Chapter 76: Choosing a Male Concubine

Seeing the Crown Princess so calm and collected, Xu Ping’an also felt his own heart settle a little.

But Zhao Hao was different.

When he heard that Xie Cheng and Xie Jing were also here, his body, which had been trembling slightly, suddenly seemed to gain a kind of strength.

A blaze of determination lit in his eyes.

“Cousin.” Zhao Hao lowered his voice at Xie Yao’s side. “I won’t let you down!”

They walked together into the main hall.

Master Qingshan sat at the head seat, with Princess He Yi and Master Xie sitting to his left and right.

When they saw Xie Yao, both immediately furrowed their brows.

“Imperial Sister-in-law?” Xiao Ning gave a light laugh. “So Imperial Sister-in-law has brought your cousin to compete against your own younger brother?”

“You Xie family are truly amusing.”

Master Xie’s face was dark, his gaze at Xie Yao filled with displeasure.

Xie Yao unhurriedly sat down. “Princess He Yi, what you say isn’t right. They are both this palace’s younger brothers, how could I possibly play favorites?”

“We’ll just see which of them proves more capable.”

“The Crown Princess speaks well.” Master Qingshan set down his teacup, glanced first at Xie Jing, then at Zhao Hao. “Come along with me.”

He led them away with Xu Ping’an, leaving only three people in the hall.

“Crown Princess.” Xie Cheng’s eyes were ice-cold. “A word, if you please.”

The moment they were out of sight of others, Xie Cheng dropped all pretense, rage bursting forth. “Xie Yao! What exactly are you trying to do?”

“Don’t you forget what you promised me! Right now, take Zhao Hao and leave the Cui residence!”

Last time it was Xie Yao. This time it was still Xie Yao.

This lingering scourge!

Xie Cheng was fuming, while Xie Yao remained composed, sitting gracefully in her chair.

“Father, this palace knows you are anxious, but please, do not rush.”

“Today, bringing Hao here… is all thanks to Father.”

Xie Cheng’s pupils shrank. He thought of what he had done. Taking a deep breath, he said, “I can write a letter recommending him back into Lingshan Academy.”

“Now, take him away!”

He had naturally read Zhao Hao’s essays when arranging for his dismissal. That was why he was panicking now.

Seeing Xie Yao silent, Xie Cheng grew more agitated. “Xie Yao, are you going back on your word?”

“Don’t forget, Xie Zhan is still a son of the Xie clan.” And moreover, he was registered under Xie Cheng’s own name.

If Xie Yao refused to give him face, then she should not blame him if…

“Oh.”

Xie Yao answered languidly, “Father really is blessed with good fortune.”

Xie Cheng: ???

For a moment, he couldn’t understand what she meant.

Seeing that nothing he said moved her, Xie Cheng angrily flung his sleeve and stormed off. If he stayed, he feared he might be angered to death.

Xie Yao didn’t linger either, leaving the room to stroll about the residence under a servant’s guidance.

“Little Master Ping’an?” A familiar voice drifted over, tinged with ambiguous intent. “Since it’s our first meeting, this palace shall gift you a token of greeting.”

Xie Yao lifted her gaze.

Princess He Yi had intercepted Xu Ping’an.

At her gesture, a maid presented a jade pendant.

The princess bent down, intending to personally tie it to Xu Ping’an’s waist.

As she leaned, the view of her chest was displayed openly before Xu Ping’an’s young eyes. “Your Highness…”

Xu Ping’an quickly stepped back, snapping his gaze away, not daring to look.

“Princess He Yi!”

Xie Yao’s clear voice rang sharp as she strode forward, shielding Xu Ping’an. “Since Ping’an is like a younger brother to me, why not let me accept the gift on his behalf?”

That jade pendant…

Princess He Yi had a storeroom full of them.

Every man she fancied received one as her mark.

Xie Yao had not expected her to set her sights even on Xu Ping’an.

Xiao Ning straightened, a flicker of boredom crossing her features. “Imperial Sister-in-law does not understand. This jade pendant… I bestow only upon those fated.”

“Young Master Ping’an, do you truly not want this palace’s gift?”

Xu Ping’an bowed politely, voice courteous yet distant. “My teacher’s discipline is strict. I cannot accept rewards without merit. Many thanks for Your Highness’s kindness, but Ping’an is unworthy.”

Xiao Ning gave him a long look, and then suddenly smiled. “Doesn’t matter. There is enough time in the future.”

“If one day Young Master changes his mind, simply come to me at any time.”

She tossed the pendant back to her maid and departed.

“Many thanks to the Crown Princess for rescuing me.” Xu Ping’an bowed deeply.

Xie Yao returned a gentle smile, her eyes full of warmth. “Ping’an, no need for courtesy.”

“But… it is best not to accept anything from Princess He Yi.”

She paused, then added, “And unless absolutely necessary, avoid leaving the residence today. If you must, take sufficient guards with you.”

She truly meant it. She regarded Xu Ping’an as she would her own younger brother.

In her previous life…

She had met Xu Ping’an at the Song residence, where he had come seeking Song Wenbo as his senior fellow.

At that time, she had been imprisoned. Xu Ping’an had helped her then.

Such a good child, she would not allow Xiao Ning to ruin him.

Though he did not fully understand, Xu Ping’an still nodded. “Many thanks for your advice, Crown Princess.”

“And when we leave here, you must tell Master Qingshan of this matter.” She knew rumors of Xiao Ning’s scandal with Hu Lianyuan at Princess Yongle’s estate had already spread, though Xu Ping’an, still so young, likely did not know.

But as a member of the Cui clan, Master Qingshan would surely grasp the seriousness.

“Understood.” Xu Ping’an nodded again.

Before long, Master Qingshan’s study doors opened. He stepped out first, with Zhao Hao and Xie Jing following at his side.

Zhao Hao’s body trembled, but his eyes shone with excitement.

Xie Jing’s face was as dark as ink, head lowered in shame, his eyes filled with humiliation and unwillingness.

The outcome was plain.

Xie Cheng’s glare at Xie Yao was venomous, as though he wished to devour her alive.

Xie Yao merely returned a faint smile. “Brother Hao, don’t you have something to say to Uncle?”

Zhao Hao obediently stepped forward. “Many thanks, Uncle.”

Xie Cheng flung his sleeve in fury, forgetting even where he was, and stormed out.

Xie Jing shot them both a hateful glare before quickly following.

“Congratulations, Imperial Sister-in-law.” Xiao Ning was not at all displeased. She had only wished to act as go-between for Xie Cheng; what she desired had already been obtained.

Her gaze swept over Zhao Hao at Xie Yao’s side, a flicker of interest flashing in her eyes before she turned and left.

Xie Yao’s heart clenched slightly. She resolved to arrange more guards around Zhao Hao once they returned.

“Many thanks, Master Qingshan.” Xie Yao spoke to him with utmost respect.

He was in high spirits. “It is this old man who must thank the Crown Princess, for gifting me such a fine closed-door disciple.”

Xu Ping’an’s cheeks flushed at the praise.

“And as for Zhao Hao…” Master Qingshan continued, “I will recommend him to my eldest disciple. What does the Crown Princess think?”

An unexpected delight!

“Thank you, Master Qingshan.” Xie Yao bowed earnestly.

Zhao Hao quickly followed with his own salute.

But as soon as Xie Yao and Zhao Hao left, Xu Ping’an relayed her warning to Master Qingshan.

The master’s expression darkened at once, fury flashing in his eyes.

That Princess He Yi had set her sights on his disciple!

His face shifted through several emotions before he finally said, “Ping’an, the Crown Princess truly has your best interests at heart. Do as she advises.”

“Why?” Xu Ping’an’s wide eyes brimmed with puzzlement.

After a moment’s hesitation, Master Qingshan sighed. “So be it. You are precocious enough, better that I not hide it from you, lest you fall into her snares.”

“Princess He Yi’s private life is far from clean. Those to whom she gifts such pendants… are the male concubines she keeps.”

“Ping’an, she has set her eyes on you.”