Just now, she had seen Prince Bao speak to his concubine with a gentle and refined manner, and assumed he was a good-tempered person. She hadn't expected him to be so fierce when he lost his temper. Chen Yizhen, feeling somewhat apprehensive, dared not be presumptuous any longer and timidly explained:

"I am of humble status and naturally dare not compare myself to a concubine. I only wish to be with the person I love, and I hope Your Highness will understand."

Hongli truly couldn't understand how she could be so obsessive and confident.

"It's already a favor to make you an embroiderer. Not just anyone can enter the Zheng family's embroidery workshop. I'm giving you a way out, but you refuse. You're so delusional and insist on becoming Su Jiafeng's concubine."

If Jiafeng liked you, that would be fine, but he doesn't like you at all. He only keeps you here out of gratitude, but you stubbornly say you want to go back to your hometown.

Do you think Jia Feng will give in by threatening her like this? You're just wasting your brother's kindness to Su Jia Feng!

Chen Yizhen was shocked by the accusation. She said she wanted to go back to her hometown, so how did Prince Bao know? Could it be that Jiafeng told him? Why would Jiafeng tell anyone such things?

“At first, Brother Su may have indeed been trying to repay a debt of gratitude, but as we spent more time together, he treated me very well. I believe he has feelings for me! Your Highness, please grant us your blessing and don’t separate us!”

With a cold snort, Hongli shifted his gaze to the doorway. "Jiafeng, come in and explain things to her face to face!"

Chen Yizhen turned around in shock, only to see Su Jiafeng's figure appear in the doorway, leaving her speechless with astonishment.

"Brother Su? Didn't you go to the palace to serve? What are you doing here?"

Su Jiafeng didn't explain to her. After entering the room, she first bowed to her brother-in-law, and Chen Yizhen hurriedly went to him.

“Brother Su, you’ve come at the right time. Explain to Fourth Master that our feelings for each other are mutual, and it’s not just one-sided on my part.”

Seeing her on the verge of tears, Su Jiafeng felt no pity, only a headache.

"I made it perfectly clear to you the other day that I have no romantic feelings for you, so why are you deceiving yourself? Yun Ning doesn't need you to share her burdens, and I will never take a concubine. You should give up on that idea as soon as possible!"

In the past, he had considered Chen Gang's feelings and was unwilling to say harsh words to her, leaving some room for maneuver. However, she took that kindness as affection. Since that was the case, Su Jiafeng showed no mercy and bluntly said harsh words.

Upon hearing this, Chen Yizhen found it hard to accept, feeling that it wasn't his true feeling.

"Brother Su, why are you suddenly so heartless to me? You weren't like this before. Did they threaten you and forbid you from taking a concubine, so you said such insincere words?"

Su Jiafeng had previously thought this girl was quite sensible, but today he suddenly wondered if she had delusions. He had made himself so clear, yet she was still fantasizing?

Su Yushan, listening from the side, felt a headache coming on and regretted getting involved. She had never met a woman so stubborn and unyielding before. If she was clever, she always said foolish things; if she was foolish, she had so many ulterior motives. Su Yushan was furious and filled with resentment.

"No one wants to break you up; it's all been you who's being self-righteous! As a young woman, you should have self-respect and self-love. How can you be so stubborn?"

Su Jiafeng's patience with her was gradually wearing thin.

"Miss Chen, don't you understand? If I truly liked you, I would naturally let you into my household. If I didn't like you, why would I take you as a concubine? Does being kind to someone mean you like them? If I had known this would happen, I shouldn't have saved you in the first place, nor should I have let you and your brother come to the capital!"

He meant well, but he got himself into so much trouble. Su Jiafeng couldn't help but start to wonder if good deeds always bring good results.

Hongli was too lazy to reason with this woman, and he would not let her act recklessly.

"Chen Gang risked his life to give you and your brother a chance to change your fate. Since you're unwilling to seize it, then take your brother back and let him spend his whole life holed up in the countryside, bullied and unable to rise up!"

Chen Yizhen was flustered and afraid that Prince Bao would really send her away, so she compromised and said, "Alright then! I'm willing to become an embroiderer. For my brother's sake, I'm willing to stay in the capital."

"Too late!" Yu Shan had previously tried to find a way out for Chen Yizhen, suggesting she work at the embroidery workshop. Now it seemed that even if this woman entered the workshop, she wouldn't behave herself and would definitely continue to cause trouble. Hongli wouldn't give her that chance.

"You mock my woman, and you expect me to show you kindness? There's no such thing as a free lunch! Guards! Take Chen away and send her out of the city!"

At Hongli's command, the guards immediately entered the room!

Seeing that Prince Bao was serious, Chen Yizhen was terrified and immediately knelt down, pleading pitifully.

"Your Highness, I know I was wrong! I will never bother Brother Su again, and I will not become his concubine. I just want to stay in the capital. I am willing to be an embroiderer, or stay in the palace as a maid to serve you and the concubine. I only beg you to let me stay!"

Su Yushan's brow twitched slightly, thinking to herself, "This woman has quite the ambition! She actually wants to stay in the Prince's mansion?"

Before Su Yushan could speak, Hongli coldly rebuked her with disgust, "You can't just become a maid in my manor as you please. What are you doing here? Do you think you can rise to the top and become a phoenix? Wishful thinking!"

With her last resort gone, Chen Yizhen was sweating profusely and could only turn to Su Jiafeng and cry out in distress.

"Brother Su, please put in a good word for me with the Prince! I really don't want to leave the capital. If I go back to my hometown, that scoundrel will definitely not let me off the hook. You hit him before, so he will definitely take revenge on me!"

Before she arrived, her brother-in-law had instructed her not to plead for her, otherwise she would take it personally. Therefore, Su Jiafeng hardened her heart and stopped interfering.

"Originally I could make the decision, but now that you have offended the prince, you can only await his judgment."

Chen Yizhen never expected that Su Jiafeng would abandon her. How could he be so cold-blooded?

"Your life was saved by my elder brother! How can you turn your back on his family? How can you face my elder brother?"

It was precisely because of his remorse towards Chen Gang that Su Jiafeng tolerated Chen Yizhen time and time again. However, his tolerance did not bring her any peace; instead, she became increasingly outrageous and unruly!

Since she doesn't know what's good for her, he doesn't need to be soft-hearted anymore.

"It was your elder brother who saved me, not you. I owe Chen Gang my life, but I don't owe you one! I've done more than enough for you, and you have no right to threaten me with this debt of gratitude!"

After a moment's pause, Su Jiafeng turned to her brother-in-law, cupped her hands, and said, "Your Highness, Chen Mo is still young and has done nothing wrong. I humbly request Your Highness to allow Chen Mo to study in the capital."

"Chen Mo can stay. As for the Chen family," Hongli glanced at Chen Yizhen and gave the order indifferently.

"She has defied her superiors, caused a scene in the Prince's mansion, and slandered the concubine. This woman cannot be allowed to live. She must be expelled from the capital immediately and never be allowed to set foot in the city again!"