Chapter 58: Remove the Crown Prince

Xie Yao and Xiao Ji returned to the Crown Prince’s residence.

Although he had already drunk ginger tea at the teahouse, Xie Yao still worried. She prepared to brew ginger soup herself to drive out the chill for His Highness.

“Crown Princess.” Zhuxin entered and quietly reported everything that had happened at the Xie household that day.

“Momo Liu at Madam Zhang’s side is seeking out a great master. I also heard she sent word to Uncle Zhang, hoping he might reach the Imperial diviner.”

After finishing, Zhuxin could not help adding, “Could it be that the second young lady truly has been possessed?”

For the sake of the Song family, the second young lady had broken Madam Zhang’s heart completely. Madam Zhang had only this one daughter and had spent years scheming and exhausting herself for her sake.

“Possessed? More or less.” To be consumed by an obsession to the point of near madness was that not a kind of possession?

Xie Yao stirred the ginger soup with a ladle, and when the pot was about ready, she scooped out a bowl. “Leave her be. Her retribution will come later.”

This was why she had not hurried to strike back, even knowing that Xie Yujiao plotted against her.

Xie Yujiao’s forbearance now was all for the future, waiting for Song Wenbo to rise in officialdom, waiting to become the wife of the Grand Chancellor, to receive a noble title.

Xie Yao needed to do nothing. As soon as Song Wenbo’s ambitions collapsed, that alone would shatter Xie Yujiao’s heart.

Moreover…

Song Wenbo was so impatient to take Xie Yujiao back. Most likely he was preparing to reenact the farce of her previous life of fawning over Xiao Ning’s favor.

Now that she had quarreled with Madam Zhang and lost her backing completely, Xie Yujiao was nothing more than meat on Song Wenbo’s chopping block.

But Xie Yao felt no pity for her. After all, this was the path Xie Yujiao had chosen.

Carrying the ginger soup, Xie Yao entered the study.

Naturally, Xiao Ji would not waste the Crown Princess’s kindness. He finished the bowl to the last drop.

Xie Yao sat across from him. “Did Your Highness go looking for me on purpose today?”

Xiao Ji glanced at her, his tone stiff. “No.” He liked walking in the rain.

“I don’t believe you.”

Xiao Ji: “…”

Xie Yao softened her voice. “Thank you, Your Highness. But next time, even if you’re anxious, you must take care of your health.”

He already died young, if he neglected himself further and died even earlier, what would she do?

She still was not certain whether she was pregnant yet.

A warmth rose in Xiao Ji’s chest, and his tone eased a little. “Mm.”

Xie Yao found it strange. Today, His Highness had clearly been very worried about her, but once they returned home, he seemed to regain his temper.

She did not know how she had offended him.

“Your Highness.” Xie Yao rose, walked to his side, and let her body go soft, collapsing into his arms.

Her delicate frame trembled, her arms looped tightly around his neck. “Your Highness, are you angry with me? Please speak plainly.”

“If Your Highness dislikes me, then I’ll just leave…”

Her words said one thing, but her arms clung all the tighter to his neck, refusing to let go.

Xiao Ji pressed his lips together, about to speak, when he saw her cheeks flush pink, her eyes sultry as she whispered, “It seems Your Highness doesn’t dislike me that much after all.”

Her meaning was clear, as she rubbed lightly against him in his embrace.

Xiao Ji froze, inhaling deeply. “That day at the Xie household, you said you were willing to exchange places with the second young lady?”

What?

Xie Yao looked momentarily blank.

Only after a while did she recall. Noting Xiao Ji’s uncharacteristically awkward expression, she could not help but laugh. “Your Highness, are you jealous?”

Xiao Ji’s face darkened slightly, his voice cooling. “I still have official business to attend. Crown Princess may return first.”

“Your Highness, I only said it casually.” Xie Yao explained, “If she truly wanted to exchange with me, I wouldn’t agree.”

“Your Highness is the best in the world.”

Her words carried nothing but sincerity. In her eyes, Xiao Ji saw only pure earnestness.

But…It was only sincerity.

No matter how he searched, he found nothing more in her emotions.

His eyes lowered slightly. With a quiet “Mm,” he supported her waist and helped her rise. “Go read. In a few days, I will test you.”

Xie Yao: “…”

She had explained everything!

Why was His Highness still acting so strangely?

She opened her mouth to say more, but outside came Si-nan’s voice, “Your Highness, Crown Princess, word has just arrived.”

“The Imperial diviner has entered the palace!”

At those words, Xie Yao immediately exchanged a glance with Xiao Ji, both of their faces turning solemn.

It had come.

—-

At the Yangxing Palace.

The emperor was handling state affairs when a young eunuch hurried in from outside. “Your Majesty, the Imperial diviner seeks an audience.”

The emperor’s hand paused on the vermilion brush, then set it aside. “Summon him.”

Grand Eunuch Li waited at the side, his head slightly bowed.

Ever since the Imperial diviner had read the Crown Prince’s fate twenty-two years ago, he had only entered the palace once more.

After so many years, what was he here for now…?

The Imperial diviner wore snow-white robes, a horsetail whisk in hand. His manner was ethereal, like an immortal. He did not kneel but only bowed slightly. “Greetings to Your Majesty.”

The emperor’s expression was stern as he looked at him. “Why has the Imperial diviner entered the palace today?”

“Your Majesty,” the Diviner replied, “last night I observed the heavens. I discovered that the stars beside the Ziwei Star had grown dim, suppressed by a baleful star. If this is not addressed in time, it will endanger the Ziwei Star itself.”

Grand Eunuch Li lowered his head even further.

The Ziwei Star represented His Majesty. And the baleful star… twenty-two years ago, it had been none other than the Crown Prince at his birth.

The emperor’s gaze darkened. “Twenty-two years ago, you said that keeping the baleful star outside the palace walls would be enough.”

“At that time, the baleful star was dim, its threat diminished. But recently, some inauspicious person has bolstered its power, making it shine bright again. If not restrained, it will bring harm.”

The Diviner’s words were simple, yet carried absolute conviction.

The emperor immediately recalled how the Noble Consort had fallen ill recently, with neither imperial physicians nor renowned doctors in the capital able to help.

“Inauspicious person?” His Majesty’s eyes narrowed.

The Diviner said, “This person is born with calamity, bringing misfortune wherever she goes. She appeared beside the baleful star only recently, becoming its closest companion, complementing it.”

The Crown Princess.

That name flashed in Grand Eunuch Li’s mind.

The emperor hesitated for a moment. “According to the Diviner, what should be done?”

“Remove the baleful star,” the Diviner declared firmly, “only then can we ensure lasting peace for Your Majesty and the realm.”

The Yangxing Palace fell silent enough to hear a pin drop.

After a long time, the Diviner added, “If Your Majesty insists on protecting the baleful star, then at least the inauspicious one must be eliminated.”

……

The Imperial diviner soon left the palace.

Once he had gone, the doors of the Yangxing Palace were locked tight. Even Grand Eunuch Li, closest to the emperor, could only wait outside.

Standing respectfully in the rain, Grand Eunuch Li recalled the words he had just heard. A chill crept over his back, making his whole body tremble.

In the end, all his thousands of thoughts turned into a single sigh.

Xiao Ji and Xie Yao had not managed to learn details, but knowing the matter was tied to the Noble Consort, they did not need to guess further.

This was clearly aimed straight at them.

“Your Highness.”

Xie Yao’s heart sank. “Was it because I spoke up last time that…”

Xiao Ji shook his head. “She has wanted to kill me for a long time.”

He looked at her. “Do not be afraid.”

Even if it was a dead end, he would carve out a path of survival for her.

That she was entangled in this at all was his fault.

Xie Yao’s tense heart eased slightly. “As long as Your Highness is here, I’m not afraid.”

She glanced out the window. “Has Your Highness noticed? It has been raining far too much lately.”

Hm?

“Yesterday a letter came from Grandfather’s household, saying the southern regions have had rain for half a month straight. I wonder if there will be floods.”

“Your Highness, the Imperial diviner claims to know all under heaven. If there truly is a natural disaster coming, could he foresee it?”

In Xiao Ji’s eyes, light flickered brightly.

The Crown Princess’s words seemed like simple questions, yet each one guided his thoughts. His Crown Princess… was anything but ordinary.

Xiao Ji understood her meaning and the corner of his lips curved faintly. “Yes. I am quite curious as well.”

Cultural Notes:

• Ziwei Star: In Chinese astrology, represents the emperor.
• Baleful star: An ominous astral sign believed to clash with the Ziwei Star.
• Imperial diviner: A powerful religious and political figure, often seen as able to divine fate and advise emperors.