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

Chapter 56 I hate being coerced the most

Xu Jiaojiao lowered her eyes and pondered carefully.

Although the courtyard was sealed off, Yuhua Courtyard's food, clothing, and daily necessities were not reduced. Moreover, she even had bird's nest porridge to eat. This shows that the truth about the witchcraft incident has not yet come to light. Prince Chen needs to seal off the courtyard to show others and avoid giving others a reason to criticize him.

Thinking of this, Xu Jiaojiao looked at Lianye and asked, "How are the things I asked you to do going?"

Lianye nodded slightly, got up and took a box from the bedside table, carefully handing it to Xu Jiaojiao: "This is what you wanted."

Xu Jiaojiao took it and glanced at it, then nodded in satisfaction: "As expected of my lotus leaf, it's well made."

Lianye smiled shyly.

After laughing, she immediately became serious again: "Master, didn't you tell Lu Hai to guard Yuhua Courtyard? Guess what, you were right, a thief really did break in that night."

As Lianye spoke, she gestured with her hands: "At that time, Lu Hai jumped down from the tree and led the maids into the main house. He hit the thief on the head with a stick, knocking her dizzy!"

Before the person could react, Granny Li pounced on her with a rope and tied her up! The maidservant took the opportunity to kick her twice, making her scream! Tonghua, being the cleverest, slipped Lu Hai's foot-washing cloth into her mouth while she was screaming!

"Pfft..." Xu Jiaojiao laughed out loud: "Then this person is quite pitiful, after all, Lu Hai's foot-washing cloth really stinks."

"Hahaha!" Lianye clutched her stomach, laughing until tears streamed down her face. "Master, that person is still tied up in our courtyard's small kitchen. You haven't woken up yet, so I haven't dared to hand him over!"

During the month or so that she followed Xu Jiaojiao, Lianye witnessed a lot of open and covert struggles. Xu Jiaojiao would often give her a word or two of advice. Over time, she learned to apply what she learned to other situations and to be careful in everything she did.

Hearing her say that, Xu Jiaojiao nodded slightly: "You're right, Lianye is getting smarter and smarter!"

Receiving the praise, Lianye chuckled: "Master, now we need to go and explain to the Prince that it wasn't us who released the witchcraft dolls, right?"

Xu Jiaojiao shook her head: "No rush. It'll lose its charm if the truth is revealed by oneself. Prince Chen has to uncover it little by little..."

Only in this way can she better arouse Prince Chen's anger and pity, and make the instigator suffer the most severe revenge!

At this moment, more than seeking justice for her wrongful conviction, Xu Jiaojiao was thinking about Tian Chunhua.

She rubbed her fingertips together, and asked casually, "How is Concubine Tian?"

Lianye lowered her eyes and thought for a while, then shook her head: "I don't know. There's no news about Concubine Tian. I only know that she was seriously injured."

The arrow pierced deep into her flesh, and Tian Chunhua was indeed seriously injured. If she hadn't been properly cared for, she might not have survived.

Xu Jiaojiao felt a headache coming on when she thought of what Tian Chunhua said before she collapsed.

This person committed many evil deeds against himself. Although he was coerced, he did them anyway, and some harm cannot be erased so easily.

Tian Chunhua wanted to use the life-saving grace to blackmail her into protecting her family. Isn't this another form of coercion?

But Xu Jiaojiao hates being coerced the most!

Tian Chunhua can die, but not because of saving her!

Xu Jiaojiao rubbed her temples: "Lianye, do you still remember that bottle of ginseng slices you gave me?"

Lianye was completely baffled: "I remember."

Xu Jiaojiao exhaled softly: "Try to send the ginseng slices and wound medicine to Shi Nuan Pavilion, and also check on Tian Chunhua's condition."

Lianye was even more confused: "Master, why did you still save Concubine Tian after how she treated you?"

Xu Jiaojiao didn't explain, she just tugged at the corner of her mouth: "Good lotus leaf, don't ask anymore, you go quickly, and after you go, go to Mingqian Courtyard and tell the prince that I've woken up."

Seeing that Xu Jiaojiao was unwilling to talk, Lianye did not press the matter and immediately bowed and left.

Lianye moved quickly, and about an hour later, Prince Chen arrived.

As soon as Prince Chen entered, before he even got close, his voice rang out: "Jiaojiao, how are you feeling?"

Xu Jiaojiao quickly stood up to greet him: "This concubine greets Your Highness. May Your Highness be well."

Upon entering the inner room, seeing Xu Jiaojiao's increasingly frail figure and bloodless cheeks, Prince Chen strode forward and helped her up: "No need for formalities, go back to bed and rest."

Back in bed, Xu Jiaojiao cautiously observed Prince Chen's expression. He wasn't as cheerful as usual, and he spoke less, exuding fear and timidity.

Prince Chen sighed inwardly, "What are you thinking about?"

Xu Jiaojiao hesitated and dared not speak. Her beautiful fox-like eyes turned red instantly when she was asked this question, like peach blossoms in spring rain, making people feel sorry for her.

Zhao Yunzheng gently brushed aside the stray hairs by Xu Jiaojiao's ear with his finger, his tone tender: "Jiaojiao, do you want to ask me about witchcraft?"

Xu Jiaojiao trembled like a startled grasshopper, her already pale face turning as white as paper.

Zhao Yunzheng could tell that Xu Jiaojiao was terrified.

He took Xu Jiaojiao's bandaged hand into his palm: "Don't be afraid. I know you didn't do this. With me here, no one can hurt you."

Xu Jiaojiao looked up in disbelief, her eyes welling up with tears that condensed into beads and rolled down her cheeks one by one.

Her eyes were filled with surprise, emotion, and adoration. A moment later, she threw herself into Prince Chen's arms, her voice trembling, "Your Highness, your trust in me is so great, even if you asked me to go to hell right now, I would be willing..."

Zhao Yunzheng held Xu Jiaojiao in his arms, gently stroking her soft, dark hair, his heart aching with heartache: "What nonsense are you talking about? Someone as good as you, how could you go to hell..."

Xu Jiaojiao smiled through her tears, but the next second she sighed with a worried expression: "I am very happy that Your Highness believes in me, but the matter of witchcraft is of great importance. If we do not find the real culprit, I am afraid it will be difficult to silence the gossip. I am worried that Your Highness will be troubled by those with ulterior motives because of this matter."

The Yan Dynasty strictly forbids the practice of witchcraft and sorcery; once discovered, it is a serious crime that implicates three entire clans.

The whole capital has been talking about this matter for the past two days, and it has also been mentioned in the court. Even today, when the court adjourned, the Crown Prince specifically instructed him to handle the matter properly and not leave any room for gossip. If the truth of this matter cannot be found out, Zhao Yunzheng is well aware of the consequences.

In the past two days, he had discovered some clues and knew that Xu Jiaojiao had suffered a great injustice. However, he did not expect that after waking up, Xu Jiaojiao would not think about seeking justice for herself, but would worry about whether he would be harassed by others.

Zhao Yunzheng's expression was complex; his usually resolute and cold face was now full of tenderness.

A sweet feeling welled up in his heart, and he felt secretly happy and joyful, but more than anything, he felt affection for Xu Jiaojiao.

This silly woman is truly devoted to him. She always endures her grievances alone, fearing that they might cause him trouble. He must not let her down.

Zhao Yunzheng looked at Xu Jiaojiao's hands, which were wrapped up like a dumpling, with heartache, and gently comforted her, "Jiaojiao, just focus on recovering from your injuries. Don't worry about anything else. I assure you, I will give you an explanation for the suffering you've endured..."