Chapter 120: The Crown Princess Is My Wife?

Once the thought emerged, Song Wenbo could not suppress it. He recalled how Xie Yujiao had always been so certain he would become Master Qingshan’s disciple.

How she had assured him of his limitless future.

And how she claimed, the Crown Prince had little time left to live.

Song Wenbo knew exactly what kind of person Xie Yujiao was. Very quickly, he concluded, In her dreams, the one who married me was Xie Yao!

The realization filled him with a violent bitterness.

If he had married Xie Yao, he would have become Master Qingshan’s disciple, topped the imperial exams, and enjoyed a brilliant career.

But because he had married Xie Yujiao, he was instead confined to the Astronomical Bureau. His rank might be respectable, but it had already hit its ceiling.

And on court, those lofty upright scholars looked down on him…

It was all Xie Yujiao’s fault!

If she hadn’t caused that last-minute swap, his future would have been so much brighter!

“Husband?”

Xie Yujiao called again when he didn’t respond.

Pulled back from his thoughts, Song Wenbo’s tone was slightly heavy. “Rest well, madam. I have business to attend to.”

With that, he rose and left.

Xie Yujiao sat there, dazed, and then swiftly blamed everything on Xie Yao.

The moment she mentioned that woman, her husband grew distracted, he must still be thinking of her!

No, she couldn’t just sit and wait for doom to fall.

She rushed to the door, but the maids and servants outside stopped her. “Madam, Master instructed that you must take care of your pregnancy and not leave the room lightly.”

Xie Yujiao glared furiously at them, then her eyes flicked. “I want to see my mother!”

This request was quickly granted.

Madam Zhang, her mother, rushed over to the Song residence.

Lately, life hadn’t been kind to Madam Zhang. The “guest” woman in their home was no meek creature; young, beautiful, and with two children, she had bewitched Master Xie completely.

The four of them looked like a perfect family of four, making Madam Zhang, the official wife, seem utterly superfluous.

Fortunately, her only daughter had married well. Her son-in-law had supposedly reined in his heart and treated Yujiao with devotion, this gave her some comfort.

“Jiao-jiao.” Zhang took her daughter’s hand tenderly. “Has the baby been troubling you lately?”

Xie Yujiao quickly shook her head. “Don’t worry, Mother. My husband dotes on me, I’m fine.”

“But I called you here because… I want you to do something for me.”

…

At the Crown Prince’s residence.

Si-nan placed the latest report on Xiao Ji’s desk.

A single glance, and Xiao Ji’s face darkened.

So it really is Xie Yujiao.

His condition was a tightly guarded secret. Aside from the Emperor, only Consort Li, Xiao Hong, and Xiao Ning knew.

And yet Xie Yujiao knew as well.

Clearly, she was not simple.

Worse, she harbored a vicious hostility toward his Crown Princess.

“Keep watching,” Xiao Ji ordered, his voice laced with killing intent.

…

In the main hall, Zhuqing entered. “Your Highness, Madam Zhang has come again, saying she wishes to see you.”

Madam Zhang?

Xie Yao doubted any good could come of it.

She had warned Madam Zhang several times before, yet the woman had never changed her ways of always scheming and harming.

Seeing her mistress remain silent, Zhuqing added quietly, “Madam Zhang came straight from the Song household.”

Xie Yujiao again.

“Bring her in,” Xie Yao said.

Madam Zhang was no stranger to the Crown Prince’s residence. As soon as she entered, her eyes fell on the woman seated in the grand chair.

Dressed in ornate palace attire, her makeup simple yet refined, she radiated dignity and elegance.

A flash of jealousy crossed Madam Zhang’s heart. All this should have belonged to my Jiao-jiao.

Her gaze slid to Xie Yao’s swollen belly, her eyes glinting. “How have you been, Crown Princess? Has the child been restless?”

Such hollow pleasantries.

“All is well,” Xie Yao answered curtly.

Both fell silent. There was little they cared to say.

At last Madam Zhang’s face hardened. She glanced at Zhuqing and the other attendants. “Leave us. I have something to say to the Crown Princess.”

Then, to Xie Yao, she pressed, “It concerns the imperial bloodline, it is not suitable for many to hear.”

Xie Yao chuckled. “Zhuqing is no outsider. If you wish to speak, speak. If not, then don’t.”

A wise man does not stand under a crumbling wall. Even if she had some skill, Xie Yao saw no need to risk trouble.

What if this woman went mad?

Madam Zhang faltered, clearly irritated, but took a deep breath. “Xie Yao, do you know what the consequences are for faking the royal bloodline?”

“If this matter is exposed, not only you, but the entire Xie family and even the Zhao family, none of you will escape.”

Xie Yao lowered her gaze, idly playing with her fingers. “Is that so? Sounds terrifying.”

Bang!

Madam Zhang slapped the table. “Xie Yao!”

“The Emperor already suspects. Even if you don’t care for the Xie family, do you not care for the Zhao family?”

Xie Yao’s eyes turned icy as she looked up. “What do you want?”

Madam Zhang slowed her tone. “You know Wenbo has recently won great imperial favor, his words carry weight before the throne. With his help, this matter is not beyond remedy.”

“Oh?” Xie Yao arched a brow. “And what must I do?”

“Allow Xie Yuru to enter the Crown Prince’s household,” Madam Zhang said, then added, “This is also your father’s wish.”

According to Jiao-jiao, the Crown Prince would die within two years. When that happened, Xie Yuru would certainly die as well.

So why not send her in now, to disgust Xie Yao and let the two sisters fight each other?

Xie Yao said nothing.

Madam Zhang pressed on. “Even if not the Emperor, do you think the Crown Prince himself could accept this? No man can stomach such a thing…”

“Madam Zhang.”

Xie Yao cut her off, her tone faintly curious. “Are you sure no man can accept such a thing?”

Song Wenbo seemed to be enjoying it well enough.

Disdain flickered in Madam Zhang’s eyes. She looked down on Xie Yao more than ever. The girl’s appearance screamed seductress, especially now, with her chest full and heavy. Who knew how many men she had enticed in private?

A shameless temptress indeed.

Jiao-jiao’s worries were not without reason.

“Of course,” Madam Zhang declared. “Crown Princess, this is all for your own good.”

Xie Yao laughed out loud.

Madam Zhang’s face soured further. “Xie Yao!”

“Then perhaps Madam Zhang should advise my second sister,” Xie Yao said lightly, sipping her tea.

Meeting Madam Zhang’s furious, suspicious glare, she added calmly, “I will certainly give the matter due thought.”

“See the guest out.”

Madam Zhang stiffened, then warned, “You don’t have much time, Crown Princess. The sooner you decide, the better.”

She turned to leave.

“Wait.”

Xie Yao stopped her. “Since Madam Zhang cares so deeply for me, I ought to return the courtesy with a gift.”

She glanced at Zhuqing. “Didn’t we rescue some people before? Send them all to Madam Zhang.”

Her lips curved in a knowing smile. “I do hope Madam Zhang and my second sister enjoy this gift.”