Chapter 65: Yao-yao, Be Good

Xie Yao’s face held a smile, but it never reached her eyes; inside them was only ice.

Master Xie’s expression stiffened. He lowered his gaze, avoiding her eyes, and forced himself to say, “It was these two who spread the rumors.”

Xie Yao and Xiao Ji both stayed silent.

The study fell into a strange, heavy quiet.

“Elder Sister,” Xie Yuru’s voice rang out, sweet and coy. “I already asked them. They said it was because you used to bully them, so that’s why they said such things. And besides, what they said wasn’t wrong either.”

She gave a little huff, and then turned a tender gaze toward Xiao Ji.

“Shut up!”

Master Xie’s forehead throbbed with veins. Before coming, he had warned them countless times not to speak recklessly. Yet Xie Yuru…

“Apologize to the Crown Princess at once!” He scolded her sharply, and then turned back to Xie Yao. “Yao-yao, your younger sister is still childish and was misled by scoundrels. Do not take it to heart.”

He knew very well that Xie Yao was no longer the meek, easy-to-bully girl of the past. Her tail was practically raised to the heavens now.

Xie Yuru’s eyes reddened instantly. She looked at Xiao Ji, full of grievance. “Brother Crown Prince…”

“How is it that I have no memory of having such a younger sister?” Xiao Ji’s voice was cold, his black eyes falling on her.

Xie Yuru shrank back half a step in fright. This time, her face truly flushed red as she stammered, “I…I…”

“Apologize!” Master Xie’s tone grew heavier, warning flashing in his eyes.

Tears brimmed in Xie Yuru’s eyes. She bit her lip until it turned white, as if she had suffered a great humiliation, and muttered angrily, “I’m sorry!”

With that, she covered her face with a hand and fled the room.

Before Master Xie could speak, Xiao Ji’s icy voice cut him off. “Master Xie has taught his daughter well.”

Master Xie’s face paled. He understood, the Crown Prince was dissatisfied with Xie Yuru’s so-called apology. “Your Highness…”

“Someone, see them out.” Xiao Ji’s cold voice left no room for appeal.

Si-nan immediately stepped forward. “Master Xie, this way, please.”

Master Xie had no choice but to leave in disgrace, dragging Xie Jing with him. The moment they exited the Crown Prince’s manor, his expression darkened.

“Father,” Xie Jing looked at him anxiously, “what should I do? If His Highness refuses to write me a recommendation, how can I possibly become a disciple of Master Qingshan? It must be because Xie Yao said something against me before him… But I am her own brother! How could she treat me like this?”

His resentment boiled over.

“Enough.” Master Xie gave him a look. “I warned you both beforehand to be cautious. What on earth is wrong with your sister?”

Xie Jing’s gaze flickered. “I…I don’t know either. But Father, no matter what, Elder Sister and I share the same mother’s womb. If she becomes the Crown Princess…”

Master Xie frowned slightly, falling into silence.

…

In the study, after sending away the Xie family, Xiao Ji’s gaze settled on Xie Yao, dark emotions hidden within.

What a family!

They dared treat his Crown Princess this way.

“Your Highness?” Xie Yao noticed his look, tilting her head as she called softly.

At once, his eyes softened. Outside, the sky was heavy with rain and black clouds pressed low, but Xie Yao was bright and radiant.

“Someone come here,” Xiao Ji called out. “Xie…” He was halfway through his words when he glanced at Xie Yao, as if considering.

“Xie Yuru,” she whispered, reminding him.

“She clearly lacks proper discipline. I shall assign a momo to instruct her thoroughly in the rules of conduct.” Xiao Ji deliberately skipped saying her name, giving the order outward.

“Yes,” the steward outside responded and quickly went to arrange it.

Xie Yao blinked her lashes. “Your Highness, matters of the inner residence should fall to me.”

By custom, the Crown Princess ought to handle such things; a man usually did not concern himself with inner-court discipline.

Xiao Ji’s expression remained calm. “I told you before; I will always stand behind my Crown Princess.”

“Your Highness is so good.” Xie Yao sat down beside him, tilting her head up slightly to look at him. “How would you like me to show my gratitude?”

Her voice was soft and sweet, her eyes bright with playful light.

She was teasing him.

And he was willing prey.

His hand slid to her waist as he leaned down, murmuring in her ear, “Be good. Call me Brother Crown Prince.”

(In ancient China, especially among couples, women sometimes used “gege” (older brother) as a term of endearment. It carried a sense of intimacy, trust, and affection. In romance, it could sound both sweet and a little coquettish, especially when spoken in a soft or playful tone.)

His warm breath brushed her ear, and Xie Yao felt the tickle run from her ear all the way into her heart.

But with his arm locked around her waist, she could not escape.

“Your Highness…”

“Mm?” His teeth nipped lightly at her earlobe, a playful punishment.

It did not hurt.

But she still let out a soft gasp, her watery eyes glaring at him. “Since when did I become Your Highness’ younger sister?”

Xiao Ji pulled her into his arms, kissing down her neck. “Yao-yao, be good.”

Her hands clung to his shoulders, a low moan slipping from her lips. Her mind grew hazy, until under his coaxing she finally whispered, “Brother Crown Prince …”

…

News spread quickly that the Crown Prince had rebuked the Xie family’s third young lady for her lack of manners. A momo from the Crown Prince’s household personally went to the Xie residence to instruct Xie Yuru in proper rules.

Xie Yuru was furious.

With such words spoken by the Crown Prince himself, she could forget about marrying into any decent family. Every reputable household in the capital would scorn her as ill-bred.

Equally enraged was Madam Zhang.

Even with the Imperial Diviner himself moving against Xie Yao, that wretched girl had slipped away unscathed.

If not for her…

Hatred blazed in Madam Zhang’s eyes. She said to Momo Liu, “Summon Xie Yuru.”

Momo Liu looked awkward and muttered in a low voice, “Madam, she is still learning the rules. And indeed, her manners are…”

That Crown Prince really had done her a favor!

Madam Zhang choked, forced to back down. “Fine, let her come after she finishes learning.”

By the time Xie Yuru arrived, it was already late. Her posture was still defiant, yet she instinctively gave a formal bow.

Her expression immediately soured.

Damn Xie Yao!

She sat down with poor grace. “Madam, what did you want with me?”

With her father’s favor and her brother being his only son, she felt no need to put this old woman of the household in her eyes.

Disdain flickered in Madam Zhang’s eyes, though her face wore a perfectly measured smile.

“Why, of course, I only want to help you.” With such a brainless girl, Madam Zhang spoke directly.

Xie Yuru frowned. “Help me?”

Her smile deepened. “Help Third Young Lady enter the Crown Prince’s household.”

Xie Yuru bit her lip, then quickly looked at her with suspicion. “You, and so kindhearted?”

Madam Zhang said, “As you know, I only have one daughter, Yujiao. After she was harmed like that, how could I swallow the grievance?”

Xie Yuru believed her.

She nodded and asked, “So how will you help me? Can you even manage it?”

Madam Zhang almost choked. Truly, His Highness was wise so this foolish girl indeed needed a thorough education in etiquette.

But she forced herself to say, “If Third Young Lady trusts me, then follow my guidance. I guarantee you will get what you desire.”

Xie Yuru thought for a moment. “If you truly can help me, once I become Crown Princess, I will not treat you poorly.”