Chapter 32 Happy Birthday

"Tell me, who is the person behind you?"

Su Jingyao's cold and indifferent voice came from above Ru'er's head, and every word seemed to be wrapped in frost.

Ru'er felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar, with a biting chill running down her spine.

Her body was shaking violently, like a fallen leaf shivering in the autumn wind; her lips were quivering and beads of sweat were appearing on her forehead.

"Master, I really don't know what you are talking about. I know nothing."

As she cried and kowtowed desperately, her forehead soon became red and swollen, and tears flowed out like a flood, streaking across her pale cheeks and leaving behind streaks of tears.

A hint of impatience flashed across Su Jingyao's face, a layer of frost shrouded her delicate features, and a hint of coldness was revealed in her eyes.

She doesn't have much time to waste with a palace maid.

"Doctor Jin, since she is so good at embroidery, you don't need her hands anymore." Her voice was cold and decisive, without a trace of emotion.

When Ru'er heard this, she raised her head suddenly, her eyes wide open, full of shock and disbelief.

She never imagined that the woman who was usually praised by everyone as the kindest woman in the Eastern Palace would actually say such cruel words.

Is the master joking with her?

But looking at her master's cold eyes, she knew that all this was true.

Su Jingyao ignored Ru'er's gaze, just glanced at her lightly, and then gave Li Jing a look.

Li Jing understood immediately. He took out a bottle of medicine from the medicine box he carried with him and gave it to Ru'er skillfully.

This potion has a pain-relieving effect. Soon, Ruer felt her whole body paralyzed and she had no strength left.

Li Jing took out a bottle of softening ointment and a pair of tweezers and applied the softening ointment on Ruer's nails.

Then he calmly and easily plucked one of Ru'er's nails in front of her.

Because of the effect of the potion, Ruer didn't feel anything. She just watched her nails separate from her hands with horror in her eyes.

Her eyes were wide open and her mouth was open as if she wanted to scream, but no sound came out.

Tears welled up in her eyes, filled with fear and helplessness.

Su Jingyao raised her hand slightly, signaling Li Jing to stop, and then asked coldly: "Are you willing to tell it?"

Ru'er bit her lips. She didn't dare to say it, because she would die if she said it.

But looking at Su Jingyao's cold eyes, she felt despair again.

Su Jingyao chuckled, "You're quite courageous. Go on."

Ru'er looked at Doctor Jin as if she had seen a devil. Her body trembled violently and her heart was filled with fear.

She was paralyzed and used all her strength to utter a word with difficulty.

"Master, you have no right to resort to private punishment. If His Royal Highness knew how vicious you are, he would definitely hate you."

Her voice was filled with hatred, as if it wanted to pierce Su Jingyao.

"Then you want to try? If you don't tell me, I will remove all your fingernails, toes, and nails, and then dig out your eyes and cut off your tongue. Do you want to try?"

Su Jingyao raised the corners of her mouth, revealing an innocent smile.

But to Ruer, this smile seemed to come from hell and was chilling.

Her voice was soft and slow, yet like the whisper of a devil, full of threat and intimidation.

Ruer's face was filled with fear, her eyeballs seemed to be about to pop out of her sockets, full of fear and despair.

Her face was as pale as paper, her forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat, her lips were trembling, and her teeth were chattering.

Li Jing was indifferent to Ru'er's panic. He slowly applied the softening cream to the rest of Ru'er's nails.

Ru'er watched helplessly as another nail slowly fell off her finger.

At this moment, she finally couldn't contain her inner fear. She would rather die than accept such torture.

Concubine Su is a devil, she is a devil!

"Speak, the servant will speak."

Ruer used up all her strength and said this in a trembling voice.

"Yes...it's the Crown Princess."

Su Jingyao sneered, her voice full of disdain and ridicule.

"Li Jing, continue."

Ru'er's eyes widened again in an instant. No, no, she screamed wildly in her heart.

"Yes, it's An Liangdi!" Her voice was filled with tears.

At this time, Miaoyue walked in.

There was no panic on her face, her expression was very calm, and her hands were holding a gold box steadily.

"Master, I found the Crown Princess's golden step-shaking ornament in Ru'er's room."

She presented the gift box calmly.

Hearing this, Su Jingyao slowly raised her right hand and gently stroked her slightly bulging belly, with a thoughtful look on her face.

Could it be that An Jinyan wanted to use her to frame Ling Yue? Su Jingyao lowered her eyes with a hint of viciousness.

She is looking for death.

Afterwards, Su Jingyao slowly raised her head and looked at Li Jing. Li Jing immediately understood what she meant. He flashed and instantly came to Ru'er's side. He raised his hand and knocked Ru'er unconscious with a slam.

"Since they are plotting against me, how can I not give them something in return?"

"Ru'er, shut up. Doctor Jin, thank you for your help." Su Jingyao's tone was cold and decisive.

She will never show mercy to those who betray her.

If Ruer confessed, she would give her a quick death. If she didn't confess, she would give her a painful death.

When Li Jing heard this, he naturally knew what to do.

He acted quickly, silencing Ru'er, and then carefully glued her nails back on, trying his best not to let anyone notice anything unusual.

"Put the handkerchief our people got from An Liangdi on Ru'er." Su Jingyao turned around and calmly instructed Miaoyun.

Su Jingyao plans to perform well at the prince's birthday party and kill two birds with one stone.

The corners of her mouth were raised with a faint smile. Although it was a gentle smile on her beautiful face, it made people feel a hint of chill.

Afterwards, Su Jingyao frowned slightly and asked, "How can I continue to wear that palace dress?"

If you don't want to cause any alarm, this palace dress is more suitable for wearing to a banquet.

Li Jing thought for a while and replied: "Palm charcoal and blood charcoal are incompatible with motherwort, so they can counteract the medicinal properties of motherwort."

"I grind these two herbs into powder, add some spices to cover up the smell, and apply it on the inner garment of the concubine to prevent the motherwort from corroding the mother's body."

"Well, then you get ready." Su Jingyao nodded gently.

By the time Su Jingyao was ready, it was almost time.

She sat quietly on the couch, her posture graceful and her expression relaxed, without the slightest hint of panic or tension.

Li Jing bowed and left. Just as he walked out of the palace gate, Jun Zechen, wearing a black and gold python robe, also came towards him.

He had an upright posture, steady steps, and exuded a majestic aura.

Li Jing quickly lowered his head and said respectfully, "Your Highness, your humble servant is here to see you." His voice was calm, without any nervousness.

"Well, get up."

Jun Zechen's gaze did not linger on the kneeling Li Jing for even a moment, and he walked straight into the hall.

After Li Jing stood up, he slowly straightened up. He turned around and looked inside the hall with complicated eyes.

After Jun Zechen came in, he directly held Su Jingyao, who was lying on the couch, in his arms.

Su Jingyao had a shy look on her face, while Jun Zechen had a doting look on his face.

His eyes darkened, a feeling of bitterness surged in his heart, and then he turned and left.

Su Jingyao half-leaned in Jun Zechen's broad arms, her body leaning lightly, appearing relaxed and contented.

Although she had no makeup on her face, her crystal clear skin seemed to reflect the light and set off the luxurious palace dress perfectly.

Jun Zechen couldn't help but reach out his hand and gently pinched her smooth and delicate little face, which felt as soft as silk.

In the East Palace, the women always put on heavy makeup every time they saw him, which made him have no urge to get close to them.

However, the woman in his arms had smooth and tender skin. She was pregnant and soft in his arms, which made him feel an indescribable warmth in his heart.

As soon as Su Jingyao saw him, a brilliant smile appeared on her face, "Happy birthday, Your Highness."

Her voice is clear and pleasant, as if it carries endless tenderness.

"Have you prepared my gift?"

Jun Zechen was not satisfied with her simple "Happy Birthday". He raised his eyebrows slightly with a hint of expectation.

"Of course it's ready. Miaoyun, go get my painting." Su Jingyao said coquettishly. Her cute look made people feel pity for her.

Miaoyun hurried to get the painting that Su Jingyao had finished earlier, and then handed it to Jun Zechen respectfully.

After Jun Zechen took the painting, Su Jingyao continued, "Today is your highness' birthday. I know you will be with my sister tonight. Since your highness is here today, I will give it to you now."

When Jun Zechen heard her say that she knew he was going to accompany the Crown Princess tonight, it seemed that she had confirmed that he would not accompany her tonight.

I felt inexplicably blocked in my heart.

However, his expression remained calm, showing no trace of his inner turmoil.

Jun Zechen slowly opened the painting, and his eyes suddenly lit up.

She drew a picture of him holding her in his arms when she was pregnant. Jun Zechen didn't know that he could be so gentle when he held her in his arms.

In the painting, he is less dignified and cold than usual, and his eyes are full of love and care. The woman in his arms also exudes maternal radiance, caressing her belly tenderly.

It is a warm family of three.

Su Jingyao saw that he was staring at the painting without saying anything, and her face became a little shy. She lowered her head slightly, not daring to look at him.

She asked timidly, "Does Your Highness like it?" There was a hint of nervousness and anticipation in her voice.

Jun Zechen came back to his senses from the painting, and stared at her deeply with his dark eyes, "I like it very much." His voice was low and full of infinite tenderness.

Jun Zechen was just about to put the painting away carefully when his eyes inadvertently fell on the lower right corner of the painting.

There were actually a few lines of beautiful small characters:

To my concubine's husband:

Inherit the righteousness of heaven and earth, establish the majesty of heaven and earth,

Holding the brilliance of the stars and displaying the heroic spirit,

Since then, I have been thinking about the world, and all I have planned is a prosperous era. I have a long way to go and a grand vision to realize my ambitions.

Climbing higher and higher, becoming more and more powerful and shining brightly.

After reading these few lines of small words, Jun Zechen's heart shuddered suddenly, and an indescribable emotion surged in his heart.

Her blessing is also what he wishes for.

He will eventually become the master of the world. His will will dominate everything. His authority cannot be challenged. No one dares to disobey his orders. His hegemony cannot be stopped by anyone.

He wanted to expand his territory, gain submission from all under heaven, achieve immortal achievements, and become an emperor of all ages.

From the moment he became the crown prince, his goal has never changed.

Su Jingyao has known Jun Zechen for quite some time. Although she has never seen him in the court, from her interactions with him, she can clearly see that he is a proud and arrogant, confident and conceited man.

She naturally had to understand him, support him and bless him.

Jun Zechen's hands holding Su Jingyao involuntarily tightened a little, as if he wanted to hold her tightly in his arms and never let her go.

But because she was pregnant, she didn't dare to use too much force.

Su Jingyao's face flushed as brightly as the sunset glow, and she lowered her head shyly.

She whispered, "Your Highness is my sister's husband. I shouldn't call you that. I just have a little thought. Your Highness, please don't..."

Her voice was as gentle as the gurgling of water, with a hint of uneasiness and anticipation.

But Jun Zechen didn't give her a chance to finish her words. He turned her head, then leaned down and kissed her lips precisely.

The kiss was gentle and passionate. The words she said always made him feel distressed. He just wanted to stop her from saying anything.

He is her husband, this is an indisputable fact!

She doesn't need to be so cautious!

After kissing for a while, Su Jingyao pushed him away.

"Your Highness, it's getting late."

Her eyes were moist, like two clear springs, with a hint of red at the corners of her eyes. Her timid look made people like her at first sight.

If it wasn't the wrong time, Jun Zechen really wanted to hold her tightly in his arms and kiss her hard.

Jun Zechen placed a gentle kiss on her palm and then put her hand down.

He looked at her with tenderness in his eyes, and then explained his purpose.

"The Hall of Supreme Harmony is quite a distance from the East Palace. Since you are pregnant now, I will take you to the Hall of Supreme Harmony together."

Su Jingyao showed a hint of doubt, and her crescent-shaped eyebrows wrinkled slightly.

"Your Highness, don't you need to be with your sister?"

"This is a suggestion made by the Crown Princess. She has become much more sensible recently. You are already seven months old. I am worried about you."

Jun Zechen explained patiently, his tone revealing satisfaction with Ling Yue's recent behavior.

After listening to his words, Su Jingyao nodded gently, and the doubts in her eyes gradually dissipated.

Jun Zechen gently held her waist and led her out of the palace.

Together they boarded the sedan chair that was carried by sixteen people, and the sedan chair slowly moved towards the direction of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Su Jingyao leaned on him and smiled tenderly, but in her heart she was looking forward to the good show tonight.

I'm sorry, Your Highness the Crown Prince, your birthday today is destined not to be a good one, and you are destined not to be able to accompany your Crown Princess tonight.