Chapter 105: Showing Off in Front of the Crown Princess

In the Crown Prince’s Palace, at the study.

Xiao Ji had quietly slipped out of the main courtyard early in the morning and returned to his study. Thinking of how Xie Yao put on an air of “generosity,” yet in truth couldn’t leave him alone, his lips curved upward. He was in quite a good mood.

“Your Highness,” Si-nan entered with a strange expression and lowered his voice. “Third Lady Xie is here. She says she came to pay her respects.”

Pay respects to him? Xiao Ji almost laughed out loud. He couldn’t even be bothered to answer, and he certainly didn’t want to deal with Xie Yuru. But after pausing, he asked, “Does the Crown Princess know?”

Si-nan thought for a moment. “She probably does.”

Xiao Ji glanced outside. “Then let the Crown Princess handle it.”

Si-nan: “…”

In truth, the Crown Princess didn’t seem to be coming at all. Word was that she had gone to the training grounds with Miss Wei. But Si-nan, hesitant, chose not to reveal this.

So Xiao Ji waited.

By noon, Xie Yuru still hadn’t left. She had received no word to enter, but she also couldn’t bear to walk away in defeat. Instead, she stubbornly remained outside the study, waiting.

Under the high sun, sweat beaded across her skin, smudging the makeup she had so carefully applied that morning. She glanced at Si-nan, who leaned lazily against a shaded tree, sword in hand, a blade of grass between his teeth. Wiping her brow delicately with a handkerchief, she tried to appear pitiful as she approached. “Young master, could you help announce me again?”

Si-nan jerked his chin toward the unshaded courtyard in front of the study. “Wait there.”

Xie Yuru’s face twisted with frustration. She wanted to lash out but remembered that this man was always at the Crown Prince’s side. She didn’t dare offend him. But to leave now… she couldn’t swallow the humiliation.

Inside, Xiao Ji finally lost patience and called Si-nan in. “Are you sure the Crown Princess knows?” The study was close to the main courtyard. Even if she were crawling, she should have arrived by now. Could it be… that his princess was hiding back there, crying all alone?

At that thought, he could no longer sit still. He shot up and strode out.

“Your Highness!” Xie Yuru’s eyes lit up the moment she saw him, and she rushed forward eagerly.

Xiao Ji frowned, giving her a cold glance. “Why are you still here?”

Her smile faltered, stiff and forced. “Ru’er came to pay respects to Your High—” But before she could finish, he was gone, his long strides carrying him far out of sight. He hadn’t spared her another moment.

Arriving at the main courtyard and finding it empty, Xiao Ji grew even more alarmed. Had his Crown Princess gotten so upset that she left the Crown Prince’s Palace altogether? Fortunately, Si-nan quickly explained where she had gone.

When Xiao Ji reached the training grounds, he immediately heard Xie Yao’s cheerful voice: “Wow, Ah-Chan, you’re amazing!”

Ah-Chan??

His eyes snapped to the scene: Wei Chan stood behind Xie Yao, arms encircling her, carefully guiding her in drawing a bow. Tall and strong, dressed in a fitted warrior’s outfit, Wei Chan towered over her, steadying her hand as she taught.

Even though Wei Chan was a woman, the sight stung Xiao Ji’s eyes unbearably. He had thought Xie Yao might be weeping somewhere, and he had worried himself sick yet here she was, laughing brightly with someone else!

But then he saw the sweat on her brow and the sparkle in her eyes. His heart softened for a moment. He could teach her too! And better than Wei Chan, for that matter but remembering he was still supposed to be angry, he swallowed back the words. He made up his mind: until she spoke to him first, he would not say a word.

Focused on learning, Xie Yao hadn’t even noticed him. Wei Chan, with a fighter’s sharp senses, had, but she chose not to mention it.

That was when Xiao Ji strode forward and positioned himself nearby. He raised his bow and loosed arrow after arrow, each one striking dead center on the target. While shooting, he stole glances at Xie Yao, waiting for her reaction. See? He was better than Wei Chan!

Xie Yao did notice. With how exaggerated his movements were, it was impossible to ignore. And yes… he really was impressive.

But before she could say anything, a sugary, overacted voice rang out, “Wow! Your Highness, you’re incredible! Could Ru’er learn archery from you too?”

Xie Yuru had followed them, planting herself right between Xie Yao and Xiao Ji, her eyes shining with anticipation.

Xiao Ji’s face darkened at once. His patience snapped. “Get out.”

Her face went deathly pale. She had never imagined she would one day be publicly scolded by the Crown Prince himself. Covering her face, she turned and fled.

After that humiliating dismissal, Xie Yuru did indeed behave more quietly for a few days. Without her constant scheming, the Crown Prince’s Palace fell into a rare peace.

Meanwhile, however, turmoil brewed in the capital.

Princess He Yi soon presented solid evidence of Xiao Hong’s crimes in Nanzhou which included embezzlement on a massive scale and spreading plague among the people.

In the Yangxing Palace, she knelt before the Emperor, submitting proof of her own brother’s guilt.

The Emperor studied the documents, then his eldest daughter, expression unreadable. “Do you know what you’re doing?” His voice was thunderous.

Xiao Ning raised her head firmly. “Father, I understand. My royal brother abused power for personal gain, plundered the people, embezzled funds, and caused the dam in Nanzhou to collapse, leaving the people destitute. He spread plague to harm his elder brother and the Marquis of Zhenbei, leading to over a hundred innocent deaths. These crimes are countless. As his elder sister, I cannot shield him. If I did, I would be failing my elder brother and the common people.”

Her tone shifted. “But as his sister, I beg Father to show leniency. I am willing to take punishment in his stead.”

Her words struck a perfect balance; upholding justice and showing familial devotion. To the ministers present, she appeared righteous, compassionate, the very model of virtue. They all nodded approvingly.

“Your Majesty, what the Princess says is true. The evidence is undeniable. Please punish the Second Prince.”

“Yes, Your Majesty…”

The Emperor silenced them with a raised hand and fixed his cold gaze on Xiao Ning. “Since you’re willing to take your brother’s punishment, then you shall be stripped of your title. Xiao Ning, do you accept?”

A chill ran down her spine. She forced herself to bow. “I accept.”

Hidden in her sleeves, her fists clenched tightly. She had sacrificed her own brother to step over his head and climb higher yet her father had instead crushed her. Was it only because she was a woman? How could she accept that?

The Emperor waved his hand wearily, dismissing everyone. Then he opened another memorial on his desk. It was from the previous day, submitted by the Second Prince himself, detailing accounts from Nanzhou.

It revealed not only Xiao Hong’s corruption but also Xiao Ning’s.

“Summon someone.”

Chief Eunuch Li entered at once, bowing respectfully.

“Remove Xiao Hong’s name from the royal genealogy. Strip him of all titles, reduce him to a commoner, and confine him for life. Also, instruct the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Household to hasten preparations for Xiao Ning’s marriage.”

Just as Chief Eunuch Li turned to carry out the orders, a young eunuch entered hurriedly to report: “Your Majesty, Deputy Minister Song has arrived.”