After Marrying the Heirless Crown Prince, I Gave Birth to Three Children - Chapter 18

Chapter 18: The Crown Princess Is the Exception

Several days passed, and the day of Master Qingshan’s disciple-acceptance ceremony drew near.

Song Wenbo finally sensed something wrong. Sobering up from drink, he asked Xie Yujiao, “Wife, why hasn’t anyone from the Cui residence come yet? Shouldn’t my teacher summon me first?”

Xie Yujiao only thought he was being impatient. Smiling gently, she soothed him, “Don’t worry, husband. Master Qingshan values you so much he’s even holding a special banquet. He must simply be busy with preparations.”

Song Wenbo nodded. “Madam speaks wisely.” Relieved by her firm confidence, he relaxed a little and then asked, “Have you prepared the clothes for the ceremony? That day is the most important in my life so I must make a grand entrance.”

“Everything is ready,” she assured, then ordered attendants to bring the garments forward. “Husband, see for yourself.”

She had spared no expense. The robes were made of rare Shu brocade, embroidered in gold and silver thread. Song Wenbo was thoroughly pleased. “My wife has worked hard.”

He held her hand tenderly, eyes full of affection.

Blushing, Xie Yujiao whispered, “Tomorrow is your big day. All I wish is for husband to succeed. Doing this for you isn’t hard.”

Song Wenbo sighed softly and pulled her into his arms. “With a wife like you, what more could a man ask for?”

She murmured shyly, “Tomorrow night, when you return, stay in the main quarters with me.” It was an invitation.

Since her return to the Song household, life had been smoother as there was no more harassment from the old crone, and her husband treated her with warmth. Only one inconvenience: she had been on her period. But it would end tomorrow.

Song Wenbo quickly caught her meaning. With the princess still occupied in the palace and not seeking him these past days, he answered immediately, “Alright.”

…

At the Crown Prince’s residence.

“Crown Princess,” Yuyan announced from outside, “the physician has come to take your pulse.”

It was routine for the household physician to regularly examine the principal family members.

Xie Yao nodded slightly to Zhuxin. Soon, Physician Guan entered, carefully took her pulse, and concluded, “Her Highness has recovered well. Your body is very healthy. Only, it seems Your Highness carries a certain fixation in your heart, if you dwell on it too deeply, it may harm you. Better to relax and open your heart.”

After finishing, he carefully packed away his instruments.

“You have my thanks, Physician Guan,” Xie Yao said politely before casually asking, “Has the Physician examined His Highness recently? How is his health?”

The question wasn’t improper, though she felt guilty for asking.

Physician Guan’s hand paused briefly. Smiling faintly, he replied, “His Highness’s old injury is already healed. The Crown Princess need not worry.”

A vague answer.

Before she could press further, Yingtao’s voice came from the courtyard, “Your Highness.”

Everyone turned. At some point, Xiao Ji had entered the courtyard. He nodded lightly and strode inside. “All of you leave. Without my order, no one is allowed in.”

The attendants bowed and withdrew, leaving only him and Xie Yao in the room.

“Your Highness.” She rose to curtsy, slightly surprised. Since their last talk, he had come daily to dine in the main courtyard but today he had come unusually early.

He motioned for her to sit.

“The Ministry of Justice tried every method, but Steward Ding insisted he acted only from greed, with no instigation,” Xiao Ji said steadily, his gaze resting on her. “Crown Princess, what do you think?”

Xie Yao did not answer right away. Instead she asked, “So even you haven’t found any leads?”

He stayed silent, only looking at her, eyes complex. He didn’t notice it himself, but the dull lifelessness in them had grown more vivid than before.

After a moment’s thought, she said, “Even without proof, Your Highness must have suspicions in your heart.”

The room went quiet.

At last, he admitted, “Two days before the wedding, several unfamiliar men appeared around the Crown Prince’s residence. They followed certain steward named Ding.”

Xie Yao lowered her gaze. Exposed!

He continued, “One of the people who stirred the Song Wenbo’s rumors was also spotted near our residence by Si-nan. Though that person has now left the capital, he was yours.”

It wasn’t a question, but a statement. “You already knew Steward Ding was suspicious.”

Xie Yao weighed her response. As Xiao Ji said, that man had already left the capital, and retrieving him would not be easy. She could easily deny it. But instead…

“I only learned of it by chance.” She looked directly at him with honesty. She had overheard Xie Ning and Song Wenbo during one of their trysts, wasn’t that truly by chance?

Xiao Ji’s expression grew even more conflicted. “Do you realize if others discover this, you…”

“I’m not afraid.” Her voice was clear, eyes full of trust as they met his. “I have Your Highness! You’ll protect me, won’t you?”

Xiao Ji froze. In her eyes burned a new flame, threatening to consume him whole. Almost panicked, he turned away, fists clenched under his sleeves, body tense, tinged with unwillingness.

“This matter, I will make sure no one traces it back to you.” His voice when it came again was cool and heavy.

Xie Yao felt there was more behind those words. Perhaps… this was why Xiao Ji had died so young in her previous life?

But clearly, he did not plan to tell her.

The couple finished dinner in silence, each lost in thought. As usual, Xiao Ji rose to leave afterward.

“Your Highness,” Xie Yao called after him, “tomorrow, will you go with me to the Cui residence?” To watch a fine play!

He nodded. “Yes.”

Leaving the main courtyard, Xiao Ji asked Si-nan, “Have you cleaned up the loose ends?” He had already given orders before telling Xie Yao.

Si-nan bowed deeply. “All traces have been cleared, Your Highness. No one will ever link it to the Crown Princess.”

Xiao Ji said nothing more, walking on silently.

After a moment, Si-nan asked cautiously, “Your Highness, should you really not tell her? The Crown Princess, she…”

“Too many words.” Xiao Ji’s light glance carried a sharp warning. Si-nan immediately fell silent.

Back at the study, Xiao Ji stopped short. His brows furrowed. Someone was inside!

Si-nan went first to check. To his shock, he found Yingtao, the maid who served in the main courtyard. “Yingtao? Why are you here?”

Startled, she quickly put down her cleaning rag, bowed toward Xiao Ji, and greeted, “This servant greets Your Highness.”

His frown deepened, his voice cold as ice. “Who allowed you in?”

Her body stiffened, cheeks flushing red. “This servant thought… since Your Highness has been resting in the study recently, someone should clean it…”

“Leave.” His tone did not soften.

Eyes brimming with tears, she bit her lip, covered her face, and fled.

Si-nan hesitated, murmuring, “Perhaps it was the Crown Princess’s order…”

“She wouldn’t.” Xiao Ji cut him off firmly. “From now on, no one may enter the study without permission.”

Then after a pause, he added, “Except… the Crown Princess.”