After Marrying the Heirless Crown Prince, I Gave Birth to Three Children - Chapter 5

Chapter 5: The Crown Princess’s Deliberate Seduction

Xiao Ji closed his eyes briefly, shaking away the restless thoughts in his mind. Silently reciting a calming mantra, he stepped out the door.

Xie Yao noticed the Crown Prince leaving and had just opened her mouth to speak but he was already gone.

His retreating figure looked almost like a man fleeing in haste.

The corners of Xie Yao’s lips lifted. His attitude last night had been far better than she expected. It was a promising start.

The Crown Prince, though appearing somewhat weary of life, was in truth well-cultivated true gentleman.

Only one, but very serious, problem remained was that he was incapable.

As Xie Yao sat for her morning toilette, Momo Xu entered with several maids who had once served in the Eastern Palace. They bowed respectfully, and then began tidying the bed. Seeing the pristine white bridal cloth, Momo Xu sighed inwardly.

—

In the Crown Prince’s mansion, there were only two masters; His Highness and the new Crown Princess. The breakfast table was elegant but not extravagant.

The husband and wife sat opposite each other, both displaying impeccable manners. Even the servants nearby unconsciously held their breath.

Finally, Xiao Ji set down his chopsticks. Seeing that Xie Yao had finished as well, he spoke, his cool voice breaking the silence. “Do you have something to say?”

Her glances at him just now had been far too obvious.

“There is one thing I don’t quite understand,” Xie Yao said, her eyes glittering like scattered stars as she looked at him. “Will we be entering the palace today?”

Normally, after a prince’s wedding, the new bride should enter the palace to pay respects.

But Xiao Ji was the son of the late Empress. After her passing, the Emperor never established another Empress. The Six Palaces were managed instead by the Noble Consort.

“No need,” Xiao Ji replied firmly.

Xie Yao immediately lowered her head. “Okay.”

After breakfast, Xiao Ji departed.

Not long after Xie Yao returned to her room, Momo Xu came in. “Your Highness, the household servants are waiting outside. Would you like to meet them?”

“His Highness has instructed that from today on, all matters of the inner residence will follow your arrangements.”

So soon?

This was her rightful authority as Crown Princess, but she had planned to observe for a few days first. She hadn’t expected him to be so considerate.

“Very well.” She agreed readily. Naturally, she should meet them.

After a pause, she asked, “Momo Xu, is there anyone in the household I should be wary of?” She meant concubines, favored maids, or the like.

Momo Xu, having stayed with her for three days in the Xie household, instantly understood. She lowered her voice. “His Highness has always kept himself clean. In this residence, there are only the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess.”

Xie Yao: “…”

By her knowledge, most noble boys had “guiding maids” by the age of thirteen or fourteen.

But His Highness, already a grown man of rank had no one at all. The situation was dire!

When she stepped out to meet the servants, her mood grew heavier still.

There weren’t many maids in the entire mansion; most served only in the main quarters.

External affairs were managed by Momo Xu, while internal duties were overseen by Yingtao and her niece, Yuyan.

Xie Yao asked each servant’s name and responsibilities, instructed them to continue as before, and rewarded them generously before dismissing them.

Adjustments would come later. For now, she couldn’t rush to change the people Xiao Ji had long relied on.

She placed a gold bracelet in Momo Xu’s hand. “You were His Highness’s nurse. Since he trusts you, I will trust you as well. I’ll rely on you to keep a close watch over household matters.”

Warmth spread in Momo Xu’s heart, not because of the gift, but because of the Crown Princess’s trust. Her eyes grew moist. “Your Highness, until now this residence had no mistress, so this old servant often overstepped. But from this day forward, all decisions rightfully belong to you.”

Xie Yao accepted without protest. “I am still young and new here. If I make mistakes, I’ll count on your guidance.”

Momo Xu was just about to respond when Zhuxin entered quietly. “Your Highness, someone has come from the palace. The Noble Consort summons you.”

The room instantly stilled.

All eyes turned to Xie Yao, waiting for her reply.

Her lashes lowered, a cold gleam flickering in her eyes. She said calmly, without hesitation, “I am unwell. I fear I cannot enter the palace to pay respects.”

“Yes.” Zhuxin left at once to deliver the message, without question.

Xie Yao turned to Momo Xu. “Can we call the court physician?”

What she really asked was, is the physician trustworthy?

Momo Xu had stayed silent throughout, but her smile now could not be hidden. She bowed. “Your Highness is mistress of the household. If you are unwell, of course we must summon the physician.”

Good. Reliable.

Since she was to play the part, Xie Yao ordered Zhuxin to fetch the physician.

Later, after Momo Xu sent the ledgers of the household to the main quarters, she left; heading straight for the front study.

The physician came, dutifully prescribed medicine for the “ailing” Crown Princess, and departed.

That night, Xie Yao did not see Xiao Ji.

The next morning at breakfast, he was absent again. By noon, Xie Yao brought a bowl of soup herself to the study.

“Your Highness.”

The guard’s voice rose slightly, as though warning her.

Xie Yao did not barge in. She knocked politely. “May I come in?”

“Enter.”

She stepped inside and was stunned.

The study overflowed with books, filled with the fragrance of ink. Xiao Ji sat behind his desk, holding a scroll.

His hair was tied with a jade crown. The warm noon sunlight streamed through the windows, gilding him with light.

He looked almost otherworldly.

Xie Yao stared, momentarily dazed.

Xiao Ji’s hand paused ever so slightly. He raised his eyes, gaze cold and distant, as if to remind her. “What is it?”

Xie Yao quickly asked, “Tomorrow… may Your Highness accompany me back to my parents’ home?”

Xiao Ji frowned slightly, then after a pause, nodded. “Yes.”

She smiled. He turned his eyes away.

Glancing around, she said in admiration, “Your Highness has so many books.”

He hesitated briefly. “If you wish to read them, help yourself.” As long as she didn’t touch his bottom line, he was willing to grant her convenience.

After all… marrying him was already a grievance for her.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

She immediately rose and wandered among the shelves. With so many volumes, she eagerly searched for medical texts.

And indeed, she soon found one.

Reaching up, she tried to take it….but….

Too high!

She looked around. No ladder. She stood on tiptoe but she was still short.

Casting a glance at Xiao Ji, she saw him absorbed in reading. A sly spark lit her eyes. She leapt for the book!

She missed.

Just a little more, so she jumped again!

This time, she caught it.

Clutching the book to her chest, she turned and froze.

The Crown Prince stood at the end of the shelf.

Thinking of her antics just now, Xie Yao’s cheeks flamed red.

Xiao Ji betrayed no expression. But his gaze flicked to her chest, accentuated by the book she held, and his mind unbidden recalled the soft waves that had bounced when she leapt.

Unbidden, forbidden images flashed through his head.