Chapter 121: His Highness Refuses the Wedding Chamber

A gift?

Madam Zhang’s heart thudded as her gaze met Xie Yao’s smiling eyes. Alarm bells rang in her mind.

She hadn’t forgotten the last “gift” Xie Yao had given; Xie Cheng’s mistress and a pair of illegitimate children.

This time… what was it?

The mention of Xie Yujiao in Xie Yao’s so-called “gift” made cold sweat drip down Madam Zhang’s back, her legs turning weak.

She didn’t even realize it herself, but without evidence, she had already accepted Xie Yao’s words as truth in her heart.

“You—”

“See the guest out,” Xie Yao cut her off firmly, leaving no room for refusal.

She was already being merciful.

She had warned Madam Zhang again and again about Xie Yujiao.

But Madam Zhang had never believed her.

Madam Zhang opened her mouth to press further, but Zhuqing had already stepped forward. “Madam, please.”

Madam Zhang hesitated, then gave one last reminder, “Time is short, make your decision quickly.”

“Your Highness,” Zhuxin murmured, slightly worried, “about what Madam Zhang said…”

“Pay her no mind,” Xie Yao replied calmly. “Once she goes back, she’ll have no time to dwell on it.”

Zhuqing personally escorted Madam Zhang to the gates of the Crown Prince’s residence, smiling as she said, “Please rest assured, Madam. The people the Crown Princess ordered will be sent to you quickly.”

Of course, those people could never stay inside the Crown Prince’s residence.

A vein twitched on Madam Zhang’s forehead. She had a very bad feeling.

She almost blurted out that she didn’t want them, but what if they really were tied to Xie Yujiao? She couldn’t risk losing that thread.

Her lips parted… but she shut her mouth again, turning silently to board her carriage.

Xie Yao had truly changed.

Once, she had been obedient and meek. Now it seemed that had all been an act.

Now that she had risen high, she no longer concealed her arrogance in the slightest.

Madam Zhang actually felt fear when speaking with her.

But remembering what she had just said and how Xie Yao hadn’t denied it, Madam Zhang finally let out a breath of relief.

It seemed Jiao-jiao had been right all along. Xie Yao really was carrying a bastard child.

Madam Zhang rejoiced at having seized this weakness, yet also cursed her for courting death and dragging the Xie family down with her.

It would be best to resolve this quickly.

Too restless to think further, she completely missed the fact that while Xie Yao hadn’t denied her words, she had never admitted them either.

…

Back at the Xie residence, as soon as Madam Zhang stepped inside, the steward rushed up. “Madam, just now someone delivered a few beggars to our estate.”

Xie Yao’s gift!

Madam Zhang’s eyelid twitched. Beggars? What do beggars have to do with Jiao-jiao?

“Where are they?” She frowned, instinctively wanting them taken away. The household was already in chaos.

The steward lowered his head. “…Lady Qingqing took them away.”

That wretch!

Madam Zhang knew well that Lady Qingqing relied on Master Xie’s favor and her two children as backing, but she was still infuriated.

Especially since those people might be connected to Jiao-jiao. She immediately strode toward Qingqing’s quarters.

Before she even entered, she heard Qingqing’s voice from inside. Bursting through the door, she swept her gaze over the yard. “Take them away!”

“Wait!”

Qingqing spoke up at once. Though she looked delicate and innocent, with wide apricot eyes, she was still youthful despite having already borne two children.

“Madam, these people…”

Madam Zhang cut her off coldly. “As a guest, you should know your place.”

“Step aside!”

Momo Liu shoved Qingqing out of the way, clearing a path for Madam Zhang.

Qingqing glared angrily at their departing backs. Then, once they were gone, she broke into a triumphant smile. “You think you can keep secrets from me?”

“I’ll find out no matter what!”

With that, she hurried toward the back courtyard.

…

After sending Madam Zhang away, Xie Yao enjoyed a few days of peace.

Xiao Ji had been quite busy recently.

To outsiders, it looked like he stayed in the Crown Prince’s residence, but in truth he often slipped out in secret. Xie Yao gladly covered for him while she stayed behind, reading and managing the accounts.

One day, however, Xiao Ji returned unusually early and stayed by her side the entire time.

Wherever she looked up, his gaze was there, fixed on her.

In his eyes shone a quiet anticipation.

Once or twice was nothing but as it continued, Xie Yao began to feel it odd.

What’s wrong with His Highness?

Her brows knit in thought. “Your Highness…”

The moment she spoke, Xiao Ji practically leapt to answer, “I’m here!”

Xie Yao curled her fingers against the account book and smiled at him. “Your Highness isn’t busy today?”

He’d been clinging to her all day…how strange.

His smile stiffened for a moment, but quickly returned. “Not busy.”

All right then.

Xie Yao returned to her accounts while he sat by her side, simply watching.

He kept on watching… until dinner.

That evening’s meal was especially rich. Ever since her pregnancy, the palace doctor had tailored her diet nutritious. Nothing unusual there.

But Xie Yao noticed His Highness seemed distracted.

She personally served him a dish. “Your Highness, is something troubling you?”

“…No,” Xiao Ji answered.

For some reason, she even caught a hint of grievance in his tone.

Did I do something wrong?

Even as they prepared for bed, his gaze kept straying to her, the light in his eyes dimming bit by bit.

Half-asleep, Xie Yao heard him murmur, “Yao-yao, do you have nothing you wish to say to me?”

“What?” She startled awake slightly.

But Xiao Ji had already turned away, lying with his back to her. No matter how many times she called, he didn’t respond.

Drowsiness overcame her again, and she soon drifted off, curled against his broad, warm back.

“…Xie Yao,” Xiao Ji muttered through clenched teeth, staring at her sleeping face. “You have no heart.”

The next day, he was busier than ever; rising early, returning late. Only at dinner did she see him.

That night, Xie Yao forced herself to stay awake, waiting for him.

When Xiao Ji finally stepped inside, he froze at the sight of her sitting up in bed, book in hand.

“Your Highness.”

She quickly set the book aside, padded over, and tugged him into the room. Clearly he had already bathed in his study.

Yawning, she said softly, “You’re back.”

Her eyes shimmered with sleep, her whole face adorably drowsy. Warmth flickered in his gaze. “Why not sleep if you’re tired?”

She blinked. “I was waiting for you.”

Looping her arms around his neck, she whispered, “Your Highness, you haven’t kept me company in so many days.”

They were husband and wife, so there were some things that didn’t need spelling out.

She felt him react to her touch instantly.

Xiao Ji scooped her up, setting her on the bed.

Xie Yao closed her eyes, expecting his kiss.

Instead, his stiff voice came, “It’s late. Crown Princess should rest early.”

He lay down with his back to her. “Sleep.”

Xie Yao: ???

She stared wide-eyed at him in disbelief.

His Highness… had refused her!

And this was the first time since they had grown close.

But clearly, he had wanted it!