Chapter 21

In Yude Hall.

After finishing their meal, Su Jingyao and Jun Zechen went to the study together. Jun Zechen ordered someone to place a small, elegant table beside them. Su Jingyao sat upright next to it. To her left was a poetry collection, which she was reading with full concentration. In her right hand, she held a brush, carefully copying the words onto a piece of rice paper.

Her eyes were focused and gentle. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly as she blinked from time to time. Her red lips were slightly pursed, and a faint smile played at the corners of her mouth, as if she were completely immersed in the world of poetry.

Both of them sat in the study, writing in peaceful silence. Time passed quietly, and before they knew it, half of the Xu hour (around 8-9 PM) had passed. Jun Zechen put down his brush and slowly stood up. With steady steps, he walked to Su Jingyao’s side and leaned slightly forward. His deep, magnetic voice sounded above her head.

“You like the poet Feng Menglong that much?”

Hearing his voice, Su Jingyao lifted her head slightly and looked at him with her clear eyes.

“I like some of his poems. They make a lot of sense,” she replied.

She was currently copying down some of his famous lines, each one well-known and full of wisdom:

“Sometimes people can go against fate, but heaven never completely abandons them.”

“Good people will be saved by other good people, while evil people will be punished by those like them.”

“It’s better to resolve grudges than to deepen them—everyone should look back at their own past.”

These words were familiar to many, and the more she read them, the deeper her understanding became. However, Jun Zechen gave her a meaningful look, as if he was thinking about something else.

“Have you read all of Feng Menglong’s poems?” he asked.

Su Jingyao was slightly surprised and looked at him with some confusion.

“I’ve read almost all of them. My father has a complete collection in his study. Why do you ask?”

Jun Zechen smiled slightly but didn’t answer her question. Suddenly, he reached out and wrapped his strong, slender fingers around Su Jingyao’s waist. Before she could react, he lifted her gently but unexpectedly into his arms. She let out a soft cry, a mix of surprise and shyness, and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.

Jun Zechen adjusted his hold on her and carried her steadily toward the bedroom. The brush in Su Jingyao’s hand fell to the floor with a soft sound. She clung tightly to his neck, her small hands pressing against his chest like delicate flower petals. She patted him lightly and spoke in a soft, sweet voice, filled with a hint of complaint.

“Your Highness, you scared me.”

Her tone carried no real blame; instead, it sounded more like she was acting spoiled. Jun Zechen looked down at her. This little woman had been well taken care of—her skin was as smooth and fair as white jade.

Every touch felt like creating a work of art.

Su Jingyao gazed into his deep, dark eyes, noticing the passion growing within them.

She didn’t understand—just moments ago, they had been discussing poetry. How did this suddenly turn into something so intimate?

Every time they were close like this, Jun Zechen would always take his time admiring her, as if he could never get enough.

And now, hearing her mention Feng Menglong’s name again only intensified his desire.

He wanted to tease her, to see her cheeks flush red with embarrassment.

That sight would surely be breathtaking.

Su Jingyao’s delicate fingers, tipped with soft pink nails, rested on his broad shoulders.

Her doe-like eyes were full of nervousness and confusion as she stared at him.

“Your Highness…”

Her voice carried a mix of shyness and uncertainty.

Jun Zechen spoke again, his gaze filled with amusement and mischief.

“You like Feng Menglong’s poetry?”

His tone made Su Jingyao feel that he had something else in mind.

She didn’t understand why he was so fixated on this question, but the way he spoke made her sense something playful—maybe even a little mischievous.

She hesitated for a moment before gently nodding, like a flower swaying in the wind, carrying a touch of shyness and grace.

Jun Zechen chuckled softly, his laughter carrying a kind of magic that made Su Jingyao’s heart tremble.

“I also like Feng Menglong’s poems. ‘Hand in hand, pulling into the silk canopy, shyly smiling, blowing out the lamp.’ Tell me, Yaoyao, what’s the next line?”

His deep and magnetic voice was like a whisper in her ear.

As soon as she heard his words, Su Jingyao’s face instantly turned bright red, like a ripe cherry.

Her eyelashes trembled violently, and her heart was in a fluster.

Jun Zechen saw her reaction and immediately knew—this little woman must have read this poem before.

He lowered his head, his warm lips lightly brushing against her fair neck like a feather, leaving a trail of heat wherever they touched.

Then, his deep and charming voice sounded in her ear, making her body shiver involuntarily.

“Be good. Say it. I want to hear it.” His tone was full of temptation and expectation.

“I… I don’t know…”

Su Jingyao turned her head to the side, her silky hair swaying gently with the movement. Her small hands trembled slightly as she tried to push him away.

Jun Zechen had never teased a woman like this before, but the way she acted so obediently made it impossible for him to resist.

Just moments ago, she had been seriously showing him the poetry she was copying. That made him feel an overwhelming urge to tease and play with her.

His body’s reaction grew stronger, but his self-control was powerful.

Good things were worth waiting for.

He reached out, gently grasping her chin, forcing her to look at him. His deep eyes were filled with firm determination.

“Yaoyao, say it. Don’t make me punish you.”

Su Jingyao’s face turned even redder, but in her heart, she secretly complained.

Men really are all the same. They just love this kind of teasing talk.

She closed her eyes lightly, unwilling to meet his gaze, and murmured in a voice as soft as a feather.

Jun Zechen smiled in satisfaction and whispered something else in her ear.

Su Jingyao’s eyes widened instantly, glaring at him.

“I never expected Your Highness to be so shameless!”

Jun Zechen didn’t deny her words. He had always followed proper conduct and considered himself a gentleman.

But somehow, when it came to her, he couldn’t help but say teasing words.

After all, she was so well-read—she understood everything.

The Next Day

Su Jingyao slowly woke up, only to find that Jun Zechen had already gone to court.

She sat up gently, and her maid, Miaoyun, quickly came over to help her wash and dress. After that, she made her way to Qiluan Hall.

When she arrived, the five newly selected concubines were already seated in their places.

Su Jingyao walked forward gracefully, gave a slight bow, and softly said,

“I greet the Crown Princess.”

“Su Side Consort, you may rise,” Ling Yue responded calmly, her voice revealing no emotion.

The five new concubines also stood up and greeted Su Jingyao in unison.

“We greet Su Side Consort.”

Su Jingyao took her time, moving gracefully to her seat. Her position was to the lower left of Ling Yue, while An Liangdi sat across from her.

She smiled gently and said,

“Please rise. My dear sisters are all so beautiful.”

Her voice was crisp and pleasant, carrying a warmth like a spring breeze.

Ling Yue looked at these newly arrived young women, all as delicate as blooming flowers. She forced herself to remain composed.

As the Crown Princess—and the future Empress—she had to maintain her dignity.

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Ling Yue spoke smoothly,

“Now that Su Side Consort is here, let’s have each of you introduce yourselves.”

Her face remained calm, but her eyes flickered with a subtle and unreadable emotion.

The first to speak was An Liangdi, who lifted her head slightly, her gaze confident and composed as she introduced herself and her family background.

Ling Yue nodded slightly, her expression unchanged.

Next was Bai Mengli, Bai Liangyuan, who spoke with a gentle smile.

“I am Bai Mengli, the legitimate daughter of the Imperial Secretariat. I enjoy playing chess. I’ve heard that Su Side Consort is exceptionally skilled at it. Would you be willing to play a game with me sometime?”

As she spoke, her gaze naturally shifted toward Su Jingyao, her eyes carrying a hint of anticipation.

“Of course,” Su Jingyao replied with a warm smile, as sincere as ever.

Her eyes sparkled as if she had found a kindred spirit.

“His Highness is always busy with state affairs and can only occasionally play chess with me. I was just thinking how hard it is to find a chess companion in the palace. It would be wonderful to have a game with Bai Liangyuan to pass the time.”

She truly seemed happy about it.

Bai Mengli’s face stiffened for a brief moment, but she quickly regained her composure, though her smile appeared slightly forced.

“Yesterday was my first day in the Eastern Palace. Before entering the palace, I always heard that His Highness and the Crown Princess were deeply in love. But after arriving, I realized how much His Highness favors Su Side Consort. Even with the five of us entering the palace, it seems we can’t compare to the affection he has for you.”

Her tone carried a faint trace of grievance—subtle, but not hard to notice. Her eyes also flashed with jealousy and unwillingness.

Su Jingyao’s eyelashes lowered slightly, her long lashes fluttering like butterfly wings.

This Bai Liangyuan is quite clever.

Not only had she subtly driven a wedge between her and Ling Yue, but she had also positioned the five newcomers as a united front.

Ling Yue watched the scene unfold, feeling an unexpected sense of satisfaction.

She wanted to see if Su Jingyao would continue acting so gentle and meek when faced with provocation.

Raising her chin slightly, Ling Yue observed Su Jingyao with a thoughtful gaze.

But Su Jingyao only smiled shyly.

“Being favored by His Highness is my good fortune. But the days ahead are long—I’m sure my sisters will also have their chance.”

As she spoke, a blush appeared on her face, as beautiful as the evening glow in the sky.

Bai Mengli was momentarily speechless. She hadn’t expected Su Jingyao to respond this way—wasn’t she supposed to act modest?

She forced a small, unnatural smile.

“Side Consort is truly beautiful, so it’s only natural that His Highness likes you.”

Su Jingyao simply lowered her head slightly in silent agreement. Her face was tinged with pink, making her look shy and adorable—so much so that it made people want to protect her.

But deep down, she scoffed.

When you remain open and confident, all the hidden barbs in someone’s words lose their power.

Ling Yue was also surprised that Su Jingyao had so effortlessly deflected such a targeted remark.

Everything about her seemed so sincere—even when admitting to His Highness’s affection, she did so without pretense, openly expressing how happy it made her.

Ling Yue’s heart sank.

Does Su Jingyao have no weaknesses at all?

Next, Shen Biwan and Shangguan Yi introduced themselves. Shen Biwan was elegant and beautiful, while Shangguan Yi had a particularly cute appearance.

Finally, it was Tang Suxi, Tang Fengyi’s turn. Su Jingyao’s gaze fell on her.

Tang Suxi wore a light-colored dress today, but the fabric was noticeably inferior to what the others wore.

However, among the new arrivals, her appearance stood out the most—she had a delicate, pitiful beauty.

Su Jingyao thought to herself,

If this woman is a good actress, she could be exactly the kind of innocent “white lotus” that Jun Zechen likes.

But…

If she can’t act well, then she’ll be stepping on one of Jun Zechen’s biggest pet peeves—looking weak and helpless on the surface but being vicious inside.

“I am Tang Suxi, the daughter of the county magistrate of Yong’an County. Greetings to all my sisters.”

Tang Suxi stepped forward gracefully, her voice as soft as silk.

The other women who had entered the palace with her more or less looked down on her due to her lower status.

Tang Suxi knew this, so after introducing herself, she quietly returned to her seat.

“It’s getting late. That’s all for today’s morning greeting. I’m feeling a bit tired.”

Hearing the Crown Princess’s words, the women all slowly stood up, bowed, and took their leave.

On the way back, Su Jingyao had a lot on her mind.

Ling Yue had changed—at least now, she could face Jun Zechen’s other women without showing any emotion.

That won’t do.

A year from now, when Jun Zechen ascends the throne, there’s no way she could allow Ling Yue to become Empress.

A cold glint flashed in Su Jingyao’s eyes.

Since An Jinyan had entered the Eastern Palace early, how could the female lead and female antagonist of the novel not start fighting?

She would make sure to give them a little help.

The best outcome?

They tear each other apart, and she reaps all the benefits.