Chapter 67: The Crown Princess Worries About Another Man, What Should Be Done?

Xiao Hong nodded. “Arrange for some men to shadow Pei Chen in secret. If something truly happens in Nanzhou, or if he discovers anything…”

“Kill him!”

His hand sliced across his throat, eyes brimming with murderous intent.

Pei Chen wasn’t a fool. If he couldn’t be used, then he was an enemy. No need to let him live.

The young man before him was Li Shangshu’s eldest son, Xiao Hong’s cousin, Li Ze. He smiled broadly. “Your Highness is wise.”

Xiao Hong’s lips curled upward, unable to conceal his pride and self-satisfaction.

Li Shangshu pondered a moment before saying, “Your Highness, the Wei family is returning to the capital. The young general of the Wei clan has a legitimate younger sister, just the right age for you.”

Xiao Hong frowned. “Uncle, you want me to marry her? She’s Xiao Ji’s cousin.”

Recently, his tastes leaned toward women with fuller figures, and he had no interest in marrying for politics.

Li Shangshu said calmly, “The Wei clan is returning, and now the entire Zhenbei Army will now be under control of the young general of Wei clan. So marrying his sister secures the Wei family’s support. It isn’t as though you must treat her with respect.”

“If you don’t like her, marry her and set her aside. When Your Highness ascends the throne, you may favor whomever you wish.”

Xiao Hong’s mind immediately conjured up the image of Xie Yao.

In that case, wouldn’t he be able to…?

He was swayed. “Very well, I’ll follow Uncle’s advice.”

——

That morning, Xie Yao had only just asked Zhuxin to seek another physician. By afternoon, Xiao Ji brought a female physician straight to her chambers.

“Your Highness?”

Xie Yao rose, startled.

Surely…he didn’t bring the physician to confront her, did he?

Xiao Ji’s face was calm. “Yesterday you said you weren’t feeling well. I summoned a female physician to examine you… in case you were injured.”

Xie Yao instantly understood his implication and her face flushed red. “N-no, I wasn’t!”

She was certain of it.

Her soreness and fatigue had already faded; she hadn’t been hurt anywhere else.

Clearly, His Highness underestimated her auspicious, fertile-body constitution.

Xie Yao’s voice was firm, tinged with reluctance. Still, Xiao Ji wasn’t reassured. “At least let her take your pulse for peace of mind.”

Xie Yao couldn’t refuse and extended her hand.

The female physician checked her pulse carefully for a long while before saying, “The Crown Princess is in excellent health.”

“Truly?” Xiao Ji asked again.

The physician nodded with confidence. “Absolutely, the Crown Princess’s health was even better than that of most women.”

Xie Yao beamed at Xiao Ji. “Your Highness, are you reassured now?”

He inclined his head, eyes carrying a hidden meaning.

But by nightfall, Xie Yao understood the real reason he had summoned the physician.

He had endless stamina, and once he had a taste, he craved more.

Learning that she was in robust health only spurred him further, night after night without pause.

Xie Yao had no choice but to order nourishing tonics brewed, lest Xiao Ji overexert himself and damage his body.

After all, his lifespan was said to be only two years, she had to protect him, for herself and for their child.

She had meant this as a way to remind him to take care of himself. But in his eyes, it became encouragement, almost as if she found him lacking.

And so, he worked even harder every night.

—-

The next few days passed in relative calm for the capital.

Another rainy day.

Xie Yao, soft and languid as a boneless cat, reclined on a couch reading. Xiao Ji was going through a letter from Pei Chen, who had sent word from Nanzhou.

On the surface, it reported only the water levels and the disaster relief efforts. But Xiao Ji could read between the lines, their correspondence carried a hidden code.

As he read, his expression darkened, coldness radiating from him.

Xie Yao sat upright. “Your Highness, is the situation dire?”

In her previous life, the levees of Nanzhou had collapsed. The local officials concealed it for a full month.

By the time the news reached the capital, Nanzhou was already in ruins: plague rampant, corpses strewn across the land.

Prince Xiao Hong had volunteered to lead disaster relief.

Instead, he had corralled the plague victims into the city and burned them alive, reporting false victories to the court to steal credit.

Later, only because a wandering physician developed a cure were some lives saved. She remembered the recipe and had even passed it to Zhao Ying earlier.

Now, with Pei Chen present and with her own preparations perhaps the people could be spared needless suffering.

“Mm,” Xiao Ji nodded. “The river in Nanzhou has risen. Cracks have already appeared in the levee.”

“Pei Chen and Si-dong dove underwater to inspect it. The levee wasn’t reinforced with river sand, but with weeds.”

“It will collapse within days.”

Without early precautions, countless innocents would have perished when the dam gave way.

Xiao Ji clenched his fists, a chilling gleam flashing in his eyes.

So this was Xiao Hong’s doing.

“And the people of Nanzhou?” Xie Yao, though sure Pei Chen would act, couldn’t help worrying.

“They’re being evacuated. Those in low-lying areas are moving to higher ground. Downstream, workers are dredging the river.”

He paused before adding, “Even the granary of Nanzhou…was already half emptied. Thanks to the food and medicine you and the Zhao family stored, relief came just in time.”

The situation was truly severe.

When word reached the capital, every official involved would be investigated, none could escape punishment. The conspiracy might even implicate those in the capital itself.

Those very people would certainly target Pei Chen.

Xie Yao frowned. “Your Highness, the Marquis of Zhenbei is in danger.”

“Mm.” Xiao Ji nodded. “The Crown Princess need not worry. Pei Chen has trained in martial arts since childhood, with natural strength. Few can injure him.”

Natural strength?

Xie Yao’s eyes widened in surprise, momentarily forgetting to defend her own concern.

After a thought, she added, “Your Highness, could you send men to guard Sister Ying as well? She…”

“Don’t worry.” Xiao Ji nodded. “She’s your sister. I won’t let harm come to her.”

—–

Several days later, before Xiao Ji received another letter from Pei Chen and Si-dong, an urgent dispatch arrived in the capital.

Floodwaters had broken through the levee in Nanzhou.

Fortunately, Marquis Pei Chen had anticipated it. He evacuated the people in advance, and when the levee burst, few lives were lost.

But the flood swallowed Nanzhou City, destroying countless homes.

The news spread across the capital like wildfire, shaking everyone.

The Emperor, furious, ordered Pei Chen to investigate thoroughly. The Ministry of Justice immediately sent men to assist in Nanzhou.

Within a single day, the capital was filled with unease, everyone’s eyes fixed on Nanzhou.

—-

“Your Highness.”

Si-nan entered at night, face grim. “The messenger pigeon has not returned.”

The appointed time had long passed, but no bird came back.

That could only mean something had gone wrong.

Xiao Ji turned toward the stormy night beyond the window, his expression equally grim.

“No word from Si-dong either?” he asked.

Si-nan shook his head. “Your Highness, I fear he has either been delayed or exposed.”

His Highness had four men; Dong (East), Nan (South), Xi (West), and Bei (North). Only he served openly by Xiao Ji’s side; the others remained hidden.

Xiao Ji pondered briefly. “Wait another day. Do not act rashly.”

If they moved carelessly, it might only worsen things.

“Your Highness.”

Though she knew he disliked outsiders entering his study, Xie Yao stepped inside carrying a food box, taking it from Zhuxin.

Xiao Ji frowned slightly, striding forward to touch her hand. Only when he confirmed her warmth did he relax.

Xie Yao said gently, “Your Highness hasn’t eaten all day. Please take something.” His frail body had to be cared for.

“Don’t worry. Marquis Pei Chen will surely return safe and sound.”

Xiao Ji paused, then pulled her into his arms, without a hint of desire.

Breathing in her scent, his restless heart finally quieted.

And yet…

His Crown Princess was truly worried about Pei Chen.

Still, he lowered his gaze and murmured, “Rest assured, Yao-yao. The Marquis of Zhenbei will be unharmed.”