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

Chapter 47 Tea Tasting

"Jiaojiao, the Empress Dowager is aloof and dislikes noise. She may seem strict, but she is actually gentle. When you see her, be careful with your words and actions. Answer her questions, and if she doesn't ask, stay by my side. I will accompany you, so you don't need to be afraid."

Seeing that Xu Jiaojiao's eyes were downcast and she looked very nervous, Zhao Yunzheng couldn't help but gently comfort her.

Xu Jiaojiao smiled gently, but the smile was not strong. Her eyes were full of unease and caution as she prepared to meet the mother of her beloved: "I understand. I will not make things difficult for Your Highness."

However, when they arrived at the Phoenix Palace, Zhao Yunzheng was locked out. The Empress only allowed Xu Jiaojiao to enter, and did not allow Zhao Yunzheng to go in with her.

Zhao Yunzheng: "..."

Thinking of the gloom in Prince Chen's eyes, Xu Jiaojiao felt like laughing.

With a creak, the palace door opened.

Xu Jiaojiao pressed down on the corners of her mouth, and under the guidance of the maid, she gracefully stepped into the room, knelt down and kowtowed: "This concubine, Xu Jiaojiao, greets Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."

The Empress raised her eyelids, her calm, deep eyes looking at the slender figure kneeling on the ground.

A while ago, she heard that a new concubine had been brought into Zheng'er's household. This concubine had taken a knife for Zheng'er at the welcoming banquet, so she was very favored.

She didn't take it to heart at the time.

The women in the inner courtyard are like blooming flowers, flourishing for a time before withering away. This concubine, out of gratitude for being saved, may bloom a little longer, but in the end, she too cannot escape the fate of withering.

But recently she heard that this concubine, relying on the favor of being saved, had become arrogant and domineering in Zheng'er's mansion, even daring to bully the concubines and secondary consorts.

How can such a restless woman stay by Zheng'er's side?!

The Empress had already intended to give Xu Jiaojiao a warning, and now that she heard that Jia Rong had brought her into the palace, she took the opportunity to summon her to Fengqi Palace.

According to the servants who were summoned, Zheng'er and this woman were behaving intimately on the way here, whispering to each other. The Empress was increasingly dissatisfied and locked Zhao Yunzheng out of the room.

Seeing Xu Jiaojiao bowing respectfully, the Empress's dissatisfaction lessened considerably.

She just didn't immediately tell Xu Jiaojiao to get up.

The Empress spoke calmly and unhurriedly, revealing a faint sense of world-weariness and detachment: "Raise your head."

Xu Jiaojiao obediently straightened up, slightly raised her chin, but did not look directly at the Empress, showing her full respect.

"She is indeed a beauty." Seeing that she was sensible, the Empress finally relented and said, "Get up."

Xu Jiaojiao thanked him before getting up.

The maids in the palace were very perceptive and brought out a chair.

Xu Jiaojiao didn't sit down immediately. Instead, she took out a beauty recipe that she had written in Qiyun Palace earlier and handed it to her maid.

"Your Majesty, I enjoy reading ancient books in my spare time. A few days ago, I came across a beauty secret recipe in one of them. It is said that applying this recipe to the face can make the skin as smooth as jade and as white as pearl. I tried it and found it to be very good. Now I would like to present this recipe to Your Majesty."

It wouldn't be good to meet your mother-in-law empty-handed for the first time, but time was short and Xu Jiaojiao didn't understand the Empress's temperament, so she took the risk with her all-powerful beauty recipe.

Prince Chen said that the Empress was as graceful as a chrysanthemum, but Xu Jiaojiao thought otherwise.

Sitting on the throne of Empress, one feels lonely at the top. Although she is the most honored woman in the world, she cannot receive her husband's wholehearted treatment. If she competes and fights like other concubines, she will be criticized by the world as selfish and jealous, unfit to be the mother of a country.

The saying "a person as delicate as a chrysanthemum" was merely an excuse for her to conceal her sorrow.

It's likely that the Empress also longed for the Emperor's favor; otherwise, she wouldn't have deliberately acted as if she didn't care about anything.

Unfortunately, being too deliberate backfired, turning the Empress into the resentful woman she is today.

As expected, after the maid handed over the prescription, the Empress was not offended. Instead, she carefully examined Xu Jiaojiao's face.

Xu Jiaojiao, a concubine brought up by a maid, had skin as white as jade, even better than many pampered noble ladies.

It seems she wasn't lying after all.

The Empress folded the prescription in half and placed it carefully on the coffee table beside her. Then she looked at Xu Jiaojiao and said, "You're very thoughtful. Please sit down."

Hearing that the Empress's tone was gentler than before, Xu Jiaojiao's lips curved into a barely perceptible smile.

Great, you made the right bet!

That makes things much easier from here on out.

Xu Jiaojiao bowed slightly and sat down, and a maid brought her a cup of tea.

The Empress picked up her teacup at the opportune moment: "Songshan Yunwu, this is Zheng'er's favorite tea. Please taste it and see if the Songshan Yunwu in my palace is as good as the one in Zheng'er's residence."

Xu Jiaojiao was just a concubine who was brought up from a maid, and she rarely had the opportunity to come into contact with good tea, let alone taste it. The Empress was testing whether she would deliberately flatter Xu Jiaojiao in order to please her.

After taking a small sip of tea, she couldn't help but sigh, "The tea is clear and the flavor is mellow. Your Majesty's tea is undoubtedly excellent. It's just a pity that I never drink tea at home. I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint Your Majesty this time and won't be able to tell the difference."

The Empress gave a soft snort.

Xu Jiaojiao was clever; she simply said she had never drunk tea before, thus deflecting the question.

As Zheng'er's favored concubine, Xu Jiaojiao naturally had to serve him often, so how could she not have tasted this tea?

The Queen liked intelligent women, but disliked those who were self-righteous, especially those who tried to take advantage of her son!

Xu Jiaojiao is just like the other women in the harem; she's a cunning and scheming vixen. It's fine to be a little infatuated with such a woman for a while, but we must never let her bewitch Zheng'er's mind!

Thinking of this, the Empress decided to give Xu Jiaojiao a warning: "You said you've never drunk this tea before?"

Xu Jiaojiao sensed the doubt and anger in the Empress's tone and quickly stood up to question her: "Yes, I have never drunk this tea."

Seeing that she was still clenching her teeth and refusing to budge, the Empress's face suddenly turned cold: "Zheng'er especially loves Songshan Yunwu tea and drinks it almost every day. As his concubine, you often serve him. How come you have never drunk it?"

Xu Jiaojiao trembled and knelt down innocently and fearfully: "Your Majesty, I have indeed never drunk this tea."

With Prince Chen not present, Xu Jiaojiao had no need to feign weakness and keep her words to herself.

After all, she had angered the Empress, and she was truly in for a bad time.

Before the Empress could erupt, Xu Jiaojiao continued to explain: "The Prince is busy with official duties and often drinks tea to stay awake while reviewing official documents late into the night. However, drinking too much tea can cause insomnia, anxiety, palpitations, and can also damage teeth and bones."

I know that Your Highness has a history of insomnia, and drinking too much tea will worsen it. So I asked the imperial physician for some calming and invigorating medicinal diet recipes and herbal drinks to replace tea.

Your Highness bears the heavy responsibility of the nation, and I know I cannot stop you from working tirelessly on state affairs every night. This is all I can do.

Xu Jiaojiao paused, her eyes welling up with tears: "Your Majesty, I have no other wish but that the Prince may always be healthy and that I may stay by his side."