Chapter 64:

“Your Highness?”

Xie Yao called again. Xiao Ji squeezed her hand. “That is not important.”

What mattered was that Master Wufa had personally declared that his Crown Princess was a blessed person. Now, even if the Imperial Diviner and the Zhang family tried to spread rumors that she was ill-omened…

It remained to be seen whether anyone would believe them.

Compared with the reclusive Imperial Diviner, the words of a monk as revered as Master Wufa carried far more weight.

Moreover…

He had given Master Wufa a generous gift.

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Xie Yao’s fingers lightly scratched in his palm.

Xiao Ji’s grip tightened, wrapping her soft little hand firmly in his own.

When they returned to the study, Xie Yao suddenly thought of something. “Your Highness, since you are acquainted with Master Wufa, why not let him publicly clear your name?”

As he had done today.

“Rumors outside can be cleared. Rumors in the heart cannot.” Xiao Ji’s gaze darkened.

Xie Yao thought for a moment and quickly understood.

The gossip in the hearts of others did not matter. What mattered was the Emperor…

“Besides, it is not entirely false.” Xiao Ji had barely spoken when Xie Yao covered his mouth.

“It is!” For once, her voice carried a spoiled willfulness. “Your Highness is not allowed to say such things.”

His breath warmed her palm, making her hand ticklish, yet she did not withdraw it. Stubbornly, she held his gaze.

Xiao Ji caught her hand and answered with a low hum.

“And besides,” Xie Yao wrapped her arms around him, “Master Wufa already said I am blessed. With me by Your Highness’ side, everything will turn out well.”

She was truly grateful for Master Wufa’s words today.

That way, when good news came in the future, she could explain it with “blessed by fortune.”

“Mm.” Xiao Ji lowered his gaze to her, as though she alone filled his world.

…

Bang!

“Wretched girl!”

In Weiyang Palace, the Noble Consort raged, smashing everything in sight.

That day, realizing that the Imperial Diviner must have received false information, she had pushed him to speak prematurely to the Emperor. Afterwards, she had been looking for ways to remedy the mistake.

Since His Majesty still held doubts and had not truly acted against Xie Yao…

She decided to strike from outside.

Yet who would have expected Master Wufa to suddenly appear?

With his declaration, even though the Imperial Diviner had stood in the Zhang residence and said aloud that “Xie Yao is ill-omened,” the rumor could not spread.

Her flawless plan had been destroyed in an instant.

The Noble Consort was nearly sick with fury.

“That Xiao Ji is truly not simple.” Her voice dripped with resentment. “A man already on the verge of death…”

At that thought, a flash of cold light crossed her eyes.

If he was so eager to die, she would happily help him along.

She turned her glare on a palace maid. “Go! Find out exactly what Master Wufa said to His Majesty.”

Before her spies could uncover anything—

The Emperor had already summoned all officials of third rank and above to the Jinluan Hall.

Once everyone gathered, His Majesty spoke, “Master Wufa has foreseen that in half a month, flooding will strike the Nanzhou region.”

The court erupted.

But among the noise, a few exchanged uneasy glances.

The Emperor continued, “Nanzhou’s dams were reinforced just last year, so the situation should not be dire. But if disaster comes, relief must be sent.”

“Which minister is willing to go to Nanzhou?”

As the officials whispered, many still doubtful of the prophecy, Pei Chen stepped forward, kneeling on one knee. “Your Majesty, this minister volunteers.”

By that very afternoon, the argument over whether the Crown Princess was cursed or blessed was pushed aside by the pressing matter of the Nanzhou flood.

And the recently returned Marquis Zhenbei, Pei Chen, had taken on the mission of disaster relief.

…

Inside the Crown Prince’s study.

“Your Highness is truly wise.” Xie Yao’s tone brimmed with admiration.

She had been wondering who His Highness would send to reveal such news. Now that it was Master Wufa, not only would it save the people of Nanzhou, it also cleared her name.

Once the flood arrived as foretold, Master Wufa’s words that she was “blessed” would be engraved in everyone’s mind.

No one would dare attack her again.

Her Crown Prince truly missed nothing in his plans.

Looking into her sparkling eyes, Xiao Ji felt a satisfaction he could not describe.

He had been praised countless times since childhood for his brilliance. Yet the words from his Crown Princess sounded especially sweet.

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Xie Yao stepped closer, her eyes full of laughter. Then she added, “This mission for Marquis Zhenbei may be dangerous.”

Xiao Ji’s smile stiffened slightly. His tone turned unreadable. “The Crown Princess is concerned for him?”

“No.”

Her instinct was faster than thought, and she denied it at once. “I barely know Marquis Zhenbei. Why would I worry for him?”

Xiao Ji glanced at her, his expression still cool, but he said, “Before the dams collapse, he will be safe.”

Xie Yao nodded in understanding. Just half a month.

Before then, Pei Chen would have to handle disaster relief while also gathering evidence…

“Your Highness.” Xie Yao called again. “The Zhao family’s trading company has been storing up a great deal of grain and medicine…”

She didn’t need to finish. Xiao Ji had already understood.

Storing? Likely just purchased recently.

But he did not expose her thought, only replied, “I will inform Pei Chen. Since the Zhao family contributes to the relief effort, the court will not treat them poorly.”

Xie Yao’s smile grew brighter. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

Xiao Ji’s brows lifted. “And how does the Crown Princess intend to thank me?”

Xie Yao did not hesitate. She leaned close and planted a firm kiss on his cheek.

The moment it ended, Xiao Ji clasped the back of her head and pressed his lips to hers.

This kiss carried full dominance.

Xie Yao was left dizzy, collapsing weakly against his chest.

She had to admit that this man was frighteningly gifted in such matters. Only a short while ago, his kisses had been awkward and clumsy. Now, he was terrifyingly skilled.

In front of him, she had no strength to resist, forced to accept everything.

At last, Xiao Ji released her. She lay in his arms, panting, every movement a temptation.

Her eyes shimmered with feeling, her lips reddened and swollen, glistening wet and enticing.

“Your Highness.”

At that moment, a servant’s voice came from outside. “Master Xie has arrived.”

Her father entered, with Xie Yuru and Xie Jing trailing behind him. Clearly, both had been scolded, their faces dark with resentment.

But when Xie Yuru caught sight of Xiao Ji, her eyes lit up, her voice deliberately sweet. “Brother Crown Prince.”

Xie Yao: ???

Truly shameless!

Xiao Ji did not spare her a single glance, his gaze fixed coldly on Master Xie. His voice was cool. “Why has Master Xie come?”

Master Xie dared not posture, hastily replying, “Your Highness, this minister has come to beg forgiveness from Your Highness and the Crown Princess.”

Xie Jing bit his lip, seething with unwillingness. Xie Yuru, however, looked pitifully at Xiao Ji…

“Heh.” Xiao Ji chuckled, his eyes sweeping over them. “Beg forgiveness?”

Master Xie immediately ordered, “Bring them in.”

His servant dragged two tightly bound maids into the study, throwing them to the floor.

Only then did Master Xie explain, “It was my failure to discipline, which allowed others to act recklessly and spread slander about the Crown Princess within our household. But please, Your Highness and Crown Princess, rest assured, I have already cleansed the household and identified the culprits. I brought these two here to atone.”

“These two are yours to deal with, as you see fit!”

Xie Yao let out a cold laugh.

She looked straight at her father. “Master Xie, are you certain?”