in2ebook Chapter 22 I will surely clear your name
Chapter 22 I will surely clear your name
Xu Jiaojiao smiled faintly, her lips curving into a half-smile.
Prince Chen has arrived; the show she's prepared can begin...
She lowered her eyes, concealing the glint in them, and quickly tossed the sketchbook into a corner.
When she looked up again, her eyes were already red and brimming with tears: "Chen Xi, you did all of this, didn't you?"
Chen Xi was there to see Xu Jiaojiao off, so naturally he wasn't afraid to tell her the truth.
She laughed wildly: "Since you're going to die anyway, telling you won't hurt."
Yes, I poisoned it!
But what good will it do you even if you know?
You can't produce evidence that you didn't poison me, nor can you produce evidence that I poisoned you. The only thing waiting for you is death!
Tears streamed down Xu Jiaojiao's face, her eyes filled with a deathly despair: "Chen Xi, I have no grudge against you, why did you do this to me?"
"No enmity?" Chen Xi's face suddenly turned fierce: "How could there be no enmity! If it weren't for you, I could have become the prince's concubine and received his exclusive favor! If I were lucky enough to give birth to a son or daughter for the prince, I could have risen in status through my son and secured a life of wealth and honor! Who knows, I might even have been able to replace the princess one day!"
Xu Jiaojiao sneered inwardly, thinking Chen Xi was daydreaming, but on the surface she feigned astonishment: "You harmed me because you were in love with the prince?"
Chen Xi found Xu Jiaojiao particularly ridiculous and couldn't help but laugh out loud: "For women in the inner quarters, the most important thing is to sit in a high position and enjoy honor. Men are just a ladder to the top. Who would give their true feelings?"
Xu Jiao's cheeks flushed red with anger: "How could you say that? The Prince is the best man in the world! Someone like you doesn't deserve to be the Prince's woman!"
Chen Xi's eyes darkened: "Whether I'm worthy of a lowly servant like you is not for you to decide! Once you're dead, the prince will naturally notice me!"
She took out a hemp rope that she had hidden in her sleeve and viciously strangled Xu Jiaojiao's neck: "Xu Jiaojiao, go to hell! If you die, there will be no way to prove this!"
Don't worry, I'll remember you. When you pass away, I'll definitely burn paper money for you.
"what……"
The rope had just been put around her neck when Xu Jiaojiao let out a cry of surprise. Chen Xi was sent flying like an arrow, crashing heavily against the wall.
The dilapidated house let out a desperate roar, and then a large crack appeared in the wall.
Chen Xi lay on the ground, vomiting blood.
She looked up in a panic and saw Prince Chen standing in the room; all color drained from her face.
The man was tall and slender, standing there exuding an imposing and intimidating aura without even trying.
At this moment, filled with rage, he held the trembling Xu Jiaojiao in his arms and coldly looked at Chen Xi on the ground: "Guards, drag this slut away and cut off three pieces of her flesh every day until the truth is revealed!"
Prince Chen is going to execute you by slow slicing!
Chen Xi's face was deathly pale, and her whole body was cold.
She hadn't expected that Prince Chen would come to Shi Nuan Pavilion in person.
Terrified, Chen Xi frantically kowtowed, pleading, "Your Highness, spare me! I know I was wrong! Please forgive me this once!"
Chen Xi, subjected to the excruciating torture of slow slicing, had his head bruised and bleeding from kowtowing, but to no avail.
Prince Chen is not a good-tempered person.
Having offended Prince Chen, she could only be dragged away like a dead dog.
A night breeze swept in, and the wind chimes by the door jingled incessantly.
Xu Jiaojiao's beautiful fox-like eyes were filled with astonishment.
She stared incredulously at the man so close to her, her eyes brimming with barely suppressed joy.
But when she came to her senses, she suppressed the joy in her eyes, obediently took two steps back, and left the man's embrace, her eyes filled with pain and grievance: "Is Your Highness here to send me on my way?"
Zhao Yunzheng frowned with heartache, gently raising his hand to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and said softly, "What nonsense are you talking about? With me here, no one dares to take your life..."
Zhao Yunzheng never expected that his whim visit to Shi Nuan Pavilion would lead him to Chen Xi's attempt to silence him.
If he hadn't arrived at the perfect time, Xu Jiaojiao would probably be dead.
Thinking back to Xu Jiaojiao's words of protection and affection for him, Zhao Yunzheng felt a wave of fear.
Fortunately, Xu Jiaojiao was unharmed.
There are many women in this world like Chen Xi, who are greedy and two-faced, but Xu Jiaojiao is different.
She is true to herself, and she is pure and kind!
How could such a wonderful woman be let down...
Seeing Xu Jiaojiao's pale face, Zhao Yunzheng stepped forward and gently embraced her: "I have already ordered people to search for evidence regarding the poisoning. Rest assured, I will definitely clear your name!"
Xu Jiaojiao burst into laughter through her tears, her eyes filled with dependence and affection: "Thank you, Your Highness, you have saved me once again!"
That silly woman.
As her husband, it was only right that he investigated the truth and cleared her name, yet she still thanked him.
Zhao Yunzheng felt even more affection for her and couldn't help but gently stroke her soft, dark hair: "Tell me if you have any grievances in the future, and I will stand up for you."
Xu Jiaojiao smiled, her eyes crinkling with joy.
Before she could even express her gratitude, she suddenly staggered and collapsed softly into Prince Chen's arms.
"Jiaojiao!"
Zhao Yunzheng's heart tightened, and he immediately picked up Xu Jiaojiao: "Yingyi, summon the imperial physician!"
Doctor Zhang came very quickly.
After taking her pulse briefly, he told Zhao Yunzheng that Xu Jiaojiao had injured herself while refining realgar powder, and the ordeal of the past two days had further weakened her already injured and frail body, which was why she fainted.
Seeing that Xu Jiaojiao's originally fair and slender fingertips had turned an unnatural bluish-gray from the extraction of realgar, Zhao Yunzheng tenderly tucked the blanket around Xu Jiaojiao: "Lianye, take good care of your master."
Before leaving, seeing the broken walls of Shi Nuan Pavilion, the dilapidated courtyard, and Lian Ye's busy figure, Zhao Yunzheng waved his hand and said, "Order people to clean up Yu Hua Courtyard. After Xu Jiaojiao's injuries improve, she can move there. Also, send two maids, one nanny, and one eunuch to serve her."
Yingyi noted down the words, and was surprised again.
The privileges of a concubine and a eunuch were reserved for concubines. Yuhua Courtyard was a private courtyard where the master would escape the summer heat, and it was adjacent to Mingqian Courtyard.
Having served his master for over a decade, he had never seen his master show such concern for a woman, except for Miss Su.
The world in the inner quarters of the Prince's mansion is about to change...
As soon as Prince Chen left, Xu Jiaojiao, who had been "unconscious" on the bed, opened her eyes and sat up.
A satisfied smile played on her lips, and her eyes gleamed with the triumphant satisfaction of victory.
How wonderful! Not only has she gained the attention of Prince Chen, but she has also been given a better place to live. Most importantly, she has gotten rid of Chen Xi, that venomous snake lurking in the shadows, who could bite her at any moment…
Men in high positions are often surrounded by women who approach them with ulterior motives.
How could a man not be moved by a woman who is so selfless, uncomplaining, and devoted only to him?
The night is getting darker.
Xu Jiaojiao looked at the moonlight outside the window, a cruel smile appearing in her eyes: "Lianye, help me change into some simple clothes and come with me to the dark room."