After Marrying the Heirless Crown Prince, I Gave Birth to Three Children - Chapter 12

Chapter 12: It’s Just Applying Medicine.

Xiao Ji was about to speak, when Xie Yao hurriedly added, “Please, just pretend I never said that. Instead… may I ask for a recommendation letter from Your Highness? I want to introduce a child to study under Master Qingshan.”

Master Qingshan was a famed scholar from the prestigious Cui family, considered one of the greatest Confucian minds of their time. Recently, word had spread that he was planning to take on a final disciple.

In her previous life, that disciple had been Song Wenbo. But not long afterward, a child prodigy had appeared, and Master Qingshan broke his own rule to take the boy in as well.

This time, Xie Yao thought, with a true prodigy ahead of him, I refuse to believe Master Qingshan will still value Song Wenbo.

“Very well.” Xiao Ji agreed without hesitation, not even asking for whom the letter was intended.

Xie Yao’s smile bloomed, bright and elegant. “Many thanks, Your Highness.”

With business concluded, the room fell into a silence so still it felt awkward.

Soon, Xiao Ji said, “I must make a trip into the palace.”

Thinking of the Emperor’s furious temper in her last life, Xie Yao’s voice softened, “Please be careful, Your Highness. I’ll wait here at home for you.”

Xiao Ji pressed his lips together, and after a pause, finally gave a quiet “Mm.”

—

After seeing him off, Xie Yao turned to Zhuqing. “Bring Hongdou and her younger brother here.”

Not long after, Zhuqing led in Hongdou with a thin, bright-eyed boy of eight. Since they were meeting nobility, Xie Yao had changed into a steadier, more dignified outfit.

Her gaze first fell on the boy; Ye Ping’an.

Though wearing coarse cloth and pale from poverty, he was tall enough to reach Hongdou’s shoulder. His skin was fair, his eyes unusually clear, and there was even a faint scholarly air about him.

Hongdou’s face brimmed with gratitude, while the middle-aged woman beside them; her mother looked anxious and uneasy.

The siblings knelt, bowing their heads low. “Greetings to the Crown Princess.”

“Rise.” Xie Yao’s tone was calm.

She remembered clearly: in her past life, Master Qingshan had adored this so-called “child prodigy.” That Song Wenbo, in fact, had often voiced jealousy about it behind his back.

But since she was going to use the Crown Prince’s recommendation letter, she still needed to confirm the boy’s abilities.

With a glance, she signaled Zhuqing.

Zhuqing stepped forward with a book and set it before Ye Ping’an. “I hear you have an ability to memorize at a glance. Might we witness it?”

“Yes.” Though only eight, Ye Ping’an’s reply was steady and respectful, without arrogance.

He rubbed his hands clean on his rough tunic before carefully receiving the book, not from shame, but from respect for the text itself.

“Open to any page,” Xie Yao said, “then recite it for me.”

He flipped randomly, scanned the page once, and then politely handed the book back to Zhuqing before reciting aloud.

Zhuqing compared word for word as he spoke. When he finished, her eyes were wide with astonishment. “Crown Princess, he truly repeated it without a single mistake!”

She couldn’t help asking, “Have you read this book before?”

Even under suspicion, the boy didn’t flinch. He cupped his fists and bowed. “My family is too poor to afford books. I’ve never seen it before today.”

“Remarkable.” Xie Yao’s satisfaction was clear. She spoke directly, “I intend to recommend you to Master Qingshan. Would you be willing to study under him?”

For any young scholar, Master Qingshan’s name was legendary. Ye Ping’an’s eyes lit up, yet he didn’t immediately agree. Instead, he glanced toward his sister, worry in his gaze.

If I go… will she be harmed because of it?

Hongdou urged him quickly, “What are you waiting for? Thank the Crown Princess!”

The boy dropped to his knees again. “Thank you, Your Highness!”

“For now, do not spread word of this,” Xie Yao instructed. “The letter will be delivered to Master Qingshan in private. Once a date is set, I’ll send someone to escort you there.”

Then she added warmly, “I value talent. Zhuqing, take Ping’an to my small study. Let him pick out a few books as gifts.”

Ye Ping’an’s lips curved upward for the first time, gratitude brimming in his tone. “Many thanks, Crown Princess!”

Once he left with Zhuqing, Xie Yao turned to Hongdou. “I have a task for you. Are you ready?”

Hongdou instantly dropped to her knees, her face set with resolve. “Your Highness only needs to command me. Even if you asked me to give my life, I would not utter a word of complaint!”

Her gratitude overflowed as the Crown Princess was doing so much for her brother.

“Don’t worry. I won’t ask for your life,” Xie Yao said gently. “I only need you to deliver a message to the Xie household. Once it’s done, you won’t need to keep pretending anymore.”

Indeed, the disguise wouldn’t last much longer. Once Ye Ping’an entered Master Qingshan’s tutelage, Xie Yujiao was bound to notice.

—

But just as the siblings had left the palace gates, a commotion broke out outside.

Maid Yuyan came running in, pale and panicked. “Crown Princess! Terrible news, His Highness has been whipped!”

“What?!”

Xie Yao shot to her feet, her face drained of color. She rushed toward the gates without hesitation.

She had guessed the Emperor might rage over the incident, but she hadn’t expected… this.

At the gate, Xiao Ji was just being helped down from the carriage by Si-nan.

“Your Highness!”

Her breath came fast from running, sweat beading her forehead, eyes reddened with worry.

Xiao Ji’s face was pale. His throat worked, and at last he forced out, “I am fine.”

Fine? Impossible!

Xie Yao immediately went to his other side, supporting him firmly toward the inner residence.

The Crown Prince looked uncomfortable with the closeness, but seeing the genuine worry in her reddened eyes, he didn’t refuse.

She led him straight into her own chambers.

When Xiao Ji was settled onto her bed, he grew even stiffer.

Her bed was soft, scented faintly of her fragrance; delicate and alluring. He hadn’t wanted to lie here… but faced with her tender concern, he couldn’t bring himself to reject her.

“Crown Princess, you should go. I truly am fine….”

Xie Yao did not believe him.

After his cloak was removed, it became obvious: his deep-purple robe was soaked black with blood. The fabric was torn, revealing mangled flesh beneath.

“Your Highness,” she said softly, firmly, “I am not afraid.”

They locked eyes. Neither would back down. Even as Xiao Ji’s brows drew tight in displeasure, Xie Yao bit her lip and refused to retreat.

This is my chance, she thought. But more than that… I truly care for him.

He would soften. She knew he would.

Finally, the Prince sighed, conceding.

The court physician entered.

With Si-nan’s help, Xiao Ji’s upper garments were removed, exposing the brutal lash marks across his back and more made Xie Yao’s eyes widened. Beneath the fresh wounds were countless old scars.

The Crown Prince of the empire; so exalted, so revered yet his body was a map of past punishments.

Neither Si-nan nor the physician looked surprised.

The physician checked his pulse, prescribed medicine, and left ointments for external use.

Xie Yao immediately stepped forward, taking the ointments from Si-nan. She dipped a cloth into warm water, wrung it out, and began gently cleaning the blood around the wounds. All the while, her gaze kept drifting to the physician’s records.

I must find a way to get that pulse report… If I can uncover the truth of his hidden ailment, perhaps I can find a cure.

Just then, Xiao Ji’s husky voice broke her thoughts, “Crown Princess… you’re wiping the wrong place.”