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

Chapter 138 This king has no need to explain to anyone.

"Well…"

Xu Jiaojiao let out a weak, painful moan, which, when it reached Zhao Yunzheng's ears, felt like a steel knife stabbing into his heart, causing him immense heartache.

His eyes reddened, filled with self-reproach and guilt: "Jiaojiao, I'm sorry..."

If it weren't for him, Jiao Jiao wouldn't have suffered this misfortune, let alone almost lost her life.

Xu Jiaojiao gently shook her head: "It's not your fault..."

Having seen that her beloved was safe and sound, Xu Jiaojiao fluttered her long, raven-feather-like eyelashes twice after speaking, and then fell into a deep sleep again.

Zhao Yunzheng's heart tightened.

Upon closer inspection, Zhao Yunzheng noticed that Xu Jiaojiao's breathing was gradually becoming steady and her brows were relaxing, which relieved him.

Looking at Xu Jiaojiao's pale face, Zhao Yunzheng's eyes were dark, and a hint of fierceness, which was not easily revealed, appeared in his eyes but disappeared in an instant.

……

As dawn broke and the sky began to lighten, the morning sun streamed through the window, casting a soft glow into the room.

Zhao Yunzheng, who had stayed by the bedside all night, looked gaunt with bloodshot eyes.

Just then, a soft knock came from the door, and Yingyi's voice rang out: "Master, I have something to report."

Zhao Yunzheng gently put down Xu Jiaojiao's hand, tucked the blanket around her, and then got up and went outside.

Yingyi stood outside the door, his expression grave and his gaze somber: "Master, Prince Jin has awakened..."

Zhao Yunzheng's eyes instantly turned cold, a hint of murderous intent flashing in them.

He turned to look at Xu Jiaojiao, who was still unconscious inside the room: "Order Jingang and Dali to come over and take good care of Jiaojiao."

Whether it's the Empress Dowager, him, or Jiaojiao, it's time to settle accounts with Zhao Minghuai for all these things...

He will make Zhao Minghuai pay for his crimes in blood!

Yingyi lowered his head and said in a low voice, "Yes, I will arrange it immediately."

After Dali and Jin Gang arrived, Zhao Yunzheng looked at Xu Jiaojiao with eyes full of pity and reluctance for a moment, then gently stroked the hair on her cheek and murmured softly, "Jiaojiao, I'll be right back, wait for me..."

After saying that, he stood up and strode out of the room, his back view proud and upright.

Yingyi followed closely behind: "Master, Prince Jin is in cell number one of the Heavenly Rank, and the Su father and son are in cell number one of the Earthly Rank. Which one should we go to first?"

"Go see Prince Jin first." Zhao Yunzheng didn't stop walking, his eyes filled with even more killing intent.

The icy voice sent a chill down Yingyi's spine, making him feel as if his master had come from hell.

The two walked quickly toward the No. 1 cell in the dark and damp cell. Zhao Minghuai was half-lying in the corner. His former prestige was gone, leaving only a disheveled and dejected look on his face.

Upon seeing Zhao Yunzheng enter, he tried to sit up, but to no avail.

Even so, he still curled his lips into a smirk and provocatively asked in a weak voice, "Zhao Yunzheng, do you think you've won?"

Looking at his fifth brother, whom he had fought with for many years, Zhao Yunzheng felt complicated, with an indescribable sense of disgust and exhaustion welling up inside him.

Even with death looming, he remains so arrogant!

Zhao Yunzheng narrowed his eyes slightly: "Do you think you still have the right to talk about winning or losing with me? I will settle accounts with you for everything you did to the Empress Dowager and the harm you caused to Jiaojiao."

The Prince of Jin sneered: "That woman deserves to die! And Xu Jiaojiao, she's nothing but a little bitch, yet you're completely infatuated with her."

That contemptuous and arrogant demeanor was just like that of Consort Ru when she was favored by the emperor.

There was a time when Consort Ru also mocked her mother in the same way.

However, since her mother was gentle and disliked fighting, Consort Ru became increasingly arrogant.

But he wasn't his mother, and he wouldn't give Zhao Minghuai the chance to jump over him.

Zhao Yunzheng's eyes narrowed, and he looked down at Zhao Minghuai: "If you dare to slander them again, I will make you wish you were dead!"

Zhao Minghuai laughed even more arrogantly: "You dare not kill me, for you cannot bear the crime of fratricide! If you kill me, you will not be able to answer to your father, let alone to the people of the world!"

Haha, Zhao Yunzheng, as long as you want to rise to power, you won't dare to lay a hand on me!

Ahem..."

Amidst his maniacal laughter, Zhao Minghuai vomited a mouthful of blood.

The狰狞 ​​smile was mixed with a glaring scarlet color, bizarre and absurd.

Zhao Yunzheng looked at Zhao Minghuai with a pitiful and pathetic expression, as if he had heard a joke: "Killing you is only to give myself an explanation. As for the others, I don't need to explain to anyone!"

Zhao Minghuai, the only one who ever wanted to climb the ladder was yourself. Don't assume everyone else is as selfish and hypocritical as you!

Zhao Minghuai did not believe Zhao Yunzheng's words at all.

The Emperor is old and the Crown Prince is weak. The throne will eventually be passed on to someone else. Anyone who has the chance would want to use every means to climb to the top and become the ruler of the world!

"Zhao Yunzheng, you're the selfish and hypocritical one! There's no one else here, so you don't need to pretend to be so upright and indifferent to worldly affairs!"

Seeing that Zhao Minghuai remained obstinate, Zhao Yunzheng's eyes grew even more sorrowful.

You see others as a reflection of who you are.

He couldn't change Zhao Minghuai's mind, nor did he intend to. He simply smiled and shook his head: "If you say so, then so be it. I have already presented the evidence of your treason to the Emperor. Soon, the Emperor's decree of punishment will be delivered to you. You... should take care of yourself..."

That pitiful yet contemptuous look in his eyes broke Zhao Minghuai: "Zhao Yunzheng! I haven't lost! I haven't lost!!"

A heart-wrenching roar echoed through the dark cell.

Zhao Yunzheng said no more, turned around and strode away, leaving Zhao Minghuai to curse him from behind.

Yingyi followed closely behind, whispering, "Master, the remnants of Prince Jin's faction are still active everywhere. Should we have our people wipe them out to prevent further trouble?"

Thinking of the people displaced by the Prince of Jin's actions, Zhao Yunzheng nodded slightly: "You will personally oversee this matter. Make sure these people are all rounded up and brought to justice; they must not be allowed to continue harming the people..."

Yingyi responded, "Yes, Your subordinate obeys."

After leaving the Heavenly Prison, Yingyi followed orders to purge the remaining gang members, while Zhao Yunzheng went alone to Earthly Prison No. 1.

Faced with the tearful repentance of the Su father and son, Zhao Yunzheng felt as if he had lived his entire life in just a few days.

All that was called a great undertaking, all that was called imperial power, was nothing but a ridiculous and laughable dream.

When I came out of cell number one, it was already dark.

Thinking of Jiao Jiao who was still unconscious, he hurried back to Qiming Palace, worried that Jiao Jiao would be afraid if she didn't see him when she woke up.

When they returned to Qiming Palace, Xu Jiaojiao was already awake and was leaning against the headboard, drinking the water that Jin Gang had fed her, like a cat.

Upon seeing him return, her eyes lit up, and she immediately looked up: "Your Highness!"

Fearing she might aggravate her wound, Zhao Yunzheng quickly stepped forward: "Jiaojiao, don't move, be careful of your wound!"

Walking to the bedside, he naturally took the bowl and spoon from Jin Gang's hands and carefully fed Xu Jiaojiao water in her place.

Seeing Xu Jiaojiao's forehead covered in cold sweat from the pain, Zhao Yunzheng felt a pang of heartache.

Although Xu Jiaojiao said she didn't blame him, how could he feel at ease not blaming himself for her looking like this?

"Jiaojiao, you've suffered so much..."