After Marrying the Heirless Crown Prince, I Gave Birth to Three Children - Chapter 6

Chapter 6: What If His Highness Likes a Concubine?

Xiao Ji quickly lowered his gaze, his voice carrying displeasure. “Be more proper.”

Xie Yao: “…”

Her behavior just now might have been a little forward, but hardly frivolous!

She looked at him with clear, puzzled eyes. “Did I do something His Highness dislikes?”

Xiao Ji’s voice grew stiff. “…No.”

How was he supposed to explain those images still vivid in his mind?

Her pale, soft curves had become so real in his imagination…

He closed his eyes, forcefully shaking away the visions. His throat moved slightly as he turned back toward his desk.

“Your Highness.”

Xie Yao’s voice came again. “Will you return to the main quarters tonight?”

Xiao Ji froze. His tone changed instantly, cold and full of warning. “Leave.”

Xie Yao didn’t hesitate. She turned and left.

Her advances might not succeed, but she could not afford to provoke his disgust.

That night, as expected, the Crown Prince did not return to the main quarters. Xie Yao fell asleep while reading her medical text.

Xiao Ji, however, found sleep elusive.

Every time he shut his eyes, forbidden images surfaced. When he finally drifted into slumber, they invaded his dreams.

All he saw were surging waves trembling before him, accompanied by a soft, tender voice whispering, “Your Highness.”

He jolted awake, sitting up abruptly.

The room was empty.

Just a dream!

His body was drenched in sweat…

—

The next day was the day to return to her parents’ home.

Xie Yao rose refreshed, washed, and after breakfast, Momo Xu came to report that the carriage and gifts were ready.

“And His Highness?” she asked.

Yesterday, Xiao Ji had promised to accompany her.

Momo Xu lowered her head, not daring to meet her eyes. “The Crown Prince left early this morning. He did not say where.”

Because of yesterday’s sudden anger, did he change his mind?

Xie Yao fell silent for a moment, and then said, “Let’s depart.”

The gifts for her return visit had been chosen by her personally, they were gaudy but bulky items that were more trouble than they were worth.

Take advantage of her?

Not a chance!

The carriage swayed along the road to the Xie household. As soon as she stepped inside the gates, a familiar voice greeted her.

“Oh my! Sister, such an important day, and you came back alone?”

It was Xie Yujiao. Clearly, she had been waiting. Her face was lit with unrestrained glee at Xie Yao’s apparent humiliation.

“Impudent!” Zhuxin barked, glaring sharply. “How dare you be disrespectful to the Crown Princess!”

The smile froze on Xie Yujiao’s face. Her hands clenched under her sleeves, nails biting into her palms.

All her life, she had looked down on Xie Yao. And now Xie Yao dared act high and mighty before her?

Xie Yao smiled faintly, standing still, obviously waiting for Xie Yujiao to salute.

Xie Yujiao bit her lip hard. “Sister, you’ve grown quite overbearing!”

“The ruler and his ministers each have their place. First comes duty to the sovereign, then to the father,” Xie Yao replied, her voice clear. “If you do not understand, surely as a scholar, your husband should know.”

Her eyes shifted to Song Wenbo. Calm as she appeared, there was a glint of near-madness in her gaze.

He had humiliated her for years. All she felt for him was burning hatred.

“Greetings, Crown Princess.” Song Wenbo’s expression changed, and he stepped forward to salute at once. Catching sight of his wife unmoving, he looked sideways at her, his voice tinged with warning. “Madam,”

Xie Yujiao inhaled sharply, and then unwillingly lowered her head. “Greetings, Crown Princess.”

“You may rise,” Xie Yao said leisurely, stepping into the house.

Xie Yujiao’s face twisted with unwillingness. If not for her, how could Xie Yao have married the Crown Prince? And now she acted so proud in front of her, what was Xie Yao but nothing?

“Madam,” Song Wenbo said gently beside her, offering his hand, “watch your step.”

Her lips curved, and she placed her hand shyly into his palm as they followed inside.

In the main hall, Master Xie and Madam Zhang were seated. They had clearly heard everything from the courtyard.

Madam Zhang smiled. “Now that the eldest daughter is married, she really isn’t the same as before.”

Master Xie, however, sneered. “How arrogant you are by strutting about even in your own home, and so ignorant of your place!”

Xie Yao lifted her eyes to them. “Ah, I nearly forgot. Why have you not saluted this Crown Princess?”

Master Xie laughed in disbelief.

Never had he imagined she would say such a thing.

Yes, she was the Crown Princess, and he was indeed a minister. By rights, he should bow. But this was his home and he was her father!

Had she gone mad?

But she looked back at him with complete seriousness.

The laughter faded from his face, his expression darkening as he slowly rose. “Do you truly think I cannot control you anymore?”

He knew well enough about the situation in the Crown Prince’s mansion.

Only few days into marriage, and already the Crown Prince slept in his study. He hadn’t even accompanied her home today. She was just an unwanted Crown Princess…

“Today, I will teach you a lesson myself!”

He raised his hand, ready to strike.

Xie Yao was no fool. She would not stand there and take it.

Just then, a cold voice cut through the air from outside. “Master Xie.”

The hall fell silent. All eyes turned toward the doorway.

There he stood, tall and dignified, clad in a deep purple robe of noble rank. His dark, indifferent gaze burned directly at Master Xie.

The older man’s raised hand faltered, then dropped. He quickly bowed. “Your subject greets the Crown Prince.”

At once, everyone in the hall followed his lead, saluting.

Xiao Ji did not acknowledge them. His eyes sought Xie Yao. “I came late, Crown Princess.”

Master Xie froze, and then echoed quickly, “I greet the Crown Princess.”

Madam Zhang and Xie Yujiao, no matter how unwilling, had no choice but to bow as well.

Only then did Xiao Ji say, “Rise.”

He was openly backing her.

The thought struck everyone at once.

None was more shaken than Xie Yujiao. In her past life as his wife, she had never received such treatment.

Xie Yao… how could it be her?

What did she have that Xie Yujiao lacked? She had always been the one trampling Xie Yao beneath her feet!

Wretched woman. Damn her!

But with the Crown Prince present, no one dared speak further. Even though Xie Yujiao was consumed with jealousy, her face twisted, she kept silent.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Madam Zhang pulled her daughter aside to whisper.

Her expression was pained, unwilling. “Did you see that little tramp showing off?”

“Jiao-jiao, all this should have been yours!”

Jealousy burned in Xie Yujiao’s chest, but she still clenched her teeth and said, “Mother, just wait. She won’t be proud for long!”

“The Crown Prince doesn’t have long to live—”

“Watch your tongue!” Madam Zhang clapped a hand over her daughter’s mouth.

Xie Yujiao lowered her voice, leaning close. “Mother, the Crown Prince is incapable. Xie Yao will have no future with him.”

“But my husband will surely rise to high office. One day, I will be a titled lady of honor!”