of the Third Prince and Ninth Prince, gracefully lifted her teacup and took a sip before smiling.

“The second grandson of the Third Prince was born this year. Looking at these young ladies, I suppose I should choose one or two for my sons.”

Then she added with a smirk,

“Your Majesty, shouldn’t more ladies be chosen for the Crown Prince?”

Her words were a direct jab at the empress. She had fought against the empress for years, but her own son, the Third Prince, was not capable enough. She resented the Crown Prince’s intelligence and ruthless nature. But even she had to admit—he had the aura of a true emperor.

The empress’s expression darkened at Lady Shu’s mocking words. All she could ever boast about was having grandsons. That was all she had left. Annoyed, the empress turned her sharp gaze toward Ling Yue. If only Ling Yue were not so useless! As the empress, how could she allow Lady Shu to humiliate her like this?

Ling Yue was still lost in the shock of the Eastern Palace accepting more women and didn’t even notice the Empress’s gaze.

“Consort Shu, I will, of course, choose concubines for the Crown Prince. As for the Prince Duan’s household, I won’t interfere. But the Ninth Prince has also reached the age to take a few concubines,” the Empress said.

“Indeed, Your Majesty is kind. I will carefully select concubines for my Ninth Prince,” Consort Shu replied with a fake smile.

Su Jingyao sat quietly, appearing elegant and dignified, but in reality, she was bored. She tried to maintain her posture, but her body was stiff and tired from sitting for nearly two hours. The whole event revolved around selecting concubines, a long and tedious process. Even though the selection process had been simplified, the constant chatter of the noble ladies, filled with empty pleasantries, was exhausting.

It was clear that they had already decided on their choices, yet they insisted on putting on this show. At first, Su Jingyao found the talent performances of the young women interesting, but soon, even that became dull. She just wanted this to be over. Beside her, Ling Yue was completely focused on which women the Empress favored because those women would soon enter the Eastern Palace. Finally, after all the formalities, the Empress selected five women for the Crown Prince out of the thirty candidates

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~Imperial Study~

“Father, was today’s tea banquet arranged by you?”

Crown Prince Jun Zechen frowned slightly as he looked at Emperor Jing Sheng, who sat on the throne. The emperor, dressed in an ornate dragon robe, exuded power, but his figure seemed frail, revealing a sense of exhaustion.

“Yes,” the emperor replied calmly.

“Did you know that Mother would choose concubines for me at the banquet?”

“Zechen, since you’ve already taken Su as your consort, I assumed you had come to your senses and moved past childish emotions,” the emperor said, his eyes cold and indifferent.

“In the past, you were still young, so I never explained this to you. But now, it’s time for you to understand the rules of being an emperor in the Jun Kingdom.”

Jun Zechen’s eyes darkened with confusion.

“Please enlighten me, Father.”

“You have read the history books and should know that before our Jun Kingdom, there were ten recorded dynasties. None of them lasted beyond five generations. Do you know why?”

“Their last emperors were incompetent, leading to their downfall,” Jun Zechen answered without hesitation.

“Our Jun Kingdom has lasted for ten generations—the longest in history. Why do you think that is?”

“Each of our emperors has been highly capable, ensuring the country’s strength and stability.”

“And do you know why no incompetent rulers have ever appeared in our lineage?”

Jun Zechen hesitated for a moment, frowning. The emperor continued,

“Our founding emperor established a rule: every emperor must have at least seven sons, each from a different mother.”

He paused, then looked straight at Jun Zechen.

“Do you understand now?”

Jun Zechen felt a sudden shock. So this was the reason? The long-lasting strength of the Jun Kingdom wasn’t just luck—it was a system. Seven sons competing for the throne, like a survival test, ensuring that only the most capable would emerge victorious. It was just like how he had eliminated his eldest and second brothers. In the end, it was either them or him. This was the reality of the imperial family—cruel and pragmatic.

“You are my most outstanding son. Since you joined politics at fifteen, you have been able to stand on equal footing with your older brothers, even surpassing them in strategy.”

The emperor’s voice was steady.

“Your intelligence made you a target of jealousy. Several of your brothers attempted to assassinate you, yet I did not intervene or protect you. I will not favor any of my sons. The one who survives is the one who deserves the throne.”

Jun Zechen understood. His father had merely been watching from the sidelines, letting them fight it out. Only the strongest would rule.

“When you were younger, I tolerated your sentimental nature. But now that you are about to inherit the throne, producing heirs is your duty. I trust you will govern wisely and keep the country strong.”

“But for the Jun Kingdom to last for thousands of years, emotions must not interfere. Even if you do have feelings, never let them be seen. An emperor’s emotions must not be easily guessed, and his authority must never be challenged.”

The emperor’s tone grew heavier, his expression showing exhaustion.

“I originally planned to tell you all this before your coronation. But after hearing that you had taken a concubine, I felt it was time.”

“Besides… Imperial Physician Gu told me a few days ago that my organs are failing. At most, I have one year left to live.”

As a man himself, Emperor Jing Sheng could understand his son’s attitude toward emotions. If he never truly loved anyone, then no one would ever deeply love him in return. Jun Zechen’s usually calm eyes widened in shock, filled with disbelief. His lips trembled slightly.

“Father, you…”

He couldn’t believe that his father had so little time left.

“I haven’t told anyone about my condition, not even your mother. Before you ascend the throne, I will remove all obstacles for you. The competition among the seven princes is over—you are my chosen heir, and I won’t allow anything to go wrong.”

The emperor’s voice was firm, filled with trust and expectation. Jun Zechen clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning pale from the pressure. Inside, his emotions were in turmoil, and he didn’t know how to describe what he was feeling. The love he had longed for as a child had always been nothing more than a luxury in the imperial family.

As a boy, he had wished for his father to love his mother and to love him too. So he had worked tirelessly, striving to be the best at everything, believing that he had earned his father’s favor. But now he realized the truth—his father’s favor wasn’t love. It was simply because the test was over. He was the one chosen as the heir, and that was why he was treated differently.

If he became emperor, he too could never truly love anyone—not even his own children. A bitter feeling rose in his heart. Everything he had wished for as a child—he could never have. And neither would his children. Taking a deep breath, Jun Zechen forced himself to remain calm. Slowly, he knelt and bowed.

“I will remember your teachings, Father. I take my leave.”

His voice was low and hoarse, carrying an indescribable mix of emotions.