Chapter 4

Jun Zechen carefully carried Su Jingyao into Xiyan Hall.

Miaoyun and the other maids saw them from a distance and immediately looked worried.

“Your Highness, Miss,” they greeted.

“Get up,” Jun Zechen said in a calm voice.

He carried Su Jingyao to the bedroom.

“Miss, what happened to you?”

Miaoyue, always straightforward, hurried after them, her face full of concern.

“It’s nothing. I just scraped my leg while riding,” Su Jingyao answered softly, her voice so faint it seemed like it could be blown away.

Her face was pale, and her trembling lips showed she was in pain.

Still, she tried to smile, wanting to comfort the others.

Jun Zechen saw her trying to stay strong, and his expression tightened with pity. She always thought of others, whether it was Yue’er or her maids. Even though she was hurt, she didn’t want them to feel bad.

Su Jingyao was gently placed on the bed. She tried to hide the pain, looking up at Jun Zechen’s stern face.

“Your Highness, this is my fault. I interrupted your time with Sister. I’ll ask Granny Li to apply the medicine soon. I’ll be fine in a few days. You should go back to Sister,” she said gently.

Her voice was soft but firm, as if it were a simple matter.

Jun Zechen frowned at her considerate words.

He couldn’t understand why Su Jingyao, the daughter of a noble family, was so gentle and fragile. It made him feel sorry for her.

“Does Granny Li know how to treat this? I’ll call a royal doctor for you,” Jun Zechen said, sounding firm.

“Your Highness, Granny Li has taken care of my health since I was little. She may not be an expert, but she knows some things. My skin is very delicate, so I always use special ointments,” Su Jingyao replied softly.

Jun Zechen didn’t argue, agreeing with her reasoning. He had never seen skin so delicate, and he was curious and skeptical about how badly she had hurt her leg.

Could it really be that bad?

If the injury wasn’t in such a private area, he would have insisted on seeing it.

“Miss, Granny Li is picking herbs for your medicinal bath in three days. I’ll call her now,” Miaoxue said softly.

Su Jingyao nodded. “Go ahead.”

Her medicinal baths were now scheduled every five days, and in three days it would be the fifth day. Soon, Granny Li arrived, holding a bottle of ointment.

The ointment was made from a recipe given by a famous female doctor, and Granny Li had learned some basic medicine from her. She also adjusted the recipe to suit Su Jingyao’s delicate skin.

This ointment helped heal wounds quickly without leaving scars, making it perfect for her skin. The area Su Jingyao injured was private, and seeing that Jun Zechen wasn’t leaving, she blushed slightly.

She lowered her head and said softly, “Your Highness, I need to apply the medicine. You…”

Jun Zechen, realizing he had been too focused on his thoughts, felt slightly awkward.

He quickly turned and went to the warm pavilion next door, wanting to make sure she was okay, especially since it was because of Yue’er that she had been hurt. Once Jun Zechen left, Granny Li approached quickly, her face showing concern.

The person before her was the young lady she had watched grow up.

“Miss, Miaoxue already told me. Please take off your underwear so I can properly see your injury,” Granny Li said gently, her voice filled with worry.

Su Jingyao wasn’t shy in front of Granny Li. She carefully moved, making sure not to make the injury worse.

She slowly and carefully removed her pants, leaving only white shorts. Her long, fair legs were fully exposed, smooth and delicate as if made from fine jade. Su Jingyao shifted slightly on the bed, carefully spreading her legs a little to show the injured area.

Granny Li looked at the bloodied skin and frowned deeply, a mix of pity and anger showing on her face. She was well aware that the Crown Prince hadn’t touched the young lady last night. Already displeased with him, her heart ached and burned with anger when she saw her mistress return injured today.

Her mistress deserved the best man in the world, but the Crown Prince clearly didn’t cherish her!

“How did you get hurt this badly? My lady, your delicate skin must never endure such hardship again, especially not from riding.”

Granny Li’s voice brimmed with care, her concern shining like the warm sun on a winter day. The Su family treated their young lady as a precious jewel, holding her in the palm of their hands.

Even without the Crown Prince’s favor, their mistress could still live a life of comfort and prosperity. Moreover, her mistress was not only stunningly beautiful but also kind-hearted—qualities the Crown Prince evidently failed to recognize.

“I’m truly fine, Granny,” Su Jingyao replied gently, her voice as soft as a breeze caressing one’s heart.

Granny Li carefully scooped out some ointment and, with the utmost tenderness, began applying it to Su Jingyao’s wounds.

The ointment was cool and soothing, like a refreshing spring. The searing pain on the inside of Su Jingyao’s thigh gradually eased, and a look of relief appeared on her face.

Noticing the bruises near Su Jingyao’s inner thigh, Granny Li pressed a bit harder while massaging the ointment.

“Ah!” Caught off guard, Su Jingyao let out a soft cry.

Her brows furrowed slightly, and her lips pressed into a faint pout, a sight that evoked pity in anyone who saw her.

Outside, Jun Zechen, who had been sitting quietly, immediately reacted when he heard the cry. He quickly stood up and hurried into the room.

“What’s wrong? Shall I summon an imperial physician?”

Jun Zechen’s voice carried a trace of urgency as he stepped swiftly to the bedside.

But when his eyes landed on the young lady before him, he froze, his breath catching. She was disheveled, her fair shoulders exposed, her long hair cascading like a waterfall over her chest. Her smooth, porcelain-like legs were slightly parted.

Jun Zechen’s gaze was inexplicably drawn in. He stood frozen, his mind blank.

Su Jingyao hadn’t expected Jun Zechen to burst in suddenly. Her face was filled with shock as she gasped, “Ah!”

She hastily pulled her legs together and yanked the blanket over herself to cover her legs.

Jun Zechen snapped back to his senses, his expression turning slightly awkward. He cleared his throat in an attempt to mask his embarrassment.

“I thought your injury was serious and came to check on you. If it’s severe, I’ll call for the imperial physician.”

Avoiding her gaze, he deliberately scanned the room as if nothing had happened.

A deep blush spread across Su Jingyao’s delicate face, and a wave of shyness overtook her. She lowered her head and murmured softly,

“Your Highness, I’m fine. It’s just that there’s some bruising and a bit of blood. Granny Li pressed harder earlier to disperse the bruising, and that’s why…”

Jun Zechen wasn’t accustomed to interacting with many women, let alone one like Su Jingyao.

In the imperial court, he’d seen countless women who were outwardly delicate yet inwardly cunning and ruthless.

Initially, he assumed Su Jingyao was no different. But now, he found himself unexpectedly moved by an unfamiliar sense of tenderness.

Her clear, innocent eyes were like a pristine spring, free from any impurities. She gazed directly at him, seemingly peering into the depths of his soul. His heartbeat quickened involuntarily. He hurriedly looked away.

This girl—everything about her seemed to tread on the edges of his dislikes, yet he couldn’t muster any dislike for her. Instead, a strange feeling crept into his heart.

During their two short days of acquaintance, Jun Zechen had realized that Su Jingyao had a habit of keeping her troubles to herself, always downplaying her pain.

And yet…

A shadow flickered in Jun Zechen’s deep eyes. Taking a step forward, he walked straight to the bedside. Granny Li quickly stepped aside.

Su Jingyao, still teary-eyed from the pain, looked at him with confusion, not knowing what he intended to do.

“Your… Your Highness…”

Her voice was soft and sweet, carrying a honeyed charm.

Jun Zechen sat down on the edge of the bed, gently pulling back the blanket before carefully placing her legs on his lap.

Then, he attempted to part her legs slightly.

Su Jingyao instinctively tensed at his actions, clamping her legs tightly together.

“I merely wish to inspect your injuries,” Jun Zechen said firmly, his deep eyes locking onto hers.

Hesitant for a moment, Su Jingyao bit her lip before slowly parting her legs. Her eyes shimmered with shyness, and she averted her gaze, unable to meet his.

Jun Zechen’s gaze fell on the bruised inner thigh. Just as she had said, there were traces of blood and dark bruises.

Were all noble ladies this delicate?

His large hand gently gripped her calf, the touch as silky as fine silk. For a fleeting moment, he felt reluctant to let go. His expression softened momentarily, lost in thought.

Su Jingyao blinked her autumn-like eyes, her legs subtly shifting as she tried to escape his grasp.

But without realizing it, Jun Zechen had tightened his hold.

“It hurts…”

Her voice was tinged with grievance, her lips trembling slightly as her delicate brows knitted in pain.

Jun Zechen snapped back to reality, quickly releasing her legs.

“Let Granny Li continue applying the ointment for you. I still have state affairs to attend to. I’ll take my leave for now.”

“Yes, Your Highness, take care.”

After Jun Zichen turned and left, Granny Li continued to gently apply medicine on her.

When she was done, Su Jingyao lay back on the bed, closing her eyes to rest. The events of today had gone far beyond what Su Jingyao had expected. The corners of her lips curled into a faint, subtle smile as she thought about her performance earlier.

Today’s act had been truly satisfying.

Since Jun Zichen liked women who were simple and kind, she decided to show him the image of a pure, gentle, and innocent person. Running her fingers through her hair, a playful glint appeared in Su Jingyao’s eyes.

Her plan was to make Jun Zichen fall for her “kind and pure” self, only to later reveal her true, ruthless nature and catch him off guard. What fun that would be. She could hardly wait to see the look on his face when it happened.

People are naturally selfish and cruel, she thought. She was just being honest about it.

Was she bad?

Maybe, but as long as she was happy, it didn’t matter. Ling Yue and Jun Zichen had met during their youth, far away from the schemes and politics of the palace.

But did Jun Zichen truly love Ling Yue? Su Jingyao didn’t think so.

Jun Zichen grew up surrounded by the tricks and plots of the royal palace, and he was very smart. Even though the Empress protected him, he still faced countless attacks from jealous concubines, which made him hate women who pretended to be kind but were secretly cruel.

Since he spent much of his youth with the Empress, he also grew to dislike the Emperor’s harem full of countless women. During his teenage years, Jun Zichen met Ling Yue, a carefree and lively woman from the frontier.

Being with Ling Yue made him feel relaxed and genuinely happy, so he naturally grew fond of her. When he returned to the capital, he made a sincere promise of loyalty and love to her.

But life in the capital was complicated. A crown princess who didn’t have children after two years would never be accepted by the Emperor, the ministers, or the people.

That promise of love ended up fading like smoke in the wind.

Jun Zichen’s mistrust of noblewomen in the capital made him keep his distance from them. Without effort, no one could reach his heart. After becoming Emperor, he had no choice but to hold a selection process for consorts and interact with the very women he despised.

As women tried to win his favor, Jun Zichen realized how hard it was to understand them and sympathized with the struggles his father once faced.

Eventually, he stopped trying to understand them at all.

Over time, he became cold and distant, turning into a proud and emotionless ruler.

The love he had as a teenager faded away like a flower that blooms for only a moment.

In the years that followed, Ling Yue’s boldness, tantrums, and desperate actions seemed ridiculous to him. What Jun Zichen needed wasn’t a wife like Ling Yue but an Empress who could help him manage the palace.

Thinking about the story of Ling Yue and Jun Zichen, Su Jingyao found the current Jun Zichen much more appealing. Even though his promise of “forever love” hadn’t lasted, the sincerity he had shown back then was still something special.

Time changes people, reshaping them into something unrecognizable.

Su Jingyao didn’t know what kind of person she would become, but for now, she had a simple goal. She wanted to become Empress.

To stand at the top and see the view that only power could offer.

Love, she thought, was just an illusion. Justice, just a dream created by the weak.

She didn’t want love, and she didn’t care about justice.

What mattered was victory—because only the results mattered in the end.