Chapter 122: Xie Yao, You Have No Heart

Xie Yao stared at Xiao Ji’s back and couldn’t fall asleep. Not because she was lonely, but because she was both angry and thoughtful.

She felt that in the past few days, His Highness had been somewhat cold toward her, so tonight she had wanted to break the ice in this way. But… His Highness rejected her.

Could it be that His Highness had another woman outside? Impossible. The look in his eyes earlier, she knew it well; it was filled with suppressed desire. Was His Highness worried about the child? Even less likely. Her health was strong, and the two of them had never really held back much before. Except recently…

Then why?

Xie Yao couldn’t figure it out. But since she was already pregnant, she didn’t force herself on him again. Her thoughts slowly drifted, and soon she fell asleep.

Xiao Ji: “…”

He felt her gaze disappear, and when the breathing behind him turned steady, he finally turned around.

Xie Yao was right there within reach. Just moments ago she had invited him closer. How could he not want her? But… was her behavior these days really what she once claimed, that she had admired him from long ago?

Xiao Ji felt a little angry. Yet, after staring at her for a while, he let out a long breath, bent down, and placed a light kiss on her forehead.

The next day, Wei Chan came to the Crown Prince’s residence to accompany Xie Yao.

Since Xie Yao rarely went out these days, Wei Chan often came to spend time with her, and their relationship had grown closer.

At five months pregnant, and with twins, her belly wasn’t too large, but her waist was slender, which made it stand out more. Wei Chan gently touched her abdomen, only to feel a small kick, and laughed. “Cousin-sister-in-law, the baby kicked me. Such strength… must be a little rascal boy.”

When it came to children, Xie Yao lowered her eyes, her smile soft and tender. “I hope for one boy and one girl.”

Recently, she had already begun making little clothes for the babies. Of course, she didn’t have to make them all herself, but it was her way of putting in her heart.

Wei Chan couldn’t sew, but watching Xie Yao’s slender fingers nimbly stitching a pair of tiger-head shoes, she couldn’t help but say, “Cousin- sister-in-law, why don’t you teach me too? My eldest and second brothers always say everyone else gets embroidered gifts from their sisters, but not them. And my eldest brother’s birthday is coming soon, so I’ll make him something myself!”

Xie Yao: “…”

She didn’t answer right away. A sudden spark lit in her mind, she seemed to have figured out why His Highness had been acting so strangely these days.

Just then, her fingertip pricked against the needle.

Before she could say anything, Wei Chan cried out, “Cousin- sister-in-law, you’re bleeding!”

Her voice was loud.

The maid standing outside only caught the words “Crown Princess… bleeding,” and without hearing the rest, she bolted straight for the study!

“Your Highness, it’s terrible! The Crown Princess is bleeding!”

Xiao Ji flew out of the study like a gust of wind, his face pale, rushing straight to the main quarters.

Inside, Xie Yao had only pricked her finger and was wiping the blood with her handkerchief. She looked at Wei Chan and said, “It’s fine.”

BANG!

The main door slammed open. A figure charged in, voice filled with worry, “Yao-yao…”

But the sound stopped dead when his anxious eyes met Xie Yao and Wei Chan’s confused, innocent gazes.

The room turned awkwardly quiet.

Xie Yao was patiently teaching Wei Chan embroidery, sunlight pouring in behind them. It was a peaceful, idyllic scene.

“Your Highness?” Xie Yao asked curiously. “What’s… wrong?”

Xiao Ji: “…”

Before he could answer, Si-nan’s voice came from outside. “Your Highness, Yuyan said the Crown Princess was bleeding.”

Wei Chan couldn’t hold it in, she burst out laughing. “Hahahaha…”

Xie Yao didn’t laugh, but Wei Chan squeezed her cousin’s finger. “Cousin- sister-in-law was bleeding, yes. But, Crown Prince, you’re late, the wound’s already healed.”

Xie Yao walked over to Xiao Ji. “Your Highness, I’m fine.”

“Mm.” Xiao Ji’s ears flushed red. His eyes darted to her embroidery basket before he quickly turned and walked out.

As long as she was safe, that was enough.

He left so quickly that Xie Yao couldn’t even catch up.

Outside, Si-nan said, “Your Highness, I’ll instruct that maid never to spread things carelessly again.”

“No.” Xiao Ji refused. “She deserves a reward.”

Nothing concerning the Crown Princess was a small matter. Even if it was a false alarm, he would rather rush for nothing. Only when everyone treated any report as real could he know the truth immediately.

Inside, Wei Chan was still laughing. After a while, she said, “Cousin- sister-in-law, His Highness truly cares for you. Did you see how anxious he was? He was even sweating.”

Something inside Xie Yao softened. She lowered her gaze, murmuring an acknowledgment.

Yes, His Highness was very worried about her.

But she… had forgotten his birthday.

No wonder that day his expectant eyes had turned into disappointment, and later…

Xie Yao exhaled a long breath, her feelings complicated.

She had been careless.

From the moment she agreed to marry Xiao Ji, she had gathered and analyzed everything she could about him. Naturally, she knew his birthday. But she had forgotten.

She silently reflected that this must never happen again. She had to be more cautious.

“Cousin- sister-in-law?” Wei Chan’s voice pulled her back.

Xie Yao smiled faintly. “Let’s continue with the embroidery.”

After sending Wei Chan off, she went to the storeroom herself and chose a piece of dark silk brocade. She planned to make a robe with her own hands as a belated birthday gift for Xiao Ji.

Of course, giving it to him would require careful thought.

Xie Yao was skilled with needlework. She cut and stitched swiftly, and because she and Xiao Ji had already shared the most intimate of bonds, she knew his measurements perfectly. Making the robe was effortless. And with their “cold war,” no one disturbed her so she finished the robe in just one day.

As she inspected the finished robe for flaws, Zhuxin came in. “Crown Princess, news from the Xie household. Madam Zhang smashed up an entire room today.”

Xie Yao arched a brow. “So she finally found out?”

It had taken Madam Zhang several days which was much slower than expected.

“Seems so,” Zhuxin said. “After smashing everything, Madam Zhang went to the Song family, intending to bring Xie Yujiao back to the Xie household. But it didn’t work.”

Xie Yao wasn’t surprised. Even if Xie Yujiao wanted to return, with Song Wenbo now serving as Minister at the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, Master Xie wouldn’t dare offend him.

Just then, Yuyan’s voice came from outside. “Crown Princess, Madam Zhang requests an audience.”

Xie Yao: “…”

Troublesome!

“Let her in,” she said, folding the robe neatly into a box before heading to the main hall.

Madam Zhang looked haggard and disheveled. Her eyes were red as she glared at Xie Yao, her hoarse voice sharp with anger. “Why! You knew all along something like this would happen, why didn’t you stop it?”

Why did she have to ruin her precious Yujiao!

Crazy woman.

Xie Yao lounged lazily in her seat and asked, “So Second Sister already knows?”