NFBE Chapter 2 Prince Chen already had someone he loved.
Chapter 2 Prince Chen already had someone he loved.
Mingkun Academy.
After Xu Jiaojiao left, the princess sighed softly and looked at the few plum trees in the courtyard with a melancholy expression.
Granny Wang was both angry and heartbroken: "It's all that shameless wretch Chen Xi's fault for daring to paint plum blossom designs on her hair, causing Her Highness to be sad."
Princess Consort shook her head: "Ignorance is no excuse, but this Chen Xi is really too restless. If such a woman stays by the Prince's side, she will eventually be a disaster. Give the order to have Chen Xi flogged twenty times and demote her to a lowly maid in the West Sixth Courtyard. She must not come to the East Courtyard unless summoned."
Granny Wang nodded: "Yes."
Mentioning Chen Xi inevitably brings to mind Xu Jiaojiao, who came in with her.
Wang Mama asked with some concern, "Your Highness, isn't this Xu Shi a bit too coquettish?"
If this woman manages to bewitch Prince Chen, wouldn't the Princess Consort be getting herself into a huge mess?
The words were left unsaid, but the princess, being perceptive, understood perfectly.
She withdrew her gaze and casually picked up her teacup: "The Xu family is beautiful, but look at the beauties in this mansion, which one of them isn't charming and alluring?"
Furthermore, this Lady Xu has neither a powerful in-law family to rely on, nor any talent whatsoever. Based solely on her beauty, do you think she can maintain the Prince's favor for long?"
In the three years since Prince Chen established his residence, in addition to her as the principal wife, there were two secondary wives and two concubines in the harem. As for the maids and servants, there were dozens of them, most of whom she had promoted.
Although there were many women in the inner palace, Prince Chen already had someone he loved and had never paid any attention to these women. Over the years, he had only set foot in the inner palace a handful of times, and even she, his princess consort, had not...
Thinking about her situation over the years, the princess felt increasingly frustrated.
Hopefully, this Lady Xu is capable enough to win over Prince Chen. If she's lucky enough to give birth to a son or daughter, she can rightfully take the child to live with her and raise it, thereby securing her position and reputation as a princess.
If Lady Xu is like those other worthless wretches, whom Prince Chen wouldn't even deign to glance at, then she'll only have the chance to spend the rest of her life in the backyard.
After all, in this prince's mansion, an unfavored concubine lived worse than a dog.
With a forced smile, Granny Wang replied, "She'll probably end up like those other concubines, never even getting to see the Prince."
"Never mind." The princess had already foreseen Xu Jiaojiao's future fate and sighed softly, "We'll just buy some pretty maids to bring into the mansion in a few days."
There are countless beauties in the world, and she believed that there must be one who could make Prince Chen forget that woman…
Granny Wang nodded respectfully: "Yes."
The princess looked up again at the plum tree outside the window, which was now covered with green leaves: "The prince will return to the capital in three days. His Majesty will surely be overjoyed by the prince's pacification of the barbarian rebellion. Inform the people that the manor must prepare a welcome banquet to greet the prince's triumphant return."
……
The servants in the Prince's mansion were efficient, and the steward quickly led Xu Jiaojiao to the Shi Nuan Pavilion.
Shi Nuan Pavilion is located in the west courtyard of the Prince's Mansion.
Prince Chen, his wife, and the noble concubines and secondary consorts all lived in the East Courtyard.
The west courtyard was mostly inhabited by the mansion's maids and servants, as well as the mansion's unfavored concubines.
After walking for quite a while, we finally arrived at Shi Nuan Pavilion.
As soon as she pushed open the courtyard gate, the dust that rushed in made Xu Jiaojiao sneeze twice.
The courtyard has been abandoned for a long time and is now overgrown with weeds and filled with dust.
Xu Jiaojiao's brow twitched slightly; such a courtyard was simply uninhabitable.
But the princess had already spoken, so she had no choice but to stay, whether she wanted to or not.
Xu Jiaojiao turned around without making a sound and looked at the steward who had led the way, putting two taels of silver into his hand: "Thank you for leading the way, steward. I hope you will take good care of me in this mansion in the future."
Two taels of silver isn't much, but it's still a considerable sum for a servant.
The manager received the money and was overjoyed.
He glanced into the courtyard and feigned surprise: "Oh my, how can anyone live in such a desolate place!"
"Please don't worry, Master Xu. I'll have someone clean it up right away. Please take a stroll in the garden to avoid getting your dress dirty with the dust. I'll send someone to fetch you later when the garden is clean."
Xu Jiaojiao thanked him and walked alone towards the Prince's Garden.
In my previous life, I spent half my life toiling away in the Prince Chen's mansion, yet I never got to glimpse its true face.
As you walk around, the pavilions, terraces, and trees of the Prince Chen's Mansion exude exquisite luxury, which is truly astonishing.
After walking around for a long time, Xu Jiaojiao felt a little tired, so she found a quiet, shady place to rest.
She had only been sitting down for a short while when she heard rustling sounds behind her.
"Yunniang, I miss you so much."
"You shameless thief, you start touching me the moment we meet."
A man's and a woman's voices came from inside, and Xu Jiaojiao was stunned.
It seems she came at the wrong time; she never expected to run into a pair of lovers.
Just now, seeking some peace and quiet, she found a rockery by the water. Now she is on this side of the rockery, facing the pond, while the pair of wild mandarin ducks are on the other side.
She couldn't cross the waterway, and if she wanted to leave, she would have to walk a long way around the artificial hill to avoid running into the two people.
Xu Jiaojiao inwardly lamented her bad luck.
Unexpectedly, just as she stood up, she felt a slight warmth coming from her side and behind.
anyone? !
Xu Jiaojiao was startled and turned around to look.
Two tall men wearing black iron masks were standing to her side and behind.
The two men exuded a menacing aura, and for a moment Xu Jiaojiao felt a sense of oppression, as if her neck was being choked.
Seeing her looking over, the one who was closest quickly reached out and covered her lips.
!!!
Caught off guard, Xu Jiaojiao's heart pounded and her whole body went limp.
When did these two appear?
Why is there no movement at all?
She took a shallow breath, reached out to steady herself against the artificial hill, and barely managed not to fall.
The sound continued from the other side of the artificial hill.
Man: "How's your investigation going with that matter?"
Yunniang: "There's some progress. Once it's done, you must keep your promise to me."
The man said, “Don’t worry, if this works out, they will give me three thousand taels of silver. Then we can run away to a secluded paradise and live a peaceful life.”
Yunniang retorted playfully, "When the time comes, when the time comes, you always just say 'when the time comes,' who knows if what you're saying is even true..."
The man chuckled, "Look, it's standing up, how could it not be real?"
Yunniang: "You bastard!"
The rustling sound of clothes being removed rang out.
Xu Jiaojiao: "..."
She slowly raised her eyelids and glanced at the man who was covering her mouth.
The other person frowned slightly, their gaze resolute as if they were about to go to the front lines.
For a moment, Xu Jiaojiao was both amused and exasperated, and even her fear of men lessened somewhat.
She tugged at the man's hand, signaling that she wouldn't make a sound.
The man glanced at her with a blank expression, but showed no intention of letting go.
Xu Jiaojiao: "..."
Forget it.
If you want to cover it up, then keep covering it up.
Unable to leave, Xu Jiaojiao reluctantly leaned against the artificial hill and chose to lie down.
The noise outside was unbearable, and with two men standing beside her, Xu Jiaojiao was so embarrassed she was digging her toes into the ground…