Chapter 145: What If… She Wasn’t Doing Well?

Cheng Fengqi paid no attention at all to Pei Chen’s look.

He turned back toward his own residence, looking somewhat dispirited.

Indeed.

Although he was now the young Marquis of the Marquis of Changning’s household, he did not live in the marquisate. Instead, he chose to live next door to the Zhao family.

This way, perhaps…

When she came, he might at least catch a glimpse of her from afar, even if it was only once.

As soon as Cheng Fengqi returned, the steward of the residence came forward to greet him. “My Lord, the Old Madam and the Eldest Princess have arrived.”

Cheng Fengqi frowned and looked up.

The Eldest Princess, Xiao Ning?

Just as Zhao Ying had said today, he had already felt something was amiss when the Eldest Princess suddenly invited him to the villa last time. That was why he had deliberately fallen from his horse.

And now… what did the Eldest Princess want this time?

“Fengqi.”

The Marchioness’s voice sounded from inside the hall as she waved to him, urging, “Come in quickly and pay your respects to the Princess.”

Xiao Ning sat smiling at the seat of honor. Upon hearing this, she said, “There’s no need for such formality, Madam. Last time, Lord Marquis was injured at my invitation. It is only proper that I come to check on him.”

Cheng Fengqi collected his thoughts, lowered his eyes respectfully, and said, “I pay my respects to Your Highness. Thank you for your concern. I am fine.”

“As long as you are well.” Xiao Ning let out a breath as though relieved. “It was just that, last time, I noticed Lord Marquis seemed a little distracted when he saw my sister-in-law.”

“Could it be that you knew each other before?”

She had wanted to ask Xie Yao about this during the New Year’s Eve palace banquet, but Xiao Ji had cut her off.

Before Cheng Fengqi could reply, the Marchioness immediately shot him a sharp look. Forcing a smile, she quickly said, “Your Highness must be mistaken…”

“There were indeed a few encounters.”

Both their voices rang out at the same time. Xiao Ning raised her brows. “Oh?”

The Marchioness’s expression turned ugly.

Cheng Fengqi’s voice was distant and cool. His eyes remained lowered, while beneath his sleeves his fists clenched tightly. Only that sharp pain helped him keep his tone flat and detached, as if he were speaking about someone he hardly knew.

“When I was young, my mother and I lived here in this residence, being neighbors with the Zhao family. The Crown Princess also lived with the Zhao family for a few years in her childhood.”

Xiao Ning gave a soft click of her tongue. “Lord Marquis is truly sentimental, still living here even now.”

Cheng Fengqi replied, “The Spring Imperial Examinations are soon approaching. This place is quiet, suitable for my studies.”

Flawless.

Xiao Ning sneered inwardly. If she had not already investigated thoroughly, even she might have believed him.

After a while longer, Xiao Ning found an excuse to dismiss the Marchioness, leaving only Cheng Fengqi with her. She then said, “Marquis of Changning, whatever wish lies in your heart… I can help you achieve it.”

Cheng Fengqi’s eyelashes trembled slightly. The pain in his palm kept him clear-headed. “I only wish to serve the court.”

“Heh.” Xiao Ning leisurely lifted her teacup, studying him with unhurried eyes. “But what if I were to tell you…”

“That she is not doing well?”

—-

When Xiao Ning left the Cheng residence, she happened to run into Pei Chen.

Pei Chen was on horseback, and made no move to dismount. He glanced at the Cheng residence behind her, then at Xiao Ning, and cupped his fists. “Your Highness.”

Xiao Ning’s gaze sparkled as she looked at him, her face breaking into a bright smile. “Brother Pei Chen.”

Pei Chen: “…”

He forced a stiff smile and quickly fled the scene.

Then he reported the matter to Xiao Ji.

Xiao Ji had just finished hearing Si-nan’s report about Cheng Fengqi. He tapped his fingers lightly against the desk. “This man is not very impressive.”

Cheng Fengqi’s learning was decent but not as good as himself.

His family background was decent but not as good as himself.

His looks were decent but not as good as himself.

And he could not even fight…

… In short, in every way, he fell short.

“Your Highness.” Pei Chen sat across from Xiao Ji. “So now Xiao Ning has set her sights on Cheng Fengqi? But I look at him and see nothing more than a pampered pretty face. He seems highly unreliable…”

Xiao Ji glanced at Pei Chen and nodded with deep agreement. “Indeed, not acceptable.”

“Right?” Pei Chen leaned closer toward him. “Then, could you ask the Crown Princess to put in a word with Zhao Ying for me?”

“That it’s better to pick me than him.”

Xiao Ji: “…”

He gave Pei Chen a look and thought to himself that Pei Chen… was also not very acceptable.

He is also not very smart.

—–

After coaxing Xiao Ji, Xie Yao went to the guest courtyard to accompany the Old Madam.

As soon as she entered, she saw the Old Madam holding a needle and thread, doing embroidery.

“Grandmother.”

Xie Yao hurried over, distressed. “Embroidery strains the eyes. Why must you still do such work yourself?”

Since the time she had worried over Zhao Ying fainting, the Old Madam’s health had not been very good. She had been carefully cared for all along.

The Old Madam smiled, setting down the needlework in her hands.

From the side, she brought out something already finished. “I’m getting old, and there’s little else I can do. I only thought of making something for each of the two little ones.”

She had already completed a little bellyband.

It was made from yunjin; a type of brocade worth its weight in gold, soft and comfortable.

“Grandmother.”

Xie Yao was deeply moved. “You must take care of your eyes.”

“I know.” The Old Madam gently patted her hand, her eyes full of affection and love.

“It’s only for you. I fear that by the time it’s Zhao Ying and Zhao Hao’s children… I won’t be able to make them anything.”

Xie Yao laughed. “Then Sister Ying and Brother Hao will surely envy me greatly.”

The Old Madam drew her granddaughter into her arms, smoothing the loose strands of hair by her ear, and sighed softly. “My Yao-yao… now you are going to be a mother.”

Xie Yao’s eyes grew hot. She hugged the Old Madam back. “And I will always be Grandmother’s Yao-yao.”

The two of them stayed close for a while.

Then the Old Madam asked Xie Yao to summon the people in the Crown Prince’s residence who were responsible for her childbirth matters.

She questioned them carefully one by one. Though she made no adjustments, she made sure to recognize each person, bestowed them rewards, and then dismissed them.

After all, the Crown Prince was a man.

When Xie Yao gave birth, the Old Madam would have to oversee everything. If not for her old age, she would insist on handling matters personally to be truly at ease.

Feeling her grandmother’s care, Xie Yao’s heart was warmed through.

She stayed with the Old Madam to drink a calming soup, then returned to the main residence.

—-

Time passed.

In the blink of an eye, it was the beginning of the second month.

This past month, the Crown Prince’s residence had remained peaceful. Whenever matters arose, they were dealt with by Xiao Ji before they ever reached Xie Yao.

“Crown Princess.”

Zhuqing entered. “Today Master Song went to the Xie residence to fetch the Second Young Lady but did not find her.”

For the past month, Xie Yujiao had been living at the Xie household.

Previously, Song Wenbo had kept very strict watch over Xie Yujiao, clearly because she had the ability to ‘foresee’ things through dreams, and he did not feel at ease.

But this past month, no one knew what method Madam Zhang had used, but Song Wenbo had actually agreed to let Xie Yujiao stay at the Xie household.

“Oh?”

Xie Yao asked, “She is about to give birth as well, isn’t she? Does she want to deliver at the Xie residence?”

If that were the case, then at least Xie Yujiao would finally be showing some sense. If she insisted on giving birth at the Song residence…

That would surely end badly for her!

“Yes.” Zhuqing nodded. “In these days, physicians have been coming and going frequently at the Xie residence.”

“Today, Master Song went with Madam Song Li to the Xie household. Afterwards, he and Madam Zhang spoke privately about something, and then returned.”

“Xie Yujiao agreed to leave Song Wenbo?” Xie Yao asked in surprise.

Hadn’t Xie Yujiao already been thoroughly bewitched by him? Could she really agree?

Zhuqing thought for a moment, then said, “Come to think of it… these past days, Second Young Lady has not appeared in public at all.”