Chapter 110: The Marquis of Zhenbei Can’t Afford to Play?

At the Zhao household.

Upon hearing that the Crown Prince and Princess would be visiting, the family had been preparing since morning. Every kind of food and gift that Xie Yao liked was laid out in abundance.

When word came that the carriage from the Crown Prince’s residence was near, everyone except the old patriarch and matriarch went out to greet them.

Soon, a line of carriages approached.

Madam Zhao smiled at first, then hesitated. “Wait… this doesn’t look like the Crown Prince’s carriage, does it?”

Master Zhao frowned. “It really doesn’t…”

Zhao Ying glanced ahead, her expression instantly darkening.

Persistent as a ghost!

The carriage of the Princess Yongle’s residence stopped in front of the Zhao gates, and out leapt Pei Chen, Marquis of Zhenbei. His eyes briefly swept over Zhao Ying before he stood tall and sharp as a drawn sword, his voice ringing with authority as he introduced himself, “Greetings, Uncle, Aunt. My name is Pei Chen. I am twenty-three years old, have served in the army for ten years, and now hold the title of Marquis of Zhenbei. At home, I have only my mother…”

“Young Master!” Zhao Ying cut him off through gritted teeth, her words clipped. “Father, Mother, the Marquis of Zhenbei is a friend of His Highness. He must be here to see the Crown Prince today.”

Really?

Madam and Master Zhao exchanged doubtful looks. Who came to a friend’s in-law’s house and began by reporting his family background?

Pei Chen met Zhao Ying’s gaze and finally conceded, “…Yes.”

When Xie Yao and Xiao Ji arrived, the sight before them was absurd: servants from the Princess Yongle’s household were unloading cart after cart of lavish gifts Pei Chen had brought, bustling as if for a grand betrothal.

Xie Yao whispered in surprise to Xiao Ji, “Is this… a proposal?”

Xiao Ji chuckled. “Not exactly. Proposals aren’t usually this stingy.”

Though the gifts looked plenty, for Pei Chen, this wasn’t much at all.

“Your Highness, Crown Princess,” the Zhao family practically sighed in relief when they saw the couple, hurrying to welcome them inside.

Once seated, Madam Zhao leaned toward Xie Yao and whispered, “Crown Princess, please ask His Highness to persuade the Marquis to take all those things back. They’re too much.”

Women were always perceptive. Even though Zhao Ying had said nothing, Madam Zhao could sense something amiss. The marquis looked upright, powerful, and enviable to most families in the capital… but she did not want him. His rank was far too high above theirs; she would not see her daughter suffer in such a marriage.

Xie Yao understood her aunt’s motherly concern, her heart softening. “Don’t worry, Aunt. I’ll speak with His Highness. But you should also ask Cousin Ying’s opinion.”

Madam Zhao nodded. “You’re right. Ying’er has always had her own mind.”

After greeting the Zhao matriarch, Xie Yao retired to her courtyard to rest. Normally, Zhao Ying would have come by to chat immediately. Today, however, she was delayed because Pei Chen blocked her path.

“Pei Chen!” Zhao Ying was furious enough to drop his title entirely. Her anger finally burst out. “What exactly do you want?”

His gaze was steady. “Responsibility.”

He had said it many times.

“Responsibility, responsibility….responsibility for your damned uncle!” Zhao Ying snapped. She had traveled all over and could curse in half a dozen dialects.

Pei Chen paused, then replied earnestly, “I don’t have an uncle. I will shoulder the responsibility that is mine.”

“…” Zhao Ying wanted to strangle him.

She took a deep breath, then let out a sharp laugh. “What, Marquis of Zhenbei, you can’t afford to play? All this fuss just because you saw me unclothed? If that’s enough to bind you, then get in line. There are plenty who’d demand I take responsibility.”

Pei Chen froze, horrified. Then he quickly retorted, “No. You haven’t.” He wouldn’t be fooled.

Her eyes narrowed. “You investigated me?”

“It’s your family’s teaching,” he said calmly. “No need to investigate.”

Zhao Ying faltered—then quickly snapped back, “I rebelled! I’ve traveled alone, done business in secret. My family doesn’t know—”

“Young Lady Zhao,” Pei Chen cut in firmly. His tall figure, sharp features, and piercing gaze left no room for doubt. “If you want to reject me, just say so. No need for excuses, and no need to tarnish your own name.”

Meeting his eyes, Zhao Ying’s heart gave a faint tremor—but she pushed it down. “Fine then. I reject you.”

“I don’t accept,” he answered immediately.

Zhao Ying let out a disbelieving laugh. Is he mocking me?!

She spun on her heel, unwilling to waste another word on this madman. Just as Pei Chen was about to follow, a maid’s voice rang out from a distance, “Young Master, His Highness is looking for you.”

Pei Chen could only watch Zhao Ying walk away.

She went straight to Xie Yao’s courtyard, still trying to calm her racing heartbeat. Entering, she dismissed the attendants and said directly, “Remember in Nanzhou, when Pei Chen and I were swept away by the flood?”

Xie Yao nodded. She had guessed as much. Quietly, she poured a cup of water and slid it across the table.

Zhao Ying drank it in one gulp. “That’s when it happened. He was injured protecting me, developed a fever. We were stranded in the wilderness, and… well, things happened. Nothing went too far, just a little… physical closeness. I didn’t care at all, but Pei Chen has been clinging ever since. Is the Marquis of Zhenbei really so unwanted that he’s stuck on me?”

Her irritation rose the more she spoke. She downed another cup of water, only to find Xie Yao watching her with smiling eyes.

“Yao-yao!” Zhao Ying snapped.

Xie Yao said gently, “Cousin Ying, have you considered that perhaps the Marquis has truly fallen for you?”

“Stop! Stop right there!” Zhao Ying shuddered at the thought. “Yao-yao, you’ve changed!”

Xie Yao’s smile deepened. “Cousin Ying, don’t belittle yourself. You’re exceptional and dazzling.”

Her cousin’s words left Zhao Ying stunned, and then moved. “Only you would say that.”

Years of traveling for business had left her hearing all sorts of insults, accusations of shamelessness, of improper conduct for a woman wandering among men. She had grown numb. But Xie Yao’s praise still warmed her.

More seriously, she admitted, “Pei Chen… he’s self-disciplined, looks decent, has a simple family background… he’s fine. Maybe too fine. But Yao-yao, I won’t give up trading for him.”

She loved business, loved money.

Of course she felt something from his earnest pursuit as she was only eighteen, after all. Who wouldn’t be a little moved? But her head was clear. Compared to her passion for commerce, Pei Chen could only be sacrificed.

Xie Yao embraced her gently. “Whatever you decide, I’ll support you.”

Zhao Ying hugged her back. “You’re the best, Yao-yao.”

The cousins had barely finished speaking when Zhuqing rushed in, her face grave. “Crown Princess, urgent news, His Majesty has fainted again. His Highness and the Marquis have already entered the palace.”

Xie Yao frowned. Again? What was wrong with the emperor’s health? In her previous life, even after the Crown Prince had passed, the emperor had still lived on…