Chapter 30

The Crown Prince’s body reacted faster than his mind. Before he even realized it, he had already caught Xie Yao steadily in his arms.

Xie Yao was drenched in fragrant sweat, her eyes as bright and clear as if freshly washed.

“Your Highness…” she had just spoken when Xiao Ji was already carrying her back into the room. “Remember to have someone massage you, otherwise your legs will be sore.”

After giving this reminder, he summoned Zhuqing and Yuyan to enter before finally turning and leaving.

“Your Highness!” Zhuqing and Yuyan, seeing how exhausted she looked, both felt their hearts ache.

“I’m fine.” Xie Yao’s body was completely weak as Zhuqing and Yuyan helped her out of the bath. For Yuyan, this was the first time being so close to the Crown Princess. Her little face was flushed red, and she didn’t dare look around.

Xie Yao had no strength left. She didn’t wash long, only rinsed the sweat from her body, and then was supported onto the soft couch.

Just then from outside came the voice of a young maid, “Crown Princess, His Highness has ordered medicine to be delivered.”

What Xiao Ji had sent was massage medicine.

Used for massage, it could effectively dispel fatigue.

Back before Xie Yao’s marriage, Momo Xu had once massaged her. Zhuqing had followed along and learned for a few days. And Yuyan, being Momo Xu’s niece, also knew massage.

By the time Xie Yao rose again, apart from a lingering softness in her limbs, there was no more discomfort.

In the following days, Xiao Ji personally instructed Xie Yao in martial arts every morning.

Although Xie Yao had passed the best age for martial training, her body’s flexibility was excellent, and she did have talent.

After a few days, her waist had grown even more slender, slender enough to make one blush just by looking.

Though Xiao Ji was tempted and sincerely wanted to teach her well, he had to admit that, for him, it was also a real torment.

After leaving the main courtyard and returning to his study, he had just rinsed off with cold water when Si-nan came to report. “Your Highness, the female instructor you ordered me to find has been found.”

Xiao Ji was silent for a moment. “Send her to the Crown Princess.”

—

In the main courtyard.

Zhuxin was reporting the past few days’ events. “Crown Princess, yesterday Princess He Yi brought Song Wenbo to the home of Master Yang, the Imperial Academician.”

A mocking glint flashed in Xie Yao’s eyes.

Song Wenbo did indeed have some skill. He could serve Xiao Ning comfortably, which was why he had maintained her favor for so long.

Even though Xiao Ning had countless beautiful men around her, Song Wenbo still held his place.

“Have someone compile a list of all the guests Princess He Yi has kept close these past years. Make sure the work is discreet.”

Zhuxin acknowledged.

“And another thing. Help me find a certain person.” A cold glimmer flashed in Xie Yao’s eyes as she continued, “Since Princess He Yi gave me such a grand gift… naturally, I must return it.”

She beckoned Zhuxin closer and whispered her request in her ear.

Zhuxin’s eyes widened in shock, and she gasped aloud.

“Go,” Xie Yao gave her a firm look, adding, “Make sure it stays secret.”

“Yes.” Zhuxin quickly agreed and turned to leave.

Not long after she left, Si-nan arrived with the female instructor. “Crown Princess, this is the teacher His Highness ordered for you.”

The woman looked capable and energetic. Dressed in training attire, her wheat-colored skin glowed with healthy vigor.

She knelt on one knee, cupping her fists in salute. “Lin Xia greets the Crown Princess.”

“Please rise, Instructor Lin.” Xie Yao supported her arm with a gentle smile. “From here on, I’ll be relying on you to teach me.”

When it came to martial arts, her plan to use training to seduce the Crown Prince was true but her desire to learn some self-defense was just as real.

Lin Xia considered herself a rough sort. The faint fragrance on Xie Yao’s body and her delicate, soft hand left Lin Xia momentarily flustered.

Her cheeks reddened. “Crown Princess, rest assured. I will devote myself wholeheartedly!”

Seeing that Xie Yao and Lin Xia were hitting it off, Si-nan tactfully withdrew.

When he returned to the study, the Crown Prince called him over. “After you sent her, did the Crown Princess say anything?” Xie Yao was delicate and spoiled; if something displeased her…

“The Crown Princess said nothing. She seemed very satisfied with Instructor Lin.”

Xiao Ji: “…”

He waved his hand, signaling Si-nan to leave.

—

The next day, Xie Yao began training under Lin Xia.

Lin Xia’s father had once been head of a security escort agency. She herself had trained since childhood, roaming far and wide. She had indeed seen the world.

Early that morning, Xiao Ji had left the main courtyard. Oddly, he felt somewhat unsettled.

Lin Xia first tested Xie Yao’s basic skills and current level, and then said, “Crown Princess, though you do have talent, you’ve missed the best years for training. Rather than grinding through basic skills, it would be better to learn a few unexpected techniques that strike by surprise. They might prove more effective.”

Xie Yao smiled. “Truly, Instructor Lin understands me.”

That was exactly her thought.

Over the following days, Xie Yao studied earnestly under Lin Xia.

Xiao Ji, however, found himself vaguely unsettled. He felt that lately, the Crown Princess had grown colder toward him.

This was exactly what he had wanted. But now that it had come true, he found himself not used to it.

—

That night, in the main courtyard.

Xie Yao held a medical text, leaning against the pillow as she read intently. The warm glow of the lamp seemed to drape her entire figure in a soft halo.

“Your Highness?”

Her gentle voice pulled Xiao Ji back to awareness. Only then did he realize he had been staring at her for far too long.

“Ahem.” He coughed awkwardly. “How has your training gone these past days?”

Xie Yao’s beautiful eyes sparkled. Setting down her book with a smile, she said, “Would Your Highness care to test me?”

One advantage of a canopy bed was its size. To avoid injury from falling to the ground, the two of them sparred on the bed.

Xie Yao was brimming with eagerness. With fists raised by her chest, chin slightly tilted, she teased, “Your Highness, be careful. If you get hurt…”

Xiao Ji couldn’t help a laugh, his brows lifting. “Use all your strength.”

If she could hurt him, then so be it.

Xie Yao rushed at him. While Xiao Ji stretched out a hand, easily catching her delicate fist.

That was it?

Before his thoughts settled, Xie Yao had already pressed closer. Then her knee shot up straight toward his lower body…

Xiao Ji reacted instantly, dodging.

But she pressed in again. At some point, her hand slipped free from his grasp, and she grabbed his arm…

And flipped him clean over her shoulder!

Thump!

Xiao Ji hit the bed.

Before he could rise, Xie Yao straddled him, smiling proudly. “Your Highness, how about that?”

She looked very pleased with herself.

Of course, she knew very well that she had only succeeded because Xiao Ji had not truly guarded against her. If they were really fighting, she would not withstand even a single move.

But what she wanted was precisely to win by surprise.

Xiao Ji lay pinned on the bed, momentarily forgetting to answer. From his angle, the view was… overwhelming.

Her already loosely tied undergarment had been further disheveled by their movements. Sitting astride him, her pale cheeks glowed with a flush, her breathing slightly quickened, with fine beads of moisture at the tip of her nose…

Everything about this scene was dangerously enticing.

“Your Highness?”

Xie Yao suddenly leaned down, their faces very close. Her warm breath brushed against his cheek.

Xiao Ji’s throat bobbed.

Then, perhaps because the candle burned out, the room fell into darkness. Yet at such close distance, neither of them loosened their hold.

He tilted his head slightly upward. She leaned even further down…