Chapter 52: Just Holding, Not Touching You

His Highness lied!

In the middle of the night, Xie Yao soaked in the warm spring water, her mind filled only with that thought.

She was still terribly hungry, her body weak and soft, her hands like limp noodles as she leaned against the edge of the hot spring.

Footsteps approached. Xie Yao instinctively sank deeper into the water, leaving only her head above as she turned toward the sound.

Xiao Ji walked in swiftly, dressed in dark robes, his whole bearing sharp and spirited.

“Yao-yao, are you ready to get up? The meal is prepared.” As soon as Xiao Ji spoke, Xie Yao quickly said: “Your Highness, stop there.”

“I can manage on my own.”

“Truly?” Xiao Ji asked with concern.

“Please, Your Highness, step outside first.” Xie Yao did not want to hear any more of his teasing words. She cut him off directly.

Xiao Ji turned and left. Xie Yao hurriedly stood, legs trembling, dressed herself, and then entered the main hall.

The disordered room had already been tidied. Warm incense filled the air.

On the table was a spread of food. Without ceremony, Xie Yao went straight to it. After a fragrant bowl of chicken noodle soup, she finally felt content.

Only then did she notice Xiao Ji sitting opposite, his eyes fixed intently on her.

“Has Your Highness eaten?” she asked, a little embarrassed.

Xiao Ji’s gaze did not waver. “I am already full.”

“…” Xie Yao somehow felt his words carried another meaning.

Clearly, she had been the one to provoke him again and again, so how had it suddenly turned around like this?

“And Yao-yao?” Xiao Ji asked again.

Xie Yao rinsed her mouth with tea, then reluctantly nodded.

Xiao Ji rose and came to her. “Then it is time to rest.”

“Your Highness…” Xie Yao said helplessly. Even if she had the so-called blessed body for bearing children, she could not endure this pace.

She was already weak all over.

“Mm?” Xiao Ji held her hand, leading her toward the bed. “What does Yao-yao wish to say?”

Xie Yao pressed her lips together.

She simply thought it would be perfectly fine if he slept in the study instead.

But her body stiffened as Xiao Ji embraced her. She dared not move, even her breathing unconsciously lightened.

Xiao Ji sighed softly, his hand resting at her waist, gently rubbing. “Sleep. I will not touch you.”

Though his days might be limited, he still cared for her body.

Only then did Xie Yao close her eyes to rest.

…

The Xie residence.

After staying several days in Sweetwater Alley, Master Xie finally returned home.

But Madam Zhang quickly noticed his obvious distraction.

Late at night, Master Xie still could not sleep.

“I wish to adopt a child,” he suddenly said. Madam Zhang, who had been drowsy, instantly sobered.

She knew at once who that child must be.

Bitterness spread across her lips.

If it were a child of a concubine in the household, placed under her name, she would have had no objection.

But no, this was a child raised outside, beside his own mother for years was carefully shielded by Master Xie. She realized only after Xie Yao’s reminder.

She had trusted her husband far too much.

“What does my lady think?”

“Husband,” Madam Zhang said softly, “though my body is damaged and I cannot bear children, you are still young. Why not take concubines, to extend the branches of the Xie family for you?”

“Madam,” Master Xie clasped her hand, “I promised long ago that there would only ever be you. Concubines are unnecessary. When the time comes, the child will be placed under your name, as if you raised him yourself.”

Madam Zhang’s hand tightened into a fist, her nails digging into her palm.

That cheap woman’s son… was he truly so precious?!

Master Xie went on, “Madam, in my heart, you and Jiao-jiao are what matters most.”

Madam Zhang lowered her eyes, hiding the mockery within them.

The next day.

Xie Yao rose a bit later. As soon as she was up, Zhuqing entered. “Crown Princess, someone from the Xie family came. Master Xie has agreed to your proposal from yesterday. Preparations for adoption are already underway.”

He acted quickly indeed.

Xie Yao nodded. “And the mother and daughter?”

“Madam Zhang showed no objection. The Second Young Lady likely does not know yet,” Zhuqing said with a cold smile. “Early this morning, Qiucha was seen lingering near the Crown Prince’s residence. Surely it was at the Second Young Lady’s bidding. It’s a pity, she will be disappointed.”

Xie Yao stood and opened the window. Outside, the drizzle fell in fine threads.

A flash of inspiration crossed her mind, and her expression turned grave. “Go invite Sister Ying here.”

She herself went to the desk, picked up the brush, and wrote down all the crucial details she could recall from her past life; things Xiao Ning and Song Wenbo had discussed in their moments of arrogance.

After reviewing to ensure nothing was omitted, she lit the paper with a flame and dropped it into a copper basin.

Only one sheet remained, filled with names of medicinal herbs.

Zhao Ying had been busy, but as soon as Xie Yao summoned her, she came at once.

“Sister Ying, I have something I need you to do.”

Xie Yao handed her the list. “Stockpile these herbs in quantity. In addition, gather other common medicinal ingredients. These must be included, but they cannot be the only ones. Also, stockpile grain, not too fine, but plenty in volume.”

Zhao Ying’s expression grew serious. “Yao-yao, this…”

Such instructions could only mean something significant. Zhao Ying could not help but think further.

“I only trust Sister Ying.” Xie Yao did not explain more. Her eyes burned as she met Zhao Ying’s.

“Rest assured, Yao-yao.” Zhao Ying asked no further. “The Zhao family and I may not help much, but we will always stand behind you.”

Xie Yao was moved, and hugged her tightly. “Sister Ying, thank you.”

Zhao Ying soon went off to see to the matter.

Just after she left, Si-nan arrived with a register in hand, grinning. “Crown Princess, His Highness instructed me to deliver this.”

He presented it respectfully.

Xie Yao opened it and froze.

Inside were records of every unmarried male in the Xie clan: their identities, family situations, personalities, every detail.

All in one night.

Deeply moved, Xie Yao also gained a clearer sense of Xiao Ji’s power.

If not for his shortened lifespan, on what grounds could Xiao Hong compete?

Xie Yao studied the register carefully, focusing first on the younger children. Soon she had a favorite choice.

Carrying the register, she went toward the study.

As she arrived, she heard Si-nan reporting, “Your Highness, Crown Princess, news from the palace. The Noble Consort is ill. Princess He Yi has sent several petitions, asking to see her.”

“His Majesty has permitted it.”

Banned only days ago, yet today allowed into the palace, the confinement was nothing but in name.

Xiao Ji’s expression did not change.

He simply nodded. “Continue to keep watch.”

Si-nan withdrew quickly.

Xie Yao stepped to Xiao Ji’s side with the register, wrapping her arms around him. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

Though she did not fully understand court affairs, she had sensed the emperor’s strange attitude toward Xiao Ji. After all, as Crown Princess, she had not yet once been summoned before the emperor.

And surely His Majesty knew of the imperial diviner’s prediction of Xiao Ji’s fate.

Seeing the concern on her face, Xiao Ji immediately realized her misunderstanding. His gaze shifted, but he did not explain.

“How does Yao-yao intend to thank me?”

Her eyes flickered playfully. She rose on tiptoe and kissed his cheek.

“Not enough.” Xiao Ji’s hand gripped her waist. With a light motion, he lifted her to sit upon the desk behind him.

“Your Highness.” With nothing to support her, Xie Yao could only clutch his sleeve tightly, her body leaning back…

A picture of surrender, ripe for plucking.

“Yao-yao.” Xiao Ji’s throat tightened as he bent, pressing his lips to her neck…