Chapter 19

Su Jingyao lazily lay on the beauty couch, her delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed, eyes half-closed as she carefully thought about today’s selection event. She still remembered the plot of the novel clearly. When Jun Zechen was still the Crown Prince, besides the original host (her past self), there were indeed no other women in the Eastern Palace.

When Emperor Jingsheng fell critically ill, he had a secret conversation with Jun Zechen. Although she didn’t know the details, that conversation drastically changed Jun Zechen’s personality.

After he ascended the throne, he became cold, strict, and unreadable. The emperor’s authority and indifference remained with him throughout his life. Even his deep affection for Ling Yue faded over the years after becoming emperor. Upon taking the throne, he began selecting concubines at the ministers’ suggestion. He even showed equal favor to all his concubines, offering his attention to any woman who pleased him.

Among the five women chosen for him yesterday by the empress, An Jinyan stood out the most. She was the first woman Jun Zechen favored after becoming emperor and later became the most powerful concubine in the palace, rivaling the empress, Ling Yue.

Ling Yue had the “female lead” aura in the early stages because she had Jun Zechen’s genuine love. In the middle stages, she secured his trust and support through palace struggles. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have survived against all the concubines scheming against her.

However, in the later stages, Jun Zechen’s love for Ling Yue faded due to her changes. In the end, they remained husband and wife for life. After becoming emperor, Jun Zechen never stopped taking in women. When he stopped loving Ling Yue, it meant he no longer loved anyone. He lost the ability to love and didn’t understand it anymore.

Ling Yue, after years of palace struggles, lost her love but secured her position as empress. Whenever she looked at the cold and distant Jun Zechen, she would remember the young man he once was.

Every time Su Jingyao thought about the novel’s plot, she regretted reading it.

It was labeled as a sweet romance but turned out to be a heart-wrenching story. However, it did portray human nature very well. Now, because of the butterfly effect she caused, the empress not only sent five women to the Eastern Palace but also introduced An Jinyan to Jun Zechen earlier than in the original story.

Su Jingyao smiled—was she about to enter the palace fight phase ahead of time?

Jun Zechen was set to ascend the throne next year. Originally, as the crown princess, she wouldn’t have gotten pregnant. The Eastern Palace only had her and Ling Yue, so she wasn’t in a rush to have a child. But now, five new women had arrived, and it looked like Jun Zechen would favor them.

She frowned slightly—this butterfly effect had completely disrupted her plan. She originally wanted to wait until after Jun Zechen became emperor to conceive.

Tsk.

It seemed she couldn’t avoid pregnancy anymore. After all, she had to give birth to Jun Zechen’s first son.

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When Jun Zechen entered Xiyan Palace, the young woman was lying quietly on the beauty couch, staring blankly. There wasn’t even a single maid attending to her. Since returning from the imperial study, Jun Zechen had been deep in thought.

What his father said made sense—he shouldn’t invest too much emotion in women. Originally, he planned to go comfort Ling Yue, as Anshun had reported that she had been depressed ever since returning from the tea banquet and had been constantly asking about his whereabouts.

Hearing this, Jun Zechen felt annoyed. He didn’t want to keep discussing women with Ling Yue—he couldn’t promise her anything. To him, these women were just tools for bearing children. If he favored them, so what? Why did Ling Yue always look so heartbroken? He didn’t know how to comfort her or how to interact with her anymore.

So, instead, he came to Xiyan Palace.

Jun Zechen slowly approached Su Jingyao. His tall, strong figure carried a steady presence, as if the entire world was under his control.

Her silky hair cascaded over her chest like a waterfall, smooth as the finest silk. Her flowing dress draped on the floor like floating clouds, dreamlike and ethereal. Her beauty was mesmerizing, making it hard to look away. Jun Zechen gently picked her up and placed her on his lap, hugging her tightly.

He buried his head into her soft neck, looking somewhat lost. Su Jingyao was startled by his sudden action. It was only when he lifted her that she snapped out of her daze.

She turned slightly to look at Jun Zechen, who had his eyes closed, feeling a bit confused.

Why did he look so different today? He seemed a little hurt. Su Jingyao frowned slightly. Did something happen? Although she didn’t understand what was wrong, she reacted quickly and gently hugged Jun Zechen back, asking with concern,

“Your Highness, what’s wrong?”

Her voice was soft and sweet, making people feel at ease just by hearing it.

“Yaoyao, do you know what it means to like someone?”

Jun Zechen’s voice was calm, without much emotion. Su Jingyao smiled like a blooming flower. She cupped Jun Zechen’s handsome face in her hands, gazing at him with warm, gentle eyes. In a soft voice, she said,

“I think about Your Highness every day. Does that count as liking?”

Jun Zechen looked into her bright eyes. He didn’t know the answer. Because Su Jingyao’s change was something he had asked for. He had made her focus all her thoughts on him. But he didn’t know if she truly liked him in her heart. But now, he felt that maybe the answer didn’t matter anymore, because he couldn’t return anyone’s feelings.

“But what if liking changes? You think of me today, but who will you think of tomorrow?”

Jun Zechen frowned slightly, his words carrying a sharp edge.

“Times change, power shifts, and the world is always evolving. Why should Your Highness seek something eternal?”

Su Jingyao spoke calmly. Then she continued,

“A beautiful view, a passing traveler, a fleeting moment—when it’s time to part, neither owes the other an explanation.”

Her gaze locked onto Jun Zechen’s, filled with sincerity. She was actually hinting at his relationship with Ling Yue, hoping he would let go of his guilt. Jun Zechen understood her meaning. Then, Su Jingyao leaned closer to his ear, her voice soft and alluring, as if trying to pull him into a deep abyss.

“Your Highness only needs to follow your heart. I will always be yours.”

Jun Zechen tightened his grip around Su Jingyao’s waist. Her words surprised him but also made him feel relieved. He lifted her chin, his deep eyes staring into hers.

“Even if I stop liking you one day, you won’t care?”

Su Jingyao’s eyes instantly lit up, shining brightly.

“So, Your Highness means you like me now?”

“I’m so happy.”

Her face bloomed with a radiant smile, as beautiful as spring flowers. Jun Zechen was stunned. He hadn’t expected her to focus on that part of his words.

“You’re happy that I like you?” He sounded a little surprised.

Su Jingyao nodded.

“Before I married Your Highness, you already had a wife. And not just any wife—your beloved one. In the future, there will be many more women. But I only have Your Highness. If you don’t like me, I can accept that. But if you do, I will be very happy.”

“If I stop liking you in the future, won’t you be heartbroken?”

Jun Zechen asked because right now, Ling Yue was exactly like that. She was afraid he would fall for Su Jingyao, so she had been clinging to him for the past few days. He had noticed it. But Ling Yue’s possessiveness made him feel a little annoyed.

“In that case, let me give Your Highness a piece of advice.”

Su Jingyao lifted her chin slightly, her eyes full of determination. She gracefully stepped away from Jun Zechen and walked to a nearby table. On the table, there were brushes and ink that she often used for writing, filling the air with a faint scent of ink.

Su Jingyao picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, and began writing on a piece of paper. She looked completely focused, each stroke carrying deep emotions. Soon, a beautiful passage appeared on the paper, her handwriting flowing like a river.

After finishing, she smiled playfully. She picked up the paper and walked elegantly toward Jun Zechen.

“Your Highness, please take a look.” Her voice was as clear and sweet as a silver bell.

Jun Zechen slowly unfolded the paper and saw words that deeply moved him.

“I am but a passing traveler in the spring breeze, while you hold the autumn waters and gather the stars.”

“Meeting you is the greatest blessing of three lifetimes. Even if sorrow follows, it is still love.”

“Your Highness, no matter how my life ends, I will accept it. I will never be afraid, and I will never regret it.”

Su Jingyao looked at Jun Zechen with unwavering eyes, full of genuine emotion. Jun Zechen stared at her, his heart surging like waves in a storm. He could feel his heartbeat racing, an uncontrollable rush of emotions. At this moment, Jun Zechen realized—he liked Su Jingyao. He liked her very much.

Sitting on the beauty couch, he gazed up at the smiling young woman in front of him. His large hands instinctively wrapped around her waist, pulling her into his embrace. He could no longer hold back his emotions and pressed his lips against hers. His kiss was deep and passionate, as if he wanted to merge her into his soul.

Su Jingyao’s fingers ran through his dark hair, her eyes closed as she fully experienced his overwhelming affection.

See?

This is how men are. They enjoy and are moved by love that comes without burden, without responsibility. They don’t need to give anything, only to receive. Even if they stop liking someone, they shouldn’t be morally bound by it.

Su Jingyao could be whatever kind of woman Jun Zechen liked. Because she would never truly love him. His kiss became too intense, almost overwhelming her. She gently pushed him away, and only then did Jun Zechen reluctantly let go. Su Jingyao playfully pouted,

“But Your Highness is not allowed to make me sad on purpose. If you make me cry too much, I’ll flood your Eastern Palace with my tears! Hmph!”

Her voice carried a hint of sweetness and a touch of playfulness, making it impossible not to be charmed. Prince Jun Zechen gazed at Su Jingyao with intense eyes. Her words made his heart ache and flutter at the same time.

Why did everything she did move his heart so much?

This feeling was completely different from what Ling Yue made him feel. He couldn’t describe it in words—he only knew his heart was beating wildly, and he couldn’t suppress it no matter how hard he tried. Unable to resist any longer, Jun Zechen kissed her soft lips once more.

They clung to each other, lost in their passion, as if melting into one another’s embrace.

At QiLuan Palace

After returning from the tea banquet, Ling Yue sat motionless on the soft couch, her eyes empty and lifeless. She looked as if all the energy had been drained from her body. Meixiang, her maid, stood nearby, watching her mistress with deep concern. She sighed softly, filled with helplessness and worry.

“Your Highness, His Highness will have more women in the future, not fewer. You must secure his heart and hold onto your position as the Crown Princess. One day, you will be the Empress—that is the most important thing,” Meixiang advised seriously.

Ling Yue finally spoke, her voice tinged with bitterness.

“Meixiang, you saw those five women today. Each of them is beautiful and graceful. His Highness always kept his distance from the noble ladies of the capital, but now, Su Jingyao has broken that barrier. If she could do it, others will follow. His heart will be divided among more and more women.”

Ling Yue clenched her hands tightly, her knuckles turning white.

“Last night, I invited His Highness to QiLuan Palace, but he refused, saying he was busy with state affairs. Yet, he went to Xi Yan Palace without even giving me an explanation. He used to always make sure I understood his actions, so I wouldn’t be upset.”

Her voice trembled slightly as she continued,

“But now?”

She let out a bitter laugh.

“Su Jingyao alone has already taken so much of his affection. And now five more women are coming…”

Meixiang’s eyes were filled with concern.

“Your Highness, you must not let emotions control you. His Highness needs heirs. Soon, new concubines will enter the Eastern Palace, and he will have to favor them.”

“You must not show any dissatisfaction or make things difficult for them. The Empress already dislikes you. If you want to be the next Empress, you cannot give her any reason to find fault with you.”

Meixiang’s words made Ling Yue fall deep into thought. After a moment, determination flashed in Ling Yue’s eyes. Meixiang was right. The Crown Prince needed heirs, and if she couldn’t give him one, then it didn’t matter which woman did.

Let them fight for his attention.

Su Jingyao always acted kind and pure, as if she had no interest in power. But with more women entering the palace, would she still remain so innocent? Ling Yue couldn’t help but look forward to what would happen next.