Qiao Zhen is said to be brave, for she didn't dare move when she saw the scarecrow. But if you say she's timid, she can lie on the bed and sleep so carefree.
Before dawn, Qiao Zhen was forcefully awakened by Xiao Ling. Still half-asleep, she opened the door and looked at the scarecrow in front of her. After all, the scene in the darkness the night before had been even more terrifying, so Qiao Zhen was much calmer seeing it again.
She looked at the man lying next to the scarecrow and screamed in panic, "Help! Help! Someone help me!"
The servants and maids in the courtyard were all woken up. Qiao Zhen was the mistress of this courtyard, and everyone had to serve her for their livelihood. Jiao Lan's room was the closest to Qiao Zhen's bedroom. She left, dragging her embroidered shoes, and ran out, "Ah—!"
Another piercing scream rang out. Qiao Zhen and Jiao Lan huddled together, trembling. Jiao Lan was the first to react, shouting, "Someone! Quickly report this to the Prince!"
Good Guerlain, very knowledgeable.
Shen Xiaobao also came running over in a daze. He stumbled and staggered as he ran. Qiao Zhen couldn't bear to see him suffer such a shock at such a young age, so she immediately took advantage of his sleepy state and hugged him. "Jiao Lan, take Xiaobao downstairs and don't let him run out!"
It took Jiao Lan a while to react. She ran over and picked up Xiao Bao, "Madam... Madam, this servant will take the young master back right away."
Shen Xiaobao seemed to realize the eerie atmosphere in the air. He struggled in Jiao Lan's arms and cried loudly, "Mother, waaaaah, Mother!"
Seeing that Jiao Lan couldn't withstand Xiao Bao's struggles, Qiao Zhen went around the scarecrow and picked Xiao Bao up in her arms. The maid who had been sent to report to Shen Zhao hurriedly returned, and Qiao Zhen shouted, "Where is the Prince?!"
The maid replied timidly, "Madam, the Prince hasn't woken up yet."
"Shout! Is a matter of life and death more important than his sleep?!" Qiao Zhen glanced at the scarecrow, then lowered her head in despair. Her tears were still wet on her face, but she was only concerned with covering Xiao Bao's eyes.
Shen Zhaoshan arrived late. Hearing the commotion in the courtyard, his brows furrowed beneath his mask. He entered the courtyard with his hands behind his back, and the scene before him surprised him, but that was all. "Yushu, search the mansion."
"Yes," Elm replied, then cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, his arms revealing strength as he moved.
Qiao Zhen buried Xiao Bao's face in her shoulder. Since Shen Zhao had come, there was no need for her to stay. She carried the wailing Xiao Bao into the bedroom. "Xiao Bao, be good, don't go outside."
Shen Zhao then entered the bedroom. "Did you see what was outside?"
"Yes." Qiao Zhen raised the back of her hand to wipe away her tears. "There was a shadow on the door this morning. When I opened the door, I saw..." She couldn't finish her sentence and covered her cheek with her hand. She was still wearing her undergarments.
Shen Zhao sat at the round wooden table, his gaze discreetly surveying the furnishings in Qiao Zhen's bedroom. "I will send someone to investigate this matter."
Qiao Zhen breathed a sigh of relief, "I just hope the prince won't be biased anymore, it's really terrifying."
She was referring to Cheng Yao'er.
Cheng Yao'er was already pacing anxiously in the Cheng residence, "Why did I send such a useless thing like you? Where is Bai Daren?"
The maidservant who served Cheng Yao'er, Walou, replied cautiously, "Miss, Boda has not returned yet."
Enraged, Cheng Yao'er threw the scalding tea at Wa Rou. "Get out! Make those people leave as soon as possible, and burn all the corpses. Make sure it's done flawlessly!"
Walou bowed her head and meekly replied "Yes," then left, clutching her scalded arm.
After changing her clothes, Qiao Zhen comforted Xiao Bao, and her feelings for Shen Zhao also darkened slightly.
Shen Zhao didn't say anything when he left, remaining silent about her comments about "favoritism".
Qiao Zhen initially felt inflated by her lover's unconditional favoritism towards her during their relationship. But now that her lover is favoring another woman, she's absolutely furious!
And she also had to comfort Shen Xiaobao.
Shen Zhao sent people to clean up everything in Qiao Zhen's courtyard, and then sent Yu Shu to conduct a thorough investigation. In addition, the guards in the Regent's Palace became even more stringent.
After probing Shen Zhao's attitude, Qiao Zhen became even more enthusiastic about bringing him down. That night, she changed into night clothes and went to the Imperial Study in the palace. This time, she threw a pebble wrapped in a note.
Shen Lan looked at the pebbles next to the memorial. He unfolded the paper and found the words "Yi Chen" on it. He then dismissed the eunuchs and maids serving him.
Seeing that the servants in the Imperial Study had all left, Qiao Zhen immediately floated down from the roof beam. She was somewhat absent-minded, and her expression was very serious. "Yi Chen, I'm giving you three months. Within three months, whatever you want to do, I'll do my best to help you. But after three months, I'll have to use my own methods to bring down Chen Zhao."
She was in a hurry.
The more she disliked Shen Zhao, the more anxious she became.
Shen Lan looked at Qiao Zhen, whose face was somewhat dejected, blinked, and asked, "What happened?"
Qiao Zhen squatted down next to Shen Lan, cupping her face in her hands. "Sigh, Shen Zhao is such a disappointment to me. He perfectly embodies all my fantasies about a man I like, but this man can't even distinguish right from wrong."
Shen Lan looked at Qiao Zhen with a half-smile, "What's wrong? Did he hurt your feelings?"
Qiao Zhen glared at Shen Lan, annoyed. "You'd better hurry up and tell me your plan. I've been working on this all night to give you ideas. Don't let me down, okay?"
Regardless of the reason why Qiao Zhen hates Shen Zhao, this hatred can serve as a bridge between her and Shen Lan, which is why Shen Lan can generously give her his trust.
"I need General Yuan's tiger tally from Pingyang."
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