Chapter 54 She Doesn't Believe

Palace of Heavenly Purity.

When Jun Zechen went to Zhaochun Palace last night, the whispers of the palace maids faintly reached his ears.

After hearing those rumors, he frowned, and then ordered Fuquan with a stern look that any talk about Concubine Chun Shu in the harem must be reported immediately.

As the blood-red sun sets in the west, I estimate that the memorial to His Majesty should have been dealt with by now.

Fuquan tiptoed into Yu's study, looking a little reserved and taking very light steps.

I am preparing to report to Your Majesty some of the news I have learned recently.

"Your Majesty, your servant is here to see you." Fuquan bowed and spoke in a very low voice.

"Your Majesty, there have been some rumors about Concubine Chun Shu in the palace recently."

Fuquan spoke these words with a certain degree of caution, and at the same time he raised his eyes slightly to gauge the emperor's expression, fearing that his words would offend the emperor who was high above him.

When Jun Zechen heard this, an elusive color suddenly flashed across his dark eyes.

"What rumors?" His voice was calm, yet it made people feel a sense of pressure for no reason.

"Since the first night of your accession to the throne, there has been a rumor in the palace that your Majesty favors the Concubine the most."

"It is said that His Majesty left Concubine Chun Shu in person for the sake of the Imperial Concubine. Even though Concubine Chun Shu came to the Qianqing Palace to invite him, His Majesty still left Concubine Chun Shu and went to the Yikun Palace instead."

When Fuquan said this, his voice trembled slightly and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

These palace ladies are really bold to actually say such words.

However, there are always many rumors in the harem. Wasn't it the same in the harem of the previous emperor? Which concubine is favored and which is not, who has been rewarded by His Majesty, these are just gossips among the palace people.

Generally, those in power don't care. The more they punish, the more fierce the rumors become. Moreover, there are many people in the palace, and it is impossible to punish all of them for their gossip.

After he caught the gossipy palace maid today, he gave her a small punishment and a severe warning to make an example of her.

After hearing this, Jun Zechen's face darkened, as if covered with a layer of frost.

He frowned slightly, then asked, "Fuquan, Noble Consort and Pure Consort, who do you think I favor more?"

His voice was still light, but it seemed to carry a deep meaning. Fuquan had no idea what His Majesty was thinking at this moment.

My heart skipped a beat. Isn't this a life-threatening question?

Where is Anshun?

He has been by Your Majesty's side for so many years, it is he who should answer this question!

Fuquan panickedly raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead, then slowly raised his head with a hint of cautious tentativeness in his eyes.

"Your Majesty, is it... the Concubine?"

Fuquan actually didn't know much about the complicated past between Concubine Gui and Concubine Chunshu in the Eastern Palace.

Just look at what happened after Your Majesty ascended the throne.

When the noble concubine was the Crown Princess, she offended the previous emperor and had no children for three years. The court officials called for the Crown Princess to be deposed.

However, His Majesty still appointed the Crown Princess as the Noble Consort, allowing her to firmly sit in the highest position in the harem.

Concubine Chun Shu not only had a noble status, but also gave birth to the eldest prince. Logically, she deserved the position of empress.

But after Your Majesty ascended the throne, he left the position of Empress vacant and made Concubine Chunshu sit below Noble Concubine. Wasn't this intention to tell everyone in the harem that the position of Empress was reserved for Noble Concubine?

On the first night of his accession to the throne, he even left Concubine Chun Shu and went to the Yikun Palace.

It seems that Your Majesty really cares more about the Concubine?

Jun Zechen's extremely cold gaze suddenly fell on Fu Quan like a cold blade.

Fuquan felt a chill suddenly rising from the soles of his feet, his body trembled violently, and his legs went limp.

He immediately knelt on the ground with a thump, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I have tried to guess your intentions, and I deserve death."

Jun Zechen pursed his lips tightly, his thin lips formed into a straight line, and remained silent like a sculpture, without making any sound.

Everyone in the palace thought that he favored the imperial concubine, no wonder she thought so last night.

That's why I was so sad that I said those words.

Jun Zechen's slender fingers tapped on the table, again and again, making a slight sound.

He looked ahead, lost in deep thought.

He broke his promise to Ling Yue, so he always felt guilty towards Ling Yue and always wanted to do his best to make it up to her.

Last night Jun Zechen knew that Ling Yue kept him on purpose, and the reason why he chose to tolerate her was because he could understand Ling Yue.

It was because he had praised Ling Yue too highly in the past that Ling Yue now could not accept such a drop in status.

But......

His tolerance towards Ling Yue yesterday made Yaoyao so sad.

Jun Zechen has always been adept at handling state affairs and has never been so indecisive.

However, facing the two of them, he didn't want to hurt either of them.

He is the emperor and should not be entangled in these love affairs. There is no conflict in giving Yaoyao favor and Ling Yue status.

Jun Zechen's deep gaze fell on Fu Quan, "Summon Concubine Chun Shu to accompany you."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Fuquan responded hurriedly.

Then he turned around and went out, quickly called a young eunuch, and asked him to go to Zhaochun Palace quickly.

When Su Jingyao arrived at the Qianqing Palace, Fuquan's originally serious face was immediately filled with smiles, and he took her slowly into the warm pavilion of the Qianqing Palace.

At this time, Jun Zechen was lying on the couch with his body half tilted, one hand lazily supporting his head, and the other hand concentrating on reading a yellowed ancient book.

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

Su Jing walked lightly and gracefully, bowed gracefully, her voice as sweet as the chirping of an oriole.

Jun Zechen put down the book in his hand upon hearing the voice, stretched out his arm, and took Su Jingyao directly into his arms.

A hint of resistance flashed across Su Jingyao's face.

She was originally investigating the case in Zhaochun Palace, but was summoned to Qianqing Palace by this man for no reason.

It's a waste of her precious time!

And her mood at the moment has not yet recovered from her previous unhappiness.

Su Jingyao pursed her rosy lips and sat in front of Jun Zechen reluctantly.

Even though the man's hands were tightly pinching her waist, she stubbornly refused to lie in his arms.

In her opinion, they must now maintain a certain distance between them.

Jun Zechen raised his body slightly, rested his chin on her shoulder, and asked softly, "Are you still angry?"

"Your Majesty, have you calmed me down?"

Su Jingyao frowned and said in a cold voice.

Jun Zechen had never seen her act like this before. She looked as cold as a winter plum blossom, aloof and cold.

"I didn't tell Yaoyao about her birthday yesterday. I was wrong. I have already sent someone to find the butterfly carp that Yaoyao likes. In addition to the butterfly carp, I have another gift for Yaoyao."

Jun Zechen's magnetic words slowly fell into her ears, his voice deliberately lowered, as if he was deliberately tempting her.

Su Jingyao frowned slightly, and gently pushed him with her slender fingers, and said softly: "Your Majesty, if you want to give me a gift, please don't get so close to me."

After hearing her words, Jun Zechen raised the corners of his mouth, but he didn't bother with her.

Suddenly, he bit her round and delicate earlobe gently and said domineeringly, "Don't push me away."

Having said that, Jun Zechen stretched out his arms and forced the person into his arms without saying anything.

He held the pen steadily in his right hand and began to write on the small table on the couch.

When he put pen to paper, his wrist moved flexibly, as smoothly as flowing water, and his handwriting was vigorous and majestic.

But Su Jingyao turned her head away stubbornly and didn't even look at him.

After Jun Zechen finished writing, Su Jingyao still didn't even glance at it.

"Yaoyao, you really don't want to take a look?" Jun Zechen's voice contained a hint of helplessness and doting.

He knew that she was being petty, so he reached out from behind, gently pulled her fair chin, and with a little force with his fingers, forced her eyes to fall on the paper on the small table.

Wish my dear:

The blessings of the palace are gathered together, showing the graceful charm.

Inheriting the nobility of the inner court and displaying a graceful figure.

With wisdom in mind, everything you experience is peaceful, your face is as beautiful as a flower, and your life is as beautiful as gold.

The blessings are profound, the phoenixes are flying and the birds are soaring, it is like a fairy descending to the world.

Every time Jun Zechen thought of the birthday greetings she wrote to him last time, waves of emotion would surge in his heart, warm and deep.

So this time he also wanted to write a similar blessing to her with great care.

He originally thought that she would be very happy and show a joyful expression, but when Jun Zechen lowered his head to look at her, he not only did not see the expected smile.

Instead, I saw the corners of her eyes gradually turn red, and crystal tears began to swirl in her eye sockets, slowly becoming moist.

When Jun Zechen saw this, his heart suddenly tightened and he became a little panicked.

"Yaoyao doesn't like it?"

"Is the blessing written by Your Majesty addressed to me?"

There was a hint of crying in Su Jingyao's voice, and her slightly trembling tone made her look so pitiful that people couldn't help but feel pity for her.

"Is there anyone else here besides Yaoyao?" Jun Zechen's tone was extremely gentle, and his soft words seemed to be able to drip water.

"Then your majesty, do you know what Qingqing means?"

Tears welled up in Su Jingyao's beautiful eyes, like two dusty gems. She glared at him fiercely, with both grievance and anger in her eyes.

"I love you dearly, so I call you 'Your Majesty'. If I don't call you 'Your Majesty', who will? If I don't know you, why would I call you 'Your Majesty'?"

Jun Zechen lowered his head slightly and spoke to her in a low voice.

Su Jingyao naturally knew the meaning of "Qingqing", and that was why she felt even more aggrieved.

The emperor's love promises were too easy, but women always liked to hear these sweet words.

When the emperor above all others wants to coax you, it is easy to get caught up in it and be unable to extricate yourself.

When Jun Zechen speaks sweet words, I'm afraid no woman can resist it.

I love you so I call you Qing. If I don’t call you Qing, who should call you Qing?

Just listen to it, is Su Jingyao as naive as Ling Yue and take it seriously?

A momentary affection is nothing.

Su Jingyao got down from the couch and bowed gracefully.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness. I am deeply moved by your blessing."

"It's just that today the Queen Mother specifically ordered me to investigate the case of the Concubine Gui's poisoning. I have to go back to Zhaochun Palace to handle this matter. If Your Majesty has nothing else to do, I will take my leave now."

Her tone was flat and cold. Su Jingyao lowered her head slightly. Although she didn't see Jun Zechen's expression, she knew that his expression must be not good at this moment.

She knew she shouldn't continue to argue with him like this today, she just wanted to test his bottom line a little.

Su Jingyao slightly bent her legs and maintained a saluting posture, but Jun Zechen did not say anything, and the two of them just stood there in a stalemate.

Gradually, her body began to tremble slightly, and Su Jingyao slowly raised her head and looked at him.

Jun Zechen's face was as dark as water, his eyes were cold as he looked straight at her.

How long will she keep making such a fuss?

Su Jingyao looked at him and felt a sinking feeling in her heart.

This is the emperor. The tenderness and pampering he showed last night were only due to her affectionate interpretation, which aroused guilt and pity in Jun Zechen's heart.

After returning to the Qianqing Palace, Jun Zechen was still the almighty emperor.

Su Jingyao looked at his calm face. She really didn't have the energy to continue to argue with him.

After all, her father, the Minister of the Chancellery, who was the head of the imperial court's civil officials, was just a slave of Jun Zechen. How could she treat Jun Zechen as an equal?

All the women in the harem were like lambs, and he was the master who dominated everything.

It would never be possible for her and Jun Zechen to get along like normal men and women.

So, don't blame her for plotting against him.

Jun Zechen said calmly: "Yaoyao, are you coming here or going back to Zhaochun Palace?" He patted the couch while speaking.

Su Jingyao bit her lower lip lightly and walked in front of him.

Jun Zechen saw her coming and hugged her tightly in his arms again.

Then he whispered in her ear: "Whatever Yaoyao wants, you can tell me, and I will satisfy you."

Su Jingyao's eyelashes drooped slightly and she trembled lightly.

She doesn't believe it.