Chapter 87

After Su Jingyao got into the carriage, her usual graceful smile slowly faded, and she looked much more relaxed.

She was still smiling gently as she looked at Jun Zechen.

“You seem a little different today, Your Majesty.”

Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she spoke.

Jun Zechen smiled with interest and asked in return, “What’s different?”

Hearing this, Su Jingyao playfully began to study him seriously.

Her eyes slowly looked him over—from his dark, flowing hair, to his sharp eyebrows, then to his deep, star-like eyes, and finally to his well-defined face.

She couldn’t help but think: No wonder he’s the male lead in a novel. Just his face alone was enough to drive all the women in the palace—who rarely even saw men—crazy.

They all fought for his attention and love.

“Your Majesty, today you look as beautiful as sunlight on fine jade, and as powerful as a dragon soaring through the clouds. You are truly handsome and full of presence.”

Su Jingyao’s praise was filled with sincerity. Her soft, water-like eyes were full of admiration and affection.

Her gaze stayed locked on Jun Zechen.

Jun Zechen especially liked the way she looked at him. He used to dislike people staring at his face, and would often use his royal authority to intimidate them.

But the more time he spent with Su Jingyao, the more he noticed that every time he changed his look, the way she looked at him would also change.

Today, Jun Zechen purposely left some of his dark hair down instead of tying it all up. But to still appear dignified, he wore a black dragon robe.

There’s a saying: “Women dress up for the one they love.” Jun Zechen now felt like he was the male version of that—“Men dress up for the woman they love.”

He asked, “Does Yaoyao like it?”

“I do!” she answered happily.

She always said what he liked to hear.

Jun Zechen reached out and pulled Su Jingyao close, glancing at her blue-green dress. After thinking for a moment, he smiled and said:

“Yaoyao today is as beautiful as a summer lotus hidden among flowers, graceful like floating clouds. Truly, a goddess among mortals.”

Su Jingyao raised an eyebrow and teased, “Why does Your Majesty always copy me?”

He replied with a laugh, “Because after spending time with you, I finally learned how to give good compliments.”

Jun Zechen enjoyed her praises—they made him happy. She always complimented him in different ways. He wasn’t as good with words as she was, but he was a quick learner.

After coming to the ancient world, Su Jingyao had read many books. She naturally appreciated someone who understood her.

And Jun Zechen truly didn’t disappoint. Not only did he understand her words, but he could also compliment her just as cleverly.

She smiled with satisfaction and hugged his waist, holding on a little tighter and more affectionately.

Then she looked up and softly asked, “Your Majesty, what’s the fiercest beast at Chunshou Pass?”

There was a look of curiosity on her beautiful face.

“Black bears or leopards,” he answered.

Su Jingyao frowned a bit, looking worried. “Then isn’t Chunshou Pass very dangerous?”

Jun Zechen chuckled calmly and confidently.

“Those animals live deep in the forest. Besides, when my father was emperor, I always won the spring hunt each year. To win, you must hunt at least a bear or leopard.”

He looked proud as he said this.

Su Jingyao nodded sweetly, eyes filled with admiration. “Your Majesty is amazing.”

They continued chatting flirtatiously during the trip, full of affection.

The Spring Hunt lasted five days, and the schedule was set by the court officials

Day 1: The whole group would head to Chunshou Pass with a big send-off ceremony. Once there, they’d set up camp and get used to the area.

Day 2: There would be a ritual in the morning. As the Imperial Noble Consort, Su Jingyao would join Jun Zechen. After that, he would lead a small group for a test hunt.

Day 3: The main large-scale hunt would begin. Different teams would spread out in the hunting grounds. In the evening, they would have a bonfire feast to celebrate and reward everyone.

Day 4: Hunting would continue, with added competitions like horseback archery. The emperor would give prizes to the top performers.

Day 5: They would pack up and return to the capital, bringing their prey and glory. The whole event showed the nation’s strength and prosperity.

Three years ago, Su Jingyao’s brother ranked third in the imperial exam and had since worked in the Hanlin Academy—a great job.

He was about the same age as Jun Zechen. If he wanted to achieve big things and reach their father’s status, he’d need the emperor’s help.

But right now, their father’s position was already very high. If the emperor promoted her brother too, it might disrupt the balance of power.

That’s why Su Jingyao had never mentioned her brother to the emperor.

Jun Zechen was the emperor—he had much more to consider. Su Jingyao didn’t know much about politics, so she didn’t want to say the wrong thing and make him suspicious.

That could hurt her brother—and even her whole family.

As she was thinking about all this, a sparkle appeared in her eyes.

She smiled sweetly and looked at Jun Zechen with a cute, hopeful expression.
“I want a fluffy white rabbit that’s alive and bouncing around.”

Jun Zechen was surprised at first, then smirked playfully.
“Yaoyao, I’m going hunting. I don’t usually bring back anything alive.”

“When I was still at home, my brother went to the spring hunt and brought me a fluffy rabbit. I took care of it for a whole year. Why can’t you do the same?”

She pouted slightly, looking upset.

Jun Zechen frowned. There were plenty of rabbits in the forest at Chunshou Pass, but wild ones were usually gray or brown—and fast. White rabbits were usually raised by people, and long-haired ones were even rarer.

He narrowed his eyes, thinking about her brother, Su Jingxuan, who worked at the Hanlin Academy.

He wondered: How good was Su Jingxuan at hunting? Probably not great—maybe that rabbit wasn’t hunted at all, but bought from a market on the way back?

He decided he would call for Su Jingxuan later to ask if he really caught that rabbit in the wild or bought it.

Yaoyao didn’t ask for much, so he wanted to give her what she liked whenever possible.

Besides, she was getting more temperamental lately. If she got upset, even he had a hard time handling it.

“I’ll keep an eye out during the hunt,” Jun Zechen said gently. “If I do find a rabbit like that, I’ll definitely bring it back for you.”

Su Jingyao leaned against him, a beautiful smile on her lips, then nodded happily.