Chapter 99: Heartbroken

Palace of Heavenly Purity.

"An Shun, go and call Concubine Ye to accompany you."

Jun Zechen sat on the dragon chair, waved his hand casually and said.

In order to let the Ye family relax their vigilance recently, Jun Zechen would summon Concubine Ye to the Qianqing Palace from time to time.

"Yes." An Shun responded quickly and was about to turn around and leave.

At this time, Jun Zechen suddenly frowned, "Wait."

An Shun paused as he was about to retreat, then stood there respectfully, waiting for further instructions from His Majesty.

"What has the Royal Concubine been doing these days?" Jun Zechen narrowed his eyes slightly and asked thoughtfully.

"Your Majesty, the Royal Concubine spends most of her time in Zhaochun Palace and seldom comes out. Apart from managing trivial matters in the harem, she spends her days accompanying the eldest prince." An Shun lowered his head and answered respectfully.

"I noticed that the Imperial Concubine has not been in a good mood these days. Yesterday, I asked Imperial Doctor Li to check the Imperial Concubine's pulse. What did Imperial Doctor Li say?"

Jun Zechen frowned slightly, with a hint of worry in his eyes. He always felt that Yaoyao was a little absent-minded these days, and even her smile was slightly forced.

But every time I asked her what was wrong, she just said nothing was wrong.

"Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Li said that the Royal Concubine seemed to be a little depressed recently. He then asked the palace maids who served her closely, and they said that the Royal Concubine had been having dreams a lot at night and waking up easily recently." An Shun answered truthfully.

Jun Zechen's brows were tightly knitted together.

Could it be that Yaoyao is unhappy because he has summoned Concubine Ye more often recently?

It’s just that the Ye family’s affairs are being handled intensively recently, and I have to deal with too many state affairs, so I have indeed been to Zhaochun Palace less often.

Thinking of this, he pursed his lips slightly, and then said in a deep voice: "An Shun, ask the Imperial Concubine to come to the Qianqing Palace to accompany you."

After hearing His Majesty's order, An Shun withdrew and sent someone to Zhaochun Palace.

Jun Zechen continued to handle government affairs. In order to let the Ye family relax their vigilance, Jun Zechen has recently been making plans with the Su family.

He also "accidentally" leaked to the Ye family several letters that were previously intended to secretly deal with the Su family. After receiving such "secret" information, the Ye family completely believed that the Su family had been abandoned by His Majesty.

Perhaps the favor of the Royal Concubine is just a way for His Majesty to confuse the Su family.

When Jun Zechen wrote these letters, he did have the intention of dealing with the Su family, but he changed his mind later because of Yaoyao.

Thinking of this, Jun Zechen shook his head helplessly. He never thought that a woman could have such a great influence on him.

Now, ministers in the court have become alienated from the Su family, and the situation of the Su family looks very difficult in the court.

The people of the Ye family are now arrogant and domineering in the court, but in the past they were respectful to the Su family and there was no falling out between them.

But now, when they see the Su family, they all look down on them.

The branches of the Ye family in various cities have become much more friendly to the envoys and ministers sent by His Majesty since they learned from the head of the Ye family that His Majesty had personally written several letters to deal with the Su family.

Every day he would take out his officials and ministers to eat, drink and have fun, and he was very happy.

However, he did not know that all the imperial envoys and ministers came with missions and were acting secretly.

Jun Zechen sat at the desk, his face stern, his expression solemn and focused, staring at the memorials in front of him and the secret reports sent back by ministers sent to other cities.

Sometimes he concentrated on thinking, sometimes he wrote notes, and he devoted himself to the handling of government affairs.

At this time, the young eunuch who was sent by Anshun to Zhaochun Palace came back hurriedly. He bent over and walked in carefully.

"Your Majesty, I am here to see you."

"Get up." Jun Zechen said lightly without raising his head, still immersed in government affairs.

"Your Majesty, Aunt Miaoyun said that the Royal Concubine did not sleep well last night and is resting now." The little eunuch lowered his head and reported respectfully.

Jun Zechen's hand, which was originally holding the pen, paused, and he always felt that something was not right.

Is Yaoyao sick?

Jun Zechen shifted his gaze from the memorials to the pile of memorials that had not yet been processed. After hesitating for a moment, he suddenly stood up.

"Anshun, go to Soshun Palace."

I still have to go to Zhaochun Palace to see her. I always feel uneasy if I don’t see her. It won’t be too late to deal with the memorials when I come back later.

Having said that, he took big strides and walked hurriedly out of the hall.

Sojung Palace.

Jun Zechen strode over and when he looked up he saw Miaoyun guarding the door of the bedroom.

His face was calm, with a hint of inquiry in his eyes, and he asked, "Is your master asleep?"

When Miaoyun first saw His Majesty, she was slightly startled at first, but soon returned to normal. She had long been accustomed to His Majesty coming directly to Zhaochun Palace without informing anyone.

"Yes, Your Majesty, the master has fallen asleep."

Jun Zechen walked in without any hesitation.

At first glance, I saw Su Jingyao lying quietly on the bed in a gauze underwear. She seemed to be sleeping unsteadily, with her eyebrows slightly furrowed.

The usually glamorous red lips now appear somewhat pale.

Jun Zechen walked to the bed and sat down, reaching out his hand and very gently stroked the strands of hair on her forehead.

Su Jingyao was startled by his actions and opened her eyes immediately.

The moment her eyes saw him, there was a flash of panic, and then she subconsciously shrank back into the bed as if she was a little scared.

Suddenly, he seemed to realize that his reaction was a bit too great.

Su Jingyao calmed herself down and called softly, "Your Majesty?"

Jun Zechen looked at her series of reactions and his face suddenly darkened.

An Shun had just told him that she had been having nightmares and waking up easily recently. He originally thought that it might be because she was just a little tired from dealing with the affairs of the harem.

But looking at her reaction at this moment, that is not the case at all!

"What's wrong with Yaoyao?" Jun Zechen suppressed his inner anxiety, his tone revealing obvious concern and worry.

Su Jingyao lowered her head, her black hair falling in front of her chest, and shook her head gently.

Seeing her like this, Jun Zechen suddenly felt angry.

Is there anything I can't tell him?

"For the past half month, I have noticed that your mood has been getting worse and worse. Every time I asked you what was wrong, you said you were fine. I originally thought you were really fine, but look at you now, do you look like you are fine?"

His voice was deep and powerful, with a hint of anger, but this anger also clearly revealed his heartache for her.

Su Jingyao slowly raised her head, forced a smile on her lips, and said, "I'm really fine."

Jun Zechen was really helpless because of her stubbornness and he let out a long sigh.

He stretched out his hand and pulled her, who was curled up in the silk quilt, in front of him.

"Is Yaoyao unhappy because I favored Concubine Ye? I have told Yaoyao before that she doesn't need to take these women in the palace to heart."

Su Jingyao bit her lip tightly and stammered, "I don't care. I am your majesty's imperial concubine. I should advise your majesty to treat everyone equally and not be jealous."

Jun Zechen looked at her with such a pitiful look, his eyes full of pity, and he could only try to make his tone as gentle as possible.

He didn't know whether she really didn't mind or was just pretending to be magnanimous.

"I have been busy with government affairs recently, and I have come to Zhaochun Palace less often. After a while, I promise you that I will accompany Yaoyao every day, okay?"

Jun Zechen spoke softly, his eyes locked on her tightly.

"Your Majesty, your government affairs are the most important. Your Majesty, don't worry about me. I am really fine. I just didn't sleep well last night."

Su Jingyao raised the corners of her mouth slightly, and tried her best to show a sweet smile, as if she really didn't want him to worry.

"Then why did Doctor Li feel that you were depressed, had nightmares and woke up easily, and couldn't even eat a few bites of your favorite food during the day?"

Today, she doesn't look as radiant as before, but instead looks sickly, weak and haggard.

Jun Zechen's face became increasingly gloomy. He was really angry at her for not taking her own body seriously.

Su Jingyao slowly lowered her head and stammered, "Your Majesty, Doctor Li told me to rest more. I am really a little sleepy now and want to rest."

Her voice was small, like that of a mosquito, but the meaning was obvious: she was chasing people away.

Having said that, Su Jingyao gently lay down on the bed and closed her eyes.

Jun Zechen looked at her like this and felt a little powerless. He really didn't know what was wrong with her.

But continuing to ask her would not yield any results. She could only wait until he had resolved the Ye family's affairs before spending some time with her.

He sighed, his eyes filled with helplessness and worry.

Afterwards, Jun Zechen hurried back to the Qianqing Palace with a gloomy face.

As soon as he entered the palace, he immediately said in a deep voice: "An Shun, have Doctor Li go to Zhaochun Palace every day to check the Imperial Concubine's pulse carefully. If the Imperial Concubine shows any abnormality, he must come and report it immediately."

His voice was cold and firm, leaving no room for doubt.

"Yes, Your Majesty." An Shun responded quickly.