Chapter 79: Is His Highness Experiencing Morning Sickness?

A flicker of emotion flashed through Xiao Hong’s eyes; astonishment, desire, and possessiveness, all quickly veiled. “Sister-in-law.”

Xie Yao arched her brows, her tone full of gentle concern. “Second Prince, last time… you weren’t injured, were you?”

Xiao Hong’s face instantly turned livid.

“Thanks to Sister-in-law’s blessing.” He wanted to say more, something indecent, but Wei Chan was still present…

“What a pity, then.” Xie Yao shook her head lightly, her expression tinged with mock regret.

Xiao Hong choked on his words, nearly fuming with anger.

“Third Young Lady.”

Xie Yao passed him by, her eyes and voice unusually soft.

Xiao Hong instinctively retreated half a step before realizing how humiliating it looked. With a snap of his sleeve, he turned and stalked away.

Wei Chan had only arrived in the capital two days earlier. Today was their first meeting.

Just then.

A maid came up from behind Xie Yao and returned to stand at Wei Chan’s side. “Young Lady, everything has been dealt with.”

Wei Chan glanced toward Xie Yao. “Crown Princess, be careful.”

Xie Yao suddenly understood. “Many thanks, Third Young Lady.”

So that was it.

It wasn’t that Xiao Ning had made no move today; it was only that Wei Chan’s people had foiled it.

Seeing how calm Xie Yao remained, Wei Chan understood as well. With a low chuckle she said, “I’m glad the Crown Princess doesn’t mind me meddling.”

“Of course not,” Xie Yao replied at once.

They had only exchanged a few more words when Xiao Ning began the official business, and both Xie Yao and Wei Chan went to take part.

Xiao Ning already held an account book. The Noble Consort had donated ten thousand taels of silver, and Xiao Ning herself offered eight thousand taels.

This placed Xie Yao in a difficult position.

As Crown Princess, she could not donate too little. If she gave less, the noble ladies would be reluctant to donate much either, and it would look miserly.

But if she gave a great deal, the credit would go to Xiao Ning.

Xie Yao signaled Zhuxin to present a banknote. “The Crown Princess donates eight thousand eight hundred taels.”

She would donate, no matter whose reputation benefited. As long as the money truly reached the disaster victims, that was what mattered. To her, such sums were trivial.

One after another, the families of the capital donated. Soon, Xiao Ning had amassed an enormous amount of silver.

“Princess He Yi.”

At that moment, Xie Yao said, “All the ladies here have contributed to aid the disaster victims. They are truly benevolent, women with the world in their hearts. To honor their virtue, I believe their names should be recorded. Why not copy today’s donation list into the official records, and once the relief has been carried out, copy out the expenditure accounts in full as well? That way, their good deeds will be remembered for generations.”

What she wanted was simple: transparency in the relief accounts. Giving the ladies a name in history was a bonus.

Xiao Ning’s smile stiffened.

So much money… to actually go to the disaster victims?

Were such wretches even worthy?

“The Crown Princess is wise,” Wei Chan said immediately, rising with a clear, ringing voice to support her.

“This is indeed a fine proposal,” came a solemn voice at the doorway. The hall fell into shocked silence. Everyone hastily rose and knelt. “Long live His Majesty! Greetings to the Princess Yongle!”

It was Emperor Kangxi and Princess Yongle themselves, arriving at Princess He Yi’s residence.

Princess He Yi hurried forward, pouting playfully. “Father, you came!”

The Emperor’s eyes softened. “Raising funds for disaster relief; He Yi, you have done well.

“And the Crown Princess’s suggestion is excellent.” His gaze settled on Xie Yao. “It shall be as the Crown Princess says.”

It was his first time meeting this daughter-in-law. She struck him as intelligent.

With the Emperor’s decree, the matter was settled. Xie Yao flashed Xiao Ning a bright smile.

She would personally keep watch over every line of those relief accounts.

Xiao Ning had better not slip up.

The Emperor did not stay long, but his appearance elevated the banquet to its climax.

After sending him off, Xiao Ning turned to Xie Yao. Her lips curved, but her eyes glinted with frost. “I have learned much from Sister-in-law today.”

Xie Yao smiled and inclined her head. “No need to thank me, Princess.”

She did not linger.

As she departed, Xiao Ning’s gaze burned with icy malice.

What a Crown Princess.

She dared pluck the fruit right from Xiao Ning’s hand…

Sensing the dangerous stare behind her, Xie Yao acted as though she noticed nothing, calmly taking Zhuxin’s hand to mount the carriage.

“Crown Princess.”

A familiar voice called from behind. “Allow me to escort you back to your residence.”

It was Wei Chan.

“I shall trouble you, Third Young Lady.” Xie Yao did not refuse. She wanted to take this chance to clarify the Wei family’s stance.

Though the Wei clan was the Crown Prince’s maternal family, and this young lady his cousin, still…

There was his frail health.

And Xiao Hong’s interest in Wei Chan today boded no good.

Wei Chan boarded the carriage. Together, they rode toward the Zhao residence.

“Since His Highness is away from the capital, I’ve been staying with the Zhao family, accompanying my ailing grandmother,” Xie Yao explained softly.

“The people the Crown Princess sent to the Wei household, I have met them,” Wei Chan said. “Many thanks for your care.”

Though she had not gone herself, Xie Yao had arranged help and sent many supplies to the Wei family.

Xie Yao smiled faintly. “It was all at His Highness’s instruction.”

Wei Chan raised her brows, studying her. When Xie Yao mentioned “His Highness,” her eyes sparkled, filled with tender affection.

Wei Chan’s heart softened slightly.

But then Xie Yao lowered her gaze, and her expression turned cool again.

Acting….she was very good at it.

In her last life, imprisoned so long, if she had not learned to act, to feign weakness, she would have died countless times over.

His Highness was a good man, her reliance along with their unborn child.

But that was all.

…

On the river, aboard the ship.

“Ugh—ugh.”

Si-nan stood by helplessly, watching his lord retch at the cabin window.

Xiao Ji vomited several times before finally stopping, clutching at his stomach.

He took the tea Si-nan handed him, sipped to rinse his mouth, and cleared his throat.

“Your Highness, the physician has arrived,” Si-nan said quickly.

For this journey, His Highness had not brought the Crown Prince’s household physician, but he had brought other physicians.

After all, they were traveling to a disaster zone. Physicians were essential.

“physician, please examine His Highness. What’s wrong with him?” Si-nan was flustered.

Out of nowhere, His Highness had begun vomiting that morning.

The smell of fish made him retch.

Even when the fish had been cleaned and prepared without any trace of odor, he still vomited…

Though born noble, His Highness had not grown up pampered, and he had never been a picky eater.

Si-nan’s mind raced. Could it be… another poisoning?

“This…” The physician felt the pulse for a long time before carefully saying, “There is no major ailment in His Highness’s body.”

“How is that possible?” Si-nan shot back at once. “He’s been vomiting all day!”

He quickly listed out every detail of His Highness’s condition.

The physician’s expression grew odd. At last, he said, “Perhaps it is my lack of skill, but I cannot find the cause. Yet His Highness’s symptoms remind me of… remind me of…”

Before he could finish, Xiao Ji said evenly, “A woman’s morning sickness.”