Chapter 215 Playing Chess

At night, the darkness hangs over the earth like a thick black satin.

Jun Zechen came to Xiyan Palace as per Ling Yue's request.

In fact, even if Ling Yue didn't come to ask him to favor Su Jingyao, Jun Zechen had no intention of neglecting Su Jingyao in this life.

In her previous life, Su Jingyao was treated harshly in the East Palace because of his impulsiveness.

At that time, he learned about this many days after Su Jingyao's death, but he was naturally cold-hearted, so he naturally would not pay too much attention to a woman who already had a bad impression on him.

Therefore, he still doesn't know whether Su Jingyao's death was related to Ling Yue.

Even if he has to deal with the Su family in the future, since Su Jingyao has already married into the Eastern Palace, she should not be implicated.

Moreover, he has not yet thought clearly about how to deal with the Su family in this life...

The Su family had always stood firmly on the conservative side, which became the biggest obstacle to his unification of the world.

In this life, should I solve it in advance, or wait until I ascend the throne?

Jun Zechen unconsciously turned the ring on his hand, and the ring flashed a dim light in the night.

His eyes were as deep as the sea, and his ambiguous emotions were like a surging undercurrent, which looked a bit scary.

Jun Zechen left Xiyan Palace last night not only because of Ling Yue's request, but also because of Jun Zechen's own long-standing habit.

In his previous life, he extremely disliked staying in the palace of concubines, nor did he like concubines staying in the Qianqing Palace.

This is his deepest principle and bottom line, like an invisible barrier separating him from the complexity of the harem.

After his rebirth, Jun Zechen found it difficult to change his habit of sleeping in the same bed with either Ling Yue or Su Jingyao.

To Ling Yue, this familiar yet strange feeling made him always remain emotionally distant.

Therefore, Jun Zechen would rather choose to come to Xiyan Palace than go to Qiluan Palace.

Ling Yue's intimate look made him feel uncomfortable. Every look and every movement made him feel as if he had returned to the complicated and tangled times of the past. He really couldn't let his emotions return to the pure ones of his youth.

After entering the bedroom, Jun Zechen did not make a sound.

He had sharp eyes and could see at a glance that Su Jingyao was concentrating on playing chess.

He approached silently from behind, raised one hand slightly, and signaled the palace maid beside him not to make any sound.

The moment Miaoyun saw His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, a flash of panic flashed across her eyes. She subconsciously wanted to salute, but was stopped by His Royal Highness's stern look.

She was suddenly at a loss as to what to do. She stood beside her master, her heart in her throat, not daring to breathe.

Su Jingyao's mind was completely immersed in the chessboard, thinking about her next move, and she didn't notice anything unusual around her.

So Jun Zechen just stood quietly behind her, watching her play chess with focused eyes.

Su Jingyao didn't know whether Jun Zechen would come today. If she was based on her guess based on the content of the book before entering the East Palace, Jun Zechen would most likely not come.

But although Jun Zechen's attitude last night showed that he didn't like her, he didn't reject her explicitly.

I originally thought Jun Zechen was a "simple boy", but I never thought he was so sophisticated and determined. We spent a night together last night and he was not shaken at all by the bed.

In this case, she had to find another way. At least her communication with him couldn't be limited to bed.

Chess is the skill that Su Jingyao is most proficient in among the Four Books and Six Arts. She is only proficient in other talents, or just tries to please others without delving into them in depth.

Facing the unpredictable Jun Zechen, perhaps I can only rely on my talent to gain some appreciation, and then slowly impress him through other things...

Jun Zechen looked at it for a long time and couldn't help but sigh in amazement.

He had never expected that a fifteen-year-old girl could have such amazing chess skills.

"You are a good chess player."

A faint voice suddenly sounded behind her. Su Jingyao's delicate figure trembled slightly, and she immediately stood up and saluted him.

"Your Highness, I pay my respects to you."

She lowered her head slightly, not daring to look directly into Jun Zechen's eyes.

"Sit down."

Jun Zechen's voice was calm, he sat opposite her and looked at her calmly.

"Next plate?"

Su Jingyao sat down again and smiled.

"Since Your Highness is interested, I am willing to play chess with you."

Su Jingyao skillfully rearranged the chess pieces, and gently picked up a white chess piece with her slender fingers, while Jun Zechen decisively picked up the black chess piece.

The two began to make moves back and forth.

When playing chess, Jun Zechen's deep eyes were like a deep pool. He always stared at the movements on the chessboard and did not miss any slight changes.

Su Jingyao did not dare to slack off at all. She put away all her little thoughts and focused extremely seriously.

However, Su Jingyao, who was originally very confident in her chess skills, became more and more nervous as more and more chess pieces appeared on the board.

Every step seems to be a thrill.

She couldn't help but look up at Jun Zechen who seemed to have everything under control, and a sense of defeat arose in her heart.

I didn't expect that he was so good at chess. Su Jingyao could beat her father at home. Her father was a chess master who could play chess with the current emperor and "lose" beautifully.

Su Jingyao felt that she couldn't win, and she felt inexplicably unhappy.

"Your Highness is an excellent chess player. I am about to be defeated by Your Highness. Can't Your Highness give me some ground?"

Su Jingyao's soft voice sounded, and there seemed to be some complaints in her voice, but also some coquettishness, as she looked at Jun Zechen expectantly.

Jun Zechen has lived for decades, but he never thought that he would be able to match up with a little girl today.

There were only a few officials who could play chess with him for half an hour.

"I never give in when playing chess."

He finally found someone who could make him concentrate on playing chess. He felt very comfortable and the girl would not deliberately give in to him.

"Your Highness, you have been busy handling state affairs during the day, and it is late at night. I will help you change your clothes."

Don't let anyone else? Then don't get off.

"I'm not tired, just keep going."

Su Jingyao met his unquestionable gaze, pursed her beautiful lips, and puffed out her pink cheeks.

Then he placed a white piece in a gamble, but the place where the white piece landed was simply a way to death.

Jun Zechen raised his eyelids slightly, his eyes showing a cold look.

"Very brave."

No one has dared to disobey him for many years.

Su Jingyao just felt that it was really boring to follow his lead while Jun Zechen was always calm and emotionless.

A little bit of insolence wouldn't make Jun Zechen too angry.

Now, expressing some dissatisfaction can actually help me communicate more with him, and maybe even break the dull situation.

Su Jingyao blinked her bright eyes and pretended to be innocent.

"I made a mistake. How about I try again?"

Her voice was soft and her face had a deliberate innocence.

She said this deliberately, knowing full well in her heart that Jun Zechen was very serious about playing chess and would never allow anyone to regret their moves.

But now that she had made this move, the situation was almost certain to be lost, and there was really no need for Jun Zechen to move on.

Jun Zechen stared at her innocent eyes for a long time. It was the first time that a woman made him suffer.

He turned the ring, not knowing what he was thinking, and stood up from the couch.

"Help me bathe and change clothes."

"yes."

Su Jingyao responded, very meekly.

Jun Zechen walked towards the inner room connected to the bedroom, and Su Jingyao followed closely, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.

Miaoyun had already asked someone to fetch hot water, and soon the bathtub was filled with steaming hot water. The steam was rising, making the whole room look a little hazy.

Su Jingyao stood aside and helped him change his clothes.

The candlelight in the inner room became dimmer. Jun Zechen lowered his head slightly, his eyes fell on her, watching her carefully and meticulously undress his robe.

She didn't try to seduce him as she did last night. Instead, she looked focused and responsible, which made him feel a lot more comfortable with her.

Perhaps because he knew that she played chess well, Jun Zechen's eyes showed a hint of admiration, and his impression of her improved unconsciously.

Jun Zechen calmly stepped into the bathtub, splashing some water.

Su Jingyao slowly took off her outer shirt, leaving only a chest-length skirt. Her arms, as white and tender as lotus roots, were fully exposed, shining alluringly under the dim light.

Then he took off his shoes and walked up the stairs barefoot.

The bathtub was placed in a circular groove. Su Jingyao got in and sat behind Jun Zechen. She picked up a soft towel with her small hands and gently wiped him.

Before marrying into the Eastern Palace, Su Jingyao had to learn all these things. She thought she would never need them. After all, in her imagination, Jun Zechen would never touch her.

At this moment, looking at Jun Zechen closing his eyes and enjoying himself, I truly realized what it felt like that all the people in the world were the royal slaves.

This kind of condescending and oppressive feeling is really annoying.

"Your Highness, how is my strength?"

Su Jingyao's voice is soft.

"suitable."

Jun Zechen answered briefly and coldly, still keeping his eyes closed.

"Does Your Highness have a favorite floral scent?"

There seemed to be anticipation in Su Jingyao's tone.

"no."

There was no fluctuation in his tone.

Su Jingyao was about to stop talking. If he was not the future emperor, who the hell would care about him? Su Jingyao suppressed the dissatisfaction in her heart.

I silently told myself that this was the financial sponsor, a walking treasury and power. For the Su family and for my own future, everything was worth it.

Su Jingyao's voice became more coquettish.

"Your Highness's face seems a little dry. I have some flower creams and flower dews. If Your Highness doesn't mind, I'll apply them on you."

The voice became softer and more flattering.

Jun Zechen said "hmm".

Su Jingyao put some floral cream on her hands and moved it gently on his face. Her face involuntarily moved in front of Jun Zechen.

Fingers covered with floral cream seem to have magic, and feel smooth and comfortable to the touch.

The woman's breath in front of him was clear and light, like the fragrance of orchid and musk, causing ripples in Jun Zechen's heart, which was originally as calm as water.

He opened his eyes, and his long, thick eyelashes trembled.

The dark eyes instantly locked onto the face in front of him that was flawless.

She had no makeup on, but her face was as rosy as a peach, and the steam of hot water added to her hazy beauty.

Su Jingyao suddenly opened her eyes because he did not see them, and her bright eyes met his. She paused for a moment, lowered her curled eyelashes, trying to hide her shyness, and continued to apply makeup for him.

When Jun Zechen saw her shy look, his eyes darkened, as if there was a flame in his eyes.

A string in my heart was gently plucked.

"Have you taken a bath?"

The voice became slightly hoarse, revealing an indescribable laziness.

Su Jingyao didn't seem to react to his question and shook her head instinctively, "No... No."

As soon as he finished speaking, Jun Zechen put his hand on the edge of the bathtub and put it around her waist, bringing her into the bathtub.

"Your Highness."

Su Jingyao called out in a sweet voice, with surprise and shyness in her voice.

Her dress was instantly soaked, clinging tightly to her body, outlining her graceful curves.

The scattered hair was also wet and stuck to the cheeks and neck, with water droplets sliding down the hair.

She sat on Jun Zechen's lap and was hurt...

Su Jingyao became more and more shy, her whole face turned red in an instant, she lowered her head, not daring to look up at Jun Zechen.