The princess regretted it.

Chapter 266 Jiaoyu's Inner Demon

Jiaoyu was interrupted by Zhangpin's words before she could finish her words. She looked at Zhangpin with a dull look in her eyes, "She, she knew? No, that's not right. If she knew, why didn't she make a fuss?"

Concubine Zhang raised her eyes slightly, a look of fatigue and helplessness in them. "Yundou has been observing for some time. In addition to discovering your father, she also discovered that Jin'an had been there several times. And based on Yundou's description, I have guessed that the nanny responsible for taking care of that woman is most likely the old nanny who served Mu Zitong in the past."

Jiaoyu stumbled back a few steps, her soul drained from her, before collapsing on the other side of the Arhat couch. She felt as if all her strength had vanished in an instant, her heart and lungs filled with an endless sense of powerlessness, as if she were caught in a surging tide, nearly drowning. Her emotions were on the verge of complete collapse.

Her lips trembled slightly, and she kept murmuring: "How could this happen? Why on earth? Why?" There was endless confusion and fear in her voice.

Seeing Jiaoyu so distraught, Concubine Zhang felt a pity for her. She forced herself to stand, struggling to stand, and slowly walked towards Jiaoyu. She stretched out her arms, gently embracing Jiaoyu in her embrace. Then, she gently patted her back and soothed her softly, "My dear Jiaoyu, don't be afraid. You are, after all, your father's biological daughter, the most honorable princess of this palace. Even if your brother cannot ascend to the supreme throne in the future, he will still become a prince. Even if your mother cannot protect you, your brother can."

Although Concubine Zhang spoke these words of comfort with sincerity, her tone was like a blunt knife, concealing the powerlessness and bitterness that were unspeakable sorrow and loss. Deep down, she knew only too well that what she said was merely a false comfort for Jiaoyu, and for herself.

Jiaoyu snuggled in her mother's arms, feeling the long-lost yet familiar warmth, her tense heartstrings snapping instantly. She suddenly stretched out her arms, hugging Concubine Zhang tightly, tears pouring out like a flood, wantonly venting the grievances, hesitation, and fear that had been pent up in her heart for some time.

Concubine Zhang remained silent, just crying with Jiaoyu. Her hand gently and rhythmically patted Jiaoyu's back, as if giving her silent comfort.

After a long time, Jiaoyu's emotions gradually calmed down, and she slowly loosened her hands that were tightly hugging Zhang Pin. Zhang Pin also gently let go of Jiaoyu, moved back a little, and stared at her with concern.

Jiaoyu pulled out her handkerchief and gently wiped the tears from her face, letting out a long breath. She looked up at her mother, her gaze filled with unprecedented resolve. She said firmly, "Mother, we must not compromise so easily. All the hard work you and my maternal family have put into supporting my second brother over the years cannot be wasted like this."

Zhang Concubine didn't respond immediately after hearing Jiaoyu's words. Instead, she slowly turned and walked to the side of the Arhat couch, then slowly sat down. She lowered her head in thought for a long time before slowly raising it, her eyes gleaming with resentment and determination. She gritted her teeth and said, "Yes, why should I give in and let them have their way?"

Then she sighed in frustration and said dejectedly, "But now I'm confined here and can't get out. What can I do?"

"Mother, don't lose heart. I'm here. Didn't Father dream of having another son to continue the imperial line? If he loses his ability to reproduce, he'll have no other options!" A cold glint flashed in her delicate jade eyes, a resolute and sinister look surging like a surging undercurrent. Her gaze was like a sharp blade flashing a cold light in the cold night, emitting a chilling aura that sent shivers down her spine. A demonic desire to overthrow everything was already growing within her.

"Jiao Yu, you, you must not act rashly!" Concubine Zhang suddenly turned pale and the blood drained from her face. She was extremely anxious and reached out hastily, grabbing Jiao Yu's wrist tightly. Her voice became sharp due to anxiety, and her words were full of panic and uneasiness.

It's not like she hadn't touched the heir before, but that was with other women. She'd never dared to touch the emperor himself. She knew full well how stringent the emperor's safety measures were, how every drink and every meal was inspected by a dedicated person. Furthermore, if discovered, harming the emperor's body would be a heinous crime, punishing the entire family and clan, with no room for forgiveness.

"Mother, please don't worry. I have made up my mind and will never act rashly." Jiaoyu exerted a little force and held Zhang Pin's hand back. At the same time, her other hand gently stroked the back of Zhang Pin's hand, as if conveying some kind of soothing power, trying to calm her panicked mood.

Concubine Zhang was still full of worries, her brows furrowed, she seemed to want to say something but hesitated, her lips trembling slightly, as if there were thousands of words stuck in her throat.

Jiaoyu keenly caught her thoughts and hurriedly spoke first: "Mother, you don't have to worry so much. I will definitely discuss it carefully with you and uncle before doing anything. I will never act alone or recklessly." She spoke sincerely, her tone firm and steady, but a hint of madness and paranoia flashed across the depths of her eyes.

"Really? This is a very serious matter!" Zhang Pin held Jiaoyu's hand, her eyes full of fear and anxiety. She looked straight into Jiaoyu's eyes, as if she wanted to look into the depths of her soul.

"Yu'er, you should know how treacherous the waters are in this palace. Every step you take is like walking on thin ice. One careless move could result in death. What you just said is a crime of treason, and your entire clan will be executed. Although we are in a difficult situation now, we must not go down this dead end." Zhang Pin's voice trembled slightly, with a hint of tears in her voice. She held Jiao Yu's hands tightly with both hands, and her palms were full of cold sweat.

"Your father is the emperor, and his majesty is unpredictable. We must never have such rebellious thoughts. Be obedient and completely erase this dangerous idea from your heart, okay? Mother, I beg you, don't let us fall into an irretrievable situation because of a momentary impulse." Her eyes were full of pleading, tears welled up in her eyes, and she was about to fall.

Concubine Zhang was truly frightened now. Her former pride had crumbled under the heavy blows she had endured. Only after experiencing all this had she truly understood the cruelty and ruthlessness of the double-edged sword of imperial favor. Every misfortune ruthlessly eroded her edge and spirit.

She had long since lost her former self-assured and high-spirited demeanor; instead, she acted with increasing caution, fearing she would make another wrong move. She knew she couldn't afford to lose again.