Chapter 83:- My Darling, Let This Prince Cherish You Well

Zhuqing’s face was full of anger.

She naturally knew about the Second Prince blocking their Crown Princess last time. Today, the Noble Consort clearly wanted to keep the Crown Princess in the palace.

And the Second Prince was also present…

The intention could not be more obvious!

“Crown Princess,” Zhuqing said anxiously, “why not simply refrain from entering the palace tomorrow?”

The imperial palace was the Noble Consort’s territory. The Crown Princess had no one trustworthy within, and the Crown Prince’s guards were not permitted to enter.

It was practically walking into a tiger’s den.

“This is an opportunity,” Xie Yao replied. “In the past, these matters were always handled by the Noble Consort. I have never managed them. The banquet for His Majesty’s Longevity Festival is the perfect chance to learn.”

If the Noble Consort had not intended to plot against her, how could she have possibly given her the chance to take part?

In the future…

She would have to do such things eventually.

“But…” Zhuqing was still worried.

“Weren’t today’s arrangements already rendered useless?” A flash of coldness glinted in Xie Yao’s eyes. “Now that I know their schemes, how could I fall into the same trap again?”

Her staying quietly at home was not because she feared trouble.

Xie Yao gave Zhuqing a reassuring look. “Do not worry.”

Meanwhile, inside the carriage returning Princess Yongle to her residence—

The old-looking matron at her side in truth held herself upright, eyes sharp as lightning. Her voice was calm yet orderly as she laid out the events of the day.

“I imagine the Crown Princess will not enter the palace again tomorrow. Having seen through the Noble Consort’s methods, she will surely know to avoid them.”

Is that so?

Princess Yongle thought for a moment, then said, “Not necessarily.”

“Your Highness thinks so highly of the Crown Princess?” The matron was slightly surprised. She then added, “This time, when Lord Zhao Hou was endangered, it was still the Crown Prince who led men to save him. To think back on how brilliant His Highness once was….what a pity…”

Yes.

What a pity indeed.

Princess Yongle spoke silently in her heart.

From birth, Xiao Ji had never been favored by his father, cast out to live in the Crown Prince’s residence beyond the palace.

The Noble Consort had schemed endlessly to harm him. If not for those left behind by the late Empress, he would have died countless times over.

And yet, even so, when he was young and had not learned to hide his brilliance, he was dazzlingly gifted.

Compared to him, all the young men of the capital had seemed dim and lackluster.

Seeing Princess Yongle close her eyes in weary rest, the matron said no more. The carriage fell quiet.

—–

The next day.

Before the palace attendants arrived, Xie Yao herself proactively entered the palace, ready to continue studying the case files.

But before she reached Weiyang Palace, another party intercepted her.

“Greetings, Crown Princess.” The palace maid smiled politely and introduced herself. “The Consort Shu requests your presence.”

Xie Yao nodded. “Please lead the way.”

The Emperor was not a man enamored of beauty; his harem was not numerous, and his children were few.

Aside from the late Empress, the one who ruled the harem with an iron hand was the Noble Consort.

She had borne the eldest princess Xiao Ning and the Second Prince Xiao Hong.

The Third Prince’s mother was merely a beauty, and though she had given birth to a prince, she was only granted the rank of Concubine. When the time came to grant titles, she would likely be elevated.

The Fourth Prince’s mother, the late Consort Zhaohui, had also been from a military family.

The Fifth Prince, however, was born of the Consort Shu. He was only three years old this year.

It was said that the Consort Shu’s family background was low. The Emperor, while traveling incognito, had fallen for her at first sight, bringing her into the palace four years ago.

Thus, though she enjoyed favor, all affairs of the harem were still monopolized by the Noble Consort.

—–

Yanxi Palace.

As Xie Yao stepped into the hall, the Consort Shu rose with a beaming smile to welcome her. “So this is the Crown Princess. Truly, such elegance; one glance is enough to delight the heart.”

The Consort Shu was young, her figure full, radiating a sense of vigorous life.

Only…

Xie Yao found herself looking twice. Something in the Consort Shu’s brows seemed familiar, yet she could not recall where she had seen it before.

“Greetings to the Consort Shu.”

Before she could finish speaking, the Consort Shu had already clasped her hand. “No need for formality, Crown Princess. Please, sit.”

“This palace has long wished to meet the Crown Princess, but the chance never came. Hearing you were in the palace today, I asked for you to be brought here.”

“You won’t blame me for being forward, will you?”

The Consort Shu even playfully winked.

Xie Yao, unsure of her true intentions, shook her head lightly.

The Consort Shu’s smile brightened. “Good.”

They had only just sat down when a palace maid entered. “Your Ladyship, messengers from Weiyang Palace report that the Noble Consort has summoned the Crown Princess to discuss the Longevity Festival.”

How swift.

Lowering her gaze, Xie Yao rose. “Consort Shu, I must take my leave.”

“Wait.”

The Consort Shu quickly spoke up. “The skies look unkind today, it may rain. Perhaps the Crown Princess should leave the palace early.”

Xie Yao looked up.

The Consort Shu’s clear eyes shone brightly, her face carrying a gentle smile. “Go on.”

Xie Yao withdrew.

Truly, there was not a single fool in this palace.

Indeed.

After the Fourth Prince, no new princes had been born for many years. Yet the Consort Shu, against the odds, had borne the Fifth Prince. Clearly, she was no ordinary woman.

Stepping out of Yanxi Palace, Xie Yao raised her eyes.

The sun blazed high in the heavens, the sky washed clean and cloudless.

At Weiyang Palace, she continued as before by studying documents.

She read on until evening.

With no help from Princess Yongle today, she was naturally left to stay in the palace.

Though Xiao Ji never resided in the palace, there was still a hall belonging to the Crown Prince.

“Crown Princess,” Zhuqing whispered nervously, “was the Consort Shu trying to help you today?”

“Not necessarily,” Xie Yao replied casually.

Then she asked, “Did either of you think the Consort Shu’s features looked familiar? As if I’ve seen her somewhere before?”

Zhuqing and Zhuxin exchanged blank looks. “This servant… dared not look directly at the Consort Shu.”

So Xie Yao asked no further. After washing up, she lay down.

In her mouth she held a medicinal pellet that cleared the mind and resisted poisons, ensuring she would not succumb to drugged incense or powders.

If Xiao Hong were to make a move against her, it would surely be with drugs.

—-

Deep in the night.

Two shadows approached a secluded palace hall.

The one behind spoke: “Rest assured, Your Highness. Tonight’s evening meal was drugged. Someone personally watched them eat it.”

The man in front was Xiao Hong.

Lifting his head, his eyes were filled with lust. Impatient, he pushed open the door.

By the light of the moon streaming through the window, he saw the quilt on the bed bulging.

Once he had Xie Yao, wouldn’t that little temptress have no choice but to submit to his virility?

He would make her understand that only he could give her such unmatched ecstasy.

He would let her experience what it meant to be a woman!

The more Xiao Hong thought about it, the more excited he became. His mouth went dry, his throat parched.

Unable to wait any longer, he pounced onto the bed. “My darling, let this prince cherish you well.”