Chapter 23: The Crown Princess Has Only His Highness

She woke up?

Xiao Ji turned sharply, only to see that Xie Yao was still sound asleep.

That murmur just now had only been sleep-talk.

In her dreams… there was him?

Of course. She had long said she admired him.

At the thought, Xiao Ji felt not just his ears but also his cheeks and even his neck heat up.

By now, Xie Yao was completely draped across him. He could clearly feel the softness of her body, her curves pressing against him…

Drawing a deep breath, Xiao Ji lifted her arm and carefully moved her away. By the time he freed himself, his skin was damp with fine sweat.

It was another sleepless night for him.

But Xie Yao awoke refreshed and radiant.

Today Zhao Ying was to visit the Xie family, and Xie Yao naturally had to accompany her.

The Zhao and Xie families were connected by marriage. As the younger generation, Zhao Ying would be judged harshly if she did not meet her relatives, and people would call her rude and accuse the Zhao family of arrogance.

After breakfast, the two cousins prepared to depart.

As soon as the carriage rolled out, Xiao Ji, sitting in his study, asked Si-nan, “I recall Zhao Hao of the Zhao family is a licentiate, set to sit the autumn examinations next year?”

When the Crown Princess had first been chosen, Si-nan had investigated her thoroughly. He knew the details well. “Your Highness has a good memory.”

Xiao Ji rose and took several volumes and examination papers from the shelves. “Send these to Jiangnan.”

Si-nan knew at a glance: they were past examination papers from the metropolitan exams, answered by Xiao Ji himself.

“Yes.” He accepted them and then hesitated before asking, “Shall we inform the Crown Princess of this matter?”

“No need,” Xiao Ji said without pause.

—-

At the Xie residence.

Zhao Ying had already sent a calling card yesterday, so Madam Zhang, as matron of the house, made arrangements for their reception.

But when her eyes fell on Xie Yao, they were filled with loathing.

She had already found out: the reclusive Master Qingshan’s final disciple was Hongdou’s younger brother. Though she had no proof, she was certain Xie Yao had a hand in it!

“Eldest Young Lady,” Madam Zhang spoke out as soon as they sat, “you hold an exalted rank now, but you are still a daughter of the Xie family. Even if you bear a grudge against me, Jiao-jiao is your younger sister by blood; why would you harm her?”

Hearing this, even Master Xie turned a disapproving gaze on Xie Yao, brows knit in displeasure.

“Harm her?” Xie Yao arched her brows, feigning puzzlement.

“Do you realize the honor of being Master Qingshan’s last disciple? Jiao-jiao said it was originally the second son-in-law whom Master Qingshan favored, so why did you deliberately sabotage it?”

“We are one family, Eldest Young Lady. If Jiao-jiao prospered, it would only help you in the future. How could you be so heartless?”

“That useless fool, Song Wenbo?” Xie Yao sneered. “Master Qingshan is not blind. How could he ever choose him?”

“You!” Madam Zhang leapt to her feet, her face twisting in fury.

But seeing the Crown Prince’s guards behind Xie Yao, she forced her anger down. “So the eldest young lady admits to targeting Jiao-jiao and her husband?”

“Targeting?” Xie Yao’s smile was mocking. “Is he even worthy of that?”

“Dare you say Master Qingshan’s choice of Ye Ping’an had nothing to do with you?” Madam Zhang had lost control entirely, rage blinding her.

These past days, Master Xie had been staying constantly at Sweetwater Alley. If not for today’s visit by Xie Yao and Zhao Ying, she might not have even seen him.

“It had everything to do with me,” Xie Yao said, unashamed.

“You…” Madam Zhang began, but Xie Yao cut in, “Ye Ping’an has an extraordinary memory and natural brilliance. That is why he became Master Qingshan’s disciple.”

“And Song Wenbo? What is he, really?” Her tone was serious, her eyes unwavering.

Madam Zhang faltered. She too had investigated, and indeed Ye Ping’an’s talent far outshone Song Wenbo’s.

“Father.” Xie Yao turned toward him. “Do you know who recommended Song Wenbo in the first place?”

Master Xie froze. It hadn’t been him. Few people carried enough weight before Master Qingshan to sway him. Could Song Wenbo secretly know such a person?

“To be honest, I too feel it’s a pity for Ye Ping’an to have received this chance,” Xie Yao continued coolly. “But what could I do? I have no brothers of my own.”

“If our family had a son, I would never let such an opportunity fall to an outsider.”

Having said this, she lifted her teacup and drank, her posture leisurely.

Madam Zhang’s face darkened. She looked instinctively at her husband, whose expression betrayed faint temptation.

Her heart clenched. Did Xie Yao already know of Sweetwater Alley and deliberately send Hongdou to reveal it to her? Perhaps… perhaps this was even her husband’s will.

The courtesy call concluded, and Xie Yao and Zhao Ying left.

Madam Zhang, shaken by her husband’s wavering expression, felt a growing panic. She no longer had the energy to defend Song Wenbo.

“My lord,” she stopped him as he was leaving. “I have long felt guilty that I bore no son for the Xie family. Why don’t I take it upon myself to find two concubines for you to carry on the family line?”

Master Xie frowned. After a pause, he said flatly, “That will not be necessary.” Then he strode away.

She watched his back, her heart sinking. She had thought he truly loved her. Now she understood: he had long had another woman outside and even a son. For that woman and child, he would not accept concubines at all.

“Madam…” Momo Liu called softly, worried.

Madam Zhang’s voice was low and grim. “Momo Liu, you’ve seen that woman from Sweetwater Alley. Find two young beauties like her. He will have concubines, whether he wants them or not!”

—–

In the carriage.

“Yao-yao,” Zhao Ying, sharp from years of trade, asked, “what did you mean back there? Uncle’s expression…”

“You are very perceptive, Sister Ying,” Xie Yao replied. “I was helping him.”

Otherwise, how could his mistress and illegitimate children ever be brought openly into the family?

When Xie Yao explained about Sweetwater Alley, Zhao Ying’s eyes brimmed with pity. Her cousin had lost her mother early, and now it seemed she had little fatherly love either.

“Yao-yao, you’ve suffered much these years.”

Xie Yao’s expression stiffened, a sour ache swelling in her chest. She flung her arms around Zhao Ying. “Sister Ying…”

She said nothing more, but it was as if she had said everything.

She did not cry. But when she stepped down from the carriage, her eyes were faintly red.

This news soon reached Xiao Ji.

“Your Highness,” Si-nan reported, “when the Crown Princess returned, her eyes were red. She must have been gravely wronged at the Xie family. It is no wonder, as Master Xie dotes on the Second Young Lady and has a mistress and children at Sweetwater Alley. With Madam Zhang as a stepmother, the Crown Princess surely suffered much there.”

As he spoke, he watched his master’s face carefully.

Xiao Ji had long known these facts. Yet his chest tightened again hearing them.

“Your Highness,” Si-nan pressed gently, “the Crown Princess only has you.”

Xiao Ji lifted his eyes, cold and sharp. “Whose person are you, exactly?”

Si-nan rubbed his nose awkwardly. He had spoken too much, and it had backfired. He dropped to his knees at once. “Your servant was impertinent. Please punish me, Your Highness.”

Xiao Ji was silent for a long moment and then asked quietly, “She has truly lived with such hardship?”