Chapter 62: Children Come First

The next day.

When Xie Yao got up, Xiao Ji was already gone.

She thought for a moment, then instructed Zhuqing, “Tell the kitchen to prepare more nourishing soups.”

It wasn’t that she doubted Xiao Ji’s stamina.

But His Highness already had little time left to live, and she truly worried that such indulgence might damage his health.

Still, it was fine. This month it would only be hard on him for a few days. For now, she would just have him replenish.

As children came first.

Zhuqing’s face flushed red, but she immediately obeyed. “Yes, Crown Princess.”

Just after Zhuqing withdrew, Yuyan came in from outside. “Crown Princess, people from the Xie family have arrived. They request that you return to the Xie household to discuss the matter of adopting an heir.”

That was quick.

Xie Yao nodded. “Alright.”

Last time, Master Xie still wanted to shirk it, but this time he was being obedient.

Those present today included Master Xie, Madam Zhang, and several elders of the clan.

Of course, Master Xie himself was the clan head.

Xie Yujiao was still gravely injured and had not come.

As expected, among the group of children, Xie Yao saw the pair of siblings born from Master Xie’s mistress.

So, he wanted to have both of them adopted under his legitimate line?

When she looked over, Xie Yuru and Xie Jing’s gazes simultaneously fell upon her.

In Xie Yuru’s eyes flashed amazement, then yearning.

Clearly, the two knew exactly who they were and also recognized her.

Xie Yao only gave the slightest nod, and then coolly shifted her gaze toward the corner, where a child in worn clothes stood.

The child looked about ten years old. Though his clothes were ragged, they were clean. He stood with his head lowered, clearly lacking confidence.

This was the one she had her eye on.

Naturally, Master Xie predictably chose Xie Jing from among them. Because Xie Jing and Xie Yuru were siblings who had lost their father, he naturally proposed that both remain in the Xie household.

After all, Master Xie had long schemed for Xie Jing’s sake.

This time, the other children selected for comparison all had rather ordinary conditions; none could compare to Xie Jing, who had been personally guided by Master Xie from childhood.

Xie Yao did not know what Madam Zhang thought, but she did not refuse.

The matter was thus settled with ease.

Then everyone turned their gaze toward Xie Yao. Master Xie smiled and said, “Yao-yao, which one do you favor?”

No matter which she chose, none could surpass his Jing’er.

Whatever reason Xie Yao had for adopting an heir under Madam Zhao’s name, it could never outrank his Jing’er.

Xie Yao rose and walked to the edge, before Xie Zhan. Her voice was gentle. “Would you be willing to be my younger brother?”

“Father?”

A voice rang out in disbelief; it was Xie Jing, already standing beside Master Xie. “But you already have me, don’t you?”

Why another?

He was Father’s own son. What was that boy worth?

“Jing’er.” Master Xie’s voice carried a warning from behind.

Xie Yao didn’t turn back. Her brows curved slightly as she smiled warmly at the child before her.

“M-me?”

Xie Zhan slowly raised his head, his timid voice carrying deep uncertainty.

Xie Yao nodded firmly.

Instantly, Xie Zhan’s eyes lit up, like the finest gemstone suddenly cleared of dust.

In his heart he thought… was it really possible?

But quickly, he moved with clumsy haste to kneel. “I…I am willing, Elder Sister!”

Xie Yao motioned for Zhuqing to help him up. “Since you are my younger brother now, you need not kneel lightly before others.”

Her clear, confident tone made Xie Zhan’s posture straighten a little taller.

Standing beside Master Xie, Xie Jing saw this scene, his fists clenched tightly, hatred flashing in his eyes.

A beggar, fit to be his younger brother?

With the selection decided, next came the entry into the genealogy and kowtowing rites.

Xie Yuru and Xie Jing, as siblings, kowtowed before Madam Zhang and Master Xie. Xie Zhan, however, bowed before the memorial tablets of Madam Zhao.

“Elder Sister.”

Xie Yao heard the soft, delicate voice and turned her gaze….It was Xie Yuru speaking.

Her face was filled with admiration and longing, but Xie Yao only nodded faintly, her expression cool.

Xie Yuru’s smile stiffened, her lips biting lightly, her hands twisting her skirt until the fabric warped.

They were all Father’s daughters…

“Father.”

As Master Xie walked out of the ancestral hall, Xie Yao beckoned to Xie Zhan. “Since he is now my younger brother, I will bring him back to the Crown Prince’s residence for a few days, so that we may foster some sibling closeness.”

Since she had chosen him, naturally she had to be responsible.

Leaving him in the Xie household would be like casting a lamb among wolves. Whether Xie Jing or Madam Zhang, neither would spare him.

At these words, Xie Jing and Xie Yuru’s eyes grew darker with jealousy and resentment.

That was the Crown Prince’s residence!

What was Xie Zhan worth? Why should he get to go?

Master Xie dared not object, hurriedly agreeing.

What surprised Xie Yao was that Madam Zhang also voiced no objection. She only fixed her with a heavy, dark gaze filled with hatred and murderous intent.

Xie Yao felt a heaviness in her chest, but led Xie Zhan to leave.

“The Crown Prince has arrived!”

The voice of a servant came from outside, and everyone quickly prepared to salute.

“No need for ceremony.” Xiao Ji walked to Xie Yao’s side. His gaze swept briefly across Xie Zhan. “I merely came to fetch the Crown Princess.”

He took Xie Yao’s hand and led her out.

“Elder Sister!”

A crisp voice suddenly sounded. Xie Yuru ran quickly to stand before Xie Yao and Xiao Ji, her cheeks flushed, lips bitten lightly, her voice coy. “I want to spend time with Elder Sister too, is it alright?”

As she asked, her eyes couldn’t help but dart toward Xiao Ji.

Before Xie Yao could answer, Xiao Ji cut coldly, “No.”

Xie Yuru’s smile froze, tears nearly spilling from her eyes.

She had already thought through what to say once Xie Yao refused but she had not expected the rejection to come from the Crown Prince himself.

Xiao Ji led Xie Yao and Xie Zhan swiftly away.

Xie Yuru’s eyes reddened, her face full of resentment. “Why? We’re all Father’s children…”

Why should she and her brother be raised outside, while Xie Yao could be the honored Crown Princess?

Xie Jing’s eyes also brimmed with dissatisfaction.

Today should have been his grand moment, but Xie Zhan, that little bastard, had stolen all the limelight!

“Let’s go back, Sister.” The siblings turned, but as they passed behind the screen wall, they heard faint whispers of servants. “If you ask me, the Eldest Young Lady is a bringer of misfortune, an unlucky star.”

“She killed her mother at birth, later she stole Second Young Lady’s marriage, and today she stirred up this fuss…”

The siblings exchanged glances, tacitly pausing their steps.

…

With His Highness present, Xie Zhan hardly dared to speak, shrinking quietly into the corner, pitiful and small.

As Xie Yao was still not close to him, upon returning to the Crown Prince’s residence she instructed Yuyan to take him to his quarters, bathe, change clothes, then rest, and later join them for the evening meal.

When they met again, Xie Zhan had changed into new clothes. The fitted, fresh garments made him look much more spirited.

Still a little reserved, he saluted awkwardly. “Crown Prince, Crown Princess…”

“Call me Elder Sister.” Xie Yao beckoned. “We’re family, no need for such formality.”

At dinner, Xie Zhan ate little. Seeing his unease, Xie Yao had someone escort him to rest early.

Zhuqing then brought the nourishing soup Xie Yao had ordered the kitchen to prepare, before quietly withdrawing.

Xie Yao personally carried it and set it before Xiao Ji. “Your Highness has been tired lately, so I had the kitchen make this soup to nourish your body.”

Xiao Ji paused, lowering his gaze to glance at the soup.

Having long studied countless medical texts during his illness, he fancied himself well-versed in remedies.

This soup…

His throat moved as he asked, “Crown Princess, are you implying something to me?”

What Xie Yao had meant was an ordinary nourishing soup, she never imagined Zhuqing and the kitchen staff would misunderstand.

So she answered solemnly, “I was simply worried for Your Highness.”

Xiao Ji laughed in anger, his eyes fixed on her. “Crown Princess, last night the one who said no… was not me.”