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

Chapter 9 Prince Chen is Old and Ugly

Such arrogance and domineering behavior suggests that this must be the youngest daughter of the Marquis of Yongkang, Zheng Antong, a concubine of the Zheng family.

Rumor has it that Zheng Antong was obsessed with Prince Chen, and that she even went so far as to confront the Emperor in order to marry him.

Given Zheng Antong's status, she could have married Prince Chen as his principal wife, but unfortunately, the Emperor had already arranged the marriage for Prince Chen, so Zheng Antong could only marry into the Prince's mansion as a concubine.

Although she was a concubine, Zheng Antong relied on her powerful family background and did not restrain herself in the Prince Chen's mansion. Even the princess had to avoid her.

In retrospect, Zheng Antong does indeed seem like a spoiled child.

However, since they are children, their temperament is naturally not very mature.

Xu Jiaojiao smiled gently: "Thank you for the compliment, sister."

The arrogant Zheng Antong paused slightly, a look of confusion appearing on her pretty face: "Are you out of your mind? I'm insulting you, didn't you realize?"

"Ah..." Xu Jiaojiao was a little surprised, her face full of astonishment: "The prince once said that a new tiger-faced raccoon was born in the hall, and I should not move away even if I am offered a thousand gold pieces. The prince also said that the old dog was happy to see me return and lingered in my clothes. I suppose the prince must love cats and dogs."

Xu Jiaojiao blinked innocently: "I thought you were praising me, sister, for being loved by the prince just like any cat or dog."

Zheng Antong stared wide-eyed in disbelief, speechless with shock at Xu Jiaojiao's shamelessness.

Although the prince did say those two sentences in public, but, but, but…

But this Xu family is utterly shameless!

How can this be used to glorify oneself?

Especially when Zheng Antong saw Bai Yiru's amused expression, she felt a sudden, sharp pain in her chest.

After a long pause, she raised her hand, pointed at Xu Jiaojiao with trembling hands, and shouted, "You are shameless!"

Xu Jiaojiao's beautiful eyes flickered, making her look even more innocent: "Ah, I already have a face, what do I need another face for? Could it be that you don't have a face, so you want one? That's perfect, give it to me!"

Even the usually aloof Bai Yiru couldn't help but laugh when she heard this.

Lianye, who was serving Xu Jiaojiao, was so trying not to laugh that she almost injured herself.

Zheng Antong had never suffered such a loss in silence before. Her pretty face turned bright red, and for a moment she didn't care about her composure at all: "Ahhh! You're so angry!! You're so sharp-tongued, I'll tear your mouth apart!"

As Zheng Antong ran towards Xu Jiaojiao, Bai Yiru remained unmoved, showing no intention of breaking up the fight.

Lianye was shocked and immediately rushed to Xu Jiaojiao's side, pulling her into her arms protectively: "Master, be careful!"

In an instant, Zheng Antong's slaps and fists, like drumbeats, landed on Lianye's body.

Just as things were getting chaotic, the two concubines arrived.

"What's going on here?"

Cao Lingyun, the concubine, paused, looking at the mess inside the room with a sense of bewilderment.

Consort Zhou Yingyue reacted quickly: "Sister Zheng, stop! If the Princess Consort sees this, you'll be punished again!"

Cao Lingyun still looked confused: "Who is Sister Zheng hitting this time?"

Upon hearing the title of Princess Consort, Zheng Antong still felt some awe, and her pace slowed down.

The accompanying maidservant pulled her aside at the right moment and whispered, "Your Highness, please don't be angry. She's just a lowly concubine. Why worry about not having a chance to manipulate her in the future? If you anger the Prince and Princess because of her, then it will be a loss for you."

Zheng Antong listened to what was said, but still felt it wasn't enough to vent his anger, and his face turned very ugly.

Cai Que is right.

She's just a concubine, yet she dares to challenge her. After today, she'll definitely teach Xu Jiaojiao a lesson!

Especially her mouth!

If I don't tear her to shreds, she's not Zheng Antong!

She gave a haughty snort and found a seat far away from Xu Jiaojiao.

Seeing that the room had finally quieted down, Zhou Yingyue and Cao Lingyun stepped inside.

Zhou Yingyue bowed slightly and greeted the two concubines.

Cao Lingyun, still looking dazed, gazed thoughtfully at Xu Jiaojiao and asked, puzzled, "Who is this younger sister?"

Xu Jiaojiao lowered her head and stood up to greet them: "This concubine, Xu Jiaojiao, greets Sister Cao and Sister Zhou."

Cao Lingyun looked confused, as if she had never heard of Xu Jiaojiao before, and slowly said, "Um...Is my sister well..."

Zhou Yingyue smiled warmly and nodded slightly, saying, "I hope you are well, little sister."

Xu Jiaojiao sat back down and subtly observed Zhou and Cao.

Neither of these two concubines came from particularly prominent families; they were merely ordinary, respectable families.

Zhou Yingyue was gentle and had the best interpersonal relationships among the women in the inner courtyard.

Upon closer inspection, Zhou Yingyue was indeed adept at navigating social situations, getting along well with several concubines and secondary consorts. Even the "aloof" Bai Yiru could exchange a few pleasant words with her.

Let's look at Cao Lingyun next.

She held a teacup and a snack in her hand, listening intently to the others, but her eyes were still filled with confusion, as if she was having a hard time understanding what each person was saying.

Although she seemed a bit absent-minded, everyone was very tolerant of her. Sometimes Cao Lingyun would ask the same question several times, and everyone would patiently explain it to her.

Compared to the two concubines, these two secondary consorts were much more approachable and easier to get along with.

But Xu Jiaojiao, who has been given a second chance at life, knows that they are not as simple as they seem.

Now, apart from the princess, all the women in the mansion who have any influence are sitting here.

The room seemed harmonious on the surface, but everyone was actually on guard, and sharp probing remarks were occasionally mixed in with their laughter.

Before long, the princess arrived.

Everyone rose and bowed. The princess nodded slightly: "His Highness has received the reward and has now left the palace. My sisters, please come with me to welcome His Highness back to his residence."

When Zhao Yunzheng rode his horse to the main gate of the Prince's Mansion, the Princess Consort, along with her female relatives and servants, were already waiting there respectfully.

Upon seeing him dismount, the crowd knelt down in droves.

Xu Jiaojiao stood at the very end with the others.

Before kneeling down, she secretly glanced at Prince Chen.

The man was tall and slender, and his fitted black and gold python robe accentuated his heroic and extraordinary appearance.

However, the man's sharp features and imposing aura overshadowed any sense of handsomeness, adding an inexplicable air of fear and dread.

Although she wasted half her life in the Prince Chen's mansion in her previous life, she had never actually seen the Prince Chen many times. Even when she did see him, she would only glance at him from afar and never observe him like she did now.

Judging by appearance alone, Xu Jiaojiao was quite satisfied; at least she could bring herself to kiss him.

As someone who is obsessed with appearances, she couldn't imagine how devastated she would be if Prince Chen were old and ugly.

However, Prince Chen doesn't seem to be very easy to get along with.

It is clear that the rumors circulating in the manor are not unfounded.

After forming a preliminary impression and judgment of Prince Chen, Xu Jiaojiao began to plan how to attract his attention at the welcoming banquet later that day.

She lowered her eyes, deep in thought, unaware that a gaze had swept over her several times.

A large group of people were kneeling in front of him, and Zhao Yunzheng quickly scanned them.

He wasn't surprised to see Xu Jiaojiao.

Such a cunning woman would naturally try every means to get close to him.

He was just a little strange…