Ye Shangzhou's attitude towards Qiao Zhen became increasingly favorable, and he became even more clingy to her, taking her with him wherever he went and having sex with her every night. He also allowed her to speak freely in court.

However, the good times didn't last long. After only half a month, Ye Shangzhou started to revert to his old ways, throwing tantrums at the drop of a hat. Even Qiao Zhen had to put in a lot of effort to coax him, but she still couldn't find out what was wrong with Ye Shangzhou.

"Your Majesty, would you like some white fungus soup?"

Ye Shangzhou reached out and forcefully pushed Qiao Zhen's hand away, "Stay away from me."

The tremella soup spilled on the ground. Qiao Zhen couldn't dodge in time, so her fingertips got scalded with the hot soup. She took a few steps back, didn't say anything, and simply used a handkerchief to clean up the mess on the ground.

Qiao Zhen placed the broken bowl and several pieces of cloth stained with the white fungus soup on the dining table and took them out. Before leaving, she turned around and glanced at Ye Shangzhou. Seeing that he still had that gloomy look, she had no choice but to turn around and push the door open to go out.

Xiao Ling: [To be honest, he's been spoiled by you; he throws tantrums all the time.]

Qiao Zhen: [How have I spoiled him?]

Xiao Ling: [What's wrong with you spoiling him? I heard from Chu Chu that you used to just start beating him up during missions until he obeyed. Now look at you, you're willingly letting him beat you up!]

Qiao Zhen pondered: "Have I really spoiled him too much? I wonder where he learned this unpredictable temper."

Xiao Ling: [Think about it yourself.]

After Qiao Zhen left, she began to reflect on herself. Had she been too lenient with Ye Shangzhou because of her soft heart? She would never allow the mission to fail because of her soft heart.

As Ye Shangzhou watched Qiao Zhen try to comfort him less and less, he began to panic, but he had to put on a gloomy facade. "Where is Madam?"

Xiao Xunzi knelt on the ground, trembling, his teeth chattering and his voice shaking violently, "Your Majesty, the Lady is at Yishui Pavilion."

Ye Shangzhou frowned, "Prepare the carriage for Yishui Pavilion."

Xiao Xunzi didn't dare to make a move.

Ye Shangzhou slammed his hand on the desk. "What are you standing there for? Waiting for me to order your death?"

Xiao Xunzi immediately sent people to carry Ye Shangzhou onto the sedan chair. When the group headed to Yishui Pavilion in a grand procession, Qiao Zhen was chatting and laughing with Ye Huaijin.

Ye Shangzhou finally couldn't hold back his anger any longer. He flew into a rage and had everything that could be smashed in Yi Shui Xuan smashed. "Drag Young Master Jin away and punish him with a cane."

The lack of a specified amount of caning meant that the punishment would continue until Ye Shangzhou was satisfied.

Ye Huaijin had entered the palace today because of Xun Yin, so Qiao Zhen naturally couldn't let Ye Shangzhou punish Ye Huaijin with a cane. So without saying a word, she put one arm on Ye Shangzhou's shoulder and the other arm under his knees, and with a little effort, she picked him up and the two entered Qiao Zhen's bedroom.

Ye Shangzhou was unaware of the implications of his earlier concession in front of outsiders.

Just as he was about to make a sarcastic remark, Qiao Zhen threw him onto the bed and, taking advantage of his momentary lapse in concentration, grabbed his neck with great force, making it difficult for Ye Shangzhou to breathe.

Qiao Zhen said coldly, "Ye Shangzhou, I thought I had made myself clear. If you don't want this position, I can join forces with the ministers to support Ye Huaijin. Don't waste my time, understand?" She suddenly let go of her hand.

Ye Shangzhou was able to breathe. He looked at Qiao Zhen with resentment and reached out to grab her.

Qiao Zhen was not so easy to deal with. Taking advantage of Ye Shangzhou's leg disability, she quickly pinned him to the bed and covered his mouth and nose with one hand.

Ye Shangzhou bared his teeth and bit her finger hard.

Qiao Zhen's expression remained unchanged, and she continued to stop his breathing. "You can try and see if my hand is ruined first, or if your life is lost first."

This time, Ye Shangzhou didn't make a move. He just stared blankly at the bed curtains and silently shed tears.

Xiao Ling: [Don't believe him! It's all a ruse. Don't you know all of Qi Yijuan's tricks perfectly well?]

Qiao Zhen was also a little anxious: [Even knowing the situation perfectly can't stop my soft heart, what should I do? I feel like I'd give my life for him if he cried.]

Xiao Ling: [Stay calm, Zhenzhen!]

Qiao Zhen watched as tears streamed down Ye Shangzhou's face. She silently let go of his hand and hurriedly helped him up. "Don't cry. I'm only doing this for your own good. Who told you to be disobedient?"

Xiao Ling: Why do I have such a shameless, bottomless, and unprincipled host? I hate it!

Ye Shangzhou still stared wide-eyed, tears streaming down his face, like a lovelorn man abandoned by a heartless woman, sad, weak, and helpless.

Qiao Zhen raised her hand to wipe away his tears. "Don't cry, don't cry. I'll listen to you from now on." She leaned her neck against his. "Are you better now?"

Her actions meant: I'm entrusting my life to you, I just hope you won't cry.

Ye Shangzhou leaned in and bit down hard until there was a row of bleeding teeth marks on Qiao Zhen's neck before he reluctantly moved his mouth away.

Qiao Zhen gasped in pain, then looked helplessly at Ye Shangzhou, "Feeling better now? Will you listen to me now?"

It's not so easy to get over it. When dealing with a spoiled brat like Ye Shangzhou, being soft-hearted means you've completely lost. As for why? Qiao Zhen knows all too well.

When Qiao Zhen carried Ye Shangzhou into the side hall, he was still shouting that he wanted to punish Ye Huaijin with a cane.

Just as the palace maids and eunuchs were about to kneel down and beg Ye Huaijin for mercy, Qiao Zhen took the initiative to change the subject, "Your Majesty, I have made a plate of chrysanthemum cakes, would you like to try some?"

"You made this yourself?" A look of surprise flashed in Ye Shangzhou's eyes, and his attention was easily diverted.

Qiao Zhen waved her hand behind her back, signaling Ye Huaijin to hurry up, then bent down, picked up Ye Shangzhou, and carried him to the soft couch in the courtyard. "Don't be angry, okay? Little ancestor, you are my ancestor."

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