The concubine was charming and alluring, and the ruthless prince coaxed her day and night.

Chapter 81 is especially precious

After eating only one piece, Xu Jiaojiao reluctantly asked Lianye to put the jujube cake away: "Take it back inside and leave it there. Pour me a glass of water to rinse my mouth."

Lianye nodded slightly and quickly brought over the water.

As autumn arrives, the sky darkens quickly.

There were more mosquitoes in the courtyard. Lianye helped Xu Jiaojiao up from the hanging basket: "The prince hasn't come yet at this hour. He must have gone to the army again and won't be back in time."

Xu Jiaojiao's eyelashes fluttered, and she couldn't help but furrow her brows slightly...

Since the Qiang and Wu people caused trouble on the day of Qixi Festival, Prince Chen has been visibly busy.

Xu Jiaojiao also vaguely heard some rumors, as if the border was becoming unstable again.

She vaguely remembered things from her previous life.

It was just after the New Year when the Qiang and Wu people began to invade the borders of Yan Dynasty. Prince Chen led a large army to fight, and the battle lasted for three years.

Is the border situation already this serious, even though it's only early autumn?

Xu Jiaojiao gently touched her belly, a look of worry appearing between her brows.

If war breaks out on the border, Prince Chen will lead his army into battle.

Her position is not yet secure, and she does not want Prince Chen to leave her side...

But with the greater good of the nation at hand, personal feelings are insignificant. She cannot and will not become a hindrance to Prince Chen, making him a sinner against the dynasty.

Three years is enough time for a lot to happen. She and Prince Chen are separated by thousands of miles, and she has too many hardships to face.

She had to find a way to survive before Prince Chen went to war.

Lianye helped her into the house: "Master, shall we prepare dinner?"

Before entering the house, Xu Jiaojiao glanced longingly at the courtyard gate, then turned around and slowly walked into the house: "Hmm, put away the poria cocos cakes, lotus seed and lily bulb stewed with lean pork, and bird's nest soup prepared for the prince. Bring up the rest."

"Why are you hiding them? Could it be that Jiaojiao is planning to hide all the delicious food and not let me eat any?"

A man's clear, crisp voice came from outside the door.

Xu Jiaojiao was slightly taken aback and hurriedly turned around.

Seeing the travel-worn figure standing outside the door, looking at her with gentle eyes, her heart skipped a beat, and she immediately beamed with joy: "Your Highness! You're back!"

After Zhao Yunzheng took off his dusty coat and handed it to Lianye, he stepped into the house and embraced the beauty he had been longing for: "There are bandits causing trouble in Nanjun. I will set off tomorrow to suppress them and it will take about half a month to return."

"Ah..." Xu Jiaojiao frowned slightly, feeling both reluctant and heartbroken: "The Prince didn't even get half a month of rest after returning this time, and now he has to leave again..."

She sighed softly and gently stroked the man's brows and eyes: "You always work so hard..."

A hint of emotion welled up in Zhao Yunzheng's eyes.

He was very tired and exhausted during this period, but the heavy burden on his shoulders did not allow him a moment to catch his breath. He had to grit his teeth and persevere in doing things that he did not like.

Every time he returned to the capital in triumph, everyone praised him for his loyalty to the emperor, love for the people, and wisdom and courage. But only Jiaojiao would worry about whether he was tired or had lost weight...

Only with Jiaojiao could his weary body and mind find some solace.

He smiled and stroked Xu Jiaojiao's soft, dark hair: "With Jiaojiao caring for me, I don't have to work hard."

Xu Jiaojiao blushed at what was said.

Who would have thought that such reckless words could come from the mouth of the aloof and ruthless Prince Chen?

She reached out and grabbed Prince Chen's sleeve, pulling him into the room: "Lianye, now that Your Highness has returned, please bring up all the prepared food."

Lianye responded and went to prepare.

The atmosphere inside was romantic. Xu Jiaojiao stood behind Prince Chen, gently massaging his shoulders: "Your Highness is setting off tomorrow, so you might stay at the manor tonight?"

Zhao Yunzheng pursed his lips and remained silent for a long time.

After a moment, he sighed softly, "After dinner, I must go to the camp outside the capital to muster the troops."

Xu Jiaojiao was a little reluctant and hugged Prince Chen from behind: "General Yingyi can be in charge of the troops."

Zhao Yunzheng chuckled: "Yingyi is ultimately not me, and I'm afraid he won't be able to win over the masses."

Xu Jiaojiao nimbly turned and gracefully moved from behind Prince Chen to his lap, sitting softly on his legs and acting coquettishly: "Who doesn't know that Yingyi is your person and represents your reputation? You are so wise and powerful, I'd like to see who dares to disobey you!"

Zhao Yunzheng's eyelashes trembled, and a helpless smile flashed across his eyes.

After a brief silence, he reached out and picked up Xu Jiaojiao, lowered his head slightly and kissed her lips, murmuring with a mixture of helplessness and affection, "I can only stay for the first half of the night. I must leave after midnight."

Although she could only keep it until midnight, Xu Jiaojiao was still satisfied.

She giggled happily and hugged Prince Chen even tighter.

When Lianye and her servants brought the dishes into the house, they saw the two embracing, and everyone was taken aback.

Zhao Yunzheng calmly released Xu Jiaojiao and casually lifted her off his body: "Let's have a meal. I won't be able to eat your meals for half a month when I go to Nanjun. I should eat more tonight."

Normally, Xu Jiaojiao would have advised Prince Chen to eat less to avoid harming his spleen and stomach, but now that Prince Chen had said so, how could she bear to stop him from eating?

She reached out and ladled a bowl of bird's nest soup for Prince Chen: "Since Your Highness likes it, please eat more. If it's not enough, there's more in the small kitchen."

While eating, Prince Chen chatted casually with Xu Jiaojiao: "I will return to the capital in half a month, just in time for the Mid-Autumn Festival hunt. I will take you to the hunting grounds then."

Xu Jiaojiao subconsciously touched her belly, hesitated for a moment, but quickly came to her senses and nodded gently: "Okay, I will wait for you to come back."

After dinner, the two spent some time together.

Thinking of Prince Chen, she had to start her busy schedule. Xu Jiaojiao didn't let Prince Chen stay up too late and served him to rest early.

The thought of the chaotic situation in the court weighed heavily on Prince Chen's mind, making it difficult for him to sleep.

As the night deepens, everything becomes silent.

The little woman in his arms slowly got up.

Half asleep, Zhao Yunzheng heard Xu Jiaojiao and Lianye say, "Go and get some needles and thread, and then make some pastries in the small kitchen according to my recipe. Give them to Yingyi later so he can take them on the road. The prince can eat some whenever he is hungry."

Zhao Yunzheng's heart skipped a beat, and he instantly sobered up.

Sweetness and emotion spread through my heart.

Jiaojiao really loves him...

Countless women in Kyoto admired him, but none were as pure as Jiaojiao.

Such deep affection, untainted by self-interest, is all the more precious.

Zhao Yunzheng got up and went to the outer room.

Seeing Xu Jiaojiao diligently embroidering in the dim candlelight, he couldn't help but gently walk over.

Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that Xu Jiaojiao was embroidering a sachet with the characters for "peace" embroidered on it, though the character for "peace" was not yet finished.

Sensing someone approaching, Xu Jiaojiao looked up: "Your Highness?!"

She quickly got up, her eyes full of apology: "Did I wake you?"

Zhao Yunzheng shook his head: "I was never asleep."

He looked at the sachet in Xu Jiaojiao's hand: "What are you doing?"

Xu Jiaojiao followed his gaze to her palm, then blushed and stammered, "An insect-repelling sachet..."