Chapter 115: My Husband Is Super Clingy

Xie Yujiao had just finished speaking when she sensed something was wrong.

Everyone in the room had their eyes on her especially the Zhao family, whose astonishment and shock could hardly be hidden.

That look was as if they were asking: She can actually speak like a normal person?

The hidden pride and smugness in Xie Yujiao’s heart vanished instantly, replaced instead by a bellyful of anger.

Madam Zhao quickly withdrew her gaze and said, “But of course. Master Wufa said the Crown Princess is a woman blessed with great fortune.”

Master Wufa…

Xie Yujiao let out a faint, mocking laugh, her eyes flashing with disdain.

She had secretly sent someone to seek out Master Wufa, but hadn’t been able to meet him, so she couldn’t be sure whether Master Wufa had also been reborn.

But his silence these past days had given her peace of mind.

How could there possibly be so many reborn people?

She, Xie Yujiao, was the true chosen one of Heaven!

She sat up even straighter, her lower abdomen proudly pushed forward, her gaze sweeping across everyone present with a lofty, contemptuous air.

Fools.

Xie Yao ignored her and instead turned her gentle voice toward conversing with the Zhao family.

Naturally, the Zhaos were sincerely concerned for her.

Madam Zhang was in no hurry; she simply sat to the side with a smile, occasionally offering a few words of concern. She truly seemed like a mother who cared for her younger relatives.

Just then, while they were in the middle of their midday meal—

A servant from the Crown Prince’s estate came in to report: “Your Highness, Deputy Minister Song has arrived. He says he has come to fetch Young Madam Song.”

Everyone’s eyes turned toward Xie Yujiao.

She immediately rose to her feet, her face brimming with shyness and pride. “My husband is just worried about me and he can’t bear to be apart from me.”

But Xie Yao caught sight of the flicker of unease in her eyes.

Of course.

Given how tightly Song Wenbo had been keeping her under watch lately, how could he possibly allow Xie Yujiao to come to the Crown Prince’s estate alone?

“Let him in,” Xie Yao instructed.

Song Wenbo came quickly, almost in a rush. His brows were furrowed, and when his gaze fell on Xie Yujiao, a glint of displeasure flashed in his eyes.

After making his formal greetings, Song Wenbo wrapped an arm around Xie Yujiao and said, “The Crown Princess has been startled and should rest well. My wife and I won’t disturb you further.”

He pulled at her to leave.

Madam Zhang frowned slightly at this.

Meanwhile, Xie Yuru’s gaze lingered on the couple, her eyes turning craftily.

“Wait.”

Xie Yao stood up and walked step by step toward Xie Yujiao.

Xie Yujiao instinctively shrank into Song Wenbo’s arms, an inexplicable sense of fear stirring in her.

She quickly straightened herself, however, leaning tightly into his embrace with a look of pride and triumph.

Song Wenbo, the future Grand Chancellor is only Hers.

Xie Yao lifted her hand, sliding the jade bracelet from her own wrist onto Xie Yujiao’s. “Second Sister, the words you spoke just now, this palace will remember them well.”

What?

Xie Yujiao frowned. What words?

Song Wenbo’s suspicious gaze also fell on her, a dark glint flashing before quickly disappearing. The hand resting on her shoulder tightened unconsciously.

“Ah… husband, that hurts,” Xie Yujiao whined.

Song Wenbo snapped out of it and gently rubbed her shoulder, his voice low and tender, “It’s my fault, forgive me.”

The couple locked eyes, as if their gazes alone could spin threads of intimacy.

But Xie Yao knew, the seed of doubt had already been planted.

Song Wenbo might not fully believe it now, but… it didn’t matter. She had done it casually, and that was enough.

The moment Song Wenbo and Xie Yujiao climbed into their carriage; he instantly pushed her away with chilling indifference, towering over her with an icy stare.

“Did I not tell you clearly? When I’m not around, you are not to leave the house. And now you even dare ignore my words?”

Xie Yujiao bit her lip lightly, her expression aggrieved. “Husband, I…I just—”

She had just wanted to show off.

Even if no one else understood, at least she had felt satisfied!

“Xie Yujiao, do you even take my words to heart? You know full well Xie Yao is no good. What if something had happened to you?”

Her little bit of grievance immediately dissolved into guilt. She leaned against his knee, acting spoiled. “Husband, I promise you, next time I won’t go anywhere. I’ll just stay obediently at home and wait for you, alright?”

Only then did Song Wenbo’s expression soften. He stroked her head gently. “That’s more like it.”

“Jiao-jiao, everything I do is for our future. You must behave, don’t make me worry, understand?”

…

After Song Wenbo and Xie Yujiao left, the Xie and Zhao families also politely declined Xie Yao’s invitation to stay for lunch and quickly departed.

The Zhao family, of course, did not wish to disturb her rest.

After all, such a serious incident had just occurred.

“Your Highness,” Zhuqing came quietly to Xie Yao’s side and whispered, “I asked around; today’s visit was Second Young Lady’s and Madam’s idea.”

“Mhm.”

Xie Yao nodded.

Since Xie Yujiao had shown such “concern” for her, naturally she understood the meaning of reciprocity. Hence, she had gifted her, the bracelet.

For the next several days, Xie Yao obediently remained within the Crown Prince’s residence.

Because of the matter in Nanzhou, Xiao Ji had entered the notice of many officials. The details of his fate were a royal secret, known to very few.

Thus recently, many people had been petitioning for the Crown Prince to enter court.

But neither the Emperor nor Xiao Ji paid them any mind.

Day after day, Xiao Ji remained at the Crown Prince’s estate, spending most of his time at Xie Yao’s side, just as he was now.

Xie Yao was seated at her desk in the study, going over account books. Xiao Ji sat right beside her, holding a book, always alert to her needs.

“Your Highness,” Si-nan called from outside, “the Marquis has arrived.”

Pei Chen entered the room, just about to step closer, when Xiao Ji said, “Wait.”

“Hm?”

Pei Chen looked up, then instinctively lifted his arm to sniff himself.

No smell.

“These past two days it’s been raining, the wind outside is cold and damp,” Xiao Ji said. “Wait a bit before coming closer.”

If the chill hit him, that was one thing.

But if it reached his Crown Princess, that was unacceptable.

Pei Chen: “…”

If not for the fact that the man before him was the Crown Prince, he’d have rolled his eyes to the heavens right then!

So he stood obediently at the doorway and said, “Last night, as expected, someone attempted to assassinate the Imperial Guard commander who was stationed at the Second Prince’s manor that day.”

“But someone else got to him before I did, and saved him.”

Pei Chen didn’t need to spell it out; Xiao Ji already understood. “Xiao Ning’s people?”

Pei Chen nodded. “Yes.”

They knew Xiao Hong well, and Xiao Ning knew him just as well.

The Imperial Guards were mostly sons of noble families and high officials. To rise to commander required both family background and genuine ability.

By saving him, Xiao Ning ensured that, even if she couldn’t win him over at least she wouldn’t win his hostility.

Pei Chen chuckled. “But Xiao Ning doesn’t realize, we had already sent word to him.”

Anyone who could rise to be commander of the Imperial Guards was no fool.

Even without their warning, he would have realized the Second Prince’s assassination attempt might not succeed.

That Xiao Ning’s men had shown up so conveniently, well, if there hadn’t been a warning beforehand, it would be understandable.

But with their warning already given, Xiao Ning’s move now seemed deeply calculating.

Xiao Ji gave a soft sound of acknowledgment and personally poured Pei Chen a cup of tea. “Any leads from the fur shop?”

Pei Chen tipped back the tea in one swallow, then shook his head. “None.”

Xiao Ji could only order them to keep watching.

Once the serious matters were finished, Pei Chen’s eyes suddenly shifted to Xie Yao. “Your Highness the Crown Princess, I’d like to have a few words with you alone.”