Chapter 43: Xie Yao, a Plaything?

The Crown Prince’s Residence.

“Crown Princess.” Zhuxin walked in slowly and said in a low voice, “Yesterday Master Xie returned to the Xie household, but when he discovered Second Young Lady was also there, he immediately turned the carriage around and went to Sweetwater Alley. This morning he went straight from Sweetwater Alley to the yamen.”

Master Xie had grown more and more brazen, not bothering in the least to conceal the existence of Sweetwater Alley.

“What about Madam Zhang?”

Xie Yao, holding a brow pencil as she shaped her eyebrows, asked carelessly.

“Two days ago, one of Madam Zhang’s momo brought in two pretty girls into the residence. This servant noticed the two looked quite similar to that one from Sweetwater Alley.” Zhuxin reported in a low voice.

Xie Yao gave a soft laugh. “Send this news over to Sweetwater Alley.”

She would not just sit idly and watch the show. When the play wasn’t lively enough, she had to add fuel to the fire herself.

No sooner had Zhuxin left than Zhuqing hurried inside. “Crown Princess, the authorities have stepped in and banned the spreading of the ‘rumors’ about Princess He Yi.”

“Oh?”

Xie Yao’s brows arched. Gossip about affairs of passion spread with lightning speed. By now, what had begun only yesterday had already reached every corner of the capital, so the ban today was too late.

“The authorities used harsh measures and even arrested a number of people. Now the rumors really have quieted down.” Zhuqing sounded a little worried. “Crown Princess, will they trace this back to us?”

After all, Zhao Ying had helped arrange this.

Xie Yao thought for a moment. “I’ll ask Cousin Ying later. But Xiao Ning being so heavy-handed is better for us. The harsher her response, the more it shows she’s guilty.”

Besides…

She still had a gift that hadn’t yet been delivered.

Xie Yao beckoned to Zhuqing. “Go prepare a few things for me.”

—

Two days passed quickly.

Princess Yongle’s birthday arrived, and all the noble families in the capital attached great importance to it. They had long since prepared elaborate gifts and schemed about how to obtain an invitation.

Early that morning.

Xiao Ji was already waiting for Xie Yao to finish dressing.

“Your Highness.”

Softening her voice, Xie Yao spun in front of him. “Do I look good like this?”

Xiao Ji lifted his gaze and froze where he stood.

Xie Yao’s eyes curved, full of anticipation.

“Ahem.” Xiao Ji gave a dry cough. “Beautiful.”

Because of her figure, wearing light clothing sometimes gave her a slightly frivolous air, but today she wore a luxurious gown. With her radiant smile, she seemed to illuminate the entire room.

Xie Yao walked gracefully over and naturally linked arms with him. “Your Highness, let’s go.”

The carriage rolled slowly toward Princess Yongle’s residence.

By the time the Crown Prince’s carriage arrived, the princess’s estate was already bustling. But when people saw it was the Crown Prince’s carriage, they all turned to look.

Xiao Ji stepped down first. Then he stood by the carriage, extending his hand toward the opening.

All eyes widened as a slender jade-like hand rested on his. Then, a figure clad in violet silk emerged into view.

In an instant, the crowd drew a collective breath.

Someone quickly came back to their senses and bowed. “Greetings, Crown Prince, Crown Princess.”

Supporting Xie Yao down from the carriage, Xiao Ji chose to ignore the faint sourness in his heart and said, “Rise.”

A steward from Princess Yongle’s residence came forward to lead them in to pay respects.

“Royal Aunt.” Xie Yao and Xiao Ji saluted together, their manner respectful.

Princess Yongle was already past sixty. Though it was her birthday, her attire was not overly lavish. Sitting quietly at the head of the hall, she already radiated a daunting presence.

Her eyes were piercing, as though able to see into the soul itself. Only the touch of silver at her temples betrayed her age.

“Sit.”

Her voice carried authority.

Xie Yao could clearly sense the princess’s gaze upon her. Instead of shrinking back, she lifted her head and smiled faintly.

Princess Yongle paused, then her stern expression softened somewhat.

“Royal Aunt.”

Just then, a girlish voice floated in. Princess He Yi entered with the Second Prince, Xiao Hong, at her side.

After greeting the princess, the two also saluted Xie Yao and Xiao Ji before sitting down.

Princess He Yi looked eagerly at the princess. “Royal Aunt, isn’t Brother Pei Chen supposed to arrive today? Why isn’t he here yet?”

Xie Yao saw clearly that Princess Yongle’s eyes cooled. “He Yi, these past days there has been no small number of rumors about you in the capital.”

A direct strike.

Xie Yao almost felt she needed a plate of sunflower seeds.

Xiao Ning’s expression stiffened. She bit her lip lightly and said, “Royal Aunt, those are baseless rumors. If others don’t believe me, so be it, but surely you don’t doubt me too? I’ve always liked Brother Pei Chen…”

Before she could finish, a servant’s voice rang from outside. “The Marquis of Zhenbei has arrived!”

Pei Chen!

Xie Yao too looked curiously toward the doorway.

The Marquis of Zhenbei had guarded the frontier for years and accumulated great merit, but across two lifetimes she had never once seen this war god.

The clink of armor sounded. A tall, broad-shouldered figure strode in, his skin bronzed, his brows like drawn swords, his eyes like stars. He carried the dust of travel, as though he had rushed a thousand li without rest.

He stepped forward quickly and dropped to his knees in the hall.

“Unfilial son greets Mother. May Mother’s blessings be as boundless as the Eastern Sea, her life as long as the Southern Mountain!”

“Good.”

Princess Yongle rose, personally lifting Pei Chen to his feet. Her expression softened, deeply moved, clearly overjoyed.

While mother and son reunited, the others tactfully withdrew, leaving them the time and space.

The moment they stepped outside, Xie Yao immediately noticed Second Prince Xiao Hong’s gaze fall on her, lingering especially on her chest, his eyes filled with veiled offense.

She almost wished she could dig out his eyes!

Her expression darkened, but Xiao Ji stepped sideways, blocking her from view. His voice dropped low, carrying steel. “If Second Brother does not wish to keep his eyes, this prince can help you pluck them out.”

He did not want to fight, but that did not mean he was afraid!

Xiao Hong’s face stiffened. Guilt flickered in his eyes and he dared not retort.

But Xiao Ning spoke up. “Eldest Brother, today is Royal Aunt’s birthday.”

“Heh.”

Xiao Ji let out a cold laugh. “If not for Royal Aunt’s sake, it would not end at just a warning. Mind your eyes.”

Xiao Hong answered with a forced “Yes,” and quickly turned to leave.

But as soon as he turned, his expression darkened. “That dying wretch still dares to act so arrogant!”

Xiao Ning cast him a look, displeased. “Why are you so impatient? You yourself said he’s a dying wretch. Once he’s dead, won’t you have your way as you please?”

Xiao Hong’s expression finally improved. Seeming to envision the not-so-distant future, a shadowy gleam flickered in his eyes.

Then he muttered with a sigh, “What a waste.”

Xiao Ning sneered coldly. “Better rein yourself in. Less than three years remain. Don’t let everything collapse now.”

Xiao Hong gave her a dissatisfied look. “It’s you who needs to rein yourself in. Don’t forget, winning over Pei Chen is your most important task.”

Cultural Notes:

Yamen: Government office or administrative bureau.