The Female Psychology PhD Who Time Traveled to the Royal Harem

From ancient times, most rulers who brought downfall upon themselves did so because they lacked self-awareness.

Take Emperor Xuanwu, for instance. He harbored dreams of unifying the world, yet before Jin Kingdom made the first move against Great Yan, he never displayed even a hint of his determination.

He couldn't afford to give others any reason to gossip, nor could he let anyone think that he was eyeing Jin Kingdom with ill intentions.

In Jiang Xinyue's words, he was the type of person who wanted everything—peace-loving emperor, steadfast and unyielding ruler in the eyes of Jin Kingdom, and the innocent victim in the eyes of the world.

In short, everyone else was wrong, and only Great Yan was the purest victim. Even if he retaliated, it was justified.

Jiang Xinyue had grasped the emperor's mindset, which is why she was so effective in her actions and why the emperor supported every decision she made.

To outsiders, it seemed like the emperor was besotted with Jiang Xinyue's beauty, indulging her every whim. In reality, the emperor intentionally gave her that impression as well.

However, Jiang Xinyue was clear: the emperor's favor wasn't due to being bewitched by her looks, nor was it a passionate love.

It was because she offered the emperor everything he desired—beauty, intelligence, magnanimity, and understanding.

Moreover, Jiang Xinyue had figured out what the emperor truly wanted, and she fulfilled those desires while advancing her own interests.

Such a queen could be both his wife and an empress who stood shoulder to shoulder with him.

He could use her hand to do all the things that he would rather not do himself, all under the pretext: "Can’t I do something my beloved wants?"

Most likely, everyone thought her rise to empress was too easy, with no significant opposition.

Some things, only she knew the toil behind them.

The emperor was no fool; her beauty was merely a bonus. No matter how stunning he found her looks, when it came to serious matters, such beauty was practically worthless.

The emperor wasn't the type to be swayed by a woman's appearance.

Fortunately, Jiang Xinyue wasn't gullible enough to be won over by the emperor's sweet words and give her heart away. Every step she took was one she chose, and that was enough for her.

Human hearts are like a game of mutual probing.

Through such probing, one learns whether the other shares the same values and principles.

The emperor weighed the pros and cons, while Jiang Xinyue calculated whether her efforts would yield equal returns.

Their paths and desires might differ, but the goal was the same—as long as the outcome satisfied both of them.

Plus, the emperor genuinely liked Jiang Xinyue, which made her journey smoother.

People always saw what she gained but ignored what she sacrificed.

"Empress of Great Yan, our Queen wants to invite you to the Imperial Garden to enjoy the snow while drinking."

Jiang Xinyue had already donned a pure-white fox fur coat, and she scoffed, "Jin Kingdom is located in a remote, frigid region where heavy snow falls year-round. Didn’t your Queen get enough of the snow there?"

If they wanted to set a trap for her, they should’ve just said so directly instead of bullshitting about "enjoying the snow."

If anything, they should be admiring the bloodshed.

"Uh…"

The awkward question left the Jin Kingdom servant girl flustered, unsure how to respond.

"Fine," Jiang Xinyue said dismissively, "Go tell your Queen that I’ll be there shortly."

If they didn’t give her a chance to set her own trap, how could she turn their schemes against them?

In the Imperial Garden, a summer pavilion had been converted into a warm room by removing the ice and burning charcoal inside.

Rippling water sounds filled the air, and the aroma of warm wine permeated the space. The wine cups, crafted from fine jade, glowed softly in the women's hands.

This time, Hei Yun wasn’t dancing; she donned a pink dress and quietly sat below Su Yanran, pouring wine.

When Jiang Xinyue arrived, Su Yanran, trying to regain her footing, didn’t rise to greet her but casually pointed to a seat next to her, "Empress, please take a seat."

"How dare you!" Xi Que shouted angrily, "You are merely a Queen subordinate to the Emperor, while our Empress stands equal with the Emperor. How can you not stand to greet her?"

Even if both were queens of their respective nations, there’s a significant distinction between a queen and an empress.

Su Yanran tried to bluff her way through, but Xi Que wasn’t having it.

"Ah!"

Jiang Xinyue stopped Xi Que, "Jin Kingdom is located in a harsh, barren land. If it weren’t for that, the previous Jin emperor wouldn’t have coveted Great Yan’s territories. They’re born free-spirited, disliking constraints. Let them be, don’t insist on unnecessary formalities."

Almost calling the Jin people crude, barbaric, and unreasonable.

Su Yanran’s face turned red with anger, while Jiang Xinyue remained indifferent, unbothered by Su Yanran’s lack of greeting.

She truly believed that the difference between them wasn’t about who bowed to whom.

After all, an elephant wouldn’t care if ants bit it. The ants can’t harm a living elephant.

"Your Highness Su, the dancer beside you seems quite talented!"

After taking her seat, Jiang Xinyue, as if noticing Hei Yun for the first time, chuckled mockingly, "First dancing, now serving tea. It seems your Queen relies solely on you for service."

Was she still resentful about the Emperor glancing at Hei Yun during the New Year's feast?

What could be done?

Hei Yun’s natural charm was more alluring than ordinary women. If Jiang Xinyue couldn’t control the Emperor’s glances, why blame Hei Yun?

Such a person must’ve rushed to conclusions and caused the death of her sister, Jian Xi, leading to the Su family's decline and suffering in the borderlands.

Forced to flee and become a sacred maiden for Jin Kingdom’s old emperor.

Such humiliation could only be avenged by killing Jiang Xinyue.

Jiang Xinyue disliked Hei Yun and wanted her removed, but Su Yanran insisted on keeping Hei Yun close to irritate her.

"Empress, my servant here is the most attentive. Even if you dislike her, please tolerate her for my sake. After all, I’ll be returning to Jin Kingdom soon."

Jiang Xinyue rolled her eyes impatiently, exhaling heavily through her nose, and reluctantly decided to endure the situation for now.

Hei Yun glanced at Su Yanran and, lowering her head, presented the wine cup.

"​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‍Crash!"

The jade wine cup shattered, splashing wine everywhere. Hei Yun raised her hand to shield herself as the bells on her wrist jingled.

"Dinglingling…"

Jiang Xinyue shook her head, trying to dispel the faint dizziness from her mind.