Chapter 81 – Xie Yao Was Nothing but a Seductress

When Xiao Hong said this, he carried the look of someone enduring humiliation and great sacrifice.

That Wei Chan had neither chest nor waist… how was she anything like a woman?

A woman should have been like Xie Yao.

To marry such a wife, he truly felt wronged.

The Noble Consort cast Xiao Hong a glance and said, “Since that is so, Hong’er should put more thought into Wei Chan.”

“Yesterday, this palace tested your father’s intentions.” The Noble Consort shook her head slightly.

Xiao Hong pressed his lips tightly together, a flash of unwillingness passing over his face, and finally could not help asking, “Mother Consort, what exactly is Father’s intention?”

“Xiao Ji is about to die, the third prince is cowardly and foolish, the fourth is nothing but a reckless brute, and the fifth is only three years old this year.”

“Besides me, could Father really rely on anyone else to share his burden?”

“Hong’er!” The Noble Consort’s tone carried a hint of warning. “Words like these, you must never say again in the future.”

Xiao Hong curled his lips, but only said, “Mother Consort, rest assured, I understand.”

“So long as you can secure the Wei family, Xie Yao… you may dispose of her as you please.” When she mentioned “Xie Yao,” the Noble Consort’s voice carried a trace of disdain.

A seductress who served others with her beauty.

And in just a few encounters, she had already bewitched her Hong’er.

Xiao Hong was overjoyed, patting his chest at once. “Thank you, Mother Consort.”

The Noble Consort added, “Play as you will, but keep your measure. At this moment, the Wei family must come first.”

“Yes, Mother Consort.”

…

When Xie Yao returned to her courtyard, she continued reading the other letters.

They recounted in detail Xiao Ji’s daily life in Nanzhou.

Though they were only daily matters, Xie Yao could still glimpse Nanzhou’s current situation through them.

Half of Nanzhou City had been submerged by floodwaters. Though the waters had receded somewhat, the lower parts of the city still remained flooded.

Because Pei Chen had evacuated the people in advance, most of the commoners were unharmed. Only a small number had been swept away by the waters.

With the small boats Pei Chen had prepared beforehand, he managed to rescue many of those unwilling to abandon their homes.

These people had already been separated in advance, and with the Zhao family’s medicines prepared beforehand, it seemed there would not be any major disaster.

Confirming this, Xie Yao let out a small sigh of relief.

“Crown Princess, the physician of the residence has arrived.”

Zhuxin entered from outside. Seeing Xie Yao nod, she turned back to bring the physician in.

The physician took Xie Yao’s pulse.

This time was different from the last, her slippery pulse was now extremely clear. The physician lowered his head, not daring to think too much.

“Congratulations, Crown Princess. Your pulse is round and flowing like rolling beads; it is the sign of pregnancy. Your body is strong, and your pulse is very steady.”

Xie Yao’s hand dropped to her lower abdomen. Having already expected this, she was not surprised. “This matter has already been agreed upon with His Highness. Before three months are complete, it must not be made public. I ask the physician to keep this secret.”

The physician immediately bowed. “Yes, Crown Princess.”

Even if the Crown Princess had not said so, he would never have dared to speak carelessly as he was His Highness’s man.

“For a woman with child, write down all the foods she must avoid and all points she must take care of. Give them to Zhuxin.”

This time was not the same as the previous lifetime.

In her last life, the two children she had never even seen with her own eyes had relied entirely on her blessed body of good fortune to survive and be born safely.

This time…

She was determined to protect herself well, as well as the child in her womb.

“Yes,” the physician agreed, following Zhuxin into the next room to explain all matters in detail.

Xie Yao placed her hand over her still-flat belly, the corners of her lips lifting.

Her child would receive the best of everything this world could offer.

…

After two more days, Zhao Hao had become Master Qingshan’s disciple’s disciple, and with Zhao Ying’s safety confirmed, the old Madam Zhao’s health immediately improved.

Thus, Xie Yao brought Xie Zhan back to the Crown Prince’s residence.

In the Zhao household, Xie Zhan had enjoyed the love of the elders and received many gifts. When leaving, he felt reluctant.

Just as he boarded the carriage, he presented all the gifts with both hands to Xie Yao. “Elder Sister…”

Xie Yao frowned. “Why are you giving them to me? These are gifts from Grandfather and the others to you.”

Xie Zhan still looked somewhat restrained. “These… should have been Elder Sister’s.”

“Since they were given to you, then they are yours. Keep them well. As my, Xie Yao’s brother, you must not shrink back or act timidly.”

“Ah-Zhan, in the future, Elder Sister will still be relying on you to support me.”

Xie Zhan was stunned, his eyes suddenly lighting up. He nodded heavily. “Rest assured, Elder Sister!”

As soon as they returned to the Crown Princess’s residence, Zhuxin hurried inside. “Crown Princess, the Xie family is making a scene.”

On the way to the Xie family, Zhuxin briefly explained.

Today Song Wenbo had gone to the Xie residence to take Xie Yujiao back to the Song household, but both Xie Yujiao and Madam Zhang refused.

However, Master Xie would not allow Xie Yujiao to remain in her natal home.

Hearing this, Xie Yao laughed. This was a commotion she certainly wanted to witness.

The moment she entered, she heard Song Wenbo’s dark and arrogant voice. “Xie Yujiao is my Song family’s woman. Until there is a formal divorce, she must return with me. Otherwise, she is unchaste!”

What a barking dog!

Yet Master Xie sat beside his mistress Qingqing, silent. Madam Zhang embraced Xie Yujiao, her eyes red with anger.

“Song Wenbo! You shameless man! You humiliated my daughter, and now you expect her to continue living with you?”

“A divorce, there must be a divorce!”

Song Wenbo looked unafraid, turning lazily to salute Master Xie. “Father-in-law, what is your opinion?”

Though Master Xie’s face was unsightly, he did not embarrass Song Wenbo. “The son-in-law speaks correctly.”

“Father!” Xie Yujiao cried out in disbelief, staring at Master Xie. “How could you treat me like this?”

Master Xie frowned. “You were the one who insisted on marrying him. If you clamor for a divorce now, what will become of your younger sister? What will become of the Xie daughters’ chances at marriage?”

Xie Yujiao’s eyes grew even redder. Just as she was about to speak, she caught sight of Xie Yao being supported into the hall.

Xie Yao!

It was all because of Xie Yao!

She had stolen everything that should have belonged to her!

Clearly, it should have been her who was now the noble Crown Princess!

“Greetings to the Crown Princess.” Upon seeing Xie Yao, everyone quickly bowed. Even Song Wenbo restrained some of the arrogance in his eyes.

Xie Yao walked step by step to the main seat with unmatched grace.

Her gaze fell upon Xie Yujiao. “Father speaks the truth. Second Younger Sister, you must also think of Third Sister and Xie Jing’s future marriages.”

In her last life, had Madam Zhang not said these very words?

Having a divorced elder sister would disgrace the Crown Princess and tarnish her reputation.

“There is no rift between husband and wife that cannot be overcome. Scholar Song has personally come to take you back; you should not put on airs.”

“Crown Princess!” Madam Zhang could not hold back, her voice sharp. “Do you know how Scholar Song has treated Jiao’er? He…”

She truly could not speak it aloud.

To reveal it would only bring humiliation and hurt to Jiao’er.

To Song Wenbo, it was nothing but a matter of pleasure.

Madam Zhang’s voice choked. “Jiao’er is your younger sister.”

At this moment, the mistress Qingqing sitting beside Master Xie dabbed her eyes with tears. “Crown Princess, now Ru’er is also your younger sister…”

“Shut up!” Madam Zhang scolded furiously. “What are you? Do you have the right to speak here?”

Qingqing immediately wept and sobbed. “It is all my fault. I have displeased Madam…”

“Madam Zhang.” Master Xie at once reproached Madam Zhang. “Lady Qingqing is a guest. Is this your way of treating a guest?”

Madam Zhang felt utterly aggrieved.

Xie Yao watched this scene and could only laugh.

How familiar it was…

In the past, had Madam Zhang not always acted weak before Master Xie in the same way?

Now, Qingqing used this trick against her.

“Both Madam and Lady Qingqing are right. All are sisters of this palace, and naturally, this palace cares for them equally.”

Xie Yao interrupted the farce, turning to Song Wenbo. “Scholar Song, this time this palace will give you one more chance…”

“Crown Princess!” Madam Zhang’s scalp tingled, and she screamed aloud.

No, she absolutely could not let her daughter return to that hellish Song household!

Xie Yao turned her head toward Madam Zhang, her expression calm, her gaze cold as water. “Madam, what is it you wish to say?”