Chapter 22: Will Your Highness Stay the Night?

Xie Yao carried herself fully in the manner of a crown princess and elder sister-in-law.

Although Xiao Hong was surprised, more than that, he was furious. But no matter his anger, he did not show it on his face. Instead, he cupped his hands and bowed with gentle courtesy. “Many thanks to Royal Sister-in-law for the lesson.”

He could endure quite a lot.

Xie Yao gave a slight nod and sat back calmly. “Let’s go.”

Her carriage slowly rolled away. Yet Xiao Hong did not hurry to leave. He stood in place, his gaze fixed coldly on the retreating Crown Prince’s carriage. A flicker of murderous chill glinted in his eyes.

Xie Yao…

—–

At the southern city gate, Xie Yao’s carriage halted.

“Crown Princess, it’s the Zhao family’s caravan! The young lady must be here!” Zhuqing’s excited voice rang out. Xie Yao lifted the curtain to look, and for sure, in the distance, she saw a young girl with hair bound high, dressed in bright red, riding swiftly toward them.

“Yao-yao!”

The red-clad girl spotted Xie Yao, and her eyes lit up at once. She pressed her heels into the horse’s sides, urging it faster, before reining it in neatly beside the Crown Prince’s carriage.

Zhao Ying swung down from her horse. But as she looked at her cousin up close, her usual confidence gave way to a trace of shyness.

Her cousin still looked as obedient and sweet as when they were children.

“Sister Ying.” Xie Yao’s brows curved as she spoke first.

At once Zhao Ying’s heart settled.

The Zhao family owned a residence in the capital, but for now she went with Xie Yao back to the Crown Prince’s estate.

As they stepped down from the carriage, the steward came forward with a respectful smile. “Crown Princess, His Highness heard that the young lady was arriving and ordered me to have Qingya Pavilion specially cleaned and prepared.”

As Zhao Ying was a woman, Xiao Ji was not in a position to see her much. This was the steward’s way of showing welcome.

“Many thanks to His Highness for his thoughtfulness, and to you for the trouble,” Zhao Ying replied in her bright, straightforward voice, visibly more at ease now. She gestured toward the dozen carriages behind her. “These are gifts for the Crown Princess. Please have them registered and sent to the storerooms.”

The steward turned, only to freeze in shock. Even as the Crown Prince’s manager, well-accustomed to grandeur, he was stunned.

The Zhao family’s generosity was staggering!

Qingya Pavilion was spacious, serene, and close to the main quarters.

Once the servants withdrew, leaving only the two cousins, Zhao Ying glanced around and asked, “Yao-yao, does the Crown Prince treat you well?”

Xie Yao nodded and threw her arms around her. “I’m very well. You don’t need to worry about me, Sister Ying.”

“Didn’t your letters once say you were betrothed to some mere scholar? How did it suddenly become His Highness the Crown Prince?”

The difference between those identities was like heaven and earth. Would the Xie family truly have been so kind-hearted?

“It must be fate,” Xie Yao answered with a smile.

“Yao-yao.” Zhao Ying clasped her hand. “My younger brother Hao passed the county exam last year. He’s confident about the autumn metropolitan exam next year. Don’t be afraid.”

The Zhao family was simple in its lineage. Zhao Hao, Zhao Ying’s younger brother, was the only male of their generation. He pursued the path of the civil examinations, while Zhao Ying managed the family’s business.

“Soon our trade will also shift toward the capital. This trip, I’ve come to open the market.” Every word revealed her true intent: your mother’s family is here now.

“Sister Ying is amazing,” Xie Yao praised sincerely.

Hearing that from her soft, sweet cousin, Zhao Ying grew a little embarrassed. “The Crown Prince’s estate is fine, but I won’t stay long. Seeing you well puts me at ease.”

“Sister Ying,” Xie Yao linked arms with her, “why not stay a few more days? Just think of it as helping me.”

How could she refuse? Zhao Ying agreed at once.

A glimmer of calculation flashed in Xie Yao’s eyes. “Sister Ying, could I ask you to use your trading houses to seek out the most renowned doctors across the realm?”

“Are you unwell?” Zhao Ying’s expression turned worried.

Xie Yao shook her head. “Not me. But I must ask you to keep this secret.”

—-

Meanwhile, in the study.

“Your Highness,” Si-nan reported quietly, “today the Crown Princess’s carriage was rammed by the Second Prince’s.”

Xiao Ji’s hand froze mid-turn of a page. He looked up, eyes sharp and cold.

Si-nan dared not tease further and blurted, “The Crown Princess scolded him on the spot. If only Your Highness had seen the Second Prince’s face!”

Xiao Ji lowered his gaze, the corner of his lips curving faintly. “That is exactly what she would do.”

—-

That evening, the three of them; Xie Yao, Xiao Ji, and Zhao Ying shared dinner together.

Though a woman, Zhao Ying had run a business since she was young, traveling widely. She chatted with Xie Yao about amusing stories from her journeys, and even the Crown Prince listened with interest.

At the same time, Zhao Ying quietly observed her cousin’s marriage. The two were polite but not very intimate. Doubt arose in her heart.

After dinner, they chatted awhile. As twilight deepened, Zhao Ying excused herself, leaving the main quarters.

The moment she left, Xiao Ji also rose to go.

“Your Highness.”

Xie Yao called to him. “Will Your Highness not stay the night?”

“With my cousin here in the residence, I beg Your Highness…”

“All right,” Xiao Ji interrupted her plea, agreeing at once.

Yet the moment he spoke, regret stirred within him. Even if he did not usually stay here, how could Zhao Ying not notice?

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Xie Yao smiled and accepted his promise, leaving no room for him to withdraw.

The room glowed warmly in candlelight.

Xie Yao bathed first. When she emerged, Xiao Ji dared not look too long.

But when he came out of the bath, the sight before him made him falter. Xie Yao reclined on the soft couch, clad in rose-colored undergarments. Her pale wrists and neck shone bright against the dimness.

Zhuqing was drying her long black hair but quickly excused herself, shutting the door firmly behind her.

The room was left to just the two of them.

Xie Yao sat up, silky hair spilling down her back. She sat demurely, almost as if inviting him closer.

Xiao Ji thought again: agreeing to stay had been a bad idea.

“Your Highness,” Xie Yao rose after a moment and moved toward the bed. “Let us rest.”

They lay side by side.

Suddenly, Xie Yao turned to him. “Does Your Highness like children?”

Xiao Ji stiffened, lowering his lashes. “And the Crown Princess?”

“If Your Highness likes them, then I do. If you don’t, then neither do I.” Her shameless answer made his rigid expression ease.

“Sleep,” he said, closing his eyes, though his mind kept turning.

Why had she suddenly asked about children? Surely, it was because she liked them.

But he could never give her one.

He didn’t know how long had passed before he heard her steady breathing. Turning his head, he saw her face bathed in moonlight filtering through the lattice.

It was the first time he had looked at her like this. She was beautiful, and her temperament was remarkable. To marry such a Crown Princess was his good fortune.

If only not for his body…

A shadow of sorrow crossed his eyes.

Just then, he felt weight across him. In her sleep, Xie Yao had draped a leg across his waist.

Her arm slipped around his neck to rest on his opposite shoulder.

Warm breath brushed against his neck and ear, her drowsy murmur sounding against his skin, “Your Highness…”