Chapter 107: For His Highness, I’d Do Anything

“Yes.”

A low, husky voice sounded right in front of her.

Xie Yao lifted her eyes and found herself locked in Xiao Ji’s deep, shadowy gaze like a whirlpool ready to pull her in completely.

He… admitted it?

“Yao-yao.” Xiao Ji leaned closer, a hint of grievance in his tone. “You’ve never trusted me this much.”

For a brief moment, guilt flickered in her heart then she realized he had successfully led her astray.

She started, “He… doesn’t even have the brains for that.”

But before she could finish, his lips pressed over hers.

He had already said he was jealous, and yet here she was, still speaking of another man in front of him.

That deserved punishment.

“Your Highness, Your Highness Crown Princess—”

A maid’s voice rang out from the courtyard. “Third Lady Xie has jumped into the lake!”

The other young ladies had already been sent back to their families, but Xie Yuru had refused to leave.

Xiao Ji had instructed Si-nan to escort her home, but he hadn’t expected something like this to happen.

He and Xie Yao exchanged a look before rising quickly. “How is she?”

Whatever else, she was still a daughter of the Xie family. If anything serious happened to her in the Crown Prince’s residence…

“When Third Lady jumped in, the maids were nearby. She’s fine, but insists on seeing Your Highness and Crown Princess.”

Xie Yuru was housed in the guest quarters of the Crown Prince’s Residence.

When Xie Yao arrived, shrill cries echoed from within. “Xie Yao! I want to see Xie Yao!”

She stepped inside.

At once, Xie Yuru’s eyes burning with hatred snapped toward her. “Xie Yao, you want to send me away? Never!”

These days had exposed her to the wealth and splendor of the Crown Prince’s household. How could she bear to leave now?

“We are both Father’s daughters. Why should you be the one to become Crown Princess?” Her voice cracked with resentment. After all, she had always believed herself to be Father’s favorite.

Xie Yao motioned for the attendants to withdraw before speaking. “It was Madam Zhang who pushed you to come here, wasn’t it?” Her tone carried no doubt, only certainty.

Xie Yuru opened her mouth to refute her, but Xie Yao went on, “Ever since you entered the Xie household, people have been whispering in your ear about how grand and wealthy the Crown Prince’s residence is…”

Xie Yuru froze. Thinking back carefully…yes, it was true.

Xie Yao gave a soft laugh. “Do you know, the one originally meant to marry into the Crown Prince’s residence was Xie Yujiao? Madam Zhang’s own daughter. But three days before the wedding, she suddenly demanded to switch places, and Madam Zhang agreed without hesitation. Do you know why?”

Confusion and unease flickered across Xie Yuru’s face. She had, of course, heard about the infamous bride swap; back then, the entire capital had buzzed with gossip.

“What do you mean?” she asked warily, suspicion thick in her voice.

Xie Yao didn’t answer directly, only countered, “Did you really think Madam Zhang was unaware of your and Xie Jing’s true parentage?”

She left it at that, rising to leave. “Someone, escort Third Lady back to the Xie household.”

“If she resists, tie her up and send her back.”

Why should she be afraid of Xie Yuru?

The words she had spoken just now were merely a casual jab, spurred by annoyance at the girl’s tantrums.

Soon, Xie Yuru was bound tightly, bundled into a carriage, and sent back under Zhuqing’s supervision.

“Bring a message to Madam Zhang for me,” Xie Yao instructed. “Instead of wasting time spying on me, she’d do better to keep an eye on her own daughter.”

After all, Xie Yao knew far more about Xie Yujiao’s situation than Madam Zhang did.

With the troublemakers gone, the Crown Prince’s Residence suddenly felt fresher, as though the very air had cleared.

Meanwhile, Xiao Ning had lost her title, and the investigation into the Nanzhou epidemic and corruption case was left to the Three Judicial Offices.

Under Xiao Ji’s suggestion, the matter was not pursued too thoroughly.

Xiao Ning had tried to intervene, but after the Emperor’s warning, she was forced to retreat, at least for the time being.

Thus, the capital settled into a temporary calm.

Summer’s heat was oppressive. Perhaps because of her pregnancy, Xie Yao was even more sensitive to it, rarely leaving her chamber, preferring to stay in rooms cooled with ice.

Xiao Ji even moved his “study” into the main quarters.

One hand held a book, while the other gently fanned her.

The breeze stirred her hair, carrying her delicate fragrance into his senses.

Thankfully, her morning sickness had eased after the third month, leaving her much more comfortable.

“I heard Consort Li’s confinement was lifted?”

News from the palace occasionally reached her. “Wasn’t Father furious with her during the Longevity Festival?”

Xiao Ji’s fanning never faltered. Closing his book, he wrapped an arm around her slender shoulders. “It was expected.”

After all, she had accompanied the Emperor for many years. Without genuine affection, how could she have been favored for so long?

Besides…

“His Majesty only knows that Consort Li once had ties with the Imperial Diviner. To him, the only problem was the Diviner’s fortune-telling about my life.”

To the Emperor, this son, resented for years as the supposed cause of his beloved empress’s death was worth far less than the woman who had been his cherished companion for decades.

Xiao Ji lowered his gaze, his voice cold and mocking. “He can’t be relied on.”

Time had passed; his mother had been dead for over twenty years. Though the Emperor still wore the mask of a grieving, devoted husband, Xiao Ji couldn’t believe it.

He dared not gamble the fate of his revenge on the Emperor.

And besides, he had yet to uncover sufficient proof.

Consort Li had ruled the inner palace for years. Any loose ends would have been erased long ago. Even for him, the trail was nearly impossible to follow.

Perhaps…

A flicker of thought crossed his eyes.

Xie Yao, nestled against his shoulder, wrapped her arms tightly around him, her voice soft and tender. “Your Highness still has me and our children.”

Yes.

Not long ago, the physician had confirmed it with certainty: she was carrying twins.

At her words, Xiao Ji pulled his thoughts back, resting his palm over her rounded belly. “Yao-yao, you’ve worked so hard.”

Thanks to her “blessed constitution,” pregnancy hadn’t been difficult for her.

And the twins were gentle. At this stage, aside from her swelling breasts and belly, her figure had scarcely changed.

But she wasn’t about to admit that.

Leaning against his chest, she murmured sweetly, “For Your Highness, I’d do anything.”

Xiao Ji tightened his embrace, as though holding his entire world in his arms. Resting his face on her shoulder, he closed his eyes and whispered her name, “Yao-yao…”

—

On the twelfth day of the eighth month, Xiao Ning’s wedding to Hu Lianyuan finally arrived.

Though pregnancy had kept her mostly indoors, Xie Yao insisted on attending this event with Xiao Ji.

The wedding was held at the Princess’s residence.

As soon as Xie Yao alighted from the carriage with Xiao Ji’s help, she felt countless eyes turn toward her.

One gaze, in particular, was sharp as a blade.

She followed it…..It was Xie Yuru.

And beside her stood Xie Yujiao. The two looked remarkably close, almost like real sisters.

Yet the way both of them stared at Xie Yao was the same: filled with bitter hatred and barely hidden jealousy.

Noticing her glance, Xie Yujiao even straightened, deliberately displaying her slightly swollen belly, almost as if in triumph.

Xie Yao merely let her eyes sweep past them, and then stepped down gracefully, still holding Xiao Ji’s hand.

Zhuqing trailed behind and whispered, “Since the start of this month, Second Young Lady has been visiting the Xie estate frequently. Each time, though, Deputy Minister Song accompanies her.”

Expression calm, Xie Yao continued walking toward the main hall. “Come. Let’s pay our respects to Aunt.”

By “Aunt,” she meant Princess Yongle.

But she hadn’t gone more than a few steps when another gaze pricked at her. She turned her head… it was fleeting, almost instantly gone. But she was certain.

Her lips curved faintly. “Looks like there will be quite the spectacle today.”