Chapter 59: Wanting Your Highness, Only Your Highness

Xiao Ji understood Xie Yao’s hint.

Although the Zhao family’s old master was a merchant, he had traveled far and wide for many years. He would not bring up such a matter for no reason; there must be meaning behind it.

“Is what the Crown Princess said really true?” Xiao Ji asked.

Of course.

This was something that had happened in her previous life.

The southern regions would suffer floods, and then plague. That was also why she had written a prescription for Zhao Ying, telling her elder cousin to buy medicine and grain in advance.

Otherwise, when transportation became difficult and prices soared, it would already be too late.

“My grandfather’s letter did say so. Your Highness might as well consult some people who understand astronomy and waterworks.”

Xiao Ji looked at Xie Yao.

In fact, he had already grown suspicious these past few days and had consulted experts on celestial signs and water systems.

What he had not expected was that Xie Yao would also be this sharp.

After thinking for a moment, Xie Yao added, “Your Highness, the Imperial diviner will likely strike from the fortune he read for you twenty-two years ago. Do you have a plan to counter it?”

Xiao Ji gave her a reassuring look and said, “Do not worry.”

Seeing his confident smile, Xie Yao’s heart settled back in place. Suddenly, a spark of realization flashed in her mind. “Could it be this matter is actually tied to Your Highness?”

……

Weiyang Palace.

The Noble Consort, who should have been lying sick in bed, now sat with great vigor. Aside from her pale complexion, there was no sign of illness at all.

“How could this be? How could the Imperial diviner suddenly enter the palace? Who let him in? Do you know what he said to His Majesty?”

The consort truly panicked. In her temper, she smashed more than a few things. After the incident at Princess Yongle’s residence last time, she had already said that Xiao Hong and Xiao Ning were being far too hasty.

Their attempt to win over Pei Chen had been far too obvious.

His Majesty was no fool.

If things were rushed, suspicion was inevitable. Her “illness” was both a show of weakness and a setup for future plans.

Whether or not the Crown Prince had truly been involved in the Yongle affair, since he dared to keep living…

Then let him die.

But for their carefully planned move to be made ahead of schedule at this moment…

It gave her a very bad feeling.

“Your Ladyship.” A palace maid quickly entered, kneeling on the floor. “Today, when the Imperial diviner entered the palace, only Grand Eunuch Li was allowed in the Yangxing Palace. No one knows what was said.”

The consort’s heart sank further and further.

“Go and find out immediately.” Her face twisted into a near-feral snarl. Abandoning years of careful restraint, she snapped, “At once!”

…

Crown Prince’s residence.

Xiao Ji was seated by the window, reviewing memorials, when Si-nan came in from outside. Standing at a distance, he shook rainwater from his robe. “Your Highness, today someone from Weiyang Palace went to the Imperial diviner’s residence.”

“And a new set of tea wares was brought into Weiyang Palace.”

Xiao Ji closed the memorial in his hand.

The Noble Consort was growing anxious.

As expected, after all, this was a “gift” from Princess Yongle.

He handed the memorial to Si-nan. “Send this to the Princess Yongle’s residence.”

Si-nan departed quickly, leaving the study quiet once more. Xiao Ji’s gaze turned toward the window. Beyond the heavy curtain of rain, he looked in the direction of the main courtyard.

With walls blocking the view, nothing could be seen.

Suddenly, there was movement outside.

Xiao Ji frowned. Quite a few people had come, and leading them… was Xie Yao.

She held a paper oil umbrella, entering the study alone with a food box in her hand. Her dark, shining eyes met his, lighting up with a smile.

“Your Highness.”

In the night, her voice sounded especially gentle. “You’ve worked hard, so I made soup for Your Highness. Please drink some.”

Her eyes glowed as she looked at him. Her long hair hung loosely about her shoulders, carrying the fresh fragrance of a recent bath.

Standing before his desk, her fair skin gleamed like porcelain. Every movement was elegant and pleasing, drawing all attention.

“Your Highness.”

She poured a bowl of soup and offered it with both hands. Her gaze was soft, like silent enticement.

Xiao Ji’s throat tightened as he reached for it, downing the soup in one draught.

The taste… was honestly not very good.

“It is late. The Crown Princess may return now,” Xiao Ji said coldly.

Again!

What a stubborn man.

Xie Yao could not understand. She had already explained clearly that her words had been spoken casually, and she had stated openly that His Highness was the best in her heart.

What was he still sulking about?

But remembering what the female physician had told her, that these days were the most favorable for conception, she pressed on.

“Will Your Highness not rest?” she asked softly.

“I will sleep in the study tonight.” His voice was low. Picking up a book, he angled himself away from her, refusing to look.

He had been fine just a few days ago…

Xie Yao declared, “Then I will stay with Your Highness.”

Xiao Ji frowned. But before he could refuse, she slid forward and seated herself on his lap.

Again!

Her movements were not quick, but he did not stop her.

“Your Highness,” she whispered, “it’s raining outside. I’m afraid to be alone.”

Was she, now?

He did not believe it.

What he saw in her was a full, irresistible temptation. Remembering what the physician had reported to him that very day…

His voice deepened. “Crown Princess, I cannot give you children.”

“I am without heirs.”

Just because he could not, did not mean she could not!

Xie Yao argued silently in her heart.

Her brief pause did not escape his eyes.

His gaze darkened. She tried everything to entice him, but he could not.

Surely she would be disappointed.

His large, iron-like hand steadied her waist, lifting her to her feet. “Crown Princess should return.”

“Your Highness.” Though forced upright, her arms stayed tightly around his neck.

Now standing so close, their height difference made the air between them heavy with intimacy.

Xiao Ji’s face brushed against the swell of her chest. The soft touch made him instinctively pull back…

Startled, Xie Yao instinctively pulled his head close.

They collided hard.

Their bodies already knew each other well, and with her body especially sensitive as a “body blessed of fertility,” the sudden impact left her weak, nearly unable to stand.

His teeth, through the thin summer robe, pressed against her sensitive skin. Both their breaths caught for a moment.

Her voice turned sweeter, like a hook drawing him in, soft as silk. “I do want a child, but what I want even more is Your Highness…”

Xiao Ji stiffened, his hand at her waist unconsciously tightening.

“Your Highness, it hurts,” she gasped delicately, her brows knitting together.

He pressed her waist more firmly, setting her on the desk. His throat bobbed as he looked up, his eyes burning with desire.

“You want me more?”

His gaze was fiercely aggressive, lit with a fire she could not quite read.

“Only Your Highness.” Before she could finish speaking, she gave a soft cry, her arms clinging tightly around his neck…

By the time Xie Yao fell asleep, it was already deep into the night.

Her lips were slightly swollen, the study in complete disarray. Xiao Ji sat at the bedside, his dark eyes fixed on her sleeping form.

After a long time, he lowered his head and brushed a kiss across her forehead. Then he left the study, speaking to Si-nan outside, “I heard that the Song family always wanted to marry the Crown Princess?”