Chapter 112: I Want You, Right Now

That day, Si-nan had been at the Xie family residence guarding Xie Zhan, but upon receiving urgent news, he rushed back. Pei Chen also returned, which meant the investigation into last night’s attack had produced results.

Xiao Ji immediately rose to head outside. “Your Highness,” Xie Yao stopped him softly, “I want to hear it too.” She thought of the Second Prince, Consort Li, Xiao Ning… even the Emperor. She wanted to know who was behind this.

“Alright,” Xiao Ji agreed without hesitation, then instructed, “Invite the Marquis in.” He personally helped Xie Yao change clothes before carrying her to the main hall. If Pei Chen weren’t coming, he would have held her in his arms the entire time as just a small distance apart made him uneasy.

When Pei Chen entered, he saw the Crown Prince and Princess Consort seated so close their chairs touched, with the Prince tightly holding her hand. He turned his eyes away as he really couldn’t bear to look.

Bowing, Pei Chen reported, “Your Highness, those attackers came swiftly and disappeared just as quickly. I questioned the guards of the Crown Prince’s Residence; they said the killers weren’t intent on slaughter, more like they wanted to delay.” He paused, face darkening. “As for those arrows…” He looked up, meeting Xiao Ji’s eyes, and knew the Prince had already noticed. With difficulty, he admitted, “They bore the insignia of the Northern Garrison Army.”

Xie Yao’s head snapped up. Pei Chen himself was the Marquis of Zhenbei, nominally still commander of that army despite the Emperor’s recent attempts to strip military power.

The room fell into heavy silence. Finally, Pei Chen added coldly, “I didn’t see it with my own eyes. But from the techniques described by the guards, those men did not fight in the style of the Northern Army.”

“Diverting blame?” Xie Yao asked. The Northern Army was tied to Pei Chen himself, and currently commanded by the Wei family. Neither side had reason to target her.

Pei Chen’s voice sharpened. “Since it involves the Northern Army, I will get to the bottom of it.” With that, he departed.

Xie Yao then turned to Xiao Ji. “Your Highness, I’d like to see Master Lin.”

Lin Xia, though struck by an arrow, was lucky it hadn’t hit a fatal spot. She was still unconscious. Xie Yao stayed briefly by her side, ordering the best medicines applied before returning to her chambers.

By then, the night had passed, and morning light was breaking. Xiao Ji was still wearing yesterday’s clothes, staring at her without blinking as though if he looked away, she would vanish.

Xie Yao hadn’t been frightened but she nearly died of fear. Meeting his intense gaze, the usually soft and composed Xie Yao unexpectedly felt the urge to avoid his eyes. She turned her head, but he had already stepped forward, wrapping her into his arms. “Sleep a while,” he murmured. “I’ll keep watch over you.”

Pressed against his chest, she listened to his strong, steady heartbeat. Her own heart skipped and then began beating faster, until it matched his rhythm. Almost without realizing it, her hand clenched his robe. The sensation was strange, beyond her control, yet with a hidden flicker of joy.

“I want to bathe,” she said suddenly, remembering she hadn’t had time the night before.

“Alright.” His voice was hoarse.

Dazed, she let him carry her back to the main chamber. He treated her like fragile porcelain, attending to everything himself. Only once she was soaking in the warm spring did her mind finally clear. Tilting her head, she looked up at him; he was crouched by the pool, holding her hand, his face red all the way to his neck, yet not crossing the line. His mind wasn’t lost in lust; only his body betrayed a reaction. All he wanted was to stay by her side, refusing to let her out of sight.

Looking at him, Xie Yao once again felt that strange loss of control. Floating in the steaming water, her bare shoulders and collarbone gleamed, the gentle curves below stirring imagination. Wet hair clung to her neck, her eyes misty from the steam as she gazed straight at him. “Your Highness,” she whispered.

Then she lifted her arms, hooking them around his neck, her gaze bold and honest. “I want you. Right now.”

She pulled him into the water. His throat bobbed, eyes burning with desire, though he still fought for restraint. “Yao-yao, your body—”

“My body is saying it wants you,” she interrupted, silencing him with a kiss. Her heart had been racing uncontrollably; it must be because she longed for him. That was fine. Once they slept together, it would ease.

Her initiative broke his restraint. He finally gave in, responding with unrestrained passion. Pressed against the pool’s edge, she was enveloped in his fire. Her health truly was remarkable.

When Xie Yao awoke again, it was already afternoon. Aside from a sore waist, she felt no discomfort. Opening her eyes, she found her hand clasped in his. “You’re awake?” he asked softly.

It was the Crown Prince. She hummed in reply, suppressing the strangeness in her heart as she sat up. “Has Your Highness been here the whole time?”

His eyes were bloodshot, his handsome face visibly weary, and she had never seen the lofty, radiant Xiao Ji look so worn, not even during their time in the South. “I kept watch,” he said simply.

She immediately pulled him onto the bed. “Now I’ll keep watch over you.” Forced by her insistence, he lay down, eyes closing. He thought he wouldn’t be able to sleep, but the bedding was still warm from her body, the pillow fragrant with her scent. Inhaling it, he fell asleep instantly.

Xie Yao pressed a hand to her chest, trying to steady her emotions, before glancing at him with a complicated look.

He didn’t rest long. By nightfall, he awoke and the first thing he did was search for her. “Your Highness,” she greeted softly. Relief washed over his face as he pulled her close and kissed her forehead.

During dinner, Si-nan reported updates. “The Marquis inspected the workshop that made those arrows but no issues were found. The owner of the workshop is connected to the Second Prince, but there’s no direct evidence against him. The capital is under lockdown. The Marquis himself is searching, and traces were found near the Second Prince’s residence, but no suspects.”

All signs pointed to Xiao Hong, the Second Prince. Yet in Xie Yao’s mind, another name surfaced: Xiao Ning.

Si-nan continued, “We also checked yesterday’s return gifts from the Xie family and no problems. However, the Zhao family’s return gifts contained heavy traces of musk in several personal-use items.”

“The Zhao family wouldn’t harm me!” Xie Yao said firmly. She was certain, without doubt. “It’s a frame-up. Go question them immediately.”

“Zhuqing has already gone. Lady Zhao personally inspected and confirmed the gifts were swapped, what arrived wasn’t what her family prepared.”

So, someone exploited her trust, tampering with the Zhao family’s gifts, aiming once again at the child.

Xie Yao turned to Xiao Ji. “There were two groups; the assassins, and the ones who switched the gifts. They aren’t the same.”

He nodded, agreeing with her deduction, his eyes darkening with icy fury. If that was the case… then none of them were innocent. And he would not be merciful.

“Your Highness?” Xie Yao tilted her head, softly calling him back. He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. “Yao-yao, there’s something I must do outside.”

Leaving Si-nan to guard her, Xiao Ji strode out, the killing intent in his eyes sharp as blades.

Cultural Notes:

1. Musk: A substance believed in Chinese medicine to induce miscarriage, dangerous for pregnant women.