After Marrying the Heirless Crown Prince, I Gave Birth to Three Children - Chapter 15

Chapter 15: Punishment for the mistress?

Meeting the Noble Consort’s probing gaze, Xie Yao obediently sat down, her expression pure as though she had noticed nothing at all.

The Noble Consort withdrew her gaze and said, “Crown Princess, the crown prince’s manor had no mistress before, so many matters could not be arranged properly. Now that you are the crown princess, you should be magnanimous and take the initiative to arrange attendants for the prince. I have especially prepared a few for you. When you leave the palace later, take them back to the prince’s manor.”

This was not a suggestion, it was an order.

Xie Yao looked troubled. “Your Highness’s kindness is one I ought not to refuse. However, the husband is the wife’s guiding line. Without His Highness’s approval, how could I dare to make decisions in his stead?”

The Noble Consort’s face darkened. Just moments ago she had seemed gentle and graceful, but in an instant she became frightening. “So, Crown Princess, are you refusing my command?”

Xie Yao did not hesitate. She dropped to her knees. “Your daughter-in-law is caught in a dilemma and can only kneel to punish herself.” Her words rang out clear and righteous!

The Noble Consort’s expression grew uglier still. What a clever retreat! The crown prince was not her own son, and the crown princess; the future empress was not obliged to kneel to her. If word of today spread, would it not seem that she, the Noble Consort, was so domineering that she disrespected both the crown prince and crown princess?

She might think one way in her heart, but appearances were another matter, especially with so many eyes in the harem watching her.

Drawing a deep breath, she said, “Crown Princess, please rise. It was my oversight in this matter.”

Xie Yao had made herself the superior. With the Noble Consort personally stepping forward to help her up, she stood “reluctantly.” “Many thanks to the Noble Consort for your understanding.”

The Noble Consort now understood, Xie Yao was no pushover. For the moment, she could do nothing about her. With a wave of her hand, she said, “It is getting late. I shall rest now.”

Xie Yao wisely took her leave.

She had barely left Weiyang Palace when a voice rang out behind her. “Stop!”

Glancing at the rippling waters before Weiyang Palace, Xie Yao walked a few more steps until she stood atop the bridge over the lake. Then she turned back, smiling brightly at Xiao Ning. “Does the princess still have business with me?”

Her lips moved, and she mouthed a few silent words.

Xiao Ning’s face changed dramatically. She hurried forward, closing the distance. “What did you say….ah!”

Before she could finish, her balance gave way, and she toppled headlong into the lake in front of Weiyang Palace….

Splash!

Xiao Ning plunged into the water, spraying waves high into the air.

“Disaster! The princess has fallen in the water!”

Chaos erupted around them. Before anyone could react, another splash.

“Disaster! The crown princess has fallen in too!”

Xie Yao knew how to swim. She also knew that Xiao Ning did not. And she knew many of Xiao Ning and Song Wenbo’s filthy little secrets, because the two of them liked to chatter afterward. They hadn’t even bothered to hide it from her.

Xie Yao swam directly toward Xiao Ning, and then deliberately pulled her further away, slowing down the rescuers.

After that, she shoved Xiao Ning’s head under the water.

This wasn’t revenge, It was just collecting some interest.

She listened as the rescuers drew closer. Xiao Ning had already lost consciousness. Any longer and she might truly die. Only then did Xie Yao let go.

As she released Xiao Ning, she let her own body sink to the bottom of the lake…

…

“The crown princess is awake!”

Xie Yao opened her eyes to the sound of Zhuxin’s tearful voice. She looked up and there stood Xiao Ji, clad in a dark-purple robe, at her bedside.

“Your Highness?” Xie Yao was quietly surprised. She had not expected the crown prince to come.

His cold eyes rested on her. Her black hair lay damp down her back; her pale face, still from near-drowning, made her dark eyes seem even brighter. Her lowered gaze gave her an air of pure innocence.

But remembering her weak, unconscious form earlier, Xiao Ji felt a sudden surge of inexplicable anger. This palace…

“I’ve come to take you back to the manor. Change your clothes first.” His mind turned with many thoughts, but his face revealed none. After those curt words, he turned and walked out.

Zhuxin and Zhuxin hurried to help Xie Yao change. “Crown Princess, they say Princess He Yi is still unconscious. The Noble Consort is furious…”

“But everyone saw clearly, it was you who risked your life to save her.”

Xie Yao made a soft sound. “And you two? You’re unharmed?”

Both shook their heads. “The Noble Consort wanted to punish us for negligence, but thanks to the crown prince arriving in time, and on your account, he spared us.”

Xie Yao exhaled in relief, gratitude welling up. “His Highness is truly kind.”

They dressed her in a goose-yellow palace gown, making her fair skin look even whiter. Since she had never lived in the palace, the clothes found for her were clearly ill-fitting; after all, her “figure” was rare.

As soon as she stepped out, Xiao Ji frowned.

And yet Xie Yao still bent her knees and curtsied. “Many thanks to Your Highness.”

His eyes fell on her unusually full chest, and then flicked to her slender waist, narrow enough to hold in one hand.

In silence, he stripped off his cloak and tossed it to Zhuxin. “Drape it over the crown princess.”

Xie Yao’s face flushed crimson, her embarrassment nearly dripping blood. She obediently wrapped the cloak around herself. “I—I don’t have any other clothes…”

She had been ready to go to Weiyang Palace, to explain herself to either the Noble Consort or the emperor. After all, she had acted in plain view, careful that no one saw her quick flick of a foot.

But nothing came of it.

Xiao Ji simply escorted her straight out of the palace.

Even in the carriage back to the crown prince’s manor, Xie Yao still felt dazed.

—-

At Weiyang Palace

Bang!

After sending the emperor away, the Noble Consort’s face twisted with fury. Her voice was icy. “She left the palace?”

“Yes, yes,” a palace maid stammered, kneeling and trembling, not daring to raise her head.

The Noble Consort sneered. “How arrogant he is!”

Just then, another maid rushed from the inner chamber. “Your Ladyship, the princess has awakened.”

The suffocating tension in the hall eased at once.

The Noble Consort rose and entered, just in time to hear Xiao Ning’s weak voice. “Mother, it was that wretch who harmed me!”

Her memory was hazy, but that did not stop her from blaming everything on that woman!

The Noble Consort asked gently, “Ning’er, are you certain? Everyone saw that after you fell into the water, she immediately jumped in to save you.”

“Save me?” Xiao Ning’s teeth chattered as she spoke, her eyes flashing with hatred. “She was clearly trying to kill me! Mother, does she know something? And the crown prince…” She trailed off, panic rising.

“Ning’er!” the Noble Consort’s voice chilled, carrying warning.

Xiao Ning snapped to her senses and shut her mouth.

“Leave us,” the Noble Consort commanded. The imperial doctors and attendants were ushered out by Weiyang Palace’s stewardess.

“Ning’er,” the Noble Consort finally said, “whether she knows or not, since she dared to lay a hand on you, I will not let her go.”

Cultural Notes:

• Weiyang Palace: Historically a grand Han dynasty palace, but in fiction often used to represent an imperial consort’s luxurious residence.
• Princess He Yi: The emperor’s favored daughter. “He Yi” means harmony and nurture, ironically contrasting her arrogant and spoiled character.