Chapter 50: I Slept with His Highness!

Xie Yao’s face flushed even redder. She bit her lower lip lightly and gave no reply.

Though she often teased Xiao Ji in words, in truth she was but a giant in theory and a dwarf in practice.

Even after they had bared their hearts to one another, she still felt shy.

Especially when she recalled last night… how bold she had been!

“Don’t move.”

Her slight squirming made Xiao Ji hiss softly, his hoarse tone carrying warning.

He truly had married a little enchantress.

Xie Yao immediately stilled.

Suppressing his desire, Xiao Ji said, “I won’t touch you.”

He feared that if they did it again, Xie Yao would not be able to endure.

He kept his word. Though his body responded honestly, he restrained himself. After carefully wiping her clean, he carried her back to the chamber and laid her down on fresh bedding.

Xie Yao, however, did not feel weary.

For her, blessed with the Blessed Body of Fertility, such things only brought benefit.

Her hand rested lightly on her flat belly, her eyes shimmering with hope.

But she had not slept at all last night, and real fatigue soon overcame her. She quickly drifted into slumber.

“Your Highness.”

As Xiao Ji stepped out, Si-nan approached and knelt on one knee. “Last night, we found a man from outside the residence in the main courtyard…”

After giving his report, Si-nan added, “Yingtao has been captured. She confessed that she acted under the orders of the Xie family’s Second Young Lady, Xie Yujiao.”

Xiao Ji’s expression darkened, his face turning grim.

Xie Yujiao.

What audacity! To extend her hand into the Crown Prince’s residence itself.

Si-nan glanced at him, hesitant to voice the suspicion in his heart. His Highness was wise, surely he already understood.

He only asked, “Your Highness, shall I take action?”

Xiao Ji remained silent for a long moment, then shook his head. “Not yet. I will first ask the Crown Princess her opinion. As for Yingtao, confine her. Let the Crown Princess decide her punishment.”

Si-nan accepted the order.

After another pause, Xiao Ji said, “This afternoon, arrange a visit to the shaman-physician. Have Sinbei continue seeking doctors.”

Si-nan was overjoyed and answered at once, “Yes, Your Highness!”

At last! After years of refusing treatment, His Highness had finally agreed to see a physician again. Over the years, Sinbei had found countless doctors. This time, he would surely bring them all to the capital so His Highness could be thoroughly examined.

After giving his orders, Xiao Ji returned to the main chamber.

Xie Yao was still asleep, her breath shallow. Her full lips, bitten raw from his kisses, and her neck still bore the marks he had left.

Xiao Ji’s throat bobbed, his gaze complicated.

He was no fool.

Nor was Xie Yao. What had transpired the night before… had been far too coincidental.

But…

He had been sober.

Even in surrender, he had been.

—–

At the Song residence.

Xie Yujiao paced anxiously in her chamber, glancing out the window from time to time, both expectant and uneasy.

Why had it taken so long? Why had no one returned yet?

Could something have gone wrong?

At last, she spotted Qiucha’s figure. Her eyes lit up, and she hurried forward. “Qiucha, how did it go?”

Qiucha shook her head slightly. “This servant waited a long time, but never saw Miss Yingtao. I even checked around the Crown Prince’s residence and found nothing amiss.”

Xie Yujiao frowned deeply. “How could that be?”

Her plan had been flawless. It should have succeeded.

“No, wait.” A new thought struck her. “Perhaps it worked, but the matter has been suppressed.”

“After all, it is a royal scandal. Of course they would hide it.”

This reasoning comforted her, easing her heart somewhat. “Tomorrow, go wait again. If Yingtao doesn’t appear, that proves it succeeded!”

Delighted, she grew quite cheerful.

Xie Yao was finished!

She wanted to see if, after this, Xie Yao and Xiao Ji could still act as affectionate as they had at Princess Yongle’s residence.

What she herself could not obtain, she would make sure Xie Yao never had either!

—-

When Xie Yao woke, it was already midday.

Warm sunlight streamed into the chamber, bathing everything in peace and serenity. As soon as she sat up, Zhuqing and Zhuxin entered.

Both kept their heads lowered, not daring to look at her. “Congratulations, Crown Princess.”

Though her body recovered swiftly thanks to the Blessed Body of Fertility, she still felt a faint ache.

She had been wrong.

She never should have doubted Xiao Ji’s ability.

Last night, he had proven it most thoroughly… He was more than capable.

“Where is His Highness?”

Her voice cracked so harshly that she startled herself. Remembering the shameless sounds she had made last night, her cheeks burned red again.

“His Highness went to the study early. He ordered us not to disturb your rest,” Zhuqing replied. She quickly added, “Crown Princess, Yingtao was captured by Si-nan last night.”

As expected.

Xie Yao had deliberately left room in Yingtao and Xie Yujiao’s plot. What mattered now was Xiao Ji’s attitude.

Still…

Even if His Highness was truly angry with her, she no longer feared.

After eating, she went to the study.

To her surprise, the room was empty. Xiao Ji was not there.

She helped herself to a book and settled onto the soft couch. The warm early-summer sun spilled over her, cloaking her in a golden glow.

When Xiao Ji emerged from a secret passage, this was the sight that greeted him.

Xie Yao reclined on the couch, her figure entirely visible. He had seen and touched her before, but even a glance now left his throat parched.

He quickly stepped back, closing the secret door behind him, blocking not her, but Si-nan who followed.

“Your Highness?”

Xie Yao lifted her chin and smiled softly. “You’re back.”

“…Mn.”

He walked silently to her side. “Why did you come?”

“Of course, to find Your Highness,” she replied matter-of-factly.

“…”

He changed the subject. “About yesterday, Yingtao has been captured.” His gaze lingered on her, waiting to hear what she would say.

Xie Yao rose gracefully and walked to him. “Will Your Highness blame me?”

For going along with the scheme, for trapping him.

Xiao Ji turned his eyes away. “I don’t blame you.” From the start, it had been an open stratagem. Every choice had been his.

“There is something the Crown Princess may not know,” he continued. “When I was born, the imperial diviner declared that beyond being fated for solitude, I would not live past twenty-five.”

He looked straight into her eyes. “This matter…”

“Your Highness,” Xie Yao interrupted. “Was this the reason you have always kept your distance from me?”

“You never asked me before, how could you know my heart?”

“Besides, I don’t believe the diviner’s words at all. And even if they were true, every day you refuse me is one less day of closeness between us.”

Her earnest words shook him deeply. He reached out and pulled her into his arms, whispering, “It is my fault, Yao-yao.”

Resting against his chest, her eyes were clear and calm. “Your Highness, I will always stay by your side.”

He held her tightly, his embrace warm and fierce. There was no lust, only treasuring and cherishing her.

Xie Yao’s heart finally settled.

The child was as good as secured!

But even so… she truly meant to find a way to change Xiao Ji’s doomed fate.

“Your Highness.”

Si-nan’s voice came from outside. “A letter has arrived from Princess Yongle’s residence.”

Xiao Ji knew that Si-nan would not disturb him unless it was important.

The letter was quickly brought in. As soon as he unfolded it, his expression turned grave.

It contained only one revelation.

The current imperial diviner and the Noble Consort… had once been acquaintances.

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