Chapter 93:- Kill Xie Yao

When Xiao Ji went to the palace to fetch Xie Yao, his mind was still replaying the discussion he had just overheard among the physicians.

Xie Yao.

Could his Crown Princess truly be one of those women born with the so-called innate “blessed body for fertility”?

Was that why, despite his own sterility, she had still conceived his child?

That was his child!

Xiao Ji’s heartbeat suddenly quickened.

In the past, he had believed in Xie Yao’s fidelity, yet he also knew beyond doubt that he himself was incapable of fathering offspring.

But now, having learned that the child in her belly was indeed his, the feeling was completely different.

It was as if he were soaring in the clouds, light-headed and weightless…

In that instant, he truly realized, he was going to be a father.

“Ugh—”

Overcome with emotion, Xiao Ji once again retched.

Just then, Xiao Ning was exiting the palace. She immediately spotted Xiao Ji clutching his chest and vomiting.

Her gaze flickered slightly as she recalled the words Song Wenbo had spoken while kneeling before her a few days prior.

She had harbored some doubts at the time, for Xiao Ji’s health had seemed to show faint signs of improvement recently.

But now, it appeared to be nothing but a façade.

Xiao Ji was doomed to die.

Xiao Ning’s lips curved upward briefly, before she quickly masked it with a look of concern. “Elder brother, are you all right? Shall I summon the imperial physicians?”

The overpowering fragrance of her incense wafted toward him.

Xiao Ji felt nauseated just by the smell!

He immediately stepped back, putting a safe distance between himself and Xiao Ning. “I can still manage. No need.”

With that said, he strode past the palace gates, heading deeper inside.

Stubborn.

Xiao Ning thought to herself, her eyes lingering on his retreating figure before she turned and made her way toward her carriage.

Xiao Ji had only walked a few more steps when he instructed Si-nan, “Investigate what business Xiao Ning had for entering the palace today.”

Just a few days ago, Xiao Ning had quarreled bitterly with Xiao Hong at Weiyang Palace, and it was clear that Concubine Li favored the Second Prince.

If Xiao Ning had entered the palace today… could it have been to see the emperor?

—–

At Yanxi Palace.

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince.” A palace maid came forward to greet him. “The Crown Princess is currently discussing important matters with Her Ladyship the Consort. It will take a while longer. May I invite Your Highness to rest in the side hall?”

At this hour…

“No need,” Xiao Ji replied. “I will wait here.”

This way, Yao-yao would see him the moment she came out.

The palace maid looked troubled, but seeing that Xiao Ji’s mind was set, she could only withdraw.

Xiao Ji lingered there for a while longer.

Xie Yao still had not appeared, but then, the emperor himself arrived in his imperial sedan!

Xiao Ji immediately bowed in salute.

The emperor frowned at the sight of him. “Why is the Crown Prince here?”

This was Yanxi Palace, residence of the consorts. For the Crown Prince, a man, to be standing here was most improper.

Xiao Ji promptly answered, “In reply to Father Emperor, this son came to fetch the Crown Princess.”

The emperor was silent for a moment before saying, “You are certainly attentive.”

At this, Chief Eunnuch Li quickly sent a servant to call for the Crown Princess.

But soon, a young eunuch returned, reporting, “Your Majesty, Your Highness, Yanxi Palace says that the Crown Princess left a quarter of an hour ago.”

Xiao Ji’s expression changed drastically. He immediately turned to go after her.

The emperor’s brows knitted, but he eventually gave Chief Eunnuch Li a subtle look, instructing him to send people to search as well.

“Your Highness, that palace maid just now…”

Si-nan still felt lingering fear in his heart.

Since the Crown Princess had already left, why had that maid lied to lure their prince into Yanxi Palace? What was she scheming?

Whatever it was, it boded ill.

“Find the Crown Princess first,” Xiao Ji ordered grimly.

…

Normally, Xie Yao always waited for Xiao Ji to pick her up.

But today, word came that His Majesty would be arriving at Yanxi Palace. As a daughter-in-law, it would be improper for her to remain, so she chose to leave early.

She never expected that the path the little eunuch led her down would grow more and more remote…

She halted, eyes sharp. “Where does this road lead?”

The little eunuch appeared startled, then quickly darted into a side path, twisting and turning until he vanished from view.

Xie Yao muttered, “…Lets go back.”

She turned decisively.

That eunuch had served at Yanxi Palace, which was why she had trusted him at all. She had never imagined…

Bang!

A sudden sound rang out.

Zhuqing instantly moved in front of Xie Yao, ready to defend her.

From the shadows emerged a tall, powerfully built man. His entire being radiated murderous intent, his eyes bloodshot, blazing with a savage killing urge.

He charged straight at Xie Yao and Zhuqing….

Danger!

“Your Highness, run!” Zhuqing cried out, her first instinct to shield Xie Yao.

But suddenly, it was as though the man had been triggered by some hidden command. His body jerked, trying to halt mid-stride yet his forward momentum sent him crashing to the ground.

“Go!”

The word ground out from between his teeth.

Xie Yao and Zhuqing dared not waste a moment. They turned and fled.

But though the man’s mouth commanded them to leave, his body betrayed him, once again lunging toward Xie Yao with murderous force!

It happened in a blink.

Seizing the instant he drew near, Xie Yao drove her elbow hard into his abdomen.

“Ahh!”

She hissed in pain.

His stomach felt like iron plating, the impact making her arm throb.

But pain or not, Xie Yao never stopped moving. She struck with pure cunning and ferocity, her next blow landing squarely below the belt.

The man suffered the same “assault” Xiao Hong once had, collapsing in agony to the ground.

But this time, his bloodshot eyes brimmed with an even greater bloodlust.

More intense than Xiao Hong’s ever was.

Xie Yao felt a chill. She grabbed Zhuqing and stumbled away at full speed.

She soon collided headlong into a solid yet familiar embrace. At the scent she knew so well, Xie Yao’s heart eased at last. She tilted her head up to look.

Her face was flushed from running, tiny beads of sweat clung to her forehead and nose. Her breath came fast, chest rising and falling, her eyes and nose tinged red as if she had been terribly wronged. Her voice trembled with pitiful fragility.

“Your Highness…”

“Why did you only come now?”

Xiao Ji wrapped her in his arms. His gaze swept toward the direction she had come from, instantly realizing she had been caught in someone’s trap. “Forgive me. I came too late.”

Chief Eunnuch Li rushed up behind, his face full of shock. “Your Highness the Crown Prince…”

Xiao Ji cast him a glance. “See to it properly.”

—

At the Yangxing Palace.

Chief Eunnuch Li reported, sighing softly, “Your Majesty, the palace maid from Yanxi Palace and the little eunuch who led the Crown Princess into the forbidden ground… have both taken their own lives.”

“Your Majesty,” Consort Shu dabbed her tears with a handkerchief, her voice meek and aggrieved. “The Crown Prince comes here to fetch the Crown Princess every single day. I have not even offered him a single cup of tea. And yet now, someone wants to ruin me…”

The Crown Princess was absent, the Crown Prince present. Nothing needed to happen, just the emperor’s faintest suspicion, and she would suffer his scorn.

She had believed the palace was already purged clean. She had not expected this…

The emperor patted the back of her hand gently, his tone warm, with even a trace of indulgence. “Enough.”

“Your Majesty, please, you must investigate this thoroughly and clear my name, or I shall not relent,” Consort Shu pouted softly, feigning the coquettish airs of a maiden as she clung to him.

The emperor fell silent, clearly turning things over in his mind.

There were not many people capable of arranging such things within the palace. They all knew the likely culprits.

“Father Emperor.” Xiao Ji stepped forward. “This son is willing to investigate the matter.”

Yao-yao had nearly been harmed.

He would never allow the mastermind to continue unpunished!

The emperor’s gaze settled on Xiao Ji, holding for a long moment before he finally said, “Granted.”

As it was already late, with the emperor’s approval secured, Xiao Ji escorted Xie Yao out of the palace.

Only then did she finally ask, “Your Highness, that madman…”