Chapter 77: His Highness’s Protection

Xie Yao and Zhao Hao had just returned to the Zhao residence when they saw servants of the Xie family waiting outside the gate.

“Crown Princess, Master is unwell. He requests Second Young Master return to the estate to attend upon his illness,” the steward of the Xie family said evenly, neither humble nor overbearing.

Since Xie Yao had officially placed Xie Zhan under his birth mother’s name, she had naturally already introduced him to the Zhao family.

This was obviously retaliation.

But a clumsy one, without much thought.

Xie Yao gave the steward a cool glance. “My grandmother fainted from Father’s anger, and only with Ah-zhan by her side has she begun to improve. Does Father intend to fight Grandmother for him?”

Using filial duty to suppress filial duty.

The steward dared not press further and soon slunk away in defeat.

News quickly spread that Zhao Hao had caught the attention of Master Qingshan and was to be recommended to his most senior disciple.

The heavy cloud that had hung over the Zhao household since Zhao Ying’s disappearance lifted somewhat.

But their attention soon turned to Xie Zhan. “Yao Yao, though you dismissed the steward for now, I fear this will only delay things for a while.”

Xie Yao nodded. “I have already made arrangements.”

She cast a reassuring look at Xie Zhan. “Don’t worry, with Elder Sister here, nothing will happen.”

Once outside, Xie Yao’s expression hardened. “No word from Madam Zhang?”

How could she allow Xie Cheng and Xie Jing to still strut around unchecked?

Zhuxin quickly shook her head. “When Momo Liu went to the Song residence that day, she never even saw the Second Young Lady. I fear Madam is still kept in the dark.”

Fool.

She had already hinted so clearly…

“Then make the message clear,” Xie Yao ordered. “After all, she is still my younger sister. I cannot bear to see her suffer forever.”

“Yes,” Zhuxin answered at once.

…

That night.

Zhuxin entered. “Crown Princess, everything is arranged. Madam Zhang has gone to the Song residence.”

Xie Yao had already planted people in both the Song and Xie households. She could easily have found a way to help Xie Yujiao escape.

But that would not do.

Far more shocking was for Madam Zhang, who cherished her daughter above all else, to witness with her own eyes the misery of Xie Yujiao.

It was almost too merciful a fate for Xie Yujiao.

Only two days of her dream life and already shattered.

“Keep watch,” Xie Yao instructed. Zhuxin withdrew.

Alone, Xie Yao sat in her chamber.

She turned her gaze southward. It had been two days. Where was His Highness now? Was he safe?

This time, heading south, travel by water was fastest.

He must be journeying by boat. It would be difficult to send messages while at river, and so she had received nothing.

But news soon arrived about Madam Zhang.

She had gone to the Song residence, at a most unfortunate moment.

She stumbled right into a scene of shameful debauchery. No matter how much she loved her daughter, no matter how much she despised Song Wenbo, Madam Zhang could only swallow her fury and grief in silence.

“Crown Princess.”

Zhuxin’s eyes sparkled, tinged with regret that she had not been present. “I heard the sight so frightened the people Madam Zhang brought with her that Scholar Song…”

A flash of wicked amusement gleamed in Zhuxin’s eyes, though she stopped short of vulgar words.

“After Madam Zhang took Second Young Lady away, the princess flew into a rage, calling Scholar Song a useless waste.”

Xie Yao’s tightly furrowed brows eased somewhat. “So lively today?”

“Yes indeed.” Zhuxin carefully watched her mistress’s expression as she described the scene in vivid detail.

…

Meanwhile.

Xie Yujiao was carried away in a carriage by Madam Zhang.

When Madam Zhang saw the state of her daughter, her heart broke with pain. “Jiao-jiao, you’ve suffered too much.”

Leaning in her mother’s embrace, Xie Yujiao sobbed until she nearly fainted, cursing Song Wenbo, Princess He Yi, her servants, and Xie Yao herself with venom.

Madam Zhang held her daughter tenderly, but another thought rose in her heart; Xie Cheng.

She recalled what Xie Yao had once told her.

That Xie Cheng had sold her daughter to secure Xie Jing’s future.

And now, after what she had seen with her own eyes, what was there not to understand? That day at the Cui residence, was it not Princess He Yi who had accompanied Xie Cheng and Xie Jing?

At that thought, a glint of cold fury flashed in Madam Zhang’s eyes.

She had known of the existence of those two illegitimate children, yet she had tolerated Xie Cheng.

But for him to cast aside her only daughter, for those bastards? She would never forgive!

…

The capital was lively that day.

And so was the river.

Crown Prince Xiao Ji led the expedition, accompanied by several court officials.

By virtue of his rank, he naturally occupied the finest “Heaven” cabin. At the moment, several officials were present with him.

Si-nan entered quietly. “Your Highness, they have come.”

At these words, several officials’ hearts leapt.

“They… have come?”

Before they could ask, the clash of blades rang out. The faces of the civil officials turned pale.

“An ambush!”

Screams broke out.

They rushed to the windows.

Indeed, someone on the inside had led river bandits over. At this moment, the boat was under attack.

“Your Highness, you must flee!” A young official’s face was white, but his voice was firm. “We shall cover the rear for Your Highness!”

Xiao Ji looked at him, and then lowered his gaze calmly. “No need.”

Since he had dared bring these men aboard, he had long since prepared countermeasures. As expected, the chaos was quickly quelled.

Only then did he turn back to the others. “Gentlemen, return to your chambers and rest.”

As for the hand behind this…

He did not even need to ask. It could only be Xiao Hong’s doing.

The officials now gazed at the Crown Prince with awe and admiration. Truly, he was worthy of being heir to the throne.

After dismissing them, Si-nan drew a letter from his sleeve. “A message from the capital.”

Xiao Ji’s expression softened as he took it and opened the seal.

But almost at once his brow furrowed, and a flash of killing intent passed through his eyes.

Xiao Hong… such audacity.

“Those who boarded today’s ship, cut off their heads and throw them before the Second Prince’s gates.”

His voice was ice-cold.

“Yes!” Si-nan obeyed at once and went to see it done.

After a moment’s thought, Xiao Ji sat at his desk and began to write a letter.

That spoiled little thing, always frightened of thunder and rain, always needing him to coax her to sleep…

Luckily, the weather had been clear. But without him by her side, was she resting well?

Xie Yao received the letter the next morning.

At the same time, news had spread that over a dozen severed heads had been found hanging before the Second Prince’s gates!

Witnesses said the wind made them sway in the air; terrifying to behold.

Paired with the letter in her hand, Xie Yao quickly guessed whose doing it must have been.

But she was not afraid. She calmly unfolded the letter.

The Crown Prince’s handwriting was familiar. The words were few:

“I am well. The Crown Princess need not worry.”

As she read, it was as if she could see the very image of him at his desk, brush in hand.

Her lips curved upward of their own accord.

Then she stepped to her desk, lifted her brush, and began a reply.

…

Second Prince’s residence.

Crash!

Xiao Hong had already smashed an entire room’s worth of objects, yet still his anger did not abate. “Why is he not dead?”

“Useless! All of you are useless!”

“You cannot even handle such a simple task, what use are you to me?”

“…”

“Get out! All of you, out!”

He had lost face enough today. No doubt the entire capital already knew.

At his roar, all the servants scrambled out.

But just then, footsteps approached. Someone dared enter despite his fury…

“Get out!”

Xiao Hong stormed about, not even sparing a glance at the intruder.

A strange voice replied, “Second Prince, I am here to help you.”

Xiao Hong’s body froze. He lifted his gaze, eyes narrowing. “…It’s you?”