Chapter 102: Giving the Crown Prince Women

Xiao Ji had not attended court that day.

When the news reached him, he was in the training courtyard, correcting Xie Yao’s form as she practiced her martial arts. Xie Yao had trained diligently under Lin Xia and built a solid foundation. Now, Xiao Ji only needed to guide her through the finer points, polishing her techniques and adding that finishing touch.

The moment they heard the Emperor had fainted, the two of them wasted no time and immediately set off for the palace.

Inside the Yangxing Palace, nearly all the imperial consorts were already gathered except for Consort Li. Princes and princesses had also been summoned. Everyone stood anxiously, except for the Second Prince, who was kneeling.

Noble Consort Shu sat by the Emperor’s bed, carefully feeding him medicine.

When the Emperor’s gaze fell upon Xiao Ji and Xie Yao, his eyes sharpened. “Everyone out,” he ordered coldly.

“Leave the Crown Prince.”

The hall quickly emptied, leaving only father and son behind.

The Emperor studied Xiao Ji with a complicated expression, but his tone was firm, “You did this deliberately.”

Xiao Ji didn’t deny it. What the Crown Princess wished, he would carry out.

Their eyes locked. The Emperor felt a weariness creep into his bones. He had always made a point of ignoring this son, but now… he could no longer look away.

“You should understand what I meant,” the Emperor said.

The Nanzhou corruption case had been concluded with the downfall of the Li family. That had been both an explanation to the world and a warning to Xiao Hong. The Emperor had wanted Pei Chen and Xiao Ji to stop there.

But clearly, Xiao Ji had no intention of stopping.

“All this… for your Crown Princess?” The Emperor’s voice grew cold, killing intent leaking into the words “Crown Princess.”

Xie Yao.

He wanted her dead.

Xiao Ji’s gaze turned dangerous. He looked straight at the Emperor, voice dripping with mockery. “Has Father already forgotten? When the epidemic struck Nanzhou, I was in the city myself.”

Xiao Hong had dared to strike at him yet he was not allowed to retaliate?

Ridiculous.

The Emperor stiffened. He had brushed that fact aside, partly because he was used to overlooking Xiao Ji, and partly because Xiao Ji had not caught the plague.

“Father.”

“My wife is mine to protect.”

The Emperor’s face turned deathly pale, and rage surged in his chest. In his heart, there had only ever been one true wife. Was Xiao Ji mocking him?

And if it hadn’t been for Xiao Ji, his own Empress, his beloved would never have died. It was Xiao Ji who had brought misfortune, who had taken her away!

“Get out!” the Emperor roared.

The words rang with fury, but the Emperor’s conviction was no longer what it once was.

Xiao Ji bowed perfunctorily. “This son will take his leave.”

He wasn’t afraid of angering his father. After being ignored for so many years, the Emperor’s opinion hardly mattered anymore.

When he stepped out of the Yangxing Palace, every gaze turned to him. They hadn’t heard the conversation inside, but the Emperor’s final shout of “Get out!” had been loud and clear.

Xiao Ji didn’t pause. He strode past them all and went directly to Xie Yao’s side. “Crown Princess,” he said evenly, “Father has shown his grace. We are to return to the estate early and are excused from tending to his illness.”

Everyone present: “…”

Grace? That was grace?

But with Chief Chief Eunuch Li testifying, no one could dispute it, the Emperor truly did not require the Crown Prince to attend his sickbed.

And with the imperial physicians warning that the Emperor must avoid anger, having the Crown Prince nearby… might very well shorten his life.

True to his word, Xiao Ji took Xie Yao by the hand and led her straight out of the palace.

Inside the carriage, Xie Yao leaned close, her small, soft hand pressing against his chest as though to soothe the fire in him. “Why was His Majesty so angry? I fear by tomorrow, the censors will already be impeaching you…”

Xiao Ji caught her hand and kissed it lightly. “It doesn’t matter.”

Xie Yao blinked, instantly understanding. “You did it for me?”

“Yao-yao…” His eyes were helpless, as though exasperated yet indulgent. His Crown Princess was too sharp; sometimes, cleverness wasn’t always a blessing. She could read him far too easily.

She lifted her head, staring at him intently. “Your Highness… have you never once doubted me?”

“Was I too subtle,” he murmured, “that my Crown Princess could even imagine such a thing?”

Her lashes trembled. It was precisely because Xiao Ji had never doubted her, not even once that the question had surfaced in her heart.

She had been prepared for suspicion, prepared to defend herself with tears and pitiful words. Yet Xiao Ji hadn’t even given her the chance.

Instead, he had accepted her outright, arranging everything carefully and shielding her from every harm, down to the smallest detail.

If she hadn’t been certain that he lacked ambition for the throne, she might have suspected he was using her.

“Xie Yao.”

He spoke her full name with grave sincerity, his gaze unwavering. “I have never doubted you.”

Her heart gave a sudden lurch. An emotion she couldn’t quite name surged within her chest, unsettling her, leaving her flustered as though something precious was slipping beyond her control.

The feeling frightened her.

So she buried her face against his chest, voice soft and sweet. “Yao-yao believes in Your Highness. Your Highness is the very best.”

He wrapped his arms around her, one hand stroking soothingly down her back. He understood her questions, her probing.

His Yao-yao had been neglected by the Xie family all her life. It was only natural she lacked a sense of security.

But that didn’t matter.

She had him now. He would fill every void.

In the future, their children would grow up at her side, too. She would never be alone again.

Not long after, news spread: the Emperor had punished the Second Prince, Xiao Hong, with house arrest.

The case would be investigated by the Three Judicial Offices, with Princess He Yi assisting.

Pei Chen had already presented the evidence. The fact that the Emperor still ordered a full inquiry spoke volumes.

But for Xiao Ji and Xie Yao, there was no doubt that once Princess He Yi became involved, Xiao Hong’s fate was sealed.

Even if they did nothing more, Xiao Ning would never let her brother off.

Brother and sister turning against each other… the thought was thrilling.

Xie Yao clicked her tongue and instructed their people to keep an eye on developments. As for herself, she went back to reading.

She had no choice. The Crown Prince had been strict with her studies lately, and if she slacked off, he would “punish” her.

The thing was, she could tell Xiao Ji truly wanted her to learn. Under his patient, meticulous guidance, she had already improved a great deal.

“Your Highness, Your Highness Crown Princess.”

The steward of the Crown Prince’s Palace spoke from outside, his tone hesitant. “There are… some young ladies outside. They say His Majesty sent them.”

Xie Yao looked up, meeting Xiao Ji’s eyes. Both of them were equally baffled.

What was this about?

“His Majesty commanded several noble daughters to stay in the Crown Prince’s estate,” the steward explained, “to… keep the Crown Princess company.”

Understanding dawned instantly.

Xie Yao’s face remained composed, but Xiao Ji’s expression darkened at once.

The Emperor’s intentions were obvious.

Yet since the order came directly from the throne, neither Xiao Ji nor Xie Yao could turn them away. After all, they weren’t ready to rebel.

Together, they went out to meet the “guests” the Emperor had sent.

It wasn’t a large group but every face was familiar.

“Elder Sister, it’s been a long time.” The one standing proudly at the front was none other than Xie Yuru.

She was dressed to the nines, her expression brimming with self-satisfaction. Even in front of Xie Yao, she couldn’t resist casting shy, coy glances at the Crown Prince.

She had fought hard for this chance to openly enter the Crown Prince’s Palace. Her purpose was singular: to charm the Crown Prince, secure her place here, and replace Xie Yao.

With a dazzling smile, she lifted her chin. “Elder Sister needn’t worry. While I’m here, I’ll obey His Majesty’s wishes and share your burdens.”

Her tone dripped with pride.

And that was to serve the Crown Prince, what greater way was there to “share burdens”?

Cultural Notes:

• Three Judicial Offices: refers to three top-level judicial bodies in imperial China that handled major investigations.