Chapter 52

Su Jingyao struggled free from the man’s embrace, like a delicate butterfly slipping away from him.

Her steps were unsteady as she wobbled toward the sleeping chamber.

Jun Zechen’s deep eyes followed her figure. With a few quick strides, he caught up and easily scooped her into his strong arms.

“Let go! I want to get down! I don’t need you to carry me!”

Su Jingyao’s small hands pushed against him, and her slender legs kicked wildly, venting her frustration.

But Jun Zechen held her firmly, his grip as unyielding as iron.

“Be good, Yaoyao. It was my fault today. I made you sad.”

He carried her into the sleeping chamber and gently placed her on the bed. Then, he ordered the servants to bring sobering soup.

Su Jingyao sat on the bed, pouting with anger. She hugged her knees tightly and glared at him with her beautiful, angry eyes.

Jun Zechen sighed softly at her sulky expression.

Instead of getting annoyed, his heart filled with even more tenderness.

He pulled her onto his lap, patiently coaxing her. His deep voice murmured softly in her ear.

But she remained silent.

Even though she was partly acting today, she had indeed drunk a lot of wine. Now, her head felt dizzy, and after pretending for so long, she almost started believing she was truly upset.

Miaoyun brought in the sobering soup. Jun Zechen took the bowl and gently whispered in her ear, coaxing her to drink.

“I don’t want it.”

Smelling the unpleasant soup, Su Jingyao wrinkled her nose and began squirming again, trying to escape.

There was no way she was drinking that.

Jun Zechen knew she was drunk and had no choice but to deal with her antics.

“Be good and drink it. Do you want to wake up with a headache tomorrow, Yaoyao?”

Su Jingyao grew even more frustrated.

The sobering soup in the palace was always made with ginger, licorice, and sandalwood powder. It smelled terrible! “It’s awful, I don’t want to drink it.”

She suddenly swung her hand, knocking over the bowl that the man had brought to her lips.

The bowl rolled off the footstool beside the bed and fell to the ground, spilling its contents onto the soft carpet.

Both Su Jingyao and Jun Zechen were momentarily stunned by the sudden situation.

Su Jingyao looked a bit confused.

Jun Zechen’s dark, ink-like eyes stared at her. No one had ever dared to be so disrespectful to him before.

A wave of panic surged in Su Jingyao’s heart. With this outburst, she sobered up quite a bit.

Nearby, Miaoyun trembled the moment the medicine bowl hit the ground. She immediately knelt down, lowering her head as much as possible, wishing she could shrink into herself to minimize her presence.

The Emperor wouldn’t punish her mistress, but he wouldn’t be so kind to her.

At this moment, it was best to stay unnoticed.

Su Jingyao blinked her long lashes. She felt the man’s grip on her waist tighten, making her wince in pain.

Her face instantly turned pitiful, like a wounded little deer.

Jun Zechen watched her for a long moment, but he wasn’t truly angry.

He was the Emperor—was he really going to argue with a drunk woman?

Then, he spoke calmly. “Miaoyun, bring another bowl of hangover soup.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Miaoyun answered quickly and hurried away.

When she returned with the soup, Jun Zechen took the bowl and spoke with a hint of authority in his tone.

“Yaoyao, will you drink it yourself, or do you want me to feed you?”

Su Jingyao, now more clear-headed, silently took the bowl from his hands.

She scrunched up her delicate face as if she were about to face a great ordeal, then drank the entire bowl in one go.

After finishing, she handed the bowl back to Miaoyun.

Seeing her obediently drink the soup, Jun Zechen finally relaxed a little.

“Are you hungry? Would you like some food? You love flower cakes—I can have some made for you.”

Su Jingyao shook her head gently. “I’m sleepy.”

With that, she slowly moved away from his lap, curled up under the blankets, and turned her back to him, wrapping herself tightly.

After summoning Fuchuan to help him wash up, Jun Zechen lifted a corner of the blanket and lay down beside her.

Then, he reached out and pulled her into his arms from behind.

“Are you asleep?”

His voice was low and gentle, but he knew she wasn’t asleep.

Su Jingyao indeed hadn’t fallen asleep. She kept her bright eyes open. When she heard his question, she simply shook her head slightly without speaking.

“It’s my fault for making you upset today.”

He didn’t even know how many times he had said, “It’s my fault” tonight. But besides that, he didn’t know how else to comfort her.

Su Jingyao didn’t respond to his words. Instead, she closed her eyes.

Jun Zechen watched her reaction and didn’t know what else to say.

He had broken his promise to her because of Lingyue.

He had once promised Lingyue that he wouldn’t touch other women, but back then, it was only because he disliked the overly pretentious women of the capital.

He never liked touching people he didn’t care for.

Later, he thought of women as nothing more than tools to continue the royal bloodline. It didn’t matter if he favored them or not.

To him, no matter how many women he had, their jealousy or resentment never concerned him.

But when he saw her looking so sad, he didn’t want to mention any other woman in front of her—not even Lingyue.

He knew it would make her unhappy.

Jun Zechen took in the scent of her hair, lost in thought.

For the first time, he felt uncertain. He didn’t know how to explain himself, nor did he know how to comfort her.

Time passed slowly, and the candles in the sleeping quarters burned halfway down.

Jun Zechen still held her tightly from behind. Even though they were so physically close, he felt an immeasurable distance between them, as if a cold barrier separated them.

He knew she was still awake. The shadows on the wall showed her eyelashes trembling slightly.

As the late hours of the night approached, Jun Zechen’s deep voice broke the silence.

“Yaoyao, can’t sleep?”

“Is it almost midnight?” Su Jingyao’s voice was calm and distant.

“Yes.”

Jun Zechen responded softly, surprised that she finally spoke.

Was she no longer angry?

Su Jingyao slowly turned to face him, her gaze steady and emotionless as she looked directly into his eyes.

“My birthday is over now. Your Majesty should go to Yikun Palace. You don’t have to force yourself to stay with me.”

Her voice was calm, without any trace of emotion.

Jun Zechen’s face instantly darkened, as if covered in ice.

“Do you know what you’re saying?”

His voice was chillingly cold, sharp enough to freeze the air.

“I have always known that Your Majesty and the Noble Consort share deep affection. Yesterday was my birthday. I had hoped to spend it with Your Majesty, but that was just my own foolish wish. I was wrong to expect anything.”

“There is no need for Your Majesty to come to Zhaochun Palace just to keep a promise to me.”

Her voice remained steady, as if she were stating a fact unrelated to herself.

“Since Your Majesty has already come, I don’t want to make you seem unfaithful to your word. Now that my birthday is over, you may return to Yikun Palace.”

“I don’t want Your Majesty to stay here against your true wishes.”

She paused briefly before continuing, “I will not expect anything anymore. Yesterday was my mistake. Please forgive me, Your Majesty.”  Su Jingyao gently got up from the bed.

Jun Zechen frowned deeply. Her words, one after another, felt like sharp blades piercing straight into his heart, making him feel both pain and anger.

Was this really how she thought of him?!

When he was in Yikun Palace, he had been thinking about her, impatient to come to Zhaochun Palace—not because of some promise!

And what did she mean by saying she wouldn’t have any expectations anymore?

Jun Zechen’s mind was filled with countless thoughts because of her words. His chest started to rise and fall violently, his expression dark as ink, and the air around him became tense.

Su Jingyao took a robe from the clothing rack and slowly draped it over her shoulders. Then, she bowed slightly and performed a proper courtesy.

“Your Majesty, if you think it’s too late tonight and don’t want to disturb the Noble Consort’s rest in Yikun Palace, then you may stay here in the sleeping quarters.”

“I am in a terrible mood today. I fear I might say something inappropriate and offend Your Majesty, so I will go sleep in the side hall. Please excuse me.”

Without waiting for his response and ignoring his increasingly dark expression, she turned and started walking away.

Jun Zechen’s gaze turned cold and sharp like a blade. His voice was icy as he commanded, “Come back! Did I give you permission to leave?”

Hearing his words, Su Jingyao had no choice but to stop. After all, he was the emperor—who would dare disobey him?

She clenched her hands tightly in front of her, her fingers turning pale from the pressure.

However, she did not turn back. The two remained in a tense standoff, the air thick with tension.

Jun Zechen’s face was grim as he took large strides toward her, his presence overpowering.

Without hesitation, he grabbed her and lifted her into his arms. His movements were rough.

“Let me go!”

Su Jingyao struggled, but she was no match for his strength. He tossed her back onto the soft bed.

Standing at the bedside, he looked down at her with a cold, imposing gaze. His expression was filled with authority and indifference.

“Yes, it was my fault today,” he admitted. “But the Noble Consort was poisoned. I was truly worried for her. I was afraid that someone in the palace was plotting against her.”

“I feared she would be falsely accused again, just like before, and be defenseless. That’s why I needed to investigate the truth today, and that’s why I couldn’t accompany you outside the palace.”

He paused before adding, “Yes, tonight, it was also because of the Noble Consort that I came late.”

“She is my wife, and you are the woman I love. I never wanted either of you to be sad.”

As an emperor, he had never felt the need to explain himself. But if he didn’t say these things, would she continue to misunderstand him?

“Love?” Su Jingyao suddenly choked up, her voice trembling with emotion. “Your Majesty does not love me!”

Today, Jun Zechen had experienced every possible form of heartache.

When he first entered Zhaochun Palace, seeing her drinking alone, hearing her silent accusations, and realizing that he had caused her a sleepless night—his heart ached as if being devoured by a thousand ants.

Then, when she treated him coldly, he forced himself to be patient and coax her gently.

Now, hearing her outright deny his feelings, he felt a pain so deep it nearly suffocated him.

“Haven’t I treated you well enough?” he demanded. “After I ascended the throne, I granted you a title and made you a Noble Consort—almost equal to the Empress.”

“I specially instructed the palace staff to prepare Zhaochun Palace according to your preferences. Every silk, every jewel I send you is the finest. In this entire palace, you are always the first person I think of when choosing gifts.”

This woman influenced him more than anyone else, even more than Ling Yue. He had spent more effort on her than anyone.

She had grown up in luxury, surrounded by exquisite things. Everything he sent her—whether tributes from foreign lands or rare treasures—was of the highest quality.

Yet, she still claimed he didn’t love her.

“Yesterday was your birthday. I carefully selected gifts from the treasury, choosing things I thought you would like.”

“But I don’t like them!”

“The things Your Majesty gifts me are easily obtainable for you. Just like me, Your Majesty has seen countless treasures since childhood. No matter how exquisite or luxurious they are, they bring me neither surprise nor joy.”

Jun Zechen’s face stiffened. This was the first time someone had so openly rejected his gifts.

His deep eyes locked onto her coldly.

Su Jingyao met his gaze without flinching.

Then she lowered her head, no longer wanting to discuss gifts. Instead, she asked softly, “Your Majesty, do you know why I couldn’t sleep just now?”

Jun Zechen pressed his lips together and remained silent.

“I was waiting for Your Majesty’s birthday blessing…”

His pupils contracted sharply.

He had been so focused on comforting her that he had completely forgotten to wish her a happy birthday.

Tears welled up in Su Jingyao’s eyes, spilling down her cheeks like broken pearls onto the blanket.

Seeing her cry, Jun Zechen’s heart clenched painfully. He quickly bent down, his long fingers gently wiping away her tears.

His eyes were full of tenderness as he whispered, “It’s my fault. Tell me, Yaoyao, what do you want? I will give you anything.”

Su Jingyao’s long, tear-stained eyelashes trembled slightly.

She wanted to be Empress—would he give her that?

But she would never ask for it herself.

She wanted him to offer it to her willingly, from his heart.

Her lips quivered as she softly asked, “Anything?”

Hearing her words, Jun Zechen finally felt a bit of relief.

As long as she was willing to ask, he would give it to her. Anything—just so she wouldn’t be upset anymore. He nodded. “Mm, whatever Yaoyao wants, I will give it to you.”

Su Jingyao stared at him intently, her eyes firm.

“If Your Majesty does not find it, then you are not allowed to step onto the bed in Zhaochun Palace.”

Jun Zechen looked helpless, but the determination in her gaze left him no choice.

He could only nod and agree. “Alright.”

Su Jingyao took a moment to compose herself.

“I like butterfly koi. I heard that these fish are pure white, with long, flowing fins that resemble butterfly wings. Their scales shimmer in rainbow colors under the sunlight, making them very beautiful.”

“I read about them in my father’s study, in Records of Rare Beasts. I want to keep them in the palace. Can Your Majesty find them for me?”

Su Jingyao had been curious about butterfly koi ever since she first read about them.

She had once spent a lot of money trying to find them, but no one had succeeded.

Her curiosity stemmed from the fact that butterfly koi were artificially bred in modern times—they didn’t exist in the wild.

Top-quality butterfly koi were elegant and stunning, making them highly prized ornamental fish.

She truly loved them.

Besides, butterfly koi required very specific environmental conditions to survive. Even if they were found, bringing them back to the capital alive would be incredibly difficult.

Since Jun Zechen had abandoned her on her birthday, how could she not make things difficult for him?

Did he really think women were so easy to appease?

Jun Zechen frowned slightly. He had never even heard of butterfly koi before.

But that didn’t matter. If such a creature existed, how could he fail to find it?

His eyes were firm as he declared, “Alright. Whatever Yaoyao wants, I will bring it to you.”

“Then, Your Majesty should return to Qianqing Palace,” Su Jingyao said calmly.

Since the butterfly koi hadn’t even been found yet, he certainly wasn’t allowed on her bed.

Playing hard to get—keeping him at just the right distance—would only make him crave her more.

Things that came too easily were never truly cherished.

Jun Zechen was stunned for a moment.

Wasn’t she not angry anymore?