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

Chapter 140 Together We Protect This Land and Its People

The Emperor remained silent for a moment, then slowly stood up, walked to Zhao Yunzheng, and stared at him with deep eyes.

He couldn't remember when it started, but Yunzheng and he grew increasingly distant, and he gradually lost control of his son.

Thinking of the child's cold, businesslike demeanor every time he spoke to him, he felt a mix of emotions.

This child was very attached to him when he was little...

The Emperor couldn't help but think of Zhao Yunzheng's birth mother, his first wife, the Empress of the Yan Dynasty...

If it weren't for what happened back then, his Yunzheng wouldn't be the way he is now.

"Yunzheng, do you know what I'm most worried about?" The Emperor sighed softly, his voice tinged with weariness.

The melancholy tone startled Zhao Yunzheng slightly, but he quickly recovered and said, "Your subject is foolish and asks Your Majesty for guidance."

The Emperor's complex gaze fell on the Crown Prince and Zhao Yunzheng, and then he said slowly and earnestly, "What I am most worried about is not the turmoil of the court, but the struggle between you brothers. I am old, and this country will be handed over to you sooner or later. I do not want to see you brothers kill each other, and I do not want to see this country torn apart by internal strife."

Zhao Yunzheng was shaken and looked up at his father, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.

He had never seen his father so tired and helpless, nor had he ever seen such sadness in his father's eyes.

At that moment, he suddenly realized that his father might not be as ruthless as he had imagined…

“Father…” Zhao Yunzheng said in a low voice, his tone tinged with guilt: “Your subject understands your good intentions, Your subject… will certainly remember your teachings and never disappoint you.”

The Emperor nodded, patted Zhao Yunzheng on the shoulder, and said in a much gentler tone, "It's good that you understand. I hope that you brothers can get along well and protect this country together."

Zhao Yunzheng nodded slightly, his tone softening: "Your subject will certainly remember this."

The Emperor patted Zhao Yunzheng on the shoulder again, then turned and walked towards the door: "Alright, that's enough for today. You two brothers have a good chat. I'm tired, I'm going back to rest."

Zhao Yunzheng and the Crown Prince bowed in unison: "Respectfully seeing off Father Emperor."

After the Emperor left, the atmosphere in the Imperial Study eased slightly.

The Crown Prince walked to Zhao Yunzheng's side, his eyes full of worry, and said gently, "Second brother, Father Emperor was only thinking of you and me today. Don't take it to heart."

Zhao Yunzheng glanced at the Crown Prince and gently tugged at the corner of his mouth: "Don't worry, elder brother, I understand."

Seeing his second brother's exhausted expression, the Crown Prince knew that he was disheartened by his fifth brother's assassination attempt and his father's test.

Although his father had many sons, he had the best relationship with his second brother.

He had spent a lot of time with his second brother over the years, so how could he not know what his second brother was thinking?

I'm afraid my second brother doesn't care about the throne at all, or even wants to sit on it.

However, as a member of the royal family, he was often powerless to do what he wanted, and he understood his second brother's feelings.

The Crown Prince patted Zhao Yunzheng's arm, giving him a bit of encouragement: "Second brother, the court is unstable now, and we brothers should work together to overcome the difficulties. If you need anything, just come to me."

Zhao Yunzheng nodded slightly: "Thank you, brother."

The two exchanged a smile, but both knew in their hearts how much bitterness and helplessness were hidden behind that smile.

After leaving the Imperial Study, Zhao Yunzheng walked alone on the way back to Qiming Hall, his mind filled with many thoughts.

His father's probing and the crown prince's worries made him feel the burden on his shoulders growing heavier. However, now that he had come this far, he had no way to retreat. Only by continuing to move forward could he gain a foothold in this vortex of power and give his mother, Jia Rong, and Jiao Jiao a stable future.

When they returned to Qiming Palace, Jiaojiao had already woken up.

At that moment, she was leaning against the headboard reading a storybook when she heard the door open and looked up.

"Your Highness, you're back!" Although they see each other every day, Jiao Jiao still greets him with a joyful smile every time he returns.

Looking at that smile, Zhao Yunzheng felt all his fatigue disappear.

A slight smile played on his lips as he strode towards Jiaojiao, saying, "Yes, I'm back."

Xu Jiaojiao's eyelashes trembled.

After waking up from his serious injuries, Prince Chen no longer referred to himself as "this prince" in front of her.

He... abandoned his superior attitude in front of her, treating her as an equal...

She raised her hand to gently touch the dark circles under Zhao Yunzheng's eyes, her eyes full of heartache: "It's still early, Your Highness, would you like to sleep a little longer? I'll stay by your side."

Zhao Yunzheng thought for a moment and nodded: "Alright."

He was indeed very tired and wanted to snuggle in his blankets and get a good night's sleep, undisturbed by anyone and free from any worries.

Upon hearing this, Xu Jiaojiao looked at Jin Gang and said, "Jin Gang, thank you for moving the soft couch to the bedside. Your Highness, please sleep on the bed, and I will lean against the soft couch to read."

Zhao Yunzheng felt sorry for her injury: "No need, I'll just sleep on the soft couch."

Hearing this, Xu Jiaojiao didn't refuse, but simply held his hand and smiled gently, "Okay..."

It was probably the soft little hand in his palm that made him feel at ease, and Zhao Yunzheng slept soundly until he woke up after noon.

He glanced sideways and saw Xu Jiaojiao dozing off against the bedside. He couldn't help but smile, cherishing this rare moment of peace...

……

With the help of the Ghost Doctor, after staying in the palace for more than a month, Xu Jiaojiao's sword wound had recovered to the point where she could get out of bed and move around a little.

To avoid staying in the palace for too long and attracting unnecessary attention and trouble, Xu Jiaojiao, dressed in a cloak and veil, was helped by Zhao Yunzheng to board a carriage outside the Qiming Hall, as it was late autumn.

Qiming Hall is located in the inner palace, where the emperor and his consorts lived. Under normal circumstances, carriages would not appear here.

When Zhao Yunzheng helped Xu Jiaojiao out of the hall, the palace servants on duty all craned their necks to peek at her, but unfortunately Xu Jiaojiao was wrapped up tightly, and none of them could see her face.

Once the carriage had gone far away, the palace servants gathered together and began to whisper among themselves.

"Is this the woman who has been living in Qiming Palace for over a month?"

"Judging from His Highness Prince Chen's cautious manner, it must be her."

"Who is this woman?"

"I don't know. Prince Chen has protected this woman very well. I haven't heard any news about her."

"When Prince Chen carried this woman into the palace, she was covered in blood. I thought she wouldn't survive, but she actually came back to life."

"Those who survive a great calamity are bound to have good fortune in the future. Look how much Prince Chen cherishes her; her good fortune is yet to come!"

The palace servants displayed a variety of expressions.

With the defeat of the Prince of Jin, the situation in Yan Dynasty has changed. Anyone with a bit of sense can see that Yan Dynasty will inevitably fall into the hands of the Prince of Chen.

This woman might become the future mother of the nation.

It's a pity that he wasn't placed in the Qiming Hall to serve, otherwise he could have made a good impression on the future Empress Dowager.

Xu Jiaojiao didn't know what the palace servants were thinking. As the carriage swayed, she gently lifted a corner of the curtain and looked at the rapidly receding scenery outside the window, her eyes filled with inscrutable emotions…

Bai Yiru, Xie Peining, I've come back to life. I will repay you for all the evil you committed against me...