Chapter 45

Su Jingyao reached out her slender, fair fingers and gently picked up a delicate jar from the dressing table.

Inside the jar was lip balm.

It was specially made for her by Li Jing.

She had two types of lip balm—one contained black feather jade extract, which had a very strong hallucinogenic effect.

The other one had datura flower extract, which was slightly weaker in comparison.

If she planned to keep Jun Zechen here tonight, she would use the lip balm with black feather jade.

The reason for using the drug was simple—Su Jingyao was almost certain that Jun Zechen, feeling guilty, would go to the Noble Consort’s palace to comfort her.

But she couldn’t openly compete for favor. No matter how she schemed, she had to maintain her image.

A little hallucinogenic lip balm would make Jun Zechen lose control and willingly stay with her. It was the best plan.

And she was confident in her acting skills—he wouldn’t suspect a thing.

But now, she had a different idea.

She wanted Jun Zechen to go to Ling Yue instead.

Su Jingyao picked up the lip balm made with datura flower and gently applied it to her lips.

She looked at herself in the mirror—stunning beyond words.

“Myoyun, tell Myoyue to prepare a bowl of nourishing black chicken ginseng soup. We’re going to Qianqing Palace to give thanks.”

“Yes, My Lady.”

Outside Qianqing Palace

“Greetings to Pure and Gentle Consort!”

The servants at the palace gate bowed respectfully, their voices carrying a hint of flattery.

Su Jingyao raised her eyes slightly, her lips curving into an elegant smile.

“Rise. I made some ginseng soup for His Majesty to show my gratitude. May I ask if he is available?”

Her arched brows and gentle demeanor made her look warm and graceful.

“Please wait a moment, Your Highness. I will report this to His Majesty immediately.”

The servant quickly bowed and hurried inside.

After waiting patiently, the little eunuch soon returned.

“Your Highness, His Majesty invites you in.” The eunuch smiled eagerly.

Su Jingyao stepped forward gracefully.

Outside the hall stood Eunuch Fuquan, the adopted son of Grand Eunuch Dehai, who had served the late emperor.

After the late emperor’s funeral, Dehai retired, and now, the two chief eunuchs serving Jun Zechen were Anshun and Fuquan.

Fuquan quickly bowed. “Greetings, Your Highness. His Majesty is waiting for you.”

Su Jingyao nodded slightly, still wearing her gentle smile, warm as a spring breeze.

Fuquan opened the door for her, and she entered Qianqing Palace with Myoyun.

Inside, Jun Zechen sat on the dragon throne.

“Greetings, Your Majesty.”

Jun Zechen looked at her. Today, she wore an extravagant palace gown—vibrant in color and with a unique design.

He had never seen her look this stunning before.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied her with interest.

“Rise. What brings you here?”

Su Jingyao stepped forward gracefully and took the bowl of ginseng soup from Myoyun, her fair hands holding it delicately.

“I came to give thanks, Your Majesty. I am very fond of the Zhaochun Palace you granted me.”

“Also, Your Majesty has been very busy lately. I worry about your health, so I had Myoyue prepare some ginseng soup. Would you like to try it?”

She gently held out the bowl, her glass-like eyes filled with anticipation as she gazed at him without blinking.

Jun Zechen set down his brush and took the bowl, sipping lightly.

At the first taste, he raised an eyebrow.

The cooking skills of her maid, Myoyue, were impressive.

He had grown tired of ginseng soup, which Anshun prepared for him almost daily.

If Su Jingyao hadn’t personally brought it, he wouldn’t have touched it.

After a few more sips, he placed the bowl down.

Seeing this, Su Jingyao took the bowl and placed it on the tray Myoyun was holding, then waved her hand.

Myoyun obediently stepped back, and Anshun also tactfully led the other palace attendants out of the hall.

Jun Zechen reached out and pulled Su Jingyao onto his lap.

With state affairs keeping him busy, he hadn’t seen her for a long time.

“I promised to take you out of the palace after your confinement, but my father’s passing and my duties kept me occupied.”

His deep voice carried a hint of guilt. His brow furrowed slightly, and his gaze held traces of helplessness.

“Now that I have just ascended the throne, there is much to handle. I won’t have time for a while, but I remember that the third day of the third month is your birthday. How about I take you out then?”

As he spoke, he gently stroked her back, his eyes filled with affection.

“Your Majesty, leaving the palace is not important. Your responsibilities come first. If my request disrupts your plans, I would feel guilty.”

Su Jingyao nestled against his chest, her tone understanding and gentle.

“But I am happy that Your Majesty remembers your promise and my birthday.”

Saying this, she affectionately nuzzled his neck.

After holding her for a while, Su Jingyao’s expression turned hesitant.

She bit her lower lip lightly, as if unsure whether to speak.

Noticing her hesitation, Jun Zechen asked softly, “What’s wrong?”

Su Jingyao frowned slightly and asked in a quiet voice, “Your Majesty, will you visit the Noble Consort’s palace tonight?”

Hearing this, Jun Zechen’s emotions flickered for a moment.

Did she want to stay with him tonight?

His eyes narrowed slightly. Though his expression remained calm, his voice carried a barely detectable chill.

“Would you like to stay in Qianqing Palace tonight, Yaoyao?”

His large hand continued to gently stroke her waist, but his gaze grew deeper, unreadable.

Su Jingyao lowered her head, frowning, and remained silent for a long time.

Jun Zechen’s eyes darkened even further.

She slowly lifted her head, her clear black and white eyes filled with sincerity.

“Your Majesty, even though I want to stay with you, but…”

She paused for a moment before continuing, “I know that Concubine Ling made a mistake in front of the late emperor’s spirit, so she wasn’t made empress. Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager’s decision—I dare not have any objections.”

“But Your Majesty and Concubine Ling were childhood sweethearts. Now that things have turned out this way, she must be very sad. Your Majesty should…”

A trace of pity flashed in Su Jingyao’s eyes. “Go to Yikun Palace and see her.”

This man was testing her.

Hah.

If she had asked to stay, would he have immediately decided to send her to the Cold Palace?

Hearing her words, Jun Zechen suddenly felt that now that he had become emperor, he had become more suspicious of everything.

But an emperor must be cautious—he couldn’t help it.

She was still as kind and considerate as always, thinking of others’ feelings.

“Hmm, then I will do as you say and go to Yikun Palace to see Concubine Ling tonight.”

Su Jingyao pouted slightly and gave a soft “Mmm,” leaning her head gently on Jun Zechen’s broad shoulder.

Her slender arms hugged his waist tightly, as if afraid that letting go would make him leave.

“What, you don’t want me to go now?”

Jun Zechen teased lightly, lowering his head slightly, his gaze warm as he looked at Su Jingyao in his arms.

“Mmm, I don’t want to part with Your Majesty. But Concubine Ling is proud, and now she’s only a noble consort. She must be feeling upset. Your Majesty should comfort her well.”

Her voice was soft and sweet, brushing lightly against Jun Zechen’s neck, making it ticklish.

A strange warmth stirred inside him.

His gaze grew hotter as he lifted Su Jingyao’s chin, wanting to kiss her.

He could never control himself around her.

Su Jingyao’s face turned a soft shade of red.

“I wore such a fancy dress today, so I used a bolder lip color to match it.”

As she spoke, she gently placed a slender finger on his lips, stopping him.

But Jun Zechen simply moved her hand away, smiling.

“No worries. Today, I want to see if your lip color is as sweet as you are.”

And with that, he kissed her.

Su Jingyao closed her eyes, responding shyly yet willingly.

She didn’t know if it was sweet—but it was definitely poisonous.

Since becoming emperor, Jun Zechen had become even more dominant. His deep and passionate kiss made her feel weak, almost unable to resist.

She gently pushed him away, and he finally let go.

Then, Su Jingyao quickly slipped off his lap.

“Your Majesty, you messed up my makeup! How am I supposed to go back now?”

She playfully pouted, looking adorable.

Her lipstick had faded slightly, turning from a deep red to a softer pink.

But traces of the lip color remained around her lips, making her look even more tempting.

Her watery eyes carried a hint of grievance, making her look even more pitiful—so much so that Jun Zechen almost couldn’t hold back.

But he had to go to Yikun Palace tonight to comfort Ling Yue. If she stayed any longer, he might not be able to control himself.

It had been half a month since he last touched a woman.

“Let Miaoyun come in and help you freshen up. I’ll come see you tomorrow.”

Jun Zechen’s voice was slightly husky, but he kept his expression calm.

When Su Jingyao left Qianqing Palace, a satisfied smile played on her lips.

The reason she sent Jun Zechen to Yikun Palace tonight was to test him.

The lip balm she used had a mild hallucinogenic effect. If, in the middle of the night, Jun Zechen accidentally called out her name while lying with Concubine Ling…

Her smile deepened.

Ever since that night during the Flower Festival, when she and Jun Zechen had openly talked about things, she had begun to play along with his desires.

And every time, she made him call her by her nickname.

Habits could be dangerous things.

Tonight, would a dazed Jun Zechen call out her name in Ling Yue’s bed?

Su Jingyao glanced at the darkening sky, looking forward to tomorrow.

Tomorrow, all the consorts would visit the Empress Dowager to pay respects. She planned to “accidentally” run into Ling Yue and test her reaction.

She didn’t believe that if Jun Zechen had truly called out her name in Ling Yue’s presence, Ling Yue could still act normal around her.

As for whether Jun Zechen would realize something was wrong with his body afterward—she had already thought of that too.

That’s why she had made him drink a bowl of ginseng soup.

No matter how he checked, that soup would be perfectly fine. Would he ever suspect her lipstick?