Chapter 78: Missing His Highness So Much

That night.

Xiao Ji received Xie Yao’s reply.

Compared with his own brief words, Xie Yao’s envelope was packed full, stuffed with a thick stack of pages.

“Your Highness,” Si-nan said with a sly grin, “it seems the Crown Princess truly misses you.”

Xiao Ji kicked him out of the room, but as he held the letter, his heartbeat quickened all the same.

He felt a faint sense of anticipation.

Unsealing the letter, he found Xie Yao’s delicate small-script filling page after page, recording in detail everything she had been doing in the capital.

So meticulous it read like an official court diary.

As he read, he could not help but picture her image in his mind, her manner as she did these things, her expression, her voice.

The corners of his lips curved unconsciously upward.

At the end of the letter she wrote: “I am well. I only miss Your Highness, but I can endure it. I only wish for Your Highness’s safety.”

Xiao Ji pictured her saying this, her face charming whether in joy or in sulk, and it was as if her very scent lingered on the paper.

He found himself missing the Crown Princess.

Bang!

Just then, the entire ship lurched violently.

Before he could ask, Si-nan’s voice came from outside: “Your Highness, the ship has struck a reef!”

Xiao Ji quickly tucked the letter into his chest, close to his heart, and strode out to assess the situation.

Chaos reigned on board again.

“Your Highness!”

The young official who had offered to cover the rear the previous day now appeared, his face pale as he bowed. “A great hole has torn in the hull. Water is pouring in. It cannot be stopped. There are lifeboats, please, Your Highness, escape at once!”

The river was already turbulent, especially after so many days of heavy rain; the waters were anything but calm.

Xiao Ji frowned and moved to check for himself.

He had to descend from the second deck, but just as he stepped down the stairs, a sudden flash of steel streaked past.

“Die!”

The young official’s voice twisted with venom as he lunged, dagger aimed straight at Xiao Ji’s heart.

The attack was fast. Xiao Ji had not been on guard, and the distance between them was short.

The blade struck true.

Thud!

In the very next instant, Xiao Ji kicked him hard, sending him flying.

He pulled the dagger free. Its blade gleamed clean. Alarmed, he snatched the letter from his chest.

The letter, her letter was pierced straight through.

Had the thrust been any deeper, it might have pierced him as well.

Si-nan had already subdued the attacker, who now lay sprawled on the deck, coughing blood.

His eyes blazed with malice as he glared at Xiao Ji. “Die… you will die…”

But Xiao Ji’s expression was darker still.

Murderous intent radiated from him as he strode toward the youth, step by step. “You ruined my letter.”

Wha…what?

The young man blinked, stunned.

But then he sneered, laughing wildly. “Die! You’ll all die! Hahahaha, you’re all going to die!”

Xiao Ji’s hand clamped around his face, cutting off his manic howls.

His eyes glinted with cold fire as he stared into the man’s. “You and the one behind you will die.”

For a moment, the young official faltered, flinching under that gaze, a flash of fear crossing his eyes.

Xiao Ji gave no further chance. “Kill him.”

Si-nan did not hesitate. One stroke ended the youth’s life. With a kick, he sent the body into the river.

Only afterward did he ask, “Your Highness, shall we not interrogate him?”

“No need.”

Xiao Ji shook his head. “I already know whose man he is.”

“Your Highness is wise,” Si-nan said at once.

Xiao Ji gave him a glance. “Are all preparations in place?”

“Yes,” Si-nan replied. “A better ship is approaching now.” Xiao Ji had arranged such contingencies before boarding, boats placed along the route precisely to counter such plots.

Nodding, Xiao Ji looked out at the large vessel drawing near. “Send word to those in the capital; guard the Crown Princess well.”

They truly wished for him to never return alive.

…

These days, Xie Yao had been unusually sleepy, rising later each morning.

That day, she had barely risen when Zhuxin entered with a low voice, “Crown Princess, an invitation has arrived from Princess He Yi’s residence.”

Xie Yao accepted it and her face sank as she read.

It said that Princess He Yi was concerned for the people of Nanzhou and was hosting a banquet to raise relief funds. All the noble ladies were invited to donate.

Xiao Ning with such a kind heart?

Xie Yao did not believe it.

Though she had no proof, she had a strong hunch that this was aimed at her.

But Princess He Yi cloaked herself in righteous cause.

Even if Xie Yao wished to decline, as Crown Princess she could not. She had to lead by example.

—-

The next day.

After a few days of relative calm, the capital once again bustled with excitement, the day of Princess He Yi’s charitable banquet.

By the time Xie Yao arrived, most of the wives and noblewomen of the capital were already present.

“Elder Sister-in-law.”

Princess He Yi herself came to greet her, smiling radiantly. “Elder Sister-in-law is compassionate. I knew you would come.”

Xie Yao wore a polite smile. “Since Princess holds the people of Nanzhou in mind, how could I, as Crown Princess, not attend?”

Soon, she was escorted into the main hall, seated with tea and refreshments set before her.

But wary of Xiao Ning, Xie Yao ate nothing.

Even so, when a maid came to change the tea, she clumsily spilled it over Xie Yao’s skirts.

Xie Yao stiffened at once.

The maid fell to her knees in panic, kowtowing. “Forgive me, Crown Princess, forgive me, I did not mean it!”

“Rise,” Xie Yao said gently, her eyes cool as she fixed the maid’s face in memory.

Xiao Ning smiled apologetically. “Elder Sister-in-law, the girls in my house are so clumsy, I am sorry. Since Elder Sister-in-law is so kind and bears no grudge, then hurry, take her to change her clothes.”

Hearing this, how could Xie Yao not understand?

So it was to be a matter of reputation.

Xiao Ning herself cared nothing for her own virtue, consorting privately with countless men, yet she so often used the word “chastity” to ensnare others.

How laughable.

As she left with the maid, Xie Yao shot Zhuxin a meaningful glance.

She had been certain Xiao Ning would scheme. Yet after she changed and returned to the courtyard, nothing happened.

Had she misjudged Xiao Ning?

“Charming Younger Sister, long time no see, you grow more radiant than ever.”

Xie Yao turned at the familiar voice.

There stood the Second Prince, with his back to her, speaking to a tall, dark-complexioned woman.

Another unfortunate capital lady caught in Xiao Hong’s snare.

“Wei Chan greets the Crown Princess.” The woman turned and saluted awkwardly, her bright star-like eyes open and guileless, tinged with charm.

At once, Xie Yao recognized her.

The third young lady of His Highness’s maternal Wei clan, di-born sister to the Major General Wei currently serving with the Northern Frontier Army.

Xiao Hong stiffened, whipping around.

The moment he recognized Xie Yao, his eyes filled not only with hatred, but also with fear.