Chapter 28: His Highness Bullies People

He avoided the question. Guilty, wasn’t he?

The smile at the corner of Xie Yao’s lips deepened as she gave a soft “hmm” and linked her arm with the Crown Prince’s, walking toward the gate. Xiao Ji pulled at his hand, but couldn’t free it. He could have forced it, yes, but that would have looked ugly with so many people watching… so he simply pretended his right hand didn’t exist.

It was their first time walking side by side, and only then did Xiao Ji realize how slow Xie Yao’s pace really was. He had to slow his own steps to match hers.

Behind them, Si-nan and the maids Zhuxin and Zhuqing exchanged looks, eyebrows wiggling in silent understanding.

As they walked, Xie Yao asked softly, “Will you come pick me up when the banquet ends today?”

Xiao Ji frowned, she was pushing her luck but still answered, “Yes.”

Supported by Zhuqing, Xie Yao climbed into the carriage with a radiant smile.

Xiao Ji, strangely, just stood there watching until the carriage disappeared into the distance… then suddenly realized what he was doing, turned, and walked back into the residence.

—

At the Princess He Yi’s residence.

To show her importance, Xiao Ning herself came out to greet Xie Yao. At her side stood several tall, handsome men in long wide-sleeved robes. Each wore a mask shaped like an animal, making them look frivolous and improper.

At the sight, Si-nan immediately stepped forward, his posture declaring we won’t lose even in show of force.

Xiao Ning’s beautiful eyes swept over him, quickly recognizing who he was. The smile on her lips faltered for a moment, but then she said, “Sister-in-law, please.” She added with a pointed tone, “Last time at the palace, I really must thank you for saving me.”

Xie Yao smiled shyly. “The princess is too polite. I only acted out of concern.”

Shameless, Xiao Ning thought, sneering inwardly as she led Xie Yao inside, stopping Si-nan at the gate.

Naturally Si-nan refused; his job today was to protect the Crown Princess.

But Xie Yao put an end to it: “Don’t worry. The princess’s residence is heavily guarded, nothing will happen.”

How else could she hear what Xiao Ning truly meant to say if Si-nan stayed close?

The Princess’s mansion was built with decadent extravagance, far more luxurious than the Crown Prince’s own. Xie Yao was escorted into a hall, not by maids, but by the same handsome men who had flanked Xiao Ning.

“Please, Crown Princess,” said the man with a rabbit mask as he poured tea and respectfully offered it with both hands. Xie Yao’s eyes skimmed over him lazily before settling on Xiao Ning. “Is this the princess’s way of showing gratitude?”

Xiao Ning clapped her hands. At once, the rabbit-masked man and the other delicate-looking companions withdrew, replaced by a fiery figure in red robes; the “fox.” His presence was bold and flamboyant.

Xie Yao had long heard of Xiao Ning’s indulgent lifestyle. Seeing it for herself, she thought, So this is it.

But such tricks were wasted on her; throwing flirtation at her was like casting charms before the blind. She had no interest in these games. All she wanted was simply to live well.

She stood and said coldly, “Zhuxin, we’re leaving.”

Xiao Ning’s amused voice rang behind her. “I thought the Crown Princess preferred fragile, sickly men.”

A veiled jab? Xie Yao heard the insinuation but didn’t stop, walking on.

“Enough. Leave us,” Xiao Ning suddenly ordered. “The Crown Princess and I need to talk privately.”

Xie Yao paused. Once Zhuxin and the others had withdrawn, Xiao Ning said, “The incident at the pond, only you and I know the truth. You did it for the Crown Prince, didn’t you?”

Xie Yao turned her head. “The princess fell into the water, and I, in my haste, forgot I couldn’t swim. What does that have to do with His Highness?”

Inwardly she sneered. She could swim now, thanks to Xiao Ning and Song Wenbo. In her previous life, the two had grown more and more arrogant and once pushed her into the water. Forced to survive, she taught herself to swim.

Xiao Ning smiled, though it never reached her eyes. She was certain Xie Yao had not been trying to save her. “The Crown Princess’s great kindness deserves thanks. Let me give you a legend in return.”

Xie Yao stiffened. This concerned the Crown Prince?

Xiao Ning said slowly, “Twenty-two years ago, a child was born. At birth, the state seer declared: this child will bring ruin to father, mother, wife, and sons and live a life of loneliness. He will not live past twenty-five.”

Xie Yao’s heart shook. She remembered her last life, when Xiao Ji had died suddenly. He was twenty-two now. According to that prophecy, he had at most three years left. In her last life, he had indeed died three years after marriage. It matched perfectly!

So this was why he had never consummated their marriage? He knew his life would be short and didn’t want to burden her?

Xiao Ning still wore her mocking smile, with no trace of pity. “Truly a pitiful man.”

Having learned what she came for, Xie Yao no longer lingered. She turned and left with her maids. Xiao Ning didn’t stop her, only stared at her back, cold light flickering in her eyes.

Outside, Xie Yao’s face was pale. Si-nan worried she’d been bullied, but Zhuxin explained they’d only talked briefly. Yet her expression was enough to sink Si-nan’s heart.

Just as she stepped out of the Princess’s residence, a guard whispered something to the coachman. Then the carriage door opened and the Crown Prince himself stepped down.

At that moment, Xie Yao’s uneasy heart twisted into sudden grievance. Why? Why must someone as good as Xiao Ji die so young? That nonsense about a cursed lonely fate, she refused to believe it!

“Your Highness.” She hurried forward, and before he could react, she threw herself into his arms like a swallow returning to its nest. Xiao Ji froze, his hand half-lifted, not sure where to place it. Feeling her grievance, he patted her back gently, voice cool, “Did Xiao Ning bully you?”

Buried against his chest, she shook her head and mumbled, “It was you… it’s Your Highness who bullied me.”

Xiao Ji’s ears instantly turned red. He hadn’t done anything!

After a long while, Xie Yao tugged him into the carriage and ordered, “Back to the manor!”

Inside, her bright eyes never left his face, making him uneasy. He wanted to close his eyes and feign sleep, but seeing her tear-reddened eyes, he couldn’t. She had a thousand words in her heart, but the carriage was no place to speak them, so she held it in.

—-

Back at the Princess’s mansion, news that the Crown Prince had personally come to fetch his wife couldn’t be hidden from Xiao Ning.

“Useless trash!” She lashed her whip across the bare back of the rabbit-masked man, sneering, “So, he really does care for Xie Yao. Fine. Let’s see how long that lasts. I don’t believe she can accept this kind of thing.”

She turned to her maid. “Tell my brother. Make sure he does his part.”

Xie Yao might not care for beauty and lust… but what about power?

Long-lasting power and not fleeting pleasures.