NFBE Chapter 15 Confinement and flogging
Chapter 15 Confinement and flogging
Since entering the palace, Prince Chen has only set foot in Millennium Courtyard a handful of times.
Upon suddenly seeing the Prince Chen, whom she had been longing for, Zheng Antong was momentarily dazed, followed by a frenzied joy.
She ran towards Prince Chen with cheers, without even thinking about what he had just said.
Before she even got close, she saw Prince Chen throw something at her feet.
Zheng Antong paused slightly, then stopped in his tracks.
Upon closer inspection of the objects on the ground, Zheng Antong's smile froze, and all color drained from his face.
She chuckled awkwardly, trying to hide her unease: "Your Highness, what are you doing?"
Zhao Yunzheng seemed to have anticipated that Zheng Antong would feign ignorance.
He curled his lips into a half-smile: "I've come to bring you a dress. Here, pick it up and try it on. See what my taste is like?"
Zheng Antong instinctively took two steps back: "No, no..."
Zhao Yunzheng narrowed his eyes slightly: "What? I'm offering you a reward, and you're refusing?"
At this moment, Zheng Antong wanted to cry but had no tears.
What Prince Chen threw on the ground was Xu Jiaojiao's dance dress that she had left in the changing room last night, and it still had lacquer tree sap sprinkled on it by colorful birds.
Sap from the lacquer tree can cause excruciating pain and lead to sores and pus.
If she were to wear these clothes, how could her delicate skin withstand it?
Prince Chen must have known about what happened last night, which is why he came to embarrass her.
Zheng Antong would never dare to wear these clothes.
Seeing that she hesitated to move, Zhao Yunzheng's tone carried a hint of threat: "What, do you need me to send someone to help you get dressed?"
Zheng Antong trembled and immediately knelt down, tears streaming down her face: "Your Highness, please forgive me! I was just confused for a moment. Please, for the sake of my father, forgive me this time!"
Seeing that Zheng Antong had confessed without being asked, Zhao Yunzheng snorted coldly: "Haven't I told you that once you enter the palace, you should keep a low profile? Zheng Antong, my patience is limited. If there is a next time, don't blame me for being impolite!"
Zheng Antong cried bitterly, pleading with each word, "Your Highness, I only loved you too much and couldn't bear to see other women by your side, so I acted impulsively. I promise, it will never happen again! Please, please don't be angry with me..."
She said so much, but Zhao Yunzheng remained unmoved.
He merely scoffed, "You think a simple 'I love you too much' can erase all your sins?"
Zheng Antong shook her head, explaining impatiently, "No, no, that's not what I meant..."
Regardless of what it meant, Zhao Yunzheng had no intention of listening any further.
He coldly interrupted Zheng Antong: "From this day forward, Consort Zheng shall be confined to her quarters for three months and shall not leave the Millennium Courtyard without being summoned. Her servant Caique has committed treason and plotted to harm her mistress; his crime is unforgivable and he shall be beaten to death on the spot."
As Zhao Yunzheng spoke, Caique and Zheng Antong both collapsed to the ground.
Amidst the mournful pleas of the colorful sparrow, Zhao Yunzheng strode away from Millennium Courtyard, his attendants slamming the courtyard gate shut behind him.
When the news of Caique's death by beating reached Shi Nuan Pavilion, Lianye was changing Xu Jiaojiao's dressing.
Lianye's voice was tinged with pleasure: "Master, Caique is dead. The prince personally gave the order, and she was beaten with a cane for a full half hour. Her blood flowed six or seven feet before she breathed her last."
Xu Jiaojiao was not surprised by this result.
You should know that our Prince Chen has never been a kind-hearted or good-tempered person.
In particular, he disliked Zheng Antong especially.
She repeatedly feigned weakness, prompting Prince Chen to take the initiative to uncover the truth.
When the truth was revealed by Prince Chen himself, the high and mighty Prince Chen naturally could not tolerate the existence of such a vicious person in his inner quarters.
So even if the rainbow sparrow doesn't die, it will shed its skin.
Caique, Zheng Antong's dowry maid, was beaten to death, which was a significant blow to Zheng Antong.
With a life now in the balance, there's only one path left between her and Zheng Antong: a fight to the death.
The princess must be very pleased with this situation.
However, Zheng Antong has the support of the Yongkang Marquis's Mansion, so it won't be easy to bring him down.
If she's not careful, one wrong move could trap her and she might even lose her life.
Xu Jiaojiao chuckled lightly: "Don't be too happy yet. Even a rabbit will bite when cornered. Besides, the other party is Consort Zheng, who was pampered and raised in the palm of the Yongkang Marquis's mansion. This time, we turned the tables and made Consort Zheng suffer such a great loss. With her personality, she will definitely seek revenge."
Lianye, who had been happy, immediately became worried: "Oh? What should we do?"
Xu Jiaojiao's expression remained calm, as if she didn't care about Zheng Antong at all: "It's alright, we'll just deal with whatever comes our way."
Her calmness reassured Lianye: "This servant believes in my mistress. My mistress will surely find a way to overcome all difficulties!"
Although Lianye and Xu Jiaojiao had only spent a few days together, Lianye had completely trusted Xu Jiaojiao and obeyed her every word.
She always felt that Master Xu was different from the other masters, and she believed that Master Xu would definitely win the favor of Prince Chen!
Over here at Millennium Courtyard.
The maid, Tao Xiang, cautiously stepped forward: "Master, Cai Que... is gone..."
Although Caique was a maid, she was someone he had grown up with.
Now that the colorful bird is gone, Zheng Antong's heart aches.
She was so angry that she burst into tears.
After a long while, she calmed down and beckoned to Taoxiang: "Moyan, I'll write a letter in a bit. Find a way to take it to my mother. Once the letter arrives, you'll be rewarded handsomely."
Xu Jiaojiao, you just wait!
I'll make you pay for your life, Caique, sooner or later!
West Sixth Courtyard, the low-class servants' quarters.
Hearing the other maids' gossip, Chen Xi's eyes were practically spitting fire with jealousy and hatred.
During the few days she spent recuperating in bed, she thought it over and over and finally figured out why the princess had been so angry that day.
It's all because that bitch Xu Jiaojiao lied to her!
The princess simply doesn't like elegant women; otherwise, she wouldn't have taken a liking to Xu Jiaojiao, that vixen with a bewitching and alluring appearance, instead of choosing her!
If it weren't for Xu Jiaojiao deceiving her, with her looks, she would definitely have won the Prince's favor, and there would be no chance for Xu Jiaojiao!
Hearing the maids mention the feud between Xu Jiaojiao and Consort Zheng, Chen Xi had some thoughts in mind.
They say the enemy of your enemy is your friend.
Perhaps she could join forces with Consort Zheng to deal with this vixen!
Mingkun Courtyard, here with the Princess.
Granny Wang brought over a plate of delicate lotus-shaped pastries: "Your Highness, the colorful sparrow is gone. The Prince himself gave the order."
The princess paused slightly in the hand that was holding the lotus-shaped pastry.
She had known Zhao Yunzheng for so many years, and this was the first time she had ever seen him so enraged for a woman.
After a moment, she chuckled softly, a hint of madness in her eyes.
The Xu family, whom she had brought up unintentionally, had given her such a big surprise.
Granny Wang carefully served a cup of tea: "Is there anything we need to do?"
The princess accepted the tea, regaining her usual refined and dignified demeanor: "No need, let's just observe how things unfold..."