Chapter 95:- The Crown Prince Is Going to Die

Xiao Ji gave Xiao Ning a long, searching look.

For the first time, he realized… Xiao Ning’s face was truly thick-skinned.

“Oh?”

His brows lifted slightly, his gaze inscrutable. “And what must I give in return?”

“Elder brother is a clever man,” Xiao Ning replied. “You need not answer in haste. Think it over.”

“I will await your good news.” With that, she turned and walked toward the Yangxing Palace.

Xiao Ji remained standing in place for some time, his eyes filled with a mocking smile.

Her words… he did not believe a single one.

If Xiao Ning refrained from harming his Crown Princess, that was already the best he could hope for… let alone protecting her.

Heh.

He was poisoned in body, not in mind.

Still, her eagerness could serve as an excuse to accelerate certain plans…

That day, Xie Yao finished her discussions with Consort Shu earlier than usual.

As she was helped into the carriage by Xiao Ji, she stretched lazily before leaning naturally into his embrace, finding a comfortable position.

His hand came to rest on her shoulder and neck, massaging gently with just the right pressure. “The Crown Princess has worked hard.”

The corners of Xie Yao’s lips curved upward. “After all these busy days, at last everything is set. Now it only needs watching over.”

“Crown Princess is truly remarkable.”

Xiao Ji did not stint in his praise.

Her cheeks flushed slightly as she cast him a playful glare. Then her gaze shifted, and she placed his hand over her belly. “Your Highness, in half a month, our child will be three months along.”

That would be the time, as they had said before, when the news could be made public.

Half a month later would also be the Longevity Festival.

Xiao Ji caught her meaning instantly. “The Longevity Festival truly is an auspicious day.”

Xie Yao’s lips curved faintly.

This had been her plan all along. In the past, she would have made excuses, trying to appear pitiful and blameless.

But now… she could not be bothered.

Like a little rabbit already safe within her burrow, she dared stretch out her “sinful” little claws.

The way Xiao Ji looked at her was solemn, filled with admiration. “Crown Princess has arranged this very well.”

As soon as they returned to the Eastern Palace, Si-nan appeared by their side, reporting in a low voice, “Your Highness, Your Grace. Just now word arrived: His Majesty personally named Song Wenbo, assigning him to the Ministry of Astronomy.”

The Ministry of Astronomy!

Xie Yao’s eyelids twitched. A dreadful premonition she had earlier seemed to be taking form.

Xie Yujiao…

Fortunately, Xie Yao had never trusted her. She had never once admitted her rebirth before Xie Yujiao.

By that girl’s limited wits, she would never suspect so quickly. But with Song Wenbo and Xiao Ning in the mix, things were different; those two were far from harmless.

Xiao Ji too was astonished. “The Ministry of Astronomy?”

He had thought Xiao Ning was plotting something devious, only to find this was her plan.

Truly, like her mother, she was fond of dabbling in mystical nonsense.

Si-nan added, “He has been made Deputy Minister.”

Xie Yao forced herself to calm down, suppressing her unease with self-comfort. After all, in her previous life, Xie Yujiao had not lived long either, two years later; she had taken vows before the Buddha, far removed from worldly affairs.

Surely she could not foresee more than that.

She had never cared for politics, only for clothes and jewelry.

Xiao Ji, always attuned to Xie Yao, noticed her distraction at once.

After settling her in the main residence, he returned to his study, his voice cold, “Investigate Song Wenbo and Xie Yujiao.”

Those two… were not without problems.

—

At the Song residence.

Xie Yujiao was brooding over the same matter.

In her past life, she had not even known what major events had shaken the capital in these years, let alone what came after.

The only things she had paid attention to… were Xie Yao and Song Wenbo.

If only she had known she would be reborn, she would have memorized every great and small happening in the capital, to tell her husband later!

“Jiao-jiao.”

Song Wenbo entered, clad in fresh official robes, striding in with a face full of elation. “Did I not say I would win you the rank of titled lady?”

“I have not yet achieved it, but…”

He had no need to finish the promise. Xie Yujiao already gazed at him with utter trust, her heart brimming with emotion. “But I know, you surely will.”

Song Wenbo smiled broadly, but in his eyes lurked disdain. Pulling her into his arms, he said, “Jiao-jiao speaks true.”

“Then will Jiao-jiao continue telling me what you know of the future?”

Her body stiffened. Biting her lip lightly, she murmured, “Husband, some things… are not so clear to me…”

Song Wenbo immediately let go, his smile vanishing in an instant.

He was displeased.

But he said nothing, only looked at her with heavy disappointment.

Her heart clenched. Grabbing his hand, she pleaded, “Husband, give me a little time. I will make it clear!”

He lowered his eyes, his expression unreadable.

“Husband.”

Her voice grew smaller, more helpless, as if begging for affirmation. After a long hesitation, she steeled herself and dropped a heavy bombshell, “I saw the Crown Prince dead in the fifth month, two years from now.”

Song Wenbo’s head snapped up, joy blazing in his eyes. His hands gripped her shoulders tightly. “Jiao-jiao, is this true?”

Her shoulders hurt, but she ignored it, smiling blissfully. “Husband, this I saw very clearly.”

Song Wenbo pulled her into a tight embrace, his voice thick with feigned emotion. “Jiao-jiao, you are wonderful.”

“To have such a virtuous wife, is my greatest fortune!”

Her lips curved high as she nestled into his chest. “So long as I can help Husband, I am glad.”

—

After becoming Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Astronomy, Song Wenbo entered the palace to see the emperor only twice before he was granted imperial favor and a heap of rewards. His rise as the new darling of court seemed assured.

And he had been recommended by Princess He Yi, Xiao Ning.

This caused many who had begun to lose faith in the Second Prince, Xiao Hong, after the Li family’s downfall, to waver again.

Now it seemed… the Second Prince’s faction still held the emperor’s favor.

What they did not know was that Xiao Hong was near his wits’ end.

Ever since his quarrel with Xiao Ning in Weiyang Palace over the ledgers of the Nanzhou case, the two had not spoken. For days he had sent her messages, but she had not replied once.

Such a fine elder sister!

He could not fathom what Xiao Ning truly wanted.

He was her own younger brother, yet she had even framed him!

“Someone come here.”

He called out, “Is the gift I prepared for Father ready?”

The steward of the Second Prince’s residence entered respectfully. “Rest assured, Your Highness, all is prepared.”

Xiao Hong nodded, his voice icy. “Guard it well. If anything goes wrong, none of you need bother living.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The steward withdrew.

Xiao Hong’s face shone with ambition as he gazed toward the imperial city. This time, after pleasing his father, he would request a marriage decree for himself and Wei Chan!

Marrying Wei Chan was indeed beneath him.

But for the throne, a little humiliation was worth it.

 Cultural Notes:

• Ministry of Astronomy: An imperial bureau responsible for astronomy, astrology, and the calendar, often tied to omens and political legitimacy.