Chapter 133: Your Highness, Do You Regret Marrying Me?

The late Empress was the Crown Prince’s birth mother. If Xie Yao had suffered an “accident” today during her memorial rites, the Emperor would have flown into a rage and even the Crown Prince might not have been able to shield her.

Seeing clearly now that “men are not to be relied upon,” the only one she could trust was Xiao Ning, another woman.

That was exactly the result Xiao Ning wanted.

“Crown Princess, if you’re tired, you should return and rest first.” Consort Shu’s voice pulled Xie Yao from her thoughts.

Xie Yao agreed readily and took her leave.

Zhuqing supported her along the palace path for a distance before Xie Yao turned back for a glance at Consort Shu.

The consort had already turned away, leading behind her a great retinue of attendants.

Xie Yao had anticipated Xiao Ning’s scheme and quietly guarded against it, making no public scene. Yet Consort Shu had taken the initiative to warn her.

Consort Shu…

After a single glance, Xie Yao lowered her eyes and continued forward.

Not far ahead stood a familiar figure.

Xiao Ning was waiting.

Anger flickered openly across Xie Yao’s face. She immediately turned away—

“Imperial Sister-in-law.”

Xiao Ning came forward, all smiles, calling to her warmly, not the least bit guilty despite her earlier machinations.

“Does the Eldest Princess have some matter?” Xie Yao’s tone was far from polite.

Born into luxury and raised above all others, Xiao Ning was rarely spoken to so bluntly. Having her so-called goodwill rejected by Xie Yao again and again had already stirred resentment in her heart.

Ignorant fool!

But however much she disdained her, she showed nothing on her face. Forcing patience, she said, “I know you blame me for what happened today.

“It’s true I acted on my own, but I only wished to help you.”

Her gaze was steady, her expression sincere.

Xie Yao gave a cold laugh. “Help me? Does the Eldest Princess think I don’t know the Emperor despises nothing more than disturbances on this day?”

Even as the victim, she would still bear the blame.

Xiao Ning smiled gently. “But you are with child. How could Father truly punish you? Only in the face of real danger will you learn how much you truly weigh in my Imperial brother’s heart.”

“Imperial Sister-in-law… don’t you want to know?”

Her voice was tempting, confident. She did not believe Xie Yao could reject her offer.

Liar.

Xie Yao sneered inwardly. Not a single word from Xiao Ning’s lips could be trusted.

She knew full well the Crown Prince was barren, yet she feigned ignorance.

On the surface she spoke of alliance, but in truth every word, every gesture was a calculation. Did she truly take her for a fool?

“I don’t want to know.”

The unexpected reply froze Xiao Ning’s smile on her face.

“Are you afraid?” she pressed. “It seems you don’t have as much confidence in your heart as you pretend.”

Yes, Xie Yao admitted silently, she was afraid.

She had never entrusted herself to the Crown Prince with complete faith. How could she dare to test the weight of her place in his heart?

“This palace is tired. Forgive me for not accompanying you further.” With that, Xie Yao turned away with Zhuqing.

Xiao Ning seethed with fury, yet knew she could not afford to rush. She forced herself to endure.

Watching Xie Yao’s retreating back, a glint of malice flickered in her eyes. “If I recall correctly, she has no younger brothers and only a cousin?”

“Yes.” Her maid answered readily. “A cousin from her maternal uncle’s family. He passed the provincial exam this autumn and is a disciple of Master Qingshan.”

“A promising young scholar.” Xiao Ning arched her brow. “Interesting.

“This palace values talent above all.”

Xie Yao could feel Xiao Ning’s gaze on her back, but she paid it little mind.

When she returned to the palace she shared with Xiao Ji, she found it transformed.

The place where she had stayed last time had been plain and bare. Now, it gleamed with lavish splendor.

At a glance, Xie Yao saw the furnishings all suited Xiao Ji’s tastes.

But the renovations…

She had not ordered them.

“It was Consort Shu, Your Highness,” Zhuqing quickly explained in a low voice. “She commanded the Imperial Household Department to make the improvements.”

Xie Yao nodded slightly. “She has been thoughtful. I must remember to thank her in person.”

Whether at the Longevity Festival or the late Empress’s memorial, she and Consort Shu had worked hand in hand.

Though of humble birth, Consort Shu learned quickly and enjoyed a good reputation in the palace.

Their cooperation had been smooth, but Xie Yao could still sense that Consort Shu did not truly like her.

That was why she had been curious about her sudden warning earlier.

“Your Highness.”

A voice sounded outside. Xiao Ji strode in, dressed in plain mourning robes. Without his usual regal arrogance, he seemed instead ethereal, almost otherworldly.

He dismissed the attendants, and then asked directly, “Something unusual happened today?”

Xie Yao could only admire his sharpness.

Because of the memorial rites, his mood these days had been heavy. The matter of the fire basin had been completely under her control, so she had not brought it up.

Yet he had sensed it anyway.

In a few words, Xie Yao recounted both the fire basin incident and Xiao Ning’s words in the imperial garden.

Xiao Ji’s brows furrowed tightly.

At last, he looked at her and asked, “So… you truly don’t want to know?”

What?

For a moment, Xie Yao’s mind went blank. Then, meeting his eyes, she suddenly understood.

She almost wanted to laugh.

This was what he cared about most? Whether she wished to know her place in his heart?

“I don’t want to test Your Highness,” she murmured, lowering her eyes, unable to meet his gaze. Her fingers toyed unconsciously with the corner of his sleeve.

Xiao Ji lowered his eyes too.

His gaze lingered on her slender pale fingers.

He thought, his Crown Princess surely had no idea that whenever she felt guilty, she could never look him in the eye.

A faint ache stirred in his chest. He couldn’t bear to make things harder for her.

Just as he was about to steer the conversation away, she lifted her face and spoke first. “But, Your Highness, I have nothing worth for the Eldest Princess to plotting against me, so why does she try, again and again, to scheme against me?”

Until a few days ago she had thought Xiao Ning sought to gain power over Xiao Ji through her. But today’s trap had proven otherwise.

If Xiao Ji truly spurned her, even throwing herself into Xiao Ning’s arms would not give Xiao Ning control over him.

Xiao Ji’s brows drew together.

After a pause, his voice turned low and cold. “If you meet her again, stay far away.”

He still did not know what Xiao Ning intended.

But with her greedy, self-serving nature, she must have already calculated a thousand ways to use his Crown Princess.

If Xie Yao gave her even one chance, she would fall straight into her snare.

“Yao-yao.”

He pulled her into his arms, murmuring, “I’m sorry.”

If not for marrying him, she would never have been entangled in such chaos.

Her heart stuttered at his words. She understood his hidden meaning and felt even more guilty.

She had never been dragged down by Xiao Ji.

Without him, she would only have met a worse end.

She tightened her embrace around him. “Your Highness, don’t apologize. I married you of my own will. But Your Highness… do you regret marrying me?”