Chapter 125: The Crown Princess and the Scoundrel Connected?

Madam Zhang was exhausted and irritable, unwilling to deal with Lady Qingqing. With clear annoyance, she snapped, “I won’t see her. Tell her to leave.”

But just as the words left her lips, the door creaked open. A graceful figure drifted in, her soft voice carrying a trace of grievance. “Madam, why must you push people so far away? Today, I only came to talk with you about Second Young Lady.”

Madam Zhang’s impatient expression instantly sharpened. Her body tensed, and her eyes grew wary. “What do you mean to say?”

Lady Qingqing covered her lips with a delicate smile. “Why rush, Madam? Unless… there’s something you’re trying to hide?”

Though Madam Zhang’s nerves were on edge, she knew she couldn’t let anything slip, not when it concerned Xie Yujiao’s reputation. She flicked her eyes toward Momo Liu, then sat up straighter and forced her tone calm. “What are you implying?”

Qingqing feigned realization. “Ah, I forgot to mention, one of your guests from a few days ago spoke with me at length. In fact, I forgot to return something that belongs to Madam…”

As she spoke, her eyes carefully observed Madam Zhang’s expression. Madam Zhang’s face darkened hideously. Her fingers clutched the bedframe until they twisted pale, her gaze frosty.

So, it was a threat.

Lowering her eyes to hide the murderous glint within, Madam Zhang asked evenly, “What do you want?”

The corners of Qingqing’s lips lifted smugly. “Madam should already know what I desire. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure that distinguished guest is… very well taken care of.”

…

By noon, the Crown Prince’s carriage was nearing the Zhao residence.

Suddenly, a voice called out from outside. “Marquis, why are you here? Do you have urgent business with His Highness?” It was Si-nan speaking.

Immediately after came Pei Chen’s righteous reply. “The Crown Princess was recently attacked. For the safety of Their Highnesses, I’ve come to escort them personally.”

Xiao Ji: “…”

He didn’t even bother exposing him. If Pei Chen truly wanted to escort them, why hadn’t he shown up when they left the palace? Instead, he appeared just as they reached the Zhao residence. Clearly, he’d been waiting here.

Lifting the carriage curtain, Xiao Ji was about to speak, but Pei Chen beat him to it. Looking at him earnestly, he said, “Your Highness, today’s robe suits you wonderfully.”

Xiao Ji: “…Marquis, I’ll trouble you with the escort duties.”

At the Zhao estate, the entire household was already waiting at the gate. Zhao Ying immediately spotted Pei Chen on his horse, but before she could say anything, he repeated his earlier justification word for word. Zhao Ying turned her head aside, refusing to engage, and instead went to help Xie Yao down from the carriage.

“Your Highness,” Zhao Hao hurried forward, bowing to Xiao Ji. His eyes glittered with admiration.

Inside, Zhao Hao guided Xiao Ji to the study, while Zhao Ying accompanied Xie Yao away from the crowd. Only then did she whisper close to her ear, “Crown Princess, I’ve received news. The list of scholars you asked me to sponsor, every single one passed the autumn examinations.”

The words were astonishing. The number was small, but they came from all corners of the empire, and they shared the same qualities: impoverished backgrounds but noble character.

“Two of them have already set out for the capital to prepare for next year’s spring examinations. Their travel expenses are all covered,” Zhao Ying added quietly.

Xie Yao nodded, letting out a small breath of relief. “With Sister Ying handling things, I can rest assured.”

That list… was composed of men whom, in her previous life, Xiao Ning and Song Wenbo had tried to recruit but only after they had passed the imperial examinations. This time, she had seized the advantage early.

Once business was done, Xie Yao shifted to lighter talk. “Before year’s end, will you be traveling again, Sister Ying?”

“Of course,” Zhao Ying replied without hesitation. “This trip will take longer, but I’ll be back before the new year.”

Her gaze briefly dropped to Xie Yao’s lower belly. “Mother and Grandmother have already found reliable wet nurses and midwives. I’ll make sure I’m here when the time comes.”

Xiao Ji had already made preparations, but Xie Yao still nodded gratefully. “I’m indebted to Aunt and Grandmother.”

Catching sight of someone in the distance, Xie Yao thought for a moment, then said, “Sister Ying, I’ll go check on Grandmother.”

“I’ll come with…” Zhao Ying began, but Xie Yao cut her off with a bright smile and a deliberate glance toward where Pei Chen stood.

Zhao Ying’s steps faltered. “…I’ll join you shortly.”

When Xie Yao reached the old lady’s courtyard, she learned that the whole Zhao household already knew about the robe Xiao Ji was wearing and that she had sewn it herself.

The old lady was both comforted and heartbroken. “Yao-yao, you’ve suffered so much all these years…” she sighed. She remembered how, when Xie Yao had grown up under her care, the girl had never once touched needlework. But in the Xie household…

Pregnant and sentimental, Xie Yao’s eyes reddened. She clasped her grandmother’s warm hand and whispered, “It wasn’t suffering.”

The old lady then cursed Xie Yao’s father and Madam Zhang so thoroughly that Xie Yao dared not say a word. Instead, she simply leaned against her grandmother’s shoulder. “Grandmother, you’re so good to me.”

When she left the Zhao estate, Xie Yao brought along the midwives and wet nurses her grandmother had prepared. They were all Zhao family retainers, their contracts now placed in Xie Yao’s hands, along with the contracts of their entire families.

Back at the Crown Prince’s palace, the household was spacious and lively. Xie Yao gave them a few instructions, rewarded them generously, and asked Yuyan to lead them to their quarters.

Just then, Zhuqing entered. “Crown Princess, news from the Xie household. Madam Zhang has handed over management of the household accounts to Lady Qingqing.”

“She must have been threatened by her,” Zhuqing speculated. “Perhaps Lady Qingqing learned about Second Young Lady from that man and used it to blackmail her?”

Xie Yao cast her maid a look of approval. “Nine times out of ten, that’s correct.”

“Then perhaps we’ll have a few peaceful days at last,” Zhuqing sighed in relief.

“Not necessarily.” Xie Yao shook her head lightly. “Madam Zhang is not that simple. The Zhang family still holds office, and she is the mother-in-law of none other than Song Wenbo; His Majesty’s favored man at court. As long as Xie Yujiao has value, Xie Cheng will never abandon her.”

Thinking of Xie Yujiao, Xie Yao paused, then instructed, “Go call His Highness here.”

Xiao Ji arrived quickly. Seeing her safe and well, he busied himself straightening her slightly disheveled robes, fussing until every fold was neat. Only then did he sit, waiting for her to speak.

Once she dismissed the servants, Xie Yao finally said, “Your Highness, I learned something recently. Xie Yujiao dreamt of a disaster that next March, the earth will quake and upheave.”

Xiao Ji’s expression immediately grew serious. “Truly? Does the Crown Princess think this is credible?”

“Song Wenbo used to be just a scholar,” Xie Yao explained. “Yet now he has entered the Imperial Astronomical Bureau and gained His Majesty’s deep favor… More than that, though he used to be indifferent toward Xie Yujiao, he now watches over her closely. That, in itself, is suspicious.”

Xiao Ji nodded gravely. “The Crown Princess is right. I’ll make preparations early.” He patted her hand reassuringly. He had already ordered Si-nan to monitor the Song household, but this dream business was first brought up by Xie Yujiao, and Si-nan naturally hadn’t heard of it.

However…

Back in the study earlier, Si-nan had reported something else to him. Something about Song Wenbo… and about his own Crown Princess.