Chapter 63 The Eighth Princess Visits

The woman was dragged in front of Xiao Jin. She was wearing plain clothes and a plain hairpin, but her eyes held a twisted sense of pride.

"Whose man?" Xiao Jin's voice was as cold as ice.

"It's worth dying to be interrogated by Emperor Daye himself!" The woman raised her head and actually laughed.

Xiao Jin lowered his eyes, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the rim of the cup. Wang Zhi's methods had been squeezed out of him.

Seeing that he remained silent, the woman grew even more frantic. "Before, in the palace, I couldn't even touch your Majesty's shadow! Today, I've seen a real dragon. That's enough!"

“Wow!”

A cup of scalding hot tribute tea was suddenly thrown on the woman's face! Xiao Jin's eyes were cold: "What a pity for my good tea."

The woman screamed from the burns, then shouted bitterly, "You, the dignified emperor, are actually taking out your anger on a fifth-rank female official? Ridiculous! Yun Zhao was simply born into a good family! Why was she given an official position in just three months? How many palace maids have endured the hardship of their lives, yet still haven't been able to get out of this quagmire!"

"How dare you!" Zhang Fuan shouted, "You're about to die and yet you still bark! You're working for someone who would have sold you out long ago! Frying or boiling is the least of your worries!"

Wang Zhi kicked her to the ground and said, "Your Majesty! She's just a fool who took a few taels of silver and didn't care about her life! The mastermind behind this has been found! This filthy thing should be beaten to death!"

"Yeah." Xiao Jin didn't even raise his eyelids. "Drag it away. Don't pollute the ground of Yanying Palace."

[Don't disturb her.] Wang Zhi understood what he meant and gagged her and dragged her away.

The footsteps faded away, and the palace door opened gently. Yun Zhao entered, carrying a white jade dish, followed by Cao Yunzhu, whose face was pale and trembling like a sieve.

"You hit her?" Xiao Jin's gaze fell on Yun Zhao's calm face.

[Of course! Hiring someone to kill me? She's lucky she didn't die!]

Yun Zhao met his gaze calmly, "Yes, Your Majesty. I nearly drank that intestinal poison today, and I'm still feeling the effects. Seeing that the maidservant was annoying, I kicked her a few times." She paused, her tone a touch of innocent probing, "Your Majesty...will you punish me for abusing private justice and seeking revenge?"

Xiao Jin's eyebrows arched slightly, a faint, elusive emotion flickering across his eyes. "You've become arrogant due to your favor." He parted his thin lips, his tone unrecognizable as either happy or angry. "I... have spoiled you too much." Then, with a sudden, sharp turn, he said, "Beat me if I want! Those who are disloyal and unruly should be beaten and killed. Why keep them around to disgust me?"

[Being spoiled and arrogant? He spoils me? Ha!]

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your consideration!" Yun Zhao bowed his head.

Every word in this exchange was like a needle, piercing Cao Yunzhu's legs and making her legs go weak. The thought of complaining was completely frozen - she knew that she was finished.

Xiao Jin picked up a piece of osmanthus cake and said, "This is a gift from Yun Shangshi. Sharing joy is worse than enjoying it alone. Zhang Fuan, you can have one too."

Zhang Fuan smiled happily and expressed his gratitude.

Yun Zhao had already tasted it in the small kitchen and now cooperated by eating a piece. [Hmm, your cooking skills have definitely improved.]

Xiao Jin ate three pieces in a row and drank two cups of tea. A look of fatigue appeared between his brows: "I'm tired." He stood up and left.

Yun Zhao returned safely to his residence. Zhang Fuan served him carefully along the way, "Your Majesty has been very tired today, so it would be best if you could go to bed early. There will be no thunder or rain tonight, so you will definitely sleep well."

"Yes." Xiao Jin continued walking, his voice low enough for only Zhang Fuan, who was standing nearby, to hear. "Prince Qin's Mansion, have your men keep a close watch. As for the Su family and those old guys, let Xiao Guizi go. Not a single word can leak out."

"I understand! I will never slack off!"

The Purple Palace's doors closed, and Xiao Jin dismissed his attendants, leaving only Zhang Fuan. "Ci Ning Palace... don't let up either." He stood by the window, gazing at the dark night, his eyes gleaming coldly. "I've cornered them... cornered dogs will leap over the wall, and they're right here before us."

"Yes!" Zhang Fuan bowed and his figure blended into the shadows.

Inside the hall, candlelight flickered. Outside, an undercurrent surged.

And Yun Zhao, after a brief period of stormy waves, sank into a dreamless night of darkness.

At noon the next day, Yun Zhao had just finished serving Xiao Jin his meal when he saw the eighth princess Xiao Yao rushing in aggressively.

This lady of great wealth rarely showed any arrogance today, but she couldn't hide the anxiety in her eyes.

"Greetings, Eighth Princess." Yun Zhao bowed politely, having already guessed her purpose.

"Your brother has returned to Beijing?" Xiao Yao went straight to the point, with a hint of suppressed excitement in her voice.

"Yes." Yun Zhao lowered his eyes, sneering inwardly. Xiao Yao hadn't been allowed to attend the palace banquet a few days ago, so naturally she had no knowledge of it.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Xiao Yao raised her eyebrows, with obvious complaints in her tone.

Yun Zhao still lowered his head and said: "Princess, he is my brother, and I have only met him twice." The implication was obvious - why should I tell you about my brother's affairs?

Xiao Yao bit her lip and suddenly changed the subject: "I have asked my brother the emperor for permission to take you back to the palace to meet your brother. Are you willing?"

A hint of sarcasm flashed in Yun Zhao's eyes. How could this be an inquiry? It was clearly an attempt to force someone to do something. But she refused to be the bad guy today. Let Xiao Jin handle the headache.

"Of course I am willing." She bowed slightly, "As long as Your Majesty approves."

Xiao Yao's face suddenly broke into a smile, and she stepped forward affectionately to hold Yun Zhao's wrist: "Let's go! I will take you to see my brother!"

Yun Zhao frowned secretly. It was Xiao Jin's usual lunch break, and he didn't even bother her.

If she went there rashly, being turned away would be a small matter, but Xiao Yao's anger would definitely be vented on her.

"Eighth Princess," Yun Zhao withdrew his hand imperceptibly, "It's your Majesty's afternoon nap. How about some snacks? The kitchen has just made some jujube paste cakes and osmanthus cakes..."

"Lunch break?" Xiao Yao looked incredulous. "When did my brother get into the habit of taking a lunch break? Isn't he the most diligent?"

"I only learned about this after entering the palace," Yun Zhao said calmly, but inwardly he couldn't help but grumble, "To not even know her own brother's habits, this brother-sister bond is truly profound!"

Xiao Yao hesitated for a moment, then said in a commanding tone, "Then go and see if the emperor has woken up. If he has, come and report immediately!"

Upon hearing this, the palace servants bowed their heads to hide their displeasure. At this hour, His Majesty was about to receive the ministers, and the Imperial Food Bureau was busy preparing refreshments. The Eighth Princess was being so outrageous, she had absolutely no sense of propriety!

Yun Zhao looked at Xiao Yao's spoiled appearance and sneered inwardly: "Such a selfish and willful princess would be a disaster to any family she married into. This is the only kind of education the royal family can offer."

"I'll go right away." She bowed and turned to walk towards the main hall. Each step was steady, but she had already planned how to deal with the next situation.

Xiao Yao snorted, sat down at Yun Zhao's seat, and said in a domineering tone, "Bring out your chef's specialty, so I can have a taste!"

Xiao Tao agreed and did not dare to be negligent.

After all, this is a princess.

Yun Zhao arrived at the main hall. The door was closed and there were several guards and two eunuchs guarding the door.

One of the eunuchs came forward and said, "Mr. Yun, His Majesty is still taking his lunch break. Can you come back later?"