12: The emperor isn't worried, but the eunuchs are.

"Um, Your Highness, perhaps we should head back first. If we can't find you, we might be thrown into the imperial prison," Zhu Danchen said helplessly.

"Brother Zhu, since when have you become so timid? Don't worry, with me here, you'll be fine," Duan Zhengchun said with a smile.

Zhu Danchen fell silent, feeling like he and the Prince were not on the same wavelength.

It felt like the emperor wasn't worried, but the eunuch was.

However, even though he said it was fine, Duan Zhengchun still prepared to return.

After arriving at the inn, Zhu Danchen finally understood why the Prince had been so calm the entire journey.

The beauty who stepped down from the carriage was in no way inferior to their Princess Consort.

No wonder the Prince hadn't been willing to return these past few days; he had found a new favorite.

The Prince's methods were as sharp as ever. In just a few days, he had found such an unparalleled beauty.

After freshening up and looking completely renewed, Duan Zhengchun finally brought Zhao Min back to the Prince's residence.

At the Prince of Zhennan's Residence, Dao Baifeng was sitting in the back garden, lost in thought.

At that moment, Xiao Die hurried over in a fluster.

"Princess Consort, Princess Consort, the Prince has returned," Xiao Die said excitedly.

Hearing the commotion, Dao Baifeng snapped out of her reverie, not reacting immediately.

"Xiao Die, what did you say?" Dao Baifeng asked.

"Princess Consort, the Prince has returned," Xiao Die repeated.

"What? The Prince is back? Where?" Dao Baifeng said excitedly.

"He'll be at the gate any moment now," Xiao Die said with a smile.

"Quickly... wait, I can't go."

"If I go to greet him now, that fellow will become even more smug."

Dao Baifeng instinctively wanted to go welcome him, but thinking of the grievances she had endured during this time, a wave of nameless anger rose in her heart.

Naturally, she couldn't take the initiative to greet him.

Watching the Princess Consort's actions, Xiao Die smiled helplessly at the corner of her mouth.

Clearly yearning in her heart, yet still pretending not to care.

Was it really necessary for a married couple to be so stubborn?

"Alright then, but the Princess Consort should still prepare herself."

"I heard that this time, the Prince returned with a stunningly beautiful woman whose looks are no less than yours."

"Are you sure you want to just wait here?" Xiao Die looked at Dao Baifeng with a knowing smile.

"What? He... he really brought back a woman? And a beautiful one?" Dao Baifeng said, her Face pale.

"Princess Consort, don't get upset yet."

"We already knew this kind of situation was possible, didn't we? There's no need to be heartbroken over this."

"Moreover, the final outcome depends on the Prince's attitude," Xiao Die comforted.

Dao Baifeng took a deep breath, knowing this wasn't the time for petty anger.

She had to maintain the dignity of a Princess Consort. At a time like this, she also needed to save enough Face for the Prince.

If Duan Zhengchun didn't know better, then she could confront him later.

"Xiao Die, accompany me to welcome the Prince back to the residence," Dao Baifeng said, taking a deep breath.

"Yes, Princess Consort..." Xiao Die smiled and followed the Princess Consort out to welcome the Prince back.

Outside the Prince's residence, a luxurious carriage was slowly approaching.

Inside the carriage, Duan Zhengchun and Zhao Min were being affectionate.

"Duan Lang, do you think... will Sister accept me?" Zhao Min hesitated, voicing her concern.

"Don't worry, Phoenix is very kind-hearted. She definitely won't make things difficult for you," Duan Zhengchun said with a smile.

"Your Highness, we've arrived..." Zhu Danchen's voice sounded outside the carriage.

"Min Min, come, let's get down," Duan Zhengchun said with a smile.

Zhao Min felt a bit nervous, after all, this was her first time experiencing such a situation.

Her heart was uneasy. What should she do if the Princess Consort didn't like her and made things difficult?

Should she confront her head-on, or should she swallow her pride for Duan Lang's sake?

Forget it. As long as she didn't cause trouble for Duan Lang, what did a little Wronged matter? As long as she could be with Duan Lang, as long as Duan Lang loved her, that was enough.

With a nervous heart, Zhao Min stepped down from the carriage.

"We welcome the Prince's return to the residence..."

As soon as Duan Zhengchun got out of the carriage, he heard the synchronized words of welcome.

This surprised Duan Zhengchun somewhat. When he saw Dao Baifeng standing at the main gate of the residence, eagerly looking out, he was even more astonished.

In his memory, Dao Baifeng was definitely not such a magnanimous person.

Especially when it came to matters of the heart, she had always stubbornly believed that her man could only have her, one woman.

Moreover, she never gave Duan Zhengchun, this ' simp' (simp), any Face.

Even in front of Emperor Baoding, she wouldn't save Face.

The reason she dared to be so disrespectful was precisely because she relied on Duan Zhengchun being this ' simp' (simp).

And since Duan Zhengchun was the only one in the Duan Family who could continue the family line, Emperor Baoding had repeatedly tolerated it.

Under normal circumstances in this era, whether you were a Princess Consort or even the Empress, if you dared to not give the Emperor Face, just try it?

Dao Baifeng's actions today truly surprised Duan Zhengchun.

But, this was good too; it saved him a lot of trouble.

"Phoenix, how have you been? I missed you so much," Duan Zhengchun quickly stepped forward, opening his arms.

Dao Baifeng hadn't expected Duan Zhengchun to be so bold, acting like this in front of so many servants.

Her pretty Face instantly flushed red, and her heart fluttered with panic.

At the same time, the resentment she had felt towards Duan Zhengchun's actions earlier also dissipated.

The surrounding servants all quickly lowered their heads, not daring to watch this scene.

As for this, Zhao Min remained quite calm inside.

After these past few days together, she had basically figured out Duan Zhengchun's personality.

It could be said there was nothing Duan Zhengchun wouldn't dare to do.

Moreover, seeing that Dao Baifeng had actually come out to welcome them made Zhao Min feel relieved.

Although she didn't know what kind of person Dao Baifeng really was, at the very least, she was someone who considered the bigger picture.

This way, at least she wouldn't openly embarrass her.

As for other times, if she made things difficult, Zhao Min could just avoid her.

Just as the surroundings suddenly fell quiet, Dao Baifeng was left a bit dazed by Duan Zhengchun's sudden action.

Duan Zhengchun hadn't expected Dao Baifeng to come out to welcome him.

Feeling Duan Zhengchun's movement, Dao Baifeng instantly snapped back to reality and pinched Duan Zhengchun's waist.

"Hiss..."

Duan Zhengchun sucked in a sharp breath of cold air, only to see Dao Baifeng's pretty Face flushed with a mix of shyness and feigned anger as she looked at him.

He wanted to know what had caused such a big change in her.

However, he also knew now wasn't the time.

"Ahem... Well, Phoenix, let me introduce you."

Saying this, Duan Zhengchun turned to look at Zhao Min.

Zhao Min hurried a few steps forward, came before Dao Baifeng, and performed a curtsy.

"Zhao Min pays her respects to the Princess Consort," Zhao Min said in a clear, crisp voice.