Chapter 169 Why She's the Only One

The second day.

Jun Zechen woke up slowly. The woman in his arms with her back to him was still sleeping soundly. One of his hands had been resting on her head for a long time, but he didn't feel numb.

He hugged her gently, his eyes falling on her beautiful white back, on which were clearly visible teeth marks.

Jun Zechen's slender fingertips gently brushed across these marks, and the emotions in his eyes were like the deep waters of a lake, complex and ambiguous.

Is it too easy to forgive her just like that?

I am the ruler of the world, respected by everyone, so how can I be so soft-hearted towards her?

During these two days, Jun Zechen's mood was extremely complicated. He even asked himself again and again, did he really have to be with her?

He is in the harem, surrounded by beauties, all of whom are obedient to him and try their best to please him. Why is he so obsessed with this girl who is sometimes stubborn and sometimes weak?

Jun Zechen has been the empress's legitimate son since childhood, and has the most noble status among all the princes. Later, he successfully became the crown prince and even ascended the throne to become the emperor. He is in a high position and has great power. It seems that everything in this world can be easily controlled by him.

Everyone fawned over him and praised him highly.

No matter it was Ling who was in the East Palace back then, or the many concubines after he ascended the throne, Jun Zechen only needed to reward them with some treasures and chat with them for a few minutes to make them satisfied and grateful.

But Jun Zechen himself has never received true emotional release from these women.

He is always calm and stable.

To him, women were nothing more than the icing on the cake. It was enough for him to have a moment of relaxation after dealing with the heavy affairs of state.

However, since he met her, Jun Zechen's usually calm heart has been stirred up by turbulent waves from time to time.

He rarely shows such strong emotional fluctuations, or rather, there are very few people and things that really make him care.

But her appearance made his emotions like a wild horse that had broken free from its reins, making it difficult for him to control himself.

Jun Zechen felt like a masochist, immersed in this unprecedented feeling.

He didn't understand why her every smile, every move could move his heart so much? Why did her indifference and rejection make him more eager to get her love?

He found it hard to accept that she didn't love him. These painful and repressed emotions were surging, yet he couldn't help but immerse himself in them. His desire for her inexplicably became stronger.

It was a feeling that Jun Zechen could hardly describe in words. It was like a mist that enveloped his heart.

Jun Zechen slowly closed his eyes, with an almost pious attitude, and gently kissed the red mark on her back.

Since I can't let her go, I'll keep her by my side forever!

Perhaps her frankness will lead to a new and different kind of trust between the two of them.

Jun Zechen has doted on her for the past two years, and he has let down his guard in front of her and talked about everything. He doesn't think there is any other woman who can make him open up like this. They are both honest and clear, and their relationship will only get better in the future.

A tingling sensation instantly spread throughout Su Jingyao's body like an electric current. She trembled involuntarily and her brows wrinkled slightly, as if she was struggling to wake up from her sleep.

Jun Zechen felt her slightest movements, and the kiss not only showed no signs of stopping, but became more passionate and deep.

He hugged her slender waist even tighter, as if he wanted to embed her into his body.

Su Jingyao was finally awakened by his gentle and passionate kiss.

The wet and soft touch made her shrink subconsciously, and then she turned around tenderly, her hands like snakes wrapping around the man's strong waist, "Your Majesty, why are you still here today?"

Wasn't he tired last night and sluggish this morning?

"There is no morning court today."

"I will accompany you for a while, then I will go to Yu's study to review memorials."

Su Jingyao nodded slightly.

Then she asked softly, "Your Majesty, do you have a headache?" There was worry in her tone, and her little hand gently massaged his temples.

He drank so much last night and worked so hard for so long, but he woke up so early. Is his body made of iron?

The moment Jun Zechen met her concerned eyes, his heart shuddered as if it had been hit hard by a heavy hammer.

He suddenly realized that it was not without reason that he had been deceived by her in the past few years.

The care she gave him at any time and in any place, the just-right comfort that went straight to his soul when he was worried, the sudden and unexpected hugs and kisses when they were alone, each time was like a blazing flame that could ignite his heart.

And she was always able to keenly capture his secret thoughts deep in his heart. They had conversations that resonated with each other's souls. They had discussed poetry and songs together. She was his equally matched chess friend. They had also discussed the world situation together. Every communication was like a feast for the soul, which made him indulge in it.

The gentle look she inadvertently revealed, the birthday gift she carefully prepared for him, the painting she drew for him, every stroke was full of affection...

In the past few years, there have been countless such incidents, one after another, as numerous as stars in the sky.

When Jun Zechen thought back on it now, he felt as if he was in a long and beautiful dream.

Even though Jun Zechen now knew in his heart that this might just be her pretense, he still couldn't help but feel his heart tremble slightly because of her concern.

"Does Yaoyao really care about me?" His voice was filled with anxiety and expectation.

"Your Majesty, are you going to question all of my actions in the future?" Su Jingyao asked coquettishly, her eyes full of grievance.

"Whether it's true or not, I will feel comforted by Yaoyao's concern."

She has spent so much time and effort on him, paying attention to his emotions all the time. Shouldn't he be the one to truly feel it himself, whether he loves him or not?

Maybe, she herself didn't even realize that she had fallen in love with him?

It's just talk.

Su Jingyao was quite satisfied with his answer. The corners of her mouth slightly raised, revealing a faint smile.

True and false, false and true, she is not a robot, can she really act for a lifetime? After a few years of being together, everyone will have feelings.

After they woke up, they cuddled for a long time. Su Jingyao, with a shy look on her face, snuggled in Jun Zechen's arms, while Jun Zechen gently stroked her hair with tenderness in his eyes.

After Su Jingyao accompanied Jun Zechen for breakfast, Jun Zechen got up and went to Yu's study to review memorials.

And she was finally able to leave the Qianqing Palace and return to the Kunning Palace surrounded by palace maids.

Not long after returning, Concubine Xian arrived.

She was followed by several palace maids, each holding gifts in their hands.

"I pay my respects to Her Majesty the Queen."

Concubine Xian had a flattering smile on her face and bowed slightly.

"Get up." Su Jingyao raised her hand slightly with a calm expression.

After Concubine Xian sat down, the sensible palace maid immediately brought her hot tea with skillful movements.

Su Jingyao sat on the phoenix chair, looked at Concubine Xian calmly, and asked calmly: "Why did Concubine Xian come to my palace today?"

"These past two days, I have sent maids to Kunning Palace to ask whether Your Majesty is free, but every time I came, I heard that Your Majesty is in Qianqing Palace. It is not easy to see that you have returned to Kunning Palace, so I immediately came to thank Your Majesty."

"I know that my restoration to the throne was definitely due to the help of Your Majesty." Concubine Xian's eyes were full of gratitude as she spoke.

In front of Su Jingyao, Concubine Xian suppressed her former arrogance and behaved very humblely.

"Xu Xiurong's frame-up has caused you to be wronged, and now the truth has come to light. I just felt that the poisoning of Lady Chu was really strange, so I asked His Majesty to investigate."

Su Jingyao picked up the teacup and took a sip, her tone still indifferent.

Concubine Xian was naturally aware of her importance in the eyes of His Majesty. If it were not for the Empress's mediation, His Majesty would probably have just gone along with the situation and would not have cared about her.

Now that the truth is out and the Third Prince has returned, since everyone in the harem knows that she is the Queen's woman, they naturally have to make it clear and prevent others from harming her easily.

"But Concubine Xian, your Zhongcui Palace should be properly managed. How can the palace of one of the four concubines be framed?"

Concubine Xian felt a little embarrassed. The incident with Concubine Chu was because she didn't take the women in the harem seriously enough. But Concubine Xian could never have imagined that Yan Zhaoyi, who was born a concubine, and Xu Xiurong, who had an obscure family background, would dare to harm concubines and frame her.

"Yes, I didn't discipline the palace maids well. It's my fault."

Then Concubine Xian continued, "Your Majesty, although Your Majesty punished Xu Xiurong this time, Xu Xiurong and Yan Zhaoyi were close at the time. I think Yan Zhaoyi must have been involved in this matter. What do you plan to do with her?"

Concubine Xian frowned slightly and asked with concern.

Su Jingyao took a sip of tea, her eyelashes drooped slightly, hiding the thoughts in her eyes.

Although Yan Zhaoyi was not as smart as Xu Xiurong, she was lucky. Every time something went wrong, someone would take the blame for her, and she herself would get away with it cleanly.

Su Jingyao could remember that her palace dress was poisoned, and it was also Yan Zhaoyi's work.

"You are just a Zhaoyi. You are one of the four concubines. Do you think I have to make decisions for everyone?"

Su Jingyao raised her eyebrows slightly, put down the teacup, and looked a little unhappy.

She didn't want to dirty her hands. As the empress, she naturally had to be considerate and magnanimous to the concubines. Now that Jun Zechen favored her alone, she couldn't let the court officials catch any handle on her.

If Yan Zhaoyi behaves well later on, there will be no problem in letting her live well in the harem.

When Concubine Xian heard the Queen's instructions, a smug smile appeared on her face.

She had not forgotten the arrogant look on Yan Zhaoyi's face when he first came to her palace, with his chin raised high and his eyes full of contempt.

Now, the situation has changed and she will naturally pay it back.

Since the Queen had condoned her actions, Concubine Xian would naturally repay Yan Zhaoyi for what she had done.

How they had unscrupulously deducted her share and made her suffer so much injustice, so of course they had to return the full amount!

A mere concubine's daughter actually dared to make her submit to him. This account must be settled.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will take good care of Yan Zhaoyi. As for Xu Xiurong in the cold palace, I will certainly not let her go." Concubine Xian said gritting her teeth.

"Well, I don't care what happens to Xu Xiurong. But Yan Zhaoyi is the daughter of Doctor Guanglu after all. Although she is a concubine's daughter, the Yan family cares about her after they had a prince. Don't go too far." Su Jingyao warned.

The Yan family has now married the Chu family. Logically, Jun Zechen should not like close contacts between his subjects, but Jun Zechen did not object.

Su Jingyao could vaguely guess what Jun Zechen was thinking.

He has always been strict with Xingxing, but it is not strict enough. The princes in the palace now are not much different in age. When the princes grow up and enter the court, the Seventh Prince, who has the support of the Yan and Chu families, may become Xingxing's biggest enemy.

Thinking of this, Su Jingyao's eyes became deeper, with a thoughtful look in them.

But...it will also be a knife for sharpening the stars.

Therefore, Jun Zechen allowed the marriage between the Yan and Chu families. Yan Zhaoyi was safe and sound in the poisoning incident of Lady Chu, which might be due to Jun Zechen's deliberate letting her go.

In this case, Su Jingyao naturally did not intend to kill Yan Zhaoyi, but she wanted to let Concubine Xian make Yan Zhaoyi unhappy.

She pursed her lips lightly, already having a plan in mind.