Chapter 143: The Young Lord Rides a Bamboo Horse

On the first day of the New Year, Xie Yao and Xiao Ji left the palace and returned to the Crown Prince’s residence.

The second day was the day for married daughters to return to their natal homes. Xie Yao did not go, but both Xie Yujiao and Xie Yuru did. Rumor had it the visit did not go well.

It seemed Xie Yujiao’s pregnancy was unsettled; Madam Zhang summoned a physician to examine her quietly behind closed doors, so Xie Yao’s people could not discover the details. But one thing was clear, Xie Yujiao did not return to the Song family that day.

Even when Xie Yao heard of it, she paid little mind. She herself had barely a month left before childbirth, and with the day drawing closer, the Crown Prince’s residence grew more tense with each passing day.

On the third day of the New Year, the Zhao family arrived at the residence.

One reason was to visit Xie Yao. Another was that the Crown Prince’s household lacked senior women; with Xiao Ji being a man, there would inevitably be details overlooked. Old Madam Zhao wanted to remain personally, to watch over her granddaughter during childbirth.

As for how the Xie family would take this, well, the Zhao family simply ignored them.

When Zhao Ying and the others arrived, Pei Chen appeared as well, right on time.

Clearly following some “wise advice,” he had dressed with care: black brocade robes embroidered with gold trim, his hair tied high, his features sharp and handsome. The battlefield’s harsh aura seemed lessened, replaced with a touch of noble refinement, like the scion of a great family.

Crown tied high, sword brows, bright eyes; he looked every bit the spirited young lord!

Even Zhao Ying was briefly stunned before quickly turning her eyes away.

Pei Chen greeted the Zhao family with perfect courtesy. Though surprised, they could only accept it helplessly as he drew Zhao Hao and Xiao Ji into the study, leaving the Zhao womenfolk to sit with Xie Yao.

Old Madam Zhao’s brows were drawn tight. “Yao-yao, the matter with Xie Yuru, the whole family knows.”

Xie Cheng… what a fine father indeed!

Knowing his eldest daughter was the Crown Princess, yet still sending Xie Yuru to Xiao Hong’s side, whether to make his daughters rivals, or to hedge his bets, it was outrageous.

The Zhao family was furious.

Xie Yao clasped her grandmother’s hand gently. “Grandmother, don’t let anger harm your health. Such people aren’t worth it.”

Seeing how calmly her granddaughter accepted it, the old lady’s rage eased somewhat. She patted Xie Yao’s hand with deep pity in her eyes.

How blind she had been, back then, to think that hypocrite Xie Cheng was a good man and marry her only daughter to him.

Xie Yao and Zhao Ying soothed the old lady for a while before sending her to rest.

The room quieted, leaving only Zhao Ying and Xie Yao.

With a sigh, Zhao Ying said, “Grandmother has slept poorly since learning of this. She was terribly worried for you. But seeing you so open-hearted eases her heart.”

“I should have gone to spend more time with Grandmother sooner,” Xie Yao murmured, guilty at making the old lady worry.

Zhao Ying shook her head. “How can you blame yourself? The year-end was busy enough, and you’re carrying a child… Yao-yao, only if you are well can Grandmother feel at ease.”

She hesitated, then added, “Some days ago… someone came to our house to pay a visit. Grandmother…”

She left the name unsaid, but Xie Yao understood.

Cheng Fengqi.

Though born to the Marquis of Changning, he and his mother had been neglected, and they lived not in the Marquis’s residence but next door to the merchant Zhao family.

That was how they came to know each other.

Back then, he had been solitary, distant, refusing all company.

But Xie Yao, bright as sunlight had pulled him along to play. Gradually, he warmed to them.

They were childhood companions, two little playmates.

She still remembered: his mother, the Marchioness of Changning, had once spoken to her grandmother… about her and Cheng Fengqi.

Later, she returned to the Xie family. For a few years, she still occasionally received small tokens secretly sent from him.

Then, for two years, neither he nor his mother were seen again.

She bore no ill will toward him.

In her previous life, he…

“Yao-yao,” Zhao Ying’s worried voice broke into her thoughts. “You…”

Zhao Ying remembered how, as children, Xie Yao always liked to follow Cheng Fengqi around.

Xie Yao gave her a reassuring smile. “Those were just childhood days.”

But now, in the present…

She said softly, “Sister Ying, could you pass along a few words to him for me?”

Outside the door, Xiao Ji’s steps paused. He had come to fetch a book from the main hall, but hearing this, his lashes lowered…