Chapter 27: Xie Yujiao’s Ruin

“What if I hit you? Do you realize you’ve ruined everything for me?”

The more Song Wenbo thought about it, the angrier he became.

Because of the debacle at Master Qingshan’s ceremony, His Highness was already dissatisfied with him. These past few days he had been racking his brain, doing everything possible to curry favor, hoping the Prince would give him another chance.

After all, he was already a scholar; he could directly become an official.

And now, right at this crucial moment, this useless, troublesome fool, Xie Yujiao had gone and reported to the authorities!

The scandal forced him to leave Princess He Yi’s residence.

His eyes grew icy as he glared at her. It was her fault last time too! If she hadn’t told him that Master Qingshan wanted to take him as a disciple, how could he have made such a disgrace of himself?

Noticing the change in his gaze, Yujiao covered her swollen cheek, backing away with a tremor in her voice. “H-husband… I only… I was worried about you.”

“Why?” His hand suddenly clamped around her throat. “Why did you suddenly decide to marry me?”

Originally, the one meant to marry him had always been Xie Yao, the orphan with no backing. Behind her stood the Zhao family’s wealth, and she would have been easy to control.

Everything he had planned was destroyed by Xie Yujiao.

Her face flushed red and purple, fear filling her eyes. “I—I admired you…”

But resentment and jealousy surged through her too. “Is it that in your eyes, there is only Xie Yao?”

Song Wenbo: “???”

She bit her lip hard, forgetting entirely that her life was in his hands. All she could think of was the hatred and jealousy she bore for Xie Yao, so much that even the intent to kill flickered in her gaze.

Interesting.

Song Wenbo gave a cold chuckle and suddenly released her.

“Jiao-jiao,” He pulled her into his arms, his face expressionless but his tone warm. “Back then, you told me I was destined to be Master Qingshan’s disciple.”

“It’s just… I couldn’t accept it at first. Don’t be angry with me, alright?”

Her heart softened instantly. She wrapped her arms around him. “Husband, I know, I understand.”

“It’s all Xie Yao’s fault, everything is her doing! Believe me, you were truly meant to be Master Qingshan’s disciple!”

“Not only that, in two years you will be the top scholar!”

In her haste to coax him, she forgot what should and should not be said, blurting it out with absolute conviction.

But she failed to notice the way his gaze grew sharp, not only cold but probing, suspicious.

“Really?” he asked lightly.

“Yes! It’s true! Please believe me, husband!”

His hand brushed across her cheek. “Did I hurt you earlier? Jiao-jiao, I didn’t mean it.”

Though she still ached, her heart fluttered with sweetness. She shook her head softly. “I don’t blame you.”

“So obedient.” His fingertips pressed against her lips, voice dropping into a low, suggestive murmur. “Tonight, I’ll make it up to you.”

Her face burned, heart pounding. She lowered her gaze, shy and expectant.

—

That night.

Xie Yujiao had bathed and changed early, waiting eagerly. From tonight on, she would be his true wife. Even if Xie Yao really had been reborn, she would never take away what was hers!

“Jiao-jiao.”

Song Wenbo entered, pouring her a cup of wine and handing it over.

“Thank you, husband.” She blushed, drinking it down at once, only to feel dizzy almost immediately, collapsing beside the bed.

Like tossing aside an object, he dragged her to the ground.

Then, just as on his wedding night, he opened the hidden passage. From within, he welcomed Xiao Ning. “Your Highness.”

He dropped to one knee, kissing the back of her foot with reverence.

She crooked a finger, and he rose, scooping her up toward the bed.

As they passed Yujiao, Xiao Ning asked, “You’re truly willing to give her up?”

“My heart belongs only to Your Highness. Even if I cannot remain by your side, I must keep myself for you. If Xie Yujiao can bring you some amusement, then that is her fortune.”

He set her on the bed and drew down the gauzy curtains. Then he clapped his hands.

The door opened, and a beggar-like man was shoved inside.

His face was unnaturally flushed, clearly drugged.

The moment he saw Yujiao on the floor, his eyes lit up. He crawled toward her eagerly…

Meanwhile, Xiao Ning’s foot lifted languidly, pressing against Song Wenbo’s chest, sliding slowly downward along his robe.

He yielded, offering himself without resistance.

Robes fell. Candles flickered. The room filled with spring shadows.

—

The next morning at Crown Prince’s residence.

Zhuxin hurried in, astonished. “Your Highness, last night Princess He Yi really did leave her palace. She first went to Nanfeng Pavilion, but after that she never came out. As you instructed, I kept watch over the house next to the Song residence.”

“Someone entered it last night. And this morning, they dumped a beggar outside. We quietly brought him back, he’s still alive.”

Though fragmented, the news was enough for Xie Yao to piece together the truth.

Song Wenbo had treated Xie Yujiao even more cruelly than he had treated her in the previous life.

He had destroyed her purity by throwing a beggar at her.

But… what did that have to do with Xie Yao?

“Do everything you can to save him. Keep him alive.” She gave her order at once.

“Yes.” Zhuxin bowed and left.

Today was Princess He Yi’s banquet of gratitude, so Xie Yao carefully dressed for the occasion.

After breakfast, Si-nan was already waiting outside the main hall.

With his hair tied high and clad in black, the sword-bearing youth grinned brightly. “Your Highness, the Crown Prince ordered me to protect you. With me here, you don’t need to worry. If you so much as lose a single hair, I’ll offer my head to him!”

Xie Yao’s eyes curved as she teased, “Oh? Did His Highness really say that?”

Of course Xiao Ji would never say such things. She was just baiting him.

“Yes, yes!”

Without a flicker of hesitation, Si-nan declared boldly, “The Prince worries about you very much. He can’t even sleep at night because of it, though he won’t admit it…”

His voice trailed off, not out of guilt, but because he suddenly felt a murderous aura lock onto him.

A terrible premonition gripped him. He dared not turn his head.

But Xie Yao already had turned, her voice soft and sweet. “Your Highness, are you here to see me off because you’re worried for me?”

I’m dead, I’m dead, I’m dead…

Si-nan shut his eyes, dropping to his knees in one smooth motion. “I know I was wrong, please punish me, Your Highness.”

Xiao Ji’s gaze was cold as ice.

“Your Highness.” Xie Yao had already moved to his side, naturally linking arms with him. “Is what Si-nan said true?”

Her eyes sparkled with hope.

He had the feeling that if he denied it, she would burst into tears right then.

So he answered obliquely. “I’ll escort you out of the residence.”