Chapter 89:- Your Highness Likes Biting Ears

Xiao Ji sat across from Xie Yao, his fingertips pinching a black stone before placing it steadily on the board.

“Si-nan said that a few days before Xiao Ning approached Qian Jin, something happened to his mother.”

Xie Yao nodded. She knew this too.

Because Qian Jin was studying at the academy, when the flood disaster came, he had not been able to return to his village immediately.

By the time he made it back, his mother had already been abandoned by her brother’s household. They had taken her allotted grain but given her nothing to eat.

That was why Qian Jin had sought her out so precisely.

This had been Xiao Ning’s scheme: first, to use a beauty trap; second, to use the false account book to “clear” his father’s name.

But Qian Jin had turned the plan on its head and used Xiao Ning instead. He was now on the ship with them, traveling north.

Xie Yao placed another stone on the board.

Xiao Ji’s brows lifted slightly as he stole a glance at the Crown Princess opposite him.

This was the first time he had ever played against Xie Yao, and he finally realized that his Crown Princess calculated three steps ahead with meticulous logic.

She was no ordinary person!

At first, he had only meant to humor her and help pass the time. But unexpectedly…

As he watched her staring intently at the board, serious and focused, the corners of his lips lifted high in pride.

His Crown Princess was truly remarkable.

After a long while, neither of them had won or lost. Xie Yao suddenly snapped back to herself, she had gotten carried away competing.

Thinking of how she wanted to appear in the Crown Prince’s eyes…

She cautiously raised her gaze, only to meet his smiling, doting eyes, brimming with warmth and devotion.

Her faintly tense heart suddenly fell as though onto soft cotton, swelling warmly and fully.

“Yao-yao.”

Xiao Ji twirled the black stone before her eyes. “It’s your move.”

Worried she might dislike favoritism, he had not gone easy on her.

Encouraged, Xie Yao deliberated for a moment, then placed her white stone firmly on the calculated spot.

It captured a wide swath of Xiao Ji’s pieces.

She… was never truly a “good” person.

She glanced at him casually to see his reaction. But all she saw was admiration brimming in his gaze.

Her heart suddenly settled for no reason.

Five days later.

The ship docked at the capital’s pier. Officials from the Three Judicial Offices had already arrived to receive them. Before Xie Yao even stepped ashore, she sensed a venomous gaze fixed on her.

She looked up to see the Second Prince, Xiao Hong.

He wore a robe of sapphire blue brocade. Compared to before, the feigned gentleness was gone; his entire aura had grown sullen and dark.

That sinister gaze was disgusting. Just one look made Xie Yao feel nauseated.

The next instant, Xiao Ji stepped in front of her, blocking Xiao Hong’s stare.

He met Xiao Hong’s gaze openly, his eyes flashing with cold light, full of warning.

Xiao Hong shifted his eyes away, landing them on Xiao Ning instead.

He had received the account book.

The matter in Nanzhou was, of course, tied to him. Last year’s dam incident had also sent a large sum of money into his residence.

But he and his uncle had checked the book and confirmed they had not received that much money.

His dear imperial sister…

“Imperial Brother, Crown Princess, Imperial Sister.”

Xiao Hong bowed one by one, his brows tinged with pride. Not because of anything else, only that even though the account book had been delivered to the Emperor, he was still being shielded and allowed to walk free.

Xiao Ji still had to enter the palace to report on Nanzhou. He instructed Si-nan to escort Xie Yao back to the Crown Prince’s residence.

He personally helped her into the carriage, holding her hand warmly. “I’ll return soon.”

Xie Yao’s eyes curved into a smile, her voice soft as silk. “I know.”

Not far away, Xiao Hong stood watching this poetic, picturesque scene. Beneath his sleeves, his fists clenched tight.

Beyond jealousy, his heart seethed with hatred and loathing.

Xie Yao… vile woman!

The carriage door closed.

The smile on Xie Yao’s face instantly fell away.

Xiao Hong was such an eyesore.

She had been away from the Crown Prince’s residence for half a month, yet everything in the estate remained unchanged.

“Elder Sister!”

Xie Zhan had been waiting at the gates of the Crown Prince’s residence. Seeing her, he ran forward with a radiant smile.

Compared to half a month earlier, he seemed far more cheerful.

His clothes now fit well, and the timidity he had when he first arrived was gone, leaving him looking healthy and pleasing to the eye.

“Ah-Zhan.”

Xie Yao smiled brightly. “Have you been studying well these days?”

Before Xie Zhan could answer, Zhuxin, who had been managing the household, spoke, “Crown Princess, rest assured. The young master has been very diligent with his studies, reading late into the night every day…”

“That won’t do.”

Xie Yao said seriously, “If you sleep too little, you won’t grow tall. Work and rest must balance.”

Xie Zhan’s cheeks flushed red as he gave her a solemn nod of thanks. The siblings chatted a bit more before he was led away.

Only then did Zhuxin report on affairs in the capital during her absence.

“Crown Princess, while you were gone, people from the Xie family came several times, wanting to take the young master away. As you instructed, I did not agree.”

“The matter of the Second Prince has been heavily suppressed in court, but in private, many households have still heard of it.”

“Song Wenbo has been secretly seeking physicians. The entire Song residence smells of medicine. He claims it is for Second Young Lady’s pregnancy care.”

“……”

“Five days ago, the Li family was surrounded by the Imperial Guards.”

Xie Yao listened to it all as she entered the main hall.

After the long journey and constant swaying of the boat, she had not rested well.

After bathing, she lay lazily on the soft couch.

It was much more comfortable lying down.

Before long, she drifted into sleep…

When the fleet had reached the pier, it was still morning. By the time Xiao Ji returned, the sun was already setting.

He stepped into the main courtyard of the Crown Prince’s residence, the evening glow trailing behind him. The estate was quiet, unchanged at first glance.

But upon closer look, there were subtle touches that revealed Xie Yao’s arrangements, bringing a sense of warmth.

He entered and immediately saw her, asleep on the soft couch, her breath even and steady.

It was summer; she wore only a thin gauze robe. The light quilt had slipped off in her sleep.

Her pale skin glowed faintly through the gauze, hazy and alluring.

Xiao Ji’s heart softened at once.

Like a wanderer finding his home, he walked forward quietly and gathered her into his arms.

Xie Yao murmured softly, her eyes still closed, but her hand instinctively hooked around his neck. Her voice was sweet and soft. “Your Highness.”

She was being coquettish.

“Mm.” Xiao Ji hummed, his voice gentle as if soothing a child. “Go back to sleep.”

He placed her on the bed.

Using the strength of her arm around his neck, she sat up with him.

The quilt slid from her shoulders, and the thin gauze barely covered her.

But she seemed not to notice, only tugging at his hand. “Why did Your Highness only return now?”

Xiao Ji’s gaze deepened, and he answered softly, “It was me who came back late.”

“Have you eaten? Are you hungry?”

Xie Yao shook her head, then nodded.

Xiao Ji chuckled, gave an order outside, and then rose to fetch an outer robe. He draped it over her shoulders himself, dressing her with care.

Only then did Xie Yao realize her state. Her cheeks instantly flushed, her drowsiness gone entirely. “Your Highness, I just now…”

“Mm.” Xiao Ji nodded, then bent to gently bite her ear. “I thought my Crown Princess was inviting me.”

Cultural Notes:

1. Three Judicial Offices– A term often referring to major investigative or judicial branches in imperial bureaucracy, involved in receiving the Crown Prince and handling legal matters.