Shen Baozhu was dressed in a simple single-layered gown. She hugged Shen Yunfeng tightly, her small face full of grievance.
She didn't miss the look of astonishment on Shen Yunfeng's face. Seeing that her father didn't show concern for her, she immediately shifted her direction and hugged Shen Danqing, her second elder brother who was closest to her.
Shen Danqing had just returned from the academy. He was wearing the long gown uniform of the Shen Family Academy. He had inherited his father's good looks. His phoenix eyes were slightly slanted upwards, giving him a somewhat fierce look, but when he smiled, he was as gentle as a blooming peach blossom.
When his younger sister hugged him, he instinctively picked up the little girl and said lovingly, "Baozhu, don't be afraid. Your second elder brother is here."
Shen Baozhu wrapped her arms around her second elder brother's neck and whined to complain, "A bad guy bullied me. He not only pushed me into the water but also took advantage of mother's absence to force poison down my throat. I was almost, just a little bit, not able to see mother and second elder brother."
Hearing this, Shen Yunfeng subconsciously hugged Concubine Yun tightly, but accidentally touched her wound, making her cry out in pain.
Shen Baozhu also had a good relationship with Concubine Yun. Hearing the sound, she anxiously looked at Concubine Yun and asked, "What's wrong with Concubine Yun? Did the bad guy bully you too?"
Shen Yunfeng, who was protecting Concubine Yun, also came to his senses. But before he could say anything, Concubine Yun spoke first.
Even though she was injured, Concubine Yun managed to squeeze out a smile and replied in the gentlest tone, "I accidentally hurt my leg just now. It might be a sprain."
Shen Yunfeng quietly glanced at Shen Danqing. Seeing that his eagerness had disappeared and that he seemed to be lost in thought, he felt a little anxious.
Originally, the relationship between Princess Jingning and Concubine Yun's mother and son was just so - so. But since Shen Baozhu was born, she loved to cling to her second elder brother, which brought his wife and concubine closer. Even outsiders had heard the good story of the harmonious relationship between his wife and concubine.
Today, he had deliberately set up a scheme to make Princess Jingning use private punishment on Concubine Yun. He hoped not only to drive a wedge between Shen Danqing and Princess Jingning but also to give Princess Jingning the reputation of being jealous. Unexpectedly, his plan was ruined by Shen Baozhu.
Concubine Yun propped herself up with difficulty and got up from Shen Yunfeng's embrace, keeping a distance from him.
This made Shen Yunfeng come to his senses. Looking at Shen Baozhu's angry little face, his heart tightened. "It's father's fault. Can Baozhu forgive father?"
As he said this, Shen Yunfeng reached out and picked Shen Baozhu up into his arms. He lowered his head and patiently coaxed the child.
But Shen Baozhu still remembered what had happened just now. She turned her head away and said angrily, "I won't forgive you! Father didn't even care about me. A bad guy forced poison down my throat, and you didn't even catch the bad guy."
A look of helplessness appeared on Shen Yunfeng's face. "Father just found out about the bad guy. Don't worry, Baozhu. Leave the matter of catching the bad guy to father. Father will definitely find the bad guy for you, put the bad guy in jail, and avenge you. Okay?"
Princess Jingning, standing under the eaves, took in everyone's emotions, especially the change in Shen Yunfeng's expression after he entered the door. She lowered her eyes and pondered silently.
Ziwǎn was a smart girl. In front of Shen Baozhu and Shen Yunfeng, she trotted up to Concubine Yun and said, "Concubine Yun, let this servant help you into the house to rest."
Concubine Yun was worried because of Xia Yu's frame - up. She secretly glanced at Princess Jingning. Seeing that she showed no sign of dissatisfaction, she leaned on Ziwǎn's support and slowly walked back into the house.
Seeing Concubine Yun leave, Shen Danqing became even more worried. He wanted to follow but stopped himself. He just looked at Princess Jingning pleadingly and whispered, "Mother..."
Following this, Shen Yunfeng looked at Princess Jingning standing under the eaves again.
Princess Jingning nodded slightly in agreement. With his step - mother's permission, Shen Danqing quickly followed Ziwǎn's steps. He carried Concubine Yun directly into the house on his back. He had noticed earlier that Concubine Yun's injury was not a sprained foot but a beating.
Looking at this scene, Shen Yunfeng felt dissatisfied.
Everyone in the capital said that he was lucky to have married a gentle and virtuous princess. But they didn't know that Princess Jingning had the final say in the mansion. Even the concubines and concubine - born sons were respectful to her and ignored him.
It was okay on normal days, but today when Concubine Yun was beaten, Shen Yunfeng didn't expect this mother - and - son pair to be so obedient.
"Father, father!"
Shen Baozhu was telling Shen Yunfeng how she was forced to drink poison and how she was pricked with needles. She said that as soon as she learned that her mother was in Yunmiao Courtyard, she didn't even bother to change into nice clothes before coming... But unexpectedly, Shen Yunfeng was staring blankly in Princess Jingning's direction.
This made the little princess also feel dissatisfied. She shouted into her father's ear, almost deafening him.
Shen Yunfeng rubbed his ear and angrily pinched Shen Baozhu's nose. "What are you shouting for, little ancestor? You almost deafened father!"
"Baozhu was talking, but father was absent - minded. I don't like father anymore." Shen Baozhu slapped away Shen Yunfeng's hand, quickly got out of his arms, and ran in front of Princess Jingning.
The little girl had short legs but was very fast. In the blink of an eye, she hugged Princess Jingning's leg.
Shen Baozhu looked up with a soft voice. "Father is bad. Mother, hug me."
Princess Jingning couldn't resist her daughter's coquetry and immediately picked her up. "Mother will not only hug you but also help you catch the bad guy."
Shen Baozhu's eyes lit up and she said happily, "Okay. After catching the bad guy, hand him over to grandfather. Let grandfather beat the bad guy hard!"
Looking at the lively little daughter in her arms, the big stone of uneasiness in Princess Jingning's heart finally fell.
She had given birth to two sons and one daughter. The first two sons were both introverted. It wasn't until the birth of her little daughter Baozhu that she realized she could be so indulgent towards a child.
As long as Baozhu coquetted, she would soften her heart and wanted to give the whole world to her.
Princess Jingning quickly thought that Shen Baozhu had just woken up and hadn't rested yet, so she took her back to the main courtyard to take a nap first.
But when passing by Shen Yunfeng, the vengeful Shen Baozhu deliberately put her hand on her mother's face and said, "Let's just go. Ignore the bad - guy father!"
Princess Jingning naturally agreed repeatedly and walked past without looking sideways.
Shen Yunfeng was about to chase after to coax Shen Baozhu, but thinking of Concubine Yun and her son in the house, he stopped.
He stood in the courtyard. Only after Ziwǎn left did he push open the door and enter.
Inside the house, Concubine Yun was lying on the bed, and Shen Danqing was feeding her water.
Shen Yunfeng looked at Concubine Yun with concern. "How could the princess hurt you like this? I have a box of medicinal ointment bestowed by the palace. I'll send someone to bring it to you later."
"My lord, it's this concubine who didn't follow the rules and made the princess angry," Concubine Yun replied softly.
This answer was within Shen Yunfeng's expectation, but hearing that Concubine Yun really had no complaints about Princess Jingning, he couldn't hide his anger.
"You're seriously injured. I'll go get the medicinal ointment now."
Leaving this sentence behind, Shen Yunfeng quickly left.
After Shen Yunfeng's back completely disappeared from Yunmiao Courtyard, Concubine Yun casually found an excuse to send Shen Danqing away.
When there was only Concubine Yun left in the room, she looked at the curtain on the east side and said, "Miss Hongshen, could it be a coincidence? The lord has always doted on the little princess. How could he harm her?"
Hongshen lifted the curtain and walked out. She said coldly, "Whether it's a coincidence or not, the princess will decide."