Cardiff extended their unbeaten run to six games with a hard-fought win at the Madejski Stadium this afternoon.
Bluebirds top scorer Peter Whittingham opened the scoring after just 118 seconds with a long-range chip.
The score remained 1-0 until 20 minutes from time, when Mark Hudson doubled Cardiff's lead after a Whittingham free kick.
Jimmy Kebe, who had earlier had a goal disallowed for offside, gave the Royals hope with a headed effort but the visitors held out to notch their third straight win.
Malky Mackay's side move up to fourth, nine points behind table-toppers Southampton, while Reading remain 14th.