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

Chapter 40 The Xu family is simply audacious

Zhao Yunzheng looked up at Marquis Ningde, his words carrying a rather unreasonable and domineering tone: "Marquis Ningde, did you hear that? Jiaojiao said she didn't poison anyone, so there must be more to this matter. Why don't you investigate further, Marquis Ningde?"

He curled his lips into a half-smile: "Of course, if the servants in the Ningde Marquis's residence can't find out, I don't mind having the Shadow Guards investigate personally."

Marquis Ningde was on the verge of tears: "..."

Every household has its share of shady dealings. If the shadow guards were to investigate personally, what would become of them?

We absolutely must not let Prince Chen investigate this matter!

Prince Chen clearly doesn't want to admit this. Does he think that the Marquis of Ningde's mansion has to bear all the consequences of so many nobles being poisoned?

What's more, among those poisoned was a high-ranking princess.

This catastrophic disaster is something the Ningde Marquis's mansion cannot afford to bear.

No, even if he offends Prince Chen this time, he cannot let Xu Jiaojiao, the culprit, go.

The expressions of everyone else in the banquet hall also changed.

Prince Chen looked aloof and had never been close to women all these years, so it was unexpected that he would fall for a woman from a non-noble family.

For a moment, everyone's gaze towards Xu Jiaojiao became complicated.

On this side, Marquis Ningde braced himself and said, "Your Highness Prince Chen, the evidence is right before our eyes. How can we listen to only one woman's one-sided story?"

A hint of coldness flashed in Zhao Yunzheng's usually calm eyes.

Just as he was about to order Shadow One and his shadow guards to make a move, Xu Jiaojiao tugged at his sleeve and whispered softly, "Your Highness, I have a way to prove my innocence!"

Zhao Yunzheng was slightly taken aback.

Since Jiaojiao had a way to prove herself, why didn't she say so before?

The woman in front of him seemed to understand his confusion.

She tilted her chin up, looking at him with adoring, watery eyes, and murmured softly, "Your Highness, you weren't here before, and no one was there to support me, so I didn't dare to refute you easily, for fear that they would turn a blind eye if I presented the evidence."

Now that you are by my side and trust me so much, I am not afraid of anything!

"Your Highness, please rest assured, I will not do anything detrimental to the Prince Chen's residence. I will definitely clear my name and never bring shame upon the Prince Chen's residence!"

Zhao Yunzheng was deeply shaken.

Despite her fragility, Xu Jiaojiao is incredibly resilient.

She suffered countless grievances. She could have asked him for help, but she chose to grit her teeth and bear it all alone.

Despite her lowly status and insignificant position, she didn't think about seeking benefits for herself, but instead worried about the reputation of the Prince Chen's mansion.

Zhao Yunzheng felt an overwhelming pity welling up inside him.

Seeing the determination in Xu Jiaojiao's eyes, his heart trembled: "With me here, you can do whatever you want, and no one can stop you."

Princess Chen saw the two whispering to each other, and her hands, which were tucked into her sleeves, tightened slightly.

She suppressed the surging emotions in her heart, turned her eyes away, and forced herself not to look.

Lady Yongkang was furious when she saw the two being so intimate.

This vixen is skilled at seducing people; she has even bewitched Prince Chen so much that he doesn't even glance at Tong'er!

Today, she's determined to ensure Xu Jiaojiao can't turn the tables!

Upon hearing this, Xu Jiaojiao turned to look at Marquis Ningde: "My lord, I can prove my innocence!"

Marquis Ningde had no intention of offending Prince Chen, so if Xu Jiaojiao could truly prove her innocence, that would suit his purposes perfectly.

Before she could even speak, Lady Yongkang sneered, "The evidence is irrefutable. You'd better not put up any more resistance, Madam Xu."

Other onlookers were also whispering among themselves.

"Yes, with witnesses and physical evidence, how could it be false?"

"Could it be that the Xu family is trying to implicate others?"

"Thank goodness I didn't drink that milk tea..."

"There might actually be a turning point in this matter, let's wait and see."

"Facts speak louder than words. What hope is there for this situation? The Xu family is just trying to buy time."

"..."

Hearing the whispers of the crowd, Xu Jiaojiao shrank back and leaned into Zhao Yunzheng's arms, her eyes reddening and tears welling up.

Feeling the majestic and imposing figure of Prince Chen, she mustered her courage and looked at Lady Yongkang: "The Heartbreak Powder and milk are incompatible. When the two are put together, they will coagulate into lumps. Ordinary people can tell the difference with the naked eye. If nobles are not blind, they would not eat such milk tea. If Lady Yongkang does not believe me, you can order someone to bring milk tea and Heartbreak Powder, and you will know once you try them."

Lady Yongkang felt a pang of anxiety.

She was unaware that the Heartbreak Powder was incompatible with cow's milk.

The kneeling maid and Madam Cheng also seemed flustered and looked at her.

Before Lady Yongkang could respond, Prince Chen spoke first: "Someone, go and fetch milk tea and the Heartbreak Powder."

At this, the maid on the ground visibly began to tremble, and Madam Cheng was also drenched in cold sweat.

In a flash, Lady Yongkang spoke calmly, "Perhaps the Heartbreak Powder isn't in the milk tea? You know, Madam Xu gave everyone more than just milk tea."

Mrs. Cheng breathed a sigh of relief and quickly chimed in, "Yes! Perhaps the poison is in the taro balls or the double-skin milk pudding?"

Jia Rong forced a laugh in anger: "Just now, this maid accused my master of putting poison in the milk tea. How come she has changed her story now?"

The maid on the ground looked around nervously, terribly flustered: "Perhaps, perhaps I saw it wrong!"

Some bystanders chimed in, "Yes, I saw that Miss Xu was eating double-skin milk instead of milk tea, and she was also suffering from severe abdominal pain. Could it be that everything Mrs. Xu was eating was poisoned?"

"Whether it's poisonous or not, we'll know once the doctor examines everything!"

"Yes, let the doctor examine you!"

"If you haven't done anything wrong, you have nothing to fear. If Madam Xu doesn't dare let the doctor investigate, then something is amiss!"

“The Prince of Chen and the Marquis of Ningde are here; whether or not to investigate is not up to her.”

"This maid's words are evasive; I don't think things are as simple as they seem..."

"..."

Xu Jiaojiao's face turned pale. Unable to bear the humiliation, she closed her eyes and let two lines of tears fall down her cheeks.

She suppressed her trembling voice and glanced at Lianye: "If you all want to investigate, then let the doctor examine the other jars one by one as well."

Lianye carried the food box forward and handed it to the doctor. The doctor glanced at Marquis Ningde, who nodded slightly. The doctor immediately took the remaining utensils and examined them one by one with a silver needle.

As the silver needles turned black one by one, Xu Jiaojiao's expression changed slightly, and everyone present was also dumbfounded.

"This...this...they really did put poison in all the jars!"

"The Xu family is utterly audacious and utterly devoid of conscience!"

"Such a vicious person should be thrown into the inner prison and beaten to death with sticks!"

"Who would poison someone like this? I think this frame-up is too deliberate. The Xu family might really have been framed."

"..."

Seeing Xu Jiaojiao's slender body sway like a willow in the wind, Madam Cheng laughed gleefully: "Madam Xu, what do you have to say now?"

Fortunately, just to be on the safe side, the maid had put some poison in each jar, so Xu Jiaojiao is definitely going to die now!

Zhao Yunzheng clenched his fist, about to step forward to help, when he saw Xu Jiaojiao grit her teeth, wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and take a few steps forward with a determined look to retrieve the food box from in front of the doctor.

She lowered her eyes and quickly pressed a few times on the food box with her fingers, and a hidden compartment popped out.