Chapter 42: Your Highness, Do You Want to See the Injury?

“Master Xie, His Highness has no time to spare. Please, return for now.”

The steward of the Crown Prince’s residence was quite polite toward Xie Yao’s father, after all, he was the Crown Princess’s father.

But being turned away still made Master Xie’s already unsightly expression even darker.

Today’s incident had caused quite a stir. He knew that Song Wenbo belonged to the Second Prince’s faction, while his elder son-in-law was the Crown Prince.

He had thought that, no matter what, he would stand unshakable. Yet in such a short time, this thorny problem had landed right in his lap.

Most likely today’s affair was nothing but the Second Prince’s faction’s scheme.

And now…

Even His Highness probably disliked him as well.

Master Xie forced a strained smile, his face heavy with worry as he turned and left.

His carriage had barely reached the gates of the Xie household when the coachman said, “Master, the Second Young Lady is waiting for you at the door…”

Without hesitation, Master Xie ordered, “Turn around to Sweetwater Alley.”

…

Crown Prince’s residence.

After returning to the main quarters, Xie Yao finally took off the cloak and loosened her collar to check.

It was indeed swollen and a touch sent pain shooting through.

She truly hadn’t expected… Xiao Ji’s chest was as hard as stone. Just one collision had injured her.

Fortunately, with her Blessed Body of Fertility, her ability to recover physically was exceptionally strong. She believed it would soon be better.

She was about to fasten her collar again when footsteps sounded at the door.

Xie Yao reacted quickly, immediately snatching up the cloak beside her to cover herself. “Who is it?”

She raised her eyes, and saw Xiao Ji standing at the doorway, unable to decide whether to enter or retreat.

Though Xie Yao had been quick, his sharp eyes had already caught sight.

“Your Highness?”

Xie Yao spoke first, “Why have you come?”

Only then did Xiao Ji come to his senses. He quickly explained, “There was no one outside, so I…”

Xie Yao smiled. “Zhuqing went to send word to Ping’an and Hongdou, telling them not to speak out for the Crown Prince’s residence.”

“The Crown Princess is thoughtful.” Xiao Ji stepped forward, setting a porcelain vial down on the table. His voice was slightly hoarse. “This medicine can reduce swelling and dispel bruises.”

Xie Yao beamed. “Your Highness came to deliver medicine for me? Thank you for your concern.”

“Mm.” Xiao Ji nodded, then turned as if to leave. But after hesitating a moment, he still asked, “Does it… still hurt?”

“It hurts,” Xie Yao answered honestly, then teased him, “Would Your Highness like to see the injury?”

“Don’t fool around.” Xiao Ji’s tone carried helplessness.

Xie Yao stopped there, and shifted to business. “Has Your Highness arranged everything?”

Xiao Ji nodded. “Si-nan has already gone to make the arrangements.”

“When Sister Ying returns, I’ll tell her too and ask her help to spread the word.” Xie Yao suddenly thought of something. “Your Highness, in a few days it will be the Princess Yongle’s birthday, won’t it?”

“In three days,” Xiao Ji recalled the date.

Princess Yongle was the current emperor’s elder sister, ten years older than him, and deeply respected.

When the emperor had ascended the throne as a child, Princess Yongle had even acted as regent for a time, until he turned eighteen and formally took power.

Xiao Ji frowned. “My aunt is virtuous and commands respect. She is free-spirited, and I respect her greatly. The Marquis of Zhenbei, Pei Chen, will also return to the capital for her birthday celebration. On that day, no trouble can occur.”

Xie Yao’s gaze was candid. “I won’t cause trouble.”

She only remembered that, in her past life, Xiao Ning and Song Wenbo, for the sake of excitement, had secretly dallied at Princess Yongle’s banquet.

That was not something she could have orchestrated.

Really?

Xiao Ji was somewhat doubtful.

Xie Yao then said, “Your Highness, I seem to recall hearing that Xiao Ning once pestered the Marquis of Zhenbei endlessly?”

Marquis of Zhenbei, Pei Chen, was Princess Yongle’s adopted son, a great general guarding the borders.

Xiao Ji countered with a question. “And how much sincerity does the Crown Princess think was in it?”

Xie Yao considered. “They say the Marquis is extraordinarily handsome. Perhaps for his looks, she might have had half a measure of sincerity.”

But as she said this, something felt off.

The look His Highness cast her… was somewhat odd. “The Crown Princess seems rather concerned about the Marquis of Zhenbei.”

Xie Yao suddenly realized, her gaze bright as she stared at Xiao Ji. “Your Highness, are you perhaps jealous?”

Xiao Ji: “…”

Too talkative.

Luckily, at that moment, Zhuqing’s voice came from outside. “Crown Princess, Cousin has arrived.”

With Zhao Ying here, Xiao Ji was not suited to stay. Relieved, he coughed lightly. “You two talk.”

As soon as Xiao Ji left, Zhao Ying was shown in. “Yao-yao, I heard there was trouble at the Song household today. Are you alright?”

Zhao Ying strode quickly inside, her heroic brows full of worry.

“Don’t worry, Sister Ying, I’m fine.” Xie Yao smiled sweetly. “I asked Sister Ying to come back because I wanted to trouble you with something.”

Under Zhao Ying’s intent gaze, Xie Yao deliberately adjusted her wording.

“Just say it,” Zhao Ying said decisively.

Xie Yao leaned close, whispering something in her ear.

A flash of coldness lit Zhao Ying’s eyes. She patted her chest and promised firmly, “Leave it to me. Rest assured, Yao-yao.”

Zhao Ying left soon after.

Not long later, rumors swiftly spread through the capital: Princess He Yi had a fondness for keeping handsome male companions.

It was said that the reason Madam Song had been so insolent was because she knew Song Wenbo had latched onto Princess He Yi.

The gossip didn’t bother mentioning anything about connections to the Crown Prince. It only detailed Princess He Yi’s romantic escapades.

The people of the capital always cared more for stories of romance and scandal. As for disputes between the Crown Prince and the Second Prince, what did that have to do with them?

According to the version Xie Yao had fabricated, Xiao Ning’s “harem” had already grown to a hundred men.

The tale spread far and wide.

Song Wenbo wasn’t released until dusk. His legs gave out, and he clung to the wall, step by step making his way toward the Song household.

Passersby pointed and whispered as he went.

“So that’s the Song scholar?”

“Not bad-looking, I’ll admit…”

“What good is a handsome face on a man? His body has to be strong too… heh heh heh…”

“Look at him, he can barely walk. I’d say… tsk tsk.”

“…”

The more Song Wenbo heard, the darker his face became. His cold eyes swept over the crowd. “Get lost!”

And still these nobodies dared laugh at him?

The bystanders backed away a few steps, but their chatter didn’t cease, rising and falling, drilling into his ears.

Song Wenbo quickened his pace, the fury in his heart only growing heavier…

Thud!

He collapsed right at his own doorstep.

“Husband!”

Xie Yujiao, who had waited at the Xie household all day without seeing her father, had returned to the Song residence. Now she rushed forward to lift him up.

But as Song Wenbo looked at her, his anger instantly found an outlet.

He seized Xie Yujiao by the throat. “Everything was fine, why did you host that banquet?”

Xie Yujiao was startled, tears welling in her eyes. “I—I wanted to clear Husband’s name…”

When he was finally helped up, Song Wenbo’s reason slowly returned.

He was escorted inside, and Xie Yujiao followed closely behind, her mind filled with nothing but confusion and doubt.

What was going on?

In her previous life, her husband’s path had been smooth, why was everything different now?

Was it Xie Yao?

No. No, that couldn’t be. Xie Yao had never been reborn.

“Jiao-jiao.”

Song Wenbo’s voice broke through her thoughts. “I heard you went to the Xie household today? And your father refused to see you?”

“Yes!” Xie Yujiao grew angry at the thought of her father’s behavior that day. “Husband, they don’t understand you. Only I do.”

“I know Husband will surely rank first in the imperial exams and rise to the highest office.” Her eyes shone with longing and expectation.

A flicker of emotion stirred in Song Wenbo’s eyes, his heart swelling with pride. “Truly? Jiao-jiao, you truly believe in me?”

Xie Yujiao nodded with certainty. “Husband is destined to become Grand Chancellor one day.”

“But now I’ve angered Princess He Yi…” Song Wenbo said, and Xie Yujiao’s brows furrowed.

Then his tone shifted. “Jiao-jiao, I have a way that might win Princess He Yi’s favor. But it requires your help. Would you be willing?”

Xie Yujiao’s eyes lit up, and she nodded at once. “If there’s anything I can do, Husband has only to ask.”

Song Wenbo’s hand caressed her cheek, his smile cold and chilling. “Jiao-jiao, you’re truly good.”