Chapter 74: The Second Prince Is Truly Twisted

Xie Yao had almost used all her strength. Xiao Hong had not guarded against her at all, and caught completely off guard, he let out a shrill cry of pain, his whole body curling up on the ground like a boiled shrimp.

His hands clutched between his legs, and his face looked as if a paint box had been knocked over—ugly beyond compare.

“Pathetic.”

Xie Yao gave a cold laugh and turned to leave.

The guards outside heard their master’s cry and burst the door open. Just as they were about to block Xie Yao and her companions, Lin Xia stepped forward and held them off.

Xie Yao did not forget to sneer, “You’d better go check whether your master has been completely ruined.”

The guard froze, and hurried to Xiao Hong’s side. Meanwhile, Xie Yao led her two attendants swiftly downstairs. With the Crown Prince’s soldiers guarding her on all sides, she walked straight out of the inn in broad daylight.

“Your Highness, you struck so well just now! But…the Second Prince…” Zhuxin looked worried, “Will he do something to Cousin after this?”

“Don’t be afraid,” Xie Yao replied. “Sister Ying isn’t in his hands.”

“Ah?”

Zhuxin was stunned. “But the golden abacus—”

“It was only a forgery,” Xie Yao said casually.

Sister Ying had been a merchant for many years. It wasn’t a secret that she had a golden abacus symbolizing the Zhao family. But only she and Xie Yao knew that inside the real abacus, in a spot extremely well-hidden, was a tiny character “Yao” that she had begged Sister Ying to carve when she was a child.

The one she received today did not have it.

“Then why did you still…”

“Because I wanted to hit him.” That look in Xiao Hong’s eyes had made her want to gouge them right out.

But just giving him one beating really didn’t relieve her anger.

Xie Yao took the handkerchief that was handed to her, and carefully wiped down her right hand as though she were cleaning off filth.

“I never thought it would end up pleasing him.” Twisted.

She glanced at the spotless handkerchief with disgust. “Throw it away.”

She felt filthy now. Even her hand seemed dirty.

With the Crown Prince’s soldiers escorting them, the carriage rolled toward the Zhao residence. This time, no one dared to stop them.

—-

Inside the inn.

A physician was summoned to treat Xiao Hong. After confirming that he had not suffered permanent damage, the Second Prince finally let out a long sigh of relief.

But the pain from earlier had carved itself into his bones.

The noble, pampered Second Prince, when had he ever suffered such humiliation?

“Bitch.”

Xiao Hong’s eyes seethed with hatred, but even more with the desire to conquer. “Refuse a toast, and you’ll be forced to drink a forfeit!”

“Give it some time, and you’ll see how this prince takes care of her!”

When that time came…

He would have that slut Xie Yao kneel before him, begging for his pity and affection.

Begging him to love her.

His eyes grew vicious as he glanced at his guard, voice chilling. “Everything is arranged?”

The guard lowered his head. “Please rest assured, Your Highness.”

Xiao Hong smiled, brimming with certainty.

Very good.

Without Xiao Ji, let’s see how arrogant she could still be!

He most enjoyed breaking the pride of such defiant women, forcing them to crawl like dogs at his feet.

—-

“Send word to His Highness. He must be cautious,” Xie Yao instructed Zhuxin. “For Xiao Hong to be so brazen today, I fear…”

If he had not reached the end of his schemes, how would he dare reveal his fangs so openly?

“Yes.” Zhuxin nodded at once.

Xie Yao then stepped through the gates of the Zhao residence.

She first went to Songhe Courtyard to see her grandmother.

She had to admit, the Crown Prince’s personal physician was truly skilled. After treating her grandmother yesterday, the old matriarch’s condition had already improved greatly by today.

“Yao-yao.”

Though worry for Zhao Ying still weighed in her eyes, the old lady brightened at the sight of her granddaughter.

Her warm hand clasped Xie Yao’s. “I heard about yesterday. He is still your father, after all…”

Xie Yao understood. Her grandmother wasn’t urging her to honor filial bonds, but reminding her that the Xia dynasty ruled through filial piety. Her father’s position naturally gave him leverage over her.

“Grandmother, Yao-yao knows what to do.” Her voice was gentle. “Besides, I brought uncle and aunt along. You won’t blame me for dragging the Zhao family into it…”

“Nonsense.”

Her grandmother patted her hand, but could not bring herself to strike harder; it was more a caress. “Your status is different now, and there are many eyes upon you. Grandmother cannot do much to help…”

Her voice choked with tears. “But fortunately…the Crown Prince treats you well. Even if I pass away, I can rest in peace…”

“Grandmother.” Xie Yao hugged her tightly. “That won’t happen. You will live a long and healthy life.”

She comforted her grandmother until the old lady had taken her medicine and fallen asleep, then rose and stepped out.

Outside, the Zhao household, once only anxious, now simmered with anger.

Something had happened?

“Your Highness,” Zhuxin whispered, “someone just sent word, Young Master Zhao has been expelled from Lingshan Academy.”

“For what reason?” Xie Yao’s brows furrowed.

Lingshan Academy was famed throughout the land, producing countless talents through the generations. Unlike the Imperial Academy, it judged only by virtue and learning, not birth.

Zhao Hao had been recommended by his teacher and admitted through examination.

He had only just enrolled, yet now he was expelled?

“They didn’t give one,” Zhuxin shook her head.

“Go find out,” Xie Yao ordered. “There must be a hidden hand behind this.”

She went straight to her aunt’s quarters.

Having been shaken yesterday by Zhao Ying’s troubles, today’s blow about Zhao Hao had only worsened her condition.

When Xie Yao arrived, her aunt was lying in bed.

“Yao-yao…”

She tried to rise, but Xie Yao pressed her down. “Rest, Aunt.”

“Don’t worry. I’m here.” She patted her aunt’s hand. This was likely connected to her, and she would never stand by idly.

“Yao-yao…” Seeing her niece’s calm composure, Zhao Hao’s mother felt a pang of shame.

She had been pampered as the youngest daughter in her family, and after marrying into the Zhao family, her mother-in-law and husband had doted on her as well.

Now she realized she was not even as strong as this young girl.

“Misfortune may be a blessing in disguise,” Xie Yao said. “There’s more than one academy under heaven. Brother Hao may yet find another place. With his talent, he will not go unrecognized.”

“But Aunt, you must take care of yourself. If you fall ill, and Brother Hao and Sister Ying worry for you, it will only distract them.”

“Yes, yes.” Her aunt agreed at once.

When Xie Yao stepped out, she saw Zhao Hao waiting in the courtyard. His eyes were still red, but the despair was gone, replaced with firm resolve.

He bowed to her. “Cousin, your words have cleared the knots in my heart.”

Since last autumn, when the Zhao family began preparing to move into the capital, he had been anxious to gain admission into one of the academies nearby.

Finally, after much effort, he had secured a place at Lingshan Academy.

But now, before he had even properly begun, he had been expelled.

The blow had been immense. Yet Xie Yao’s words had kept him from drowning in it.

Xie Yao only shook her head lightly. “Brother Hao, it is your own open heart that matters. With such a mindset, what could you not achieve?”

“Your Highness.” Zhuxin hurried in, clearly with news.

Though Zhao Hao was present, Xie Yao signaled for her to speak.

“The current head of Lingshan Academy was a classmate of Master Xie, and they are extremely close.”

Zhao Hao’s fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles cracked.

It was Xie Cheng’s revenge!

“Brother Hao, did you hear clearly?” Xie Yao asked. “This has nothing to do with you. It is Lingshan Academy that is blind.”

She thought for a moment, and then said, “Give me two of the policy essays you’ve written recently.”

Zhao Hao did not even ask why, handing them over immediately.

Xie Yao passed the essays to Zhuxin. “I recall His Highness once said that while Brother Hao may not be the most erudite, his perspectives and ideas are unique. Take these to the Cui residence.”

As for what came after, she trusted that Master Qingshan and Ye Ping’an would understand.

Though the favor Master Qingshan owed her could have been saved for greater use, she was willing to spend it for Zhao Hao’s sake.

She gave these instructions quietly, without telling the rest of the Zhao family.

Once that was done, she made her way toward a secluded courtyard.

There, the Zhao family had settled some old servants of the Xie family brought to the capital last year.