Chapter 9 I Won't Love Her
The second day.
Jun Zechen woke up from a daze, only to feel a splitting headache, as if thousands of small insects were biting his brain, and a thousand-pound weight seemed to be pressing on his chest, making it difficult for him to breathe.
He frowned and opened his eyes with difficulty.
When he lowered his head and glanced, he saw the woman wearing a bellyband sleeping peacefully in his arms.
In an instant, some details of yesterday flooded into my mind like a tide.
He was secretly drugged by his mother and sent to Xiyan Palace. In a daze, he seemed to say that he wanted to consummate his marriage with Su Jingyao, and then he pressed the woman under him and kissed her passionately.
What happens next?
Jun Zechen's gaze slowly moved towards his naked body, his heart filled with doubt and confusion. Could it be that they really had consummated their marriage?
The sinister look in Jun Zechen's eyes became more intense, and without any hesitation, he forcefully pushed the woman in his arms away.
Su Jingyao was suddenly awakened by his sudden action. Her eyes were a little dazed at first, and then slowly opened, like petals covered with dew in the early morning, gradually relaxing.
Then, the confusion quickly dissipated, and she sat up in shock, wrapped in the quilt. Just as she was about to speak, she was ruthlessly interrupted by Jun Zechen's icy voice.
"I didn't know that Concubine Su had such a trick and hid it so deeply! I wonder if Concubine Su was satisfied with what happened last night?"
Jun Zechen's voice was like the north wind in winter, chilly and full of sarcasm. Every word seemed to be filled with ice, piercing Su Jingyao's heart directly.
Su Jingyao was already unhappy about being woken up. Was she being too polite to this bastard?
She raised her chin and looked at Jun Zechen firmly and calmly. Her eyes were clear and sharp, as if they could penetrate people's souls.
She opened her red lips and said in a clear voice: "I have always had a clear conscience."
After that, she paused for a moment, and then continued in a cold tone: "I know that I am of humble status and unworthy of serving His Royal Highness. Therefore, I did not tarnish His Royal Highness's innocence last night, please rest assured."
There was a flash of disbelief in Jun Zechen's eyes. He stared at Su Jingyao intently, as if he wanted to find a trace of flaw in her face.
However, Su Jingyao's expression remained calm without any fluctuation.
After she finished speaking, she threw back the quilt without hesitation. Her movements were quick and decisive, without any dragging, and she got out of bed lightly, like a blooming white lotus, swaying gracefully.
She casually picked up a piece of clothing from the hanger beside her and put it on quickly. Her movements were skillful and natural. Her casual movements revealed a hint of charm.
Her bare feet stepped on the cold ground as she walked step by step towards the place where she usually dressed. She walked firmly, as if everything around her had nothing to do with her.
Through the screen, Jun Zechen could see her walk to the dressing table, slowly sit down, then pick up the comb and gently comb her inky long hair. Her movements were gentle and graceful, like a beautiful painting...
He stared at her back, feeling a sudden surge of regret in his heart.
Those hurtful words just now were like a sharp blade, stabbing her mercilessly again.
And he seemed to have hurt her many times...
But what happened last night?!
If he hadn't touched her, then what could have removed the aphrodisiac from his body?
Jun Zechen pondered over it, but still couldn't figure it out.
He pursed his lips tightly, his heart was in deep entanglement, the lines of entanglement were clearly visible between his brows.
He wanted to ask the little girl who was hurt by his words, but every time the words came to his lips, he swallowed them back, not knowing how to start.
Jun Zechen slowly got up from the bed. His movements were a little slow, and every movement was accompanied by a hint of hesitation and struggle.
He casually put on a plain and elegant moon-white robe. The hem of the robe swayed gently with his movements, and the sleeves fell casually on his sides like flowing clouds.
His inky long hair had lost its former neatness. A few strands of hair fell in disorder in front of his forehead, lightly brushing his well-defined face, adding a bit of unruly air.
His brows were slightly wrinkled, forming a deep "川" character, and the wrinkled brows also told of his inner pain and struggle.
Jun Zechen's eyes were wandering, sometimes to where the woman usually combed her makeup, and sometimes moving away. His feet seemed to be nailed to the ground. He wanted to go over, but couldn't take that step.
There was deep regret and confusion in his eyes, his hands were clenched tightly, his finger joints turned slightly white due to the force, and one could even see the protruding blue veins throbbing under the skin.
After hesitating for a moment, he finally decided to calm down and prepare to go out.
Just after leaving the bedroom, Miaoyun, who had been waiting outside, saw the prince appear. A barely perceptible strange look flashed across her eyes, and she recalled her master's instructions last night.
She stepped forward and bowed quickly, saying softly, "Your servant greets His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. May Your Highness be blessed."
"Get up."
"I wonder how your Highness is feeling today? The 'Bai Du Qing' that the master gave you last night has no other side effects on your body. I have already informed Eunuch An Shun, and for the sake of your health, he has gone to ask the imperial physician to take care of you."
"Hundred Poisons Clear?"
Jun Zechen felt doubtful and his brows furrowed even more tightly.
"Your Highness, 'Bai Du Qing' was the master's dowry. Madam Su spent a hundred gold coins to get it for the master from the miracle doctor. It is a pill that can cure most poisons on the market."
Jun Zechen was shocked when he heard this, but he remained expressionless.
He never imagined that Su Jingyao would be willing to give him such a precious "Bai Du Qing" just to avoid consummating their marriage.
But if he had detoxified himself, why were they both naked this morning and so intimate?
He couldn't figure it out, so he took a deep breath, calmed himself down, and decided to turn around and return to the bedroom to find Su Jingyao to find out...
He walked slowly and quietly like a ghost, and silently went behind the screen where Su Jingyao's dressing table was placed.
He was tall, and even before he crossed the screen, he could clearly see Su Jingyao in the bronze mirror.
At this moment, she was lowering her head slightly, her shoulders trembling from time to time, and tears were falling from the corners of her eyes like pearls falling from a broken string.
She is crying...
Jun Zechen felt as if there was a heavy burden in his heart, he was extremely depressed, and the pain was like a needle prick, spreading gradually throughout his body like a tide.
He took a deep breath, stepped over the screen, and walked into the house.
Su Jingyao heard the noise and hurriedly raised her hand to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes.
She lowered her head almost to her chest, then stood up and bowed to him.
"I pay my respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
Her voice was mixed with uncontrollable crying, which seemed to be there and not there, but was clear to the ears.
Jun Zechen raised his arm slightly, as if he wanted to help her up, but he only extended half of his arm and then retracted it abruptly.
He just said, "Get up."
Su Jingyao slowly stood up and stood straight, but still kept her head down, as if she wanted to hide all her sadness and grievances.
Jun Zechen naturally knew what she was thinking. He had said many hurtful words before, but Su Jingyao had never cried in front of him.
"Why do you cry secretly?"
There was a hint of concern in his voice that he himself hadn't even noticed.
Su Jingyao stood there quietly, biting her lips so gently, the shallow tooth marks left by her teeth on her red lips carried a hint of stubbornness and grievance that was hardly noticeable.
After a short silence, she uttered those three words in a voice as small as a mosquito's hum: "I couldn't help it..."
"If you feel wronged, why don't you explain the cause of the matter clearly, and why don't you cry in front of me."
Wouldn't it make him feel more distressed if I cried in front of him?
The corners of Su Jingyao's eyes turned slightly red due to crying, like a fading sunset in the sky, which made people feel pity.
Her eyes, soaked with tears, were as clear as if washed by spring water, clean and pure, but there was a hint of sadness in the depths of her eyes.
After a pause, Su Jingyao slowly raised her head, her autumn-water-like eyes slightly raised, and her eyes met Jun Zechen's.
"Because I will only cry in front of people who love me. Crying in front of people who don't care about me is just a joke."
There was a hint of stubbornness and helplessness in her voice, and every word seemed to be squeezed out with great difficulty from the depths of her heart.
Jun Zechen clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning slightly white due to the force, his lips were pressed into a straight line, and his complex gaze was firmly fixed on Su Jingyao.
Doesn't he feel sorry for her?
Then why is his heart aching now?
"Since you gave me the 'Bai Du Qing', why were we so close and disheveled this morning?"
Jun Zechen bluntly raised his doubts, with confusion and questioning in his eyes.
Su Jingyao's delicate body trembled violently when she heard that. Her eyes, which had been soaked with tears, were now sparkling with tears, like the twinkling stars in the night sky. Her long eyelashes were trembling slightly.
"Shouldn't you ask your Highness yourself?"
There was a hint of resentment and grievance in her voice, and every word was filled with endless sadness.
Jun Zechen knew that after taking the Chinese medicine last night, he had pinned her down and bullied her.
However, after taking the antidote, he barely remembered what happened. Could it be that he was still holding her tightly and refusing to let go?
"I misunderstood you, you..."
Before Jun Zechen finished speaking, Su Jingyao interrupted him coldly: "I know that Your Highness only has the Crown Princess in his heart, and I only treat my sister as a relative in the East Palace. Your Highness is my sister's husband, and no matter what, I will not have anything to do with Your Highness."
Her voice was icy cold, yet it carried a determination that could not be ignored.
She slowly turned her head away and stopped looking at Jun Zechen, but she still had to make things clear.
“昨晚，殿下被金華姑姑送來夕顏殿，妾發現殿下身體異樣後，毫不猶豫地遣了宮女去請姐姐，一心只想讓姐姐将殿下帶回栖鸾殿。可妾左等右等，始終未見姐姐的身影。”
“妾不知姐姐有沒有誤會，殿下還是盡早去找姐姐解釋清楚為好。妾對今早之事已然釋懷，并不在意。”
說完，她再次低下頭去，仿佛一座美麗而孤寂的雕塑，靜靜地伫立在那裏，等待着君澤辰的離開。
此時的君澤辰，心中的念頭已然發生了改變。
他凝視着眼前的女子，原本的猜疑完全消散。
或許在她心中，自己才是那個最讓她讨厭的人吧。
若是她存了勾引他的心思，昨晚便是最好的時機。
然而，她卻将自己娘親親自為她準備的‘百毒清’用在了他身上，只為解去他所中的媚毒。
至此，君澤辰終于明白，不是他不想圓房，而是她根本不願與他圓房。
君澤辰的雙眸死死地凝視着女子的頭頂。
誠如她所言，自己理應按她所說，前往栖鸾殿，向淩悅解釋昨晚的一切。
可是眼前女子冷漠的拒絕，如同一股寒流，穿透他的身軀，讓他的心亂成一團麻。
不該如此的。
君澤辰的眸色更加深沉，他堅定地向前邁去，伸出右手，毫不猶豫地擡起她的下巴。
蘇靖瑤只得無奈地擡起雙眸，被迫與他對視。
“蘇側妃莫非忘了自己的責任？你是父皇賜予孤的側妃，何來資格說出與孤毫無關系這般言語？”
君澤辰的聲音冰冷中帶着威嚴，他是太子，就算他錯了，那又如何？
他可以拒絕任何人，可沒有人能拒絕他，更沒有人敢如此忤逆他！
君澤辰高挺的身軀微微前傾，散發出一種無形的壓迫感。
蘇靖瑤的眼中充滿了疑惑與委屈，她輕咬下唇，微微顫抖的身子透露出內心的惱怒。
“啪！”清脆的聲響在空氣中回蕩。
蘇靖瑤毅然打開了男人的手，而後迅速向後退了一步。
君澤辰的臉色瞬間變得陰沉至極，如同暴風雨來臨前的天空，冰冷而壓抑。
“蘇側妃，你可知曉何為以下犯上？莫非蘇家便是如此教養你的不成？”
蘇靖瑤今日已多次承受他嚴厲的呵斥，終于，淚水如決堤的洪水般湧出眼眶。
“殿下究竟要妾如何做？妾嫁入東宮的首日，殿下便給妾立下規矩，讓妾不得有礙您與姐姐的情分，妾難道做得還不夠好嗎？”
她的聲音哽咽着，宛如泣血的夜莺，令人心碎。
淚水順着她蒼白的臉頰滑落，仿佛晶瑩的珍珠，滴落于地。
“殿下想要妾如何履行側妃的責任？自從妾入東宮以來，殿下便一而再、再而三地懷疑妾，侮辱妾，妾實在不知自己做錯了何事。”
她的音量稍稍提高了一些，聲音中帶着絲絲絕望。
随後，她的口中又喃喃念叨：“若是殿下着實對妾不喜，妾情願一輩子不出現在殿下眼前……”
君澤辰聽着女子一聲聲的質問，心神顫動。
他自己都不知道他想要什麽，當初娶她，百般不願，甚至不願意和她有任何接觸，可是現在呢？
看到女子傷心欲絕的神态，決絕的言語，他不想，不想和她毫無關系，不想和她形同陌路。
君澤辰嘴唇微微顫動，想要說些什麽，卻又不知從何說起。
随後長長地嘆了口氣，緩緩地伸出手，輕柔地撫去女子面頰上的淚痕。
“今日是孤不對，以後孤不會再懷疑你，你做得很好，世人皆言蘇府千金是世家貴族小姐的典範，孤今日才明白，唯有你當得起這一稱贊。”
“你給孤所用的那顆藥，孤會設法重新為你買來。”
話音落下，君澤辰毅然轉身離去。
等君澤辰的身影完全消失在視線中後，蘇靖瑤緩緩擡起右手，如青蔥般的手指擡起，用指腹輕輕拭去眼角還殘留着的晶瑩淚珠。
她的嘴角微微上揚，勾起一抹不易察覺的得意笑容，她的笑容中帶着幾分狡黠，幾分算計，猶如一只詭計得逞的小狐貍。
獵物終究還是落入了獵人精心布置的陷阱中。
君澤辰慢慢地朝着栖鸾殿的方向走去，目光始終凝視着前方。
待到了栖鸾殿外，君澤辰停下腳步，仰頭靜靜地凝視着“栖鸾殿”三個大字的牌匾。
牌匾在陽光的照耀下，閃爍着金色的光芒，卻無法驅散他心中的陰霾。
曾經，他每次來到這裏，腳步總是輕快的，臉上洋溢着愉悅且放松的笑容。
而今日，他的步伐卻似有千斤之重，每一步都顯得如此艱難，他站在原地，眉頭緊緊皺在一起，兩道濃密的眉毛仿佛擰成了一股繩，透露出他內心的煩悶。
遲疑了片刻後，君澤辰終究還是邁着步子走進了栖鸾殿。
淩悅遠遠地瞧見君澤辰走來，卻發現今日的他失去了往日的眉開眼笑。
待君澤辰走近，淩悅忍不住出言譏諷道：“殿下昨晚歇息得可好？”
她的聲音中帶着一絲嘲諷，一絲不滿。
君澤辰聽聞此言，眉頭皺得更緊了，眉宇間透露出一絲無奈。
“孤昨晚并沒有與側妃發生任何關系。”
淩悅聽罷，表面依舊平靜如水，可心中卻早已波濤洶湧。
她怎麽也想不到，君澤辰在這個時候還要欺騙她。
難道昨晚她親耳聽到的那些話，都是她的幻覺嗎？
她的夫君，将另一個拒絕他的女人壓在身下，還親昵地喚着“瑤瑤”，宣稱蘇靖瑤是他的女人，無權拒絕他。
淩悅此刻只覺得自己可笑至極。
她的眼神中逐漸泛起一絲淚光，心中滿是委屈與痛苦。
她的性子本就潑辣，此時更是再也無法抑制自己的情緒，她猛地站起身來。
聲音尖銳地吼道：“是你不想和她發生關系，還是她不想和你發生關系？殿下心裏不清楚嗎？”
君澤辰的面色瞬間變得陰沉，他緊緊盯着淩悅，眼中的光芒幽深而複雜。
“悅兒，你知曉你在說些什麽嗎？”
淩悅在他的注視下，漸漸低下了頭，她的嘴唇微微顫抖着，想要說些什麽，卻又不知從何說起。
她心中的憤怒與痛苦交織在一起，讓她無法平靜。
她很想大罵這個讓她心痛的男人，卻又害怕自己的争吵會讓這個男人徹底離去。
她害怕他們之間的感情會因為争吵而逐漸消磨，最終消失殆盡。
君澤辰注視着眼前低着頭、委屈得默不作聲的她，心中不由一軟。
放柔了語氣：“昨晚是母後給孤下藥，并且将孤送到了夕顏殿。”
“孤心中一直都有你，只是你至今未能有孕，母後與父皇不斷向孤施壓。側妃乃蘇尚書嫡女，自她嫁入東宮，為了你，孤已冷落她将近一月。”
淩悅滿臉驚詫地直視着君澤辰，目光中滿是難以置信，顫聲問道：“所以阿澤今日來，就是為了告訴我，之後阿澤不會再繼續冷落蘇側妃了嗎？”
“悅兒，孤身為太子，綿延皇嗣是孤推卸不掉的責任。即便孤不寵幸蘇側妃，之後母後和父皇也會陸續賜下李側妃、王側妃，難道孤都要将她們娶回來當花瓶嗎？”
淩悅張了張嘴，卻不知如何回應，淚水在眼眶中打轉，順着臉頰無聲地滑落。
君澤辰看着她默默流淚，泛着一絲心疼。
他不由自主地伸出手，想要為她拭去淚水，卻又在半空中停住，最終只是化作一聲嘆息。
是他未能履行承諾，可是君澤辰心中亦有怨念，為何淩悅不能有孕，若是她有孕，即便母後父皇威逼，君澤辰亦有據理力争的機會。
而非如現今這般，只能無奈地接受。
自小所受的天家教育告訴他，他不可能為了一名女子，放棄子嗣。身為儲君，子嗣并非個人之事，而是關乎君國的穩定。
淩悅的眼神逐漸變得迷茫，仿佛失去了所有的光彩。
她對自己也深感埋怨，為何偏偏就她不能生育？！她的身子微微顫抖着，令人心生憐惜。
君澤辰心中不忍，緩緩上前，将她緊緊擁入懷中。
他的手輕輕地撫摸着她的背，淩悅緊緊抱住君澤辰，仿佛抓住了最後一根救命稻草，她的心中充滿了恐懼，害怕這個男人會離她而去。
那種恐懼如同無底深淵，将她不斷地向下拖拽。
“阿澤，都怪我不能生育，否則也不會造成這樣的情形。”
“阿澤，你寵幸蘇側妃吧，我不會怪你。”
“可是阿澤，你會愛上她嗎？”
君澤辰聽到她最後的問話，身體猛地一僵，眼眸中閃過一絲痛苦。
他用力抱緊了淩悅，語氣堅定地說道：“不會。”