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

Chapter 14 I dare not

"Your Highness, you've arrived!" Xu Jiaojiao, who was putting on her shoes and getting out of bed, was overjoyed to see Prince Chen and couldn't wait to get up and bow.

In her haste to get up, Xu Jiaojiao tripped over her shoes, which she hadn't put on properly, and fell straight forward.

Xu Jiaojiao let out a gasp.

Zhao Yunzheng reacted quickly, stepping forward to catch Xu Jiaojiao and pulling her into his arms.

Xu Jiaojiao huddled in Zhao Yunzheng's arms, trembling like a frightened little rabbit.

She glanced anxiously at the shoes on the ground, and only after confirming she was alright did she breathe a sigh of relief. Grateful and admiring, she looked up at Prince Chen: "Thank you, Your Highness. If it weren't for your agility, I'm afraid I would have been badly injured..."

Although Zhao Yunzheng was never short of sycophants, his heart still couldn't help but beat faster when he looked into the woman's eyes, which were as sincere as a clear spring and without any impurities.

The question that was originally meant to be asked turned out to be: "Did you sprain your ankle?"

Xu Jiaojiao shook her head, got up from Zhao Yunzheng's embrace, and did not linger any longer: "I am fine."

Suddenly finding his arms empty, Zhao Yunzheng rubbed his fingertips together, reluctantly withdrawing his hand.

Remembering his purpose, he asked, "Do you know what a rainbow sparrow is?"

Xu Jiaojiao lowered her eyes and thought for a moment: "Is Your Highness referring to the maidservant beside Sister Zheng?"

Zhao Yunzheng's tone was cold and distant, but his attitude was much better than when he first entered the room: "Is there any discord between you and Zheng Antong?"

Xu Jiaojiao's face turned pale, and she knelt down with a thud: "This concubine dares not."

Given Zheng Antong's status, how could she dare to have a falling out with him?

Given Zheng Antong's current status and position, crushing a helpless and powerless concubine like her would be a piece of cake.

Now that Zhao Yunzheng is asking her questions without even knowing the facts, she naturally feels wronged.

Xu Jiaojiao's tears welled up in her eyes, as if they were about to spill out at any moment.

She fought back her tears, desperately trying to hold them back: "Your Highness, Sister Zheng is like the blazing sun. Even a glance from her fills me with awe. How could I possibly go out of my way to provoke her?"

Yes, Zheng Antong is arrogant and domineering, yet he has powerful backers, while Xu Jiaojiao is just a concubine, humble and weak.

Unless Xu Jiaojiao is stupid, she probably wouldn't provoke Zheng Antong on her own initiative.

Zhao Yunzheng's attitude softened considerably: "Tell me, why did you have your maid lock up Caique last night?"

Xu Jiaojiao trembled, her eyes filled with unease. Her trembling eyelashes and crumpled handkerchief revealed her inner panic.

Seeing her standing there pitifully, yet not answering his question, Zhao Yunzheng couldn't help but hesitate, and his eyes darkened again.

Zheng Antong is not the kind of woman who is good at scheming. If she were to deal with someone, she would use despicable methods that would become public knowledge.

Could it be that Xu Jiaojiao really used some tricks to deal with Zheng Antong, which is why she dared not speak up?

Are all women in this world like this, putting on one face in public and another in private, pretending to be weak and pitiful in front of him, but being ruthless and cruel behind his back?

Thinking of this, Zhao Yunzheng's eyes became as deep as a pool, and his tone turned cold and hard, even containing a hint of sarcasm: "With me here, you can be fearless and say whatever you want without being so cowardly."

These cold words pierced my heart like a knife.

Xu Jiaojiao could no longer hold back her tears, which fell like pearls from a broken string down her fair and jade-like cheeks.

"I know that Your Highness bears great responsibilities for the country and the people, and I do not wish for you to be tied down by matters of the inner quarters. I also dare not presume to ask for your favor."

"But I am of lowly status. In this vast palace, if I do not find a way to protect myself, I am afraid I will be swallowed up without even leaving a bone."

She sniffed and stubbornly turned her head away, not wanting the man to see her grievances.

Zhao Yunzheng's expression was somewhat unnatural.

Could it be that he misunderstood her?

Seeing Xu Jiaojiao's beautiful fox-like eyes red from crying, Zhao Yunzheng finally softened.

He comforted himself, thinking that he would be more tolerant and patient with Xu Jiaojiao because she had saved him twice.

"Tell me the truth. If you have truly been wronged, I will stand up for you."

Upon hearing this, Xu Jiaojiao's beautiful eyes sparkled, and she looked at Zhao Yunzheng with sincere eyes, filled with expectation and reliance on him.

She bit her lip lightly and mustered her courage to say, "At the welcoming banquet, Lianye discovered that Caique was following me to the changing room. Lianye was worried that Caique would harm me, so she lured Caique away and locked her up."

"It was indeed wrong to lock someone up without asking why, but Lianye did it to protect her master. I beg Your Highness not to blame her. If Sister Zheng is truly angry, I am willing to take the punishment in Lianye's place..."

Xu Jiaojiao bowed and kowtowed, her words earnest.

Recalling the scene from last night when he questioned Caique and she fiercely accused Xu Jiaojiao, Zhao Yunzheng felt a mix of emotions.

It is said that a servant follows his master.

Like her master Zheng Antong, Caique only knows how to throw tantrums.

Let's look at Xu Jiaojiao and Lianye again.

Xu Jiaojiao was weak and easily bullied, so Lianye was also timid and fearful. Every time she saw him, she was as obedient as a little chick.

Looking at Xu Jiaojiao's slender figure, Zhao Yunzheng felt a pang of sadness in his heart.

It seems that Zheng Antong was unhappy that Xu Jiaojiao had been elevated to the status of a concubine. In addition, he had embarrassed Zheng Antong in public yesterday, so the woman vented all her anger and resentment on Xu Jiaojiao and wanted to take advantage of the banquet to make a move against her.

However, Zheng Antong and her servant were so stupid that Xu Jiaojiao and her servant noticed their deception and decided to play along, locking them in the changing room.

Now look at Xu Jiaojiao.

She was bullied by Zheng Antong and had to endure his doubts. She was clearly aggrieved and kept crying, but she still had to protect her maid.

Such a delicate woman, yet so kind and resilient…

Zhao Yunzheng bent down, took Xu Jiaojiao's arms, and pulled her up from the ground: "I will investigate this matter thoroughly and will definitely not let you suffer any injustice."

Xu Jiaojiao was surprised and delighted, and couldn't help but throw herself into Zhao Yunzheng's arms: "Thank you, Your Highness!"

Holding Xu Jiaojiao in his arms, Zhao Yunzheng gently patted her back to comfort her, "Be careful, don't aggravate your wounds..."

The inner residence of Prince Chen.

After breakfast, the masters of each courtyard all heard the same piece of news.

Prince Chen personally escorted Xu Jiaojiao back to the Stone Warm Pavilion.

After delivering the person, Xu Jiaojiao hugged Prince Chen at the entrance of Shi Nuan Pavilion, and Prince Chen did not push her away.

In an instant, a turbulent atmosphere swept through the mansion, and various speculations spread like wildfire.

Millennium House.

"You bitch!!"

Zheng Antong was furious when he heard the rumors.

She hadn't even won the emperor's favor yet, and that bitch Xu Jiaojiao beat her to it!

Why didn't that assassin stab Xu Jiaojiao to death last night?

Seeing the colorful bird serving nearby, Zheng Antong became even angrier.

She slapped Caique hard across the face: "Useless! You can't even do this simple thing right. What use are you to me!"

The colorful sparrow knelt down in terror, kowtowing repeatedly: "This servant knows her mistake, this servant will definitely do better next time!"

The voice just fell.

The door to the room was pushed open, and Zhao Yunzheng's cold and disgusted voice came through: "Next time? There won't be a next time!"