Chapter 127: Scumbag Turned Eunuch, Serving the Crown Princess in Dressing

The more Song Wenbo listened, the darker his face grew. His body, already racked with pain, became even less rational under the surge of anger.

What kind of questions were these that the Marquis of Zhenbei was asking?

Pain and fury made him forget the man’s rank for a moment, and he snapped back sarcastically, “If this official knew, why would you even need to investigate?”

Pei Chen’s expression hardened, his gaze turning cold.

It was like a basin of icy water pouring straight down. Song Wenbo sobered at once, his throat bobbing as he swallowed. He gave an awkward smile and quickly explained, “This humble official spoke out of turn. I beg the Marquis’ pardon.”

Forcing a smile, he added in a voice that still carried suppressed rage, “This humble official has always treated others with kindness, never making enemies.”

Pei Chen nodded slightly, and then asked where exactly Song Wenbo had been attacked the night before. After calculating the angle of the arrows, he leapt onto the eaves, searching carefully for traces.

Once everything was checked, Pei Chen prepared to take his leave. “Master Song, please rest well. If you recall anything related to last night’s assassination, or of any potential enemies, send word to me at once.”

“Please wait, Marquis.” Song Wenbo hurried to call him back. Though embarrassed, he still forced himself to say, “May I trouble the Marquis to keep my injury… confidential?”

Although imperial physicians had been summoned in the middle of the night, they would of course never announce where he had been injured.

He still had his pride.

Pei Chen was silent for a moment, then gave Song Wenbo a look of pity. “Master Song, I’m afraid… you’re asking too late.”

W-what?

Song Wenbo’s body trembled slightly, his pale lips quivering. “Marquis, w-what do you mean?”

“This morning, news of Master Song’s injury has already spread throughout the capital,” Pei Chen replied calmly. “But rest assured, you are the victim here. There’s no need for you to worry—”

Bang!

Before he could finish, Song Wenbo’s vision went black. He collapsed unconscious.

He didn’t want to live anymore.

Last time, when he claimed Madam Zhang had frightened him into impotence, only the Song and Xie families had known. Since it wasn’t truly permanent, though infuriating, he could still bear it.

But this time…

This time it was real.

From now on, he would never be a man again.

“Someone come,” Pei Chen called out from the courtyard instead of approaching. “Master Song has fainted.”

Just as he stepped out the door, he saw people entering through the main gate. Leading them was none other than Xie Yujiao’s mother, Madam Zhang.

Beside her was Xie Yuru.

“We greet the Marquis of Zhenbei.”

Madam Zhang bent her knees in a formal salute, and Xie Yuru hurried to follow suit. Pei Chen merely inclined his head. “There’s no need for courtesy.”

Then he left straight away.

Madam Zhang, in a rush to check on her daughter, was stopped by Xie Yuru. “Madam, that Marquis just now… who was he?”

A marquis! Xie Yuru’s eyes gleamed.

Madam Zhang’s expression softened a little, though there was still impatience in her tone. With a faintly mocking smile, she said, “That was the adopted son of Princess Yongle, the Marquis of Zhenbei. His status is lofty. If you encounter him again, you must be careful not to offend.”

She turned back toward the inner chambers, speaking casually as she walked, “Come to think of it, the Marquis still hasn’t taken a wife. I wonder how anxious the Princess must be.”

Xie Yuru’s eyes flashed brightly. Taking advantage of Madam Zhang’s “inattention,” she slipped away.

Her elder sister Xie Yao had once told her something she found convincing: If marrying the Crown Prince truly promised happiness, why hadn’t Xie Yujiao been chosen?

Besides, the Crown Prince never so much as spared her a glance. Even if she entered the Eastern Palace, she would only be a concubine.

Better then…

Gathering up her skirts, Xie Yuru ran lightly until she caught sight of Pei Chen’s figure in the distance. Closing her eyes, she deliberately stumbled straight toward him.

“Ouch!”

Falling to the ground, she lowered her head, exposing the elegant line of her neck and the profile she had carefully practiced countless times. “Forgive me, Marquis, forgive me. Yuru did not mean to bump into you.”

Then she lifted her eyes, brimming with tears, and looked up….

Her smile froze instantly.

Because she hadn’t collided with Pei Chen at all. Before she could reach him, one of his guards had stepped forward to block her.

Looking at the guard’s flushed face and the outstretched hand that hadn’t yet withdrawn, her own eyes reddened with humiliation.

Pei Chen frowned. “Why is Third Lady Xie walking about without any attendants?”

Xie Yuru’s eyes lit up. “The Marquis knows Yuru?”

Pei Chen’s tone remained stern. “As the younger sister of the Crown Princess, you should have servants with you to guide and attend you. This time it was only in front of me. If it had been someone else, you would have shamed both His Highness and Her Highness.”

But Xie Yuru completely failed to hear the warning in his words. Instead, she mistook them for concern. Biting her lip, she let her eyes glisten with grievance. “It’s because Madam…”

Pei Chen wasn’t interested in hearing more. He swung into his saddle and rode off.

Though her words had been cut short, Xie Yuru still felt a flutter of shyness. Surely the Marquis’ rebuke… had been a sign of concern for her?

Mother always said she was beautiful.

Surely the Marquis had fallen for her at first sight…

With her lips curving upward, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her face glowing with bashful anticipation.

Meanwhile, in the Song family’s main residence—

Madam Zhang, of course, noticed Xie Yuru’s disappearance, but she couldn’t be bothered. In fact, she almost welcomed it.

The girl had inherited every ounce of her low-born mother’s foxlike coquettishness. Just looking at her was distasteful.

Taking advantage of her absence, Madam Zhang turned to her daughter for a heartfelt talk.

“Jiao-jiao.”

Grasping Xie Yujiao’s hand, Madam Zhang’s eyes grew red. “My child, you’ve suffered so much.”

Xie Yujiao’s belly still throbbed faintly where Song Wenbo had shoved her earlier. She had been angry, but seeing her mother’s tears softened her heart. “Mother, you’re here. Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

“Come home with me,” Madam Zhang urged.

Though leaving Song Wenbo now would invite gossip, still…

“I won’t.” Xie Yujiao’s answer was firm. “How can I abandon my husband? I have a child with him.”

Madam Zhang’s gaze fell to her daughter’s belly, her lowered eyes filled with murderous hate.

If only she could kill Song Wenbo with her own hands.

“Jiao-jiao…”

“Mother, if you say such things again, I’ll be angry.” Xie Yujiao’s expression hardened. “No matter what, I will never leave my husband.”

“That’s right.” Xie Yuru strolled back in just then. “Madam, have you forgotten Father’s instructions before we came?”

She had come precisely to keep an eye on Madam Zhang.

Besides… she was destined to be the Marquis of Zhenbei’s wife one day. How could she tolerate having a divorced elder sister?

…

At the Crown Prince’s residence.

When Xie Yao awoke, she was wrapped in Xiao Ji’s embrace, her back pressed against his warm, solid chest.

Hard and unyielding.

His broad palm slid over her slender waist, resting on her chest.

The moment she regained awareness, she felt his teasing fingers.

She struggled free at once, her voice hoarse and tinged with pleading. “Your Highness…”

But her movements created a wide gap in the bedding between them.

Her thin nightclothes were already disheveled, and lying sideways only emphasized her full figure, which Xiao Ji’s sharp eyes took in completely.

Catching his gaze, Xie Yao realized what he was seeing. She quickly grabbed the quilt, wrapping it tightly around herself.

All of his blanket was stolen by her…

Just one look at his face made her cheeks burn. She averted her eyes, turning her back to him. “It’s late already, Your Highness should hurry and change clothes!”

The sound of rustling cloth soon followed.

Before long, however, Xie Yao and her quilt were lifted into the air.

Xiao Ji, now dressed in his inner robe, bent close and whispered, “Let me serve the Crown Princess in dressing.”

Xie Yao refused.

Her refusal was useless.

Xiao Ji didn’t tease her further, but instead dressed her with earnest care. His long fingers were deft and practiced.

Half-kneeling before her, he tied her sash with lowered lashes, his face utterly serious.

Too skilled.

Watching him, Xie Yao suddenly asked, “Your Highness, why are you so practiced at dressing women’s clothing?”

As if he’d rehearsed it.

No sooner had she spoken than she regretted it. Her words sounded almost… jealous.

Xiao Ji chuckled softly. After fastening her sash, he raised his eyes with deep meaning. “Because Crown Princess has taught me well, as I’ve untied enough of them, so of course I know how to tie them.”

Xie Yao’s face went scarlet.

He—he—he—!

She glared at him and tried to hurry away. “Your Highness, when did you become such a lecher?”

“Mm.” Xiao Ji caught her hand and spun her back into his arms. “That is my fault.”

“But I won’t change.”