Ji Cheng's hands froze when he heard Zhao Ming's words.

  She said that she does not want to die again in this palace. He remembers how he picked her from that pool with her body going cold and face pale.

  She was soaked in water and her face was as white as a sheet. After that, she was in a coma for a while and in that time, he had cursed himself many times for not taking actions at the right time.

  His grip tightened around the cup. He does not want to act lousily this time as well and let her suffer from similar pain again.

  Xiao Li sensed the coldness on Ji Cheng's expressions. His eyes were shooting daggers at her.

  She hurriedly held Zhao Ming's hand and said, " Sister, I will punish her if she has made you upset. This is the welcome feast for Master Wen. We should not waste our time by doing this conversation here. Don't worry, I will punish her properly." Xiao Li tried to shift Zhao Ming's attention to the feast.

  " You won't do anything." Xiao Li froze when she heard Ji Cheng's words.

  Ji Cheng didn't say anything for a while, but when he did, everyone became silent in the room.

  A glimmer of hope emerged in her heart. ' Is he saying that she doesn't need to punish her? Does he believe that her servant won't do anything? Or Zhao Ming is being delusional?'

  Xiao Li was making assumptions about Ji Cheng's words.

  Whereas Zhao Ming was confused about his words as well. She turned to look at Ji Cheng with a disappointed expression.

  But before she could say anything, Ji Cheng continued, " No one will do anything. I will personally look into this matter and investigate this matter correctly."

  Ji Cheng announced as he looked at Zhao Ming with his warm expressions. ' I won't let you disappoint for the second time.'

  Xiao Li's expressions fell when she heard his words. If he were to look into this matter then it would not be good for her.

  If the official investigation took place about this matter then she doesn't know how many secrets will be revealed.

  Xiao Li bit her lower lip and wanted to say something when Zhao Ming beat her to it and said, " Okay. It will be better if you look into this matter. Because she might be some spy as well and if that happens it will be no good for the security of the palace." Zhao Ming said with seriousness.

  Ji Cheng nodded his head pleasingly when he heard her words. He was glad that she believed in him and allowed him to do look into this matter.

  ' Security of the palace?' Xiao Li looked at Zhao Ming in shock. She cannot figure out in what way Tao Qiu is dangerous for the security of the palace?

  ' This bitch sure knows how to exaggerate things further.' she cursed Zhao Ming inwardly. Xiao Li's head was hurting when she heard Zhao Ming's words.

  She is making it looks like she has done some extreme crime. Tao Qiu was only her informant who gave her information about Zhao Ming.

  'What does it have to do with the palace security?'

  Zhao Ming was making a big deal out of it.

  Zhao Ming saw Ji Cheng in deep thought and when she glanced at Xiao Li, whose expressions have turned gloomy.

  A smirk tugged at Zhao Ming's lips seeing Xiao Li so nervous.

  ' Hah. Do you think that I will not know that you're keeping an eye on me? Babes, I am sorry, but you have underestimated your enemy.'

  ' I am not someone that you can fool easily. I am your Mama, and I will show you how to be a true Bitch!'

  Zhao Ming was enjoying seeing the fearful expressions on Xiao Li's face.

  ….

  Ji Cheng held Zhao Ming's hand which was placed on the table and said in a low voice," You don't need to worry. I will take care of it. I will not let go of this matter lightly." he said in a serious tone as he glanced at Xiao Li.

  His gaze was cold and contained a sense of warning.

  Xiao Li shuddered under his gaze and looked downwards avoiding his eye contact.

  Wen Ru who was sitting opposite from the trio smirked seeing Zhao Ming smile when Xiao Li held her head down.

  " Hmm. Interesting." he murmured in a voice which was inaudible to others.

  He was impressed by the way Zhao Ming handled this issue.

  Everyone in the room understood the truth but no one spoke directly.

  Seeing Xiao Li's pale face, it was clear that it was her trick and Tao Qiu was her person so it was evident that she has some relation with this spying incident.

  But rather than blaming Xiao Li directly, Zhao Ming chose to complain about Tao Qiu because this way she is not directly blaming Xiao Li but it doesn't mean that during the investigation she can be spared.

  She will be under suspicion this way and if she has blamed Xiao Li without any evidence then Xiao Li could have retort easily.

  But now she has nothing to say. Xiao Lijust clutched her hands and looked downwards.

  She was too afraid to look at Ji Cheng because all she could see was his dark eyes which were shooting daggers at her.

  ….

  After the heated conversation, Zhao Ming made servants serve the food. After Ji Cheng said that he will manage everything, the topic was closed.

  They ate their dinner rather peacefully and Zhao Ming started conversations with Wen Ru in between to not make him feel awkward and lonely.

  During the whole feast, Xiao Li didn't say anything and just kept quiet.

  She was already in shock that the incident regarding Tao Qiu will be investigated and she was afraid that if that stupid maid opened her mouth than it would harm her reputation.

  She was afraid that everyone would come to know the truth behind Zhao Ming's drowning incident. She didn't say anything during the whole feast and barely touched her food.

  Zhao Ming was pleased that Xiao Li didn't say anything and didn't disturb her anymore. She was relaxed and during the feast, she talked to Wen Ru about many things.

  Whereas Ji Cheng was annoyed seeing Zhao Ming talking with Wen Ru happily. The gaze in Wen Ru's eyes was disturbing him.

  After the feast, the servant served the dessert and some fruits for everyone.

  When Zhao Ming got her plate, she placed a piece of grape in her mouth and said as she looked up at Wen Ru, " Brother Wen, what business you do?" she casually asked while eating.

  Although she knew some things that she heard from Lu shi but to make the conversation go on, she needs to ask him herself.

  Wen Ru raised his brows and observed her expressions. She never talked to him about his business or something.

  But now she was showing interest in his work. Normally, no woman asked him about his work but she is the first one to do so.

  " I have a different business from my father. I have a shop which sells women's items like scarfs and some clothes. It also includes some rose powder and other skincare products for them." he said while sipping his tea as he was not fond of dessert.

  Ji Cheng was also drinking tea and turned to look at Zhao Ming when she asked this question.

  He could sense the excitement in her voice when she asked this question.

  His expressions turned gloomy seeing the happiness in her eyes while looking at Wen Ru.

  " Oh really? Is your shop in Ji city itself? Or somewhere else?" Zhao Ming excitedly asked Wen Ru.

  " Yes. It's in Ji City. But it is a little far away from the palace. It's in the center area of the city because that area is more crowded than here and it's easier to gather more customers. " Wen Ru replied casually.

  He was smiling mildly seeing the excitement in Zhao Ming's eyes.

  The palace was situated in the Ji city but it's away from the main market area which was more crowded due to safety and privacy reasons.

  His shop was in the middle of the Ji Dynasty and there it is easy to get customers.

  Zhao Ming nodded and asked innocently, " Then, can I visit your shop sometime? I wanted to go out because I am so bored staying in the palace and doing nothing."

  Ji Cheng's hands stopped in the air when he heard her words.

  ' She wanted to visit his shop? Why?'

  Wen Ru looked at Zhao Ming with stunned expressions. It's the first time, she has directly asked him something.

  No one has visited his shop before, not even Xiao Li. He sometimes brings gifts for everyone but no one has visited his shop before.

  He looked at her and nodded. " Yes. You can come. It will be my honor if her highness would visit my shop." he politely replied to her.

  Ji Cheng looked at Zhao Ming with stunned expressions and asked, " What will you do there?"

  " Hmm? " Zhao Ming glanced at him and was confused about his question.

  " I want to see his shop?" she replied hesitantly. She was not sure why Ji Cheng was asking her such questions.

  Can't she just go there simply? Does he have to ask so many questions?

  " But why?" Ji Cheng countered to question her.

  " Because I want to?" Zhao Ming doesn't know what to answer about this question. She wanted to see what kind of items woman prefers here and how she can make changes and see her products there.

  But why was Ji cheng looking so stern while talking about visiting his shop?

  ##

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