Chapter 24: Throwing Herself into His Highness’s Arms

Si-nan’s eyes lit up.

The last time he had reported on this matter, His Highness had shown little concern.

So he did not hesitate now and vividly recounted all that the Crown Princess had suffered in the Xie household.

At the end, he cautiously added, “Your Highness, Si-bei has sent word from the southwest. He has found a very famous witch doctor there…”

So, at last, the dagger was revealed.

Xiao Ji’s cold gaze swept over him. After a long silence, he finally said, “Very well.”

Si-nan was overjoyed, hurrying out to send word back to Si-bei.

Since childhood, His Highness had seen countless physicians, and in recent years he had abandoned all hope, refusing to meet another.

For this change, he had to thank the Crown Princess.

—-

In the main courtyard.

Zhao Ying had not come to the capital for leisure. Her true purpose was to investigate and expand her family’s business, so naturally she did not spend all day at the Crown Prince’s residence.

Once Zhao Ying departed, Zhuqing whispered, “Your Highness, I asked around quietly. There are no medical records for His Highness with the residence’s physician.”

“That physician has been here since His Highness moved into the Eastern Palace many years ago.”

Xie Yao nodded.

When she had pretended illness last time, she had already asked His Highness about it. He had said the physician could be trusted.

If there were no records, it could only be because His Highness had ordered it so.

“I understand,” Xie Yao told Zhuqing. “You mustn’t speak of this to anyone else.”

“Yes,” Zhuqing answered at once, aware of the gravity of the matter.

Just then, a maid outside announced, “Your Highness, Princess He Yi has sent over an invitation.”

An ill omen.

Xie Yao doubted very much that Xiao Ning was offering any goodwill. Last time, when she had put forward Ye Ping’an, she had already ruined Xiao Ning’s scheme.

By now, Xiao Ning surely wished her dead.

Xie Yao accepted the invitation and glanced at it.

On the card, Xiao Ning claimed she merely wished to thank her and so had arranged a banquet in her honor.

“Decline it,” Xie Yao said with a glance. “Say I appreciate the intention, but my health is unwell today, and I cannot leave.”

No banquet held such a purpose; she had no intention of walking into a trap.

The Crown Prince was still alive, yet the Second Prince’s faction already flourished. In her previous life, after the Crown Prince’s untimely death, the Second Prince had swiftly become everyone’s favored candidate.

Before her death, she had overheard Xiao Ning and Song Wenbo say that the emperor intended to appoint the second prince as heir.

She would never allow such a thing to happen again.

Her priority now was to conceive as soon as possible, to give birth to a child. Otherwise, two years from now… it would be her death day once more.

“Yes.”

Yuyan carried the card away.

Xie Yao herself headed to the study. She had finished reading the medical book she borrowed and meant to exchange it for another.

Upon entering, she instantly noticed something different.

Beside the bookshelf stood a movable wooden step stool, just high enough to reach the top shelves.

Was this prepared for her?

Her eyes curved in a smile as she looked toward Xiao Ji.

He too was looking at her.

Their gazes met, and Xiao Ji immediately turned his eyes away, feigning nonchalance.

Her smile widened. In a clear, sweet voice, she said, “Many thanks, Your Highness.”

Xiao Ji: “…”

He hesitated, searching for a response, but when he looked again, she was already standing atop the stool, seriously choosing a book.

She soon made her selection, and as she was about to step down, her eyes flickered with mischief.

“Your Highness, could you come here a moment?”

His throat tightened. He set down his scroll in silence and walked over. “What is it?”

As soon as he stood before the stool, she gave a sudden cry, “Oh!” and toppled forward.

Xiao Ji reacted instantly, catching her in his arms, holding her full and soft against him. Her scent enveloped him; his whole body stiffened.

He quickly set her down, his face dark. “Xie Yao!”

It was the first time he had ever spoken to her with such anger.

Startled, she straightened at once, obediently looking up at him with soft eyes. “Your Highness…”

Under her gaze, he found himself speechless, not even sure what he was angry about.

Still, the Crown Princess was far too reckless. If he had not caught her in time…

She reached out, catching his sleeve between delicate fingers, giving it a small shake. “Your Highness, I know I was wrong.”

“Wrong in what way?” He restrained himself from shaking her off, though it would have taken no effort.

“I should not have thrown myself into Your Highness’s arms.”

He froze. This is what she calls throwing herself into my arms?

A laugh, half exasperated, half helpless, escaped him. He flicked his sleeve free and turned back to his seat, resuming his reading, clearly unwilling to engage further.

But Xie Yao, watching his back, could not hide the smile tugging at her lips.

Already his demeanor toward her was far softer than on their wedding night. Even at such words, he was not truly angry.

Her mood buoyant, she started toward the door.

At the threshold, she peeked back in. “I know that with Your Highness here, I’ll never come near to harm.”

By the time he lifted his eyes, he saw only the flutter of her departing robes.

“Your Highness?”

Si-nan entered just then, catching the look in his master’s eyes. He glanced at the doorway, then at Xiao Ji.

“Your Highness, the Crown Princess has already left.”

Xiao Ji’s gaze chilled. “Too talkative.”

Si-nan fell silent immediately. Lately His Highness called him “too talkative” often; before, it had never happened.

Clearly, he had fallen out of favor.

—-

That evening, as usual, they dined in the main courtyard. With Zhao Ying present, Xie Yao abandoned her usual aloofness, becoming uncharacteristically attentive, placing dish after dish into Xiao Ji’s bowl.

Perch fish, yam, chives… winter melon soup with dried scallops.

Midway through, Xiao Ji sensed something amiss.

He had read all the medical texts in his study. It did not take long to recognize a common thread among these dishes: every one of them had the effect of nourishing the kidneys and invigorating yang.

He raised his eyes, studying Xie Yao. Her face was calm, betraying nothing. Perhaps it was simply the kitchen’s arrangement.

He set down his chopsticks. “Tonight…”

“Your Highness,” she cut him off, glancing toward the darkening sky. “Look at those clouds; there will be thunder and rain. I… I’m afraid.”

Zhao Ying is still here!

That was his first thought.

He coughed and nodded once. “I understand.”

Then he rose and left quickly.

Xie Yao frowned. “I understand” meant what? Would he come tonight or not?

If he did not, then all these carefully chosen dishes would be wasted!

“Yao-yao,” Zhao Ying said with a smile.

Xie Yao coughed lightly, her cheeks warm. “Sister Ying, I…”

“I know, I know.” Zhao Ying’s eyes twinkled. “It’s just a little… amusement between husband and wife.”

She lowered her voice on the last words and winked.

Xie Yao’s face flushed deeper.

“Earlier today, on my way back, I was stopped by someone who gave me a letter,” Zhao Ying added, changing the subject briskly. “They said it was for you.”

“Oh?”

Puzzled, Xie Yao accepted it, tore it open, and found inside only four words:

“The Crown Prince’s Secret.”

There was no signature.

But at once she knew whose hand it was behind the messenger, none other than Xiao Ning.