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

Chapter 13: In sexual matters, one should not be too vigorous.

"what……"

The hug was so tight that it accidentally touched the wound, and Xu Jiaojiao couldn't help but cry out in pain.

Zhao Yunzheng came to his senses.

Seeing the woman in his arms gently biting her lip, her delicate brows furrowed, and her desperate attempt to endure the pain, he abruptly released her.

Seeing the faint traces of blood on the bandages, Zhao Yunzheng's face showed an unnatural embarrassment.

Lost in thought, he lost his temper and injured Xu Jiaojiao again.

He got up somewhat awkwardly and helped Xu Jiaojiao lean back on the soft pillows: "You rest for a while. I will order someone to summon the imperial physician."

As soon as he finished speaking, without even waiting for Xu Jiaojiao's response, he turned and left, his steps slightly hurried.

When Lianye, who was serving outside, saw Prince Chen come out, she immediately knelt down and bowed.

Zhao Yunzheng looked down at her: "Go in and serve your master. Be sure to be careful."

Lianye readily agreed and quickly went inside.

Seeing Xu Jiaojiao leaning against the headboard, she hurried forward, her eyes filled with heartache: "The prince has his shadow guards protecting him, why do you have to put yourself in danger?"

Xu Jiaojiao's voice was slightly hoarse as she smiled faintly, "It's just a minor injury, nothing to worry about. As long as Your Highness is alright, everything is worth it."

Outside, Zhao Yunzheng hadn't actually gone far.

Hearing the words of the master and servant inside the room, he felt complicated.

Since the incident involving his mother, he has avoided women like the plague and has had very little contact with them.

In particular, many of the women in the Empress's palace appeared innocent and charming on the surface, but were actually treacherous and vicious behind the scenes.

These women killed without blinking an eye, and were no less ruthless than him, a man who had been to the battlefield.

When he saw Xu Jiaojiao plotting against the maid, he thought Xu Jiaojiao was that kind of person.

But at this moment, a slight hesitation arose in his heart that he himself was unaware of.

It is said that a person's subconscious reaction is the most genuine.

Faced with life and death, Xu Jiaojiao rushed forward so fearlessly. Was that pure love just a pretense?

With such selflessness and fearlessness, could she be a treacherous and vicious person?

Just as he was getting a headache from thinking about it, the imperial physician rushed over.

Zhao Yunzheng and the imperial physician entered the room together.

The imperial physician carefully removed the bandages, and sure enough, the wound underneath reopened.

Seeing the gruesome wound, Zhao Yunzheng's eyes showed a hint of barely perceptible heartache.

The imperial physician prescribed medicine and re-bandaged Xu Jiaojiao's wound. Before leaving, he instructed her, "Your wound is quite deep. Do not let it come into contact with water for the next few days, and remember not to overexert yourself!"

After a pause, the imperial physician looked at Zhao Yunzheng hesitantly, "Especially Your Highness... in matters of the bedroom, you must not be too vigorous..."

Zhao Yunzheng's body trembled, and his expression immediately became somewhat unnatural.

Some things are impossible to explain to outsiders, so he could only cough lightly to cover his embarrassment: "I understand."

Now look at Xu Jiaojiao.

Her charming face flushed crimson, and she lowered her head shyly, murmuring, "I understand..."

Her shy and delicate appearance aroused the man's deepest desire to conquer and protect her.

Zhao Yunzheng looked at Xu Jiaojiao with a deep gaze.

Her clothes were half undone, revealing a small portion of her fair shoulder. Her small hands frantically pulled the blanket to her chest, so tightly that even her fingertips turned white, showing how extremely embarrassed she was.

Zhao Yunzheng swallowed hard.

Noticing his own unease, he quickly looked away and didn't linger any longer.

Counting from the day at the artificial hill, he and Xu Jiaojiao had only known each other for a few days, yet this woman always seemed to be able to disturb his peace of mind.

He didn't really like this feeling.

After the imperial physician left, Zhao Yunzheng helped Xu Jiaojiao lie down: "It's getting late. You can rest at Mingqian Courtyard tonight. Tomorrow morning, I will have Steward Liu escort you back to Shinuan Pavilion. I still have official business to attend to, so I'll be leaving now."

Xu Jiaojiao nodded obediently: "Okay, thank you, Your Highness. Take care, Your Highness."

After Zhao Yunzheng left, Lianye asked, somewhat puzzled, "Master, why didn't you take the opportunity to keep the Prince here?"

Xu Jiaojiao swung her legs leisurely: "No rush, let's cast a long line to catch a big fish..."

What she wanted was a bright future, not just the Prince's temporary favor.

The fleeting favor was nothing but a mirage. Once the Prince's novelty wore off, she would become nothing more than a smear of mosquito blood on the wall, deeply despised by him.

Therefore, she wanted to be the person most cherished in Prince Chen's heart.

Even though the Prince's mansion was filled with beauties, she was the only one he truly loved.

Thinking of Prince Chen's attitude tonight, Xu Jiaojiao couldn't help but smile slightly.

Tonight's performance was a great success; the way Prince Chen looked at her was noticeably different from before.

After tonight, she will begin to gradually infiltrate Prince Chen's life, becoming ubiquitous and making him unable to live without her.

And she will, through the Prince Chen's help, gradually escape her lowly status and the fate of being bullied by others.

I really hope that the day she becomes a superior person and enjoys a wonderful life will come soon, so that she can retire sooner and live her carefree life...

……

Mingqian Courtyard, a side courtyard.

Shadow One presented a statement: "Please take a look, Master."

Zhao Yunzheng quickly glanced at it twice, then slammed the confession heavily on the table: "Well done, Prince Jin!"

Yingyi hesitated for a moment before slowly saying, "Master, I have discovered something else."

Zhao Yunzheng turned his head and asked, "What is it?"

Shadow One: "When my men searched the Prince's mansion, we found a suspicious maid in the changing room of the banquet hall..."

Given the current chaotic situation in the previous dynasty, it is not surprising that treacherous people have appeared in his residence.

Zhao Yunzheng said calmly, "Take him away and interrogate him thoroughly."

Ying looked troubled: "But this maid is Consort Zheng's personal maid, Caique..."

Zhao Yunzheng's brow twitched.

Could it be that Zheng Antong is also involved in the assassination?

The idea had barely formed when Zhao Yunzheng immediately rejected it.

Although Zheng Antong was stupid and unreasonable, she was wholeheartedly devoted to him and would never do anything to harm him.

After a moment's thought, Zhao Yunzheng asked, "Were there any questions?"

Yingyi nodded slightly: "Of course we questioned her. Caique said that she was deliberately locked in the changing room by Concubine Xu's maid, Lianye..."

At this point, Zhao Yunzheng naturally understood that this was nothing more than another power struggle among the women in the inner quarters.

Upon hearing that this matter was related to Xu Jiaojiao, Zhao Yunzheng felt somewhat annoyed.

He never interfered in matters concerning the inner quarters of the household, as long as they didn't go too far.

In the past, he would have directly handed the person over to the princess and let her handle it as she saw fit.

But today, he wanted to get to the bottom of it.

What exactly happened between Xu Jiaojiao and Zheng Antong?

Zhao Yunzheng's gaze darkened slightly: "Bring Caique up."

……

The next day.

Xu Jiaojiao had just gotten up.

Just as I finished washing up, Prince Chen arrived.

The door opened, and the man walked in against the light. Xu Jiaojiao keenly sensed that something was off about the man's demeanor.

He was so tender and affectionate last night, but this morning he's chillingly cold.

Judging from the man's expression, he must already know what happened last night.

A glint of light flashed in Xu Jiaojiao's eyes, so fast it disappeared in an instant...