Chapter 138: The Crown Princess’s Old Acquaintance

At the Xie residence.

After Lady Qingqing discovered that the person she had detained was taken away and dealt with by Momo Liu, she was furious.

Very soon, news spread that Xie Yuru had caught Xiao Hong’s eye at first sight.

Lady Qingqing immediately went to the study.

With her face swollen like a pig’s head, she didn’t want Master Xie to see her hideous appearance, so she covered herself with a veil before entering.

After dismissing the servants, Lady Qingqing urgently said, “Husband, you must quickly bring Ru’er back from that one!”

Xiao Hong’s current position was awkward. Many now referred to him only as “that one.”

Master Xie frowned, giving her a glance full of disapproval.

But Lady Qingqing failed to notice and continued, “That one is nothing more than a commoner now. His body is flawed, destined to have no claim to that position… If our Ru’er follows him, her whole life will be ruined!”

“Husband, I still think the Marquis of Zhenbei is better…”

Master Xie actually laughed in anger.

“If not for that one, Ru’er would already have been sent to the ancestral shrine.”

Lady Qingqing froze. Her eyes reddened instantly, tears spilling down. “But Husband, Ru’er is our daughter…”

“You can’t just stand by and watch her life be destroyed.”

Master Xie’s gaze flickered slightly, his voice low and steady. “It won’t. Don’t worry.”

Seeing his mind was made up, Lady Qingqing, though unwilling, knew she couldn’t change anything.

So she asked instead, “Husband, then what status will Ru’er have?”

“The eldest young lady of the household is Crown Princess, the second young lady married to Master Song, who now enjoys imperial favor.”

“Will Ru’er then follow him nameless and titleless?”

Master Xie replied, “Why worry about the short term?”

“With the Eldest Princess and Consort Li supporting him, the Second Prince will sooner or later regain his status. At that time, Ru’er will at the very least be a side consort.”

Master Xie added meaningfully, “And besides, how can you be sure the Second Prince truly has no chance at the throne?”

Lady Qingqing was half-convinced, half-doubting.

Master Xie silenced her with finality. “All you need to know is that I would never harm our children.”

Lady Qingqing leaned against his chest, resting on his arm. “Qingqing knows. Qingqing trusts Husband the most.”

—-

In the days that followed, the capital was calm.

Xie Yao was busy. With the year’s end approaching, she had to review the accounts of her shops and estates.

On top of that were the Crown Prince’s household accounts, social obligations, and New Year’s gifts…

Fortunately, due to her constitution, her pregnancy had brought no discomfort. That made things much easier.

By the eleventh month, the weather turned sharply cold.

When Xiao Ji entered, Xie Yao was still poring over ledgers. A brazier burned in the room, with a screen placed between her and the window.

“Yao-yao.”

He came up to her, taking her hand to lift her to her feet. “The weather is fine today. I wish to invite the Crown Princess for an outing.”

“Would the Crown Princess be willing?”

Xie Yao agreed happily.

Xiao Ji immediately ordered Zhuqing and the others to prepare luggage. Only then did Xie Yao ask, “Could it be we’ll be gone for several days?”

Xiao Ji nodded.

Xie Yao hurriedly clutched her account books. “Then I’ll bring these with me…”

“Crown Princess,” Xiao Ji leaned in, blocking her view of the ledgers, “am I worth less than the account books?”

The two stood so close his breath brushed her cheek, drawing a blush to her face…

With Zhuqing and the others packing quickly, in the end, Xie Yao did not bring the ledgers.

She was helped into the carriage. It was warm and comfortable inside, stocked with various snacks.

To ensure safety, the carriage moved slowly, steadily heading toward the city gates.

As soon as they left the city, Xie Yao lifted the curtain to look outside. Cold wind swept in, and Xiao Ji adjusted the fox-fur cloak around her shoulders.

He pressed a hand-warmer into her palms.

After half an hour, the carriage stopped at a country villa.

The staff, already informed, greeted them respectfully. “This villa is large, with hot springs and a meadow for riding.”

That was why Xiao Ji had brought her here for a change of pace.

Some days ago, Wei Chan had mentioned that the Crown Princess longed to ride. She had even said she would teach her after childbirth.

Xiao Ji had no intention of leaving Wei Chan such a chance.

“Really?”

Xie Yao’s eyes lit up, though she confessed shyly, “I’ve never ridden before.”

For noble families, young ladies were often taught the gentleman’s six arts but she had not learned.

“I will teach you,” Xiao Ji said.

Xie Yao was about to agree, but her eyes dropped to her belly, filled with regret.

“I’ve found a gentle-tempered mare,” Xiao Ji assured her. “Yao-yao can try a few laps today. Next year, you can learn to gallop.”

His arrangements were careful and thorough.

Beforehand, he’d had Si-nan inspect the villa three times. When she rode, he would be by her side at all times.

Her safety was guaranteed.

Their lodgings were already furnished with everything she was used to.

Seeing her in high spirits, they lunched, rested briefly, and then went straight to the meadow.

From a distance, Xie Yao and Xiao Ji spotted people already there.

Si-nan quickly reported, “Your Highness, Crown Princess, it is the Eldest Princess.”

“The villa was bestowed by His Majesty. Though divided, the meadow is shared. So it’s no surprise Princess Xiao Ning is here.”

Xiao Ning was not alone.

She was surrounded by a group of young men and women. When she saw Xiao Ji and Xie Yao, she rode over with them.

She did not deliberately startle Xie Yao.

She stopped at a distance, smiling brightly. “Elder Brother, Sister-in-law, what a coincidence.”

The others dismounted and bowed. Among them, Xie Yao noticed Lin Panpan.

But then…

She became acutely aware of a heated gaze fixed on her.

Brazenly so!

Her brows knit as she lifted her eyes to look…

It was a young man beside Xiao Ning. Dressed in a brocade robe, hair bound with a jade crown, his bearing was refined.

…And somewhat familiar.

“Crown Prince, Crown Princess.” Everyone bowed formally.

Sensing Xie Yao’s gaze, Xiao Ning arched her brows, her voice ringing out, “This is the young marquis of the Marquis of Changning’s household. He has been observing mourning in the clan lands for three years and has just returned to the capital. Sister-in-law may not know him.”

Cheng Fengqi.

She knew him.

Xie Yao dipped her head slightly in greeting, her eyes cool and impassive as they brushed past him.

As if seeing a stranger.

Cheng Fengqi’s lips pressed tight, his face paling.

But he quickly realized someone was watching him. He looked up and…

It was the Crown Prince.

Xiao Ji stood beside Xie Yao in a protective stance, their hands clasped tightly together.

After one glance at Cheng Fengqi, Xiao Ji said to Xiao Ning, “Go on and play.”

Better not to disturb them.

The group dispersed. Cheng Fengqi lingered at the back, walking far before he couldn’t help but look back at Xie Yao.

All he saw was her slender back, wrapped securely in Xiao Ji’s embrace.

Because of this encounter, Xie Yao grew pensive.

“Yao-yao,” Xiao Ji reminded her, “focus.”

Si-nan had already led the horse over. Xie Yao returned to herself, listening as Xiao Ji explained the basics of mounting.

With his hand steadying her, she carefully climbed into the saddle.

The mare was indeed gentle.

Xie Yao settled steadily on its back, Xiao Ji personally leading the reins.

Her gaze lingered on him, and she suddenly asked, “Your Highness, just now, that young Marquis Cheng…”

Cultural Notes:

• Side consort: a formal secondary wife, lower than the principal consort but above concubines.
• Gentleman’s six arts: the six classical accomplishments (ritual, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, mathematics), often extended for noble daughters to include riding.
• Cheng Fengqi is the old friend of Xie Yao who used to be neighbour of the Zhao Family during her childhood.