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

Chapter 3 Adapting to Different People

Fortunately, the man was useless, and the two parted ways in a short time.

Hearing the two of them getting dressed, Xu Jiaojiao breathed a sigh of relief.

The man felt a warm, moist sensation in his palm. He looked down at the woman leaning against the rockery and could clearly feel the softness of her lips through his rough hands.

For some reason, I felt a strong urge to squeeze it.

In an instant, the man's palms felt hot.

The two talked for a while on the other side of the artificial hill before leaving one after the other.

After a while, the man finally let go.

His deep gaze fell on the woman's lips, where he had left his fingerprints.

Her red lips were full and delicate, like a beautiful flower.

It's so soft, it should be easy to squeeze, right?

The man's throat bobbed, and he quickly looked away.

Freed from her restraints, Xu Jiaojiao took two steps back, distancing herself from the man, intending to leave this place of trouble.

"Wait a minute!"

The man let out a low growl as soon as he moved his foot.

A woman's innocence is of utmost importance. If someone sees her leaving here with a mark on her lips, she will be unable to defend herself.

Xu Jiaojiao had no idea what the man was thinking; she only felt her heart skip a beat.

Oh no, could it be that she overheard something she shouldn't have, and is going to be killed to silence her?

After waiting for a while, the man showed no sign of continuing, leaving Xu Jiaojiao somewhat bewildered.

She turned her head timidly to look at the man: "Can...I go now?"

Seeing that the mark on her lips had faded considerably, the man gave a curt "hmm" and turned to leave first.

Xu Jiaojiao found the two people inexplicable and then turned around and left in a hurry.

Here.

Prince Chen and Ying walked along the bluestone path after leaving behind the artificial hill.

Shadow One: "Should I deal with that woman?"

Prince Chen's fingertips twitched slightly, and the soft touch of his palm seemed to still be there.

Thinking of the woman's frightened yet innocent eyes, like those of a fawn, he narrowed his eyes slightly.

The woman was wearing a dress made of the kind of fabric that ordinary maids in the mansion would wear, so she must have been a maid slacking off behind the rockery.

Prince Chen shook his head: "Check their identities, send people to monitor them for a few days. If there are no abnormalities, let this matter rest. There's no need to cause any deaths."

Three days later was the day he was to return to the capital. Countless eyes were on the Prince Chen's residence. At this critical juncture, someone had to die.

the other side.

When Xu Jiaojiao came out from behind the artificial hill, it was already dark.

The maid who came looking for the person quickly found them, and the two returned to Shi Nuan Pavilion together.

Although the cleaned stone warm pavilion still looks dilapidated, at least it is habitable.

Looking at this small courtyard, Xu Jiaojiao felt a sense of comfort.

Although the courtyard is small, at least it provides a separate place to live.

The steward of the Prince's mansion sent two maids to serve Xu Jiaojiao, in accordance with the standards for concubines.

One lotus heart, one lotus leaf.

The two, who were about fifteen or sixteen years old, stepped forward to greet her upon her return: "Greetings, Master Xu."

Lianxin and Lianye had served in the Prince's mansion since childhood, and were already used to the fact that the Princess would bring in a concubine every now and then.

The two of them naturally knew what fate awaited Xu Jiaojiao.

The thought of being transferred to Shi Nuan Pavilion to serve such a useless concubine, and knowing that life would be difficult in the future, inevitably made the two of them feel resentful, and their faces were naturally not very pleasant.

Xu Jiaojiao didn't blame her. She knew that with no background and no favor, it was indeed difficult to get the servants to respect her.

In the Prince Chen's mansion, where people are treated differently based on their status, if she wants these two maids to truly serve her, she must gain favor with him as soon as possible.

Thinking of this, Xu Jiaojiao stepped forward and gently patted the lotus heart and lotus leaves: "The ground is cold, get up."

No master would ever personally help a servant to their feet.

The lotus heart and lotus leaves were somewhat taken aback.

Looking at the stunningly beautiful woman before her, Lianye felt a warmth in her heart: "Thank you, Master Xu."

The first step to building rapport with subordinates is to demonstrate approachability.

After all, no one dislikes feeling respected.

Judging from the surprised looks on the two maids' faces, it was clear that the first step had been the right one.

The second step is to make grand promises.

Xu Jiaojiao glanced at the dilapidated courtyard: "My rank as a concubine is low and my courtyard is also desolate. It's just that I've dragged you two into suffering with me. In the future, when I receive your favor, I will never forget the suffering you two have endured."

Lotus Heart and Lotus Leaf exchanged a glance, their eyes both revealing a faint sense of sympathy.

The prince was heartless and ungrateful, and always looked down on the women in his harem.

Master Xu had no idea that he had already stepped into hell, and was still dreaming of being favored.

Poor thing.

I'm afraid it won't be long before Master Xu, like those concubines in the West Courtyard, either goes mad or dies.

Lianxin didn't take these words seriously at all, and said dismissively with a shrug, "Then thank you very much for your help, Master Xu."

Lianye is a bit older and much more composed.

She gave Lianxin a reproachful look before replying, "Don't worry, mistress. After dinner, I'll go to the storeroom to get some new furniture and utensils, and then to the flower room to get some blooming flowers and trees. I'll tidy up the courtyard and make sure it doesn't look desolate."

Xu Jiaojiao nodded slightly.

Very good.

Clothes make the man, and a saddle makes the horse. This courtyard is so dilapidated, it looks like a haunted house. I doubt any normal person would want to set foot here, let alone the arrogant Prince Chen.

She took out two taels of silver as a reward for Lianye: "In that case, thank you for your trouble."

Upon receiving the reward, Lianye was first taken aback, then beamed with joy and expressed her gratitude.

Lianxin, who was standing to the side, saw this and her face turned green.

She thought to herself: Go ahead and reward her, let's see how much silver you can give. A concubine who is destined not to receive favor, you'll have your day when all the silver is gone.

Xu Jiaojiao noticed their expressions but didn't say anything.

Meanwhile, the princess had just finished her dinner and was thinking about the welcoming banquet in three days: "Wang Mama, send the Jade Bead Wide-Sleeved Flowing Fairy Dress from the storeroom to Madam Xu. Also, invite the dance instructors from the dance and music academy to teach Madam Xu to dance. Tell Madam Xu to prepare well so that she can perform a dance for the prince at the welcoming banquet in three days."

Hopefully, Lady Xu will live up to expectations and be able to catch the prince's eye through her dance.

When Granny Wang delivered the dress, Xu Jiaojiao was taking a walk in the courtyard to digest her food.

Before Xu Jiaojiao could even move, Lianxin greeted Wang Mama with a smile, "Wang Mama, what brings you here?"

Seeing Lianxin's enthusiastic attitude, Xu Jiaojiao almost thought that Lianxin was the master of Shi Nuan Pavilion.

In contrast, the lotus leaves were rather plain.

Xu Jiaojiao stepped forward to greet her: "Greetings, Granny Wang. Is Your Highness here to convey a message to me?"

Seeing that Xu Jiaojiao immediately guessed her purpose, Granny Wang nodded in satisfaction: "Mistress Xu, Her Highness the Princess has ordered me to bring you a set of Jade Bead Wide-Sleeved Fairy Dress, so that you can wear this dress to perform a dance for the Prince at the welcoming banquet in three days."

She took the dress from the maidservant and handed it to Xu Jiaojiao, patting it solemnly: "The twelve jade beads on this dress are priceless. There is only one of its kind in the entire Yan Dynasty. Master Xu, the Princess Consort values ​​you very much. You must not disappoint her."

Xu Jiaojiao carefully took the clothes: "I understand, I will certainly not disappoint Your Highness."

Lianxin, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but feel a little sore.

How could a concubine who was carried up from the ranks of maids be worthy of wearing such a fine dress?

How wonderful it would be if she could wear such a beautiful dress...