Chapter 87:- Yao-yao, Be Good, Don’t Move

Xie Yao did not hurry back to her courtyard but had the carriage circle around Nanzhou City.

This flood had spared the lives of the people, yet their homes and possessions had been heavily damaged.

Still, the citizens of Nanzhou had not been crushed. The city thrummed with vitality.

The relief supplies from the fundraising banquet Princess He Yi had hosted in the capital had also arrived with them in Nanzhou.

Under Xie Yao’s supervision, Princess He Yi set up a distribution point for the supplies in the city.

And Xie Yao laid down a rule: only women or young girls from each household were to collect the aid.

“Your Highness,” Zhuqing whispered, glancing at the frail women in line, pity flickering in her eyes. “Why not let them rest at home instead?”

Xie Yao only smiled faintly. “Staying at home doesn’t always mean rest.”

She stepped down from the carriage herself, going to the station to hand out grain.

The rations were small, but enough to save lives.

Soon, someone recognized her.

Moments later, the people dropped to their knees in a wave. “Thank you, Crown Princess! Thank you for saving us!”

Xie Yao had changed beforehand into simple, practical narrow-sleeved clothing.

Now she went forward herself to help an elderly woman to her feet, her voice warm, her smile gentle. “No need to thank me. Please, everyone rise.”

“Yes indeed!” a familiar voice rang out. Princess Xiao Ning hurriedly descended from her carriage. “It was this palace that raised the donations in the first place. You needn’t be so polite.”

She would not allow Xie Yao to steal her credit!

Hadn’t the fundraising been entirely her doing? Yet now, here Xie Yao was, reaping gratitude.

But Xiao Ning had rushed out in full court attire; gold-and-silver brocade, elaborate makeup, hair glittering with jewels.

In contrast, the Crown Princess, dressed plainly yet dignified, personally working alongside the common folk, naturally won their hearts.

The people bowed again, voices sincere. “Thank you, Crown Princess! Thank you, Princess!”

Xiao Ning nearly choked with fury.

Damn you, Xie Yao!

When the distribution ended, Xiao Ning turned to Xie Yao, her tone dripping with false sweetness. “Imperial Sister-in-law, why come alone? Why not invite me?”

“After all, it was this palace who led the fundraising. Now it looks as if I were insincere.”

Xie Yao treated her words like a dog’s barking. “I merely wandered here with nothing else to do. Imperial Sister is overthinking.”

Xiao Ning had come in such haste that, though her makeup was flawless, the exhaustion under her eyes could not be hidden.

Clearly, she hadn’t rested last night.

But not from pleasures of the flesh.

For she knew after having lived one life already of what Xiao Ning looked like after nights of revelry. Then, her face had glowed with vitality.

Today, she showed only fatigue.

Chu Feng Guan… there’s something wrong there.

These thoughts flitted through Xie Yao’s mind as she took Zhuqing’s arm and returned to her carriage. “Let’s go back.”

Watching the carriage depart, Xiao Ning’s eyes flashed coldly. “Everything is prepared?”

“Yes,” one of the handsome youths beside her replied in a low voice.

—-

In her carriage, Xie Yao leaned back with her eyes closed.

Suddenly, the horses jolted to a halt. Zhuqing grabbed her at once to steady her.

Before Xie Yao could ask, a murderous shout rang out outside.  “Die!”

In the next instant, figures charged the carriage, blades flashing.

Assassins….attacking in broad daylight!

The driver leapt forward to meet them.

Attackers came from every side.

But before the Crown Prince’s shadow guards could even act, another voice rang out. “Don’t harm her!”

A white-clad youth burst from the crowd, throwing himself between the assassins and the carriage.

A blade slashed across his shoulder, blood blooming red.

The attacker hesitated, then raised his knife to strike again but this time, the shadow guards moved, swiftly subduing every assassin.

The youth’s shoulder was drenched in blood. His face had gone deathly pale, sweat soaking his brow. He braced himself against the carriage, forcing a weary, relieved smile toward Xie Yao.

Then collapsed straight to the ground.

In broad daylight, she could hardly ignore her savior. At once, Xie Yao ordered him carried to the nearest physician.

The wound was grave. Only after treatment and bandaging did the youth regain consciousness.

He was handsome, but his eyes held distance and coldness. Seeing Xie Yao there, he showed little joy.

Xie Yao inclined her head. “Thank you, young master, for saving me.”

“No need,” the youth replied coolly. “I merely acted upon seeing injustice.”

His indifference didn’t bother her. She smiled instead. “Still, since you were injured for my sake, I must take responsibility.”

The youth’s lips pressed tightly together, his gaze dropping. He avoided her eyes, but the tips of his ears flushed faintly red.

“Saving you was my choice. No need to repay me.” His voice carried a stubborn edge.

“Rest assured. I’ve told the physician to use the best medicine. You’ll be well cared for here, please rest and heal.”

She rose, about to leave.

But suddenly, her skirts were tugged.

Turning back, she found the youth gripping the fabric, biting his lip, eyes flickering with guilt.

“I… I beg you…”

“My father is innocent.”

“If you could clear his name, I would do anything.”

Xie Yao’s face changed. She signaled Zhuqing, then looked intently at him. “Who is your father? Tell me everything.”

—-

Not long after she led the youth out of the clinic, she ran into Xiao Ji hurrying over.

Having left the patients, he had of course bathed and changed clothes, drinking herbal decoction. The moment he saw her, he pulled her tightly into his arms.

His stern face softened. “Yao-yao, I heard you were attacked?”

In broad daylight, under heaven’s sky, his Crown Princess ambushed in Nanzhou!

Xie Yao returned his embrace. “Don’t worry, Your Highness. I’m unharmed.”

The shadow guards had already reported, but only holding her here, feeling her warmth in his arms, did Xiao Ji truly believe she was safe.

At last, the weight in his chest lifted.

He clutched her tighter, burying his voice against her neck. “Yao-yao, I wish I could keep you in my arms always.”

To carry her everywhere, never fearing for her safety.

She tilted her head and kissed his cheek. “Alright.”

“Then I’ll follow Your Highness always, never parting again.” She nuzzled into his embrace.

Xiao Ji groaned helplessly, pressing her down gently. “Be good, don’t move.”

He could not take much more teasing.