Chapter 98:- The Crown Princess and the Bastard Must Not Remain

The moment those words were spoken, the entire hall fell silent!

Even the Emperor’s smile faded.

All the old ministers of the court knew well that for so many years, the Crown Prince had never once presented a birthday gift to His Majesty. Just appearing at today’s banquet was already a rare thing.

In that silence, Xie Yujiao felt something was wrong… This wasn’t how they had treated her in her previous life.

Xiao Ji rose to his feet and said in a deep voice, “Father, this son has indeed prepared a birthday gift for you.”

At once, all eyes fell upon him.

Xiao Ji clapped his hands, and a eunuch immediately presented a tray. When the Emperor picked up the item upon it, he saw, it was a medical record.

The Crown Princess… was with child!

The Emperor’s head jerked up, and for the first time in years since ascending the throne, he actually lost his composure!

Especially when his gaze swept across Xie Yao, his eyes carried a piercing, murderous chill.

He knew Xiao Ji’s body was already sterile, and it was utterly impossible to sire children. What was Xiao Ji trying to pull?

Just as Xiao Ji moved to shield Xie Yao from that pressure, he felt her grip his hand and step forward to stand shoulder to shoulder with him.

The true Xie Yao was no fragile woman pretending weakness before the Emperor.

“The Crown Princess has been diagnosed with a pregnancy pulse. Congratulations, Father, you are soon to become a grandfather.” Xiao Ji spoke with genuine joy, his voice unable to hide his delight.

The hall fell silent again.

This gift… A royal heir was naturally a matter of state. And this was the Crown Prince’s first child. If it were a boy, he would be the Crown Grandson.

Indeed, this was a weighty gift.

But many could not bring themselves to smile.

Especially those who knew of Xiao Ji’s condition; they deeply doubted the child’s parentage.

All eyes turned toward Xie Yao and Xiao Ji, the atmosphere thick with awkward tension.

Xiao Ji showed no fear, even asking, “Is Father not pleased?”

The Emperor had long since mastered the art of concealing emotions behind a mask of composure. He gave Xiao Ji a deep look. “Naturally, I am pleased.”

“Impossible!”

A shrill female voice suddenly rang out. “Absolutely impossible! This—”

Before she could finish, her mouth was forcibly covered.

It was Song Wenbo who acted.

His expression was dark as he pressed Xie Yujiao down into a kneel, his voice humble to the extreme. “My wife has fits of madness and loves to spout nonsense. I beg His Majesty’s forgiveness.”

Damn Xie Yujiao, if she wanted to die, she should not drag him down with her!

If not for being her husband, if not for her remaining “usefulness,” he would have gladly watched her “go mad.”

The Emperor’s gaze upon Xie Yujiao was ice cold. “Since she is ill, she should go out less.”

What was she anyway? Did she have the right to meddle?

Song Wenbo’s back was drenched with cold sweat, his body trembling as he kowtowed, repeatedly acknowledging fault.

Even after meeting the Emperor several times, he could not withstand his overwhelming presence.

But he also sensed another icy gaze fall upon him, that of Princess He Yi.

He knew that for today’s events, he would have to give her an explanation later.

Xiao Ning’s frosty gaze soon shifted from Song Wenbo to land on Xie Yao and Xiao Ji.

She had thought her plan flawless, yet still she had miscalculated.

Xiao Ji was a schemer indeed and willing to go this far for Xie Yao, by even recognizing a bastard child!

Xiao Hong’s eyes were equally cold and dangerous, laced with jealousy.

Wretched woman!

To bear another man’s child, yet still pretend to be chaste before him?

She was nothing but second-hand goods, played with by others…

But just as that thought crossed his mind, he felt a chill pierce his back. It was Xiao Ji’s gaze, as though he had read his very thoughts, those eyes brimmed with murderous intent.

Xiao Hong’s heart jolted. Instinctively, he looked away.

Then anger surged, what arrogance, from a man as good as dead!

Still, without exception, the news revealed by Xiao Ji and Xie Yao threw everyone, Xiao Hong and Xiao Ning included, into urgent unease.

With Xiao Ji’s “gift” presented, Xiao Hong lost his chance to request marriage.

Under Noble Consort Shu’s prompting, the Emperor turned to Xiao Ji with a cold face. “Does the Crown Prince have a request?”

Xiao Ji lowered his gaze. “This son would like to ask Father for a portrait.”

The Emperor’s face darkened at once, displeasure flashing in his eyes. Yet beneath that, there was an undeniable glimmer of yearning and sorrow.

They all knew, what Xiao Ji sought could only be a portrait of the late Empress.

After a moment of silence, the Emperor said, “Granted.”

Xiao Ji’s brows lifted faintly. “Many thanks, Father.”

With the gift-giving concluded, the banquet continued, wine and laughter filling the hall.

Xie Yao, being pregnant, openly refrained from alcohol, sipping only on sweet fruit drinks.

“Your Highness.”

A young eunuch approached Xiao Ji, whispering, “His Majesty summons you.”

Xiao Ji looked toward Xie Yao.

She gave a small nod. “I’ll wait here for you.”

Only then did he rise to leave.

“Xie Yao!”

Xie Yujiao’s voice rang out in front of her. Her expression was filled with disdain and pride, as though she had grasped Xie Yao’s weakness. “I know your secret.”

Xie Yao: “…”

She gave her a glance, not even bothering to respond.

Xie Yujiao pressed on, “You wouldn’t want your secret revealed to everyone, would you?”

Xie Yao asked, “Oh? And what secret would that be?”

Xie Yujiao faltered. “That bastard you’re carrying…”

Smack!

Xie Yao’s hand cracked across her face. The slap was sharp and crisp, drawing the eyes of all nearby.

“Slandering and defiling the royal bloodline, do you know what crime that is?”

Her voice rang out clearly as she rebuked.

Song Wenbo, who had only stepped away to offer a toast, returned to find Xie Yujiao in trouble again. With no choice, he forced himself forward. “Crown Princess, forgive her, my wife is ill again.”

Offering hurried apologies, he dragged Xie Yujiao out of the hall.

Once outside, Xie Yujiao finally shook him off. “Husband, why did you stop me? It’s Xie Yao who should be panicking!”

“She has muddied the imperial bloodline, that’s a capital crime!”

“With such a crime on her, what’s there to fear? She’ll be the one begging at my feet!”

Song Wenbo raised his hand as if to strike, but slowly let it fall, instead asking with uncertainty, “Are you certain?”

“Of course!” Xie Yujiao lifted her chin with certainty. “Husband, trust me, the child in her belly definitely isn’t the Crown Prince’s.”

“Why?” Song Wenbo frowned.

Xie Yujiao sneered. “The Crown Prince… is impotent.”

In her past life, when her seduction failed, she had even drugged him. Yet even then, he hadn’t touched her. If that wasn’t proof, what was?

Song Wenbo looked at her, doubt and unease warring in his eyes. “This too…you foresaw?”

Xie Yujiao froze, and then nodded heavily. “Yes.”

“So, Husband, we have nothing to fear from Xie Yao. She… is doomed.”

She basked in her own triumph, never noticing the calculating scrutiny in Song Wenbo’s eyes.

…

Xiao Ji was summoned to the Yangxing Palace.

The Emperor sat on the dragon throne. His golden robe radiated majesty, yet carried an inexplicable loneliness.

At his side rested a rolled-up painting.

Its faded colors showed its age, yet it had been carefully preserved. Apart from the slight yellowing of the paper, it was in perfect condition.

This was the portrait Xiao Ji had sought.

The Emperor pushed it toward him. “It is yours.”

Xiao Ji immediately bowed. “Many thanks, Father.”

His mother had died giving birth to him, and the Emperor had hated him ever since. For so many years, he had only glimpsed his mother’s portrait in secret, never able to possess it openly.

Now…

Xiao Ji reached out for the painting.

Then the Emperor’s voice rang again.

“Your Crown Princess, and that bastard child…”

“They both must be dealt with.”