Chapter 72: The Crown Prince’s “Punishment”

When Xie Cheng rushed back, what he saw was this scene: a pointing and gossiping crowd, the Xie household almost reduced to ashes, and his mistress with her son and daughter huddled together, shivering in fear.

Xie Cheng’s eyes nearly split open with rage.

“Xie Yao! You defied fatherly authority and rebelled against your own father! You….”

He raised his hand to strike Xie Yao, but before he could even get close, someone blocked him.

“Thanks to Father’s fine teaching.” Xie Yao sat on the grand master’s chair, lifted the teacup by her hand, and took a delicate sip.

Xie Cheng almost fainted from fury. He had only wanted to take revenge on the Zhao family for their disrespect, yet he had never expected Xie Yao to flip the table entirely.

Such, such…!

Looking at the devastated Xie residence, Xie Yao finally felt the anger inside her settle.

“Instead of being angry with this Crown Princess, Father would do better to think about how to face the censors’ impeachment tomorrow morning.”

It was true that he had gone to the Zhao family.

It was true that the old madam had fainted and a court physician had been summoned.

And everything smashed today by the Crown Prince’s soldiers were things belonging to the Zhao family, or given by them.

Piece by piece, Xie Cheng could not possibly deny them.

Today’s incident had been led by her, but with her uncle and aunt present and personally accusing Xie Cheng, the censors’ impeachment would never fall on her head.

Just then, a guard’s voice sounded outside: “The Crown Prince has arrived…”

Everyone turned toward the entrance.

Xiao Ji strode in, his gaze locking precisely onto Xie Yao amidst the crowd.

Seeing Xie Yao about to rise to greet him, he quickened his pace and firmly supported her hand. “Remain seated.”

This considerate, gentle manner of the Crown Prince made Xie Yuru’s eyes burn red with jealousy.

She could not help but stand up. “Your Highness, elder sister has gone mad…”

“Slap her.” Xiao Ji’s icy voice cut through.

At once, an old matron stepped forward and slapped her.

Xiao Ji’s gaze was cold as he swept across the crowd. “The Crown Princess of this heir is not someone you may slander.”

He had just left the palace when he heard that Xie Yao had stormed the Xie household.

He rushed over immediately, fearing the Crown Princess would be bullied.

“Your Highness,” Xie Yao rose and said, “I was just about to leave.”

Everything had already been smashed. To remain here even one second longer with these people disgusted her.

“Good, let’s go.” Xiao Ji agreed without hesitation, wrapping his arm around Xie Yao as he led her out.

When Xie Yao passed by her father, her steps paused. Her gaze was cold, but her lips curved into a sweet smile. “Father. This time it ends like this. There must not be a next time.”

Her voice was warm, yet every member of the Xie family shuddered.

She was mad; Xie Yao had truly gone mad.

Since Xiao Ji and Xie Yao were leaving, the Zhao uncle and aunt naturally did not remain either.

They parted ways and boarded their own carriages.

Only then did Xie Yao ask, “Your Highness, was I willful today?”

After all, she had taken the household guards out without his leave.

Xiao Ji’s expression darkened. “And what does the Crown Princess think?”

Xie Yao’s heart tightened. She immediately yielded, saying, “Your Highness, I was wrong.”

Xiao Ji lifted his eyes. “Wrong in what way?”

“I should not have left without Your Highness’s permission, I should not have…”

“Xie… Yao.” The veins at Xiao Ji’s temple bulged as if he could bear no more. He cut her off, his tone icy, “Say that again?”

Xie Yao blinked. “I…”

Before she could speak further, Xiao Ji silenced her with a forceful kiss.

“Mm—”

Her eyes widened.

His kiss was fierce and urgent, as if in anger, punishingly biting her lips.

The sting brought tears to Xie Yao’s eyes. She clutched his neck tighter.

Seeing this, Xiao Ji’s kiss gradually softened, easily drawing her into surrender.

The two of them were already deeply familiar with each other’s bodies. Even with only a kiss, Xie Yao was stirred into desire.

When the long kiss finally ended, Xie Yao’s eyes shimmered with liquid light, her breath uneven, as if longing for more.

Xiao Ji had abstained for several days already and was burning with need, his dark eyes turbulent, faintly tinged red.

Yet he still lowered his head tenderly to peck her lips again, his voice hoarse. “Yao-yao, your body is not suited.”

Xie Yao lowered her lashes, trembling slightly, and buried her head against his chest. Her voice muffled, “Your Highness, it is suited.”

She carried the Blessed Pregnancy constitution. Once pregnant, her fetus would remain stable. This matter would not harm the child.

It was not only His Highness who desired her.

She too longed for him.

A dark gleam flickered in Xiao Ji’s eyes. He held her tighter. “Truly?”

“If Your Highness does not believe, you may ask the court physician.” Xie Yao’s face was flushed scarlet. She dared not meet his gaze.

Her words made it sound as though she was… eagerly expecting.

Xiao Ji recalled that the physician had indeed said her constitution was excellent.

“Yao-yao.”

He bit lightly at her ear. “When we return to the residence, I shall discipline you further.”

For now they were in the carriage. No matter how much he wanted her, he would not overstep here.

That was his respect for his wife.

Xie Yao could not help tilting her head and giving his neck a playful bite.

Xiao Ji drew a sharp breath. “Enough!”

If she kept teasing him like this, even a saint could not endure!

Because of her bite, she was once again “punished” by Xiao Ji. Gasping for breath as she straightened her clothes, she hurried to change the subject. “Your Highness, why did His Majesty summon you today?”

Her voice was both sweet and sultry. Xiao Ji suppressed the pounding in his heart. “Someone in court proposed that I go to Nanzhou.”

“What?”

Xie Yao jerked upright, shock and confusion written on her face. “Then…”

Xiao Ji reached for her hand, adjusting her robe for her. His long, warm fingers brushed against her skin, sending shivers down her body.

“Does Yao-yao wish for me to go?”

Leaning softly against him, her hand captured in his, she lifted her eyes. “Your Highness wishes to go.”

He lowered his head, pressing a kiss at her temple. “It was Xiao Hong’s men.”

“Your Highness!”

Xie Yao shot up straight again, only to be pressed back down by his hand, bouncing against his wrist.

But she had no mind for playfulness, only saying urgently, “Then Your Highness must not go.”

Xiao Hong harbored ill intent. By suggesting this, he surely sought to trap His Highness in Nanzhou as well.

“I must.” Xiao Ji finished arranging her clothes, his hand slowly sliding down to rest over her lower abdomen.

“I will leave Si-nan here in the capital, to protect you fully…”

“No.” Xie Yao rejected firmly. “If Your Highness truly does this, then… I can only accompany you myself.”

Her gaze was resolute. “If Your Highness goes, Si-nan must go too.”

She knew Si-nan’s martial skills were exceptional, capable of guarding him.

Xiao Ji’s eyes softened. Without the least trace of desire, he pulled her close. “Very well. I will do as the Crown Princess says.”

Relieved, Xie Yao exhaled. “Your Highness… when will you depart?”

“Tomorrow morning,” he replied.

As they spoke, the carriage arrived at the Crown Prince’s residence.

Xiao Ji carried Xie Yao down from the carriage. In perfect tacit understanding, the two headed straight for the main quarters, with all the servants waiting outside in the courtyard.

Xiao Ji set her down on the bed. Xie Yao raised her hand, hooked his belt, pulled him down, and whispered something in his ear.

Lowering his head, Xiao Ji murmured, “Since Yao-yao has given her word, do not regret it later.”