Chapter 106: Yao-yao, Only You

The Emperor’s punishments of Xiao Hong and Xiao Ning spread swiftly through the capital.

The people were shocked.

But just as quickly, praise followed; praise of the Emperor’s fairness and impartiality, that he was indeed a wise ruler!

Consort Li, however, went mad.

Driven mad with rage.

Still under house arrest, she learned of these events only because Consort Shu deliberately let the news slip.

“Xiao Ning! I want to see Xiao Ning! Have her come to me at once!”

When Xiao Ning stepped into Weiyang Palace, she was greeted by the sound of Consort Li’s shrill, broken screams.

The palace had always been a place where fortune changed quickly. With her confinement and the Second Prince’s downfall, Weiyang Palace had fallen into ruin, now bleak and desolate.

Consort Li herself was ill.

Even Xiao Ning was startled when she saw her.

The once plump, radiant beauty, graceful in every gesture, now looked haggard and hollow, her cheeks sunken, her skin pale and bloodless.

“Mother.”

Xiao Ning had barely spoken before Consort Li struck her across the face.

“That was your brother, your own flesh and blood! Why would you harm him?” Consort Li’s eyes blazed with wild hatred, her madness chilling to behold.

Xiao Ning’s head jerked to the side with the blow. Looking back at her, she said evenly, “I did not frame him.”

Infuriated, Consort Li raised her hand to strike again but was stopped by Xiao Ning’s maid.

Consort Li struggled, furious. “How dare you! You dare lay hands on me? Do you mean to strike your own mother?”

Xiao Ning gestured for the maid to release her, then met Consort Li’s gaze calmly.

“Mother, from childhood you have always favored Xiao Hong. Even when I was more clever, more obedient, whether in riding, archery, or strategy, I surpassed him. But I was always made to yield. My essays were taken and presented as his before Father, simply because he was a prince.” Her tone dripped with irony.

“But have you forgotten? I am Father’s child as well.”

Her chin lifted proudly. “What he can do, I can do too. I am stronger than him.”

Consort Li froze in disbelief. “You… you…”

“You only have two children, Mother. One has already been ruined. You have no choice.” Xiao Ning’s eyes gleamed coldly. “So give me the people you still control.”

—-

Xie Yao had thought the young ladies sent to the Crown Prince’s household would remain until Xiao Ji favored one of them, or until the Emperor chose one as a side consort.

Unexpectedly, just days later, their families came to take them home.

All except the Xie family.

Wei Chan and the others came to bid farewell. Before leaving, Wei Chan whispered, “It’s His Majesty’s order. Word is, His Highness went to the palace a few days ago.” Her smile was full of meaning.

Xie Yao blinked in surprise. She truly hadn’t known.

After they left, the Crown Prince’s Palace grew noticeably quieter.

She rose and headed for the study.

The summer sun was scorching; by the time she arrived, she was sweating lightly. Inside, blocks of ice kept the room refreshingly cool.

But the Crown Prince wasn’t there.

“Where is His Highness?” she asked Si-nan.

Si-nan looked innocent. “He was just here.”

Her gaze fell on the chessboard left mid-game and the half-drunk tea.

He was hiding from her.

“If His Highness doesn’t wish to see me, then I’ll just—”

She hadn’t finished when a tall figure appeared at the doorway.

It was Xiao Ji.

Si-nan instantly tugged Zhuqing away, leaving only husband and wife in the study.

The two stood frozen, staring at one another, neither speaking.

Just as Xie Yao opened her mouth, she was swept into a warm embrace.

His arms were strong, steady, radiating warmth that wrapped her completely in his familiar presence.

Her hands lifted instinctively, clutching his robes, holding him back.

She hadn’t realized how much she had missed him…her racing heart, her trembling body.

Her arms slid up, looping around his neck as she tilted her face toward his lips…

Perhaps it was the pregnancy. She was more easily stirred than before.

And if she took the first step, how could Xiao Ji possibly restrain himself?

These past nights, he had crept into her chambers just to hold her, quelling his frustration each morning with cold baths. He was nearly driven mad with restraint.

Now, like fire meeting thunder, they kissed with a hunger neither could control.

By the time the study grew quiet again, it was already supper. Torn garments lay scattered everywhere, the air thick with intimacy.

Xie Yao, draped in his cloak, bore crimson marks on her neck and shoulders. Her cheeks glowed, eyes shining with languid satisfaction.

Xiao Ji’s large hand slid from her waist to her rounded belly where he suddenly felt a faint stirring beneath.

The baby had moved.

His lips softened into a smile as he bent to kiss her stomach gently.

“Your Highness…”

Her husky voice carried lazy contentment. But her words were silenced by his lips pressing down again.

When he finally let her speak, his voice was low. “That day, I went to the palace to tell His Majesty… that I am dying.”

Xie Yao stopped his words with another kiss.

His hand tenderly threaded through her hair. “Yao-yao, I want no one else. Only you.”

He had already forgiven her countless times in his heart.

He had surrendered completely to her.

To have her was his only joy in the little time he believed he had left.

His words crashed into her like waves, leaving her dizzy, breathless, as though in a dream.

She had never imagined this.

And yet, he had not only said it, but he had acted on it. Behind her back, he had borne burdens she never knew.

Tears welled as she clung tightly to him. “Your Highness…”

After they dressed and shared supper, they finally spoke of the recent events in the capital.

“Xiao Hong handed over that account book. So His Majesty warned Xiao Ning,” said Xie Yao.

Stripping her title, hastening her marriage…warnings, yes, but still veiled in protection. It showed how deeply the Emperor cherished her.

Xiao Ji nodded. “The guards confining Xiao Hong belong to the Imperial Guards and is directly under His Majesty.”

Xie Yao caught on quickly. “So it’s protection?”

Even stripped and reduced to a commoner, Xiao Hong’s life had been spared. With the Emperor’s indulgence, if he kept quiet, he would want for nothing in his later years.

Xiao Ji chuckled softly. “But His Majesty’s fatherly kindness will likely be wasted.”

With Xiao Hong’s nature, how could he possibly accept lifelong confinement?

If he didn’t cause trouble, Xiao Ji would write his name backward.

But that was just as well. So long as Xiao Hong lived, he was a threat.

“Your Highness,” Xie Yao set down her chopsticks. “Why don’t we help Xiao Hong?” She did not call him “Second Prince” anymore.

“As for the plague… I really don’t think it was his doing.”

Xiao Ji’s gaze darkened, his tone odd. “You trust him quite a lot…”

Her eyes curved as she laughed softly. “Your Highness, are you jealous?”