Traveling through another world to stir the emperor's heart

After Jun Lingyuan and Feng Qingyue strolled through the Imperial Gardens, Feng Qingyue, claiming to be feeling unwell, returned to Yueli Palace. Jun Lingyuan watched her departing figure, his heart filled with helplessness and melancholy. He knew Feng Qingyue didn't want to be with him, but he was increasingly drawn to her, eager to explore her inner secrets and keep her by his side.

A few days later, at the imperial court, the Minister of Personnel stepped forward. He was dressed in court robes, his face solemn, and he held a tablet in his hand. He said, "Your Majesty, the harem is now empty. Your Majesty bears the responsibility of maintaining national security. You should have an empress who is the mother of the nation to preside over the affairs of the harem." As soon as the Prime Minister spoke, all the officials in the court echoed him.

Jun Lingyuan sat on the dragon throne, his heart suddenly tightening. Feng Qingyue's face instantly flashed through his mind, but he also knew that the matter of appointing a queen shouldn't be made hastily. He sat up slightly and said, "I understand your thoughts, my dear ministers, but the position of empress is of great importance. I need time to consider it."

The Prime Minister, however, was not prepared to give up and continued, "Your Majesty, we are not speaking without reason. The country is now prosperous, yet Your Majesty still has no queen in the harem. This is contrary to etiquette. Furthermore, Your Majesty has reached the age of thirty, and establishing a queen sooner rather than later will help stabilize the foundation of the nation. We believe that Lin Xi'er, the daughter of Prime Minister Lin, is gentle, virtuous, well-educated, and capable of taking on this important task."

Jun Lingyuan was startled, having not expected the Minister of Personnel to recommend Lin Xier. He scanned the court, seeing everyone nodding in agreement. Jun Lingyuan understood that while their actions appeared to be concerned about harem matters, they were actually a complex political game. Minister Lin held immense influence within the court. If Lin Xier became empress, his power would undoubtedly expand further, significantly impacting the balance of power within the court.

After the court session, Jun Lingyuan went straight to Yueli Palace. Feng Qingyue was studying an ancient book in the palace and was surprised to see Jun Lingyuan. Jun Lingyuan dismissed his attendants and looked at Feng Qingyue and said, "Qingyue, at the court today, the Prime Minister and all the officials recommended the Prime Minister's legitimate daughter, Lin Xier, as the Empress."

Feng Qingyue only raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing this, without much emotion. She was, after all, a modern person, and while she still didn't fully understand some of the concepts and practices of this world, she didn't object to the recommendation of Lin Xier as empress. She knew she didn't belong in this world and would have to return sooner or later. The palace disputes and the struggle for the empress's throne here seemed like a distant drama to her.

She asked calmly, "Oh, then what do you think, Your Majesty?"

Jun Lingyuan was somewhat surprised by Feng Qingyue's calm reaction. He looked into her eyes and said, "I don't want Lin Xier to become the queen. I have someone else in my heart... I have someone else in my heart."

Upon hearing this, Feng Qingyue's previously indifferent expression suddenly became tinged with curiosity and gossip. Her eyes widened slightly, and a playful smile unconsciously curled up at the corners of her mouth. She said, "Oh? Your Majesty has someone else in his heart? This is truly a big secret. Why doesn't Your Majesty just marry the one he loves, instead of asking the ministers to recommend someone else?"

Jun Lingyuan panicked, having not expected Feng Qingyue to ask such a blunt question. He quickly averted his gaze, disguising it as he glanced at the bookshelf nearby. "The reasons behind this are complex, and cannot be explained in a few words."

Feng Qingyue, however, remained relentless. She took a few steps forward, a searching glint in her eyes as she continued, "Your Majesty, what's so complicated about this? You are the Son of Heaven. As long as you put your mind to it, what can't you do? Could it be that this beloved has some unspeakable secret? Or perhaps, Your Majesty, you haven't yet expressed your feelings?"

Jun Lingyuan felt his heartbeat quicken. He couldn't let Feng Qingyue see that his heart was with her. He took a deep breath and tried to keep his voice calm. "There are many obstacles between her and me, and I'm not sure of her feelings."

Feng Qingyue raised an eyebrow, folded her arms across her chest, and said, "Your Majesty, this is unlike your usual decisive style. If Your Majesty truly loves her, you should strive for her and find out her feelings."

Jun Lingyuan secretly groaned inwardly. He was trying so hard to win, but the person he was fighting for was completely unaware and even kept asking about his beloved. He could only bite the bullet and say, "I have my own considerations. I will handle this matter properly."

Feng Qingyue saw that Jun Lingyuan was unwilling to speak further. Although she was extremely curious, she could not ask any further questions. She coughed lightly and said, "Your Majesty, this is your private matter after all. I am sorry for interfering. However, I still hope that Your Majesty can get what he wants soon."

Jun Lingyuan looked at Feng Qingyue, feeling mixed emotions. He nodded slightly and said, "Thank you very much, Qingyue, for your concern."

Feng Qingyue thought to herself: Hey! The ancients were in love, when can I go back? Jun Lingyuan was worried that Feng Qingyue would continue to ask questions, but suddenly he heard Feng Qingyue's inner voice.

The word "go back" stirred a wave of intense fear in his heart. His hands trembled slightly, his eyes fixed on Feng Qingyue, and with a barely perceptible tremor in his voice, he asked, "Qingyue, what do you mean by 'go back'? Where are you going?"

Feng Qingyue was startled, wondering why Jun Lingyuan suddenly asked this. Could he possibly hear her? But this was too unbelievable. She said calmly, "Your Majesty, I'm talking about returning to my Yueli Palace. Your Majesty, there's no need to overthink things."

At the Prime Minister's residence, Lin Xi'er was overjoyed to learn that she had been recommended for the position of empress. She carefully dressed herself in front of the mirror, imagining the glory she would have as empress. Prime Minister Lin looked at his daughter and warned her, "Xi'er, although you have been recommended, His Majesty has not yet agreed. You must not take it lightly."

Lin Xier smiled confidently and said, "Father, I know. I will definitely let Your Majesty see my good qualities. The position of Queen will definitely belong to me."