Chapter 130: Kill the Bastard Child, Xiao Ning’s Temptation

At the Song household.

No sooner had Xie Yao and her party left than Xie Yujiao stepped inside.

Whatever hesitation had lingered on her face earlier was gone. Now, when she looked at Song Wenbo, her eyes shone only with admiration and longing.

“Husband, don’t take Xie Yao’s words to heart,” she said earnestly. “I will never despise you, nor will I ever leave you.”

Song Wenbo: “…”

The veins at his temples throbbed violently. He wanted nothing more than to wrap his hands around her neck and strangle her.

What does she mean she won’t despise me?

When had it ever been this cheap woman’s turn to despise him, while she would gladly warm any man’s bed?

If not for the fact that Xie Yujiao still had her uses…

“Husband.”

Xie Yujiao guided his hand onto her lower belly. “We still have a child.”

Song Wenbo’s eyes lowered, his fingers curling.

If he struck down with one heavy punch right now…

“Husband,” Xie Yujiao frowned, feigning a coy scold. “You’re hurting me.”

He released her hand. “Jiao-jiao, go rest. You don’t need to keep me company here.”

He had lost his manhood.

Yet she flaunted another man’s bastard child in front of him…

He feared he couldn’t suppress his killing intent.

But Xie Yujiao took it as tenderness. Her eyes brimmed with grateful tears. “Husband, you treat me so well.”

In truth, she was feeling somewhat unwell, so she didn’t push further and obediently went off to rest.

As soon as she left, Song Wenbo growled, “Someone come.”

“Increase her dosage!”

His patience had truly reached its limit.

—–

At the Crown Prince’s residence.

Xie Yao and Xiao Ji were in the middle of supper when Si-nan entered. “Your Highness, Your Grace, word has just arrived. The Eldest Princess left the palace right before the gates closed.”

Xie Yao and Xiao Ji exchanged a look. So Xiao Ning had gone to soothe her plaything, Song Wenbo.

Song Wenbo was currently His Majesty’s favorite. With Xiao Ning’s ambitions, of course she would protect him.

The only question was… how would the two of them manage their relationship going forward?

Xiao Ji picked up a piece of duck and placed it in Xie Yao’s bowl. “These days, aside from accompanying Hu Lianyuan, Xiao Ning has also been attending daily at the Yangxing Palace, serving Father Emperor.”

“Father Emperor’s anger has already subsided.”

Xiao Ning had always been his most beloved daughter, after all.

Xie Yao wasn’t surprised.

When it came to winning hearts, Xiao Ning was always skillful.

What she hadn’t expected was that….

The very next day, Xiao Ning sent a calling card requesting a visit to the Crown Prince’s residence.

Xie Yao knew she would not have come without a purpose. Still, she couldn’t refuse.

Shortly after midday, Xiao Ning arrived.

She had grown noticeably thinner, less stately than before. No wonder the Emperor had softened so quickly.

“Eldest Princess, please be seated.”

Xie Yao’s tone was polite, her smile gentle. Nothing improper could be found, but neither was there warmth.

“It’s been only a few days, yet Imperial Sister-in-law is still as beautiful as ever,” Xiao Ning said warmly.

The excessive courtesy instantly set Xie Yao’s guard on high alert.

She hasn’t come with good intentions.

“No need to be so wary of me, Sister-in-law,” Xiao Ning said. “I bear you no ill will. I only wish to speak privately.”

She gestured for her attendants to withdraw, and then looked expectantly at Xie Yao.

After a moment’s thought, Xie Yao dismissed her own people as well.

She was curious to hear what “private words” Xiao Ning had.

Xie Yao still remembered clearly how this woman had schemed against her at the Princess’s manor.

Not to mention… what she had done in the previous life.

Once they were alone, Xiao Ning slid a ledger across the table. “This is the record of the funds raised for the Southern Prefecture’s disaster relief, the one you oversaw. I’ve read it. Every entry is clear, and every expenditure accounted perfectly. Even the Ministry of Revenue’s officials could not have done better.”

Flattery to kill.

Xie Yao replied evenly, “You flatter me, Imperial Sister. Each has their own specialty. Matters of finance are hardly where I excel compared to the Ministry’s officials.”

“No need for modesty.” Xiao Ning’s gaze was steady, almost earnest. “In my view, you could serve as Minister of Revenue yourself.”

Xie Yao’s brows twitched, her smile thinning. “What do you mean by that, Imperial Sister?”

Xiao Ning laughed bitterly. “To tell the truth, since childhood I’ve felt this world is terribly unfair. We are all Father’s children, all of Imperial blood. Clearly I am cleverer than Xiao Hong, I work harder than him… yet Father and Mother always favored him.”

She made no mention of Xiao Ji.

First, because she was not cleverer than him. Second, because he was said to be dying soon anyway.

“Don’t you agree, Lady Xie?” she said, switching titles deliberately. And at that moment, Xie Yao understood her meaning.

“Master Xie has always appeared to dote on Second Young Lady, yet once Xie Jing came along, both you and Xie Yujiao were reduced to pawns to be sacrificed.”

“I cannot accept that.”

Her eyes burned, as if a blaze inside her demanded she pass it on to Xie Yao.

“Your mother was Master Xie’s original wife, yet because she was from a merchant family, he scorned her. And yet it was he who begged to marry her in the first place…”

“This world is cruel to women, Lady Xie. As a princess, I will not fight only for myself.”

“I want to fight for women everywhere.”

She extended her hand toward Xie Yao. “Will you help me?”

Seeing Xie Yao unmoved, Xiao Ning’s tone shifted. “Perhaps these matters seem distant. Let us speak of nearer things. Since you became Crown Princess, your once-indifferent father has had to treat you with respect. The Madam who used to grind you down now bows and scrapes. That is the taste of power.”

“But all of this comes from marrying the Crown Prince. It comes from your husband’s position, not your own. Your mother’s fate already proves that men cannot be relied upon.”

“Don’t you want power for yourself, Lady Xie? If you help me, one day you could stand on your own in court, master of your own destiny, and no longer a drifting weed at the mercy of the current.”

“Besides…” Xiao Ning leaned forward. “I told you before. My Imperial Brother was born under a solitary fate. His life will be short.”

“Lady Xie, he cannot be your lifelong support.”

Xie Yao had to admit, Xiao Ning’s words were tempting. She almost wanted to believe them.

If not for the fact she knew Xiao Ning’s true face.

This was the same woman who had trampled on women’s dignity, who used the destruction of chastity as a weapon. And now she dared claim she was fighting for women everywhere?

What a joke.

Xie Yao had long seen through her. However honeyed her words, not a syllable would she believe.

These thoughts flashed through her mind, and when she lifted her gaze again, it burned with anger. “Princess, mind your words! His Highness the Crown Prince will live long, safe and well for many years! Why do you curse him so?”

Xiao Ning: “…”

All that effort, wasted!

Drawing a long breath, she said, “So my Imperial Brother has kept things from you after all.”

“You know nothing, Princess! My husband would never lie to me!” Xie Yao declared fiercely, her face full of trust and reliance on Xiao Ji.

“Please leave. I will not entertain you further!” she snapped. “I will pretend I never heard today’s words, but if I ever hear them again, I will petition Father Emperor for justice!”

Xiao Ning could only laugh in disbelief. She had thought Xie Yao was a clever woman she could win over. Now it seemed… She was just another fool, ruled by nothing but love.