Chapter 139: Step Back, Let Her Show Off!

“Something’s wrong!”

“Someone fell off a horse!”

The sudden cries and commotion swallowed up Xie Yao’s voice.

Both Xie Yao and Xiao Ji raised their eyes at the same time.

The one who had fallen was a guest of Xiao Ning’s. But they were too far away, and it was impossible to see clearly who it was.

Still, to avoid alarming her, Xiao Ji held the reins of the horse steady with one hand, and extended the other toward Xie Yao, signaling her to get down first.

Supported carefully by Xiao Ji, Xie Yao had just been helped down when a servant rushed over with the latest report.

“Your Highness, Crown Princess, it was the Young Marquis of the Marquis of Changning’s household who fell.”

Xie Yao’s brows furrowed slightly, a faint trace of concern flashing across her eyes.

It was Cheng Fengqi, he…

“How is he?” Xiao Ji asked, frowning.

The servant replied cautiously, “The details are still unclear, only that there was blood.”

Xie Yao’s face turned slightly pale, her fingers tightening unconsciously around Xiao Ji’s hand.

Xiao Ji instantly noticed, patting her hand lightly in reassurance. After a moment’s thought, he said, “Send the household physician to take a look.”

That group likely hadn’t brought a doctor with them. But Xiao Ji, mindful of Xie Yao’s condition, had brought his own physician along.

The servant quickly left to carry out the order.

Xie Yao’s heart was filled with complicated feelings.

His Highness had sharp eyes, when Cheng Fengqi looked at her earlier, surely Xiao Ji had noticed.

And yet, despite that, he still gave such an order…

Her husband was truly a gentleman.

“Frightened?” Xiao Ji asked her.

Xie Yao shook her head gently, her voice soft. “As long as Your Highness is here, I’m not afraid.”

With Xiao Ji, she felt completely safe.

Not long after, the physician returned.

“The Young Marquis did fall, but he used his strength cleverly. Though he looks bloodied, the injury is not serious; no bones were harmed. With a month of rest, he will recover.”

He handed over some medicine. “The Young Marquis has already been placed in his family’s carriage.”

Soon after, Zhuqing entered with another report. “Your Highness, Crown Princess, the Eldest Princess and the others have also left.”

After the accident with Cheng Fengqi, of course they could not continue to enjoy themselves here. The villa soon fell quiet again.

The whole afternoon had been in a stir.

That evening, after dining together, Xie Yao and Xiao Ji strolled hand in hand around the villa to aid digestion, before heading to the hot spring.

The villa had its own spring, already cleaned and prepared.

Mist rose thickly, white steam curling upward. In the spacious bathhouse, only the two of them remained.

Xie Yao, supported by Xiao Ji, stepped slowly into the steaming pool.

Her thin clothes quickly clung to her body, wet and translucent, the steam half-revealing and half-concealing her beauty.

Soaking in the hot spring eased the body, but since Xie Yao was pregnant, she could not stay too long.

When her skin turned flushed, Xiao Ji carried her out, stripped off the damp clothes, wrapped her snugly in warm quilts, and held her as he returned to the main hall.

Xie Yao buried her face in his chest. “Your Highness…”

Xiao Ji set her down in the warm chamber, where the brazier burned brightly. His large hand slipped into the bedding, brushing against her tender skin.

His palm slid slowly up her arm, his voice hoarse. “Yaoyao… you still owe me a reward.”

And he wanted it now.

They indulged deeply in each other’s embrace.

When Xie Yao awoke the next day, she was still in a daze.

It felt as if she had slept forever…

Her body was naturally sore and weak, but the heavy weight in her heart had been swept away, leaving her feeling utterly light and free.

“Yao-yao.”

Xiao Ji came in from outside, bringing the cold air with him. He didn’t approach immediately, instead ordering food to be brought in.

Xie Yao ate heartily.

When she was finished, Xiao Ji finally spoke. “Yesterday, Xiao Ning and the others had not originally planned to come to the villa. It was only after our carriage left the Crown Prince’s residence…”

“…that they rushed here on horseback.” Their speed naturally surpassed theirs.

It was deliberate.

The thought struck Xie Yao, and she recalled Xiao Ning’s demeanor yesterday. Suddenly, she understood, Xiao Ning’s target had been her.

But why?

Had she dug up Xiao Ning’s ancestral graves?

Whether in this life or the last, Xiao Ning seemed determined to entangle her, refusing to rest until she was trapped.

With Xiao Ning watching like a hawk, Xie Yao hadn’t been able to enjoy herself freely yesterday. And as for Cheng Fengqi’s fall…

Her thoughts faltered.

As the Young Marquis of Changning’s household, Cheng Fengqi excelled in all six gentlemanly arts. Though born into nobility, he had also passed the provincial exam at seventeen.

If not for mourning three years for his deceased kin, he would likely already be serving in court.

Such a man, would he really fall off a horse so suddenly?

“Yao-yao?”

Xiao Ji’s voice broke into her thoughts. “What are you thinking about?”

Xie Yao shook her head and asked instead, “Your Highness, will we still practice riding today?”

Xiao Ji squeezed her hand. “We will.”

They ended up staying at the villa for several days, undisturbed by outside affairs. By the time they returned to the capital, Xie Yao’s mood was much brighter.

No sooner had they arrived back than the Marquis of Changning’s household sent rich gifts of gratitude.

Zhuqing entered the room hesitantly. “Crown Princess, besides those gifts of thanks…”

“…there was also a letter.”

Xie Yao’s expression darkened at once. She glanced at the envelope in Zhuqing’s hands.

On it were only three words: For You to Open.

No names written, but Xie Yao immediately recognized Cheng Fengqi’s handwriting. The letter was addressed to her.

After a brief silence, she said, “Burn it.”

A thing like that; its very existence was a danger. Even if returned, it would remain a risk.

Better to burn it completely.

“Yes.” Without hesitation, Zhuqing tossed the letter into the brazier, watching as it burned to ash.

Xie Yao had no intention of replying to Cheng Fengqi.

There was no need.

Once the Marquis of Changning’s matter was settled, Zhuqing dutifully reported on the happenings in the capital during their absence.

“In the first few days after Your Highness left the city, Second Prince made quite a stir,” she said.

“He refused to accept Third Lady and threw her out of his residence. It was only after Consort Li personally intervened that Third Lady was allowed to stay in the Second Prince’s manor.”

“And as for the Xie household… Lady Qingqing has fallen ill.”

Xie Yao raised an eyebrow. “Ill?”

“Does Father know?”

Zhuqing replied, “The Ministry of Revenue has been very busy lately. The Master has been staying overnight at the palace for several days.”

That meant the Xie household was now entirely in Madam Zhang’s hands.

Xie Yao said, “How could Father not know of such a serious matter? Send word to him… Oh, and…”

“Tell Xie Yuru as well. After all, it is her mother.”

“Yes,” Zhuqing answered immediately.

Though Xiao Hong was no longer the Second Prince, his identity was still unusual. For someone like Xie Yuru, who longed for upward advancement, she would surely find a way to use that.

The very next day, Zhuqing came again with news. “Crown Princess, Third Lady left the Second Prince’s manor early this morning and returned to the Xie household.”

Xie Yuru did not return alone. She brought several attendants, dressed herself lavishly in gold-threaded silks, her hair weighed down with golden hairpins and jade ornaments.

Seated in her carriage, she didn’t feel the burden at all, her back straight, her neck high and proud.

In the past, only Xie Yao had been the one to throw her weight around in the Xie household.

But this time… it was her turn!