Chapter 141: She’s No Less Than Xie Yao

“Your Highness.”

Instinctively, Xie Yao reached out and tugged Xiao Ji’s sleeve, her gaze lowered. “It’s snowing today.”

Xiao Ji thought she was merely showing concern and his eyes softened. “I will be back quickly.”

After breakfast, he used the excuse of going to the study, but quietly slipped out of the residence instead.

Xie Yao sat in thought, distracted by these recent occurrences. Her husband was never a careless man. For him to come back again and again with a scent she disliked clinging to him; something was deliberate. She had even mentioned it the first time, yet afterward nothing changed. That could only mean someone was intentionally leaving the fragrance on him, perhaps without him even realizing he carried it.

Whether or not it was aimed at her, Xie Yao did not ask, and Xiao Ji did not explain. But the unease lingered. She fiddled absently with a silk sachet in her hand, turning it over a few times before setting it back on the table.

“Your Highness.”

Zhuqing entered, standing by the brazier as she reported, “Word just came from the palace that Consort Li fainted in front of the Yangxing Palace yesterday. His Majesty has now allowed Xiao Hong to attend the family banquet.”

The New Year was a major affair. Besides the grand feast for officials, the Emperor always held a separate family banquet. Consort Li’s show of desperation, paired with His Majesty’s lingering affection for Xiao Hong, made his agreement unsurprising.

Xie Yao was not shocked by the outcome. What puzzled her was… Xiao Ning had allowed this, even tacitly encouraged it. What game was Xiao Ning playing this time?

True to his word, Xiao Ji returned early. He had clearly washed in the study before coming over as his body smelled clean, his long hair still damp. He had hurried straight to her quarters.

Xie Yao quickly picked up a towel and began drying his hair, scolding softly, “Your Highness, you’ll catch a chill like this…”

Before she could finish, Xiao Ji opened a small brocade box, took out a piece of pastry, and popped it into her mouth. “It’s still warm.”

It was from Ruyi Pavilion, the capital’s most famous pastry shop, something Xie Yao had been craving lately.

Her cheeks puffed out, stuffed full like a little squirrel, and she glared at him helplessly while still moving her hands to dry his hair.

“Let me do it.” He took the towel, pulled her onto his lap, and brushed a kiss at the corner of her lips. “Sweet.”

—-

On the 29th day of the twelfth month, the Emperor feasted his officials. Neither Xie Yao nor Xiao Ji attended. The following day, New Year’s Eve, was the family banquet, and only then did the two dressed up to enter the palace.

Xiao Ji unhesitatingly chose one of the robes Xie Yao had sewn for him. She had made three, and after that he had refused to let her make more, cherishing those three sets above all else.

“Your Highness.”

That day Xie Yao wore a scarlet gown, a white fox-fur cloak wrapped snugly around her. Her little face peeked out from the fluffy collar, her dark eyes shining brightly. Approaching Xiao Ji, she produced a small sachet and tied it around his waist with her own hands.

“Yao-yao made this?” His eyes lit with both delight and tenderness. “Yao-yao…”

She drew back her hand. “It’s only a sachet, and besides… it’s my New Year’s gift to you. If you don’t dislike it…”

“Nonsense!” he interrupted her. “I treasure it more than anything. How could I ever dislike it?” He looked as though he wanted to enshrine it at once.

Xie Yao smiled, her eyes curved like crescent moons. Taking the hand warmer Zhuqing passed to her, she stepped out with Xiao Ji, surrounded by maids and attendants.

Snow was considered a good omen; a sign of a bountiful year. This New Year, her life was entirely different from her last. This time, she would live anew.

Just as the Crown Prince’s carriage reached the palace gates, they encountered familiar figures; Xiao Hong and, unexpectedly, Xie Yuru.

Xie Yuru was clearly dressed to impress, dripping in gold and jewels, as though determined to flaunt every fine thing she possessed.

As Xiao Ji helped Xie Yao down from the carriage, both Xiao Hong and Xie Yuru turned to look: one with admiration, the other with envy. Yet neither Xie Yao nor Xiao Ji spared them even a glance. They moved directly toward the palace sedan, intending to rest first inside the palace halls.

“Elder Sister!” Xie Yuru’s voice shrilled as she stepped forward. “I too am here for the banquet today.”

What Xie Yao had, she also had. She was no less than Xie Yao!

Xie Yao paused, turned her head, and inclined it slightly. “This palace knows. Congratulations, Third Sister, it must be your first time entering the palace? The snow scenes within are quite beautiful. You should enjoy them.”

Then she turned to Xiao Ji. “Your Highness, shall we go in?”

“…”

Xie Yuru bit her lip hard. Was Xie Yao mocking her, belittling her? Her mind went hot. She rushed forward to the sedan. “We were here first! If anyone should ride, it should be us!”

But the eunuch stationed at the sedan raised a hand to block her. “Second Madam, this carriage is reserved solely for the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.”

In the palace, every object was regulated by rank. The Crown Prince’s sedan was not for just anyone, not even other princes or consorts, much less the current awkward status of these two.

The eunuch had put it politely. But Xie Yuru failed to grasp it. She snapped, “Sniveling flatterer! Why can she sit while I cannot? Do you look down on the Second Prince?”

“Your servant dares not,” the eunuch stammered, bowing low, but he still did not move aside.

Xiao Ji’s eyes turned icy. “Step aside,” he ordered coldly. He would not allow his princess to stand in the cold.

Xie Yuru shrank back half a step under his gaze, but resentment only burned fiercer in her heart. Why was Xie Yao so fortunate, guarded so tenderly by the Crown Prince, while the Second Prince…

“Guards.” Xiao Ji was about to speak further when another voice cut in. “Escort Third Lady Xie back. A girl with no sense of propriety has no business embarrassing herself in the palace.”

The voice carried authority. Princess Yongle, supported by Pei Chen, stepped down from her carriage. Her sharp gaze swept over Xie Yuru, leaving the girl’s knees weak, she nearly collapsed on the spot.

“Imperial Aunt,” everyone quickly saluted.

At Pei Chen’s gesture, attendants stepped forward to seize Xie Yuru. She panicked, looking desperately to Xiao Hong. “Second Highness…”

She had used schemes lately to win his notice, and believed herself special in his eyes.

“Take her away.” Xiao Hong didn’t hesitate. “Shameful thing.”

He turned to the princess, bowing. “Forgive me, Aunt. I failed in my discipline and let you witness such a farce.” Humiliation burned within him, but he laid the blame squarely on Xie Yuru.

Useless woman.

So Xie Yuru, who had strutted in proudly, was dragged away before she even set foot inside the palace gates.

Watching her being hauled off, Xie Yao gave a small nod to Zhuqing. Keep an eye on Xie Yuru.

Xiao Ning had permitted Xiao Hong into the palace, which already roused suspicion. Now, with Xie Yuru also appearing… Xie Yao never dropped her guard around Xiao Ning. To be safe, she had deliberately provoked Xie Yuru just now.

Better that Xie Yuru not appear at tonight’s banquet at all.