Chapter 31: Controlling Xiao Ning’s Ambition

Soft. So very soft.

Everywhere was soft…

The dim night seemed to devour all reason. For the first time, Xie Yao kissed a man’s lips.

They were cool, softer than she had imagined.

For Xiao Ji, the sensation was far more intense.

Xie Yao… tasted sweet.

Though he had been pinned beneath her, the moment their lips touched, he turned the tables, taking the initiative, instinctively conquering and claiming.

At some point, attack and defense reversed, and Xie Yao found herself the one pinned under him.

Her chest felt chilled; the man’s aggressiveness made her shrink instinctively… a trace of fear.

Memories of that soul-tearing pain and brutality surged in her mind. The incredible softness of her body stiffened little by little.

Her body resisted, though her mind tried to fight through it.

The resistance was slight, but Xiao Ji sensed it clearly. His body froze. Only then did he realize what he was doing!

As if struck by lightning, he leapt up and turned to leave.

But before he could, his sleeve was tugged by Xie Yao.

Her voice was husky, tinged with allure. “Your Highness, I…”

“Forgive me.” Xiao Ji’s voice was rough, laced with suppressed desire. “I overstepped.”

He pulled free of her hand and strode quickly out.

The room fell silent.

Xie Yao sat on the bed, hugging the quilt, hair in disarray, eyes dazed.

She had not been unwilling but only afraid.

That night, Xiao Ji did not return.

She waited and waited, until at some point she drifted into sleep.

—

At dawn, as soon as she rose, Zhuqing asked worriedly, “Crown Princess, are you injured?!”

“Hm?”

Xie Yao blinked, confused. She hadn’t felt anything wrong.

Zhuqing’s gaze fixed on her lips. “They’re split.”

Only then did Xie Yao notice. Her cheeks flushed, and she coughed lightly. “I bumped them by accident, it’s nothing.”

“Really?” Zhuqing was doubtful. “It doesn’t look like an accident…”

Xie Yao shot her a glare. Just as she was about to retort, Zhuqing’s eyes dropped to her neck. “Why is this red?”

Xie Yao reached up, fingers brushing over her skin. She lowered her gaze. “Mosquito bite, perhaps.”

Her skin was pale and delicate. Even though Xiao Ji hadn’t pressed hard, the faint marks he left looked ambiguous and intimate.

It took some effort to finally fool Zhuqing.

After breakfast, Zhuxin brought what she had requested. “Crown Princess, these names are of those who openly associate with Princess He Yi.”

“But because everyone in Princess He Yi’s manor wears masks, there are still many whose identities need confirmation. That will take more time.”

Xie Yao flipped through the pages.

Not only were their names and places of origin recorded, but also which masks they wore in the Princess’s manor, even details about their family backgrounds three generations back.

Zhuxin’s work was thorough.

“This is enough,” Xie Yao said, tucking the pages away. “The rest can be confirmed slowly.”

“Yes.” Zhuxin hesitated, and then added, “The person you asked me to find, I’ve located him. But how to ‘clean’ his background…”

A cold gleam flashed in Xie Yao’s eyes. “I will handle that.”

Selecting the information she needed, she carried it to the study.

Si-nan didn’t stop her.

But inside, there was no sign of anyone.

On the desk, steam still rose faintly from a teacup. A book, left half-read, lay askew on the table…

“Si-nan,” Xie Yao called toward the door. “Where has His Highness gone? I must speak with him.”

“His Highness is…” Si-nan leaned in, only to see the empty study. His words caught in his throat.

Where had His Highness gone?

The Crown Prince was avoiding her.

Xie Yao quickly realized as much, and a flicker of anger rose.

Was it that serious? They had been married this long, yet after just one kiss, he ran?

Annoyance bubbling, she went straight to Xiao Ji’s usual seat and sat down. “Then I’ll wait here until His Highness returns.”

“I will go find him at once,” Si-nan said quickly.

Not long after, Xiao Ji returned from outside. “Crown Princess.”

His tone was colder, more distant than the past few days.

Xie Yao’s irritation spiked.

She stood sharply. “Why are you avoiding me, Your Highness? Are you afraid I’ll eat you alive?”

Xiao Ji: “…”

He was momentarily speechless, especially when his eyes caught her bruised lips.

The faint trace of blood only made them look more vivid, more enticing. In an instant, the memory of that sweet, intoxicating taste flooded back.

Xiao Ji turned his gaze aside.

Seeing his silence only fanned Xie Yao’s temper. She marched around the desk straight toward him.

He instinctively stepped back half a pace.

Her angry eyes reddened suddenly, filling with grievance. She bit her lip lightly. “Does Your Highness despise me?

“Since childhood, no one has liked me. If even you dislike me, it’s only natural.”

Xiao Ji had little experience with women. He didn’t understand how quickly their moods could shift from fury one moment, to tears next.

Xie Yao shoved the papers into his arms. “If you find me troublesome, then I’ll stay out of sight from now on.”

Sniffling, she turned to leave.

But the next second, her wrist was seized. Xiao Ji’s voice, though still restrained, held a note of helplessness. “It is not that I dislike you.”

It was himself he despised.

Xie Yao turned back, eyes glistening with tears, looking up timidly. “You’re not lying to me?”

“No.” His answer was firm.

Her face lit with a sudden smile, bright despite the tears still clinging to her lashes. She knew well how to press her advantage.

Throwing herself into his arms, she buried her face against his chest. “Your Highness is the best.”

Her lips curved high where he couldn’t see.

Retreating to advance is truly effective.

Xiao Ji stood stiffly, unable to push her away, yet too uncertain to comfort her either. Fortunately, Xie Yao knew when to withdraw, and soon stepped back.

“Please look.”

Her eyes were still faintly red, but her expression had steadied.

Xiao Ji was impressed, though he quickly grew serious as he scanned the papers. His expression hardened. “These people…”

He looked at her, testing.

“They are all Princess He Yi’s ‘intimate guests.’” Xie Yao met his gaze directly, showing that she understood the implications.

Xiao Ji had always known Xiao Ning’s behavior was debauched. But now, seeing the names laid out together, he realized what kind of chessboard she was truly arranging behind the scenes.

Many of these “guests” now held important offices. Even those without high rank occupied key positions.

Her ambition was plain.

Xiao Ning had used her supposed “licentiousness” as cover, when in truth she was recruiting and planting allies for the Noble Consort’s faction. Her methods were indeed concealed.

Until now, he had overlooked it.

It seemed He Yi Princess’s residence was in fact an intelligence hub.

Looking at Xie Yao, Xiao Ji felt genuine admiration. “The Crown Princess is truly perceptive.”

Xie Yao smiled faintly. “I just thought that Song Wenbo isn’t worthy.”