The female anchor turned into the dean of an ancient academy

Chapter 271 Concubine Shu’s “Dream of Favor”

"Your Majesty..." Cen Jiexiao called softly, trying to calm Chai Zhen down.

Chai Zhen turned a deaf ear and continued pacing back and forth in the room, cursing Concubine Shu's cruelty and stupidity.

Cen Jiexiao stood quietly by, observing Chai Zhen's every move, waiting for his anger to subside. She knew that Chai Zhen needed an outlet to vent his anger and someone to guide him.

After a long time, Shai Zhen's steps finally slowed down and his breathing became steady. He sat down dejectedly in a chair, his hands covering his face, and sighed deeply.

Cen Jiexiao then softly advised, "Your Majesty, Concubine Shu has been operating in the palace for many years and her power is deeply entrenched. Furthermore, I suspect there must be someone else behind her. If we act rashly, we might alert her and make her defensive."

Chai Zhen raised his head and looked at Cen Jiexiao, his eyes full of helplessness.

Cen Jiexiao continued, "I suspect this person must be Empress Dowager Li, so Your Majesty should first stabilize her and wait for the right time to capture her in one fell swoop."

Chai Zhen carefully considered Cen Jiexiao's words and felt they made sense. Acting rashly would only exacerbate Concubine Shu's desperation, making matters even more fraught. On the other hand, if he could first stabilize her, numb her nerves, and let her down, then covertly gather evidence. When the time was right, he could capture her in one fell swoop.

"You're right." Chai Zhen nodded, trying hard to suppress the anger in his heart. He decided to hold back and wait for the best opportunity.

In the following days, Chai Zhen treated Concubine Shu the same as always, even doting her even more than before, showering her with rewards, asking about her well-being, and showing her the utmost care. He pretended to be completely unaware, making Concubine Shu mistakenly believe that she was safe.

Seeing that Chai Zhen did not pursue the matter of the "haunting", Concubine Shu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that she had escaped a disaster. She began to become more unscrupulous, believing that she had firmly controlled Chai Zhen's heart.

Little did she know that this was just the calm before the storm. Cen Jiexiao was secretly plotting a fatal blow.

As night fell, tiny lights twinkled within the palace, like stars scattered across the boundless night sky. As usual, Chai Zhen arrived at Concubine Shu's chambers. Before he even entered the palace, he could already hear the melody of stringed instruments emanating from Concubine Shu's chambers. The music was melodious and lingering, like a plaintive lament. He had never heard it before, yet it inexplicably stirred his heart.

He gently pushed open the palace gate, and a rich, intoxicating aroma filled the air. It was the scent of "Drunken Hibiscus," Concubine Shu's favorite. Inside the bedroom, flickering candlelight cast a dappled light and shadow on the exquisite folding screen. Concubine Shu was reclining on a soft couch, dressed in a light gauze dress that partially exposed her shoulders. Her long, jet-black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, highlighting her skin's beauty, whiter than snow. Her slender fingers gently plucked the pipa, her gesture graceful and captivating.

Hearing the footsteps, Concubine Shu quickly put down her pipa and rose to greet him. A delighted smile spread across her face, like a blooming peony, incredibly beautiful. "Your Majesty, you've arrived," she said delicately, her voice tinged with unconcealed joy, her eyes gleaming with tenderness and affection. As she rose, her gauze dress slipped slightly, revealing her delicate collarbone, adding to her allure.

Chai Zhen quickly stepped forward, pulled her into his arms, and said gently, "My beloved, I miss you so much." His voice was low and magnetic, like the whisper of love, intoxicating. His hand gently caressed Shufei's silky skin, feeling her warmth, but an indescribable disgust welled up in his heart.

Concubine Shu nestled in his arms, feeling his warmth, her heart filled with sweetness. She reached out her delicate hands, gently wrapped them around Chai Zhen's neck, rested her cheek against his chest, and softly said, "I miss your majesty, too." She gently closed her eyes, savoring the moment's tranquility and warmth, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, adding to her allure. Little did she know that Chai Zhen's eyes were filled with disgust and hatred.

"My beloved, I have a gift for you." Chai Zhen suddenly said with a barely perceptible coldness in his tone. He gently pushed Concubine Shu away and his eyes fell on her pretty face.

"What gift is it?" Concubine Shu asked curiously, with anticipation glittering in her eyes. She coquettishly tapped Chai Zhen's chest with her fingers, adding a bit of charm to her look.

Chai Zhen pulled out an exquisite brocade box from his bosom. Made entirely of red sandalwood, it was intricately carved with clear grain, its value evident at first glance. He handed the box to Concubine Shu and said gently, "Open it and take a look."

Concubine Shu took the brocade box, her heart filled with anticipation and joy. She slowly opened it, her movements graceful, as if she were displaying a precious work of art. Inside, she saw a golden hairpin, delicate and elegant in shape. A large, luminous pearl nestled on the tip of the hairpin glowed faintly in the candlelight, like the brightest star in the night sky.

"What a beautiful hairpin!" Concubine Shu said in surprise, with excitement flashing in her eyes. She picked up the hairpin, admired it carefully under the candlelight, and couldn't let it go.

"Do you like it?" Chai Zhen asked, his tone gentle, but he couldn't hide the coldness in his eyes.

"I like it. Thank you, Your Majesty." Concubine Shu happily put the hairpin on her head and looked at herself in the bronze mirror. The more she looked at it, the more she liked it. A happy smile filled her face. She smiled charmingly at the mirror, full of charm.

Chai Zhen looked at her, a cold light flashing in his eyes, like a flash of lightning in the dark night, fleeting. "My dear, this hairpin is made of a special material. It will glow at night, like a will-o'-the-wisp."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Shu's expression changed slightly, and a sinister premonition suddenly rose in her heart...

Concubine Shu's face suddenly changed, her rosy cheeks instantly draining of color, turning as pale as paper. Her previously radiant smile was now frozen stiffly on her face, like a thick mask of powder, appearing utterly unnatural, even eerie. She reached out a trembling hand, her fingertips gently caressing the large, night-shining pearl on the hairpin, feeling its cool, smooth touch.

However, this priceless jewel was no longer a treasure in her eyes. Instead, it felt like a red-hot iron, burning her skin and causing her to feel a stinging pain. Fear spread within her, and her voice trembled. "Your Majesty... you... what did you say?"

A strange smile appeared on Chai Zhen's lips, but the smile did not reach his eyes. Instead, it made his eyes look even colder, like a sharp blade, piercing people's hearts.

"My beloved, what I mean is that this golden hairpin will make you as radiant at night as during the day." He paused deliberately, with a hint of coldness in his tone.

His voice was low and slow, and every word hit Concubine Shu's heart like a heavy hammer.